Dietrian finally exhaled, his body thawing from its icy stiffness. The hand clasping his waist felt like fire against his skin.
After a moment of silent prayer, he gently, with trembling hands, detached her from himself.
“Leticia, wait, please listen to me.”
His grip faltered several times as he tried to hold her arm, the strength slipping away.
“Why would you think I want to divorce you?”
She just blinked blankly at him. Anxious, he cupped her cheek, urging her to meet his gaze.
“Listen to me, Leticia. You don’t make me uncomfortable. I don’t want a divorce. I’m not enduring you. In fact, you are…”
Adorable, to the point of driving me mad.
He swallowed the rest of his confession. His feelings were too profound to be expressed in mere words.
He feared that, once sober, she might remember his words and find them burdensome.
But he couldn’t keep the emotions bubbling up inside him at bay.
So, without asking for permission or offering an apology, he pressed his lips softly against her forehead. Fortunately, Leticia didn’t push him away. Instead, she looked at him with innocent eyes and asked,
“You don’t dislike me?”
“That’s right.”
His voice trembled slightly.
“How could I possibly dislike you?”
“…”
“I don’t want a divorce, either.”
Leticia blinked her large eyes in surprise, then tilted her head quizzically.
“Really?” she asked softly.
“Do you really not want to part with me?”
“Yes.”
“Really…?”
“Yes, truly.”
Dietrian looked at her fervently, hoping his sincerity would reach her.
Leticia smiled softly, a hint of disbelief in her expression.
“A liar…”
“What?”
“You’re a kind liar, Your Highness.”
“You think I’m… kind?”
Dietrian was bewildered. The compliment didn’t feel like one at all.
“Leticia, everything I’m saying is the truth. I’m not being kind just to say these things to you.”
Leticia continued to smile, not entirely convinced. Dietrian became more determined.
“I mean it. Not a word of falsehood…”
“Hehe.”
Dietrian decided to change his approach.
“Leticia, why would you think that way?”
She hesitated.
“Did someone say those things to you? That you’re not lovable, that I would dislike you?”
“…Ah.”
Leticia reacted for the first time, her smile fading slightly. Dietrian, keen not to miss any small cue, pressed on.
“Who said that? Was it… your mother, Josephina?”
He recalled the tea party two days ago.
Josephina whispering incessantly in Leticia’s ear, her occasional spiteful glances at him. The way she clung to her daughter, seemingly poisoning her thoughts.
“Did Josephina tell you that? That I would dislike you, that I would find you uncomfortable?”
Leticia blinked slowly, and Dietrian instinctively knew his suspicion was correct. Anger surged within him, contorting his face in frustration.
“Leticia, please don’t mind what your mother said…”
As he spoke, her smile dissolved into transparent tears.
Startled, Dietrian looked at her. His palm, cradling her cheek, was damp with her warmth.
“Leticia, why…”
He asked with a trembling voice. Leticia closed her eyes and buried her face in his hand, her tears continuing to flow, mingled with her smile.
Unable to bear the sight, Dietrian spoke.
“Leticia, please don’t cry. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. So, please, stop crying.”
He apologized without even knowing what he did wrong, pained by her silent tears.
Even as he wiped her tears, his heart ached deeply.
“Please, Leticia.”
She looked at him with tear-soaked eyes, then suddenly burst into laughter.
“You really don’t dislike me, Your Highness?”
“Of course not.”
Her playful smile returned, her eyes twinkling like stars through her tears.
“Then, will you grant me a wish?”
“Anything, just say it.”
“Kiss me.”
Dietrian hesitated.
“Kiss me. Tenderly, as if you truly love me. Like you did two days ago.”
“…”
“I’ll believe you then.”
“…”
“Come on, quickly.”
Leticia tugged at his arm, pleading. Tears continued to stream down her cheeks.
“Leticia.”
Dietrian hesitated, then gently kissed the corner of her eye, as if to soothe her tears away.
“No, not there. Kiss me on the lips. Quickly… uh.”
Leticia closed her eyes tightly, beginning to cry silently. Her slender shoulders trembled.
Dietrian’s eyes reddened. He didn’t know what to do, helplessly wiping her tears. Leticia shook her head and pulled him closer.
“I don’t need that, Your Highness. Just do it quickly…”
Unable to resist such a plea, Dietrian slowly leaned in.
Their lips met.
Tears and breaths mingled.
* * *
The kiss with Leticia was bittersweet. It was different from their kiss two days ago, which was filled with the excitement of mere contact. Now, there was an undercurrent of anxiety.
Even in the brief moment when their lips parted, Dietrian couldn’t take his eyes off her. Did she believe him now?
“Leticia.”
She exhaled slowly, eyes still closed.
Dietrian pressed his cheek against hers, damp with tears, then whispered again.
“Look at me, Leticia.”
Finally, she opened her eyelids, revealing her green eyes. Seeing his reflection in her gaze, Dietrian felt an old fear resurface.
Seven years ago, when Dietrian lost everything overnight and became a king, he used to wish the world would disappear as he fell asleep.
Yet, each new day relentlessly arrived, and his chosen method to survive was to simply focus on the immediate future.
Avoid dreaming too far ahead and live each day as it comes. This approach helped him endure seven long years.
He learned that everything, no matter how daunting, eventually passed if he persevered. Enduring one challenge made it easier to withstand others.
Even the deepest wounds would heal over time, leaving scars that felt like armor, protecting him.
He had optimistically believed the future would be better than the past seven years because he was confident in his ability to endure.
But now, he felt as lost as he did seven years ago. Though he was willing to give everything for her, he didn’t know what to do, which frightened him.
The fear of losing her forever loomed over him.
“Leticia.”
As she gazed up at him, instead of responding, she slowly raised her hand. Her slender fingers traced his eyebrow, then tenderly cupped his cheek.
As her warmth started to fade away, he quickly placed his hand over her slender one.
“Look at me, Leticia.”
Even though her gaze was fixed on him, he couldn’t help but repeat the plea. It felt as if she was looking far beyond him.
“Leticia.”
“I am looking…”
She whispered with a smile and slowly closed her eyes. Dietrian tensed, fearing she might cry again.
But then he felt the strength in her hand gently ebbing away.
“Leticia?”
Surprised by her lack of response, Dietrian called her name, but she didn’t react, only her gentle breathing could be heard.
“Has she fallen asleep?”
He sighed softly, lowering her hand back onto the bed.
‘It must be the alcohol.’
Thankfully, the corners of her mouth were slightly turned up in her sleep, a stark contrast to her silent tears earlier.
While it was better than seeing her cry, Dietrian’s heart still felt heavy. Drunken words often hold sober thoughts, and her tears were too genuine to be dismissed.
Through the dim window, the brightly lit temple was visible. Dietrian’s gaze towards it flickered coldly, reflecting his thoughts about Josephina, the mistress of that place.
He contemplated the cruel words Josephina must have inflicted upon Leticia over the years.
How long must she have been tormented with such venomous words to believe her new husband despised her?
How could he erase those deep scars? What could he possibly do to heal her?
If only he had gone to the temple instead of his brother years ago.
If he could have taken Leticia away from that place, or better yet, if he could turn back time to undo all the harm.
To erase everything Josephina had done, every hurtful word Leticia had heard, every wound she had suffered.
If only he could. He felt like he would do anything to make that possible.
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