Chapter 154 - Wasn't This...?
Chapter 154 – Wasn’t This…?
After I answered Hugo's important question, we dined in the garden with the romantic setup everyone prepared for the two of us. Since it was a good occasion, the stiff atmosphere that had been enveloping the household changed into a lively one.
We all had fun after our dinner, dancing, singing, and just indulging in the magical feeling that moment gave. After that, Hugo and I headed to our shared room to rest. Obviously, the rest was a lie because we barely reach our room still clad.
We made love all night. Hugo held me as if it was the last, and I did the same. He was even surprised that I finally matched his energy on the bed. And this was the first time he fell asleep before I did; maybe because he thought I was already sleeping when I didn't move or reply to him.
'That is because he won't stop if I didn't pretend to sleep.' I pursed my lips into a thin line, gazing at his sleeping face while lying on my side. 'He looks so harmless whenever he is asleep.'
A smile dominated my face. His words that could move even the mountains, putting his heart out in the open, were something I admired about his proposal. Hugo was a person who used his mouth to speak profanities.
That was why hearing those confessions from that same mouth felt special. It was rare.
"I love you," I whispered, moving up to kiss his cheek. He grunted and moved slightly, loosening his embrace as he laid on his back.
I looked at him lovingly for a long time. I didn't regret loving Hugo and choosing him. Even if he simply asked me to marry him, I would still say yes. I didn't even expect him to ask, honestly.
In the back of my head, I wouldn't be surprised if he came to me one day telling me it was our wedding day. Even his father, the emperor, also assumed his son wouldn't ask for my hand properly. That was why he proposed in his son's stead.
I giggled, covering my lips upon recalling that memory in the capital. 'I wonder what will be the emperor's reaction or his sister's reaction if I told them about Hugh's proposal?'
Now, I felt excited about returning to the capital. However, the excitement was short-lived. In the capital, he was also there. My smile slowly faded, sighing heavily before I carefully slipped away from the bed.
Sitting on the edge of the mattress, I looked back at Hugo and smiled wearily. I stood up and picked up Hugo's linen blouse on the floor, slipping my arms in the sleeve, and wore his inner blouse that looked like a dress to me.
I marched towards the window, embracing myself. 'Hello there, moon.' I looked up at the crescent moon shining so brightly.
This brought back a nostalgic feeling. Back then, I also used to look at the moon with such longing as if it reminded me of my home. But now…
I glanced at the man on the bed and smiled. "He is my home," came out a whisper, peeling my eyes away from Hugo to the moon.
"This is the last time I will look at you, thinking if he is staring at you as well."
I meant what I told Bowie. I wanted to be just Rinnie. Hugo often explained things with 'because you are Rinnie.' I wanted to be like that and not let the past dictate my present or future.
'This may be called running away,' I muttered inwardly. 'But he said it can also be considered as walking away from the things that won't do me good.' Using Hugo's wisdom, he imparted to me from the beginning.
Somehow, someway, there were still good traits I picked up in Everfell. Although those people who played the role of my parents had a dreadful agenda, I was grateful to them one way or another. If I was raised in the Hendrik Empire — my original destination — I wouldn't be like this.
I could imagine myself being a cold-blooded dog who would kill for them. Either way, I wouldn't meet Hugo if things didn't occur like how they happened.
Out of habit — whenever I was deep in thought or just killing some time — I blew air at the glass of the window. I doodled a mark on it using my fingertip, drawing connecting circles with tails on it.
'Should I tell Hugh about the lamb?' I wondered, ruminating what for? 'Was it still important? Or would it only cause conflict? Not that I don't trust him, but I don't want to give myself the idea that he is only with me because of what I can do.'
It was selfish reasoning. But part of me knew I couldn't fully trust anyone who knew about the lamb. Except for the Tarsa tribe that had been devoted to me since the beginning and held pure intention. Everything else was the same.
"I'm not saying Hugh will be the same…" I trailed off when I heard him grunt and called lazily.
"Rinrin?" Hugo had his one eye closed, rubbing it while looking in my direction with confusion.
I smiled and walked back to the bed. '… I just didn't want that idea in my head since the demons inside my mind will always be there, right? dear wolf?'
"Back," came out a soft voice, slipping under the blanket. Hugo immediately crawled to me, embracing me in his half-conscious state.
"Why are you standing there?" his voice was coarse, adjusting his position until he found his comfort spot. "I was scared."
"I fetched some water," I lied, melting into the safety of his embrace.
"Mhm…" His breathing grew heavier, pulling me closer and hugging me securely as if to refrain me from going away. "Just stay here with me now. Wake me up if you need anything."
My eyes softened before I closed them, resting my arm over his torso. "Were you terrified?"
"Mhm. very much."
****
In the morning, Hugo opened his one eye only to shut it again at the light beaming through the window. He rubbed his palm against the small body in his embrace, peeking through his other eye, and smiled.
"Good morning, Rinrin," he greeted in a coarse voice, planting a kiss on top of her head.
Hugo idled on the bed and just embraced her. When time passed, he drew his head back, and she was still asleep. He wanted to prepare her breakfast on the bed, so Hugo carefully slipped out to ask Nana to prepare her something to eat.
Fortunately, she didn't wake up. Standing on the side of the bed — butt naked — he picked up the robe draped on the armchair. As he covered his perfectly sculptured body as if it was a masterpiece of God, his brow arched.
"Huh?" he gazed at the window she was standing on last night, narrowing his eyes upon seeing something on the glass. Out of curiosity, Hugo approached it while tying the robe. As he stood in front of the window, he leaned over to see a marking.
Because of the cold temperature, the marking she doodled on the glass last night remained.
His brows furrowed as he tilted his head to the side. "How did…?" Hugo glanced at the woman on the bed before setting his eyes back on the marking.
"Did she draw this?"