That trust rooted itself deep into her heart in a short time, unshakeable in any situation.

The intense kisses, disguised as tenderness, lasted quite a while. At the end, when their lips slightly separated, Ibelia took a deep breath.

Her chest rose and fell dramatically, and her shoulders shook widely. It felt like the moment when someone had tightly held onto a heart that had been held within them, letting it go in an instant.

The heart, surging widely, brought an indescribable sensation. The strangely liberating yet not-so-liberating feeling made Ibelia unable to easily regain her senses.

Breathing heavily and unable to open her tightly shut eyes for a while, Khalif’s voice suddenly cut through.

“If it’s too difficult, you don’t have to try, Eve. Your heart already knows enough.”

In his extremely affectionate voice, Ibelia couldn’t help but flutter her eyelids. When she raised her head, his face, full of refreshing green eyes, appeared.

Unlike her, who couldn’t find any signs of disarray, he, gazing solely at her, was absolutely focused. It was a serious gaze that he had been holding back for a long time, as if he was about to spit out words he had endured.

“If you find it difficult, I can do it. If you can’t remember the past me, just leave the future me in your memories. I’ll take care of Felix’s matters, so if it’s too difficult…”

Quietly listening to his words, Ibelia suddenly gripped his hand tightly. As if stopping automatically, he stopped speaking and lowered his head towards the hand held by her.

Ibelia did not miss even this sight, filling her eyes with it. Whenever she saw him like this, there was a tingling sensation at the back of her mind.

It was a statement she wanted to make as if saying she wanted to love him like this. Even if she desperately uttered words of affection or urgency, he stopped everything at the slightest movement. It was as if she was always at the center of him.

Initially, it made her heart heavier. On the other hand, it seemed burdensome. But not anymore.

Because she had Khalif who loved her so much, despite her insignificant self, Ibelia was incredibly happy. Just like him, if there was anything she could do for him, she wanted to do everything.

Ibelia chose her words carefully, her lips trembling with emotion. She wanted to convey her feelings to him.
“No. Khalif, I’ll handle everything. You’ll remember everything, and I’ll solve the problem with Felix. I really want to do that. So, Khal…”

“…”

“Can you stay by my side like this? If you just do that, I’ll be truly happy.”

With intertwined hands, she raised her head shyly as she whispered. As if waiting eagerly for that, their eyes met.

Ibelia blinked rapidly, never taking her eyes off him. His pupils were slightly rough, swaying. She hadn’t expected to hear such words.

It seemed so cute in that instant that her heart warmed, but she felt sorry for being moved by just these words. Looking back, she had never expressed her feelings to him in this way. Instead of stopping him, who approached her straightforwardly, she was busy holding back her unfamiliar emotions.

He was the same. He, too, was always busy holding back his emotions, always advancing to consider her feelings. Now, he finally noticed it, like a fool.

With a heart full of apology, Ibelia reached out to him once again. Then, without hesitation, she embraced him tightly.

The man who always seemed strong willingly came to her. Then, he exhaled warm breath on her neck.

Even that seemed to contain his heart that had been solitary all this time. Ibelia couldn’t help but strengthen her arms around him.

“It feels like I’m always making you wait for me. But you never get angry.”

“Why would I get mad at you?”

He abruptly cut off her words. It sounded like he genuinely didn’t understand why he should. It was hard not to smile. Because if the person was Ibelia Caroline, there was no reason to get angry in any situation.

Therefore, she had to express her feelings even more.

“Thank you, Khalif. Thank you for patiently waiting for me.”

“…”

“So now, I’ll really do my best. I’ll try my best not to make you wait too long. Just like you did for me, I’ll do my best to make you happy.”

Ibelia whispered to him with her whole heart. He, who had been motionless for a while, soon exhaled a breath he had held and embraced her waist with force.

“Ka-Khal!”

Surprised, Ibelia poked his shoulder and urgently called his name, but she soon had to bite her lips. It was because their eyes met unexpectedly.

He was smiling brightly. It was a radiant smile with not a speck of dust to be found.

“I’m already overflowing with happiness just because you accepted me like this. So, you don’t need to make any more effort.”

He said that as if it were obvious. The undecorated sincerity hit her heart fully.
Unable to resist the surging emotions, Ibelia soon brightened up and laughed along with him.

It was undoubtedly a moment of unparalleled happiness.