Wow! "Lily exclaimed, staring at a particular spot."
Up ahead, beautiful red roses filled the land; the sight was heartwarming and gave off a pleasant scent.
"Rose!" Lily exclaimed and ran forward, standing in the middle of the roses, rolling happily around. "It's really a rose! It's really a rose!" she exclaimed, and memories with her family replayed in her head right away.
"Lily, look at the rose! It has three colors: blood red, blue, and orange red. The one that represents love is the orange red, while the blue signifies friendship. As for the blood red, it symbolizes an oath."
"Mother, you called me here to see the three colors of roses again, and you are talking nonsense again! Isn't a rose just a rose? Must it be given this crazy meaning?"
"Lily, Mother was just telling you that if there ever comes a day when you're given a blood red rose by someone, it means eternal oath. You can't escape from the bond no matter what."
"What era are we in, huh? Really believing in history? Mum, please, I need to go to school now. See you later!"
"But Lily, don't just brush it off. This oath is not ordinary. One party will be willing to die for the other party. This oath is unbreakable. You should be careful; your destiny is quite complicated. Note this, whoever gives you this blood red rose will share part of your destiny."
"Mom, stop talking already! I'm getting late!"
"Lily, listen to this last piece..."
"Alright, Mom, I will listen next time. Bye for now, bye-bye!"
Remembering those memories, tears started streaming down her face.
Seeing Lily happy, Liam, Angus, and Malik couldn't help but give a satisfied smile, but when they saw her shedding tears, they quickly ran up to her immediately.
"Why are you crying, beauty? Were you hurt?" all three men asked in unison.
Lily raised her teary eyes and looked at all of them. "You all prepared this?" she inquired, her voice choked.
Everyone nodded. "We are sorry; we didn't know that you didn't like it," Malik commented worriedly.
"Beauty, don't be angry. I'm the one who brought the suggestion. I saw how beautiful the weeds are, and I thought you would love them. I didn't know it would hurt you. Please punish me." Liam stepped forward.
"I contributed to gathering it as well; don't punish him alone," Angus commented.
More tears escaped Lily's eyes. "Hug me, all of you. Just hug me, okay?" she cried.
Immediately, Lily was embraced by her mates. "Don't cry again," Liam consoled.
"Mm," Lily replied. "Mom, this is what you've always repeated. I'm sorry for not taking your words seriously. Are you fine over there? You have to wait for me; I will definitely make it up to you," she thought, sorrowful tears streaming down her face.
Suddenly, a gentle hand wiped the tears from her cheeks. "You are hurting, your heart ache badly, and it's for someone. That person is important to you?" Angus gazed into Lily's eyes, his heart beating faster.
Lily stared back at Angus and smiled before nodding. "Very important. I miss her... my heart aches. I long for her warm embrace... I wish to be in her arms again," she replied sorrowfully.
Angus exchanged glances with the others. "Who is he? I will definitely find him for you," he insisted immediately.
"Beauty, tell us! We will look for him," Liam urged.
"That's right," Malik added.
Lily chuckled. "It's not a 'him'; it's a 'her,' she's a female but no worries. Let's forget about it," she smiled, wiping her tears away.
"Since you want to see her so badly, tell me who she is, and I will definitely fetch her for you," Angus remarked.
Lily chuckled. "Don't be too serious," she said, standing up. "The roses are really beautiful, even redder than I expected," she noted, her gaze fixed on the roses.
"Beauty, you call them roses? What are roses?" Liam asked in confusion.
Lily smiled and picked up a rose. "It's love; it symbolizes an eternal oath," she replied absentmindedly.
"Oh... that name sounds beautiful, suitable for Angel!" Malik remarked.
Lily smiled.
"Since you like them, let me show you my surprise," Angus declared.
"Huh, isn't this the surprise you have for me?" Lily blinked innocently.
Angus smiled, his expression warm and calming, adding extra charm to his handsomeness. "Close your eyes," he instructed.
"Huh?" Before Lily could finish her statement, her eyes were covered by Angus's large palm. "It won't be long," he whispered in her ear, deliberately blowing air on it, tickling her and making her ears turn red immediately.
"Don't tease me, okay? I will be obedient," Lily stammered, earning a low chuckle from Angus.
She could feel herself being lifted and carried to another location. The cool air brushed against her skin, confirming that she was in a cold place. "Where have you brought me?" she asked curiously.
"Open your eyes now," Angus requested without setting her down on the ground.
Lily opened her eyes, and her gaze widened at the magnificent view displayed in front of her.
Everywhere was covered with endless snow—neat, white, and beautiful; the scenery was simply breathtaking.
"Snow!" Lily exclaimed, covering her mouth to suppress her excitement. "It's snow! Snow!" she shouted happily, pointing at the pristine white field. "Put me down; let me go in!" she urged with enthusiasm.
"No... it's dangerous. Your body is too delicate; you will catch a cold immediately," Angus objected, worry lacing his voice.
"I'm fine; the snow is nothing. I will be okay; trust me," she assured.
Angus shook his head, resolute.
"Angus, please."
Silence.
"Please... please... please..."
"You will really catch a cold if you enter."
"I won't... I promise."
Angus sighed and suddenly transformed fully into his snake form, with Lily on his back, entering the snow while ensuring that it didn't touch her.
"Really protective," Lily commented, then a wicked smile appeared on her face. "So open; being on your back doesn't mean I can't just..." she thought and suddenly jumped away from Angus's back.
"Yay!" Lily exclaimed. "You aren't wise, okay!" she teased, but then she noticed that Angus didn't react. Her expression shifted from excitement to suspicion, but before she could figure out what was happening, she was suddenly caught in a warm embrace.
"Well... I knew you would want to jump," Liam chuckled.
Lily gritted her teeth together. "You... you... you guys!" she pouted angrily. "I really can't catch a cold."
"I don't agree; your body is just too soft," Liam countered.
Lily's face slowly narrowed, and her gaze fell on Liam's ear, causing her to light up immediately as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "You know, I haven't told you before, but you've got a very charming ear," she smiled while playing with it.
Liam's ear twitched, and his face flushed immediately. "Does beauty love it?" he inquired, blushing.
Lily chuckled. "Success! Success!" she exclaimed inwardly. "Of course, I love it!" She then abruptly dragged Liam over, both of them falling backward.
"Snow! Snow! Here I come!" Lily jubilated inwardly. Just as she was expecting the cold to hit her body, she found herself in yet another warm embrace. "Not again!" she cried in frustration.
"Angel, the snow is just too cold for your body," Malik exclaimed in a panic.