And Still, He Loved. 2

Chapter Two: The Spark That Shattered Silence

Three years passed in a haze of luxury and love, the kind of life most people only dreamed of. Elinor, now a top-tier model in Asia and Europe, graced the cover of every fashion magazine imaginable. His ethereal beauty and emotional depth made him a muse for the best designers in the world. Yet, no matter how far he traveled or how bright the spotlight shone, he always returned to Zieth.

Zieth had become a legend in the corporate world. Rhae Group was now a global powerhouse. The media called him "The Silent Emperor"—a man who said little but ruled with precision. Together, they were an empire: beauty and intellect, devotion and dominance. But fate wasn’t done writing their story. It was the annual Imperial Affluence Gala—the grandest event in Seoul’s luxury business calendar. Held at the Skyglass Tower’s crystal ballroom, the event gathered tycoons, celebrities, and dignitaries under one shimmering roof.

Elinor arrived first, descending from the private elevator in a sapphire velvet suit with a plunging neckline. Photographers lost their minds.

Zieth followed thirty minutes later, in a sharp onyx suit, his cufflinks bearing the Rhae crest. They didn’t walk in together—but the moment they stood side by side, the room quieted.

Elinor[O]

“God, this is exhausting,” Elinor murmured as champagne was poured into his glass.

Zieth[E]

“You look flawless,” Zieth replied without looking at him.

Elinor[O]

“Flawless and dying inside.”

Zieth[E]

Zieth arched a brow. “Smile. We’re being watched.”

Elinor[O]

Elinor forced a grin. “When this is over, I’m eating an entire cake by myself.”

They shared a soft laugh. And then, everything changed. Across the room, a stir began. Whispers. Shifting gazes.

someone

The host stepped up to the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our keynote sponsor tonight… Mr. Ash Han, founder and CEO of ANIMA.”

Zieth turned first, mildly curious. Elinor followed.

And then he appeared. Ash walked in with calm grace—tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in all black silk and metal accents. He didn’t smile. He didn’t need to. His presence spoke enough. He was younger than expected, with sharp, amber-flecked eyes and a jaw sculpted from fire and discipline.

But it wasn’t just beauty that made them freeze.

It was the bond.

The instant Ash met Zieth’s eyes, something snapped in the air. And when his gaze moved to Elinor—it was like gravity realigned.

Zieth’s hand tightened around his glass.

Elinor’s breath hitched.

Ash blinked slowly. His gaze softened—recognition? Fear? Wonder?

He approached them after the speech, calm and composed.

Ash[A]

“Zieth Rhae,” he said, extending a hand. “And Elinor Soo. An honor.”

Zieth shook it. So did Elinor. But their hands lingered longer than necessary.

Elinor[O]

“You’re ANIMA’s designer?” Elinor asked, blinking. “I thought you’d be… older.”

Ash[A]

Ash shrugged. “Started young. Had to.”

Zieth[E]

Zieth tilted his head. “You built an empire out of nowhere.”

Ash[A]

Ash met his gaze. “Sometimes, nowhere is the best place to start.”

The bond pulsed between them—unseen by others, but unmistakable to those three.

Later that night, Elinor pulled Zieth aside.

Elinor[O]

“Did you feel that?”

Zieth[E]

Zieth exhaled. “I did.”

Elinor[O]

“What do we do?”

Zieth[E]

Zieth’s eyes followed Ash across the room, watching him speak to investors. “We meet him again. Privately.”

The next morning, a formal invitation was sent from Rhae Group’s private estate. Ash arrived three days later. This time, they spoke in a sun-drenched room, no assistants, no press.

Zieth poured tea. Elinor watched silently as Ash took his seat.

Ash[A]

“Let’s speak honestly,” Ash said. “You felt it. I felt it. We’re fated.”

Zieth[E]

Zieth nodded. “Fate is only a start. The rest is a choice.”

Ash[A]

Ash smiled faintly. “Then let’s see if we want to make it.”

Elinor[O]

"We dont." Elinor said it flatly

Ash[A]

"Okay i will drop it"

Zieth[E]

"We will reject with our families permission"

Ash[A]

"Agreed"

That was how it began.