Desiree's POV
Things between Aizen and I have been awkward. Well, at least on my end. He's been unusually clingy lately, determined to dig deeper into who I am. I want to trust him, I really do, but I need more time. It's like he's making up for lost time, and while I appreciate the effort, it's all a bit overwhelming. Thankfully, he still spends half the week in Tokyo. I cherish those days of solitude. However, he bombards me with texts and trivial conversations, as if trying to bridge the gap in our relationship through sheer persistence. From a doberman he became a golden retriever.
I've been swamped lately, and Aizen's constant pestering isn't making things any easier. I groaned, resting my head on my desk. The Chairman, or should I say my father, gave me an important task as the Nara Princess, as he likes to call it. I'm supposed to visit an orphanage to deliver some gifts under the Nara name. No cameras, of course. It's simply about helping the less fortunate kids.
I felt a hand on my shoulder, the familiar warmth both soothing and startling at the same time. "Aizen," I gasped, turning my head to meet his gaze.
A playful smirk spread across his lips, clearly pleased with my reaction. "I'm home, Princess," he greeted, pinching my cheek lightly. His eyes flicked to my tablet, scanning through the itinerary and the tasks completed.
"I told you not to call me that," I muttered, pulling the tablet from his grasp. "Even your dad is calling me that now!"
He chuckled, handing me a cup of warm tea. "You should take a break," he advised, placing his hand on my forehead. "You're warm. You shouldn't overwork yourself."
"You know, fussing won't win you anything," I remarked, accepting the tea. "But thank you."
He leaned in closer, his gaze warm and genuine as he poked my forehead gently. "I'm not doing this to win you over, idiot," he retorted, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "I'm doing this to show you I care. It would be nice to know that you do too." With a carefree smile, he added, "We'll visit the orphanage together. I've been there before. The people are kind and the kids are sweet. I wish we could do more for them." Then, his eyes twinkling, he teased, "Seeing your pretty face would surely lift their spirits."
"I don't speak Japanese," I said, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice. "It's been a struggle."
"Should I tutor you then?" he offered, his fingers gently brushing through my hair. "I know plenty of ways to motivate you."
"Pervert!" I exclaimed, playfully attempting to swat his hand away, but he caught my wrist with a gentle grip.
"I was just teasing," he reassured, releasing me with a soft chuckle. "You should lighten up."
As I got ready, I carefully selected my outfit from my closet. I opted for a sheer long-sleeved blouse paired with a sleek black strapless dress that accentuated my figure and cascaded gracefully to my ankles. Completing the ensemble with black heels, I tied half of my hair with a delicate white bow for a touch of elegance. With my purse in hand, I made my way to the entrance of the manor where I found Aizen waiting for me.
He was dressed impeccably, as always, in a well-pressed shirt beneath a sharp black suit, complemented by polished shoes. With his aura of mystery and sophistication, he looked every bit the dark prince—the heir to their vast empire and billion-dollar fortune.
Aizen reached out his hand, and I gratefully accepted it. With a small box in his pocket, he revealed a pair of delicate diamond studs. "You don't have to change yourself entirely for me, you know?" he said softly, placing the earrings in both of my ears. "You already put in so much effort. Consider this a token of appreciation. I noticed you have six piercings. I'll get you another pair for the other piercings sometime."
His thoughtful gesture, combined with his awareness of my little details, made me blush, and he kissed my forehead affectionately before leading the way. "Let's go."
You're supposed to be getting to know me as your friend, Aizen. Not your girlfriend.
The three-hour journey to the orphanage passed with me dozing off, my head resting on Aizen's shoulder. He roused me gently as we arrived, opening the car door for me. "We're here," he murmured, offering his hand as I stepped out of the car.
The orphanage appeared smaller than I had imagined, nestled amidst fields of grass and trees, its age lending it a certain charm. A woman in her late forties greeted us with a bow. "Welcome," she said warmly, addressing Aizen-sama. Turning to me, she shook my hand firmly, her smile radiant. "This must be your wife," she remarked, her eyes alight with curiosity. "You, my dear, are absolutely beautiful. I'm sure Aizen-sama finds himself lucky to have you!"
"He sure is," I replied, playing along.
Introducing herself as Hanako Smith, she expressed gratitude for the gifts we had sent. "We truly appreciate everything you're doing for us."
"Anything for the children," Aizen responded warmly, his gaze drifting to a little boy lingering in the shadows. The boy, small with dark hair and endearing features, bore a striking resemblance to Aizen. "Ajin!" Aizen called out, rushing over to him.
Hanako beamed with delight. "Aizen is very fond of children. He took an interest in Ajin a long time ago. He's seven years old now." She glanced at me, her hand holding mine. "When do you plan to have a baby? I'm sure Aizen would make a great father. Although he often said he didn't like the idea. He said when his love returns, then maybe he'll consider it."
His love, huh? It must be Rize…
I watched the scene before me with a heart warmed by the innocent joy radiating from Aizen and the children. Although I couldn't understand their words, their laughter and smiles spoke volumes. Aizen, with a flower crown adorning his head, appeared almost regal as he played with the children, his eyes sparkling with genuine happiness. Hanako's words lingered in my mind, planting seeds of contemplation about Aizen's potential as a father.
Aizen as a father, huh?
As Hanako guided me through the orphanage, I noted areas that could benefit from renovation and expansion. Mentally making plans to contribute to their improvement, I resolved to enhance their library and assist with any necessary repairs. Our tour concluded in the garden, where the children frolicked happily with Aizen at the center.
I couldn't help but laugh at the sight. Aizen, wearing a flower crown bestowed upon him by the children, appeared both princely and endearing. His eyes met mine, and he approached with a smile. "All good?" he inquired.
I nodded enthusiastically, unable to resist teasing him. "Don't you look like a princess!" I jested, gesturing to the flowers atop his head.
He blushed slightly, removing the crown and placing it delicately upon my own head. "Pretty," he complimented, taking my hand and leading me back to the children. In Japanese, he introduced me as his wife, and although I didn't understand the language, the children's exclamations of "OOOHHHH! KAWAII!" indicated their approval.
The moment was surreal, yet undeniably heartwarming, leaving an indelible imprint on my memory.
"Did you really marry him?" asked the little boy named Ajin.
As Ajin spoke, his words carried a surprising maturity that belied his young age. I couldn't help but be taken aback by his blunt honesty. Aizen's playful response and subsequent flick on the forehead only added to the amusing exchange. "Stop asking nonsense."
I was surprised to hear the boy speak English. "Yes, I did marry him," I affirmed, meeting Ajin's gaze with a smile.
Ajin's arms crossed defiantly over his chest as he expressed his candid opinion. "He's an idiot, you know?" he declared, pointing directly at Aizen. "A pretty girl like you should aim higher."
Aizen's annoyance was palpable as he flicked Ajin's forehead in response. "I told you to build me up, not cut me down!" he retorted.
"The pretty girl deserves to hear the truth!" But Ajin remained undeterred, turning to me with an angelic expression as he took my hand in his own. "You should marry me instead!" he proclaimed earnestly. "When I'm all grown up, I'll be more handsome than this guy and more successful!"
"Why you little!" Aizen's mock outrage only served to escalate the playful banter between them, their dynamic resembling that of a father and son engaged in friendly jesting. Their exchange brought a genuine smile to my face, and I couldn't help but laugh at their antics. It was a moment of lighthearted joy amidst the day's responsibilities.
My laughter bubbled forth, interrupting their playful banter and drawing their attention to me. "Sorry," I apologized with a wave of my hand. "You two are absolutely adorable."
Aizen, with a playful glint in his eyes, quickly chimed in, his expression resembling that of an eager puppy. "I'm cuter, right?" he teased.
Ajin, displaying unexpected strength, pushed Aizen aside with a determined grin. "No," he insisted, puffing out his chest. "I am definitely cuter."
I couldn't help but chuckle at their antics, finding their exchange endearing. Stepping closer to Ajin, I bent down and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear before placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. "I find you incredibly adorable, little prince," I expressed warmly, tousling his hair affectionately. "But I'm already married to my own prince. I'm sure you'll find your princess one day."
Ajin's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and delight, nodding in response as though absorbing maternal wisdom. "Okay, princess," he replied with a shy smile.
Aizen knelt beside us, puppy dog eyes. "Don't I get a kiss?" he asked, earning a hard smack on the head from me. "Ow," he flinched, touching his head with a pout. "So mean."
As Aizen knelt beside us with puppy dog eyes, I couldn't resist rolling my eyes at his playful antics. "He's quite the handful, isn't he?" I remarked to Ajin with a smile before turning back to Aizen. Leaning in, I pressed a soft kiss to his cheek, a gesture that was still part of the charade we maintained as a married couple.
However, as I held Ajin's hand and felt Aizen's grasp on the other, a sense of warmth and belonging washed over me. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though we were a true family.
But alas, all good things must come to an end. As we bid our farewells and watched the orphanage recede into the distance, my heart ached at the sight of Ajin's saddened expression. His tight hug around Aizen served as a poignant reminder of the bonds we had forged during our visit. As the image of the orphanage and Ajin faded from view, I couldn't shake the bittersweet feeling that lingered within me.
"That was fun," I remarked with a smile, basking in the warmth of the memories we had just created.
Aizen nodded, his head gently resting against my shoulder. "The children truly took to you," he murmured, his voice laced with a touch of weariness from the day's events. "Especially Ajin. It's nice to see him light up with such joy."
My curiosity stirred as I turned to him, a question lingering on my lips. "Have you ever considered adopting him?" I ventured, aware of the complexities surrounding such a decision. "He clearly adores you, and you seem to share a special bond. I know the circumstances are challenging, particularly with the need for a biological heir, but I couldn't help but wonder..."
Aizen's response was measured, reflecting the weight of his considerations. "It's not solely a matter of desire," he explained, his gaze distant as he pondered the implications. "While I would indeed cherish the opportunity to welcome him into our family, there are practical concerns to address. My own limitations in ensuring his safety, especially in the face of potential threats, weigh heavily on my mind."
I nodded in understanding, acknowledging the gravity of his words. "Of course," I conceded, recognizing the complexities of our circumstances. "It's essential to prioritize his well-being above all else. However, should the circumstances ever align, and we find ourselves in a position to provide him with the love and security he deserves, then perhaps adoption could be a consideration."
"You're saying you'd be happy to start a family with me?" Aizen's teasing tone brought a lightness to the moment, his grin playful as he prodded me with his question.
I couldn't help but chuckle softly, shaking my head in response. "Not exactly," I replied, my tone carrying a hint of amusement.
As his hands gently enveloped mine, a sense of calm washed over me. Leaning into his touch, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to bask in the warmth of our connection. The notion of starting a family with Aizen sparked a flicker of nostalgia, reminding me of me of the dream I had when we were kids. The only other person I ever thought of marrying and starting a family with was him. In those fleeting moments, I couldn't deny the allure of the fantasy, the idea of building a life together with him tugging at the corners of my mind. It was a comforting thought, one that whispered of shared memories and unspoken promises, woven together in the fabric of our history.
A moment of quiet contemplation settled between us, the prospect of adoption lingering in the air as we journeyed homeward. Though uncertain, the notion carried with it a sense of hope and possibility, reminding us of the potential for love and family that awaited us, should fate allow.