The door slowly creaked open.

Alec’s tall figure appeared in the gap.

His features were sharp and striking, even from afar, and his broad shoulders seemed more comforting than the bed itself.

He cautiously scanned me with his eyes before closing the door and approaching.

“You’re still awake.”

“Of course. It’s a bit early to be asleep, isn’t it?”

I forced a smile as I replied.

At that moment, my mother-in-law’s words flashed through my mind.

There’s something strange about my son. He doesn’t feel like my son. He seems like he is, and yet he isn’t. My suspicions have never been wrong.

I swallowed dryly before asking again.

“Aren’t you tired?”

“I’m fine. If you have a moment, would you like to take a walk with me to the mountain behind the castle? It’s the place we went to before.”

“Now? At this hour?”

He nodded once and spoke again.

The mountain behind the castle was where I had first discovered his abilities.

“Why there?”

“There’s something I’d like to show you.”

Alec’s gaze was calm and sincere.

He was looking at me with such honest and unwavering eyes, and yet… could he really not be my husband?

Just the thought made the ground beneath me feel like it was crumbling.

My heart felt on the verge of breaking.

I pushed away those feelings as best as I could and walked over to Alec, firmly grabbing onto his arm.

Looking up at him with the warmest gaze, I said, “Of course. I’m really curious about what you want to show me.”

***

A sharp, cold wind blew over the snowy mountain.

But before I could fully register the chill, a soft warmth enveloped me.

I knew well that it was thanks to Alec’s powers.

“Thank you, Alec. I nearly got cut by the icy wind.”

I planted a kiss on his handsome cheek.

I saw his eyes waver slightly, surprised by the sudden gesture.

‘So easily startled.’

Even his flustered expression was so endearing.

It was a tenderness I would never have felt had we not grown closer lately.

His cheeks reddened, and he turned his head slightly, clearing his throat.

I covered my mouth with my hand and smiled softly.

As I watched him, feeling a sense of satisfaction, he led me toward the edge of the cliff.

I couldn’t help but wonder what he was planning to show me, but I was also filled with anticipation.

However, all that could be seen from the top of the mountain was complete darkness.

The northern capital had no lights visible—everyone must have already gone to bed.

Snowflakes fell quietly, obscuring what little view there was.

Clouds were thick, hiding even the stars and moon.

I let out a small sigh, feeling a bit disappointed.

“There’s really nothing to see tonight.”

“…Louise.”

At that moment, he took my hand and looked at me.

I tightened my grip on his hand and stared directly into his eyes.

His gaze was clear and unwavering.

What could be so serious that he brought me all the way here?

“When I came to the North, there was something I wanted to show you first, Louise.”

“What is it? Could it be something even more surprising than Prince Ridit?”

“It’s not that, but you might still be surprised.”

…What?

Curious, I watched as he took my other hand into his as well.

“I wanted to give you something beautiful and radiant, Louise. Of course, the most beautiful and radiant thing in this world is you, but still… would you give me the chance?”

“…Now I’m really curious. Show me quickly.”

“…”

At my urging, he bit his lip slightly.

Had I been too direct?

For some reason, my chest swelled with anticipation and nervousness.

There was a strange tension and excitement in the air between us.

I felt like I had some sense of what this could mean.

Could it be?

Was he about to confess his love to me?

I had already confessed my love to him, but he had yet to say it to me.

All he had given me was a bouquet filled with flowers, each representing different meanings of love.

But right now, it felt like he was finally going to say it—like his feelings for me were overflowing, so much so that he didn’t even need to say it.

I had never been in a relationship before, but wasn’t this what it meant to be in tune with someone?

That unspoken understanding that comes from the heart.

I could clearly feel that we were on the same page emotionally.

He loved me, and I loved him just as much, with all my heart.

There was no turning back now.

At that moment, my mother-in-law’s voice rose in my mind again.

Through that hazy thought, his voice broke through.

“Louise.”

Sparks seemed to fly from his fingertips.

In the darkness, the glow was especially vivid.

“You’re like a flame to me.”

“……”

“Dazzlingly beautiful, yet burning bright and strong.”

“……”

Even the snowflakes falling all around us seemed to hold their breath at his words.

He tenderly brushed his hand over the one he was holding.

“And that flame has pierced me. It feels like it’s burning me from the inside. Before I met you, I was empty, but now I know what I’ve been longing for all this time.”

“……”

My heart raced.

His deep voice seemed to wrap around my heart, binding it tightly.

If this was a voice I should resist, I wouldn’t have the strength to do so.

“Louise. It’s you.”

“……!”

Suddenly, the surroundings brightened, and I instinctively lifted my head.

Small, white flames filled the space around us.

.

.

.

It was a fantastical, dreamlike night.

The once dark, vast expanse around us sparkled endlessly, and the love I felt from my husband was even more overwhelming.

‘Who knew such a magical night could come into my life…’

I hadn’t realized it before, but I truly loved moments like this.

Each delicate snowflake carried a tiny light, sinking gently with it.

This was a display of affection I could only experience because my husband possessed magical powers.

It was a moment etched into my memory, one I would never forget.

“Thank you, Alec. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

I turned away from the dazzling scene and threw my arms around him.

I was so moved, I felt like crying.

How could I possibly express this feeling?

After a slight pause, he raised his hand and gently patted my back.

“…I’m glad. Seeing you happy makes me even happier.”

His serious voice carried a faint trace of a smile.

Ha.

…Is this what happiness feels like?

I took a deep breath and spoke.

“My heart is racing, Alec. I can feel how much you love me.”

Just like the countless, beautiful lights surrounding us right now.

The feelings I had been accumulating for him were about to burst at this moment.

He must have felt the same way because he let out a soft sigh and said,

“I don’t think I’ve even shown you half of what’s in my heart.”

“Even this much feels overwhelming.”

I hugged him tighter.

What more needed to be said?

“Louise.”

But then he gently pulled away from me and looked into my eyes.

Was it because of the lights blooming all around us?

His face seemed even more radiant.

He held my hand and, in a firm voice, said,

“There’s something I need to tell you tonight.”

“…?”

What could it be?

My heart pounded loudly, as if it was going to leap out of my chest.

Then, with eyes deeper than before, he opened his mouth.

“I will stay by your side forever. You’ll never be alone again.”

“…Alec.”

My vision blurred a little.

He quickly continued.

“And though I haven’t said it until now…”

“……”

“I love you, Louise.”

“……”

“Thanks to you, I’m learning what love truly is.”

“……”

I could almost hear the sound of my heart dropping.

It was the first time I’d heard him say those words.

I had already vividly felt that he loved me.

But hearing it directly from his lips was entirely different.

For a moment, my mind went blank. Even the shimmering lights around us seemed to hold their breath in silence.

Who would have thought a day like this would come?

‘Have we truly come to love each other so deeply?’

It felt surreal, as if something I thought would never happen had finally come true.

My heart was so full it felt like it might burst.

I managed to calm myself down and finally spoke.

“So do I.”

“……”

“I love you too, Alec. It seems like we’ve finally connected.”

I held his hand tightly.

My feelings for him surged higher than ever before, reaching a peak I hadn’t thought possible.

I used to wonder what it must feel like for people who were in love.

It was a feeling I thought I could never experience, one I believed I might never know, even if I lived my whole life.

But like a miracle, in this moment, I understood.

So this is what it feels like to be in love.

This is what it’s like.

Even if I had lived twice, I don’t think I would have ever felt this way.

Now that I had found this love, I never wanted to lose it.

The life and happiness I had always dreamed of were finally within my reach.

The man I loved, who loved me in return—my husband.

He gripped my hand tightly.

It was as if everything around us had faded away, and only he remained in my sight.

“Thank you, Louise. Because of you, I’m so glad I’ve lived this long.”

“Alec…”

“I will love and protect you as your husband, forever.”

“…Thank you.”

He smiled softly, the corners of his eyes crinkling, and I smiled back, overwhelmed with emotion.

At that moment, I kissed him, my heart overflowing, as if embracing everything in that instant.

It was a night when I could fully feel just how much my husband loved me.

TL NOTE: More advanced chapter of this story is already up to the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories