Chapter 103

The place where Theodore and Meia arrived on horseback was the highest point within the estate.

As they ascended the winding hill path, a large glass greenhouse came into view, and beyond it, the magnificent sea stretched out.

“The scenery is beautiful.” 

“This is the most beautiful spot in Grand Duke Florence’s estate.” 

As they approached the greenhouse, Meia began to sense something familiar.

“There’s a magical energy coming from the greenhouse.”

“It’s a greenhouse made with magic stones.”

After dismounting from the carriage, she gazed at the sea ahead.

“This way, please.”

Inside the open doors of the greenhouse, countless flowers were in full bloom.

Among the flowers stood a large tombstone.

As they drew closer, a grand grave came into view.

Meia approached the tombstone and read the inscription.

[Littleler Florence]

[Joelle Florence]

[Heroes of the Sirius Empire, rest peacefully here.]

The greenhouse was the resting place of Theodore’s parents.

“It’s your parents’ grave.”

“Yes. Five years ago, my parents, unable to stand the tyranny of the former Emperor of the Sirius Empire, aided His Majesty Sirius III in a successful rebellion. They lost their lives in the process.”

Theodore spoke calmly.

“To protect my mother from an incoming sword, my father threw himself at her, embracing her tightly. The sword pierced both of their hearts, and they died together.”

“Theo…”

“According to His Majesty, they died protecting each other. As a child, I couldn’t comprehend those words. I resented them. I wished at least one of them had survived.”

Theodore gazed down at Meia and continued.

“But now, I understand. If I were ever in such a situation, I would do the same as my father and mother, offering my body to protect the one I love.”

Theodore retrieved an elegant velvet box from his magical subspace.

Kneeling on one knee before Meia, he carefully opened the velvet box to reveal its contents.

Inside the box were a ring and a brooch shaped like a sage flower, made of turquoise.

Turquoise and sage were Meia’s birthstone and birth flower, as she was born in December.

“I swear before the people I respect and love the most.”

This was unmistakably a proposal.

“Lady Meia Hatzbellua, I humbly ask for your permission. Will you become my wife and my family? I swear before my parents that I will remain faithful only to you.”

It wasn’t the most extravagant declaration. But it was heartfelt.

It wasn’t flashy, but it carried sincerity.

“I, Meia Hatzbellua, accept you, Theodore Florence, as my husband.”

Meia smiled brightly as she extended her left hand.

With trembling hands, Theodore took the ring from the box and slid it onto the fourth finger of her left hand.

“Why are you shaking so much?”

“I don’t know. Why am I trembling like this?”

Meia smiled as she admired the ring on her hand. It fit perfectly.

“How did you know the size of my finger?”

“I hold your hand every day.”

Theodore glanced at his parents’ grave and smiled quietly.

“Mother, Father, this is the person who will become my family.”

He recalled conversations he had with his father during his childhood.

<Theo, meeting your mother made me so happy.>

<Will I be even happier if I marry someone like Mother?>

<No, son! Your mother married me, so you must find someone you love.>

<Understood, Father.>

<Marriage is about becoming family, filling each other’s hearts, and erasing loneliness.>

At the time, Theodore didn’t understand what loneliness meant.

<But Theo, there’s one thing you must always remember.>

<What is it?>

<Nobles are left with nothing if they lose their dignity and pride, but abandoning family is akin to death.>

Littleler always emphasized the importance of family.

As a child, Theodore didn’t understand why his father said such things, but now, he appreciated and understood all of his father’s teachings.

“Father, Mother, I respect and love you. I will no longer resent you.”

There was a time when Theodore resented his parents for leaving him behind and felt immense sorrow.

He refused to accept the deaths of those who had heroically saved the nation. No, he didn’t want to accept it.

He wandered in deep longing and grief.

“I’m sorry for saying this so late. Father, Mother, may you rest in peace.”

For the first time, he sincerely prayed for their peace.

<Theo, my beloved son.>

He remembered how his loving mother would kiss his forehead every day, telling him she loved him.

<I would have preferred a daughter.>

<You can welcome a lovely daughter-in-law instead.>

<I must get you married quickly so I can see my granddaughter, haha.>

<Father, are you forcing me to marry just so you can have a granddaughter?>

<Of course! Why else would I want you to marry?>

<Oh, stop it. Our Theo still has a long way to go before marriage.>

His father had always been rough yet warm.

Until now, Theodore had been living in the past.

But for the present and future, he needed to turn the “past” into “memories.”

“Meia, why do people cry whether they’re happy or sad?”

“I once asked my father the same question.”

It was a question she had asked when everything she endured to become Empress felt overwhelmingly difficult.

“What did he say?”

“He said tears make the heart stronger.”

The more one cries, the more they accept reality, resolve themselves, and grow as a person.

“I didn’t know I was such a tearful man.”

“You’ve always been tearful since the first time I met you.”

“Thank you for accepting my proposal.”

Theodore and Meia couldn’t leave the glass greenhouse immediately.

It was because it suddenly started to rain.

“We’ll leave when the rain stops.”

“Yes.”

Meia gazed at the rain falling from the sky.

During the time when she was the fiancée of the Crown Prince, there were occasions when various outdoor social gatherings were canceled due to unexpected rain.

<The gathering has been canceled due to sudden rain, Young Lady.>

<Well, there’s nothing we can do since it’s raining.>

At such times, she would listen to the sound of rain, read books, and rest.

To her, rain was a grateful presence that brought rest.

Theodore took off his outer coat and draped it over Meia’s shoulders as he spoke.

“This place is high, so the wind is cold, and with the rain, your body temperature might drop.”

Although she wasn’t cold, if she were to feel chilly later, she could open a magical subspace to retrieve a magic cloak that blocked both cold and heat. 

However, Meia decided not to take out the magic cloak, touched by Theodore’s thoughtful care.

“Thank you, Theo.”

Theodore always prepared what was necessary before she even realized she needed it.

This wasn’t something that could be achieved with mere sense or attentiveness. It required a caring heart that genuinely worried about the other person.

“With the rain falling, just as you said, Theo, the wind does feel colder.”

Hearing her comment about the wind turning colder, Theodore pulled Meia into his arms.

“This will keep you warm.”

As she nestled into Theodore’s embrace, Meia deeply inhaled his rising scent and felt at ease.

She listened to the sound of rain falling on the greenhouse and the earth, along with the rhythm of his heartbeat.

“Mei, are you warm?”

She looked up at him.

“Yes.”

Meia smiled as she returned Theodore’s affectionate gaze.

She could feel both of their cheeks turning red.

‘If we get just a little closer like this…’

It seemed their lips would touch.

The pounding of her heart grew louder, and her emotions intensified.

Who could possibly separate the distance between a man and a woman drawing closer?

The mutual feelings of affection and the awareness of being alone together filled their hearts with sweet anticipation.

Theodore gently caressed Meia’s lips as if he were stroking a flower petal.

Even that alone made Meia feel as though her head, heart, and body had gone numb.

Theodore cautiously held her chin and softly let his breath slip through the gap between her slightly parted lips.

The moist sensation was tender, warm, and utterly delightful.

He meticulously tasted her mouth, exploring and teasing every corner—the underside, the roof, and beyond.

The sound of rain.

The fragrant scent of flowers.

And the kiss.

From deep within her body, an indescribable sensation surged continuously.

“Ha.”

His faintly audible breath tickled her ears.

Theodore pulled his lips away and whispered words of love into her ear, teasing her further.

“Mmph.”

Without realizing it, Meia let out an embarrassed sound, quickly covering her mouth with her hand as she looked at him.

His glossy black hair was disheveled.

His dark eyes, which openly reflected the fervent emotions he couldn’t hide, focused solely on her.

[Love cannot be seen, but it can be felt like the passing wind.]

The phrase she had once read in a book but couldn’t understand finally resonated in her heart.

Though she couldn’t see Theodore’s feelings, she could undoubtedly feel that he loved her.

“Mei?”

Theodore gazed intently at Meia with a beautiful smile.

“Theo, let’s stop now.”

If she stayed in Theodore’s embrace any longer, her head and heart might explode. It wasn’t good for her heart’s health.

Especially when his lips brushed against her ear, it made her unbearably shy.

However, Theodore, unconcerned, closed the distance between their bodies even further, running his hand through his disheveled hair as he spoke.

“Do you prefer it when I’m away? I don’t like being apart.”

Whoever said cats were seductive must have been wrong!

The most seductive thing was a puppy wagging its tail with eyes that seemed oblivious to what seduction even meant.

“Theo, I’m not cold.”

Every time a raindrop fell to the ground, Meia felt as if her heart was falling with it.

Thump, thump.

“But Mei, if we’re apart, your body temperature might drop, so I have no choice but to stay close like this.”

With a lovely smile, Theodore gently took Meia’s left hand in both of his.

“Mei, your hands are getting cold.”

Theodore pressed her hand against his face, softly nuzzling his cheek against it.

“If I do this, your hands will warm up quickly.”

‘Would you still want to be apart after all this?’

His gaze seemed to say so.

Seeing Theodore act so endearingly, Meia couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Yes, you’re right. It’s so warm that I don’t ever want to be apart, Theo.”

More than a puppy just learning to walk, more than a newly hatched chick, more than a leaf swaying in the wind.

He’s even more adorable than a puppy just learning to walk, a newly hatched chick, or a daisy swaying in the breeze.

No matter what he does, she can’t dislike him. He’s so irresistibly lovable that it’s almost unbearable.

She started to understand, both in her mind and heart, what love truly is.