Rixus leaned in the bathtub filled with warm water and asked me lightly.
“Why were you standing in the rain in the garden yesterday?”
Well, it must have looked weird.
It was raining, but I was standing in front of the clock tower and looking at the sky.
Besides, didn’t I suddenly confess to Rixus while being hit by the rain?
I was really happy then.
Even now, thinking about that moment made my heart warm.
‘The blue rose… Finally, the thing that bothered me so much is gone.’
In fact, I still didn’t feel it.
I was killed by the same man seven times, and regressed each time.
And I lived in fear of death, which I never knew when it would come.
However, living my 8th life which had changed a lot…
The type of fear had changed.
Of course, I was afraid of death, but what was more terrifying than that…
‘Now, I don’t want to lose the people’s hearts.’
Losing the warm relationships I had built up in this life and becoming a loner again.
‘Rixus…’
And, above all else, losing Rixus.
I was afraid that he, who had fallen in love with me, would bear unparalleled pain.
I was so relieved that we wouldn’t have to offer each other the sword of death.
It was overwhelming to think that there would be no such tragedy in this life, and that the misery that had been ingrained in my soul was finally gone.
The emotions that I had forgotten swirled and warmed my heart. Immediately, I felt like I was going to cry.
“Uh, I had a nightmare…”
“….…”
I managed to pull myself together and smiled at him.
“I must have had a nightmare, Rixus.”
A very long and terrible nightmare.
Rixus stared at me silently, then gently wrapped a hand around my cheek.
“…I see.”
I didn’t know whether or not he believed this clumsy excuse.
But when he saw my expression, he didn’t ask any further questions. He just enveloped me in his arms.
He kissed my forehead tenderly and whispered,
“There will be no more nights like that.”
…He didn’t know how comforting those words truly were.
“For the rest of my life, I’ll be there for all your nights.”
“….…”
My heart was pounding. Rixus’ arms were as comfortable as coming home.
It seemed like it would reliably block any storm, strong waves, and misfortune that struck me.
Wherever I went, I wanted to come back. To this warm embrace.
I wanted to live comfortably and happily by his side forever.
It would be possible in this life. Only this time.
“You will grow old into a pretty old woman, Candy.”
“Haha.”
He mustn’t have forgotten my absurd hope for the future.
Eventually, he burst out laughing, slowly turned me around, and made me lie down on his body.
The posture was comfortable, and the temperature of the water and Rixus’ body were just right.
“I want to have about three children too.”
“You must have had a hard time.”
Rixus cared for me first. The large hand attached to his firm arm that embraced me gently touched my hand.
“Still, you’ve been alone for too long, too long.”
“….…”
“It felt terribly long.”
It was really long, but I didn’t know how to answer.
I didn’t answer for a while.
He was behind my back, so I had no idea what kind of expression he was making.
I had no choice but to quietly talk about my wishes.
“So, I want to have many children.”
“……Okay.”
Suddenly, a voice that seemed to be locked came out.
“Let’s have a lot of babies.”
Rixus kissed my ear softly and whispered.
“Our children will rule a unified empire.”
“….…”
“The descendants of this land will enjoy peace and prosperity from generation to generation.”
I imagined the future he was talking about.
My husband, but could also be said to be the monarch of my ally, as the emperor of the future Aktoum.
My heart was trembling with excitement.
I liked what he said as a husband, but I liked the blueprints he showed me as a monarch.
In this lifetime, I would see firsthand the prosperity of my country.
It was really cool.
“…Okay, that too.”
I rejoiced and took his hand.
Then I turned my head and kissed his lips.
He was so cute and affectionate.
The future we would have together would be so good.
I emphasized again and again.
“I like it.”
“…….”
However, there was something strange about the atmosphere behind my back.
The ‘mood’ that I had felt countless times last night gave me a strange feeling.
Soon, a low-pitched voice bitterly wet my ears.
“As long as you like me, I’m always happy.”
…What was this huge, scary thing that’s stabbing me right now?
And what’s always good? That’s not what I meant about liking…
My face turned bright red in an instant. I struggled to get out of his arms.
“You can’t run away. You seduced me.”
“How is a kiss seduction!”
“I think I’m going crazy.”
Rixus got up from the bathtub, wrapped my body in a towel, and held me in a flashy embrace.
He moved to the bed in an instant, laid me down on my stomach, and climbed over me.