"No, Zera… I love you."
It was as if my ears had finally heard the words they had been longing for.
But I couldn't speak — and neither could Rayan. He simply guided me inside the house and began tending to my wounds. I stayed quiet, my eyes resting on him with a soft, lingering gaze.
I didn't know what to say.
After a moment, Rayan walked to the door, glanced back, and said softly, "Be careful," before leaving.
I couldn't sleep. How could I?
The next morning, the very first thing I wanted was to see him — to talk to him.
And I had a feeling I knew exactly where to find him.
The place where I had taken him for the first time. The place where our friendship had begun.
I left the house, and when I arrived there, I saw… Rayan.
He was already sitting there.
A big smile spread across my face.
One question immediately filled my mind — since when had he been here? The sun had yet to rise… had he been here all night?
I saw his eyes lock on mine and linger there for a moment. A big smile appeared on his face too, and then he started running toward me — faster than the cold morning breeze brushing against my skin.
Without a word, he wrapped his arms around me.
Then, looking straight into my eyes, he asked softly, "Can I take your coming here as the acceptance of my love?"
I said nothing and simply hugged him back. My answer was far too obvious to need words.
After a sweet moment, I asked him in a soft, shy voice, "So… so you really like me… but why am I not compatible for you?"
Rayan smiled and said, "Well, I think I told you about this before."
His drunken scene flashed in my mind, and I couldn't help but laugh. Rayan giggled along with me.
Soon, we were both lying on the soft grass, hand in hand. I asked gently, "Well… so what now? Will we marry?"
He answered without hesitation, "Well, yeah. It's obvious — I want to live with you till the end. This isn't even a question."
I couldn't help but let my insecurities slip out. "So… will your family accept me? Wouldn't it be difficult for you to marry me? You understand, right?"
He looked at me firmly. "It's not my family who wants to marry you — it's me. And don't worry, I'll convince them. Just wait for a surprise marriage proposal."
With a shy smile, I hugged him tightly.
And yeah, about Jon — I haven't heard of him since that day. Maybe he's with the royal guards now, scamming other people too.
From someone else's perspective, nothing seemed to have changed between us. He still came to meet me like before.
But for us… it was different. The waiting became more thrilling. The friendship-like moments transformed into something else — into moments filled with love. Moments that felt like dreams.
I didn't tell anyone about it.
I like to keep things private until they become permanent — and besides, I didn't want Mira to hype me up too much.
The only thing left on my mind was, What comes next for us? Our future!