Chapter 31: Eternally Grateful To My Bodyguard
The walk back to the hotel garage was quiet. The evening air was cool, but my mind was in a complete whirlwind as we climbed into the back seat of the dark luxury sedan. Val took the driver’s seat, started the engine, and smoothly merged into the Capital’s evening traffic.
Sitting in the back seat beside Yerin, an awkward silence hung in the air...or at least, it felt that way to me.
Val didn’t say a word as she drove, her eyes occasionally flicking to the rearview mirror with complete composure. But I wasn’t stupid. Val was the head of security for the entire Fernando Group. There was no way she’d actually been delayed by a cup of chocolate ice cream. She had definitely been shadowing us the entire time.
Which meant she had seen everything.
’Sigh... I really acted on pure impulse back there,’ I thought, leaning my head against the leather headrest as I stared out the window.
In the heat of the moment, with fans closing in and the tension between us reaching its peak, I hadn’t held back at all. I had kissed my cousin passionately, held her tight against the wall, and gripped her through her denim shorts. While I didn’t regret it, especially since we weren’t actually blood-related, I couldn’t help worrying about how things would be between us now.
I stole a quiet glance to my side.
Yerin was sitting comfortably beside me, looking out her own window. Her cap was pulled low, her mask pulled back over her face, and her posture was surprisingly relaxed. There was no awkwardness, no distance, and no sign of regret on her face. In fact, whenever her dark eyes caught mine in the reflection of the glass, a faint, mischievous smile touched her eyes.
Seeing her act so completely normal made the knot in my stomach loosen. ’Well... at least she’s not freaked out.’
Twenty minutes later, the sedan pulled through the grand iron gates of the Fernando estate.
The moment we entered the driveway, I noticed an immediate difference. Security had been tightened to an absurd degree. Dozens of elite guards in dark suits and tactical gear were posted along the perimeter, high-end security vehicles were parked near the entrance, and the entire estate radiated a tense, airtight atmosphere.
It was clear that the sudden cosmic disturbance caused by my awakening hadn’t gone unnoticed by my family.
We stepped out of the car and entered the grand hall. Julian and Alice were already waiting near the central lounge.
Dad was still dressed in his sharp three-piece suit, his expression heavy, sombre, and deeply focused. Mom stood beside him, her usual demeanour replaced by quiet, protective worry as her eyes swept over me the moment I walked through the doors.
Val stepped forward first, standing at attention before my parents before bowing her head respectfully.
"Lord Julian, Lady Alice," Val reported, her voice steady and clear. "The Young Master and Lady Yerin have returned safely."
"Report, Valerie," Dad commanded quietly, folding his hands behind his back. "What occurred at the amusement park?"
"Young Master Seth and Lady Yerin slipped away from the main walkway to visit the Haunted House attraction," Val explained smoothly, detailing the events. "While inside, they encountered an unbound female specter. maintained my position in the shadows to observe how they would handle the situation without causing a public scene."
"Unexpectedly," Val continued without a flicker of hesitation or change in her voice, "the pressure of the encounter triggered an immediate reaction from the Young Master. He successfully awakened his Astral Soul, neutralising the specter on the spot and causing the disturbance."
I let out a slow, silent breath of relief, mentally bowing to Val in gratitude. She had completely omitted the kiss, framing the entire intimate moment as a tense tactical confrontation that triggered my awakening.
’Val, you are an absolute legend,’ I thought, keeping my face completely stone-cold.
Dad’s somber gaze shifted from Val to me. His sharp eyes searched my face as a heavy silence settled over the grand hall.
"Seth..." Dad began, his deep voice carrying a rare, profound weight. "Is what Valerie said true? Did you... awaken your Astral Soul?"
"I don’t really understand everything that happened, Dad," I answered truthfully, meeting his gaze. "I just felt this crazy energy surging inside me when the ghost showed up. But yeah... what Val said is true."
Dad stared at me for a long moment, the tension in his shoulders slowly giving way to a complex mix of relief, disbelief, and deep paternal pride. He exchanged a quiet, knowing look with Mom, who let out a soft sigh and brought a hand to her heart.
"I see..." Dad murmured, adjusting his suit jacket. He looked back at me, his expression softening slightly. "You’ve had a long, overwhelming day, son. You and Yerin should head upstairs and get some rest tonight."
He paused before adding calmly, "I have several urgent matters to settle with our security teams tonight regarding the realm disturbance. Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, your mother and I will sit down with you and explain everything you need to know about the Astral World, the supernatural factions, and your soul."
"Understood, Dad. Thanks." I nodded, genuinely appreciating that they weren’t forcing a two-hour lecture on me when I was exhausted.
"Go on, darling," Mom said softly, offering me a warm, reassuring smile despite the lingering worry in her eyes. "Get a good night’s sleep."
I gave them both a polite nod and turned toward the grand staircase. Beside me, Yerin didn’t say a word. She offered Aunt Alice and Uncle Julian a quick, quiet wave before practically sprinting up the stairs to her room, clearly wanting to process everything in private.
Walking back into my quiet, massive master suite, I flopped onto the soft bed, staring up at the grand ceiling.
Between buying tech, playing video games, dodging ghosts, kissing a global pop star, and awakening a cosmic power that shook higher dimensions, my first few days as the Fernando family heir were turning out to be far more eventful than I ever could have imagined.
I closed my eyes, a faint, satisfied smile touching my lips as sleep finally claimed me.
Tomorrow was going to be very interesting.