Free Web NovelChapter 194: Chapter 194
Valentin made his way over to Audie’s dorm room, knocking on the door with the thought that Audie might not be back yet. If that were the case, then he would just go right in and take a breather for several hours and hopefully till the end of the year.
He wasn’t that delusional, getting entangled with a Prince from a distant country was just bad decision-making on his part, and that was why... His thoughts trailed off when the door opened to reveal Audie.
They both stared at each other with wide eyes, and you couldn’t really say who was more startled to see the other.
Valentin let his eyes drop from Audie’s gaze down past his face and neck, down his hastily fixed dress shirt, and then back up to his wild hair before finally holding his gaze again.
"I see that you’re done with your cellar exploration," He finally broke the silence, "Were there a lot of bugs there?"
Audie’s face lit up with different emotions one after the other, first, it was mortification, then confusion, then realization.
"I’ll take that as a yes, can I come in?" He invited himself when it seemed that Audie was having a difficult time forming words - wasn’t today just all about firsts?
"No!" Audie refuted in alarm, stepping out quickly and closing the door resolutely behind him.
Valentin cocked a brow at his actions, noting his nervous smile. "Is the bug in there?" He asked with slight amusement.
Audie rolled his eyes, "Why don’t we go to your dorm room for a change?" He suggested, not expecting Valentin to agree to it, he just needed to change the topic.
"Sure," Valentin shrugged, turning around to lead the way, he had already taken a number of steps before realizing that Audie hadn’t been following. "Audie?" He turned around with a question in his eyes.
Audie bounded over with excitement spilling out his dark eyes, his embarrassment long forgotten as he swung an arm over Valentin’s shoulders. "Really? I thought you were never going to agree to show me!"
Valentin looked away to hide his smile, "You’re making me want to change my mind now."
Audie made a horrified sound, pulling Valentin along like he had any idea of where they were headed. "No, don’t. It’s not like we can use my dorm room anyway."
"Think Jacques’ room will be a better option?" Valentin couldn’t help but take a jab.
Audie’s response was a grin, "Bold of you to assume I know where it is."
Valentin didn’t hide his smile this time, taking the lead again. It would have been a bit odd if things turned strained between them over a few hickeys - well, he was the one with a few hickeys, one to be specific, Audie looked like he had his neck chewed on.
He wished this surprised him more, or maybe he was too stressed out with what he had going for him to feel the impact of this reveal.
He held his breath as he opened the door to his dorm room, half-expecting Alexander to be right inside. Audie was going to find out eventually but there were far better ways of letting him know who his roommate was than letting them bump into each other without prior warning.
The dorm room was empty much to his relief, and he stepped inside with an inaudible sigh, Audie already trying to peek in from around his shoulders before he even got in.
"There’s nothing here!" Audie immediately pronounced after a brief scan of the dorm room.
"What do you mean?" Valentin asked, settling on the edge of his bed. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"It’s just an average dorm room," He continued, disappointment heavy in his voice. "Why didn’t you want me to come here?" He turned to the other with the hope that this was truly not all there was to his tightly kept secret.
"My roommate," Valentin admitted, leaning back on the bed with his arms spread out
Audie’s curiosity came back in full force, and he hurried over to Valentin’s side. "Who’s that? Do I know them? Pretty sure I do..." He rambled to himself, trailing off. "Are they responsible for that?" He poked his friend’s neck, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
Valentin didn’t reply but Audie didn’t need verbal confirmation to know that he was on the right track. "Now, I’ve got to know who they are!" He insisted, shaking Valentin impatiently.
Valentin just rolled away from Audie’s reach, things were going off the rails quite fast. He couldn’t bring himself to say it although Audie would probably take it in stride, it wasn’t like he was in any position to be judgmental.
Just as Audie was about to chase after him, the door swung open, making them both freeze up in place. Valentin was certain he could hear the sound of his heart dropping to his stomach as Audie immediately whipped around.
Audie’s curious expression dropped instantly, disbelief replacing it as he got off the bed. "You!" He jabbed an accusing finger at Alexander.
The Alpha Prince just stood still at the door, looking confused, especially when Audie launched himself at him with the intention to tackle him.
Valentin was quick to stop Audie, wrapping his arms around his waist to stop his movements. "Pay no attention to him," He said to Alexander with a fixed smile on his face.
"Let me go, Vale, I’m going to punch that slimy bastard’s face i-" Valentin slapped a hand over Audie’s mouth, his fixed smile wobbling a bit.
Alexander quickly caught on to what was going on, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He had only returned to get something important, seeing as his presence was requested at the staff building again.
He had not seen this outcome coming, that Valentin would reveal the secret that he was so adamant about keeping - it had been humorous to be such a tightly kept secret that he didn’t even mind. But one look at Audie and he could easily guess why today was the day he gave in and told someone else.
Alexander dropped his gaze from Valentin and let his eyes sweep over Audie, he didn’t need to say anything further, going over to pick what he came for. The sight of Audie was just as shocking as the fact that Valentin had been willing to admit to another living person that they were roommates.
It did give him an inspiration though, since they were both such good friends, it was only right that he made them match, Valentin looked to be a few hickeys short.
Valentin could only breathe after Alexander left, slowly letting go of Audie when he was sure that his roommate had gone far enough that Audie wouldn’t try to chase him down.
Audie didn’t make a move to go after him, he looked too devastated to do that.
"Don’t act like I’ve gotten a death sentence," He grumbled, sitting down on the edge of his bed once more with crossed arms.
"You might have as well gotten one! It’s Alexander!"
"He’s not that terrible," Valentin found himself saying because he was true, he should know, he had tried so hard to prove it otherwise to himself.
"Oh no, he’s already gotten to you."
Valentin’s response was to chuck him a pillow, "He hasn’t, and it was just a mistake, it’s not going to happen again." He said confidently.
This only made Audie irritated, "What do you mean by that? I’m going to kill him if that’s the case."
"Oi! What side are you on?" He demanded.
"Your side... or..." He trailed off, realization sinking in. "Did he jump you?" He demanded, already heading for the door."
A pillow to the back of the head stopped him in place, "Just let it go... It’s almost time for lunch, why don’t you put on proper clothes so we can go eat."
"I’m so hungry," Audie groaned, turning around without a protest and heading straight for Valentin’s wardrobe. "Lend me clothes to wear, I don’t want to go back to my dorm room."
Valentin had to appreciate how easy it was to divert Audie’s attention, usually, it would be annoying but right now it was very welcome. "Put on a cravat too," He tossed to the other. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
His red mark could pass off as a bug bite but unless Audie jumped right into a swarm of insects, there was no way anyone would believe tha- actually, it was Audie so most people would believe but it was easier for him to just cover up his neck.
He had to get up to straighten Audie’s cravat with a sound of displeasure, "Aren’t you a noble? Why is your cravat so sloppy?"
Audie looked unrepentant, "See, you’re perfect for royalty-" He hardly got all of his words out because Valentin tightened his cravat so much that he couldn’t breathe.
He gasped for air when Valentin loosened his grip, his friend properly tucking his cravat and patting it in place before holding out a palm. "That’ll cost you."
"I take it back," Audie rasped, quickly putting distance between them. Was it just him or was Vale getting meaner?
