Chapter 448 Practicing Abstinence

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The past several months were exhausting and draining with their emotions high, but unable to express them. But now that everything was over, it felt rewarding.

Kissing passionately and gently, Aries and Abel chuckled against each other's lips. He was still cupping her cheek, resting his forehead against hers the moment his lips parted from hers.

? "I am overjoyed, darling," Abel confessed under his breath, eyes partially closed. "Are you?"

Her lips stretched broader. "Very much. I felt reborn."

"I'm glad to hear that." Abel slowly drew his head back to see her face better. His eyes scanned every pore of her face, etching her appearance deep in his head to make sure he would never forget this beauty.

"You are always gorgeous, darling," he praised with a rasped voice, brushing his thumb on her lean cheek. "And you are mine. Lucky me."

A giggle escaped her mouth, biting her lips to stop it from stretching even wider. Being praised by him and being looked at with such admiration and appreciation was the biggest compliment she had ever received. Although many had praised her in the past and she had received countless love confessions — even a sickening obsession — Abel's way was special.

Just his gaze alone could tug her heartstrings and his gentle touch would electrify every fiber of her body. But the most special about it was that he never forced her. He had allowed her to grow, to get rid of the suppressed anger weighing her heart down, and granted her a chance to start with a clean slate.

"Should we go to bed?" she suggested after a minute of appreciating his existence. "Just be gentle, since my stitches can still open up."

His eyes fastened with amusement. "How enticing. I immediately had an erection," he admitted, making her giggle heartily.

"I'm serious, Abel." Aries placed a hand on top of his thigh. "We hadn't done our marital duties. But I've rested enough and I can at least go for a round."

His brows rose, eyes falling on her hand on his thigh. Just being around her was enough to stroke his lustful nature, and her faintest touch could set his body aflame. Abel hooked a finger inside his cravat, loosening it a bit. When he raised his pair of naturally sharp eyes on her, his throat bobbed at her bright smile.

"Do you have any idea how stunning you look right now?" he asked with a rasped voice, pinching her chin gently. "I literally felt my heart melt."

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Aries chuckled, leaning in playfully. "Should we kiss?"

"I think we should, but then again... I don't think I can control myself, darling. My brain is currently giving me a lecture on what gentleness means, but the lecture is quite hopeless against my body, heart, soul — especially against my erection," he explained with a heavy heart, letting out a deep exhale. "I cannot believe myself, darling."

"I can't believe you too," she replied with a laugh. "You're refusing?"

"No, darling!" he gasped. "I'm delaying it."

"It's the same."

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Abel let out another sigh, glancing at the bed, only to sigh once again. He never felt so defeated in his life. Never in his life would he have imagined he would delay pinning her under him, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"From now on, you can't get a single scratch on you," he announced with determination. "I only made an exception, since it is inevitable for you not to get hurt in this place. But now that your business in this place is over, you can't get a scratch."

"Scary. I'll take care of myself then." She poked the tip of his nose, grinning playfully. "How cute. You look like a whiny boy with that deep frown you're wearing. Don't cry."

"I am about to whine and cry, indeed." His expression died once more, but Aries giggled at his 'dilemma.' "Aries, you need to take me seriously."

"I am taking you seriously."

"Darling, I would've healed you with my blood, but you lost too much blood, and giving you mine is akin to replacing it." He sighed for the umpteenth time, holding her hand close to his chest. "Stop feasting on my woes when my intentions are good. This is the reason I dislike exercising good deeds."

Aries laughed, squeezing his hand mildly. "Alright. I was in the wrong. No more." But that didn't seem to please him either, making her purse her lips to suppress her giggle.

<strong>This was karma,</strong> he thought. He enjoyed her frustration every time she was about to reach climax, only for Abel to stop. Now, he had to practice abstinence. All he could do was guide her hand to his lips, showering it with countless kisses.

"Abel, I hadn't seen my brother lately," she spoke after watching him shower her hand with affectionate kisses.

"Oh." Abel raised his head, reminded of something important he kept forgetting. He looked at her and blinked twice, smiling. The sudden shift in his mood caused her to narrow her eyes and furrow her brows.

"They left," he explained.

"What?" she frowned. "So soon?"

"Mhm. They have to since they do not have wings to fly. Even if they travel by foot, it'll still take them some time."

"Oh... how long would they travel by foot? A month?"

"A week."

Aries instantly frowned, scrunching her nose up. "That's still not long! By carriage, it would take us at least two months."

"But I take less than a week to reach Haimirich. A day is enough if I don't rest." He shrugged, rendering her speechless. It took her a minute to absorb this information, letting out a deep exhale.

"That's amazing," came out a whisper, scanning his face. "So, they returned to Haimirich?"

"No." Her brows furrowed at his reply, only to see him smirk right after. Abel moved closer, smiling from ear to ear, holding her gaze with excitement. He pinched her cheek, and his eyes squinted.

"I prepared a gift for you," he said. "Let's get married again, Aries."

Aries could only look at his excited countenance as he asked her hand for marriage once again. Little did she know, Abel had already prepared his gift for quite some time now, which she had never fathomed he would ever consider.