Khalid’s gaze wavered as if struck to the core, losing its focus for a moment. However, he soon calmly admitted, “Yeah, I’m anxious.”

Anxious that you might leave me.

He honestly acknowledged his feelings. Khalid locked eyes with Valia.

“Do you think that we were fated to meet?”

Fated.

Both Raul and Khalid were saying similar things today.

“If it weren’t fate, could we have met? And even if it wasn’t fate, it doesn’t matter.”

Valia smiled sweetly, reaching her hand to his neck.

“That thing called fate is really nothing special. So, don’t worry about such trivial matters.”

Then, she lightly kissed Khalid, saying, “You’re not the only one feeling anxious.”

In case you change too.

“I’m anxious too.”

So, even knowing it could be detrimental to him, he brought Erje to the Second Prince’s residence.

He tested what it would be like to keep her by his side in this life, after she had taken everything from him. Raul easily stole her heart, and it was a blazing love. In an instant, he, who had been by her side, became mere ashes, disappearing without a trace.

Anxiety eroded his heart, and suspicion raised its head. Captivated by the memories of that time, he couldn’t escape.

But every time Khalid became restless, every time he revealed his desires, the once-empty heart felt full.

So, they used each other’s anxieties, unscrupulously.

“So, make me less anxious.”

Neither of them uttered the words “I love you.” Valia and Khalid sealed their lips as if waiting for the other to confess first, an unspoken competition. Yet, the unspoken emotions seemed even heavier and deeper. Tangled emotions enveloped their entire bodies, making it impossible to escape.

“I have only you now.”

As soon as Valia finished speaking, without needing to decide who would go first, they kissed again, exploring each other with desperate actions.

“Valia.”

Khalid’s pupils clouded with a passionate color.

“Maybe you and I aren’t destined.”

After lightly kissing Valia’s wrist, a sound echoed as her lips separated, and as she silently stared at the dropping lips, an inexplicable tingling sensation filled her waist. Hastily, Valia bit Khalid’s lips.

“But even if we’re not destined, I’ll sever all your connections and eventually make you belong to me.”

Khalid leaned his cheek against Valia’s hand.

“So, don’t even dream of leaving me, Valia.”

With a yearning expression as if seeking affection, he continued, “If you try to escape, I’ll release people to capture you and ensure you can never leave again.”

Khalid kissed her hand, gently and affectionately. Then he raised his gaze to meet Valia’s eyes.

Valia’s pupils trembled.

Khalid enveloped Valia in his arms. Even as they walked to the bed, he slowly kissed her cheek, eyes, nose, and forehead. A series of gentle, short kisses covered her entire face.

“While you speak so harshly…”

Each action was delicate and affectionate.

Every time, he spoke…

“I can’t help it. Because I’ll always be weak to you.”

Eventually, Valia’s back touched the bed.

“So, please, take care of me, Valia. Okay?”

Khalid buried his face in Valia’s neck as he spoke.

Yes, we will be firm. These emotions were not easily shaken. Raul and Khalid were different, and Valia instinctively placed her hand on his back.

“To be more caring than this, what should I do, Your Highness?”

“Well, you’ll know when you see it.”

Khalid grinned and gently traced his fingers over Valia’s buttons.
“Pull yourself together, Princess.”

Because I’m counting on you.

It was a day with clear skies and refreshing air. The flowers throughout the garden were blooming with vitality, and the sunlight piercing through the clouds was warm.

Valia took steps along the familiar path, feeling the pleasant atmosphere that made her involuntarily hum a tune.

“Ahaha, Your Highness!”

A high and gentle laughter reached Valia’s ears. It was such a delightful laughter that Valia, without realizing, walked slowly toward the direction where the sound came from.

‘…Ah.’

There, Erje and Raul were strolling through the garden, looking at each other with affection.

Lovely Erje wore a wide-brimmed hat that could shade the sunlight, and she was dressed in an expensive-looking pink dress. It was a very familiar dress, the one Raul had given Valia as a gift on the day he proposed.

Walking a few steps ahead of Raul, Valia turned around and extended her hand towards him. Raul, wearing a thoroughly happy smile, took her hand.

“This is a dream.”

Without this, she wouldn’t get to see such a sight again.

Valia composed herself. She kept repeating that it was a dream. It wasn’t miserable since it would all disappear when she woke up. It truly didn’t matter.

“Anyway, it’s all a dream.”

At that moment, the once blue sky quickly turned dark.

Mocking Valia, who was relieved, as if ridiculing her for thinking it was a dream, a rough wind swept through the space.

And the scene that appeared before Valia was completely different from before.

Raul was not there. Instead, Khalid was in his place, smiling warmly.