I lowered my head and played with my fingers coyly. I wanted to say something to ease the embarrassment, but I was at a loss for words.
Rufus stood up and walked to another room. I also got up hurriedly.
“Rufus, what are you doing? You’ve just recovered, so you need more rest.”
Rufus turned on the lights. It was only then that I clearly saw the situation in this room. It was a large study, with a huge chandelier hanging high. The floor was messy, and many books and glass fragments were scattered everywhere.
I bent over and picked up the books one by one.
Rufus soon came back with a first-aid kit. He looked down at my feet and frowned. “Don’t move.”
I stood rooted to the spot with the books in my hands. “What’s wrong?”
Rufus put down the first-aid kit, walked over to me quickly, and picked me up. “There are broken glasses on the floor.”
I was too shy to say anything. I froze in his arms like a fool. He was so gentle that I couldn’t resist.
Rufus put me down on the sofa and held my wrist.
“It’s just a small wound and has already healed,” I murmured shyly but still obediently cooperated with him.
Rufus dipped the cotton swab into the bottle of potion and applied it gently to my hand. “Is this a small wound to you? It cut almost to the bone. If you do this again, there will be consequences,” he said discontentedly and gave me a disgruntled look.
“It’s all because you refused to cooperate,” I said, pouting. I was more dissatisfied than him. “And you know that today is full moon, but you didn’t remind me. I’ve totally forgotten about it.”
Rufus coughed lightly but continued applying medicine to my wound. “I was afraid of scaring you.”
“You actually scared me more when you didn’t tell me. And besides, you brought me back here with you because of your curse, right?” The more I thought about it, the angrier I became. “If I didn’t come here today, you would have died in pain. Do you think what you did was right? You took me all the way to the capital city to help you. But when you were attacked by the curse, you hid in the room alone and suffered by yourself. So what’s the point of bringing me back here?”
“I brought you back here with me only because…” Rufus said softly. Then he put down my hand and cupped my face. He looked at me with deep eyes full of affection and continued, “I want you by my side.”
Sylvia’s POV
“What did you say?” I stared at Rufus in a daze. For a moment, I wondered if I had misheard him.
“I said I just want you by my side,” Rufus repeated. His voice was loud and clear. His every word and syllable seemed to mess my mind.
“What… what do you mean? Don’t say such misleading things.” I lowered my head and didn’t dare to look at him again. I trailed my fingers across the gauze on my wrist, not knowing what to say. He had bandaged my wound, leaving a cute bowknot on it. I couldn’t help but smile at how adorable it looked.
“Look at me, Sylvia.” Rufus hooked his finger under my chin and lifted my face, making me look at him. “I like you.” I could see the passion burning in his eyes.
My mouth popped open in shock. His sudden confession startled me. Countless fireworks seemed to explode in my mind.
“I know how terrified you’d be to hear this, but I still want to tell you what I honestly feel about you. I’m afraid that if I don’t openly admit my feelings, you might leave me for good.” Rufus sounded a little aggrieved; the eagerness in his eyes softened my heart.
“Well, then tell me,” I said in a hoarse voice. My heart was racing in my chest. It felt as if my soul were floating in the air. I was flying in the clouds.
“I know what you are worried about. I don’t care about social status or other problems. Nothing can stop me from liking you. If you really care that much, know that I was destined to fall in love with you. I can’t escape from my fate and I don’t want to,” Rufus said firmly, gently smoothing my brows with his fingers.
“But I’m just a slave.” A lump formed in my throat as I stifled my sobs. Not even in my dreams did I think the man I had a crush on would reciprocate my feelings one day. It felt surreal. The secular vision always overpowers sentimental affections. The cold and ruthless hierarchy would never let anyone break the convention. And that was the source of my fear.
“You are who you are. Don’t judge the value of your existence by the identity society imposes on you. Only you have control over your own life – don’t give that right to anyone else. People have the tendency to label others. But remember that can change with time.” Rufus frowned and pulled me closer to him. He went down on one knee, looking like a loyal knight. “With my support, you can live a carefree life, Sylvia.”
I looked at him, tears brimming in my eyes. His every word moved me, shaking my very core. “I’m willing to accompany you all your life to help you get through the curse, even if I don’t get to be your mate.”
Rufus’ face darkened. “The reason I brought you back has nothing to do with the curse. I want you to listen to your heart and understand what I feel for you. Your decision is important to me. If you don’t like me, we can part ways.”
Rufus looked into my eyes as if penetrating the depths of my soul, and at that moment, he became the unattainable prince again. “But don’t worry. You can continue to study in the military school. As for your mother’s case, now that I have promised you, I will continue investigating it – I won’t go back on my word. But don’t worry; that doesn’t mean we have to be associated with each other in any way.”
“Rufus, please don’t…” My stomach began to churn. The sudden change in his demeanor frightened me.
“Sylvia, we don’t have to see each other anymore if that’s what you want,” Rufus said coldly. “You have the right to make a choice. No matter what your decision is, I will accept it.”
My breathing faltered; my heart clenched, and I couldn’t bring myself to utter a word. He was going to sever all ties with me, assuming that I didn’t like him.
Tears finally rolled down my cheeks.
“Sylvia, you like Rufus so much. Why don’t you admit the truth to him?” Yana tried to persuade me. . I lowered my head and cried silently. I couldn’t imagine living a life without Rufus. My life would have no meaning if he disappeared from it.
“Rufus.” My voice was barely above a whisper. Although Rufus didn’t respond, I knew he was listening to me. I gulped and finally summoned the courage to like him in the eye. “I like you, Rufus. I like you very much. I have always wanted to be with you.”
Sylvia’s POV
Now that I had spilled my heart out, it felt as if a weight was lifted off my chest. However, my heart beat faster because I was eager to find his response. Rufus continued to look at me.
“You don’t have to lie to make me feel better.” Rufus’ eyes were cold. It looked like he wanted to leave. I knew he didn’t believe me.
I was so anxious that I stood up and grabbed his sleeve. “It’s true. I’m not lying. It’s the truth. I like you. I can’t live without you, Rufus!”
“Then why did you reject me when I tried approaching you?” Rufus asked coldly. The complicated emotions in his eyes confused me. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“That was because I was afraid I didn’t deserve you.” I looked at him helplessly and grabbed his sleeve. I was afraid that he would leave as soon as I released my grip. “You are too perfect and I’m just a slave.”
Tears trickled down my cheeks again. His indifference frightened me.
“I know I was wrong. I will be honest with you and myself. I will tell you everything frankly from now on without overanalyzing things.” I hitched with sobs because I couldn’t control myself anymore. An indescribable sadness surged up in my heart. I couldn’t bear to even think about losing Rufus.
Rufus grabbed my wrist, trying to unclasp my fingers that were clutching his sleeve. But I got more emotional and cried, “Don’t leave!”
I stubbornly pulled his sleeve, refusing to let him go.
Rufus closed his eyes and sighed. “I’m not leaving.”
Then, he pulled me into his arms. “I love you, Sylvia. How will I ever leave you? You have no idea how happy I am after hearing your confession. I have never been this happy before.”
I looked up at him, my eyes widening in surprise. “Weren’t you going to leave now?”
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