Chapter 122
Chapter 122: Precious and Brilliant Memories
Since realizing that this uncontrollable feeling was love, Lupeon had been waiting patiently.
Waiting for the day he could tell Elena these words.
Now, after five seasons had passed since those days when he had hurt her with his indifferent attitude, he wanted to make amends.
To tell her that he really liked her. Everything from her gentle smile to her kind consideration.
He wanted to tell her how meaningful her existence had become to him, how she had changed his once monotonous world.
‘Now it’s my turn to approach you first.’
Just as you approached me back then.
Elena, sitting across from him, tilted her head and stared at him intently.
A faint smile soon appeared on Lupeon’s lips as he quietly gazed at her.
His low, deep voice soon flowed out.
“May sacred glory reach you.”
“…?”
In that moment, Elena felt as if her mind had gone blank.
And for good reason—the words Lupeon had just spoken were recorded in history books as the confession the first Emperor had made to his lover.
“Lupeon, that’s…”
As Elena blinked her wide eyes, he spoke with an elegant smile.
“Elena, I like you.”
“…!”
Her eyes filled with emotion at this unexpected confession.
‘He likes me?’
Elena doubted her own ears at these unbelievable words. Only after turning them over in her mind several times did she confirm she had heard correctly.
Opening and closing her mouth, trying to find the right words, she looked at him with round eyes and asked.
“You like me?”
“Your existence is like a miracle to me.”
“…”
Like ripples spreading across the quiet waters, Elena’s heart began to flutter.
‘Lupeon…’
Perhaps because the situation she had longed for was unfolding right before her eyes, Elena felt her eyes beginning to sting.
As she struggled to respond, her throat tight with emotion, Lupeon spoke in a low voice.
“I have no intention of forcing an answer from you.”
“…”
“So, would you give me your answer after you’ve had enough time to think?”
Though he spoke calmly about waiting for her decision, there was unmistakable anxiety visible on his face.
Lupeon fidgeted with his hands before adding with a bitter smile.
“Of course, you might find my confession burdensome.”
Meeting his plaintive gaze, Elena moved her lips. She wanted to tell him right away that she felt the same way.
Her heart was not just fluttering anymore—it was pounding rapidly.
‘How could I not like you?’
It was now Elena’s turn to confess her feelings, to ensure he wouldn’t worry anymore.
Looking at her fiancé with steady eyes, she tried to hide her trembling as she spoke.
“I understand your sincerity, Lupeon.”
A look of dismay crossed Lupeon’s face, as if he thought she was about to reject him.
“Perhaps you should think about it a bit more…”
Elena barely managed to suppress a laugh.
At the same time, she realized just how much she liked him.
If she found this nervous, fumbling man cute, that said it all.
Having taken so long to confirm their feelings for each other, Elena decided not to hesitate any longer.
Though her voice trembled slightly from nervousness, she conveyed her true feelings.
“I like you, Lupeon.”
“…!”
Lupeon’s blue pupils dilated then contracted at her shy confession.
Elena began to honestly express all the words she hadn’t been able to say until now.
“My feelings might even be stronger than yours.”
Since realizing her feelings for him, they had grown beyond her control.
Repeatedly clenching and unclenching her fingertips, Elena once again met his blue eyes.
As her heart swelled and tingling sensations spread through her, Elena slowly closed and opened her eyes.
Lupeon’s blue eyes trembled slightly at the sight of her revealing her true feelings for the first time.
“…Elena.”
Winter flower petals floated gently on the water in the breeze.
Under the soft glow of moonlight on the carved boat, Elena shyly spoke.
“Would it be alright if I became your lover?”
Though they were already engaged, rather than remaining in a relationship that was just for show, she wanted to develop into lovers who could honestly convey their feelings of affection whenever they wanted.
It seemed to take more courage than expected to directly express one’s feelings to the person they liked.
Elena could say with certainty that this moment was the most nerve-wracking of her entire life.
‘What are you thinking right now?’
When no answer came from the man who had suddenly gone rigid, she began to grow anxious.
So she carefully called his name.
“Lupeon…?”
At her words, his eyes once again sparkled brilliantly like hidden gems in a blue sea.
“I’ll strive to become someone worthy of you.”
Finally letting out a sigh of relief, Elena gave him a soft eye-smile.
Today’s events would remain as precious and brilliant memories in a corner of her heart for a long time.
“I look forward to our future together!”
The man gave a languid smile before beginning to gaze intently at Elena.
She met his gaze steadily, without avoiding her fiancé’s eyes.
Lupeon then leaned toward where Elena was sitting and tucked her fallen hair behind her ear.
Elena’s golden eyes widened at the sudden closeness.
“…!”
Chuckling softly, the man carefully cradled her face as if handling something precious.
Then he slowly bent down and briefly kissed her forehead.
“Then I’ll have to do my best to prove that my feelings are even stronger.”
Elena gazed up at Lupeon as he clicked his tongue, seemingly unsatisfied.
Perhaps noticing that she wasn’t pulling away from him, Lupeon slightly furrowed his brow and said.
“This makes it difficult to hold back…”
At his frank words, Elena felt as if every blood vessel and nerve in her body was racing.
Her face slightly flushed, she fiddled with her fingertips and mumbled.
“—don’t.”
“What did you just say?”
Looking at the man who tilted his head, Elena clenched her fists and slowly spoke.
“You don’t have to hold back…”
Trailing off, she darted her eyes around.
At those words, Lupeon lifted her chin without a moment’s hesitation.
Then in one breath, he captured her lips.
Her eyelashes fluttered in surprise at the sudden warm breath against her lips.
Though her heart was racing wildly, Elena closed her eyes tightly.
Feeling as if she might melt at the soft sensation, Elena slowly opened her eyes as she began to run out of breath.
Lupeon, who had slightly pulled away, was looking at her with a faint smile on his lips.
Feeling somehow embarrassed yet slightly regretful, Elena gently touched her lips.
His firm hand then slowly traced her lips.
“I’ll make sure you never forget today.”
As Lupeon cradled the back of her head with one hand, Elena naturally wrapped her arms around his neck.
The sound of their heartbeats, indistinguishable from each other, grew steadily louder between them.
* * *
After returning from her dreamlike date with Lupeon, Elena ran into an unexpected obstacle.
The euphoria of becoming a couple with the person she liked was short-lived as an unresolved problem haunted her thoughts.
‘Duke Devonshire’s center has been broken for a long time~ That’s why women won’t deal with him~’
After all, she was the one who had made him out to be impotent in front of the Valdeon Empire’s citizens.
Though she had resolved to tell him honestly right away, the words wouldn’t come out.
‘How should I tell Lupeon about this?’
How could she easily admit that she was the one who had spread rumors about the Northern Duke being impotent?
