Chapter 188: Chapter 200

Chapter 0200 +25 BONUS Before I could react, a drop of ice cream slid down the side of my pinky, threatening to stain my ceremonial robe. Suddenly, Drake’s hand shot out, catching my wrist. In one swift motion, he leaned in and licked the melting ice cream from my hand.

Our eyes met as he pulled back, and I felt my breath catch in my throat. There was an intensity in his gaze that made my cheeks burn, and yet I felt too frozen to even look away.

“Careful,” he murmured, his voice husky. “Wouldn’t want to ruin that beautiful robe.”

I blinked, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. A mix of emotions swirled through me then- embarrassment, confusion, and something else I couldn’t quite name. Glancing over Drake’s shoulder, I caught sight of Noah watching us from across the festival grounds. The fury in his eyes made my stomach drop.

It was only then that my muscles finally reacted.

“Drake,” I hissed, yanking my hand away. “What are you doing? That was way too brazen.”

His eyes widened, realization dawning on his face. “I’m sorry, Hannah. I wasn’t thinking. I just—”

“You can’t do things like that,” I cut him off, making a show of raising my hand to stop him. “I’m still married, you know. And even if I weren’t...” My voice trailed off, but the implication remained: even if I weren’t married, Drake and I were still just friends.

Just friends. Contrary to popular belief, apparently.

A look of confusion crossed Drake’s face. “But... I heard a rumor that you... that you wanted me. Romantically, I mean.”

“What?” I exclaimed, nearly dropping my ice cream. “Where did you hear that?”

Drake’s face fell, embarrassment coloring his cheeks. “... I’m sorry. I must have misunderstood. Goddess, I feel like an idiot.”

I sighed and turned, pursing my lips. Rumors. Of course there were always rumors. “It’s fine, Drake. Just... promise me you won’t do anything like that again,” I muttered.

Drake opened his mouth to say something, but then shut it again. He only managed to nod stiffly before he turned and disappeared into the crowd.

As Drake walked away, I couldn’t help but glance back at Noah-hoping that he had seen me reject Drake. But he was gone.

My eyes did catch Viona, however, who was standing a little ways off-and looking uncomfortable as a young man tried to engage her in conversation. I made my way over, gently linking my arm with hers.

“Everything okay here?” I asked, giving the man a pointed look.

Viona smiled gratefully. “Yes, thank you, Hannah. I was just leaving. It was good seeing you, Andrew.”

The young man, tall and thin with sandy curls, nodded sheepishly and dipped his head. “You too, Viona. Hope to see you soon.”

Chapter 0200 +25 BONUS As we walked away, I could already see the tension leaving Viona’s shoulders. “What was that about?” I asked softly, nudging her with my elbow.

She exhaled deeply and ran a hand through her hair. “That’s Andrew. My parents... they’re trying to set up an arranged marriage between us.”

I nearly choked on my ice cream. “What? Since when?”

“Since, like, two weeks ago,” she admitted. When I shot her a withering glare, she quickly added, “You’ve been so busy, I didn’t want to bother you.”

I pursed my lips. “But you’re so young, Viona. Why are your parents suddenly deciding to do this?”

Viona shrugged, her eyes downcast and her ice cream untouched. “I’ve told them I’m not interested, but they keep pushing.

They say it’s a good match, that it’ll secure our family’s future.”

“But what about what you want?” I asked, stopping and turning to look at her.

She frowned. “I don’t want to get married. Not now, anyway. I want to date, to enjoy my youth. Is that so wrong?”

“Of course not. You should do what makes you happy, Viona. Take it from me-marriage to someone without true love can be...

stifling.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Not because they weren’t true, but because of who might have heard them. Sure enough, a familiar voice spoke up behind us, and I felt my stomach drop.

“Is that so?”