Wife of The Demon Prince
Chapter 334: I love you

Chapter 334: I love you

Four years ago. Merek was unexpectedly granted the position of a count in the king’s will book. Considering his origin as a slave and an assassin, it was a tremendous elevation in status. Outwardly, it was a reward from Hamon, but he realized that Hamon wanted him to also live a happy life, and provided a path for him to go after the woman of his dreams, Annette. His only desire was to be devoted to only her.

As soon as he became a noble, the feelings he had suppressed so far burst forth. Wasn’t it possible for him to stand proudly next to Anne now that he has a respectable position? He wouldn’t have to hide his desires to be with her anymore. The greed that had been hidden deep inside his heart quickly grew.

And so, Merek wanted to run to Zari where his Anne was immediately he took the position, he wanted to tell her how much she meant to him, to finally be able to hold her in his arms like he’d always dreamt of. He wanted to tell her that he liked her too. Ever since he first met her, she had never left his mind since the day she saved him from the soldiers in the palace, he was just afraid to hold her hands for the fear of disappointing her in the future.

Merek was so ready to go to Zari and tell her everything, but his absurd imagination did not last long. One day, he happened to hear a conversation between some higher ranked young noble men.

_’Did you hear? There is one of general Richard’s daughters who hasn’t been matched yet.

_’Really? She must also be as intelligent and beautiful as the queen.

_’Yes, that she is. I met her once in Zari, she is such a beauty. I would give anything in this world to make her mine someday.

_’Do you hear yourself? The Boxton household are not to be reckoned with now. They are one of the most powerful families in all the lands. The young lord of the household would surely kick you out of their mansion if you go there to ask for the young lady’s hand in marriage.

_’Of course I know. That’s why I’m working hard to put a name to the girl. I will surely marry her someday.

_’You? Wake up from your dreams, ha ha ha.

It was a conversation spoken jokingly between aristocratic men, but it made Merek also realized many things he hadn’t thought of before. Anne was not an ordinary aristocratic woman, but Lord Richard’s beloved daughter and the major general’s lovely sister. Not just that, she was the sister of the powerful queen of Findara, she was a young lady who grew up like a sheltered plant of the Boxton household, who was now regarded as a prestigious clan.

If he proposed, would the Boxton household accept it?

Anne might accept without a doubt, and also repeat her words and say that nothing mattered as long as he was with her. But Merek didn’t want her to live a low life, that was another reason he decided not to come to her in Zari after taking his position of a noble.

Even if he was a noble, Anne was not a noble lady who could easily be overlooked by others. He didn’t want her to live a life of mediocrity when there could be someone out there who could give her better. Hence, he decided to let go.

But... strangely, he did not want to give up this time. Hope was so cruel that once he embraced it in his heart, he could not live without it. He had nothing more to offer her other than his position, so there was only one way out now.

He had to become a man suitable for her, he had to come out of the shadows and made a good name for himself in the kingdom.

’Anne, you have no idea, but you have a talent to push me to the peak.’

Anne had a habit of seeing him for what he wasn’t, when he was with her, he kept envisioning a life different from his own.

Therefore, for the four years he hadn’t come for her, he collected all his fortune and made many great achievements in Findara. He made a great name for himself other than being a killer. He wanted to be a man that deserved to stand next to Anne, then he’d finally be able to confidently ask for her hand in marriage from the Boxton family.

Merek also planned to increase his position and wealth in the future, as he was no longer a dark assassin, but a nobleman. And now that he’d achieved a lot, he then decided it was time to come to his Anne, however, he’d already decided that if she’d moved on, he would let her go, because only her happiness mattered to him.

But when he met Anne again in person, he seemed to have reached the end of his own patience. He was more than happy to see her again, but his happiness was short-lived when he overheard the servants talking about the grand general and Anne who were madly in love with each other.

Merek had felt heartbroken, there were no words to describe his pain. He thought he’d come back to her too late, his Anne had already moved on from him. Thus, he decided not to bring up anything about the reason he came to Zari, however, he realized that Anne still held feelings for him when she said she no longer ate chicken, and her reaction when he covered her with his coat, and also when she cried when he was leaving.

Every moment he spent with her was an unbearably temptation. At the final moment when he decided to walk away, he heard her faint cries.

A surge of emotion welled up in him, he was so glad that she was doing well, but he thought she must have already forgotten about him, or their past memories with the way she treated him so casually.

He now wondered what her reaction would be if he told her that he was happy to see her cry for him again.

The pair continued to remain on the floor holding tight to each other, and Merek’s smile widened as he leaned his head into Anne’s shoulder. Her sweet fragrance that he once dreamed of tickled his nose, Anne was not alone in this moment of happiness. To him, her presence was like his salvation.

"I love you." Anne mumbled against his chest, and relief and happiness washed over Merek at her words. He closed his eyes in contentment as he held her tightly in his arm.

"I love you too, Annette." He whispered softly back.

Unfortunately for the couple on the floor, their happy moment was short-lived, they still held each other on the floor when they heard some voices,

"My lord, where are you?"

"We are ready to leave, my lord!"

With the voices getting closer, Anne pushed away a little bit and glanced up from Merek’s arms, she then pursed her lips, "...Do you still have to leave now?"

Merek smiled warmly, "Yes, I have to. But I will come back immediately after I’m done in Findara. I’ll come and get you so we can talk about our marriage, and also discuss about where we’d be staying."

Anne grinned, "You promise?"

"I promise."

Only after he promised did Anne reluctantly untangled her body from Merek’s, and he stood up and also helped her from the floor. At the same time Merek’s men arrived at the corridors.

"Oh, my lord, you’re still here."

"The carriages are ready to move."

Merek gave a nod of acknowledgement then turned one last time to Anne, who still had her arm entangled with his, "I have to go now." He muttered softly, and she slowly untangled her arm from his, but when he turned to leave, she quickly grabbed his sleeve.

Confusion flicked on his face, but Anne did something unexpected. She cupped his jaw, stood on her toes, then gently pressed her lips against his. When she pulled away, Merek looked at her with a startled expression.

Anne, meanwhile resumed her composure, "I’ll be waiting for your return soon. If you don’t come back early, then I’ll come back to Findara instead."

Merek briefly glanced at Anne’s appetizing lips before looking up at her blue eyes again, "Where did you learn to kiss?"

"Oh, Merek. I’m no longer a little teenager anymore. I’m twenty two now. A woman."

A small smirked spread across Merek’s lips, he then turned towards his men and spoke in a low voice, "Give me a minute."

Before anyone could say anything, Merek grabbed Anne by the waist and pressed his lips against hers deeply. It was not the simple pressing of lips that Anne did a while ago, but a passionate kiss shared between adults. His lips moved skilly against hers, her lips were warm and soft, they parted slightly, allowing his tongue to slip inside her mouth. Their bodies pressed heatedly against each other.

Anne’s legs gave out as soon as the heat overtook her body, but Merek firmly supported her with one hand wrapped around her waist, with the other behind her head. Soon, he reluctantly pushed away, and spoke in a whisper with his warm breath fanning her lips, "This is a goodbye kiss, and to show you how much I love you... I’ll miss you."

Anne looked up at Merek with a dazed expression. Her cheeks were as red as a rose. Merek’s eyes softened as he gently caressed her damp lips with his thumb, then said,

"Don’t worry I’ll be back before you know it. And if you want, we can kiss longer, but for now, I have to leave. Take care of yourself."

Merek finally released Anne’s waist, then looked to the side and saw the servants and his men looking at them in astonishment. He cleared his throat then walked towards them with his expressionless face, however Anne’s loud voice soon called from behind,

"Merek, don’t forget your words, we will kiss longer when you’re back. And...I will miss you too!"

A faint smile crossed Merek’s face, he then shook his head in disbelief. His Anne was really shameless. His men, sensing the hot atmosphere between the couple cheered and celebrated as they headed out of the mansion.

"Congratulations, my lord!"

"Wow, I can’t believe you two are now together. anyway, you look so good together."

Whistles and applause poured out from the men, but it was unfortunate that they should be separated as soon as they confessed each other’s feelings, however happiness remained embedded in Merek’s and Anne’s heart.