FVN Chapter 307: A Warm Breakfast
Chapter 307: A Warm Breakfast
Chapter 307: A Warm Breakfast
Snow awoke with a serene sense of clarity, feeling a level of refreshment she hadn't experienced in years.
It was as though the exhaustion of her late-night hours had been swept away by an unseen hand, leaving her invigorated, as if she'd just awakened from the best sleep of her life.
Turning her gaze toward the open balcony, she was greeted by the soft, ethereal glow of early twilight.
The sky was painted in hues of lavender and gold, a gentle prelude to the sun's rise.
Snow's expression softened as she took in the tranquil view, her thoughts briefly lost in the beauty of the moment.
She glanced at the clock nearby and realized with mild surprise that she had woken earlier than expected.
Yet, despite the shortened rest, her body felt light and her mind unburdened, as though a hidden weight had been lifted.
Snow found herself wondering why she felt so at ease, but the thought quickly gave way to the reality of her responsibilities.
There was no time to dwell on fleeting mysteries. Her day was already brimming with obligations.
From assisting the Grand Duke in managing the vast expanse of the empire to ensuring her royal presence remained unwavering, her schedule allowed for little indulgence.
And, of course, there was the matter of Riley.
Snow's lips curved into a subtle smile as she thought of his anticipated arrival in the later hours of the day.
Despite the chaos and relentless demands of her station, the prospect of seeing him always lingered in the back of her mind, a quiet but persistent thought she refused to acknowledge fully.
As Snow hurriedly tried to sit up, her movements were abruptly halted.
"Hm?" she murmured, blinking in confusion.
Something heavy and warm was wrapped tightly around her.
A brief inspection revealed a strong, familiar arm draped across her body, holding her securely.
Her breath hitched as her gaze traveled along the arm, following it back to its source.
Her heart began to race uncontrollably.
"R-Riley?" she whispered, her voice laced with shock and disbelief.
Lying next to her, Riley was fast asleep, his expression utterly peaceful, as though he had no care in the world.
His arms enveloped her, pulling her close in a protective, possessive embrace.
His breathing was steady, his body relaxed, and the slight upturn of his lips gave him the look of someone perfectly content with the world.
Snow's wide eyes darted between his face and the room around her, trying to make sense of the situation.
Was she still dreaming?
Had her exhaustion finally caught up with her, leaving her hallucinating this scene?
She opened and closed her eyes repeatedly, but the sensations were far too real to ignore.
The warmth of his breath lightly grazing her neck sent shivers down her spine, and the rhythmic pulse of his chest against her hand confirmed it-this was no dream.
Her body squirmed slightly, her cheeks burning as the reality of the situation began to sink in. "H-How?"
Her mind raced, scrambling for logical answers.
How was he here? When had he arrived? Why was he in her bed?
Before she could untangle her thoughts, Riley stirred.
His eyelids fluttered open lazily, and his gaze met hers.
A smirk slowly spread across his face, his amusement clear as he took in her flustered expression.
"Good morning, Snow," he said casually, his tone carrying the warmth of someone waking up to their favorite sight.
Before she could respond, he leaned forward and pressed a soft, gentle kiss to her lips, his touch lingering just enough to make her breath hitch.
Pulling back, he smiled teasingly.
"I told you, didn't I? I'd be back before you knew it~."
absolutely necessary.
Today, however, she had chosen to join, though her expression revealed she wasn't entirely at
ease.
Despite the sumptuous spread of food before her, Sophiel's gaze was subtly, yet
unmistakably, fixed on one spot at the table.
Riley Hell. Sitting near the duke, Riley ate his breakfast quietly, his demeanor calm and unassuming.
Yet, there was something about his presence that drew Sophiel's attention.
Her irritation only deepened as her eyes shifted to the woman sitting beside him-Snow.
Snow, radiant as ever, had a warm smile plastered across her face as she occasionally fed Riley bites of her own breakfast with casual affection.
The gesture was intimate, her every move brimming with tenderness, and Riley accepted her gestures with ease, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Sophiel's jaw clenched slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing her face.
She had no idea why such a trivial act could bother her so deeply, but it did. Every time Snow leaned closer to Riley, her smile glowing with warmth, Sophiel's mood
soured even further.
As the emperor allowed the warmth of the moment to linger, his gaze settled on Riley-the young man who had unknowingly become the centerpiece of this rare familial gathering.
The sight of Riley seated among his family brought a sense of bittersweet contentment to the
emperor's heart.
He couldn't help but think of the past, of the times he had longed for such unity but had always found it out of reach.
This breakfast, though modest compared to the grandeur the empire was capable of, was a
ruse-a pretense for celebration, crafted to honor Riley's safe return after completing the
goddess's trial.
Yet, amidst the laughter of his daughters and the calm presence of his empress, the emperor realized he had neglected the most important part of this gathering.
"Riley Hell..." he began, his voice carrying a weight that drew everyone's attention. "...Yes, Your Majesty?" Riley responded, setting his utensils down and looking up with polite
attentiveness.
"Although this gathering may not befit someone who has endured and triumphed through the goddess's trial, I hope this small feast has managed to soothe your mind and body after the harsh trials you must have faced."
Riley hesitated briefly, glancing at the opulent spread before him, and then back at the
emperor. "No, it's alright, Your Majesty. This feast is more than enough." He spoke with
humility, though inwardly he couldn't help but marvel at the emperor's definition of "small
feast."
The sheer luxury of the dishes before him was far beyond what anyone would consider
modest.
The emperor chuckled softly at Riley's words, pleased by his modesty.
There were countless questions he wanted to ask-about the trial, about the goddess, and
about the changes Riley had undoubtedly undergone-but those could wait. For now, allowing Riley to enjoy this rare moment of peace was more important.
With a calm smile, the emperor lifted his jeweled goblet and took a sip of the golden fruit
juice within.
"I see," he said, setting the cup down with deliberate care.
His gaze softened, his voice lowering as he spoke again.
"I'm just glad you've returned safely... son."
The words were spoken warmly, almost tenderly, yet the moment they left his lips, the
atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically.