Another Chance for the Luna Queen

Chapter 0237

Ella POV

Alexander carried me up the stairs and into our room, only threshold. By then, I was breathless with laughter, my hear effects of the champagne.

tting me back on my feet after crossing the pounding in my chest from both exhilaration and the

He closed the door behind us, turning back with a smile that still carried traces of amusement. Yet now, in the softened glow of the room, I could see the exhaustion etched on his features.

"It's been a very long day," I said, a smile tugging at my lips as I looked up at him.

"A long week," he agreed, letting out a low chuckle. "And think we've certainly earned some rest. Do you need help getting out of that dress?"

I laughed, the sound bubbling up before I could stop it. "That's very forward of you."

He shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, you are my wife now."

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as I shifted, trying and failing to reach the zipper at the back of my dress." Actually, I think I do need some help," Ladmitted. "This thing is cumbersome."

"That much is obvious," he teased. "I don't know how you've managed to keep it on all night. I wouldn't last a minute wearing something like that."

I giggled again, an image of Alexander in a princess-style wedding gown flickering through my mind, almost too absurd for my tipsy brain to process. He rolled his eyes at my laughter but stepped forward, closing the space between

us.

"So, a zipper, then?" His voice was softer now, and the warmth of his presence made my breath catch.

"Yes," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, suddenly hyper-aware of how close we were and the way the room seemed to shrink around us.

Alexander stepped closer, his arms slipping around me as he gently brushed my hair aside, his fingers grazing my neck. His body pressed against mine, and my pulse quickened as he began to slowly unzip the dress.

The sound of the zipper seemed louder than it should have been in the quiet room, each inch sending a ripple of awareness through me.

When he finished, Alexander stepped back, giving me space. For a moment, we just stood there, staring at each other in a charged silence. His eyes held something I couldn't quite place—an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

Then, without a word, he turned and walked to the dresser where his suitcase lay open.

I released a shaky breath, silently scolding myself for reacting the way I had. This was ridiculous. I shouldn't feel so unsteady about sharing a room-sharing a bed- with Alexander.

I shook off the thought, reminding myself that this was just the beginning. After tonight, I'd be moving into his apartment. We'd have to learn to share our space and coexist without every moment feeling so... electric.

Gathering my resolve, I pushed the dress down until it pooled around my ankles. I stepped out of the heavy fabric and made my way to my suitcase, retrieving the soft pajamas I'd packed.

As I slipped them on, I did my best to ignore the sounds of Alexander behind me clothes rustling, buttons popping free, and finally the faint thud of fabric hitting the floor.

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I focused instead on the simple act of getting ready for bed, knowing that the only way through this uncertainty was forward.

"I can't stop thinking about the ceremony," Alexander said suddenly, breaking the silence. "It all went so beautifully. I couldn't have planned it better."

"It was incredible," I agreed, a warm smile spreading across my face. "The guests seemed absolutely enthralled."

“That's thanks to your acting," he replied, his tone light but sincere. "I didn't know you could be so convincing, right down to the tears in your eyes."

Embarrassment surged through me, heating my cheeks. I kept my expression neutral, but inside, I was scrambling. How could I possibly explain that my emotions in that moment had been sincere? That the tears hadn't been part of an act but a genuine response?

I couldn't. Not without risking misunderstanding-or worse.

"Thank you," I said meekly.

"I should be thanking you," he said. "None of this would have worked without your sincerity. People have been telling me all night how lucky I am, and I think they're right."

I shook my head slightly. His words were fueled by alcohol, they couldn't be sincere.

Alexander moved toward the adjoining bathroom, the sound of the sink running and the rhythmic brushing of his teeth filling the quiet that followed. I focused on finishing changing, trying to push the conversation out of my mind.

When the noises from the bathroom stopped, I knocked lightly on the door. Alexander opened it, and I held up my toothbrush in silent explanation. He stepped aside with a nod, allowing me to enter.

Then he stepped out into the bedroom.

I brushed my teeth quickly, the silence feeling more heavy now than before. When

I finished, I stepped back into the bedroom, moving carefully so as not to wake Alexander if he'd already fallen asleep.

The room was dark and still, the faint glow from the window providing just enough light to navigate. I tiptoed toward the bed, but as my eyes adjusted, I noticed it was empty.

I frowned, glancing around, until my gaze landed on the daybed near the window. There he was, stretched out on the smaller bed, his silhouette just visible in the dim light.

Disappointment tugged at me, unexpected but sharp. He'd left the luxurious, inviting bed for me alone, no doubt intending to be thoughtful. Yet, it felt... wrong.

It wasn't his kindness I doubted-it was his distance. I knew he wanted me to feel comfortable, to have space if I needed it, but it still stung. It felt like rejection.

A silent statement that, despite the facade we'd presented so flawlessly earlier, there were lines we weren't ready

to cross.

I stood there for a moment, staring at him, the weight of the day pressing down on me more heavily than ever. Forcing myself to move, I slipped into the large bed, the cool sheets a contrast to the warmth I wanted. I turned onto my side, facing the window. The moonlight spilled softly across the room, illuminating the faint outline of Alexander's figure.

We had done everything right today. Every detail had been perfect, and yet, lying here in the quiet, I felt the weight of everything left unsaid.

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"Goodnight, Alexander," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

The silence stretched, and I wondered if he'd heard me at all. But then, I heard movement. I watched in surprise as he stood and walked towards the bed, then slipped in on the opposite side.

The bed was large, there was enough room between us for another person or even two, but it still felt intimate to have him next to me.

"Goodnight, Ella," he said.

I closed my eyes, the sound of his voice settling something restless inside me. Tomorrow would come, bringing with it all the challenges we'd yet to face. But for now, in this moment, everything was right.

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