Chapter - 39 : Love you, Lotuscrest Rosalind Viviana

(Continuation…)

(Third Person View)

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"HHmm…

"Then just brace yourself and listen to what I am saying."(Rai)

Mustering every ounce of his courage, Rai warned, his voice carrying a hint of determination.

He decided to take the big step and express his feelings…

But then, in his head, came a bunch of questions like–

-Where should I start?

-How should I start?

After a moment of contemplation, he opted to let his emotions guide him.

"You know, I used to have this idea of marrying a 'normal' woman, going along with the routine and easy to handle.

"However, in NO way, speaking, you are the 'normal' girl."(Rai)

Rai, without any knowledge, said something one shouldn't say to the same girl to whom he was about to confess his feelings.

This misstep was a result of his lack of experience in matters of love and relationships.

The first slip-up was to outright call her 'not normal'.

And the second one…

He was still blissfully ignorant without even realizing yet.

However, that didn't prevent him from experiencing the consequences of his blunders.

–slap!

Then, as a normal reaction, came a slap to Rai's hand.

Whether it was for his first blunder or the second.

"Ah! Hahaa, listen, will you?"(Rai)

Rai hurriedly interjected, his words a mix of humor and urgency, an attempt to regain her attention

[Oops! She is annoyed…

[For what, though?

[...Is it because I said she isn't normal?

–When realization hit, Rai's mind wandered in agitation as he concluded how insensitive he was and indirectly stated she wasn't his type.

[F*ck you forever single 'Rohith'-

[...and also f*ck you Rai, for not getting something like 'Relationship' [Y.Exp] System.](Rai)

–Then those thoughts shifted into curses about his past life and his present self clumsiness.

He was really convinced that he had messed up badly.

Or so he thought…

"No Rai. Don't overthink it."(Rosalind)

And as if reading his almost chaotic mind, she warned him not to think about it.

[Yeah, yeah, Madam.](Rai)

Rai retorted within his mind, mustering an imitation of resignation.

Gathering his resolve once more, he continued–

"At one point in my life, I even thought I would never be able to fulfill that wish."(Rai)

His voice wavered slightly, and his words hung heavy with the memory of another world and the moments before he had met his end.

But, no matter what one couldn't find any coherence in what he was talking about and Rosalind was no exception.

"...Umm."(Rosalind)

However, though she couldn't exactly understand what it was, she intuitively nodded her head in reassurance, simply feeling the weight behind his words.

"...Nonetheless, here I am, with someone who is more special than I ever imagined.

-Rai's voice grew softer, laden with a weight that words alone couldn't convey.

"Though you are not exactly the 'norm–

–A quick, instinctive pinch to his hand silenced his words.

"-*Ouch!..."(Rai)

Rai winced in slight pain caught off guard by the sudden sensation.

"Alright, alright.

–He agreed, sensing the unspoken message.

"Guess we shouldn't stress about 'minor' things too much, right?"(Rai)

"*nod."(Rosalind)

An instant nod from Rosalind, an immediate agreement.

"*chuckle~

–A soft chuckle escaped Rai as he continued his narration.

"Anyway, what's the moral of the story is–

"You are too good for an infamous good for nothing like me, Vivi."(Rai)

[No, you are not.](Rosalind)

Rosalind's inner voice chimed in, though she refrained from saying it out loud.

Rai pushed on, resolute in his course–

"So what I'm asking is, despite knowing all this-

"Why did I fall for you?

"-A not so super normal girl-"(Rai)

He ended with a question that had echoed within him, laced with wonder and introspection.

[There you have it. I finally said it.

[No turning back now, I guess.](Rai)

A deep breath, few steady resolve of thoughts, and he closed his eyes, awaiting her response.

In the moments that followed, the room seemed to hold its breath alongside them.

Rosalind who heard Rai's words loud and clear in her mind, short circuited with an overload from the flood of emotions in mind.

Her face turned completely red, almost matching her red hair.

If before she was embarrassed by Rai's sudden moves on her, then now she doesn't know how to describe her current state of being.

Everything was happening too fast for her…

Before she comprehended one thing, Rai came up with something entirely different to startle her even more than the initial one.

Like a small gesture of wanting to make Rai part of her House and to a sudden confession that had taken her by surprise.

As a rampage of emotions was going on in Rosalind's head.

Rai wasn't idle either.

He was seriously debating with himself over them as if they were million-dollar questions–

[Would I get another pinch to my hands?

[Or a slap again, going back to the beginning?](Rai)

All this was not for the sake of it.

It was so that he could distract himself, even if it was just for a second or even less.

But this failed miserably, as he didn't get any reply.

.

One second passed.

.

Two seconds passed.

.

As the time ticked by, so did his heart rate.

[Agha, this is killing me.](Rai)

Finally not wanting to wait any longer because if he did, he really thought his heart might really explode.

"If you're not getting what I am saying properly.

–Rai decided to say his feelings about her again, but this time more clearly without beating around the bush like before.

"I will say it again."(Rai)

...

He took a deliberate pause, a moment to let his words linger.

"I really, really, really–

"Love you, Lotuscrest Rosalind Viviana."(Rai)

And then, he let it all out, the words he had carried in his heart, the emotions that had fueled his every interaction with her.

[That's it, I finally said it.

[Hum…?

[I suddenly feel relieved.

[and...weird too?](Rai)

An inexplicable sense of relief swept over him, but he brushed it aside, choosing to focus on what came next–

"I know it's sudden."

-He continued, his words rushed but sincere.

"I am not trying to corner you or anything.

"Honestly, I didn't plan on saying it so soon.

"But, well, a certain someone has to say these cheesy lines, right?"(Rai)

Rai added, playfully implying, as if it was all her fault for making him confess early.

With that, he took a step back, gently creating a bit of distance between them.

Gradually, he retreated, putting some space between them, as if crafting a tangible divide.

Just as Rosalind might have assumed their conversation was concluding, he caught her off guard.

–Ssqqqqeakkk!

In a graceful move, he swiveled her chair around, leaving her facing him as he stepped away.

"Oh yeah, there's one more thing I want to share."(Rai)

–Rai interjected, bedding himself and bringing his face once again close to her, giving her no opportunity to react or express her shock.

"Starting now-

"...I won't hold back anymore."(Rai)

His declaration hung in the air, hinting at an unfiltered and genuine connection in their future interactions.

Facing each other, the tension between them was palpable yet softened by the air of honesty that now enveloped their conversation.

As her gaze met Rai's, she saw a reflection of her own emotions reflected back at her.

Without warning, Rai's hand extended slowly towards Rosalind's face, his movement deliberate and controlled.

"Consider this my way of showing…"(Rai)

He whispered, his fingers grazing over her forehead gently as he patted her head.

Then suddenly he planted his lips as a small peck in her forehead.

A simple, playful Kiss.

The unexpected gesture left her momentarily speechless, her surprise giving way to a blush that rivaled the hue of her fiery hair.

It was a playful yet intimate touch, a testament to the complex and evolving dynamic between them.

Rosalind found herself at a loss for words, her heart racing in her chest.

The whirlwind of emotions continued to rage within her, a storm of feelings that she was only just beginning to understand.

"Well, I guess this will have to do.

"...for now."(Rai)

Rai concluded as he finally stepped back, his words barely registering with Rosalind.

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(Chapter END)

(To be continued…)

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