Chapter 32

Even as Serenia wanted to cry, a little laugh escaped her at Lucien’s dumbfounded, dazed face. Lucien’s frozen expression didn’t look positive at all, but despite that, she couldn’t help but think he was cute—which made her feel hopeless about herself.

“Yes, you fool. Why do you think I promised to go to the sea with you?”

“No, wa—wait, wait! No, that’s not it.”

“…I know. It’s not like I was trying to do anything with you. I just wanted to tell you how I truly feel, at least once. If it’s too much…”

“No, that’s not it!”

Lucien hurriedly stopped Serenia’s confession, and when her face darkened again, he clutched his head, frustrated.

He had wanted to confess first!

And in a place he could brag about for a lifetime, in the coolest way possible!

Now, the place, the method, the timing—everything was wrong. Being kidnapped to an illegal place and escaping with Serenia’s help, only to receive her confession—this scenario had never existed in Lucien’s plans.

He wanted to pretend none of this had happened, to act like he hadn’t heard anything, but more than his own desires, the way Serenia’s expression grew darker and more hurt made him put all his complicated thoughts aside. Lucien gently held her chin to keep her from turning away.

“Nia, I feel like I’ve become the dumbest guy in the world right now, and it’s pretty embarrassing.”

“…Yeah.”

“I take back everything I’ve ever said. When I called your feelings pathetic or told you to give up, I was out of my mind.”

“Huh?”

“I was blinded by jealousy, couldn’t see anything else.”

This time, Serenia’s eyes were full of confusion. Lucien’s voice, heavy with resentment, was so desperate and intense that she couldn’t even doubt his sincerity. It was hard to tell if he was threatening her or confessing, as he seemed like he wanted to strangle his past self.

“That story…”

“I thought I’d always be with you, but when I thought you liked my brother, when I thought I wasn’t your first choice, that crazy b*stard inside me lost it.”

“Uh…”

Was that crazy b*stard really Lucien’s past self? Serenia worried she was twisting his words because she wanted it so badly.

Noticing her shaky gaze, Lucien took a deep breath, touched his nose to hers, and looked straight into her eyes.

No matter how much she wavered, the person reflected in Lucien’s eyes never changed. Serenia’s heart swelled so much it almost hurt, full of hope, excitement, and joy, making her breath quicken.

“Let’s stop with the one-sided love and start dating, with me.”

“You’re not lying, right? If you say something different later…”

“Nia. I like you.”

“Ugh…”

“For a very, very long time. Since before I even realized it, I’ve always liked you.”

It wasn’t some clever line he’d practiced for days, nor a beautiful place he’d prepared. But the urgency and raw emotion in his words were all sincere, nothing filtered.

Even as their lips met, Serenia didn’t close her eyes. The world shimmered with tears, but she was too afraid to close her eyes—worried it would all disappear like a dream. Lucien seemed to understand, gently brushing her tears with his fingertips, guiding her arms to wrap tightly around his neck.

“Hold me as tight as you want. If you lock me up so I can’t escape, even better.”

“I—I won’t let go.”

“That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard.”

Laughter and trembling spread through their joined lips. Tears didn’t stop easily, but Serenia was definitely smiling. All the old pain and suffering she’d stored up over the years flowed out with her tears like the ebbing tide.

In the space left behind, only a place remained for the love she’d cherished for Lucien, and for all the new emotions they would fill together.

Sometimes jealousy, sometimes love, sometimes obsession or desire—Serenia was sure she’d always share those feelings with him.

“Lu, wait, my hand, uh…”

“I thought this place was bad, but the fact that it’s a bed is actually pretty nice.”

“Ah, oh, mm…”

Lucien’s hand, which Serenia had stopped so many times before, finally slipped between her thighs without any interruption. The thin, delicate fabric of her underwear, chosen for the dress, made Lucien’s breath catch with excitement—and he swore again to hunt down whoever had recommended such clothes.

The lingering thrill of the confession and the provocative setting made Lucien’s head spin. His fingers slipped under the damp fabric, slowly exploring…

Bang! Bang!

“Commander! Are you alright?”

The firmly closed door shook as if it would break down any moment. 

‘D*mn, those clueless idiots.’

Lucien gritted his teeth and sat up.

Serenia, wide-eyed and frozen like a startled rabbit, looked at him plaintively. Lucien sighed deeply. Thanks to Serenia, his already tight pants felt even tighter, but there was nothing he could do.

“Ah!”

Lucien wrapped Serenia’s exposed dress tightly in the blanket. Serenia, held in his arms, buried her face halfway in the blanket, embarrassed. Lucien kissed her forehead and got up from the bed.

“When we get back, we’ll start over from the beginning. I’m going to confess all over again.”

Serenia wanted to remember every moment, every detail, for the rest of her life, but Lucien looked so frustrated that she couldn’t help but smile and nod. Seeing his wounded pride, she grew curious about how he’d planned to confess.

To think she was curious about Lucien’s confession—

Her heart skipped at the thought, a sentence she’d never imagined would be part of her life.

“But Lucien, did you really not like Princess Erisa…”

“No! Where did that ridiculous misunderstanding even come from—ha, fine. When we get back, we’ll clear up every single misunderstanding.”

Lucien grinned mischievously, saying they’d need all night to sort things out. Until every misunderstanding was cleared, she wouldn’t be allowed out of the bedroom. Lucien’s face was full of honest determination. Serenia didn’t know why they had to resolve misunderstandings in bed, but she didn’t care. She pulled Lucien’s neck close and buried her face in his chest.

In the distance, the sound of the door breaking down echoed, Lucien shouted for them to turn away, and Derkan’s voice cried out, asking if he’d been abandoned. But Serenia, wrapped in Lucien’s arms, just hugged his neck and swallowed her laughter.

Lucien thought everything was a mess, but to Serenia, every messy part was perfect.

The one thing that made everything truly perfect was that the feelings she’d held for so long, which seemed unreachable, had finally reached him.

Like rainwater gathering into a stream, growing larger and larger, her feelings—no matter how much she tried to hold them back—finally flowed to the sea, finally reached him.