Abella fiddled with the red dress she was wearing for today. She looked like a coveted rose blooming in a purple feast. It was the dress she requested specifically to match Cade’s red eyes.

“I have something to say, so I called you, Cade.”

Abella agreed to pretend Cade didn’t know. Because she didn’t want to ruin his excitement and her expectations. Abella held out her hand to Cade.

“Something you want to say?”

Cade laid his own hand on Abella’s hand. He was going to pretend he didn’t know until the end, but when he saw Abella trembling, he also trembled unknowingly. Cade took a deep breath and tightened his hand that was holding Abella’s hand.

His red eyes darkened.

Abella slowly sank on her knees in front of Cade.

She had always been receiving from Cade. Abella didn’t know why she took it for granted. Cade was just doing his best for Abella. He was also young and only a human. He was definitely not someone Abella could lean on all the time.

Abella pressed her lips deep into the back of Cade’s hand.

A warmth radiated from the burning hand. It seems to leave a fire mark on her lips.

‘Cade is nervous too.’

Abella lifted her head and blinked at Cade’s taut chin.

“Cade, you said. When the day comes when we can be blessed, let’s get married.”

That’s what Cade said to Abella in the not-too-distant past. Cade whispered to Abella an eternal bond over the downfall of the temple and the restoration of Skellus.

“Remember?”

“How can I not remember? I was looking forward to that day.” Cade answered Abella’s question.

“And I made up my mind that day. If that day comes, I’ll propose to you first. I’ve only been taking from you, Cade. So I wanted to do something for you too.”

“I…….”

Before Cade could speak, she put the ring on his finger. It was a ring that was warmed by her body temperature. A small lump of carbon that lit up the summer night with a dazzling light settled on Cade’s fourth finger.

“I’ll say it first, Cade.”

Abella spoke firmly, and she kissed Cade’s fingertips.

“Let’s get married. We are really getting married.”

Abella muttered, struggling to hide her tears. Cade seemed to have pushed the flooding past that she didn’t even remember. All of the feelings permeated her. This time she was able to achieve a result she had never achieved before.

“Abella…….” Cade called her in a repressed voice.

“I will make you happy for the rest of your life. You’re the emperor and you have everything, so there’s not much I can promise you. But, Cade. I will do my best for your happiness.”

“…….”

“I will always be with you wherever you go. I promise I won’t leave you alone. Even if death separates us, my heart will always be by your side.”

The wind blew through the open window.

The gentle scent of jasmine swept over them. It was kind of a dreamy night. Abella’s eyelids trembled.

“So let’s get married, Cade. We will be one forever.”

However, there was no reply even after waiting for a long time. Abella raised her head.

“Are you crying? Wait, Cade. why are you crying!”

Abella burst out laughing. Even the tension was shattered. Abella hugged Cade like a child.

“I have to keep this a secret. The Emperor of the Empire is in tears!”

“It’s because of you…….”

Cade muttered in a hoarse voice to his nose and face buried in Abella’s shoulder.

“So you’re not getting married?”

“I am!” Cade answered as if never to think about anything else.

*

Cade and Abella’s wedding was a grandiose ceremony. The wedding hall was full of people blessing the two. This time no one was against Abella.

Just as Abella and Cade wished.

“Are you happy?”

“Yes.”

At Abella’s question, Cade smiled with a face blooming like a flower. She was now able to answer that she was happy without hesitation. Abella’s choice, as she turned time around, was right.

Everyone was smiling at Abella’s choice.

Her shortened life was not wasted in the slightest.

A total of 20 years’ worth of her life had been taken away, so Abella didn’t know how much time she had left now. Abella decided to live for Cade, even for the rest of her life, that she would do her best for him.

“Let’s have a baby, Cade. Let’s have just three children who look like us.”

They would be the pillars holding Cade up even after Abella left. Cade was a kind hearted person and he would fall in love with the kids. With that affection, Cade would live in the world Abella left and he would come to her side in a very distant future.