Chapter 24: I Respect Your Choice, Angel

I sit on the couch, the cake resting carefully in my hands. A bright smile curves my lips, warm and unguarded. Happiness blooms quietly inside my chest.

He really baked this—for me. Especially for me.

Angel stands in front of me, fingers twisting into the fabric of his shirt, shoulders a little tense. I look up at him, my smile softening without effort.

“Thank you again,” I say sincerely. “I’m really happy. You made my night.”

He looks at me for a moment, silent, then lowers his gaze.

“I hope you like it, young master.”

My answer comes instantly, bright and honest. “Of course I like it. It’s delicious—because you made it.”

He glances up at me, just briefly, then bows lightly.

“Please enjoy.”

He takes a step back.

“Angel.”

He stops at once and turns to me. “Yes, young master?”

I tilt my head slightly, pretending to think. “Where are you going?”

He looks confused, hesitating. “I… I’m going back. Do you need anything else?”

I meet his eyes, then deliberately shift my gaze to the cake, exaggerating the size with a thoughtful hum. My lips curve into a small, playful smile.

“It’s really big,” I say softly. “I can’t finish it alone.”

I look back at him, pouting just a little—shamelessly childish.

“Please help me finish it.”

He blinks, clearly caught off guard.

I blink back at him, innocent as ever. “Please…”

After a brief pause, he nods.

My face immediately lights up. “Yay. Let’s eat.”

Angel moves slowly, still hesitant, and finally sits beside me—keeping a careful distance, as if afraid even this closeness might be too much.

But to me, it already feels like warmth.

Like comfort.

Like something quietly precious.

I take a bite, and the sweetness melts on my tongue. My eyes close on instinct.

“Hm… it’s really delicious,” I murmur, genuinely savoring it.

Angel watches quietly, his gaze fixed on me as if my reaction matters more than the cake itself. I open my eyes and look at him.

“It really is delicious,” I repeat.

He nods slightly. “Thank you, young master.”

I smile, then reach for a strawberry placed neatly on top of the cake. I bite into it and, without thinking, say, “Angel… you know your pheromones smell like strawberries.”

He flinches instantly.

“What—?” His eyes widen as he hurriedly scents himself, clearly startled. “Young master, did I release my pheromones?”

I chuckle softly. “Calm down. I was just saying.”

He looks at me, still tense. I take another bite of the strawberry, then gently change the subject.

“Let’s eat.”

He hesitates, then nods and finally takes a bite himself.

I lower my gaze to the cake, but my senses don’t miss a thing. His scent lingers—sweet, soft, unmistakably strawberry. I can no longer tell whether the fragrance comes from the fruit or from him.

Maybe both.

Angel keeps his eyes down as he speaks again, voice careful.

“If you like… I can bake cake for you every day.”

I look at him. He still isn’t meeting my eyes—nervous, uncertain.

I smile softly. “That sounds good.”

He glances up at me, surprised.

“Angel,” I call gently.

His full attention snaps to me. “Yes, young master?”

My voice lowers. “Can I ask you something?”

He nods slowly.

I look back down at the cake. My smile fades just a little. My fingers tighten around the fork.

“Angel…” I hesitate, then force the words out. “Did you reject me because I’m a D-class alpha?”

He freezes.

Completely.

I raise my head slowly and look at him. His eyes are locked on mine, unblinking, as if he didn’t expect this question—like he never prepared an answer.

When I first read this novel, this part always confused me. The author never explained why Angel rejected Zyren. I assumed it was because Zyren was cruel. A villain. A monster.

But now… I want to know the truth.

I swallow and continue, my voice quieter, more vulnerable than I intend.

“If I were an S-class alpha…”

I pause.

“…would you have accepted my proposal?”

Angel’s face drains of color.

He stares at me as if I’ve said something forbidden. Something dangerous.

The room feels suddenly still.

Too still.

Angel continues to stare at me in silence.

The quiet stretches, heavy and uncomfortable. I study his face for a moment, then let out a small breath and speak first.

“If you don’t want to answer, it’s okay,” I say calmly. “You don’t have to.”

I look back down at the cake and force a polite smile, lightening my tone.

“Let’s finish this quickly. It’s already midnight.”

I take another bite.

That’s when Angel finally moves.

His gaze drops to the floor, his fingers curling slightly at his sides.

“Young master…”

I look up at him, cheeks full of cake, waiting.

He takes a breath, then speaks quietly.

“I didn’t reject you because you’re a D-class alpha.”

I swallow and lift my head fully, my attention sharpening.

Our eyes meet.

Angel finally looks straight at me—no running, no hiding.

“I just… don’t have that kind of feeling for you.”

The words land softly, yet clearly.

I don’t move. I don’t speak right away.

His eyes search my face, nervous, almost afraid of what might come next—of anger, of cruelty, of the Zyren Kael he knows.

Then I blink.

And smile.

Brightly.

Angel freezes, disbelief flashing across his face.

“Oh,” I say easily. “Is that so?”

I take another bite of cake like nothing heavy has just been said.

“Thank you for telling me clearly. Now I understand.”

His eyes widen further.

I glance at him again, my tone sincere.

“I respect your decision.”

Then, after a brief pause, I add more quietly,

“But… can we at least be friends?”

I look at him directly.

“I don’t want to lose you.”

Angel doesn’t answer immediately. He looks stunned—clearly not expecting this response from the hot-tempered, obsessive villain Zyren Kael.

After a moment, he nods. Slowly.

Relief warms my chest.

I smile softly.

“Good. Then we’re friends now.”

His expression is still full of surprise as I continue, my voice steady and sincere.

“I’ll stay by your side always—as a friend. I promise.”

I lower my gaze to the cake again, my smile gentler now.

I respect your choice, Angel.

I won’t cage you.

I won’t pressure you.

I won’t repeat Zyren’s mistakes.

You deserve freedom.

And no matter what happens…

I’ll stay beside you.

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