In otome isekai novels, the type of protagonists most hated by fans are the ones that believe in fate. And from an outside perspective, the irritation is easy to understand. The protagonist as an isekai’d person, thus an outside element, would only naturally change the course of a story. Their whole role is to disrupt the very foundation upon which the original story was built. And yet, despite the world changing drastically around them beyond the scope of the original, these protagonists still fear fate as if it was carved into stone.
To an outside perspective, it makes no sense. Can’t the protagonist see how much they’ve changed the story? Can’t they see that the characters have developed drastically differently from the original? Aren’t they aware that they’re not anywhere near viewed as a villainess anymore? Isn’t it obvious how their presence has played a huge role in the male lead’s life and how much he obviously loves her and wants to give her the world?
And yet… here and now, sitting in the same role as that frustrating protagonist, I do get it.
That fear.
Everything has changed, and yet I can feel fate’s breath upon the back of my neck. I can see the shadows of its claws slowly circling around me. I can hear the echoing ticks of that damned clock counting down each dwindling second to my ultimate demise. I’ve changed the world, and yet at the same time, deep down I know I didn’t change a single damned thing.
They all smile at me—the characters. They all adore me. The moment they see me, they rush to my side. Do they know, I wonder, that one day they’ll approach me with swords? I find myself thinking at times how I will react when that day comes. Will I feel hurt? Betrayed? Or will I accept their fury with grace?
And William, the male lead. I don’t know what’s greater, my love or my inability to trust him? He was at my side from the very beginning, and when he kisses me, I find myself able to find respite from this fear, even if just for a moment. He’s seen me at my greatest and worst. Maybe when he inevitably falls for the original female lead, I will truly turn into the villainess I was meant to be.
Every day that passes, I find hints of poison beginning to infect my veins. What can I do to preserve the peace and happiness I have? Black magic? Loyalty contracts? Should I take the first step and kill the female lead before she is meant to appear? I know that taking these routes would only hasten my fate, but they whisper so temptingly in my ear late at night and when I’m at my worst, it takes every inch of my being not to give in.
One would consider knowledge of the future a blessing, and gods know I surely have taken advantage of it. I’ve made riches, stopped wars, quelled pandemics—and yet it sits upon my chest like a heavy stone.
A curse.
Why out of everyone, why did it have to be me that gained memories of my past life? If I didn’t know, sure my fate would not change, but at least I would live my villainy freely. I wouldn’t keep struggling for life knowing full well that it has never belonged to me.
But out of everything, though, the worst part of all of this is the waiting. When will death finally come? When will this anticipation be over? Behind everyone’s back, I’ve tried to hasten it. I’ve tried so many times. But fate loves me too much. I’ll only go upon its orders and its orders only.
I hate this.
I hate this so much.
I want to die.
Why, out of everyone in the world, why did it have to be me?
Just put me out of my misery, please, I beg of you.
With each day that passes, I find myself losing a part of myself. Gone are the days of the self-confident and bright woman I used to be. There’s more silence now. More distance. I know everyone’s been beginning to notice. But it’s a kindness upon my part, right? The less they feel when they inevitably turn their backs upon me. Or perhaps me them.
But how much longer, oh author, oh god of this world? How much longer will you make me suffer? When will you finally give me to death?
I'm the Second Male Lead's Best Friend
snippet 3 | [masterlist]
“‘Try showing her my feelings?’”
Henry laughed bitterly as he rubbed his forehead. If only it was that simple. He hurt Adea. Deeply. Not only that, he ruined her trust in him beyond compare. Even if he did love her, she would never accept it. He destroyed that bridge a long time ago. She wouldn’t believe him if he tried. And even if she did, he would be, in effect, spitting upon everything he put her through.
And yet still. He came to love her. When he thought back to the past—the way she smiled for him, the way she helped him through so much—how foolish he was to not see her for who she was. Never would he have attained so much without her. And he missed it. He missed the person she used to be before he ruined her. The only thing he had to show for it was regret.
How he longed to take her hand as they walked side by side. How he longed to pull her closer when they danced together. How he longed to hold her in his arms on the nights he couldn’t help but make love to her. But he couldn’t. He set the tone for their marriage the day he put that ring on her finger. He couldn’t take it back anymore.
She didn’t love him anymore. It was a fact he knew well. He saw how she looked at him, how dead her eyes were. Though she was a good mother, he knew she didn’t love their son who looked so much like him. She went about everything in life like she was going through the motions, like she was waiting for the day she’d finally die and become free.
Sometimes Henry wondered what she’d do if he divorced her. He knew she wouldn’t allow it. She would argue with him to no end. But if he did, if he divorced her with a hefty sum in alimony that would last her till the day she died, would she change? Would life come back to her eyes? And if, if he could be selfish, would she allow him to see her from afar? He wouldn’t enter her life again, no, he wouldn’t do that to her. But if he could just catch a glimpse of her smile just once more, he would be happy.
“”If only I could, but it’s much too late for that.”
I'm the Second Male Lead's Best Friend
snippet 2 | [masterlist]
“‘Pathetic?’ No, do you know who the most pathetic one out of this whole situation is? It’s me!” I barked with laughter, running a hand through my hair. “Even though you feel nothing towards me, I still keep loving you and doing my best for you as if it would ever make you look even a second my way! It’s pathetic, I know. And yet, even if that’s the case, why do I keep trying–”
In the back of my mind, I found it amusing how I could see his eyes widening through the tears falling from mine. The way his face contorted into grief brought chills down my spine. That was it. That was what I wanted to see. Guilt. Guilt for putting me through this for so long. How delightful, how beautiful.
“You mean this whole time… This whole time towards me, you felt–”
“Yes!” I exclaimed with glee. “Yes, I love you. God knows why. I know you’ll never feel the same. Even though we’re married, I know you don’t see me as any more than a friend. Maybe I’m a masochist. Maybe I just like putting myself through the torment of trying to make you happy even though I know I will fail every time. Maybe, more than you, I am the biggest fool here!”
I couldn’t stop laughing, couldn’t bring myself to stop. After all, it truly was funny. Here I was resenting and hating him when I was the real one to blame. Maybe I could have found happiness or even contentment had I disconnected from him, had I left him behind. But no, I stayed despite it all. What a fool. What a foolish fool I am.
“Adea, I–”
But I pressed a finger to his lips before he could continue.
“Shhh. It’s okay. You don’t need to say anything. I don’t hold it against you. I know you can’t control the way you feel. And don’t worry, despite you not loving me, I won’t leave you. I’ll still fulfill my duties as wife and countess. I will still birth you an heir as it is my duty to do, so…”
Smiling brightly, I placed my hand against his cheek, savoring the heartbreak in his eyes.
“Don’t look at me like that, okay? It’s the least I can do for you.”
I'm the Second Male Lead's Best Friend
snippet 1 | [masterlist]
“What are you expecting? Me to console you?” I asked, taking a sip of tea.
The companion to my side stiffened. Apparently he did not expect the lack of care in my tone.
“You went and fell head over heels for a woman solely because she was kind to you. And instead of backing off when you found out someone else was interested in her, someone with higher status and someone that she was closer to, you decided to pursue her even more. And now here you are hurt that she doesn’t have any feelings for you. Are you an idiot?”
“No, I… I just thought–”
“You thought what?” I questioned with a raise of my brow, finally making eye contact with him. “You thought there was a chance that she’d fall in love with you? Perhaps, but that was a game you chose to play. You went after someone that was already claimed by someone else. So no, you will not be getting any pity from me. You knew what you were getting into from the very start.”
When his head dropped, you refused any feelings of guilt that bubbled from within you.
“You lost the game. It’s been months already. Do you know how much you’ve neglected since you’ve been wallowing in self-pity? And now you’re telling the elders that you don’t plan on ever getting married even though it’s your duty to have an heir? I say this as your friend. It’s about time you got over her. She will never love you. So stop acting as if she will learn her mistake and see value in you someday. Find a woman. Get married. Birth an heir. You are your family’s head, so do your job. Stop being selfish.”
As harsh as I knew my words were, I also knew he had no one that would tell them to him. I was tired of this. Tired of him. Tired of her. For the past three years I had to sit and watch as my best friend beat himself constantly over his love that would never come true. And through it all, I had to stay supportive by his side. Did he not realize the grief and stress it put upon me?
After what felt like minutes of silence, he finally replied. “You’re right. I know you’re right. I… I will return to my duties. I’ve been neglecting them far too long. But… to marry someone I don’t even love… I don’t think I can–”
I slammed my hands against the table and glared at him.
“Has that woman completely filled your mind? Do you even hear what you’re saying? Since when have nobles like us ever had the ability or chance to marry for love? My oldest sister had to marry someone twenty years older than her! And she obeyed my father’s will without thought. God, at least you have the ability to choose who you’ll marry. What kind of fantasy are you living in that any of us will be able to marry someone we love!?”
I gritted my teeth as I wiped hastily at the tears that built within my eyes. A fool. He was a fool. Regaining my composure, I stood from my seat.
“I apologize for my outburst, Count Henstein. I fear I cannot hold my composure any longer, so I will take my leave. Until next time.”
With that, I left the pavilion, not letting myself afford him another glance. Words could not describe how much his pitiful form disgusted me. There he was destined for greatness, but how quickly a single woman made him fall. It was a wonder how I still loved him, how I could still have feelings for someone as pathetic as him.
A Few of My Favorite Things
Chapter 1 | [masterlist]
In my personal opinion, there was no point in life if not to be surrounded by beautiful things. And that’s the way I lived. Expensive dresses, jeweled rings for each finger, rare perfumes, imported makeup, glittering paintings, marbled sculptures—everything beautiful was meant to be mine. So when I saw him there that one summer eve at the ball, I knew in that moment that he was the one I had been waiting my whole life for.
A handsome man. That was the one thing I did not have in my life. And that certainly was not without trying. As the center of noble society and the constant front page header of gossip magazines, I was well acquainted with nobility and up and coming commoners. I knew every person by name and face, and unfortunately none of them could even come close to catching my eye.
But him, that man, it was as if his very face was sculpted by the gods themselves. Long gray hair, narrow hazel eyes, thin framed glasses, that scholarly build—he was perfect. However, I knew from the very start that it would be much more than my presence to convince him to my side.
As the illegitimate son of the reigning king, the Duke of Windsor was a very unfortunate man. Wanting to stamp out any evidence of his infidelity and failure, the king sent his son out at a very young age to wage the wars of the kingdom. And when he came back successful at the age of 18, the king was forced to acknowledge his child. So he gave him the title of duke to a land far north of the capital, one of frozen lands and impoverished people.
Despite his constant achievements and sacrifices for the kingdom, what the duke was given was essentially a slap in the face. Though he was doing his best for his people and land, he had no support. No doubt the very reason why I saw him and his aide at that ball was to find a wife. However, as handsome as he was, I knew very well that no family head would be so foolish as to give their daughter to him.
It was clear that someone like me would be of benefit to him. As the youngest daughter of a rich and prominent family, even something as simple as a dowry would be a massive boon to his duchy. On top of that, I was well educated and owned a few successful businesses of my own. People were falling over themselves to have me join their family. However, something told me that all the advantages I would bring would not be enough for him.
I don’t know why, but I had the impression the duke was the sort that didn’t trust easily. And I had the feeling that he wanted revenge on his father. Something about the way the king treated his mother… Granted, my hunch could be wrong, but I felt it was something I had for a long time… Regardless, seeing that my family played a huge role in politics, it was possible he wouldn’t trust me.
Which meant showering him with so many things that he simply couldn’t refuse.
Perhaps a few diamond mines under my name. There was that gold mine that my father had been holding for a while. It would probably be good to do some research into the exports of the duchy to see what could be done in terms of business. At the same time, I couldn’t just show my entire hand straight from the start. I had to be strategic about it. That would be the only way of gaining his hand!
So once I had everything settled and my game plan set, I scheduled a meeting with the duke. After all that planning, I already knew I had everything in the bag. I was smart, cultured, rich, and jaw-droppingly beautiful. I knew I didn’t need it, but I even wore my best iridescent peacock green dress with my hair curled into the loveliest of ringlets. He would have to be the utmost King of Fools to turn me down!
So when he finally entered the meeting room with his aide after I waited there for around an hour, I couldn’t help but puff out my chest a bit when his red eyes narrowed at me. He thought his rudeness would have turned me away, but it only made me even more determined! However, I could also feel my heart beating away because his eyes were finally upon me. Oh, how I waited to finally see his beauty again.
“So,” the duke began, “I assume you’re here for marriage.” He didn’t look at me as he spoke, his eyes upon the teacup that he was taking a sip out of.
“I am,” I said. “I understand you’re the shrewd sort and wouldn’t accept a proposal from just anyone. However, I do have an offer that you can’t refuse!” And with a few hearty ohohos on my part, I plopped down the stack of papers I brought with me and laid them out upon the tea table. “Your Grace, I shall offer you all of these things if you can do just one thing for me. Please give me…”
I paused for dramatic effect.
“Your aide’s hand in marriage!”
Then came the crash of a teacup falling to the floor.
The duke coughed once, then twice, before running a hand through his silky black locks. “Can you, ahem, repeat that one more time?”
“Why do you seem so shocked? I said I would offer you all the things listed upon these papers as a dowry. Are they not enough?”
“That’s not—” He then cleared his throat once more. “You want my aide, Noel’s, hand in marriage, not mine?”
“Obviously!” I snorted. “Sir Noel is the most beautiful man I have ever laid my eyes upon. His face is a work of art! It is my life’s work to have every beautiful thing at my side.”
It seemed that the shock wore off upon the duke, for now he was rubbing his forehead with a grimace upon his face.
“I apologize, Lady Vivian, but I… can’t allow that,” he replied, prompting me to shoot to my feet in protest.
“Are these things not enough for you?” I demanded, gesturing to the dowry papers. But realizing my unladylike behavior, I then sat down once more and smiled brightly. “I see. I underestimated how unwavering you are, Your Grace. If that is the case, then how will the diamond mine I will receive from my father upon my marriage do?”
But once more, he shook his head. “I can’t—”
“Two diamond mines! I can’t go further than that!”
“No, Lady Vivian. What I’m trying to say is—”
“Oh, you force my hand, my dear duke. A gold mine on top of everything else. That is all I can—”
“IF YOU WOULD JUST LISTEN—” He suddenly shouted, effectively shutting me up, “Who Noel marries is not up to me. That’s his decision. If you want to marry him, he’s the one you need to convince.”
“Oh, well why didn’t you say so earlier?” I questioned with a cheery ohoho. I then finally turned to the aide, Noel, and couldn’t help but give a confident smile. “Well, Sir Noel? What is your answer?”
There he stood behind the couch the duke was seated on, the glare of his glasses obscuring the view of his beautiful hazel eyes. And upon his lips was a most horrible of grimaces. Which was fine. I realized now that I should have approached Sir Noel instead of going through the Duke in the first place, but what was done was done. If everything I had to offer was not enough, I did have one more thing up my sleeve.
Reaching into my mental reserves of my favorite novel line, I stood, held out a hand to Sir Noel, and gave him the most dashing smile I could.
“Fear not, Sir Noel. I promise I shall make you happy.”
The way his face seemed to contort into an even greater and deeper grimace was simply adorable. No doubt the poor thing was flustered and struck in awe of my supreme magnificence. Knowing I would have to give him time to gather himself, I simply waited a minute, two, five, in that pose patiently. And the moment I saw him swallow and meet my gaze, I knew what his answer would be.
I always knew that Lord Cael was the immature sort. Though the face he showed to the world was confident and composed, in actuality, he was impulsive, rude, selfish, and needy. I didn’t realize that last one for the longest time. While I knew he constantly pushed and pulled for his sister’s time, the same was never directed at me. That is… that’s what I thought for the longest time. It was honestly embarrassing how long it took me to realize he treated me the same way.
The first signs of it was back when we were in the academy. It was during our second year that he began to wait by the door to walk with me when the classes we had together ended for the day. It was during the third year that we began eating lunch together. And it was during our fourth year that one day I got busy and was not able to arrive at lunch as we usually planned. The way he demanded to know where I was the next day caught me off guard. He even pouted for the good rest of the day. But at the time, I only attributed it to his prickliness.
It was in my sixth year that I became slightly aware that he acted like a sort of guard dog around me. When unseemly men or jealous women would try to interact with me, he’d chase them away. Perhaps on some level, I should have minded, but as far as I saw it, he was doing me a favor and acting like a good friend would, so I didn’t bat an eye. I didn’t even mind when he stole me away for our end of year galas. We both were introverts, so I assumed such behavior to be normal. If he didn’t do it, then I would have.
Perhaps the reason why it took me so long to realize anything was because he wasn’t as protective over me as he was with his sister. Yes, he chased people away and monopolized my time, yes, he accompanied me whenever I went on errands that may have been a bit dangerous, but he never stopped me from doing anything. If I approached people out of my own accord, he wouldn’t threaten them or chase them away. He didn’t stop me from doing risky things. That’s the way he treated his sister, not me.
Throughout our whole relationship, he always trusted me. He trusted that I would make the right decisions and do the right thing. He never had to worry about me. As far as he was concerned, I was smart enough to handle myself. So I always saw that neediness of his as simply him being a good friend. It was never overbearing. We were similar. We understood each other. We knew what the other wanted. And we’d work with that.
So I never could have expected what happened once we finally made our relationship official.
Let it be said that I knew even before arriving at the ball that I was a hot item. As the owner of a famed trading company and the new status of countess that I purchased with my own money, famed families were begging to make me a part of their family. I received letters everyday of business proposals, marriage proposals—people begging for just a second of my time.
It was almost funny in a way thinking about it all. I still remembered how they would all ignore me back at the academy, being a poor viscount’s daughter and all. And yet even with all this attention, I knew they still thought little of me. They didn’t praise me for my accomplishments. They weren’t impressed by my smarts and quick wit. All they wanted was the money that would come with me once I was wed. No doubt they were dying at the thought of putting their son at the head of my company once that happened.
The funniest part of it all, however, was how everyone knew Lord Cael and I were an item from even before I made it rich. He was never quiet about it (as much as I wanted him to be). Everyone knew his feelings for me, and how I reciprocated them. So the belief all these noble families had that they could possibly take me from him made me laugh. Even if we weren’t marrying for love, the thought that they could offer me something better than a duke? It was ridiculous.
So when I arrived at the ball, the sight of all these men quickly tripping over themselves to surround me made me giggle. My hand must be extremely appealing to them to be this passionate after a woman past her prime. Still, it was times like these that I wished I was a bit more like Lord Cael. As much of an introvert as I was, I did not ignore propriety. As much as I wished to leave, I allowed them to speak to me.
But as minutes past, then half an hour, then an hour, I found my tolerance beginning to fray around the edges. At this point, Lord Cael would be at my side to chase all these men away. So where was he? How much longer would I have to listen to these shallow men proclaim their accomplishments so as to impress me? How my ears were tiring of their empty flattery.
And then, right when I reached the point I could bare it no longer, there I found him stalking across the floor with purpose, the crowd parting without him having to say a single word. With determination in his eyes, even the men surrounding me gave way as he made his way straight to me. And once he was before me, I was struck with the sinking feeling that he was about to do something ridiculous and put me on the spot.
“Elaine,” he said clearly, the lack of titles not unnoticed by me.
“Cael,” I replied, deciding to follow along.
Then he reached into his coat pocket, went down on one knee, and opened a small velvet box before everyone’s eyes. Inside was a ring with a diamond at the center the color of his eyes. Then, looking up at me, he gave the most bashful beautiful smile that even managed to make my heart, mine, a person that’s well used to him, beat.
“Marry me?”
And then the crowd went wild.
Everything between gasps and swoons erupted from all around me, but all I could see was him. I knew he knew my answer. I knew he was doing this to make a statement. But the way he was looking at me, love so clearly reflected in his eyes, I felt my face heat and tears fill my eyes. There was no way I would be able to bring myself to scold him.
“Well, Elaine?” He asked, his voice endearingly sweet.
I finally looked away, wiping my tears, unable to bear his gaze any longer. Holding out my left hand, I let out an irritable sigh.
“You already know my answer, you foolish man. Of course I will marry you.”
He then laughed as I felt that beautiful ring slide onto my ring finger. Then, taking my chin, I felt a kiss upon my eye, then my cheek, and once pulling me close, his lips finally pressed upon mine. And if I was paying attention, I would have noticed the gasps and swoons start up again. I would have noticed the disapproving mutters and glares for such public displays of affection. I may have even noticed the frustration of loss in the eyes of the men around me. But I didn’t notice a thing, my attention stolen by the man, my future husband, before me.
It was part of noble culture to shower one’s partner in gifts and to wear the gifts your partner gave you in public. It was to make a public statement of who you belonged to. Even though Lord Cael and I were not officially together yet, before we graduated from the academy, we both exchanged gifts. I gave him cuff links the color of my eyes and he gave me a necklace with a small sapphire on top. They weren’t loud gifts, I didn’t want them to be, but they were a good enough deterrent to the nosy public that we were both taken.
I thought exchanging those gifts would be the end of it, a promise that we would fulfill in the future. Never did I think that Cael would continue to give me things. Expensive things. Loud things.
There I stood with a difficult smile on my face as I gazed upon his most recent gift, a gown. But no, it wasn’t just any gown. It was the newest release of society’s most famed designer. Only one person had the right to wear it, and he just had to go to buy it for me, the disinherited daughter of a viscount. It was gorgeous, the color of Cael’s hair with accents the color of his eyes. No doubt I would look stunning in it, but…
Correct me if I was mistaken, but we weren’t seeing each other yet. As far as I was concerned, we were our own separate people. So why in the world did he have to stake his claim on me so loudly? Not to mention that a suitable gift needed to be given in return. I had nothing at my disposal to give to him that would make up for such an expensive gift!
I sighed. Ever since we were in school, nothing could control him, not even his sister. I even tried telling him at some point to cut it out with the gifts, but then he gave me those puppy dog lonely eyes of his and I found myself giving in without complaint. No doubt if I tried wearing a different dress to the next gala, he would give me those eyes once more. Of course he had to make things difficult on me.
He really was a jerk, wasn’t he? I knew the reason why he was doing this. He knew that I knew that he wasn’t one for expensive gifts. That meant the only thing that would match something of this level would be a bombastic homemade gift. Lately, he had been dropping hints about an embroidered cloak. This was his way of pushing me in that direction, wasn’t it?
He knew I hated anything womanly. I hated embroidery with a passion. Even if I was good at it, that didn’t mean I liked it. But he loved handmade things. He even kept the embroidered handkerchief I made him after all these years. The way his eyes lit up with stars whenever I’d give him anything I made…
I pressed my fingers against my temple. This brat. This devil of a man. He always had to have everything his way. And he knew that I was weak to him. We weren’t even together yet and he still exploited my feelings for him.
Bastard.
Asshole.
Fine. I might as well go to the store to purchase fabric and thread needed for a coat while the sun was still up.
“You know,” I began one of those days we decided to meet, “Even after knowing you for so long, why is it that I’ve never met your sister?” His eyes widened at my question as he paused with his teacup against his lips. Then a complicated look came to his face as he avoided my gaze.
“That’s… well…”
I tilted my head as I glanced at him. I knew I wasn’t wrong for feeling so amazed. I knew him since we were fourteen. We spent nearly every day together other than holidays and vacations for nearly four years, and yet I still had yet to meet his sister. At first, I thought it was because he was so protective over her that he did not want her even coming to the academy, but when he invited me over to his vacation home during one break and she had still yet to show face, I couldn’t help but become a bit suspicious.
“Do you think we wouldn’t get along?” I mused to myself, but he shook his head while scratching the back of his neck, still avoiding my gaze.
“It’s not that. It’s just…” He sighed before finally looking over to me. “Promise you won’t laugh?”
“You say a lot of dumb things, so I can’t exactly promise,” I answered truthfully, prompting him to roll his eyes.
“Fine. The reason why you haven’t met my sister yet is because… You know how I told you that everyone loves my sister once they met her? That’s not an exaggeration. A part of me thinks she’s part fairy or something because everyone falls in love with her the moment they lay eyes on her. I guess I just felt that… if you met her… I… wouldn’t be your favorite anymore…” He ended in a mumble.
I couldn’t help it. After staring at him with wide eyes for a second or two, I immediately burst into a fit of laughter. I was laughing so hard, clutching my stomach, that his expression quickly gave way to anger.
“To imply that you’re my favorite in the first place—” I managed to get out between giggles. He pouted, rolling his eyes.
“This is why I didn’t want to tell you…”
“Okay, okay, fine,” I began, wiping the tears from my eye. “I’m sorry for laughing. It’s just that sometimes you say the dumbest, but cutest things. I can’t help myself!” As my giggles began to fade, I pretended not to notice the way his ears blushed pink. Taking his hand, I looked into his eyes.
“Even if she was the greatest person in the world, my favorite would still be you. Call me foolish, but my loyalties always go with the person that’s been by my side the longest. Besides, you’re my partner, aren’t you? No other person will ever have that place but you.”
If his face wasn’t red before, it definitely was then. I knew he wasn’t a fool. He definitely knew what I was saying. Taking both of my hands, his gaze turned to his feet as he no doubt tried to gather the words he wished to speak to me. And when he looked up, the expression of vulnerability and sheer adoration in his eyes caused my heart to beat.
“Then… Not now. I know not now. You have things you want to do. But possibly, in the future, does that mean I… That you…” He bit his lip. His hands tightly gripped mine, slightly slick to the touch in nervousness. He was adorable, simply adorable. Taking a step close to him, I rested my forehead against his.
“If you’ll have me.”
Hearing a sharp intake of breath, I couldn’t help but giggle as I felt him begin to shake. And then, once he simply couldn’t take it any longer, my giggles broke out into a laugh as I felt his arms wrap around me to pull me close.
“It’s a promise, okay? I’m not gonna let you go back on it. When you’re ready, I’m not going to let you go!” He declared. I nodded.
