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Chapter 284: The Last Step
Aldrian’s gaze met Sylphia’s unwavering eyes, filled with conviction. There was no hesitation, not even the slightest doubt, in those beautiful blue eyes that resembled calm seawater. Without needing to delve into her thoughts or intentions, Aldrian knew that Sylphia’s words reflected her true feelings, with no hint of exaggeration.
His heart beat faster yet grew warmer at the same time. What could he say? This woman had already spoken everything with her courage. The woman he had known for years—the first to make his heart flutter as it did now—had spoken words so wonderful they melted his heart. If he still harbored doubt or hesitation about moving forward to shape his destiny with her, it would be no different from tormenting both their hearts.
He knew her heart, and she had already poured hers out to him. Now, he would do the same—to make her understand that he felt the same way she did.
He gently touched her cheek and leaned closer, his lips moving toward hers. Sylphia seemed to sense what was coming and closed her eyes just before she felt the soft touch of his lips. When their lips finally met, her heart felt as though it might burst from the overwhelming happiness. Warmth spread through her body, and with each passing moment, she could feel Aldrian’s lips pressing more firmly against hers.
She knew this kiss was different from their earlier one, which had been a simple touch without any excessive movement. This time, Aldrian kissed her with his own initiative, and it was more passionate. With each passing second, she could feel his movements growing bolder, and soon, he even began to use his tongue.
Sylphia, fully immersed in the kiss, followed his lead, opening her mouth and meeting his tongue with her own. What followed was a passionate dance of their tongues, each seeking the other’s warmth. By this time, Aldrian had already grasped the back of Sylphia’s head, pulling her closer to him as he greedily sucked on her lips and tongue.
Sylphia, yearning for his love, allowed him to devour her lips and even tried to synchronize her movements with his to make him feel more at ease. Her hands wrapped gently around his neck, holding him in a position that felt natural and comfortable.
The sound of their kisses reflected the depth of their feelings for each other. However, the soft smooching noises gradually shifted the atmosphere from romantic to sensual.
After a few minutes of enjoying and savoring each other’s lips, they parted and gazed into each other’s eyes. Their faces were flushed with shy expressions, yet they continued to look at one another without blinking. What they saw in each other’s eyes was pure affection and love.
Sylphia smiled with contentment and, in a clear and confident voice, said once more,
"I love you."
Aldrian smiled warmly, gently stroking her cheek with tenderness. His face couldn’t hide the emotions he felt at this moment. Hearing words filled with love from someone you also loved brought an indescribable sweetness to his heart.
Although the depth of his feelings for Sylphia wasn’t as intense as hers for him—at least not yet—he knew he had to say it, to affirm that he felt the same way she did.
"I love you too," he said, his voice full of tenderness, a tone that could melt the heart of any woman who heard him. 𝖓𝔬𝔳𝔭𝖚𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Hearing those words come out of Aldrian’s mouth, Sylphia’s smile grew brighter, but then her eyes began to water. Aldrian, seeing this, gently rubbed away the tears with his thumb. With each tear that fell from her eyes, he continued to wipe it away. He pressed his forehead against hers and said to her softly.
"Let’s end it here," Aldrian said softly. "I’m afraid I won’t be able to hold myself back if this continues, and I know you’re ready to give everything to me tonight. But considering your condition right now, I think it’s better if I wait until you’re truly ready to take that last step—the one that will change your entire life."
"Be ready to take that step because it’s truly what you want, , not because you’re rushing, affected by fear from the Envy Devil’s domain. I want you to calm your mind after tonight and not let the fear from then influence you. If, after that, you still want to take that step with me, I will gladly embrace you with all my heart. But know this: after that, you will be tied to me—forever."
Aldrian could feel it himself, and his instincts told him so. If they took the final step in their relationship, with the most intimate physical connection between a couple, it would bind them together for a long, long time—possibly forever. He thought it had to do with his origin and karma. That last step would be what it took to tie their karmas so strongly that it could never be broken.
He wanted Sylphia to be sure, one last time, and not because she was afraid of the aftereffects of the negative emotions from the Envy Devil’s domain. Once she was truly ready, that would be the moment he would "devour" her completely and make her his—completely. From that time on, she could never leave his life, and he would never let her go.
That was also one of his traits, once he built a relationship with someone romantically, he didn’t want to let her go. Once they committed to each other, he would ensure their relationship lasted to the end. His woman couldn’t leave him, and he would never let her go.
Sylphia, still on cloud nine after their kiss, understood what Aldrian meant and agreed with him. Although there was disappointment in her heart, she knew she had to make sure, one last time, that she truly wanted it and not because of the aftereffects of the Envy Devil.
She was thankful to Aldrian for always thinking about the well-being of those close to him—this was a perfect example of that. He didn’t want her to feel regret, but she was confident that even if they took the last step, she would not regret it.
She had already committed to him and was unwavering to the end because it was what her heart told her. However, she decided to follow Aldrian’s suggestion.
"Uhm." She nodded her head.
He kept his smile and instantly moved his right hand to hug her slim waist, drawing her body close to his. Sylphia’s head rested on Aldrian’s left hand, and her head also touched his chest, where she could finally hear his heartbeat. Although he had said all of that, she could hear his heartbeat erratically, showing that he too was hiding his nervousness, shyness and happiness.
She smiled and hugged his body tightly, as if he were the most comfortable pillow. She liked hearing his heartbeat; it was like music to her ears, calming her mind. His fragrance also made her feel like she was home, in the place where she truly belonged.
Aldrian also hugged her with tenderness, kissing her forehead and inhaling her flower-like fragrance, exhaling as if releasing all the negative energy inside him. Her fragrance was refreshing and calming, making him feel as though he wanted to sleep. He closed his eyes to rest, and Sylphia followed suit. They both finally drifted into slumber, their noses inhaling each other’s fragrance as they hugged, seeking each other’s warmth.
Sylphia didn’t know since when, but she suddenly found herself in a vast, beautiful grassland, filled with many kinds of flowers. She sighed, recognizing this as her recurring dream, one that appeared at unclear intervals. The first time she had this dream was not long after Aldrian arrived in the Ivory Empire. She didn’t understand its meaning, and there was nothing to offer a clue about what kind of dream this was.
Inside her dream, she always stood in the same spot, in the middle of the vast grassland, surrounded by many kinds of beautiful flowers. Their fragrance touched her nostrils, making it feel as real as the outside world. Due to its repetition, she had come to know everything about this place. Even if she walked toward the horizon, the vast grassland seemed to stretch endlessly, an unbroken expanse.
As was her habit, she looked around to see if anything caught her attention. However, when she turned her head to look behind her, she was astonished to see something that wasn’t usually there.
There was a giant tree, so tall that its top was out of sight, giving the impression that the tree itself was piercing the heavens. The massive trunk stretched across the horizon, and she could feel that the tree was far away from her.
She was utterly shocked by the appearance of the tree, as it was the first time she had seen something like this in the dream. She looked upwards, trying to catch sight of the top, but it was impossible to see. When she looked back down, she was stunned to find someone standing not far from her.
She couldn’t detect the person’s presence, or perhaps she was just too shocked by the appearance of the tree to notice. The figure stood with her back to Sylphia, facing the tree. Sylphia could tell that the person was a woman with beautiful long hair and pointed ears, characteristic of elves.
Sylphia walked slowly toward her. Not knowing who this woman was, she approached cautiously. When she was quite close, Sylphia finally mustered the courage to ask.
"Excuse me, who are you?"
There was no response from the woman for a few seconds, but then the woman turned her head, facing Sylphia directly.
Sylphia was stunned as their eyes finally met, unable to look away from the woman’s face.
