"When should we start then, the lessons?"
In order to uncover the truth about Sirin, he would need to play along with her plan, even if it meant temporarily setting aside his own reservations. He would support Sirin in her endeavor to win Juli's heart, all the while keeping a keen eye out for the answers he sought.
For now, he would bide his time, waiting patiently until the moment presented itself for him to unravel the mysteries surrounding Sirin's past...
A car glided through the grand entrance of Wismar Palace, its sleek silhouette cutting through the dusk. Behind the wheel, Dion himself steered the vehicle with practiced ease, navigating the winding paths toward the secluded cottage nestled within the palace grounds. His heart was flutterimng with anticipation as he journeyed towards Sirin's abode. His car came to a halt a few meters from the quaint cottage, he noticed glimpse of Juli who was preparing herself to mount her bicycle.
Juli heard the distinct click of a car door opening and closing, and when she turned, Dion was standing before her. They exchanged cordial greetings. It was not any secret for her to know why he was there, she swiftly divulged the news that Sirin had commenced employment at the Duke's palace.
Dion's gaze turned inward for a moment, his thoughts consumed by the image of Sirin working alongside the Duke. A shadow passed over his features as his mood darkened. 'What does he want from her?'
Seeing Dion expressions, Juli suggested that they go to the winter garden and wait there for Sirin to finish her duties.
Dion was aware of the garden's proximity to the Duke's palace, he readily agreed, recalling the information he had gathered about Wismar and the Duke's whereabouts over the past month through Lamer.
Together, they forged a path through the woods, taking a shortcut to make their way towards the winter garden. Juli stole occasional glances at Dion, unable to ignore the aura of strength and authority that seemed to emanate from him. Intrigued by his warm smile and confident demeanor, she couldn't resist the urge to ask about his occupation.
"Might I inquire about your occupation?"
A smirk crept onto Dion's face as he pondered the reason behind Juli's intermittent glances at him. "I bear significant responsibility for Armageddon. I oversee the welfare of its people."
"So, you work under Emperor Atlantus. Now it makes sense," she mused, connecting the dots as to why his attire looked expesive and the way he carried himself like royal.
"You could say that," he confirmed cryptically, leaving Juli to ponder the implications of his enigmatic response.
Adrian had requested me to return in two days, he asked me to take the time to rest and recover at home. Not just that, to my surprise, Duke entrusted me with a set of car keys, allowing me to access a vehicle for my own use. With this gesture came a new obligation: I was now responsible for driving Duke whenever he needed my assistance.
I happily accepted the task of driving him around, relishing the opportunity to indulge in something I had always loved. As I prepared to leave the room.
"Are you that eager to create a scandal with me?"
Duke's unexpected question halted my tracks. I turned to face him, a sarcastic smile playing on my lips as I replied, "Did I do something to offend you, Duke?"
But Duke's next question caught me off guard. "Where is the rest of your cloth?" he asked, his gaze lingering on my attire.
My hands instinctively swept down to my thighs, feeling for the fabric of the dress, before tracing upwards to my chest and then my shoulders. I gazed at myself in shock, my mouth forming a perfect "O" of realization as I belatedly recognized my indiscretion. I had been standing before the Duke like this the entire time.
My shoulders and deep square-cut neckline were exposed, accentuating my cleavage, I felt a flood of embarrassment. I hurriedly covered herself with my coat before bidding Duke farewell and making a swift exit.
Once she left, a new figure stepped into the scene. Bernhard, a loyal attendant, approached the Duke, reminding him of his imminent dinner appointment with Danish Dekter. Adrian prepared himself for the evening's engagements, knowing that the intricacies of diplomacy and alliances awaited him at the dinner table.
Without wasting a moment, I busied myself with checking the car i would be driving. I admired the vehicle as if it were a precious gift bestowed upon me. However, my attention was abruptly diverted by the sight of Dion and Juli strolling together towards the winter garden. An unexpected rush of emotions overwhelmed me, and before I could comprehend her own actions, a cry escaped my lips.
"Dion!"
My voice echoed through the air, carrying a excitement. Ignoring the exhaustion that had settled over me, I found myself propelled forward, my feets moving of their own accord towards Dion's familiar figure.
At the same time, Adrian emerged from the palace, preparing to depart in the waiting car. Unaware of the unfolding scene, he paused momentarily, casting a curious glance in Sirin's direction when he heard her call out Dion's name. He observed her sudden movement with intrigue.
He also watched from a distance, a tall figure smiling warmly at Sirin. He climbed into his waiting car, the vehicle departed, leaving Sirin and Dion's reunion behind as they disappeared into the distance.
"You came to see me, Dion?" I was standing facing Dion, my eyes were wide carrying innocent curiosity.
He was caught by her innocence, he couldn't help but be charmed by her earnestness. A mischievous thought flickered through his mind, the temptation to play along with her innocent inquiry almost too enticing to resist. 'Let me kidnap her, Cal. Just this once,' he mused inwardly, a playful glint dancing in his eyes.
Juli, who stood nearby, couldn't help but feel like a third wheel in the midst of their presence, she was suddenly feeling overshadowed by the connection between Sirin and Dion. Juli quietly slipped away from the scene, unnoticed by Sirin and Dion, the two found themselves locked in a moment of intimacy, their eyes were drawn to each other.
A wave of self-consciousness washed over me. Without a second thought, I rose onto my toes, with both hands, I gently covered his eyes, a soft whisper escaping my lips. "Do not look at me," I murmured, my voice hinting of bashfulness. In my eagerness to shield myself from his gaze, I momentarily forgot about the attire I was wearing.
Confused with Sirin's behaviour, Dion chuckled, "Do you want me to keep my eyes closed?" he asked, his amusement evident in his voice.
"Yes, I don't wish you to see me in this attire," I admitted.
Her hands were closer to him, a delicate fragrance enveloped his senses. It was a scent reminiscent of the elusive and intoxicating aroma of the elusive Himalayan blue poppy, known for its mesmerizing and captivating fragrance, a scent so rare and alluring. It was the same fragrance he had encountered since their first meeting, a scent that seemed to intertwine with her presence, leaving an indelible mark on his memory.
Dion's heart raced as Sirin stood in close proximity to him, her vulnerability endearing her to him even more. He longed to reach out and hold her, but he restrained his desire, keeping his hands firmly locked behind him. Each moment he found himself drawn to Sirin's innocence, captivated by her gentle demeanor and sincere nature. He had an impulse urge to whisk her away, regardless of her own wishes. But first he had to do something else.
"My mother wore a similar outfit all her life, and I found her to be the most beautiful woman in the entire universe," Dion confessed softly, his words filled with sincerity. "And you look just as beautiful."
"You think so?"
"I cross my heart."
With a gentle and deliberate motion, I slowly removed my hands from Dion's eyes, allowing him to see me once again.
Juli's reappeared to interrupt their tender moment. "I'll be spend some time working in the garden and preparing medicine for a few people. Why don't you show Dion the beautiful forest?" Juli wanted them to go somewhere else before they become the talk of the Palace.
I was thrilled to have the opportunity to show him around. And He welcomed the chance to spend some alone time with her.
I led Dion through the forest, my eyes were sparkling with familiarity and wonder, I noticed the tiny details that made the forest feel like home to me. I shared my observations with Dion, from the various bird species that inhabited the trees to the locations of honeybee nests. Dion listened intently, his genuine interest evident in the smile that graced his lips.
But their lighthearted conversation took a serious turn when Dion paused and abruptly interrupted her, his voice cutting through the tranquility of the forest. "Come with me to my palace," he stated firmly, his gaze was unwavering as it locked onto Sirin with firm determination.
"I cannot. Not yet," my voice tinged with sadness.
He was puzzled by Sirin's reluctance to leave Wismar behind. "Why?"
For a moment, I contemplated my response, 'should I reveal the truth to Dion?' I led Dion to the same spot where we had shared a precious moment together day before. With a deep breath, I began to recount my extraordinary journey of reading the novel, from the time I made a wish for Adrian and how I found herself on Adrian's room next day morning, trusting Dion to understand and support me in my time of need.
As Sirin recounted her story, revealing the extraordinary circumstances that had brought her to Wismar, Dion felt as though the ground had shifted beneath his feet.
"You came here for the Duke?"Dion's words dripped with a pain he hadn't felt before, not even during his poisoning ordeal.
"Yes i did."
He asked her another crucial question, feeling as if a mountain had been placed upon his heart: "Do you love the Duke?" Though he posed the inquiry, his own heart ached with anticipation and dread. He wrestled with conflicting desires: the reluctance to hear Sirin's response, yet an undeniable yearning not to know the truth.
"I am concerned about his future and desire to witness his happiness with Juli, the girl he loves. If this is what love entails, then yes, I love him," I declared, my resolve unwavering as I acknowledged my true intentions in being here, determined to remain sincere and selfless, especially when it concerned Adrian.
"And once he is happy, then what?" Dion's question pierced through Sirin's heart, his gaze now locked intently with Sirin's.
"Perhaps you and I will be able to return to our world," I uttered, my words tinged with uncertainty yet tingling with hope. That question made me feel uncomfortable.
Only the time would unveil whether her dream would blossom into reality or not!
"What if you find yourself unable to return to your world?" Though he was asking a question that made Sirin uncomfortable, he himself was grappling with the same emotions. Torn between the possibility of feeling relief that she would be away from the Duke or profound sadness at the thought of Sirin returning to her own world, Dion struggled to find clarity.
He was sure now: Sirin's priority was to see the Duke's happiness and she harbored no intentions of being with the Duke herself. However, the lingering question lay on the Duke's side. If the Duke truly loved Juli, he wouldn't be swayed by Sirin's presence. But if he were to have a change of heart for Sirin, then what would Sirin do?
It was the same question that had brought me to tears the night before. The uncertainty of my future weighed heavily on my heart.
"Dion, I believe I am dying," was the only answer I could conjure, overwhelmed by the astonishing sensation of heat surging through my body like a volcano erupting from within. Lead me to unconscious.
"What did you just say?"
I repeated my unsettling proclamation. "I think I am dying,"
Dion was trying to process Sirin's statement, "What leads you to believe that?"
"I think my family has a curse."
Another shocking statement made by Sirin, each word adding to Dion's shock. Dion's expression shifted from surprise to concern as he processed each shocking statement. His brows furrowed slightly.
"Again what leads you to believe that?" He was trying to understand more about Sirin's plight.
"A marriage curse."
"A marriage curse?" Dion echoed her words, his gaze drifted towards the water, his mind was grappling with the weight of Sirin's statement.
"I sometimes feel unbearably hot, leading to moments of unconsciousness. And it only started once I reached the age of 18," she continued, her voice trembling with uncertainty. Previously, I only experienced feeling hot, but since arriving in this world, I've lost consciousness twice: Once was when I met you, and today was at the Duke's office, I was lucky he took care of me and did not throw me out when i was unconscious."
'He took care of you,' Dion muttered quietly, the words hanging heavy in the air as he struggled to contain his rising rage. With a deep breath, he endeavored to quell the storm raging within him, he felt urge to take drastic action against the Duke in that very moment. Yet, he masked his conflicted feelings behind a small, forced smile as he turned his gaze towards Sirin.
"If I do not marry before I turn 19, I will die. I guess that is why in the Syrvoski family, daughters marry the moment they reach the age of 18." I must ask him.
With a soft sigh, my voice tembling, I steel myself to pose the question I had intended to ask him the day before.
"Dion, Will you marry me?"
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