Chapter 252 (2/2)

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m deeply touched by your warm consideration.”

“Have a good night!”

“You, too, Your Majesty.”

As soon as I tried to pull my hand, bowing to him, he raised his right hand and kissed the hand of mine he was holding.

My heart began to pound gradually when I felt attracted to his tempting posture. I felt goosebumps when I felt his warm breathing on the back of my hand.

“Have good dreams, Aristia.”

When he whispered in my ears, I hurried out of the wagon without even responding.

I went back to my room absent-mindedly. My dreamy mood continued until I washed myself, changed my clothes, prepared to sleep, and was finally left alone in bed because what happened in the wagon and in the lake kept hovering in my mind.

Is it because of the magic attraction of the blue moon?

I recalled his desperate kiss. His eyes I saw when I opened my eyes, as well as the mixed feelings in his navy blue eyes, kept lingering in my eyes.

I couldn’t forget his warmth when he held my hand, his gentle touch when he swept my hair, and his soft kiss that touched the back of my hand. My heart was pounding so I couldn’t sleep.

I tossed and turned in bed, then removed the bedsheet. As I couldn’t sleep anyway, I thought I had better work.

When I opened the side door and approached the desk, I noticed a gorgeous envelope with gold pearls scattered on a blue background. At that moment, I recalled him cutting me off with a firm voice.

‘I wondered what he said in the letter.’

I picked up the envelope nervously. Then, after taking a quick look at his name in white ink, I took a deep breath and opened the letter.

I helplessly sat down on the floor.

Oh my God! How can the emperor give up on having a successor that shares his blood? Does this make any sense?

‘No way!’

I bit my lip. It was an offer that I could not and should not accept. This should not happen under any circumstances.

But my heart kept pounding. I shouldn’t do this, but I couldn’t calm down my excitement. Although I knew his offer was far from feasible, with enormous repercussions, I was very happy. I was moved to tears after discovering how much he cared for me when he, known for his rational thinking and behavior, could make such a dangerous offer. I felt like I would like to hide behind him, ignoring the stern reality facing me.

My heart was full of a strange feeling beyond my description. How can I express this feeling? Pleasure? Satisfaction? Happiness? Gratification? No, what I’m feeling now was not the kind of one that can’t be expressed in simple words.

Only then did I realize that I was really loved by him. Although I knew it for a long time, it was the first time that his love touched my heart like this. Even though I knew that the more I swayed, the more he and I would be hurt, I couldn’t really think about anything because of the myriad of feelings that filled my heart.

‘No…’ I let out a big breath.

I took a deep breath, so I could empty my excitement.

The next time I see him, I have to say I can’t accept it. I’m going to tell him that his offer is simply impossible. But shouldn’t I be happy only tonight? Can’t I be just happy that I am loved by him?

Suddenly, tears trickled down on my cheek unconsciously.

‘When these tears dry, let me go back to normal life tomorrow. I promise, Aristia. ‘

I raised my blurry eyes and looked out the window. The blue moonlight filling the black night sky was reflected in my blurred vision.