Chapter 58 – Scent of Obsession
The apartment hummed with silence after Lyra left with Layla and Grace.
The golden afternoon light filtering through half-drawn curtains. Only Grim and Aurelia occupied the space now, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.
Aurelia sank into the plush sofa, her body angled toward Grim. Without hesitation, she lifted one leg, draping it over his lap—the pointed tip of her white heel digging lightly into his thigh.
Grim's black eyes flicked down, tracing the line of her calf, the delicate arch of her foot encased in sheer fabric. A slow smirk curled his lips.
"While entering the apartment," he murmured, voice rough, "why don't you remove your heels first?"
Aurelia tilted her head, her crimson hair spilling over one shoulder. "I forgot today. And I still have to go somewhere later." She flexed her foot, the heel catching the light. "It's not like they're dirty."
Grim's fingers closed around her ankle, his touch deliberate. One by one, he loosened the straps of her heels, letting them drop to the floor with muted clicks. Then, his hands slid higher, peeling away her socks with agonizing slowness.
Bare skin met his palms—her pink-toned feet, soft and flawless, now exposed.
"Ah…" Aurelia exhaled, stretching her toes. "Now it's really good. Feels good."
Grim didn't respond. Instead, he lifted her foot to his face—and inhaled.
"Hey—!" Aurelia jerked, her golden eyes widening. "What are you doing? It's dirty—"
But Grim's grip tightened, his dark gaze locking onto hers like a predator savoring its prey. "It's not dirty." Another deep breath, his nose brushing her instep. "Ahh… This scent. Your scent. It's something else. I could drown in it."
Aurelia's cheeks burned. "You're crazy. And your tastes—"
"No one ever smelled me before, let alone my foot," Aurelia admitte. Her voice soft and gentle.
"Addictive," Grim finished, his thumb tracing the curve of her arch. "And what do you mean, nobody smelled it before?" His voice dropped, dangerous. "Do they not care about keeping their heads?"
Aurelia shivered, but her lips curved into a smile. "It's alright, honey. My scent is only for you." She leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. "And you know what? I crave yours too. Every time."
In one fluid motion, she shifted, straddling his lap. Her hands fisted in his shirt as she buried her face against his neck, inhaling deeply. The musk of his skin—smoke, leather, something uniquely Grim—flooded her senses.
"This," she whispered, shuddering. "This is the smell I ache for."
Grim's smirk deepened, his hands sliding up her thighs. "Then take it."
A moment passed.
"This is where I feel the safest and comfortable" Aurelia whispered, pressing her forehead against his. "Here, with you."
Grim gently pats Aurelia's head, his hand lingering warmly in her soft crimson hair. His touch is firm yet full of rare tenderness, a contrast to the cold reputation the world often sees.
"You're already strong enough," Grim murmurs, his deep voice carrying the weight of absolute certainty. "I don't think you need protection from anyone anymore."
Aurelia leans into his touch slightly, a small, playful smile forming on her lips. Yet, beneath that smile, her golden eyes glint with a lingering hesitation.
"I think I'm strong… in this world," she answers softly, her voice carrying the faintest trace of doubt. "But not in the other. And even here, I'm not the strongest yet, right?"
Grim chuckles, the sound low and rumbling, vibrating faintly through the air between them.
"You will become the strongest. No doubt about it," he says, his black eyes gleaming with unwavering trust, as if her future is already written in stone.
Aurelia tilts her head slightly, studying him with those brilliant golden eyes, searching for something she can't quite name.
"Am I even allowed to become the strongest?" she whispers, almost shyly. "That would mean... surpassing you. Am I even allowed to try?"
Grim smirks, his thumb brushing gently against her cheek as if her question amuses him.
"You can try, darling," he says, a quiet dare in his voice. "Let's see if you can ever surpass me."
Aurelia's laughter spills out, light and clear like a bell, chasing away the lingering tension in the room.
"Okay," she says brightly. "Then be ready. Because one day… I will."
She stands from his lap gracefully, adjusting her white suit that had rumpled slightly. Stretching her arms high above her head, she lets out a content sigh.
"Now let's go," Aurelia says with a teasing grin. "Mother already called us for lunch some time ago."
Grim watches her disappear into her room, the soft sway of her long crimson hair trailing behind her like a river of fire.
Minutes later, Aurelia reappears, now clad in a flowing white dress that hugs her slender frame perfectly. The afternoon light pouring through the windows catches the delicate fabric, making her seem almost ethereal.
Without a word, Aurelia walks over to Grim, her expression playful but determined. She picks up Grim's discarded shirt from the sofa and begins buttoning it for him herself, her fingers working deftly over the fabric, brushing lightly against his skin with every movement.
"You know," she says teasingly, her golden eyes glinting with mischief, "you're not allowed to roam shirtless outside. Or in front of others, Honey."
Fastening the last button with a decisive snap, Aurelia crosses her arms, pretending to scold him.
"If you don't listen… don't blame me when I start wearing revealing clothes too."
Grim bursts into a low, rich laugh, pulling her close by the waist. His presence is overpowering, protective, and wickedly playful all at once.
"Don't worry," Grim says, his black eyes dancing with dark amusement. "And don't you dare challenge me, darling."
He leans closer, his voice lowering to a near growl.
"If you ever wear something that revealing," he whispers, smirking, "I'll personally make everyone blind for even daring to look at you."
Aurelia's cheeks flush with color, and she huffs, folding her arms tighter as if to hide her embarrassment.
"Hey! Don't say things like that," she snaps, but there's no real anger in her tone—only a fluttering heart she can't quite control. "And stop laughing like that. It's scary!"
Still chuckling under his breath, Grim wraps an arm around her shoulders, guiding her gently toward the door. The comfortable warmth between them lingers like a second skin.
They step out of Apartment 101, walking side by side across the short corridor, Aurelia's white dress brushing against Grim's dark pants lightly as they move.
The door to Apartment 102 looms ahead. Grim reaches out casually, pushing it open.
A wave of welcoming warmth washes over them— the familiar scent of home-cooked food, the hum of quiet conversation, and the gentle light spilling from within, waiting to embrace them.
---
The aroma of fresh food fills Apartment 102, a warm welcoming scent that pulls everyone toward the kitchen.
Grim and Aurelia step inside, and the atmosphere instantly brightens.
Around the large wooden dining table, everyone is already gathered — Raven sits beside Seraphine, who chats softly with Layla and Grace sitting opposite her.
Their mother stands by the counter, placing the last dish onto the table with a proud smile. Her black eyes gleam with happiness seeing everyone together.
"Welcome back," she says warmly. "Come, sit before everything gets cold."
Grim smiles as he leads Aurelia to the table, his hand resting casually on the small of her back.
Layla, her black hair neatly tied up, tugs at Grim's sleeve.
"Papa, you're so slow!" she pouts.
Grace giggles beside her, her crimson hair catching the light.
"Mama, Papa needs more training!"
Aurelia laughs softly, ruffling Grace's hair.
"He's strong enough," she says with a wink. "Even if he's a little lazy when it comes to food."
Grim raises an eyebrow but says nothing, sitting down with a quiet smirk.
Everyone settles into their places — Grim next to Aurelia, their mother at the head of the table, and the two little girls squeezed happily between Grim and Aurelia.
"Mama, look!" Grace points proudly at the dish in front of her. "I helped Grandma cook today!"
Aurelia's face softens immediately.
She leans over, patting Grace's head gently.
"It looks delicious, Grace. You must be very talented."
Layla beams brightly.
"I helped too!"
"Of course, both of you," Aurelia laughs. "You both are amazing."
Raven watches the scene unfold, a small smile tugging at his lips.
It feels... right. Like something he hadn't realized he missed until now.
Seraphine notices his look and gently nudges him with her elbow.
"What are you thinking about?" she whispers, her golden eyes curious.
Raven leans in slightly, his black eyes locking with hers.
"Just thinking..." he murmurs, voice low. "We should have a kid as soon as possible."
Seraphine blushes lightly, and under the table, she brushes her fingers against his.
"Hey, we're only 19. It would be a crime, you idiot," she mutters.
Raven chuckles.
"Relax, I'm joking. It's just... this family warmth... I felt it after a long time."
Across the table, Grim pretends not to notice, his expression unreadable.
The meal begins. Plates clatter softly, laughter rises and falls like music.
"Papa, eat this!" Layla chirps, offering Grim a piece of meat with her chopsticks.
"Say ahh, Papa!" Grace giggles, mimicking her sister.
Grim looks at them for a moment.
He doesn't want to disappoint them, so he leans forward obediently, letting both little girls feed him — a rare soft side of him, shown only to them.
Aurelia rests her cheek on her hand, watching him with quiet affection.
Mother chuckles, sipping her soup.
"Looks like Grim has no choice but to listen to his daughters now."
"He always listens to us!" Grace declares proudly.
Raven looks at Grim with visible disgust, barely able to digest how Grim is acting — so unlike the cold and terrifying Grim he knows.
Lyra, sitting nearby, smiles quietly, her mind wandering elsewhere.
After a while, the table settles into easy conversation.
Layla talks about wanting to become stronger to protect Mama and Papa.
Grace proudly declares she will become a princess, making everyone burst into laughter.
Mother watches them all quietly, her heart swelling with pride — a family she never thought she would see gathered like this.
The sunlight slants across the table, bathing everything in a golden light.
It's simple.
It's perfect.
And for once — no one thinks about battles ahead, the weight of the outside world, or the burdens waiting for them.
Right now, there is only family.
Only home.