Chapter 153 - [Bonus ] Proposal
Chapter 153 – [Bonus ] Proposal
When a tear rolled down my cheek, I could feel everyone's relief. From my peripheral vision, I could see how everyone's lips stretched from ear to ear, eyes on me. Meanwhile, I kept my eyes on Hugo.
He shrugged, smiling, closed-lipped. The twins sang harmoniously from the side while Winter and Nathan played other instruments; I never thought they had such a talent. Actually, I was unsure if they were good, but the song they were singing brought a powerful impact on the atmosphere.
'He really prepared a grand reception for this,' I whispered in my head before I smiled. Taking a deep breath, I marched along the gravel pathway. Thanks to the candles on either side of it, I could see the path properly.
Every step, my heart hammered against my ribcage. Not because I was nervous or scared, but because I was… emotional. My heart felt wobbly and I could literally feel it melt every passing second.
Ten steps and I was closer to him. I looked ahead, eyes on who was waiting for me to the end.
The light from the lanterns that were akin to fireflies revealed the charming smile that suits his arrogant facial features nicely. His dark ash hair that was neatly brushed back danced along with the soft howl of the wind.
It was magical — almost out of this world. If this was the world I lived in, I didn't mind not being a part of this world, of this reality. Hugo was like a dream, a beautiful one that would make me wish to stay in an eternal slumber.
But this dream… was my reality. And that only made things a lot better.
"Rinrin,'' he called in his usual warm baritone voice when I stopped three steps away. "For you."
This time, he took two steps and handed me the bouquet. I looked at it and my eyes softened. It was a combination of light and dark red and white carnation that supported the bold red tulips as the arrangement's focal flower. It was beautiful.
"Thank you," I expressed as I accepted the bouquet, sniffing its fresh aroma that made me smile. "They're beautiful, Hugh."
"I'm glad you liked them." His expression softened, smiling gently and lovingly. "They said the deep red carnation represents deep love, the light one is admiration, the white carnation means pure love."
I smiled as he paused, caressing the petals with my fingertip.
He continued. "While the red tulips mean… soul mate." I raised my head, only to see the limitless affection in his eyes.
"If I have a longer preparation time, an entire greenhouse is not enough to express my feelings for you." He took a step forward, brushing my cheek with the back of his fingers. "Even words aren't always enough to express my heart completely."
"Hugh…"
"Uh… what do I say?" he let out a nervous laugh, huffing with closed lips. "I'm not really good with words, but I meant it when I said, my heart is not mine anymore when I laid my eyes on you. In that woods during a very traumatic night, I confess that instead of fear, I was grateful. To see you, to talk to you, and to… hold your hand for the first time."
Hugo carefully slipped his fingers in between the gaps of mine, soft eyes gleaming as his eyelids drooped. His palm was a bit sweaty and I could feel his racing heart through it.
"Werewolves believed in many things, such as having a destined one. I never believed that all things are meant for something. But… when I held your hand, everything just makes sense." He stared at me squarely and warmly, sporting an incomprehensible smile.
"The joy, the gratefulness, the fear, the excitement… all feelings I never felt and never thought I would feel in this lifetime just came to me as if they were an old friend," he added while squeezing my hand lightly. "If love is something so intense I want to chew my way under your skin, then I am madly in love with you, Rinrin."
He raised his other hand and cupped my cheek. "I love you and I want to spend a lifetime with you — if possible, I just want to hog you all to myself. Just you and me, but that is just me being greedy."
"Hugh, are you threatening me or confessing your love for me?" I humored with a giggle, but my eyes still betrayed me as they let a tear escape.
"I'm freestyling, my Bambi." He laughed, inhaling through his gritted teeth. His eyes were also sweltering, but unlike me, he have control over his tears. He cleared his throat and took another deep breath.
"Rinnie Everfell, the woman who captured a young wolf's heart and continued to dominate it until this very second, I love you more than anything. I never felt so alive until you came into my life. Just the sheer thought of losing you keeps me awake in the night, reluctant to sleep, afraid reality will slap me and tell me that everything is just a beautiful dream.
My love, my Luna, my soulmate, I never felt so afraid in my life nor did I ever feel true joy until you came. You make me a better me. You painted my world with colors I never knew would look so pretty. You… complete me.
I will always feel forever grateful that found me in that forest. I am blessed, and I believed our meeting is where I should be — is the real destination I was unaware of, to you.
I don't want to let you go and I don't want you to let me go. If you allow me, let me love you forevermore."
Hugo took deep breaths after his long, heartfelt sentiments. This time, he took another step until we were toe to toe, wiping the river of tears on my cheek with his thumb.
"Will you… love me forever, Rinnie?" he inquired under his breath, eyes on the verge of tears. "Will you trap yourself with me through marriage forever?"
I hiccuped, pressing my cheek against his palm. "You know the answer, Hugh."
"Let me hear it." He bit his inner lower lip, eyes anticipating the words that would come out of my lips.
I looked at him in the eye, my heart thumping slowly but loudly. My silence seemed to bring him anxiety, but I needed time to breathe and speak, else I would just bawl my eyes.
"You said you are not good with words, but you touched my heart like no one else." I breathed out, smiling while crying. "I will love you forever and in the next, if this life is not enough. Yes, and this is the easiest decision I made."
His face brightened up and right then and there, a tear finally spilled from his eyes.
"Rinrin," he called and firmly pulled me into his embrace, where I melted. As he held me securely in his arms, we both laughed when our audience cheered and clapped. We looked back only to see everyone watching. Some servants were even flocking in the windows.
"She said 'yes', you lot have to prepare for the wedding!" Hugo yelled proudly while I chuckled. Meanwhile, loud cheers and congratulatory remarks chorused in the tune in the background.
Tonight was a memory I would never forget for as long as I live.. Not just in this lifetime, but also in all the lifetimes I would live.