So This Is Love

"Have you calmed down?" Asked Astell, who poured water into her cup.

Adriana slowly nodded her head, at the same time feeling embarrassed. She didn't think her tears were going to flow continuously. It was her first time crying in front of someone else aside from Elphina.

Adriana could no longer deny that Astell was her new comfort person. It should not be this way, but somehow things ended this way.

"I was getting worried since you've been asleep for a day," Astell forced a smile, wanting to hide his fatigue from her. But he couldn't fool her. "And I was worried about your body being consumed by dark magic."

Adriana stopped swirling her cup and placed it on the table. She was afraid the glass cup would drop.

"Adriana, would you tell your husband about your magic?" Astell sat beside her and held her hand. "I want to know you more."

"As much as I want. We'll save this for another time," Adriana stood up and pulled Astell to the bed. "For now, we both need rest. And no, I am not dodging your question. You should have a clear mind as you hear it."

Astell listened to her words and could not agree more. She was right. He was exhausted. His mind, to be specific. Now that Adriana had woken up. The weight in his chest lifted. Somehow he felt lucky to have married a woman like her.

The next day came with the news that Adriana was almost asleep for a day. There was another person who had to know what had happened. It was none other than the younger brother, Raven Belladonna.

Raven stormed into their room only to be dumbfounded by what he saw. It felt like a miracle, yet unbelievable. Astell, who was awake, gestured him to keep quiet. While Adriana was sound asleep in his arms.

Astell gently moved Adriana's head and escorted Raven out of the room. They stood in the hallway, and Felix signaled the maids and servants to leave them be.

"Why am I just hearing this just today?" Raven tried keeping his voice as soft as possible.

"Because I just arrived the other day, and it only occurred to me at midnight," answered Raven. "Haven you eaten breakfast?"

"Not yet."

"Great, there's something I need to tell you," Astell with a serious expression, making Raven realize something was up.

After taking their seats, Astell signaled Felix to give Raven a brown envelope. Raven raised his brown while opening it, not until his eyes grew wide. His brow furrowed as he pursed his lips. He let out a single laugh while shaking his head.

"Unbelievable. Without this, I wouldn't have believed you," Raven inserted the pictures back into the envelope and placed them on the table. "I knew he was crazy but didn't know he would go this far. This makes sense on how he keeps getting stronger each day."

"And the way he does are not acts of humans but a monster," added Astell.

"I haven't seen him in a while. Correct me, but he had plans to kill you and almost succeeded. This is why my sister almost died."

"You…you knew?" stuttered Astell.

"Of course. I just pretend not to. Do you want to know something about me?" Raven asked Astell, who did seem to look interested. "If not, you'll keep wondering why my sister is still alive."

"I never said anything."

"I'm just playing around," chuckled Raven. "My mother is a fairy. Which makes me half-human. That means my mother saved Adriana because she knew sisters would end up that way."

"Then that means you possess healing magic?" Assumed Astell but Raven shook his head.

"Since I've trained using black magic since I was younger. The healing magic that used to flow in me is no longer there. If only I had kept it. I would have been able to help my sister."

"That is not your fault," said Astell. "The one you should be blaming is your family."

"You're right," smiled Raven glanced at the hanging clock. He sighed, "Love sure is a wonderful thing. Oh, do me a favor. Don't tell my sister I was here."

Raven snapped his finger and disappeared in thin air. While Astell was impressed by his magic. He thought it would be nice not to need a teleportation scroll and bring it everywhere with him.

"You didn't even take a single bite," chuckled Raven. "If Adriana heard you were skipping your meal, she would scold me."

"Your Grace, the madam has woken up," informed a maid.

"Send her a cup of warm water and tell her I'll be there in a bit."

Astell needed a few more minutes to calm his heart down. Even if he knew her life was in danger. He did not know that she had died once.

It scared him. If Elphina had not stayed with her. She would have been gone forever. Astell clenched his fist, wanting to hit himself. But he learned his lesson. Not to leave her alone anymore. That was a promise he made to his heart.

Meanwhile, in the master's bedroom, Adriana had just woken up from another sleep. She did not expect to fall asleep but managed due to the warmth she was feeling. Adriana was dazed, leaving Joana hanging, who was offering her a cup of warm water.

"Madam?" Called Joana, which snapped Adriana out.

"Oh," exclaimed Adriana as she drank the warm glass of water.

"Do you perhaps still feel unwell? Should I call the doctor or something?" Panicked Joana.

"No, I'm fine. I would say I'm still half-asleep."

"That means you've had a good sleep," interrupted Astell, who sat on the side of the bed.

Joana bowed her head and left the two alone. She did not want to interrupt them and felt like the mood around them had changed.

"Are you hungry? Should I call someone to bring you something to eat?" Astell asked Adriana, who shook her head.

"I'm not hungry," she said while her stomach grumbled.

"Of course you are. After being asleep for the whole day?" Chuckled Adriana, who rang the bell while Felix entered. "Prepare something easy for her stomach."

"What about you?" Adriana asked, hoping for them to eat together.

"I've had breakfast, but I can always have another round."

"Don't force yourself."

"I'm not," smiled Astell. "Anything for you. I'm not forcing myself."

At this point, Adriana had to tell herself to start getting used to his flirty side. It was adorable. Adriana admits it. It did not feel unpleasant or what.

So this is how it feels to fall in love.