26: If Only Time Could Stop Like This

Swoosh—

A fierce gust of wind swirled between them. Aella, standing frozen with unwavering eyes, faced the crown prince. Once the wind subsided, she placed her hand over her chest and bowed slightly.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince, please maintain your dignity.”

“……”

“I wish for Her Highness, the Princess, to no longer suffer.”

“Why? Why do you care about that princess more than you care about me?”

At his cold voice, Aella let out a short breath and lifted her head to meet the crown prince’s gaze. He stood before her, his body tense.

“Because she and I are alike.”

“Alike?”

“Yes. Just as I love Kael, the Princess holds you in her heart. That’s why, even while being called a ‘foolish princess’ by the nobles of a foreign land, she endures the humiliation of hearing hurtful words from Your Highness just to remain by your side.”

“Hah.”

The crown prince let out a frustrated sigh and swept back his hair. Aella, quietly watching his reaction, continued.

“Her Highness tried to stop me from meeting with you. But I don’t want her to be hurt any longer. More than anything, I want her to be happy.”

“Why? Why do you care so much?”

“…As a fellow woman, and because she is a dear friend of mine. Someone who gives me strength, just as I give her strength. I sincerely wish for her happiness.”

“……”

“Your Highness, I beg of you. Please, do not hurt the Princess any further.”

Aella bowed her head again and then looked up at the crown prince, who had stepped closer to her.

“And what about me? Can’t you see me?”

“……”

“All this time! I’ve only ever looked at you! Can’t you see that?”

“Please don’t do this.”

“Aella… please.”

“Your Highness, I do not love you.”

Even though his desperate eyes trembled, Aella did not stop speaking.

“The one I love is Kael. My husband, Kael Hormons. That will never change.”

“It’s only because he’s lost his memory! That’s why he’s treating you well now! Once his memory returns, he’ll—”

“Please watch your words. Do not speak ill of my husband. No matter who you are, even if you are the crown prince, I cannot tolerate such words about my husband as his wife and the mistress of the Hormons duchy.”

“……”

Aella calmed her emotions, which were as heightened as the crown prince’s. She knew nothing good would come from letting her emotions take over in this situation.

“Even if my husband’s memory returns, he will keep me by his side as his wife for the rest of his life.”

“Of course, he will. And then he’ll take a concubine! Right in front of you!”

“Please refrain from assuming my husband’s thoughts. Just because Your Highness thinks that way doesn’t mean my husband does.”

“What?”

As Aella’s gaze turned sharper, Julius’s expression faltered, his confusion evident.

‘Why… why, Aella? Why are you looking at me like that? Why…’

His lips trembled as if he wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

“Even if his memory returns, Kael will have to keep me by his side. If he wants an heir, that is. And knowing Kael, he won’t take a concubine. He’s a very stubborn man.”

“……”

“He doesn’t think like Your Highness.”

“You’re cruel. How can you be so cruel to me?”

“And how can Your Highness be so heartless to the Princess?”

“Stop! Stop talking about that princess in front of me!”

As Aella watched the crown prince crumble before her, only one thought came to her mind.

Pitiful.

She couldn’t possibly be unaware that the crown prince had harbored feelings for her since his days as a prince. He had shown his affection for her so openly that it made her uncomfortable. It was why she had avoided coming to the palace as much as possible.

“Please face reality, Your Highness.”

“……”

“The one I love is my husband, Kael.”

To solidify her point, Aella spoke firmly, leaving no room for doubt. The crown prince let out a bitter laugh, one after another. Aella watched him without any change in her expression.

“Can you truly say you won’t regret this?”

“……”

“Answer me, Aella… No, answer me, Duchess Hormons. Can you truly say you won’t regret rejecting my hand for the rest of your life?”

“I can.”

“……”

At her resolute response, the crown prince was at a loss for words. Aella decided to deliver the final blow to bring him back to his senses.

“Even if I regret other things, I can confidently say I will never regret not taking Your Highness’s hand.”

“Get out of my sight immediately!”

“Pardon my intrusion.”

“Aella! Wait! I… I misspoke! I’m sorry! Truly, I’m sorry!”

As Aella turned back to face the crown prince, she sighed at the sight of his tear-streaked face.

“If Your Highness continues like this, I will find it difficult to see you in the future.”

“Don’t hate me. Please… Aella. Just the thought of you hating me… it’s worse than death. Just imagining your hatred makes me feel like I’m losing my mind. Please… please!”

His trembling hands gripped her shoulders. Aella placed her hand over his and gently removed them before stepping back.

“If Your Highness refrains from hurting Her Highness and keeps your feelings for me to yourself, then I will not distance myself from you. I will serve you as the lord I must serve.”

“……”

“With that, I will take my leave.”

After bowing, Aella turned and left the garden, leaving behind the crown prince, who stood frozen in place, his face blank with despair.

“Kael?!”

“My dear.”

When Aella saw Kael striding toward her, her heart felt as though it might stop.

Thump, thump, thump!

‘Why is my heart… it hurts. It hurts so much.’

As she clutched her chest, she suddenly found herself in Kael’s warm embrace.

“Kael…”

“Ella.”

“…Yes.”

“Why did you meet with the crown prince? Why? Why did you meet him alone?”

His voice trembled slightly, and his arms tightened around her protectively.

“Kael, I’ll explain, so could you let me go? I can’t breathe.”

“Oh! I-I’m sorry. Are you okay?”

As she met his worried gaze and felt his warm hands on her shoulders, Aella smiled softly and nodded.

‘She’s so lovely. My Ella. The more I see her, the more… she’s irresistible to me.’

Kael swallowed hard. Even at this moment, Aella’s lips looked so inviting, and her faint scent was intoxicating.

‘I’m going crazy. I didn’t realize I could be this… captivated.’

When Kael felt her soft touch on his cheek, his eyes snapped open, and he looked at Aella.

“Ella…”

“What I’m about to tell you must remain a secret.”

“Of course.”

As Aella gently held his wrist, Kael smiled warmly at her, and she returned his smile.

“The Princess is struggling. The crown prince has been cold to her.”

“Ah…”

“Since he’s harbored feelings for me since childhood…”

“!”

“I made it clear to him. That the one I love is my husband, Kael Hormons. I told him to come to his senses.”

The moment Kael heard that the crown prince had feelings for his wife, he wanted to grab him by the collar. But hearing that Aella had directly confessed her love for him made Kael feel as though he owned the world. He grinned widely.

‘Kael is smiling like this?’

The Kael Aella remembered had always been mature, even as a child. He never showed his emotions to others. But the Kael standing before her now, grinning so openly, was endearingly honest with his feelings.

“Ella.”

“Yes?”

“This might sound strange, and you might think I’m… a pervert, but…”

“Kael?”

Kael’s hands, which rested on her shoulders, tightened slightly.

“I want to hold you.”

“Kael…”

“We’re married, and we… we need an heir…”

Before he could finish, Aella threw herself into his arms, and Kael hugged her tightly.

Thump, thump, thump!

‘Whose heartbeat is this? Is it mine? Or Kael’s…?’

Aella closed her eyes. The two racing heartbeats felt like they were harmonizing, and she stayed in his arms, feeling their warmth.

‘Ella, Ella. My Ella!’

Kael, holding her slender waist, felt like he could lose his mind from happiness. Her actions, which showed how much she loved him, brought tears of joy to his eyes.

From the corner of his vision, Kael noticed the crown prince standing at the garden’s edge.

Kael wanted to show that foolish crown prince exactly who Aella belonged to.

He gently cupped Aella’s flushed cheeks and kissed her lightly before pulling away.

“Kael…”

“Ella, may I kiss you again?”

“H-Here?”

“I want to.”

Seeing her blush even more deeply and nod, Kael thanked her and kissed her passionately.

Though the kiss had started as a display for the crown prince, Kael’s actions soon became driven by instinct.

“Cough, cough!”

“I’m sorry, Ella.”

As Aella shook her head with a smile, Kael held her close and stroked her back. He glanced at the crown prince, who was still standing there, glaring at him with murderous intent.

Kael didn’t bother hiding his feelings as he locked eyes with the crown prince.

Even as the crown prince left with his aide, Kael’s cold gaze followed him until he was out of sight.

“Kael.”

When Aella stepped out of his embrace and looked at him, Kael smiled and nodded.

“All right.”

“Ella.”

“Tomorrow night… let’s spend our first night together.”

“Oh, Ella! Hahaha! Thank you! Ella, my Ella. I love you.”

As Kael kissed her again, Aella rested her head against his chest and thought to herself.

‘If only time could stop like this…’