Published at 11th of October 2026 10:08 am

Chapter 2090 One Step At a Time

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They say a comet's brilliance burns bright and then disappears.

A single blazing moment, then gone.

Adam had come to believe love could be the same way, spectacular and short-lived, if one let it move too fast.

So when it came to Genevieve, he chose differently. It was better to be a steady star than a fleeting comet.

The sound of seagulls and the crash of waves echoed in the breeze. Gentle sprays of cool water drifted in the wind. Adam felt it on his face.

He had woken up a while ago but chose to remain in his position, his head resting on Genevieve's lap. She looked at him with a fond smile as she ran her fingers through his hair.

They had spent the night outside, sleeping on a bed of grass, under a roof of stars.

"When did you wake up?" Adam asked, eyes still closed.

"A while ago," Genevieve said gently.

The kiss still lingered on her lips. Her first kiss.

She smiled when she recalled what Adam had told her yesterday. When he pulled back, breathless, and said the words that would set the pace for everything to come.

"Let's not rush this," he had told her. "Let's take it slow."

Genevieve had nodded before she even had time to think it over.

It was her first time being this close to someone. The first time her heart had ever raced like this for another person. And some instinct in her already understood how easily a beautiful thing could be crushed by moving too fast.

What surprised her, though she tried not to let it show, was the admission that had come after.

Adam confessed, almost shyly, that this was new for him too. She was his first kiss. This was his first romantic relationship.

Genevieve had assumed that he had done this before. But no. He was standing at the same unfamiliar edge she was. Somehow that made it easier for him. And a part of her was happy that she was his first.

Neither of them had to follow some sort of script or unlearn old habits. They were building something from nothing, and if it was going to last, they both silently agreed that it would have to be built carefully.

So they made a silent pact. They wanted it to last forever. And they both were mature enough to understand that forever wasn't something one could rush toward.

"It's strange." Adam finally opened his eyes.

A waterfall of auburn strings greeted his vision. At the center were two beautiful sapphires. Genevieve's face was directly above him. She was smiling at him. She looked gorgeous in the morning light.

"What is?" Genevieve asked softly, her hand never stopping to comb Adam's hair.

"We spent the entire night outside," Adam replied. "And yet… we weren't attacked by beasts or bandits or orcs."

Genevieve's brow quirked in amusement. "You're strange."

"No. Really." Adam said with a straight face. "My luck is a bit… twisted."

Genevieve giggled. Her voice was sweet. To Adam, her laughter drifted like the beating of a butterfly's wings. It made his heart flutter.

"My dear Adam." She bent over and planted a kiss on his forehead. "My luck has always been good, so you don't have to be worried when you're with me."

Adam scoffed. "Don't jinx it now."

"No, I'm serious!"

"Yeah, okay. I believe you." Adam did not believe her.

He sat up and looked at the Sea of Storms. Sunlight danced upon the surface of the waters. The view was dazzling.

"Shall we head back home?" he asked.

A part of him expected Valerian to appear in a flash of grey light and say yes. But his little brother was gone. And it was all his fault.

Genevieve pressed her body against his and hugged him from behind. She rested her chin on his shoulder and stared at his side profile. She replied with a smirk, "Carry me home?"

Adam rolled his eyes in an exaggerated manner. "Fine…"

Genevieve gasped. "You did not!"

Adam burst into laughter.

"You're making this seem like a chore!" Genevieve wanted to laugh as well, but she put on a stern expression. "Adam Constantine, have I already become a burden to you?"

"Fine, let me make it up to you." Adam looked at her. She still hadn't let go of him. He knew she was just pretending to be mad.

Genevieve tried her best to keep a straight face. But seeing the mischief in Adam's eyes, she couldn't help but smile a little.

"And how are you going to make it up to me?" she asked.

"Like this." Adam leaned forward and pecked her on the lips.

Genevieve broke into a smile. "Fine," she said. "I shall forgive you this once."

"Ah, yes, my lady." Adam offered a humble bow. Then he rose to his feet and helped her up.

"Is that how you got here last night?" He asked, gesturing to the horse grazing in the distant meadow.

"Mm-hmm." Genevieve nodded.

She held Adam's hand, fingers interlocking gently. They approached the horse slowly, walking side by side. Adam was lost in his own thoughts. And so was she.

"Adam," she called out softly.

"Yes?"

"Do you want others to know about our relationship?" Her voice became softer. "Or… would you rather keep it between us?"

She hesitated before adding, "I've never done this before. I don't really know what I'm supposed to do."

Adam was silent for a moment. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and said, "I've never done this before either. So I'm afraid you're stuck learning with me."

Genevieve looked him in the eye. She looked for guidance without directly admitting that she needed reassurance.

Adam faced her and held both her hands. "What matters is what you want," he said.

Genevieve's expression softened.

"Whatever makes you comfortable," Adam continued. "And whatever happens, you won't have to face it alone."

Genevieve never realized how much those simple words could mean. Although Adam had just said what mattered was what she wanted, she knew that his feelings mattered just as much to her.

She didn't want this relationship to be about her wishes alone. Adam mattered to her too. His happiness, his desires, and what he wanted from their future together.

She felt as though she didn't need to know what came next. She didn't need to understand love or relationships or how any of this was supposed to work.

Because Adam would be there.

She buried herself in his arms, and rested her head on his chest. She liked the sound of his heartbeat. She liked the warmth of his skin. She liked his scent. She liked it when he hugged her back—as he did at the moment.

Genevieve closed her eyes and whispered:

"One step at a time, then."

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