Dion's mind reeled at Sirin's unexpected question, as if a bomb had detonated in his mind, sending shockwaves of uncertainty and disbelief rippling through his consciousness. The once tranquil atmosphere shattered into a cacophony of chaos, leaving him dazed and disoriented in its wake.
His senses were overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, leaving him feeling as though he had been blinded by the sudden burst of light that accompanied the explosion. The deafening roar of the bomb echoed in his ears, drowning out all other sound, leaving him momentarily deaf to the world around him.
His mind raced, searching for words that eluded him, his thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind, unable to find purchase amidst the chaos.
I remained fixed upon Dion, I was searching for any trace of a response, but all i found was nothing. Despite my plea for an answer, Dion remained frozen in a state of shock, his mind a swirling tempest of confusion and disbelief. Sirin felt a pang of uncertainty grip her heart, unsure of what would come next.
But for Dion, the words refused to find their way to his tongue.
'Did i take it too far?'
"I'm sorry," I murmured softly, I started to feel regret. "I didn't mean to disrespect you. I know it's sudden, and we hardly know each other."
I became a whirlwind of self-doubt and insecurity, As Dion's stunned silence still continued, I couldn't help but feel a rising tide of despair washing over me. The stark contrast between our circumstances loomed in my mind, casting a shadow over any hope I had dared to entertain.
Here I was, a mere commoner with no wealth, standing before a man who lives in a palace and commanded respect with every step he took. How could I, with my humble status and no possessions in this world, ever hope to be worthy of someone like Dion? I made a mistake.
Sirin's thoughts turned inward, a relentless stream of self-criticism echoing in the recesses of her mind.
"Kindly, forget what I said just now." I am so embarrased, I released my grip from his hand.
But Dion's hand suddenly tightened his hands around mine. With a deep breath, he steadied his racing heart and looked at me with unwavering determination.
"My Lady, Leave the proposal to a man" his voice was infused with a calmness. "I will return soon, adorned with a ring. And know this, I will never forget what you've just said. I will etch it into the depths of my heart, for it was you who first dared to profess marriage proposal to me."
Hearing his answer, my heart swelled with happiness, "Thank you, Dion," my voice trembling with emotion. "A girl who has nothing here, your kindness and compassion overwhelms me."
"Sirin," he implored. "Never look down on yourself," he spoke with the sincerity. "You are the most precious thing on this earth. Dare you think so low of yourself." He couldn't bear to see how she was demeaning herself in such a way.
Hearing those sweet words, Dion became my saviour in my eyes.
"Dion, you continue to bring warmth to my heart. Even during the pandemic when I was away from my family, your smile on the terrace brought me so much happiness. The first time I saw you smiling at me on the terrace, I wished my parents were there to witness it. I would have shown them and said, 'I'd marry someone like him.”
However, Dion withdrew his hand abruptly, a tangible barrier forming between them as he put space between himself and me. A stark contrast to the warm and comforting connection we had shared moments ago. This sudden change left me surprised and feeling uneasy.
"My Lady, please forgive me for my impoliteness," with those words hunging in the air, Dion departed without uttering another word.
I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled within me, wondering what had caused Dion to react so suddenly.
I watched him as he retreated, his figure receding into the distance until he was nothing more than a silhouette against the backdrop of the setting sun......
Seated in his car, Dion's hands clenched the steering wheel tightly as he wrestled with a torrent of emotions. His mind raced, his face flushed with frustration.
'I'm sorry, Sirin,' he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible over the roar of his thoughts. 'If I hadn't left, I would have kissed you.'
His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder of the powerful pull he felt towards Sirin. But as much as he yearned to give in to his desires, he knew he had to exercise restraint. He couldn't afford to make any rash decisions, not when Sirin's future is hung in the balance.
Dion closed his eyes, willing himself to find the strength to resist the allure of Sirin's innocence. No matter how difficult it may be. For Sirin's sake, he had to control, even if it meant denying the desires of his own heart till marriage vow.
He drove back to his palace. He stepped out of his car, his heart was lighter than it had been in days. A sense of contentment filled him as he made his way to his chamber.
Cal's welcomed Tsar with a smile, and Dion returned it with equal warmth. Cal's initial shock was palpable. He couldn't recall a single instance where Tsar had greeted him with such warmth. It was as if a subtle shift had occurred in his dynamic, leaving Cal both surprised and intrigued.
Wearing a satisfying expresssion, Dion sat on his chair and made an announcement infront of Cal and Lamer, who stood next to Cal,
"Soon we would be preparing for the wedding in Armageddon."
Cal and Lamer exchanged surprised glances, understanding without needing to ask whom Tsar was referring to. It was as if they already knew he was talking about himself and Sirin.
"Congratulations, Tsar," Cal exclaimed, his voice carrying a note of reverence. "The fiercest and strongest heir to the throne will be born from this holy union. Finally, we will have a successor who deserves to rule the Armageddon after you."
Cal words resonated deeply with Dion, it stirred an emotions, he had long kept buried. The legacy he would like to carry forward had bore down upon him like an unyielding burden.
"Tsar," Lamer voice was tinged with a mixture of astonishment and trepidation. "Iona's agreement signifies more than just equality; it heralds a union of unparalleled significance. After centuries of waiting, she will indeed be our empress."
Lamer, standing next to Cal, extended her congratulations to the Tsar as well. Her heart swelled with joy, for attending the wedding of his almighty after centuries of waiting. To Lamer, the Tsar was everything— he had taken her under his wing when her parents had passed away when she was 4 years old, the second cousin of Dion and Cal and she had vowed her undying loyalty to him ever since.
The people of Armageddon held their Tsar in such deep reverence that they would willingly sacrifice their lives for him if the need ever arose.
"Tsar, if my memory serves me right, Iona is known to marry only those who match her in every aspect, especially in the realm of intimacy. It is said that they are not easily satisfied, and one must possess an incredibly potent aura and stamina akin to that of a god to fulfill their desires."
Lamer's eyes widened with realization while she spoke, and she clapped her hands together in astonishment. "God-like stamina! No wonder no woman has been able to satisfy our Tsar," she exclaimed, almost letting slip further thoughts.
Cal quickly intervened, placing a hand over Lamer's mouth before she could say more. "Let's leave the past where it belongs, Lamer," he said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.
Dion glanced at Lamer, "Thank you, Lamer, for your kind words," but his gaze held a hint of warning for her. "Just remember to choose your words carefully in front of others."
Lamer nodded respectfully. "Of course, Tsar. I assure you, I have already forgotten the past."
Dion left to his rest chamber. He reclined on his bed, his mind swirled with a lot of emotions. Before the weight of disappointment had struck heavy upon him since Sirin reveled about her true intentions of being here, like a dark cloud obscuring the moonlight. However, her unexpected proposal had swept in like a gentle breeze, dispersing the heavy fog of despair that had settled over him.
The prospect of marrying Sirin filled him with joy, dispelling the lingering shadows of doubt that had clouded his thoughts. As he lay there in the quiet of his chamber, a faint smile played upon his lips. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, he found comfort in the knowledge that he no longer will be alone. Sirin's proposal had brought with it a glimmer of hope, lighting the way forward in the darkness.
It was akin to the feeling one gets when traversing through a dense forest, where the path ahead seems obscured by the thick foliage, and every step feels heavy with uncertainty. But then, suddenly, a ray of sunlight breaks through the canopy, illuminating the path ahead and infusing the weary traveler with renewed hope.
"My innocent Empress, My Precious" Dion whispered softly into the stillness of the night. In those simple words lay a world of adoration and devotion, a testament to the deep bond he felt with Sirin. It was a title bestowed upon her with utmost respect, a recognition of her purity and grace, and a vow to protect and cherish her with every fiber of his being.
Dion harbored a wealth of knowledge about Sirin, secrets carefully concealed by her own family. Yet, he chose to withhold this information from her for the time being, opting instead to bide his time until the moment was right to unveil her true identity. What Sirin perceived as a curse of marriage was, in reality, an arrangement orchestrated by the highest powers to safeguard Iona, a revelation that would reshape her understanding of her own existence.
As Dion found himself immersed in Sirin's tumultuous thoughts, the tranquility of his contemplation was abruptly shattered by a knock on the door. Cal's urgent entrance into the room interrupted Dion's reverie, pulling him back to the present moment and breaking the spell of Sirin's lingering presence in his mind.
"Please forgive me for the intrusion," Cal began, his voice carrying a tone of urgency. "We have received a message from the King of Taison. They are ready to negotiate the deal and have humbly requested your presence by tomorrow."
Taison, much like Armageddon, held an air of mystery and intrigue. It served as the shortest route for trading with neighboring regions. However, tensions ran deep between Taison's ruler, King Dalionus Savor, and Dion's father, spanning generations and causing strife for their citizens. The rivalry had grown so intense that even a simple act like placing foot in the opposing region would result in death. Hence, the upcoming negotiations held immense significance, as they offered a glimmer of hope for peace and prosperity, essential for the well-being and economic growth of both realms.
Dion, who had been reclining on the bed, sat up abruptly, his legs folding beneath him. "You mean indirectly they've ordered an emperor to make a presence by tomorrow, commanded by a mere king?" he remarked sarcastically, looking at Cal with annyoed eyes.
Cal was well aware of the implications of the message from the outset, simply nodded in agreement with the Tsar.
Cal persisted, unfazed by Dion's sarcastic remark. "Regardless of their lack of civility, it's imperative that we make this deal work to ensure peace between our regions. It's for the greater good of all citizens," he stressed, underlining the importance of the impending meeting to Dion.
"What if we simply wiped out Taison from the world?" Dion's question hung heavily in the air, punctuated by his laughter.
Cal's shock was palpable; he understood the implications of Dion's words. If the Tsar had even entertained such a thought, it hinted at the potential for drastic action. He got concerned for the safety of the negotiations, for safety of the Taison. He proposed him that he would be joining him, to ensure the talks proceeded smoothly, recognizing the inherent danger in allowing the Tsar to go alone.
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