Chapter 207:
This Time, I Won’t Let Anybody…
SLOWLY, THEIR BODIES CAME to a comfortable temperature, and they weren’t cold anymore.
“Vio… Do you want to stay up here longer? If so, I can get us drinks and cushions to sit on.”
“Thanks, but I’d like to keep sitting as we are for now.”
“Really…? Aren’t you uncomfortable?”
“Aren’t your legs uncomfortable, Yulan?”
“Aw, I’m fine,” he chuckled.
Yulan should have been aching from the way his body had contorted into a crouch. Yet he kept his lips close to Violette’s ear, as if telling her his deepest secrets, as he reveled in the little world wrapped up in their blanket.
All her life, Violette had taken comfort in his kindness. Whenever she needed him, he was there for her, until before she knew it, he’d taken her far away from all harm. Unaware of his protective presence all that time, she’d given up on everything, almost leaving it behind. And she kept leaving him behind. This sweet boy.
“Do you like this attic?” he asked.
“I do… I can see the stars, and it’s lovely.”
“Then why don’t we fix it up too? It should have a couch and a light.”
“No… Keep this spot as it is.”
“Huh? But—”
“I like it this way… Just like this.”
Twining her arm though his, she rested her head on his shoulder, then reached out and touched his big hand. She pressed herself so close to him that nobody could ever come between them—they were together.
“I love you so much…”
Voicing the words for the first time, she learned just how sweet they sounded. Her mouth and head both filled with sweet syrup, threatening to spill over. Yet it wasn’t enough. Her heart screamed for more.
Oh, my sweet Yulan… He loved me… He continues to love me… And he gives me joy. He’s my treasure.
She searched her mind for a way to repay all the blessings he’d given her.
“There just aren’t enough words… That’s how much I love you.”
Shooting stars twinkled and fell from the eyes gold as the moon. As Violette’s fingertips caught the stars, more fell, one by one. Before she could contain them all, Yulan’s large hand clasped hers. With reckless abandon, he pulled it until their two silhouettes were one.
✦ ✦ ✦
Their first kiss under the stars had the subtle but sweet taste of tears. Then Yulan’s slightly rough lips parted from hers, leaving behind a trickling tear that wasn’t her own on her cheek. His golden eyes, sparkling with tears, were far more beautiful than the moon shining in the night sky above. As his shoulders shook with sobs, he looked pitiful—and unfathomably dear.
“I know why you were born,” Violette told him. “To make me happy.”
He’d lived his life abandoned by everyone and abandoning everyone in turn. It was a reality he’d resigned himself to so intractably that there was no room for tears anymore. But everything would be all right now. It didn’t matter who’d birthed him or why, nor why they’d abandoned him. Those questions no longer needed to take up space in his mind.
“Oh…Vio…” he whimpered.
“Oh dear. Your eyes are melting.”
Forgetting to hide his runny nose, Yulan hugged Violette tighter, refusing to let her go. They sat under the same blanket, noses almost touching, as they listened to each other’s breath and heartbeats. It was as if the pair had become one being.
Violette giggled.
“Don’t laugh at me,” Yulan whined.
“Sorry. You’re just so cute.”
“Urgh…”
The palm of her hand cupped his cheek, which was cold from his tears. His eyes and cheeks were bright red too. He was sure to look a fright the next day. Just the thought made Violette giggle against her will.
“You know what else, Yulan? I was born to make you happy too.”
I was born for you.
Violette’s reason for living was Yulan, and his reason for living was Violette. He’d put his life on the line to save hers, so now Violette needed to make the same commitment to him.
To his faceless mother, to our king, and to any other wrongdoer who hurts Yulan—be warned of my hate, my resentment, my lust for blood. I bundle them all into this declaration of war.
“I won’t take the wrong path ever again… This time around, I won’t make any mistakes. This time, I won’t let anybody…”
Our love…our happiness…I won’t let anybody stand in the way of them.