The reason behind this was simple. In Asher's eyes, his Angel could never have any faults. This was specially so when it came to matters regarding their relationship.
When Asher saw Aelia coming out of the dressing room, he immediately noticed the change in her mood.
He approached Aelia with large strides and clasped her hand.
Asher asked with a serious face, "What's wrong?"
Aelia was surprised to suddenly see such a solemn expression on Asher's face. He had always appeared so easy-going in front of her, that she had subconsciously dismissed Asher's identity as the Crown Prince of Delphia.
Seeing Aelia stay silent and remain in a daze, Asher said with concern, "Angel, please tell me what's wrong? How can I help if you don't say anything?"
It never crossed Aelia's mind that Asher could have detected the subtle change in her mood.
So, she replied in confusion, "Uh, nothing?"
Hearing her reply, Asher felt a little bitter. He thought that Aelia was hiding her feelings from him.
Though he felt disappointed that his Angel did not want to open up about what made her mood suddenly change so much, he decided to be patient and coax her.
"Angel, how can you say it's nothing, when you are clearly showing such a contradictory expression on your face? You're clearly unhappy about something! If you don't say your thoughts aloud, how will I be able to know what's making you feel so unhappy? Do you not trust me enough to open up your heart just a little bit?"
Though Aelia had never been in a relationship before this and did not have much knowledge about love, she was certain that talking things out was always better than letting things fester.
Didn't she read so many stories, where the lovers missed on each other due to simple misunderstandings, that could have easily been solved if they talked things through? She knew that the misunderstandings were just to make the plot more dramatic, nonetheless, the crux of the matter was that the base of a relationship was formed by a couple's mutual communication with and understanding of each other.
Therefore, when Aelia saw the distressed expression on Asher's face, she sighed and decided to tell Asher about her decision and why she was feeling extremely guilty.
Aelia looked up at Asher and said, "I know that you're trying your best to be patient and understanding with me. Actually, I... I don't dislike it when you touch me. It's just that I feel we're going so fast! We just met yesterday, but you act as if you already have me in your heart?"
Though Asher initially felt delighted when he heard his Angel admit that she liked his touch, her next words shattered his happy mood.
"I know that we'll be married and our cooperation is of utmost importance for the fulfilment of the prophecy! So, if you are doing all this just because of your responsibilities as the Crown Prince, you don't really have to! The prophecy does not state that we have to be in love. Even if we don't be a true married couple, we can still be great friends and cooperate enough to fulfill the prophecy. Maybe, after everything is over, we can amicably divorce and go our separate ways!"
Hearing the word 'divorce' coming out from his Angel's mouth, for the first time Asher felt angry with Aelia.
"So, you are already thinking about divorce? You don't even want to make things work between us? I understand that you doubt my feelings for you since we've met just yesterday, but won't you even give me a chance to prove whether my feelings are true or false?"
Seeing the angry expression on Asher's face, Aelia calmly explained, "You are right that I don't understand how your feelings can possibly be true! Even if it's true that you really have feelings for me, how can I trust someone whom I have met just a day ago?"
Asher incredulously looked at her, "So, you won't even give me a chance?"
Aelia shook her head and said, "No, I never said that! Though I can't trust you yet, I'll give us a chance. If I don't, I'm sure I'll regret it forever!"
Hearing this, Asher finally calmed down and sighed in relief. But what he heard next put a conflicted expression on his face.
Aelia said in a soft voice, "It's just that I feel it's wrong of me to doubt your feelings like this, when it might be genuine. You may find it...No, I'm sure you would find it hypocritical to hear this from me, when it was I who decided to keep my guard up!"
Asher could only sigh on hearing what his Angel said. He thought that it was probably only this woman in front of him, who would feel guilty for not opening up her heart completely to an almost stranger.
Asher hugged Aelia to his chest and rested his chin on top of her head.
He patiently rationalised to Aelia why she should not be feeling guilty.
"Angel, when I started to pursue you, I was already prepared for you to take your time to know me. How can a woman as smart as you possibly open her heart to a complete stranger?" Asher tightened his arms around her waist and continued, "Trust me when I say this, when you truly give your heart to me, I know that it'll be worth the wait! So, please don't feel guilty about this!"
Seeing his Angel stay silent, Asher joked to alleviate her mood, "Besides if you don't put me through some tests, how will I show you my excellent wooing skills?"
Hearing his teasing words, Aelia finally felt a little relieved. She was glad that she had decided to give themselves a chance to work things out.
At the same time, she also felt her heart warm up at Asher's caring thoughts. So, for the first time, she put his arms around his shoulders and returned his hug.
When Aylin returned after picking up a different set of clothes, she was pleasantly shocked to see such a scene.
She wondered, 'Oh my! I was just gone for twenty minutes! What did brother-in-law do to make my sister, who usually has an impenetrable iron wall around her chest, embrace him so willingly? As I thought brother-in-law is really capable!"
Aylin continued to silently stare and admire the couple.
'Ah! They are truly so perfect for each other! I wonder if someone would ever look at me the way brother-in-law looks at sister!'