Maria. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

The tension in the hall slowly dissolved after that. Conversations resumed in low murmurs, chairs shifted, and one by one, the elders began to rise from their seats. Their departure seemed to signal the end of the matter, at least on the surface.

I didn’t wait.

The moment the last of them stepped out, I pushed myself up quietly and made my way out as well, not sparing a glance at anyone behind me. I needed space, distance from everything that had just happened.

Most especially from Noah...and Adrien.

The thought of facing either of them right now made something tighten in my chest, something I didn’t want to deal with. So I walked.

Down the long hallway.

Aimlessly.

My steps were slow at first, then gradually steadier, though my mind remained anything but calm. Wolves passed by, bowing their heads respectfully as they greeted me, their voices polite and warm.

"Good day, Luna-to-be."

"Greetings, Lady Maria."

I heard them... but I didn’t really hear them. Everything felt distant, muffled, like I was trapped inside my own thoughts.

Because despite everything, I couldn’t deny it—I was happy.

Happy that the Quadruplets were here.

Happy that they would witness my wedding with Noah.

That they would finally see me choose a life away from them.

But at the same time...fear crept in, subtle yet persistent.

Because knowing them, I couldn’t shake off the thought that their presence here wasn’t going to remain peaceful for long. They had already caused a scene once....what was stopping them from doing it again?

My fingers curled slightly at my sides as I exhaled slowly.

"Maria!"

The familiar voice came suddenly. It sent a chill straight down my spine, my entire body going rigid in an instant. My steps halted without me even realizing it.

"I... I..."

The voice came again, but this time, it faltered, as though the speaker himself wasn’t sure how to continue.

I already knew.

Still, I turned.

And just as I expected...It was Daniel.

My expression hardened immediately.

Of all people, it had to be him.

A wave of irritation mixed with something deeper, something I refused to acknowledge, rose within me. I really didn’t want this. I didn’t want to have anything to do with him anymore.

All I wanted... was distance.

As far away from him as possible.

"Maria, please listen to me..." he said, taking a cautious step forward, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "I don’t know what they might have told you, but honestly... you need to hear me out too."

Instinctively, I took a step back.

My fists clenched tightly at my sides, my nails digging slightly into my palms as I steadied myself. My gaze locked onto him, sharp and unwavering.

"And what exactly do you think they told me?" I asked, my voice calm but edged with something colder.

Daniel paused.

For a moment, he just looked at me, as though trying to read something from my expression.

"I really don’t know, Maria," he admitted finally, his voice quieter now. "But I’m very sure it isn’t good...because you just took a step back."

His words lingered in the space between us, and for a second, neither of us moved.

"Daniel... why did you do that?"

The question left my lips slowly, almost hesitantly, as though it had taken every ounce of courage in me to finally say it out loud. My voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried the weight of everything I had been holding back.

For a brief moment, he didn’t respond.

"I really don’t know what exactly you feel I did," Daniel began, his tone soft, almost careful, "but I just want you to know that everything I did... was because I want to be with you."

As he spoke, he lowered his head, his gaze dropping to the floor. There was something pitiful about the way he stood there, shoulders slightly slumped, voice lacking its usual confidence.

"I love you, Maria."

The words hit me harder than I expected.

I froze completely.

My breath caught in my throat, and for a second, everything around me seemed to fade into silence. Of all the things I had anticipated him saying... that wasn’t it.

"I want to be more than just a friend to you," he continued, his voice gaining a bit more steadiness, though the vulnerability still lingered beneath it.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry.

"I knew you would eventually side with Noah," he added, finally lifting his head to meet my gaze again, "so I had no choice but to make you unconscious."

My brows furrowed instantly.

What?

He said it so casually.

"So you see..." he went on, as though trying to justify himself, "aside from that, I didn’t do anything else. And my actions were not wrong."

I stared at him.

For a moment, I couldn’t even find the words.

"Can you even hear yourself, Daniel?" I finally said, my voice sharper now, my brows raising slightly in disbelief.

Because what he was saying... it didn’t make sense.

"Loving me does not justify your actions," I added firmly, each word deliberate, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

A heavy silence followed.

I took a step back, instinctively putting distance between us again. My gaze shifted away from him, not because I was afraid, but because I didn’t want to see that expression on his face any longer.

"I’m sorry," I said after a moment, my tone softer now but still resolute. "I can’t respond to your love, Daniel."

The words felt final.

"I was really happy you were my friend," I continued, a faint ache settling in my chest as I spoke. "And honestly...I hope we can remain that way."

I paused, drawing in a slow, steady breath, as though grounding myself before saying what needed to be said next.

"I’m getting married soon," I added quietly. "I hope you find someone who truly deserves your love."

This time, I didn’t look back at him.

I couldn’t.

Because if I did, I might hesitate, and I didn’t want to. So without thinking twice, I turned around and walked away, my steps steady, my head held high.

I didn’t wait for his response.

I didn’t want one.

And even though I could feel his presence still lingering behind me...I kept walking.