He asked Navia with a fluttering heart.
"Dad has to go to the divine realm for about three days because of external god issues, is that okay?"
"Yes, it's okay."
'Huh, Navia isn't crying?'
Strange. This isn't the picture I had in mind.
'Wasn't our daughter the one who hated being apart from Dad even for a moment?'
"…You're not crying?"
A crease formed on Navia's forehead.
"Why would I cry? I'm not a child."
"But Dad is going to the divine realm, right?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"You're okay not seeing Dad for three days? Are you? Did you tear up a bit?"
"Not at all."
Navia looked at Lark with slightly disgusted eyes. Clearly, she was looking down on him.
Of course, she wasn't happy that Dad, who just returned yesterday, was leaving for the divine realm for another three days, but work is work, right?
Besides, Navia was extremely busy. She didn't even have time for this leisurely conversation.
'If I follow Dad's instructions, I should be preparing to oust Agnes with Uncle.'
It wouldn't be too late to spend sweet time together when things get less busy.
However, Lark had a capricious nature, not strictly separating personal and professional matters.
He immediately pouted his lips.
"Dad is sad."
At that point, Creed, who was watching from the side, quietly shifted his gaze with a hushed voice.
'I should never become a father like that.'
Indeed, Lark was serving as an excellent negative example for his student.
"Come back soon. I'll finish all the busy work before Dad returns."
"Hmph. You don't care whether Dad is here or not? What's more important, Dad or work?"
"Dad."
"Right, Dad… Huh?"
Lark was grumbling, expecting his cold-hearted daughter to say work was more important, then he paused.
Navia repeated with an expression wondering why he was asking such a thing.
"Of course, Dad is more important. That's why I want to finish work quickly and go home with Dad."
Lark struggled to suppress the smile tugging at his lips as he asked softly.
"Really?"
"Yes. So don't be late."
He instantly brightened up.
"Of course. If anything happens, contact Nyx. I'll come right back."
"Okay."
Navia laughed heartily, seeing her Dad's mood lift.
"Dad will be back."
"Yes."
Lark's gaze shifted to Creed.
"I'm going to visit the divine realm. If you have something to say, pray with reverence."
"Yes."
Lark snapped his fingers, having no reason to delay further.
Snap!
A golden mist-like energy floated like dust in the air, then quickly vanished.
Navia and Creed were left alone in the living room.
"……"
"……"
It wasn't noticeable when Lark was there, but suddenly it was awkward with just the two of them.
The hesitant air, eyes aimlessly looking around, fingers nervously fidgeting.
Navia stood up for no reason. She wanted to break this tension.
"It's a bit warm today."
She opened wide the windows that had been shut since Lark and Creed came.
The fragrance of April flowers wafted in.
Ah. I shouldn't have opened it.
Navia inadvertently remembered the night they became aware of each other's feelings.
Creed looking up at her from the garden, the wind carrying petals around him.
The memory rushed in with the scent.
'I might as well confess now.'
Navia, unable to bear the sweet and awkward atmosphere, turned around abruptly and was startled.
Creed had quietly approached behind her.
"Be careful."
Creed had stopped her from stumbling backward into the window frame with his hand.
"Ah, thanks."
Navia awkwardly checked behind her, bowing her head.
'From Nyx yesterday to Dad today, all these flutters are making it more awkward!'
Pretending to lean back, she stepped away from Creed, who was too close, using the window frame as support.
Her heart was racing, so she took a step back.
Then, a large hand in a black glove landed next to hers on the window frame, naturally tilting his upper body towards Navia.
She trembled.
She couldn't bring herself to look up.
"Noona."
"Yes?"
Startled by his unexpected call, Navia jerked her head up.
Their eyes met.
Instantly, the warmth of spring intensified.
The living room, bathed in soft sunlight behind Creed, had a lazy atmosphere, as if fluffiness had materialized.
No, it was their gazes at each other. Eyes brimming with affection, as sweet as honey.
That's why they understood without saying.
We need each other. I need you, and you need me.
Creed's lips parted.
"I like you."
It was known without saying, but it couldn't be left unsaid.
The magic, once overwhelming, tearing through him, was not as fierce as this emotion. So, he confessed.
"I like you, noona."
He said he liked her.
"I love you."
And that he loved her.
"Since a very long time ago."
It felt like he had fallen in love with her from the first day he saw her.
He couldn't recall a day when he hadn't loved her. He loved her at every moment.
"I love you."
Navia accepted his fervent confession with a dazed expression.
Creed, declaring his love, was dazzlingly beautiful.
His serious face conveyed a love long held.
"Me too."
Navia, lifting her hand from the windowsill, caressed his cheek.
"I like you too."
No one ever offered her a hand in her past life except him.
That's probably when he became special to her.
"I love you."
So, she loved him.
It must be love.
Creed bowed his head, and Navia closed her eyes.
He pressed his lips, full of love, onto hers.
One hand supported her back to prevent her from falling out the window.
Navia naturally wrapped her arms around his neck.
Their lips softly interlocked, breaths mingling. It wasn't for magic, but purely for the desire for each other.
She wanted him.
Feeling the forest scent flooding her, her toes tingled.
The energy she knew changed. It became more vast, drenching her with its richness.
Creed lifted Navia, properly seating her on the windowsill, and pulled her waist closer.
Before overlapping their briefly separated lips again, he whispered.
"I love you."
Confirming each other's feelings and having emotional room were different things.
Creed confessed every time their lips parted briefly, as if he couldn't bear it.
"I love you."
"Uh, me too…"
She swallowed her response. She pushed the words she had uttered into her mouth and chewed them fiercely.
She wanted more. More of her.
She was the last piece that completed him.
Fitting the piece made him whole. Navia was his life's master. Without her, he was nothing.
'So please, love me.'
Keep loving me. Don't leave. Forever.
"I love you."
He confessed as if begging.
Repeatedly pleading like a cute appeal with the same confession.
I love you. I love you.
She felt like a fruit soaked in sugar syrup.
Navia, with a burgeoning smile on her lips, blurted out an impulsive decision.
"Shall we get married?"
Startled, Creed made a dumbfounded expression, receiving the proposal he hadn't dared to offer, fearing she would feel burdened.
"…Are you serious?"
Navia nodded.
"I don't want to marry anyone else but you. No, I just want to marry you."
Regardless of the surrounding environment, their decision was purely emotional.
I want to be with Creed.
I want to live with this guy for life.
So, she followed her heart.
But then, Creed cried.
Navia was startled by his sudden tears.
"Creed? Did I make a mistake?"
He shook his head and kissed her hand. Tears trickling down his cheek wet her hand.
"Because I'm happy."
Navia was more bewildered.
Wasn't she supposed to be the one shedding tears of joy at a marriage proposal?
'Well, why not?'
Navia laughed.
Who wouldn't be happy with such a response to a marriage proposal?
"We should announce our engagement soon."
Navia gently stroked his cheek, wiping away his tears.
Creed still had teary eyes, curving into crescents.
"Okay."
Anything was fine. Whether they started with an engagement announcement or marriage, it was all good.
"I'll do whatever noona wants."
They embraced each other tightly.
"It was truly the most perfect moment."
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