Chapter 125 125

Chapter 125 125
"I'll do whatever it takes..." I whispered so softly that I didn't want him to hear a single word.

"Thank you... for loving me." I squeezed my eyes shut before quietly slipping into his embrace.

I held him as tightly as I could, wishing with all my heart that time would simply stop.

I was terrified of what the future held. But somehow... I still believed there had to be something I could do.

"Hmm..."

Perhaps I'd been holding him too tightly.

Alexander slowly opened his eyes. And without the slightest effort, he slipped one arm around my waist and gently lifted me until our faces were level as we lay facing one another.

His blue eyes remained fixed on mine.

"You really don't know how to stop making me worry, Layla..." Tilting his head slightly, he slowly leaned closer, intending to kiss me.

THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

My heart hammered so violently that it felt as though it might burst.

The love I'd tried so desperately to bury only made me miss his kiss even more.

Just before his lips met mine, he paused for a brief moment, searching my eyes.

"Let me kiss you..."

"...so I won't think this is just another dream, my Layla." His whisper stole the breath from my lungs, making my eyes widen.

Then, with infinite gentleness, he finally kissed me.

It was a soft, lingering kiss... Warm enough to melt every wall around my heart. Every unspoken feeling seemed to melt into that kiss.

I closed my eyes tightly. Unable to hold back my longing any longer, I found myself returning his kiss just as gently.

I'd missed him too.

I'd missed him so desperately that I hadn't been able to sleep peacefully for a single night.

I couldn't tell him any of those words.

The only way I could express the longing I'd buried for so long was by answering his kiss.

I felt Alexander hesitate for the briefest moment, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

Three months of longing, loneliness, and restrained emotions finally overflowed that morning.

He gathered me tightly into his arms, holding me as though he never intended to let me go again, while the distance that had separated us for so long quietly disappeared between us.

No words could have expressed what passed between us in that moment better than the warmth of his embrace, the tenderness of his kisses, and the quiet confession of love he whispered against my ear.

Ah~

If only time could truly stop. I wanted everything to remain exactly as it was now. I wanted time to freeze in this very moment — while he held me against his bare body, while his lips lingered on mine, and while he whispered over and over that he couldn't live without me.

...

Neither of us noticed how quickly the hours slipped away.

By the time the sun was shining high overhead, Alexander was still holding me tightly in his arms. Even though our bodies were damp with sweat, he made no attempt to let me go.

"Hm?"

Alexander gently lifted my left hand. Then, with the utmost care, he slipped a familiar ring back onto my finger.

It was the same beautiful ring he'd used to propose to me... The one I'd left behind when I ran away.

My eyes widened as I looked up at him.

He softly traced my fingers before pressing a gentle kiss against the back of my hand.

"My bride..."

"You forgot this ring."

"Promise me, you'll never take it off again." His quiet whisper melted every defense I had left.

My gaze drifted to the dazzling ring now resting on my finger before slowly returning to his face.

I smiled, forcing myself to bury every ounce of fear and pain inside my heart. Then I gave him a small nod, desperately holding back the sob threatening to escape.

"Promise me..."

"No matter what happens, you'll stay by my side. Don't ever leave me again."

"I promise I'll treat you even better than before." His words shattered the fragile wall I'd built around my heart.

My vision blurred as tears finally spilled over.

"Mmm..." I nodded again, unable to stop the tears flowing down my cheeks.

Alexander gently wiped them away before resting his forehead against mine. He kissed my forehead again and again. Then he brushed another soft kiss across my lips, patiently trying to comfort me in the only way he knew how.

As for me...

All I could do was cry. I was the only one who knew what was waiting for us in the future. But this time... I was going to change everything.

There had to be a reason I'd been shown Alexander's battle against that shadowy figure... The one who was most likely the ruler of the Underworld.

...

Time continued to pass.

I finally understood that there was no running away from my fate. No matter how far I fled, Alexander would always find me.

So this time... I wasn't going to run anymore. I would face whatever lay ahead. I couldn't afford to fail again.

"Princess Swan..." Rina was helping me gather several books I wanted to read—books about the Underworld, a place I still knew almost nothing about.

"Why do you suddenly want to read these?" she asked as she placed several thick volumes on the table in front of me.

I simply smiled and answered with another lie. "I'm just curious."

"There's no particular reason."

Rina nodded thoughtfully. She never asked why I'd run away. It seemed she was waiting for me to tell her on my own someday.

But... I could never explain any of it.

"Hmph..." I quietly clenched my fists as my eyes settled on the books before me.

Perhaps, somewhere inside these pages... I would find the answer I needed.

Layla, this time... You can do it!

The words echoed inside my heart like a quiet vow.

This time I wouldn't run. This time I would face whatever fate had prepared for me... And I would do everything in my power to save Alexander.

...