Julian laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “You’re not covering anything with those arms of yours,” he teased, a grin spreading across his face.
Eleanor shot him a playful glare, her cheeks heating up. “You really are a pervert,” she replied, trying to maintain a stern expression, though a small smile tugged at her lips.
“I should probably just leave you to your training if you’re going to be like this.”
Julian shrugged, still amused. “Oh, come on! You know you love the attention,” he said, winking at her.
“Besides, it’s not every day I get to appreciate such beauty right in front of me.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow, trying to maintain her composure as she pointed to her eyes. “Keep your eyes here,” she insisted, attempting to divert his gaze from her cleavage.
Julian chuckled, shaking his head playfully. “I can’t help myself; my eyes keep wandering,” he said with a smirk. “Those things need attention, you know!”
Eleanor rolled her eyes, a mix of exasperation and amusement on her face. “You’re impossible, Julian,” she said, though a smile crept onto her lips despite her efforts to sound stern. “Maybe I should wear a sign that says ‘look here’ just for you.”
Julian stepped closer, closing the distance between them. Eleanor felt her heart race as she took in his handsome features and the commanding presence he exuded.
Standing taller than her, he towered over her, and the heat radiating from him made her acutely aware of their proximity.
“What do you feel?” he teased, his voice low and playful.
Eleanor swallowed hard, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as she gazed up at him, her cheeks flushing.
Eleanor’s breath hitched as Julian wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her closer.
“What are you doing?” she asked, a mix of curiosity and apprehension in her voice.
Julian smirked, looking into her eyes. “Nothing. I’m just checking your elemental powers,” he replied playfully.
The teasing glint in his eyes made it hard for Eleanor to focus on anything but the electric tension between them.
Eleanor felt a rush of heat at his words, her heart racing as Julian’s hands slid down to her hips.
“I want you,” he whispered, sending shivers down her spine. Just as quickly, he released her and turned to head back inside the castle, leaving her breathless and caught off guard.
The weight of his words hung in the air, igniting a mix of desire and confusion within her as she stood there, trying to process what had just happened.
Eleanor stood frozen for a moment, her heart still pounding from the encounter. She bit her lip, a swirl of emotions churning inside her. Julian had always been charming, but this boldness was new, and it sent her thoughts spiraling. She felt an irresistible pull towards him, yet the bond of siblinghood made her hesitate.
As she finally regained her composure, she couldn’t help but think about the implications of what he had said. She followed him into the castle, her mind racing.
“What does he really want from me?” she pondered.
Would he truly pursue this, or was it just a fleeting moment of playful teasing? The uncertainty hung in the air like a thick fog, enveloping her thoughts as she navigated the castle’s halls, unsure of how to face Julian again.
Eleanor, still unsettled by their earlier interaction, decided she couldn’t leave things unresolved. Determined, she followed Julian into the castle, her steps quickening as she caught sight of him heading toward his chambers.
When she finally reached him, she took a deep breath and called out, “Julian, what did you mean back there?”
Julian turned around, a sly smile playing on his lips. “What do you mean?” he replied, acting innocent.
Eleanor frowned, her eyes narrowing. “You know exactly what I mean. What you said, and… what you did. Are you serious, or was that just more of your teasing?”
Julian chuckled softly. “A little of both, I suppose. But maybe you should tell me—how serious do “you” want it to be?” He stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of playfulness and something deeper.
Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat again, but this time, she held her ground. “Stop playing games with me, Julian. If you really mean something, you need to be clear about it.”
His smile faded just slightly as he looked into her eyes. “Maybe I do mean it, Eleanor. Maybe I’ve always meant it.” His words hung in the air, leaving her stunned as she tried to process what he had just said.
Julian laughed, leaning against the doorframe with a teasing glint in his eyes. “What will you do if I mean it, Eleanor?” His voice held a playful challenge, as if he were daring her to respond.
Eleanor’s cheeks flushed, a mix of confusion and excitement bubbling within her.
“I… I don’t know,” she stammered, trying to regain her composure. “You can’t just say something like that and expect me to have an answer right away!”
Julian stepped closer, the playful smirk returning to his face. “Why not? You’ve been on my mind a lot lately. I just want to know if you feel the same way. What would it take for you to consider it?”
Eleanor shifted uncomfortably, her heart racing at the implications of his words. “This is all so sudden, Julian. We’re siblings! It’s not something that’s… normal.”
“Normal is overrated,” he countered, his voice low and inviting. “Sometimes, the best connections are the ones that defy the norm. Just think about it—what if there’s something more between us?”
She bit her lip, torn between the thrill of his proposition and the boundaries society had set. “I need time to think,” she finally said, feeling both exhilarated and apprehensive.
“Take all the time you need,” Julian replied, his expression softening. “But just know, the offer stands. I’ll be waiting.”
With that, he turned to enter his room, leaving Eleanor standing there, her mind racing with possibilities.
