Mr. Jones. freёwebnovel.com
"Sir, you are back," the old butler softly whispered. "I came back to check something when I saw Madam sleeping here. Leaving her alone like this wasn't appropriate, so I stayed to watch over her."
He then turned to glance towards Arwen, a trace of sympathy in his expression. "She had been waiting for you. But when even after hours, you didn't come, she fell asleep, getting tired. Even she had returned quite late from work today. And coming back, she went to the kitchen to prepare a few dishes for you."
Aiden's heart sank a little.
She made dinner for him —and he hadn't shown up to eat it. She must have been mad at him. Disappointed, at the very least.
Realizing how easily he had let down her efforts, his fingers curled into fists, and his jaws tightened.
Mr. Jones noticed the subtle shift in his expression and took the cue to leave the two alone. Bowing slightly, he said, "Since you are back now, sir, I will take my leave for the night."
With that said, he turned and quietly left.
The house returned to silence, broken only by the faint hum of the wind outside and the steady rhythm of Arwen's breaths. Aiden's gaze remained fixed on her. The lights were off, but the moonlight streaming through the windows lit the room with a faint silvery glow.
Under its gentle touch, Arwen's jade-like skin shimmered faintly, making her appear ethereal —like a dream he didn't want to wake from.
He stood for a long moment, as if afraid that even a breath too loud would disturb her. Then slowly, he stepped toward the sofa, his movements quiet as a whisper. Lowering himself to his knees beside her, he studied her face.
She was wearing a cardigan, but it didn't look warm enough. One side had slipped off her shoulder.
Was it even keeping her warm?
His chest tightened.
If only he had returned earlier … she wouldn't be sleeping here, curled up like this in discomfort.
He was at fault.
Reaching out with gentle hands, he adjusted the cardigan back over her shoulder, then retrieved the throw blanket Mr. Jones had left nearby. Carefully, he draped it over her, tucking it in to shield her from the chill.
He considered carrying her upstairs straightaway, but when he saw her face —so serene, so quiet —he froze. She looked peaceful. And he didn't want to disturb that.
But was it real?
Her peace?
His thoughts drifted back to the reports Jason had read out to him earlier. To the weight that had settled in his chest ever since.
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