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Dark Moon Third Arc (Fallen Heart) - 347. Never Ends
🕑 Added 2024-11-14 17:11:04 +0000 UTCThird Arc (Fallen Heart) - 347. Never Ends
Angel wasn’t a man who worried about his personal standing; his concerns were for the kingdom, for the people, and now for her. She could sense how much he wanted this to be perfect, not out of pride, but out of love for the land and a deep-rooted sense of duty.
He flicked his gaze toward Rose, who was watching him eat with a gentle, patient smile. He swallowed the bite he’d just taken and leaned back, one eyebrow raising slightly as he asked, “What are you thinking?”
Rose’s smile widened a little as she shook her head, a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Nothing,” she replied, but there was something in her tone that told him otherwise.
“Come on,” he urged, a playful look in his eyes. “I know that look. You’re thinking of something.”
Rose let out a soft chuckle, finally relenting. “Alright, you caught me,” she said. “You remind me of my late father. He used to work late into the night just like this, poring over documents, planning every move. I would sit with him sometimes, just like this, trying to understand what was so important that it couldn’t wait until morning.” She paused, her gaze softening as she remembered. “The king’s burden… it’s heavy, isn’t it?”
Angel gave a slight nod, his expression growing contemplative. “It is. I remember watching my own father do the same—staying up late, bent over his desk, consumed by work. I was just a boy then, and I never really understood it. I thought, ‘He’s the king, the leader of the kingdom. Why does he need to work so hard?’” He let out a low chuckle, tinged with a hint of nostalgia. “But as I grew older, as I took on more responsibilities myself… I started to understand. A king’s work doesn’t have an end. There’s always something more, something else that needs attention.”
Rose’s expression softened as she listened. “And that’s exactly why you should take better care of yourself,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “If the work never ends, then you need to make sure you’re well enough to handle it.”
Angel smiled, setting his fork down momentarily. “I know. I know.” There was a flicker of warmth in his eyes, something that softened the hard lines of responsibility etched into his face. “Besides,” he added, a playful tone sneaking into his voice, “soon I’ll have a new personal assistant to help me with all this.”
Rose chuckled, raising an eyebrow. “Oh? And who might that be?”
He leaned forward slightly, his gaze steady on hers. “You.”
She laughed, her cheeks flushing faintly. “Ah, so you’ve heard, then. I might have asked a few questions here and there… Chancellor Allan and Claire have been very patient with me. But you do realize,” she added with a mischievous glint in her eye, “that if I’m your assistant, I might enforce some new rules. Like actually eating dinner before it goes cold.”
Angel’s laugh was soft, a rare sound that warmed the room. “I suppose that would be fair. A bit of discipline from my future queen.” He shook his head with a smirk, picking up his fork again. “It’s strange. I never thought anyone would be able to keep me in check, let alone someone who was once my political prisoner.”
Rose’s gaze softened, her smile fading slightly as she looked at him with quiet gratitude. “You’ve given me so much more than a title, Angel. A role, a purpose. I want to help you… truly help you.” She paused, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the desk. “I don’t just want to be the queen in name alone. I want to be your partner.”
Angel smiled, a gentle warmth breaking through the usual guarded look in his eyes. “That’s why I chose you to be my queen,” he said, his voice soft but resolute. “Because I know you’re not the type of woman who just likes to have fun or shy away from duty. You were raised the same as me—born to carry responsibilities and duties.” He paused, his gaze fixed intently on her. “And that’s what I need. Someone who understands the weight of the crown, someone who can share it with me, not be afraid of it.”
