The Dragon Prince's Bride
Chapter 36. Do not turn your face from me.

Chapter 36: 36. Do not turn your face from me.

"Neriah, my love, please calm down and talk to me. When you say he’s getting you married to a barbarian, do you mean someone from the Trago Kingdom perhaps?" She could hear the tremor in his voice.

"Oh Lyle, I do not understand what kind of madness has pushed my father to the point of marrying me to someone from such a kingdom." She trembled and so did he. His eyes dilated and he tried to hold her firmly but she could see his fingers quivering.

"N_neriah, this can not happen. Th_those people are vicious. They are cruel and_and_ and they are—"

"I know." She briskly rose to her feet, turning her back to him as she thought of ways to explain what she had done." And I was scared, Lyle. I was scared when I got the news and I did not know what I was thinking, so I have done something unthinkable against you." She knew she had to tell him. She wished she did not have to, but she knew it would haunt her if she chose not to. He was the man she loved. She could not hide the fact that she had lain with another

"Neriah, wh_what do you mean by that? What did you do?" She did not need to turn around to know that he was also on his feet behind her, she could feel the fear and tension in his voice.

"I was just thinking of a way to keep us together. I regret it now. I swear I regret it now." She turned around again and faced him, holding her hands together, trying to stop them from fidgeting.

"I did not mean to shame you. I just did not know what else to do. Please Lyle, tell me you love me. Please tell me you still love me after making such a mistake."

She rushed towards him and grabbed both his hands in hers. "Please tell me you will still love me after making such a mistake."

"Neriah, Neriah my love, talk to me. What is it? What have you done?"

"Please assure me. I need your assurance that no matter what, you would still hold me dear in your heart. I cannot take it if you leave me. I cannot. I would die if you ever left me. Please tell me." She was desperate. Desperate for his assurance.

"I love you Neriah," He cupped her face in his hands, looking into her eyes, "and I do not think anything can change that. Even if you change, even if you stop loving me, I still will love you." He placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Please, do not blame me. Do not scold me for my stupidity, just embrace me. Tell me I did what was right for the both of us. Tell me you understand my actions." She continued to beg. She felt like he could only say those words because he had yet no idea what it was that she had done.

"Tell me_ oh please Lyle, tell me you understand. Tell me you know there was no other way. Please, I beg you. Do not turn your face from me."

"Neriah, tell me. What have you done to make you tremble so?"

"I have lost my virtue to a barbarian." She blurted out, and her lips quivered as she watched his eyes dilate and his hands fall to his side.

"Wh_what do you mean? Explain to me, what are you saying?" He desperately inquired.

"I mean I slept with a barbarian, Lyle." She broke down in tears. "I really didn’t mean to do it, but I did. I did it for us!"

"What do you mean you did it for us Neriah! What have you done!" He queried.

"I did it for us my love! I know there was no other way. I have a plan. Trust me my love, I have a plan." She moved close to him to hold onto him, but he took a step back and her insides sank.

"I knew not what else to do. I planned to elope with you, but I know that would be putting your life in danger because father would send men to hunt us down, kill you and bring me back. So I had to do this. I have a plan, please trust me." She knew he would be mad at her. She knew his love for her would disappear if she told him the truth and it was already happening.

"Please do not be mad at me!" She begged him. "I beg you, do not be mad at me." She cried and moved close to him once more, holding onto his tunic like she’d die if she let go.

"I am not mad at you, my love. I can not be even if I try." He held onto her and crushed her in his arms. "I can not just imagine the pain you had to go through because I am an incompetent bastard! I hate myself. I am a useless man who can not give you anything."

"My father was right, what use am I when I can not even guard the virtue of my woman?"

"No my love please do not say that. You are the one I have chosen, you are not useless. You are the one my heart desires."

"I am nothing but a nuisance! How can I not be able to protect the woman I claim to love! How can I not keep you safe? How can I force you into the arms of another just so we can be together! How can I call myself a man after I let the woman I love sacrifice her virtue for our future!" He released her from his hug, but she held him back.

See, she knew he loved her. He would not be looking so hurt and devastated if he had no feelings for her. She knew it was true love. Only true love would hear such a confession and blame himself for everything.

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