I transmigrated and got a husband and a son!
Chapter 745: So, this is love?

Chapter 745: So, this is love?

"Let’s get married."

Hera’s reaction to Dragon’s sudden invitation was nothing. Her expression remained unchanged as she looked him straight in the eye.

"Let’s get married," Dragon repeated in a much calmer and composed tone. "I like you, Hera, and I know you’ve always been aware of my feelings for you. So... let’s get married."

"We’re not even in a relationship, and yet, you’re asking me to marry you?" Hera blinked, more puzzled by the fact that he had skipped several steps in this process. "Although I admired the courage you put into putting your heart in here, I’m more puzzled by the fact you’re convinced this will work. Moreover, shouldn’t you ask me to be your lover first?"

"Hera."

"You are smart, Frank. You should have gotten the hint when I was doing my best to act oblivious. But obviously, you are determined this time," she began as she reached for a glass of wine, twirling it, and sniffing its aroma. She took a meticulous sip, savoring the taste of wine in her mouth before placing the glass down.

When she turned her gaze back to him, her initially oblivious expression turned sharp. "Question, Frank. What makes you think I will agree?"

"Why would you refuse?"

"I was expecting an answer, Frank, not another question," she remarked, the tension in the air thickening. "Are you going to make me repeat myself?"

His lips parted slightly, but his voice didn’t come out. Dragon shook his head mildly as he sighed.

"You don’t have any reason to refuse a marriage proposal," he answered quietly after a moment. "I’ve liked you since the moment I met you on that island, and my feelings for you have only grown over the years. You and I are already at a stage where we can get married and have children."

He took a momentary break, reaching for her hand. "Hera, I’m tired of standing behind you and watching your back. Let me stand beside you. Allow me to protect you, to shield you, and not the other way around."

"Hah." A short, ridiculing laugh escaped her mouth, breaking the affectionate look on his face. "I’m sorry, Frank. I didn’t mean to laugh. How rude of me."

A sense of shame instantly crept into his heart just with that short laugh from her. Hera glanced at his hand that was holding hers, holding his hand back. She leaned closer to the table while holding his gaze.

"Frank, I don’t know how to say this without hurting your feelings, but my answer is no," she replied without hesitation, not even acting apologetically. "You claim to know me more than anyone else, but your actions say otherwise. What you’re asking is too much, Frank. It only makes me wonder about your intention behind this marriage proposal and this enchanting setup."

Her grip around his hand tightened as the corners of her eyes sharpened. "Are you asking for my hand because you love me, or is it because you’ve been tempted by what I have?"

"Franko, my dearest Franko," she mused as she slowly slipped her fingers between the gaps of his fingers, locking hands with him. "I’ve turned a blind eye to everything you’ve done in the past. Do you know why?"

"Because I love you," she continued, raising his hand until the back of his hand rested on her cheek. "You are family to me, and I’ll take care of you. Just as promised when I got you out of that island. I love you and I don’t mind sacrificing many things for you. But... I will never love you the way you want me to."

"Why?" he breathed out a jagged breath; her sweet gesture and touch couldn’t win over the ruthlessness of her words. "Why can’t you see me the way I want you to?"

"The moment you stopped me from repeating myself is enough proof that you and I aren’t a match," Hera said, shaking her head, not filtering her words since she knew he would get hurt one way or another. "Just a little intimidation, and you’re quick to hide in your thickened shell. If I’m going to marry, my man needs to be... a little more than me. He should be someone exceptionally good at everything and maybe different from me."

She paused and shook her head as she continued. "You’re not that kind of guy."

Hera spoke her mind without a second hesitation. When she had said her piece, she released his hand and then planted her hands on the table and pushed herself up.

"I am sorry, Frank, but know that I don’t mean that apology either," she said as she gazed down at him. "If you truly know me, you should’ve expected to get hurt tonight. I’d be very disappointed if you didn’t, since tonight’s a losing gamble."

She let out a shallow breath after that last remark, straightening her back and turning around to leave. But just as she took two steps from the table, she stopped.

"Even if that man exists, I still wouldn’t marry," she expressed. "And even if having children is a dream, I will never make the same mistake my parents made by having me. I don’t want to have the same regrets they had till their last breath for giving me life in this hell. I’m saying this because it seems you don’t know me just as much as you claim."

"You should forget about your feelings for me or any idea of us being together. It’s for your own good," she added. "Thank you for the dinner and good night, Frank."

With that being said, Hera walked away without sparing him another look. Meanwhile, Dragon sat still with his eyes fixed on her retreating figure. Mixed emotions swirled in his eyes as he looked around the beautiful setup. She had no idea just how much effort he had put into preparing for this night, how many sleepless nights he had spent, and how nervous he had been as the date approached. But instead of feeling hurt by her quick refusal and indifference to his feelings, all he felt was anger.

"So..." he whispered as he let out a scoff, staring at the table before him. "... this is love, huh?"