The Death of a Bachelor

Chapter Fifty-three

Aaron, upon Aira’s insistence, made his way to Kieran’s private study one afternoon to find out how far he had gone with his love confession. It had been five days since Aaron had spoken with him, and hoped he’d already confessed.

He hadn’t.

“It’s been five days, Kieran!” a stressed out Aaron declared as he stood before his elder brother’s desk. “What have you been doing with Elena if not telling her how much you love her?”

Kieran avoided Aaron’s gaze all the while as his fingers toyed with a piece of string on his desk. “Dancing,” he murmured. “We’re concluding the rehearsal soon. Two more practices and we’re through.”

“And congratulations on making it before the Summer Festival,” said Aaron, half-heartedly. “But Kieran, your engagement is in six days. You’re running out of time. It would be better to know how she feels before you put that ring on her finger.”

Kieran ran a hand down his face. “I know. I know, but…”

“But what?” Aaron didn’t mean to sound impatient, but he had a feeling his brother was stalling. He just could not figure out why.

“I just can’t,” Kieran said and pushed his hair back from his face. “I just can’t do it.”

Aaron was in disbelief. Now way what he thought was happening, was happening. No way he was chickening out so soon.

“Are you seriously afraid of confessing your love?” Aaron asked.

“I am not afraid,” Kieran rebutted quickly, meeting his gaze for the first time since their interaction.

Aaron crossed his arms over his chest and gave his brother a pointed look.

“Okay, maybe just a little,” Kieran admitted.

Aaron groaned. “Kieran!”

“What do you expect, Aaron? This is my first love confession. Of course, I’m going to be a bit woozy.” Frustration seeped into Kieran’s voice. “Pardon me for failing to live up to your expectation of being brave in whatever situation!”

He had most probably woken up on the wrong side of the bed.

“Don’t beat yourself about it,” Aaron said, meaning to offer some encouragement.

“One emotion has conquered me, Aaron. One.” Kieran raged on. “I, General Kieran Hammedatha, have lost my speech as well as my guts because of one confession. I’m a bloody coward.”

“Oh no, don’t say that,” Aaron pretended to provide comfort, but the lack of enthusiasm and conviction in his voice must have given him away because Kieran gave him a deadly glare.

When their mother said people in love were generally happy and in good moods, she must have meant to exclude Kieran out of the whole lot.

The doors opened and Josh waltzed in. He stood next to Aaron and said to Kieran, “Here to remind you about the Guard’s meeting later this evening.”

Aaron had thought Kieran was irritable before, but had not put into account that it could get worse so quickly and so easily. He literally sensed the dark aura emitted from him.

“And why must I go to that?” Kieran inquired, shifting his glare to Josh.

Josh was clearly confused by the question. “Because you always do? You’re the Chair.”

“So?”

Okay. Something was up.

“So you have to come. It’s mandatory,” Joshua replied, slowly, still perplexed as to why he had to review Kieran’s duties to him.