Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 866: A Sudden Kiss The entire basketball court was abuzz, with Orion completely dominating the game. Aveline watched as his agile figure leapt into the air, sweat glistening, and in the next moment, the ball swished cleanly into the hoop.

Each the scored, the crowd erupted in wild cheers. For Aveline, her eyes could only focus on the brightest person on the court.

The match was nearing its end, the outclong decided. At this point, winning or losing no longer mattered; the throng of adoring fans was already more than satisfied.

As Aveline watched him leave the court, drenched in sweat, she noticed he had no intention of acknowledging her. Her fingers clenched tightly at the hem of her dress. She had transferred schools to avoid Orion in the first place, but seeing him act as if he didn't recognize her left an uncomfortable knot in her chest.

Her hand instinctively reached for the small jade pendant near her heart-a gift from Orion when they were children. Back then, she hadn't understood its significance. Only later did she learn that her parents had arranged a childhood engagement for them before she was even born.

Aveline wasn't sure if she would eventually marry him. Right now, all she wanted was to focus on her studies. "Aveline, Orion's leaving! Go! Don't forget to tell him I'll be waiting for him after school," Liora urged.

"I don't want to," Aveline replied, her voice hesitant. Ever since learning that Liora had feelings for Orion, Aveline had decided against delivering the love letter.

"Aveline, how can you do this? We're best friends! You promised me!" Liora's face darkened.

"I... I'm just not feeling well all of a sudden." "Fine, Aveline! Just hand him the letter, and I'll take you to the infirmary afterward, okay?" "...Alright." Aveline had no choice but to take the letter and stand up.

"Good luck, Aveline!" She quickened her pace, though each step filled her with unease. It had been a month since the school term started, and in all that time, she hadn't seen him.

Back in elementary school, even if they couldn't meet during the week, Orion always made tto see her on weekends. Now that she was in middle school, their schedules were just as packed, with both attending evening self-study sessions. If he wanted to see her, he could have.

Every night when she passed by his building on her way home, she would glance at his window. Most of the time, his lights were on. Occasionally, she could even see his silhouette by the window. When their eyes met, Aveline would quickly avert her gaze and hurry home.

A month of silence stretched between them, and now, the first words she would say to him would be about someone else's love letter.

As she passed Dorian, he called out to her, "Aveline, where are you going?" Aveline didn't respond and brushed past him like the wind.

She felt a strange mix of anxiety and anticipation, her steps quick and unsteady. Perhaps this moment could break the cold distance between them. Perhaps, finally, she could find a reason to speak to him.

She reached the staircase and saw Orion surrounded by his teammates and a girl named Celestia, who stood close to him, her face animated with excitement.

"Orion, that dunk was incredible! You're so good at basketball; you could totally go pro! Will you teachhow to play? The girls' basketball tournament is coming up in a month," Celestia asked with a bright smile.

Aveline's mind flashed back to her younger days when Orion taught her how to dribble.

"Go slow, one bounce at a time. Be careful-it's easy to lose control and get hit in the face," he had said patiently.

"But Orion, I can't make a single shot," Aveline had complained, staring up at the impossibly high hoop.

"Keep practicing. You'll get it eventually." The next day, a shorter basketball hoop appeared on the court, just for her.

Even so, she still couldn't score. Frustration got the better of her, and she threw the ball aside.

Orion picked it up and handed it back. "Hold on to this." Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on novi L5sfor uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! "Okay," she said, hugging the ball.

In the next moment, he lifted her into the air, holding her high enough to make a basket.

"Orion, I did it!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with joy.

"Good job," he had said, smiling warmly.

He always reminded her that basketball wasn't something you could master overnight. She needed to be patient.

As these memories flooded back, Aveline's chest tightened at the thought of him teaching someone else with the sgentleness. It felt as if a piece of her heart was missing.

"Orion..." she called softly. Her voice was barely audible, but he heard her instantly and turned to look at her. In her distraction, Aveline misstepped and tumbled down the stairs.

Orion's expression shifted tically. Before anyone could react, he sprinted up the steps and caught her in his arms.

She landed safely in his embrace-a familiar place that had held her countless times since childhood, warm and comforting like a safe harbor.

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Celestia's face turned pale.

"How could you be so careless? What if you'd gotten hurt?" Orion scolded, his tone sharp but his expression filled with concern.

Aveline steadied herself and wriggled out of his arms. Orion's gaze was heavy with worry. "What's wrong? Did you sprain your ankle? I'll take you to the infirmary." Before she could refuse, he scooped her up in a princess carry, heading toward the infirmary.

Planning your weekend reading? Ensure you're on nov@L5sfor uninterrupted enjoyment. The next chapter is just a click away, exclusively available on our site. Happy reading! Though she had been in his arms countless times before, this was the first tit had happened in such a public setting.

"Putdown! I'm fine!" she protested, her cheeks burning.

"You look pale," Orion said, his mood lifting slightly. He had been thrilled when she called out to him, but now her uneasy expression made him wonder if something was wrong.

She wriggled free from his arms, biting her lip as she pulled out the pink envelope. Whex Orion saw the NOV letter, his heart leapt. Was this it? Had his little fiancée finally caround to writing him a love letter? Uncle Barnet's advice had worked after all.

Julian had explained Aveline's worries and why she had chosen to transfer schools. To avoid making things harder for her, Orion had refrained from approaching her.

But the rumors about boys confessing to her within days of her arrival had driven him to transfer as had driven well If she didn't want the label of "fiancée," he could settle for watching over her from a distance.

Now, though, had a month of distance finally made her realize her feelings? Overwhelmed by Joy, Orion ve couldn't hold back. "Aveline... you've finally caround," he said, pulling her into an embrace and kissing her passionately. Aveline froze, overwhelmed by the heat of his lips and the strength of his heartbeat.

His warmth enveloped her, leaving her dazed.

The crowd exploded with noise, while Celestia stormed off in anger. The onlookers reveled in the , their cheers growing louder.

For Aveline, this was their first kiss. Though they had shared many intimate moments before, this was something entirely new.

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