On the other hand, Yuki looked at her calmly; he knew very well that the girl in front of him was lying. Even though both of them desired to be in each other's embrace, this girl's circumstances made it impossible for Haruhime to accept.
"Is this what you really want?"
"Yes, unfortunately, I can't offer more than physical contact, so it's very troublesome when one of my clients falls in love."
"I see..."
Closing his eyes, Yuki sighed. This girl wouldn't change her mind easily, and even though he would like to reveal everything, he refrained from doing so. After all, he wanted to know her true feelings—having this woman value him above herself left a significant impression on him.
(Well, if that's how it is, I'll have to attack with more force, just a bit more...)
Sighing internally, Yuki refused to give up. He was so close to achieving his goals, and the amount of effort that brought him to this point was something he didn't want to go to waste.
"If that's how you feel, I promise to stay away. I don't want to cause you more trouble. I understand that my feelings are bothersome, so in the future, I won't seek you out. I don't want my memory to be a bad image for you."
Raising a hand, Yuki pretended to be very depressed and smiled.
(Come on... Come on... Don't give up!)
Looking at that smile, Haruhime's body trembled, and his words were a significant blow to her heart. She clenched her teeth, preventing tears from rolling down her eyes.
"Thank you for understanding..."
However, she couldn't give up on this. If she showed even a hint of hesitation here, she might not be able to hold back and fall into his arms again.
"But before I leave, I want one last kiss..."
Raising a finger, Yuki made a request that Haruhime never expected.
(Do it! Come on! I know you still don't want to give up! Break free from the chains!)
Internally screaming, Yuki hoped that Haruhime would shout out her true feelings, that the mental chains in her mind would break.
"I..."
With trembling lips, Haruhime was in shock; she didn't expect this.
"I want to imprint your scent on me and taste your sweet lips one last time... I know it's an unreasonable request, but I hope you'll accept this last request from this pathetic, love-struck man."
(Please do it... only you can free yourself from the chains that bind you.)
"....."
Staring into her eyes, Yuki approached slowly.
"..."
With her entire body trembling, Haruhime lowered her head. She was in a difficult position right now; after all, if Yuki continued in this room, she might not hold back and fall again.
(One last time... just one last time!)
Biting her lips, Haruhime trembled; she couldn't reject this request. To the man she had fallen in love with, rejecting him took a lot of resolution, so trying his lips again was something Haruhime doubted.
"I...!?"
However, Yuki didn't give her time to decide as he stole her lips.
Love is a war; allowing the enemy to think is fatal.
That's why Yuki didn't hesitate to take this girl into his arms. She trembled feeling his lips on hers; her defenses were shaking, and Yuki hoped to break the shell protecting her feelings, thus releasing the caged bird.
Separating their lips, he brought his forehead to Haruhime's, smiled, and hugged her tightly.
"It's okay... I'm happy to have met you."
Stroking her beautiful blonde hair, Yuki continued.
"I'm happy to have talked to you, I'm happy to have kissed you, I'm happy to have hugged you, I'm happy to have found you."
"I..."
Opening her mouth in disbelief, Haruhime's mind went into chaos; this kiss shattered her previous resolution, making her heart pound, embracing the man in front of her.
"You're a very beautiful woman, Haruhime. From the moment I saw you, I knew I had found a treasure, and getting to know you, I was happy to know that I wasn't wrong. You're more than I expected..."
Kissing her lips again, Yuki didn't let this girl move away. After all, her expression was changing, and he could see that her thoughts were in disarray.
"Thank you for this moment. I won't forget your smile; you're the most beautiful when you smile... I love you."
Slowly separating, Yuki smiled before turning and leaving. He still had to finish this charade and return. At the same time, he clenched his fist, waiting for his princess's response; he wanted her to choose him.
And of course, Yuki didn't make a mistake. After all...
"Arce-sama... Hick... No...No.."
With several tears falling on her face, Haruhime held onto him tightly. She truly didn't want to let him go; seeing him leave made her chest tighten, and her hands moved against her will, following the feelings she had kept inside.
"Haruhime?"
Turning his head, Yuki could see this girl shedding tears while staring at him.
"Don't go... Please... Stay by my side forever. I don't want to sell my body anymore; I'm very dirty... Please, accept me... I love you too, Arce-sama."
Hearing these words, a smile formed on Yuki's face, and at the same time, a clock mark appeared on Haruhime's chest.
"Yes... Of course, I won't leave you. Your requests are my orders, my princess."
That was it; there were no more doubts. Taking Haruhime in his arms again and sealing their lips, Yuki snapped his fingers. At the same time, a flare was shot into Orario's sky, signaling the beginning of this eventful night.
"Arce-sama... I... I..."
"Don't say anything; it's okay. I know very well about your situation in this family."
Embracing her tenderly, Yuki brought a finger to her cheeks, wiping away her crystal-clear tears.
"I know exactly why you're in this place and why the Goddess Ishtar wants to sacrifice you..."
"Arce-sama..."
Opening her mouth in disbelief, Haruhime couldn't believe it. Very few people knew about her situation, but this also told Haruhime something more.
"Then!..."
"Why am I risking so much for you?... Is that what you wanted to ask?"
Without letting her finish, Yuki knew exactly what her question was. It wasn't really difficult to guess. After all, no adventurer in Orario would dare to put themselves in danger for a prostitute like her; it simply wasn't worth going to war with Ishtar Familia for her. Haruhime knew this very well; that's why she rejected Yuki the first time. She didn't want Yuki's family to be destroyed by his Goddess for her sake; she didn't want to be a burden to him.
But...
"I said it, didn't I? I like you a lot. That's why I don't want to give you up. Your pure heart is a light that illuminates my sinful path. My selfishness is too great..."
Closing his eyes, Yuki knew his intentions weren't pure; he was selfish. Since he checked her information in Rasiel and got to know Haruhime well, every night spent with her made him not want to let her go. And now that he had marked her, he knew it was impossible to let her go.
"Pure? Me? No..."
Shaking her head vigorously, Haruhime tried to correct this mistake. After all, she was dirty; she sold her body every night. She didn't deserve the love this man had for her.
"I know you're a prostitute... the ruin of heroes, but..."
Interrupting her words again, Yuki opened his eyes. After all, Haruhime was the purest person he had ever met.
"I'm not a Hero..."
That's right, no matter what fate this girl had, it was irrelevant to Yuki. He couldn't be hurt by such things.
"Let me bear your destiny... Whatever it may be, I will be the pillar you can lean on. Don't give up, trust me, and live... Live to be more beautiful. You are the princess of spring; only you can make this spring last forever."
Opening her eyes wide, Haruhime could see a very warm light that illuminated her life's path. Unconsciously, she reached out her hand, trying to reach it.
"Yes... I will."
But in doing so, her body moved involuntarily, stumbling and taking Yuki to the bed, where she accepted it with tears in her eyes.
---
TN: Awe, Anyways give me powerstones 👍