“What do you mean?”
“Your Highness once saved me.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”
When Miloa said that a person with golden hair, shining brightly in the pitch-dark night, had appeared and given her a gold coin, April clapped her hands.
“Ah, back then—when I almost got dragged away by that loan shark…!”
“With the gold coin Your Highness gave me, I was able to repay all my debts and start a new life.”
That day had been the first time April, still small and young, ever held a gold coin in her hand. After returning from the New Year’s Festival, Duke Bright had won a large sum through gambling and gave pocket money to Aaron, Wendy, and April. Of course, Aaron and Wendy received pouches full, while April was given a single coin.
She had slowly saved it, turning it into a small sum. Then, one day, by luck, she was allowed to go out for the first time beyond the duke’s residence.
She was utterly captivated by the new world. Ignoring the scornful gazes of the maids who mocked her for constantly glancing around, April relished the fleeting freedom she had been given.
It was then that she witnessed a girl being dragged away by a burly man. Hearing that it was because of debt, April gave the girl her entire fortune. That girl, once a noble but whose ruined family had driven her to be sold off for debt, was Miloa.
“I always wanted to repay the kindness, and now being able to serve you like this is truly an honor.”
“Miloa, I…”
“I already know. Your Highness is a warmhearted and wonderful person.”
The gleam in Miloa’s eyes as she smiled brightly was no different from that of a zealot. Seeing it so directly, April chose not to ask her further. With just that, all her questions had already been answered.
“But still, that gaze is a little much.”
“Pardon?”
“I mean the way you look at me… as if you revere me too much.”
“Heavens! So you noticed my heart! You’re right! I’ve always looked up to you, Your Highness!”
At Miloa’s reply, April simply closed her mouth. No matter what she said, Miloa seemed ready to spill out nothing but praise.
‘You’d be better off revering God.’
She wanted to tell her that, but the words wouldn’t leave her lips. She couldn’t bring herself to say it while staring into those sparkling eyes.
“Vi.”
Just then, a familiar voice reached her ears. April quickly turned around to see who it belonged to.
When she saw Calsion entering the bedchamber, she greeted him with a bright smile. As she tried to rise from her seat, he waved his hand to stop her.
“Stay seated. Don’t even think about standing up.”
“But sitting all the time is exhausting. I want to walk around.”
Because Calsion had said that it was dangerous during the early stages of pregnancy, April had not been allowed to step a single foot outside her chamber. The maids fetched everything she wanted, so she had no need to leave, but being forbidden only made her long for it more.
“I’m bored to death.”
When April pouted, Calsion froze as he looked at her. Seeing the affection in his eyes, she curved her lips into a wide smile, her eyes round with delight. Witnessing her radiant smile, Calsion was utterly spellbound.
He stood there silently for a moment, simply gazing at her. Then slowly, a smile spread across his face. Warmth seeped into his once expressionless features. His gentle, tender expression left April staring blankly back at him.
When the silence between them dragged on, they both, as if embarrassed, turned their eyes away at the same time.
But the one who opened his mouth first was Calsion.
“Ahem. My Vi mustn’t be bored. So, where would you like to go?”
“The imperial garden.”
For some reason, April felt shy and couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. Bowing her head, she replied in a small voice. Her ears burned hot, making it impossible to look straight into Calsion’s gaze.
“Very well.”
Saying he had intended to suggest a simple walk anyway, Calsion extended his hand. Placing hers atop it, April accepted his escort and stepped outside her chamber. Behind them, the palace servants and knights politely offered their greetings as the two slowly walked toward the garden.
A gentle smile spread across April’s face. The star-studded night sky cast its noble glow above. A cool breeze blew, scattering her hair, and April delighted in the soft wind, savoring it fully.
“Do you like it?”
“Of course. It’s the perfect weather for a walk.”
April turned her face toward Calsion and shook the hand she was holding, like a child. No one had ever held her hand and walked with her like this before. That was why April wished this path with Calsion would never end.
As if he would never let her hand go, Calsion’s grip tightened. April squeezed his hand firmly in return. Letting herself be guided by him, she began to wonder what lay at the end of the path they were walking together.
Yet the imperial palace garden, which she hadn’t visited in a long time, looked slightly different. Though it was a dark night, the surroundings were filled with bright light.
“Huh?”
Candles had been placed along the path leading into the palace garden. Set at even intervals, they lit the way brightly.
At the end of the path where she walked with Calsion, clusters of April Snow bloomed in abundance. The April Snow, a geranium that resembled white roses, was her favorite flower.
Seeing flowers that shared her name blooming everywhere, April couldn’t hide the smile spreading across her face. Confirming the bright laughter on her face, Calsion stepped ahead. Seeing him leave her behind and walk forward, April quickly followed after him.
“Karl?”
When Calsion vanished completely into the thicket, April, unsettled, quickened her steps. The moment she caught sight of his back in the distance, and he turned toward her, she breathed out a sigh of relief.
Passing through the flowers into the central clearing, April widened her eyes. Like entering a sea of blossoms, the countless April Snow flowers brought her happiness. And there was Calsion, gazing at her with eyes full of love. Everything in sight was beautiful.
“April.”
At that moment, Calsion knelt before her. Startled by his sudden action, she reached out to help him up, but he took hold of her hand. His black hair was tousled by the wind, yet his obsidian eyes looked only at her.
It was the same as that time long ago when he had reached out his hand to her. When she was afraid because of Aaron, he had willingly held her hand and promised to protect her. April could not tear her gaze away from the steady gleam in his black eyes.
As she stood frozen in place, Calsion’s lips parted.
“These small words aren’t nearly enough to contain this deep feeling, but no matter how I think about it, there’s only this one word. I love you. Will you be my empress?”
From the inside pocket of his coat, he drew out a small case and opened it. More than the dazzling ring inside, April’s eyes were drawn to Calsion, who never looked away from her.
‘How can someone like this exist…?’
Calsion had always been that way. He was the one who reached out to her first, who always considered her. April’s fingertips tingled with nervous tension, and she fidgeted with her fingers. To steady her emotions, she swallowed dryly, her throat parched.
Her sea-colored eyes trembled. Overwhelmed by the surge of feelings, it was difficult to give any answer. If she opened her mouth now, she felt as though tears would burst forth.
April’s vision blurred. How long she had yearned for this moment.
She had once thought she longed for freedom, but in truth, she realized long ago that what she truly wanted wasn’t freedom. She wanted to meet someone who would love her and cherish her. She wanted to receive unconditional affection.
And now, the very person she had wished and wished for through all those years was standing before her, proposing. How could she possibly refuse?
April nodded cautiously. At once, as if he had been waiting, Calsion slipped the ring onto her fourth finger. A large, transparent diamond gleamed brilliantly atop her hand.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
As if to bless their future together, the stars in the night sky twinkled—so very radiant and beautiful.
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bluemoon238
Honestly glad how author pulled this off. What was originally just a selfish pos baby trap move turned Romantic Plotline and even the added COMMUNICATION making this gold. All without stretching unnecessary chapters and adding unnecessary anx. This is sorely missing in many novels.