Chapter 184 Be my bride

Chapter 184 Be my bride

Raven turned to Siwoo in complete surprise, his arms remaining locked around my waist. "You've come with your mischief again," he muttered, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

Siwoo didn't answer right away. She just stood there, smiling cheekily as she pointed a finger directly at Raven's coat pocket.

Raven reached down, tapping his hand against his coat. The moment his fingers brushed against the outline of the velvet box inside, real understanding dawned on his face. A soft laugh broke from his chest as he shook his head.

"So all of that stress... all of those trips today... was because of this?" he asked, staring at Siwoo. "You were lying to me the entire time?"

Siwoo nodded proudly, her smile widening. "It was all lies! I wanted every single detail to be set up for tonight, so that the next time"

"Stop right there," Raven cut her off quickly, preventing her from blurting out whatever outrageous statement she was about to make.

He turned back to face me, pulling me closer against his chest as he took both of my hands into his. The entire crowd went quiet, phones raised everywhere as guests snapped photos and recorded the moment.

"I have known you for almost a decade now, Jina," Raven spoke softly, his voice full of warmth. "Right from the very first day I arrived at Haneul Ridge Academy to protect you... I started liking you. Even though I pretended not to back then, it was all an act."

I smiled up at him, admiring the genuine, beautiful smile resting on his face,a smile I hadn't seen in far too long.

"I have always dreamed of this day," he continued, holding my hands firmly. "Even back when I thought we might not survive the hunting season which almost came true. And then... after I thought I had lost you forever. But here you are." He smiled warmly. "Which means the original plan continues."

"What plan?" I asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

Raven glanced down at my stomach for a brief second before pulling me even closer. "Getting you pregnant."

"Raven!" I gasped, raising my hand to slap his shoulder, but he let out a rich laugh and quickly caught my wrist, pulling my hand to his lips instead.

"Jina Park," he said, his expression turning deeply earnest as he looked into my eyes. "You are the one person I have always loved, the only person I will ever love. I love you with everything inside me”so much that I would die for you in a heartbeat. The last thing I will ever do is leave your side again. I am so sorry for everything that happened. Ever since the day I thought you died, I promised myself I would never, ever get married."

He let out a quiet scoff, a breathtaking grin lighting up his features. "But right now... I am holding my bride. My bride."

My eyes went wide. "What are you saying? Bride?!"

Before I could even process his words, the entire room erupted into cheers and applause.

Raven dropped gracefully to one knee right in front of me. He reached into his coat pocket, pulled out the velvet box, and popped it open. A brilliant diamond ring glittered beneath the lights. Without even waiting to ask the question, he reached up, took my left hand, and slid the band smoothly onto my ring finger.

"Be my bride, my lady?" he asked, looking up at me with a mischievous glint in his dark eyes.

I nearly burst out laughing as I looked down at him. "You just slid the ring onto my finger without even asking first, and you're still waiting for an answer? You already answered for me, Raven!"

Gently, I pulled him up from his knee, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing a tender kiss to his lips. "Of course," I whispered against his mouth. "Who else would I ever marry if not you?"

Siwoo clapped excitedly from the side, while Yoon stepped forward, her eyes brimming with emotional tears as she pulled me into a tight, fierce embrace.

"I am so sorry, Jina," Yoon whispered into my shoulder. "I'm sorry for being so foolish, and for ever thinking of hurting you back then."

I smiled softly, wrapping my arms around her. "It's all in the past, Yoon. I forgive you."

Raven gently stepped in, pulling me away from the emotional crowd before things could escalate any further. "Come on," he whispered in my ear. "I have something to show you."

He glanced over his shoulder at Yoon and Siwoo. "You two can drive the other car back."

Without giving anyone a chance to object, he took my hand and led me through the side passage, steering us out to his sports car.

A short drive later, the car pulled to a smooth stop in front of his private guest house. The estate was silent, illuminated only by the soft glow of the garden lights.

Raven unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out, coming around to open my door. Before I could even step onto the pavement, he leaned down and planted another lingering kiss on my lips. His hands slid down to my waist, and with effortless strength, he lifted me straight up into his arms.

"Come on, my lady," he murmured, his voice thick with devotion as he carried me through the front doors and up the grand staircase toward the master bedroom. "I've waited far too long for this."