Chapter Nineteen - Around the campfire

„What did you talk to Aprudeé about?" Eiran asked sitting around the fire after the kids had gone to bed. „She seemed kind of giddy." Talking about our love life was probably exciting for her.

I cherished the moment. It was a pleasant night with a soft breeze, the fire warmed my body and the dinner was delicious. But the one thing that made everything wonderful was that he was by my side. I tried to enjoy the moment, but at the same time I felt guilty, considering my father's condition. Still, knowing him, he wouldn't want to cast a shadow over my every moment.

We will reach their home tomorrow and Eiran has already sent a letter to his younger brother explaining my situation. He said the reply would probably be waiting for us in their mansion. His brother can't leave the academy, but he can meet us somewhere. I was full of hope again, but I was scared it would shatter this time too. I sighed. I just want to be happy with my family and Eiran.

„Lirietta." He waved in front of me and I came to my senses.

„Sorry, I got a little lost in my mind. What did we talk about?" I considered for a moment what to answer. „I only asked her plans for the future. Why she wants the inherit the title and such things."

„We could offer plenty of money to buy that damn house. We don't go home to that place, but to her."

„So you knew her reasons." I raised an eyebrow.

„Of course, I know. I don't want to tell her how to live her life, but I don't want her to take on any burden either."

„What seems like a burden to you is not necessarily a burden to others." I pointed it out. „I think she chose something that will make her happy. And if not, she can change her life around any time. You and your brother will be there for her. And Ryenne too."

„Yes, I understand it in my head but I can't stop worrying." He sighed.

„About Ryenne?" He's always been the overprotective type.

„Anything but Ryenne. He protected my sister from serious harm when they were captured. The bond between them is something strong and special. He is a good kid and I'm glad she had a friend like him." Maybe I will be more open-minded in this world too. In our previous life, he couldn't stand boys around his sisters.

„And…„ I hesitated on purpose. „We talked about marriage." It wasn't a lie.

„Marriage?" He almost jumped, but stopped himself in time. „Did she say she wanted to marry Ryenne?" He lowered his voice.

„Would you object?" My lips trembled from holding back my smile.

„Yes, I would. She is too young but… If she says this when she is already, say, 25 years old, then I would accept it." I think it's a bit much to wait for that age, but I didn't say anything. Perhaps she didn't even want to get married in the future. It's up to her.

„Well, she actually suggested that I should marry you." He looked at me in shock then awkwardly began to scratch his neck.

„Yes, I would like that." He sheepishly looked away. I've always found it interesting how honest he could be about his feelings without bathing an eye, and yet he became so embarrassed when confronted with my sincere feelings. „I wanted to ask you to be my girlfriend again, but I felt the timing wasn't right."

„Ask me again?" I felt my face quiver in my confusion.

„It's okay if you don't want to." He already gave me a way out. „It's fine if you need time to think about it." Huh.

„You…" I have no room to talk about stupidity.

I was an idiot too. He and I met in elementary school after his family moved into our neighbourhood and we became fast friends. We spent a lot of time together and being with him felt so natural. But when he asked me out at the tender age of 14, I thought he lost a bet or something and he was just joking. So I said yes just to move on with it. In my defence, we were teased a lot about our close relationship and he always denied having feelings for me. I wonder if that could be why he became so frank about them later. To avoid further misunderstanding?

Anyway, I dated this guy for 2 years without knowing it. I still feel very ashamed. When I was 16, a guy asked me if I were seeing someone, and after I said no, he confronted me about why I was hiding our relationship. I just stared at him blankly, what is he talking about? We found out what happened and he confessed to me and asked me out again. Seeing his serious gaze and trembling hands, I realized that I loved him and I couldn't even understand why I didn't notice it sooner. Everything felt so natural and right with him.

However, this always made it difficult to tell people when we started dating. We usually gave a vague answer because we didn't want to share what actually happened with anyone.

„Eiran." I gazed at him earnestly and reached out for his hands. „I've always regretted not responding when you asked me to live with you during our college years. I wanted to make up for my previous stupidity and set the mood to tell you I want to live with you not just for a few years, but until I die. My feelings haven't changed since then."

Suddenly I was engulfed in his embrace.

„It's okay. I am just happy to finally hear these words after almost 20 years." He buried his face in my hair and inhaled deeply.

„I can hear some resentment in your voice." I teased him.

„You're just imagining it." His hugh tightened. 

„I know you well enough to know your tone."

„The only thing I ever lamented was not being able to spend a lifetime with you. It's the only thing I have ever wanted."

„Don't be silly." I stroked his hair. „There were a lot of things you wanted to do. You wanted your siblings to be independent and take care of themselves, you wanted to have fun university years, a good, well-paying job and…"

„Enough." He shushed me gently. „Yeah, I wanted them, but I wanted to achieve everything with you."

„And what do you want to do now?" I needed to know in order to arrange our life. I wanted to spend my life with my family but there was nothing else.

„After healing your father I want to marry you." Damn this guy. I moved away from him a bit to look at his face, but it was the middle of the night so it was hard to see his expression clearly, still I was sure he wasn't joking.

„Uhm… there are some problems." I hesitated. „I am only 15 years old here."

„Then after you become legally an adult." Heh. I guess I have 3 years.

„My father thinks I will never get married," I said as fast as possible and I felt him freeze.

„And why does he think so?" His words were spoken slowly and with emphasis.

„Because I didn't plan on ever getting married. Because I thought you didn't exist in this world."

„And he took you seriously?" I just nodded and heard him sigh.

Actually, my father was happy with my decision so I had no idea how he would react, but my mother always said I would change my mind when I meet the right person, so I think she will assist me. And Rihian… I don't think love and marriage ever crossed his mind so who knows?

„Sorry," I murmured and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

„It's okay. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. But now…" He changed our positions, so the next moment I found myself lying next to him, the cloks covering us. Our bodies did not touch anywhere, but there was hardly any distance between us. „Let's just sleep. Good night, Lirietta."

„Good night, my love." It was a shame I couldn't see his blushing face in the dark, but I fell asleep with a satisfied smile on my face.