Chapter 72
Legally and safely. Floria tilted her head slightly.
“Even if it’s true that we met… still, saying that you wanted me and proposed marriage… that makes no sense.”
“Why does that make no sense?”
“If what you wanted was Helia, that would make sense.
But I… why do you want me?” “Helia?”
I didn’t understand why she brought up Helia’s name.
The memory of that proud and sharp-spirited face sent a chill down my spine.
Clearly baffled, I asked, and Floria, still flustered, stammered on.
“My sister said… that you originally intended to propose to her, not me.”
I frowned, deep lines creasing my brow.
“Why would I want Helia over you?” I didn’t get it.
I had met Helia just a short while ago, when I came to the castle with Floria’s mother.
I’d never met her before preparing to marry Floria.
Helia was nothing to me—not even worth noticing—so why should I marry her?
But this obvious truth was still hard for Floria to accept.
“She’s beautiful… renowned for her looks. If you were from Altomole and someone mentioned Helia… so maybe…” She stumbled, unable to finish her thought.
I watched her, eyebrows drawn together.
She must be under a curse.
After the queen of Altomole and Helia returned, I spoke with Floria’s nurse to understand why
Floria had endured so much hate and hardship.
It wasn’t Floria’s fault at all.
It was their foolishness.
Floria looked shocked when she heard I wanted her. Her lips parted slightly—I wanted to kiss them then, but first, I needed to speak before acting.
“This is hard.”
A bitter word slipped out. I’d always preferred action over words, since childhood.
Persuading someone verbally was never my strong suit.
But sometimes words need to be spoken.
There are truths that mere physical closeness cannot convey.
I brushed her tear-stained cheek with my thumb.
“Open your eyes.”
It was time to break the curse.
The woman before me was more beautiful than anyone in the world.
Her speech delighted the heart.
Her scent was more fragrant than any flower—intoxicating.
She drove people mad.
She drove me mad, Floria.
“Open your eyes, Floria.”
My voice shook her.
“Open your eyes and look at me.
There’s no one but you.”
My unwavering gaze pierced her.
“That can’t be… You couldn’t have wanted someone useless like me all this time.”
I felt pain that I couldn’t console her with words.
Before meeting her, nothing in the world had meaning—but she was my light.
After meeting you, I finally understood what I wanted and longed for.
I realized I had desires stirring within me—and a willingness to sacrifice for someone.
That it had to be you. My lips parted.
“I can’t be without you.”
“…”
“Floria, no one else matters as much as you.
You have no idea how frightened I was when you were gone.”
My voice, once strong, finally cracked.
“I cursed the deer I brought. I cursed myself for leaving you alone.”
Floria simply stared at me. “Is this real?”
“Did you truly meet me that day and want me… enough to propose marriage?”
“Yes.”
I wanted all of Floria—from her head down to her toes.
Heavily, I leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss upon her lips—barely touching them, as if confirming her existence.
To Floria, that was enough.
A sudden electric thrill coursed through her body.
In that near touch, I whispered close.
“Floria.” “Yes…?” “I love you.”
Her lips trembled from where they had touched mine.
“I love you.”
“…”
“You are more precious than anyone. Even if my words fall short—”
They were more than enough.Nothing else mattered. He loved me… what more could matter?
She shook her head softly.
“That is enough. Aidan, I…”
No words came. She had never imagined that being loved and cherished could feel so joyful—nor that the one loving her would be him.
“Just loving me is enough.”
And she leapt into my arms.
Her body, cold just moments before, warmed rapidly in my embrace.
Floria opened her eyes wide, seeing the truth.
The deep wound she carried when she mistakenly believed I’d married Helia was now healing in my warmth. “Me too.”
“…”
“I love you.” She hadn’t spoken those words until now.
It was the confession of both heartbreak and love—words she’d never managed to say to her husband.
“I love you.”At her words, the man’s eyes narrowed.
“Aren’t you scared of me?” “Yes….”
I was still scared—worried about what the man I love thinks of me, whether he might be hurt.
A newfound fear stirred within me because of him.
But… “Even if I’m afraid of you, I still love you.”
His smile made my heart pound, and hearing he loves me tightened my chest.
He said nothing and simply held me.
Then a small voice interrupted them.
“Pee.”
A delicate animal sound. When I looked down, the fawn, Bella, lifted her head and whimpered as if bored.
“Pee.”
“She can’t sense the mood,” Aidan said.
A soft smile curved on my lips. He squinted at me and spoke.
“Floria.”
His voice was wonderful. Every time he called me by name, my heart swelled.
“Floria.” “Yes.”
Though tired, my face glowed with joy as he spoke.
“Let’s go back.”
To our home.
I nodded at his words.
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