"Why do you always say, do not break your heart?" Aries asked out of plain curiosity, watching her movements not to step on Abel's feet.
"Because it is fragile."
"Was it?" a short chuckle slipped past her lips. "But am I not handling it with enough care?"
"It's not you, darling. I'm a man who needs constant reassurance inside this weaponized and fashioned cage called fear," he returned. "Perhaps that is my love language."
"A love language?" her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Is there such a thing?"
"There's always been."
Aries laughed, her surrounding was a blur with bright yet pleasing colors.
"Aren't you romantic? Haha. So, your love language... is?"
"Hmm... words of affirmation," he smiled. "Physical touch, too. I love it when you touch me."
"Where?"
"Everywhere." His lips stretched even broader. "And you?"
Aries hummed a long tune, pondering what she liked the most in their relationship. She looked at his dashing face and chuckled.
"A little bit of everything?" she spun ever so slowly before resting her hand on his shoulder again.
"I don't think you know what we are talking about," he said, and she shook her head.
"I think I definitely know." Aries raised her chin, keeping her eyes locked with his as if he was the only person she could see. "But if there's one, perhaps, every time you spare me a time of the day, regardless of how busy you were."
"My unannounced visits?"
"Mhm."
"I thought you hate them."
"Who told you I do?" she giggled playfully, enjoying the slight surprise in his eyes. "They surprise me, but my heart always warms up at the sight of you, especially after not seeing your handsome face for days. It just so happened we were in a position we shouldn't be seen together."
Abel lowered his head to the side of hers, whispering, "we should leave after this dance."
"Where to?" she arched a brow.
"To make out -- in the hallway, perhaps?"
"Oh, Abel." Another wave of laughter slid past her lips, watching him draw his head back. "As far as I know, once we leave the banquet, we'll have to separate for a while."
"Who arranged this schedule?"
"It is the tradition -- your tradition." She slapped his shoulder mildly. "I need to wash up and bathe in a tub full of flowers while you wait for me in your chambers."
Abel frowned as if thinking about what to do.
"I'll help you out." He smiled mischievously after a moment. "We'll do it once before taking a bath, another during, and then after. We can continue it once we're on the bed."
"I am always surprised how quickly you make your plans regarding such matters more than your quick riposte to state affairs."
"I am a man, darling. A healthy young man."
"Is four thousand years of existence young?"
"Hey, you're hurting my feelings, darling." Abel pulled her waist closer while she laughed. "What a cruel woman you are!"
"I'm jesting."
He narrowed his eyes. "You're definitely not."
"You are so dramatic."
"This is why I say my heart is too fragile."
Aries and Abel's smiles and chuckles had been seen throughout the dance. They danced as if there were the only people at the banquet. Nothing mattered. And that somehow reassured the nobles that they had a wonderful relationship.
Although some wondered when would all this lasts since Abel was known to have women like they were accessories. But they didn't entertain such thoughts for now, since the emperor and the empress were still on a honeymoon stage, and the emperor looked so smitten with his bride. They could only hope his feelings could last a bit longer -- at least for a year.
If only they knew the fickle emperor they all knew had only been with one woman since a year ago, and planned to be with her till the end of time.
A round of applause erupted in the air once the third music ended. The emperor still held his empress' hand, looking at the nobles surrounding them. He wanted to dance for more, knowing dancing with her for two consecutive music meant his deep sincerity and adoration for Aries.
However, her feet would suffer if they danced for more. Hence, after the third one, Abel guided Aries back to their golden seats, where they enjoy a couple of wines together.
When the night fell deeper, the empress's people came to fetch her to go bathe while Abel was told to go to their chamber to wait for her. Of course, the two obediently followed their schedule... or Abel was obedient for only several minutes.
But once they left the banquet for the nobles to enjoy the rest of the night, Abel turned in the same direction as her instead of separating in the hallway.
"The servants..." Aries giggled as she played with the waters she was dipped into with Abel. "... nearly had a heart attack. The emperor should wait in our shared room for our first night, but instead followed us."
Abel was tracing kisses on her bare shoulder, hugging her from behind. His hand underneath the water groped her body ever so slowly.
"They should be glad I waited this long." He rested his cheek on her shoulder, eyes on her side profile. "What's the use of waiting for you and spending the night in the same room? Aside from fondling their imagination that we, indeed, did our matrimonial duties? Isn't it better if instead of spending the night in the same room, it should be bathing together? In that case, there's a higher chance that a newly wedded couple would've fulfilled what is there to be fulfilled."
"Not everyone getting married is a willing participant." She cast him a sidelong glance. "Don't even think about changing this practice."
"I'm not. We're already married." His lips stretched. "There's no need for that."
Aries smiled warmly as silence followed the two. She wasn't very sober, but not drunk as well. The wine helped her calm down and granted her a chance to enjoy this grand union, despite her other worries.
Her brows rose and turned to her right, only to see Abel staring at her quietly.
"What?" she asked, and he fluttered his eyelashes ever so tenderly.
"I'm just happy," came out a deep and rasped voice, pulling her body closer to him. "I'm very happy -- as happy as a clam; I feel like my heart will explode."
Her expression softened. "Me too, Abel."
"Stay with me, Aries," he whispered with a tinge of saccharine. "Forever and ever until the end of time. Don't leave me, don't go anywhere out of my line of sight, and just stay where I can reach you. I can never live without you now."
"Why do you always say things like this at the most unexpected time?" she chuckled softly. "But, I promise. Forever and ever until the end of time."
Aries held his gaze silently before lowering her head, claiming his lips, which eventually led to a passionate and wild night.
-- END OF VOLUME 3 --
A/N: There will be bonus chapters for volume 3 that weren't part of the main narration due to many reasons before the prologue of volume 4.
I know volume 3 seemed to be a very weak volume, but the landmines were already planted. Wish our dearest characters won't step foot on them... at least, not that soon.
Visit freewe𝑏n(o)vel.𝑐𝘰𝑚 for the best novel reading experience