Raith looked intently at Kate whose eyes widened. She then pointed her index finger to herself.
“Yes, I’m talking to you.” Lady Octavia said. “Raith’s ideal type is totally ideal, my daughter. Unlike you who’s ideal type was worthless.” Kate’s ears burned as she clenched her jaw. Lady Octavia really like Elias for her daughter not until the Great Revolt happened and Elias and Luis were forced to stay with Amber.
“I hope your ideal is someone who is the total opposite of Elia-“ Lady Octavia stopped when Kate stood up from her seat angrily, making her seat fall on the ground.
“Manners-“
“My ideal type is someone who has the guts to call me ugly and weak, mom. Someone who’s brave enough to steal my heart.” Kate burst. “Elias and I are no longer together so please, refrain from bringing the past here. I’m full, please excuse me.” She took the wine beside her mother and walked away quickly. None of them knew how Kate’s tears started to fall and she wiped them angrily.
Raith’s eyes widened and so does Lady Octavia. Kate’s words slowly sank in their minds. When the heavy door banged close, the two flinched and looked at each other.
“P-Please excuse Kate’s behavior, Raith. You know she is-“
“No, Lady Octavia.” He cut her and shook his head. “Please pardon me but Kate has a point.” He wiped the corner of his mouth with the napkin and slowly stood up. “Bringing the buried, rotten past will destroy your fresh present. Kate has no feelings towards Elias now, Lady. So please, refrain from digging it up.”
Lady Octavia’s mouth was sealed. She tried to search for the right words to say but her tongue was tied.
“We know that Elias has no choice but to follow the command given to him. Lady Octavia, if you are in his position, I bet you’ll do it as well even if it means betraying the woman you love and hurting yourself to the point that you’ll die.”
Lady Octavia’s eyes widened and her lips parted in shock. Raith does not like Elias because he was his rival. But he is willing to take his side if it is for Kate's sake.
“It’s dark now. Please excuse me.” Raith said with a smiled and bowed before leaving Lady Octavia flabbergasted.
Raith quickly ran outside and looked at the hallway. Kate was nowhere to be found. He hissed and ran outside the Villa.
“Did you see Lady Kate?” He asked one of the servants and the servant nodded his head.
“She ran that way, Sir.” The servant said, pointing to the dark forest.
“Thank you.”
Raith fished for his phone in his inside pocket and dialed Kate but her phone is dead. He sighed deeply and removed his coat then removed his necktie. He then ran towards the dark forest and tried to follow Kate’s trail.
“This is where the whole Cadre goes but I still don’t memorize here, you know?” Raith murmured and used his phone as a flashlight. He tried to find the landmarks but stopped when he reached the Head Quarters. Wrong-way. He hissed and ruffled his hair then walked the other way.
Reaching the place, Kate went to the second-highest hill and used the flat rock as her seat. She then opened the wine and started to drink by herself. She stopped when the liquid became hot as it flows down her throat.
“Argh, I didn’t know this is strong.” She said and gulped multiple times as her saliva starts to form in her mouth. Ashriel hates drunkards. Therefore since the Cadre is always with her, they never drink.
“Seriously Kate? Stop acting childish, will you?!” She mumbled to herself and ruffled her hair furiously.
“That’s what I want to tell you.”
Kate’s heart almost jumps out of her heart upon hearing someone talk. She looked back and saw Raith, panting.
“Why are you panting?” She asked with a big frown.
“Blame yourself.” Raith retorted and walked towards her, unbuttoning the first two buttons of his shirt. Kate rolled her eyes and focused on the ocean.
“I did not ask you to follow me.” She retorted and drank the wine again.
“Yes, you didn’t. But it was written all over your face.” Raith snap back and took the wine from Kate. “You’re not used to drinking so don’t start it. You know the Ruler hates that.”
Kate’s lips lifted and her brows frowned. “Psh.” She whispered and tied her hair, revealing her nape and flawless shoulder. Raith gulped. “Why did you leave mom behind?”
“Ask that to yourself.” Raith retorted and covered Kate with his coat. Kate hissed.
“Your coat’s thick, it’s hot.” She tried to remove the coat but Raith stopped her.
“Your outfit’s not in your favor tonight so shut up.”
Kate’s face burned but managed to hide it.
“Are you angry?” Kate was taken aback by Raith’s sudden question. “With your mother, I mean.” He clarified. Kate slowly shook her head. “Be honest.” Raith said again and Kate sighed.
“I’m being honest. I’m not angry with her at all. It’s just… Her words were-“
“Is she telling the truth?” He cut her and Kate looked directly at his eyes. “Is Elias really worthless?” Kate’s eyes widened again. She could not believe the words coming out of Raith’s mouth.
“Or am I telling the truth? That you no longer have feelings for him?” He added. “Answer me.”
“W-What’s wrong with you?” She tried to grab the bottle of wine from Raith but Raith used his index finger to push her forehead away. “Seriously, Ezekiel?! Argh!” She exclaimed and crossed her two hands on her chest. “I hate you.” She murmured and Raith hissed.
“Do you really want to drink that bad?” He asked with a low voice and put the wine in his mouth.
“H-Hey, you said not to drin-“
Kate’s eyes almost popped out when Raith grabbed her neck and Kate’s lips felt wet but warmer. “Omph.” She tightly closed her eyes when Raith deepened the kiss. She was expecting Raith to transfer the wine to her mouth when he slipped his tongue inside but to her surprise, Raith gulped the wine and his tongue traveled inside. Kate shifted her head and pulled away.
“Trickster! Where is the wine?!” She exclaimed and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. “You’re disgusting! Stop playing jokes with me, will you?!” She fumed but Raith was not fazed at all.
“Shut up. You said you want to drink then stand your word.” He retorted and put wine inside his mouth again. Kate wanted to run away but her body felt weak. She felt like she was stuck and she saw her face reflecting on Raith’s hazel eyes that were slowly closing again.
Raith threw the wine bottle away and used his two hands to pull Kate. Kate was weak compared to the two firm hands that wrapped around her waist. “W-Wait-“ Raith did not give her a chance to protest and he immediately pulled her along with him, settling her on top of him until she was seated on one of his thighs. This time, Kate felt the hot liquid flow down her throat when Raith transferred it to her mouth, and the blood was rushing to her head. Her head starts to feel like it was spinning, without knowing if the cause was the wine or the kiss. Seeing her weak state, Raith pulled away and Kate held her head.
“You can’t even stand a few shots of wine. You really are weak.” He spat and grinned. Kate pulled her hair and groaned silently.
“Shut up.” She managed to say and pulled her hair again, this time with more force. Her head throbs and her eyes felt heavy. Raith took her two hands and wrapped them around his neck then carried her in his arms.
“Let’s go home for you to rest.” He whispered with a husky voice and started to walk. Kate was too weak to protest and her head hurts so bad that she just put her head on Raith’s shoulder as he carry her. “No more next times.” He said.
After almost twenty minutes of walking, Raith finally reached the Head Quarters. Luckily everyone was already asleep so no one teased the two. Raith used his iris recognition to open his room since he cannot use his fingerprint. He then closed the door and walked towards his bed then slowly lay Kate down.
Feeling something on her back, Kate slowly opened her eyes. It was blurry since her head throbs badly. As soon as she opened her eyes, Raith’s face greeted her. His face was so close since he was in the position of laying Kate on the bed. Remembering what Raith did a while ago, Kate bit her lower lip and tried to avoid Raith eyes.
“You must not do that, Phoebe. Especially in your current state.” Kate’s eyes went back to Raith but stopped when she saw his eyes looking at her lips. He leaned closer and brushed it with his tongue, making Kate flinch. Raith smirked and took the glass of water from the table beside his bed and drink it. Before Kate knew it, Raith’s lips were on her lips again. Kate tried to push his chest away but Raith grab her hands and tightened his grip and make her drink the water. It taste bitter.
“Stop pushing me away.” He whispered with a hoarse voice and kissed Kate again. Kate’s toes curled when the kiss between them deepened. Raith was rough against Kate’s lips and her heart was thudding wildly against her chest. His hands brushed her back, leaned closer, and closed the distance between them. Kate felt his chest against hers and she started to tremble. No, this can’t be. Kate knew what will happen if this continues.
Raith’s head tilted, and he pushed his tongue inside her mouth. Kate moaned as she felt his tongue sweep the inside of her mouth. Raith can still taste the wine. Kate pulled away but Raith surged forwards and captured her lips into another bruising kiss. Kate’s cheeks flushed and feeling her shallow, ragged breaths, Raith pulled away.
Raith leaned closer and Kate flinched when she felt his hot breath on her ears. “How can I stop if it is this good?” He said and bit her ears. But as soon as he felt Kate’s trembling body, he stopped. “But I know the rules so I will wait patiently.” He whispered and pulled away completely. Only then did Kate breathe.
“Now then, strip.” Raith commanded and Kate’s eyes popped open. "Or do you want me to remove everything myself?"
Kate froze.
~ Bringing the buried, rotten past will destroy your fresh present. ~