Chapter 101
He sat there blankly for a moment before hurriedly replying, “Then let her come at once,” fearing that Marie might be waiting for his answer. Even after giving the order, the strength left his legs for a brief instant.
‘Marie said she missed me. Me.’
A smile threatened to escape him, as though he had become a foolish young boy.
‘Marie… missed me.’
Russell knew that he was, at times, frustratingly sparing with words. But in truth, Marie resembled him in that regard.
Those who had grown up loved and cherished never feared rejection, no matter what they said. But Marie was different.
She was a woman who had long grown accustomed to swallowing the words she truly wished to say, and each time he witnessed such moments, his chest had ached unbearably.
That was why he was all the happier.
His heart pounded as though it might burst. To put it plainly, he felt as though he could soar.
Had speaking with her family lifted her spirits? Had it made her think of him?
Even before the doors opened, he knew she was standing outside.
The Omega he had unilaterally imprinted upon was scattering a brilliant scent overflowing with joy and delight.
Behind the rich grapefruit fragrance that felt like a warm embrace, she smiled. And the moment their eyes met, that smile shone even brighter.
“Your Highness.”
He opened his arms.
No other words were necessary.
Quickening her steps, she threw herself into his embrace. For a time, they simply listened to each other’s heartbeats.
How long had it been since silence between them had ceased to feel awkward?
“It seems you had an enjoyable conversation with your aunt.”
“That too, but we ended up talking about you, Your Highness. And somehow, I suddenly missed you so much. Before I knew it, I was already here.”
“Yet you’re the one whose birthday is in two days. At this rate, I’ll end up thinking it’s mine.”
His arms tightened around her.
Ah, I really don’t want to let her go.
Russell had been preparing for this with great care.
What if Marie felt burdened by his proposal? What if, even after giving birth to their child, she did not wish to be bound to this palace?
The choice had to be hers.
Even as he prepared the magnificent ring, even as he wished for Marie’s birthday to be more lavish than anyone else’s, he had planned to present her with a gift and carefully ask if she would spend all the years to come by his side—as his wife.
But now, it felt as though those meticulous plans were scattering like mist.
His instincts were telling him that it had to be now.
Right now, when their hearts were beating as though they had become one. Right now, when Marie was looking at him with a smile as bright and innocent as a child’s.
“Marie, there’s something I want to tell you.”
As he looked at her, patiently waiting for him, he took out the small jewelry box he had been carrying with him for who knew how long. It was a gold box, just large enough to hold a single ring.
Marie’s eyes widened at the sight of it.
Even so, he was certain. Just as Marie had said that she trusted him, he too knew that these feelings were not one-sided.
“Please… accept this.”
“Russell.”
“I want Marie Alphrose to be called the Crown Princess.”
Taking out the brilliantly gleaming ring, he carefully brought it to the fourth finger of her hand.
He could no longer tell whether the trembling breath belonged to him or to her.
“Marie… marry me.”
His voice had trembled at the end, sounding rather pitiful. He wished he could have spoken with more confidence, more assurance.
But that single second felt like an eternity.
Marie slowly smiled. The scent of her pheromones deepened, growing richer than ever. And then her clear, delicate finger slipped through the ring.
“Yes.”
It was an unwavering answer.
“I’ll bear your child.”
Her shining golden eyes gleamed like precious jewels.
“I’ll become your wife and remain by your side. Because I love you. No matter how much I tried to distance myself, using my wounds as an excuse, in the end I could never help but turn back to you. That’s how much I love you, Russell.”
Before long, tears had welled up and were streaming down Marie’s cheeks. Panicking, he brushed them away with his lips.
“Thank you. Thank you, Marie.”
The traces of his imprinted Omega were still unbearably sweet.
“It means that Your Highness has to promise me something as well.”
It was then that she, her arms wrapped around his bowed shoulders, whispered in a tearful voice.
“What is it?”
“That you’ll stop being jealous.”
“That is…”
His eyes wavered instantly. Even the smile trembling on Russell’s face, as though he might cry, cracked.
“Especially of Ryan. Ryan in particular! You worried yourself sick every time you read one of his letters asking after me, didn’t you?”
“…”
Having sworn to tell only the truth to his mate, he could not bring himself to deny it.
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