"Do you...have feelings for me?"
I didn't ask while expecting a positive answer. No, even if he only answered me with a smirk, I wouldn't mind.
I just wanted to know, where all of this kindness he showed me came from. The kindness and display of affection that brewing something inside my heart. Brewing hope, brewing fear.
He was already so merciful by giving an enemy a life-saving cure. And yet he showered me with comfort. He smothered me with affection. He told me he would not abandon me.
He treated me like a lover. Like a proper bride.
Why?
If he wanted to taste me, and devour my body, then it was all in his power to do so from the very start. He was every bit more powerful than me—at least the me now. And yet, he had not even kissed my lips properly.
If he wanted my loyalty, he should have known that I held no goodwill towards Valmeier's old kingdom. I had surrendered myself, and I never showed any ounce of rebellion. I had told him I could devote my power to him.
