Chapter 18: Epilogue
WINTER had arrived in full force. I remember wondering to myself back in autumn how the weather could possibly get any colder. What a fool I was.
Ray was right. I was clearly not cut out for Vaxwald winters. Fortunately, having a fireplace made life bearable...as long as I didn’t go outside more than was absolutely necessary.
I’d been meaning to scope out a potential location for my future shop, but I knew Ray would yell at me if I tried to go into town by myself, so I decided that it would have to wait. This loss of independence grated on me, but I had no choice. I couldn’t very well put myself in danger, after all.
Thankfully, I had a formidable roster of allies on my side: thick blankets, fur coats, gloves, winter hats, scarves, boots, cold-resistant dresses and singlets, and much, much more—all gifts from Ray.
I was walking down the castle corridor wearing a thick shawl when I heard him call out to me. “Mayna!”
(Fun fact: He bought me this shawl, too. Not that I asked him to, but since he wanted me to have it, I figured I may as well use it.)
“Hi, Ray. Is your shift over already?”
“Yeah, I’m done for the day. What about you?”
“Her Highness said she’d have Rebecca do her bedtime braids, so I’m free for the rest of the day. Maybe the Prince told her you were getting off work early. Either way, it was a kind gesture.”
As I spoke, Ray gazed at me, smiling softly. He seemed to radiate love from every inch of his body. Nothing out of the ordinary for him these days, of course. We saw each other multiple times a day, and yet he always looked at me like I’m his favorite thing in the world. It made me blush.
“Sounds like we get to go home and eat dinner together.” He stroked my hair affectionately.
I was now living at his family estate. Ray claimed it’s only proper, seeing as we’ll be husband and wife someday, but I suspect he’s just afraid I might freeze to death in my bed if I stayed in the castle.
No longer was he assigned to guard Princess Patricia; he’d gone back to serving as bodyguard for Prince Dario. That said, because he sometimes got assigned to the nightshift, his work hours were always a mixed bag, and we seldom went to work or home at the same time.
Fortunately, Ray’s family sent a carriage for me whenever I needed to travel by myself, so I wouldn’t be freezing to death on the side of the road anytime soon. Personally, I felt bad for imposing on them so much, but they had already remodeled the carriage interior with fur for added cold resistance, so at this point I’d feel worse saying no.
“Your hair’s getting longer,” Ray commented, wrapping an arm around me and planting a kiss on my forehead. Once he admitted that I was his Bondmate, he became much more openly affectionate; it’s something I’ve had to get used to (because I’ve learned I can’t fight him on it).
“Do you prefer it long? Should I keep growing it out?”
“I like your hair at all lengths. Right now, I think it looks best just the way it is...and whether you grow it out or cut it shorter, I’m sure I’ll say the same thing. Trust me, I’m not the person you want to ask those sorts of questions. Same with clothes.”
“Tell me about it.” Seriously, he was no help at all...but then again, I liked hearing that I’m fine the way I am.
He took my left hand in his. The wound had healed, but in its place it had left a scar. “Are you cold? Your fingers feel a bit chilly.”
“Freezing, actually. They really ought to install torches in the halls. I’m fine, though. It won’t kill me.”
“Are you sure? You look miserable.” He paused to kiss my scar, then continued, “Maybe you need to wear more layers. I’m told it’s normal to wear multiple singlets at a time.”
“Any more layers and I won’t be able to extend my arms! Plus, I’ll look fat!”
“So what if you look fat? I don’t care at all.” He paused for a moment...and his expression turned severe. “Or are you trying to look good for someone in particular? Another man?”
“No, of course not!” I replied hastily. Unfortunately, this apparently struck Ray as suspicious, and he narrowed his eyes at me. The silence was so oppressive, I couldn’t take it. “I’m serious! I’m not lying to you!”
Unfortunately, the more I said, the faker I sounded.
“If you were to fall in love with someone else, I suppose I ought to support it,” he mused, my hand still in his. “I couldn’t very well call you my Bondmate if I didn’t put your happiness first.”
“I’m telling you, there isn’t another man!”
“The problem is, I just don’t think I could. Maybe if he proved he could love you and care for you better than I could—but I’m confident no one can.”
“Full of yourself as always,” I teased. He grinned.
“I’m your Bondmate, after all—the only one you’re ever going to get. And no one could possibly love you more than your Bondmate.”
He pulled me into his arms. Is he afraid that he’ll die if he isn’t touching some part of me at all times? Not that I was opposed to it, of course.
“Tell me you love me.”
“What?” For a moment, I failed to process this. It was just such a lovesick teenager thing to say.
Embarrassed, Ray buried his face in my shoulder. “I’m scared that I’m being too forward with you. First I told you that I want to marry you someday, then I made you move to my family’s estate... You didn’t really get the opportunity to decide for yourself. Not that I wanted you to say no, of course, but...I can’t help but worry that you don’t love me the way I love you.”
“You’re actually worried about that?” I murmured, slightly taken aback.
Then again...thinking back, I couldn’t recall having ever told him how I felt. Any time he told me he loved me, I would always just thank him and leave it at that.
I stepped out of his embrace and looked him in the eyes.
“Contrary to what others may think, I wouldn’t date someone I wasn’t interested in, much less move into their parents’ house. I have feelings for you, so I’ve made you part of my life. I love your sweet side—your borderline paranoia over me, your enthusiasm about my dreams, even your smile. I love your soft, warm smile, and I love the playful, mischievous smile you wear whenever you tease me. Oh, and I love your dragon form, too. It’s actually kind of cute.”
Grinning, I reached up and caressed his blond hair.
“Plus, I love your hair. It’s got such a lovely warm golden color to it...but most of all, it’s so nice and soft! Very fine and silky. Turns out I like to touch your hair just as much as you like to touch mine.”
At this point, Ray was starting to turn red. I lowered my hand.
“I’m in love with you, Ray. Madly in love with you. I’m glad I got to spend time with you here in Vaxwald and discover all your good points.” I paused. “Wow, you’re really blushing.”
“And whose fault is that?!”
“You’re the one who told me to tell you I love you!”
He seemed embarrassed and happy and touched, all at the same time.
“I admit, I wasn’t always glad you came to Vaxwald, but I am now. Back in Myulan it was essentially love at first sight, but your strong-willed passion for your work made me fall for you all over again. My love grows deeper with every new thing I learn about you.” He paused to look away shyly. “Quit staring at me, would you?”
“Sorry, it’s just... I’ve never seen you blush before!”
“In that case, I think it’s time I got even.”
Putting a hand over my eyes, he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. After a lengthy exchange, sure enough, I was left blushing even harder.