Chapter 25 - Chapter 25

Chapter 25

"Roznia. I donundefinedt expect you to accept my feelings right away."

Ruwellin spoke after a moment of silence. His voice was calm, but his eyes were burning.

"I just wanted you to know the truth. Thatundefineds all."

"......"

"Whether you believe it or not is up to you."

He smiled. A somewhat self-deprecating smile.

I looked at him silently. My mind was a mess. I couldnundefinedt organize my thoughts easily.

undefinedHe said he first saw me when he was thirteen. He said he fell for me then.undefined

That was a very long time ago. Over eight years.

undefinedAnd he said heundefineds been wanting me since then.undefined

That meant his feelings had lasted that long. It wasnundefinedt a fleeting, momentary passion.

undefinedBut... is that possible?undefined

To have such strong feelings for someone he had only met twice?

I couldnundefinedt understand. But the lie-detection magic said his words were true.

undefinedThen... he really...undefined

My heart pounded. I didnundefinedt know what to say.

"Roznia."

Ruwellin called my name again.

"Iundefinedm not asking for an answer right now. I just wanted to clear up your misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?"

"That I approached you with some ulterior motive. Or that Iundefinedm just playing with you."

His voice was serious.

"Iundefinedm not that kind of person. You know that, donundefinedt you?"

"......"

I knew. The Duke of Rashiane was known for being upright and honest. He wasnundefinedt the type to play with peopleundefineds hearts.

But knowing that and believing his feelings were real were different matters.

undefinedBecause... itundefineds so sudden.undefined

And it was a confession from a man I had only known for a few days. It was hard to accept easily.

"Roznia."

Ruwellin reached out and gently stroked my cheek.

"You donundefinedt have to answer me now. Just... donundefinedt avoid me."

"......"

"Iundefinedll prove it. That my feelings are real."

His eyes were sincere. I couldnundefinedt look away.

My heart pounded like crazy.

undefinedWhat should I do?undefined

I was confused. I didnundefinedt know what to do.

undefinedBut... one thing is clear.undefined

I didnundefinedt dislike him. Actually, I liked him.

I had been denying it, but I couldnundefinedt anymore. I had already fallen for him.

From the moment I saw him collapsed in the garden. Or maybe even earlier, when our eyes met at the palace banquet.

I didnundefinedt know exactly when, but I was sure.

undefinedI like Ruwellin Rashiane.undefined

I admitted it to myself.

Now the only thing left was to decide whether to tell him or not.

undefined...Letundefineds tell him.undefined

I made up my mind. I didnundefinedt want to hide my feelings anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I opened my mouth.

"Ruwellin."

I called his name. Not undefinedDukeundefined, but undefinedRuwellinundefined.

His eyes widened.

"I... I like you too."

For a moment, he just stared at me with wide eyes. Then, a huge smile spread across his face.

"Roz..."

"But..."

I added quickly.

"Itundefineds only been a few days since we really got to know each other. So Iundefinedm not sure yet."

"......"

"I need more time. To be sure about my feelings."

Ruwellin looked at me for a moment, then nodded.

"I understand."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you. For telling me how you feel."

He smiled softly and pulled me into his arms.

"Iundefinedll wait. As long as it takes."

"......"

"Until youundefinedre sure. Until you trust me completely."

His voice was gentle. I could feel his heart beating against my ear.

Thump, thump. It was beating fast, just like mine.

I slowly raised my arms and hugged him back.

"Ruwellin."

"Yes."

"Thank you. For telling me the truth."

"......"

"And... for not giving up on me."

He tightened his arms around me.

"I could never give up on you."

He whispered.

"Never."

We stayed like that for a long time, holding each other.

The moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating us.

It was a peaceful moment.

But I knew it wouldnundefinedt last long.

Adrian would come back. And he wouldnundefinedt accept our relationship.

There would be many obstacles ahead.

But I felt I could face them. Because Ruwellin was by my side.

"Ruwellin."

"Yes."

"Letundefineds face everything together. From now on."

He looked at me. His emerald eyes were shining.

"Together."

He nodded and kissed my forehead.

"Always."

* * *

The next morning, we woke up to the sound of birds chirping.

The sunlight streaming through the window was warm.

"Good morning."

Ruwellin said, looking at me.

"Good morning."

I answered, still half-asleep.

He smiled and kissed my cheek.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes. You?"

"Very well."

He hugged me tightly.

"I dreamed of you."

"Of me?"

"Yes. A very good dream."

I blushed.

"What kind of dream?"

"A secret."

He smiled slyly and got up.

"Iundefinedll make breakfast. You rest a bit more."

"No, let me help."

"Itundefineds fine. Youundefinedre still sleepy."

He said that and left the room.

I lay in bed for a while, then got up.

I went to the window and opened it. The fresh morning air came in.

The roses in the garden were in full bloom, swaying in the breeze.

undefinedItundefineds a beautiful day.undefined

I thought. Then I remembered the blonde boy from yesterday.

undefinedWho was he?undefined

And why did he say magic doesnundefinedt work on him?

undefinedI need to find out.undefined

I had a bad feeling. It felt like something was going to happen.

"Roz."

Ruwellinundefineds voice came from the kitchen.

"Breakfast is ready."

"Coming."

I shook off my thoughts and went to the kitchen.

Ruwellin had prepared a simple but delicious-looking meal.

"It looks good."

"Iundefinedm glad."

We sat across from each other and ate.

While eating, I asked.

"Ruwellin. Do you know anyone with a constitution that nullifies magic?"

At my question, Ruwellinundefineds hand, holding his fork, stopped.

"...Why do you ask?"

His voice was cautious.

I hesitated for a moment, then told him about yesterday. About the blonde boy who suddenly appeared, and that magic didnundefinedt work on him.

Ruwellin listened silently. His expression gradually hardened.

"A blonde boy with violet eyes?"

"Yes. Do you know him?"

Ruwellin was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I think I know who he is."

"Who is he?"

"His name is Alex. Heundefineds one of my knights."

My eyes widened.

"Your knight?"

"Yes. But he has a special constitution. Magic doesnundefinedt work on him."

"Why is your knight here?"

Ruwellin hesitated, then answered.

"Probably... to find me."

"Find you?"

"My vassals have been looking for me. Alex must have tracked me down."

He sighed.

"And heundefineds very hostile towards mages."

"I could tell."

I remembered the hatred in his eyes.

"He said he wanted to capture me."

"...He probably meant to use you as bait to lure me out."

Ruwellinundefineds expression was dark.

"Iundefinedm sorry. This is my fault."

"Itundefineds not your fault."

"If I hadnundefinedt come here, you wouldnundefinedt have been in danger."

He looked at me with apologetic eyes.

I shook my head.

"Itundefineds okay. Iundefinedm not in danger."

"But..."

"I can protect myself."

I said firmly. Ruwellin looked at me for a moment, then smiled weakly.

"I know. Youundefinedre strong."

"Yes."

I smiled back.

"So donundefinedt worry too much."

"...Okay."

He nodded, but still looked uneasy.

I understood. If someone was targeting me, he would be worried.

But I was more worried about him. He was the one the knights were looking for.

"Ruwellin. What are you going to do?"

"...I need to contact them."

He said after a moment of thought.

"I canundefinedt hide forever."

"Thatundefineds true."

"But I donundefinedt want to go back yet."

He looked at me.

"I want to stay with you a little longer."

My heart pounded.

"...Okay."

I nodded.

"Letundefineds stay together a little longer."

He smiled and took my hand.

"Thank you, Roz."

We finished breakfast and went to the living room.

Sitting on the sofa, we looked out the window.

The sea sparkled under the morning sun.

"Itundefineds beautiful."

I murmured.

"Yes."

Ruwellin agreed, but he was looking at me, not the sea.

I blushed.

"Why are you looking at me?"

"Because youundefinedre more beautiful."

"..."

I couldnundefinedt say anything. He chuckled and pulled me into his arms.

"Roz."

"Yes."

"Iundefinedll protect you. From anyone."

His voice was serious.

"I wonundefinedt let anyone lay a finger on you."

I leaned my head on his shoulder.

"I know."

I trusted him. Even though we hadnundefinedt known each other long, I trusted him.

That was probably what you call undefinedloveundefined.

I smiled to myself.