Chapter 192：Allow Me

Sheloah only had four hours of sleep. She woke up at 5AM and decided to take a walk around the garden. She took a deep breath of the morning air, exhaled, then sat on the bench.

She needed some time alone. She cried the whole night and she was feeling a bit better that she released all of her feelings last night.

Sheloah wanted to pull herself together. She knew that they have grave plans coming soon and now that her mind is starting to calm down, she wouldn't want her mother's sacrifice go to waste.

Sheloah was looking at the scenery in front of her when suddenly, she was surprised to see Kreiss at an early time, too.

"Hey," he greeted her and Sheloah gave him a small smile.

"Hey. Aren't you early," she said then Kreiss sat beside her.

"I exercise early from time to time. I'm actually surprised to see you awake at this time," Kreiss said and Sheloah nodded slowly, still looking at the scene in front of her.

"I needed some time alone to cool myself down. Now, I'm feeling slightly better," she said and Kreiss smiled at her, relief evident on his face.

They stayed silent for a while until he spoke again, breaking the silence.

"Last night… I was meaning to tell you something but it was not the proper time. Even now, though… but I thought that I had to say this before I won't even have the chance to since everything's going to get serious later on," Kreiss said, getting Sheloah's attention.

"What is it?"

Kreiss looked at Sheloah seriously. "There's another reason why men in our family give the gem to the girl they like. It also serves as a proposal for marriage," he said and Sheloah's eyes widened in surprise.

"M-marriage!? But Kreiss, I—"

"Don't get me wrong, princess," he said, interrupting Sheloah. He knew what she was going to say. "I'm not asking for your hand in marriage," he added then Sheloah sighed in relief.

"Then why did you give it to me?"

Kreiss looked at the slightly dark sky then spoke. "Tell me first, Sheloah… do you love Veon?"

"I think so…"

Kreiss chuckled a bit. "You're unsure?"

Sheloah felt awkward. She did not know how to express herself.

"I'm confused," she mumbled to herself and this made Kreiss look at her, expectant about something. It was only meant for herself, but Kreiss heard her loud and clear.

"Because?"

Sheloah's face reddened a bit.

"I—I don't know," she stammered and this made Kreiss smile at her. Sheloah avoided his gaze then spoke again. "Anyway… tell me what you wanted to say," Sheloah just said and this made Kreiss stop teasing her.

"I have a different proposal. I want you to be my girlfriend once this whole thing ends," he said and this made Sheloah's heart beat faster.

'Kreiss'… girlfriend?'

Kreiss laughed a bit then spoke again. "If I'm still alive, that is… you know I'll prioritize protecting you, Sheloah."

The girl looked down at her hands on her lap, her heart still beating fast.

She did not expect to have a serious conversation with Kreiss alone and she did not expect him to have this kind of side to him. She also noticed that every time Kreiss said her name, he was serious—genuine about everything he says.

The two of them went quiet and Sheloah was drowning in her own thoughts.

'Why me?'

She did not understand… how Kreiss really came to love a person like her even though he stated his reasons. There were a lot of girls before her and there are a lot of fish in the sea but he still chose her.

"Sheloah, I'll take care of you."

Sheloah looked at him, surprised of how serious Kreiss is about her.

"I always call you princess and I promise you I'd treat you like one. Even better! I will never let you doubt the feelings I have for you and believe me—trust me," he said then he looked at Sheloah, his feelings reflecting in his eyes.

"Allow me… just allow me to enter your heart."

When Sheloah heard his last sentence, her heart started beating uncontrollably, making it difficult for her to breathe. She suddenly held her chest, not knowing what to do or say.

He claimed that he had loved her since their first encounter. They only met recently and his feelings were suddenly this serious and intense. Sheloah felt how genuine he is but why?

Why does her mind still think of Veon right now?

Sheloah looked down, not knowing what to do or say.

Her heart was beating fast because of Kreiss but why is her mind filled with the man who isn't even sure about his feelings towards her?

Why won't her mind focus on the guy beside her, who's head over heels for her, who even rushed and risked his life to save her last night?

Sheloah was surprised when suddenly, Kreiss held her hand and he put it on his chest. She felt how fast his heart was beating and how Kreiss looked nervous in front of her. She saw how he did his best to man up and control his nervousness just to convey his feelings to her.

"There is love in my eyes… but why are you the only one who can't see?"

'His words—Kreiss' words are definitely pulling my heartstrings!'

"I…" Sheloah avoided his gaze then she slowly pulled her hand away. "I don't know what to say. I'm sorry," she said then Kreiss nodded, then spoke.

"I don't want your apology."

When he said this, Sheloah's eyes met his then what he did next made her eyes widen and what he said made her heart beat erratically.

Kreiss kissed Sheloah's cheek after he said his last sentence before leaving her behind to think.

"I just want you."

In a daze, Sheloah stared at Kreiss' back as he left. The girl realized that she was almost out of breath. She exhaled and noticed that she was holding her breath for who knows how long but exhaling had calmed her beating heart a bit.

The girl sighed once more as she put her hand on her chest, patting it. She was trying to calm herself down to relax since Kreiss had left her mind thinking…

and her heart pounding.