Chapter 105: Seal It
And then, Sunnie felt like a teen again—receiving her first high school confession in the most heart-fluttering way possible.
She couldn’t remember the last time that had happened. She blinked, keeping her cool while staring right into him.
Azure took her hands gently. He stared at them as though they were the most precious things he had ever seen before and then kissed those hands gently. With a soft smile, he stared into her eyes and said, "I’ve thought it over and over again... And it still came out the same."
"I’ve done all the logical calculations to define these feelings... and ended up with the same conclusion. I’ve already given it enough thought to know that... I..." He stared into her eyes, his blue eyes glittering. "That I want to take care of you and our daughter together. So give me that opportunity... Sunnie."
Her heart exploded at that moment as she felt a thousand butterflies spiraling around her head. She could feel it—Cupid moving over her head. Her romantic spirit animal, which had been killed by work in the modern world, had woken up again.
And the little animal, a bird dressed in Cupid’s attire, was flying around her, enough to tell her that she felt the same. She had for a while now.
She slowly let out a soft smile, looking down at the little one in her hand. "Well, then I guess you’ll have to show me how you’d do that."
She stared back at him, her eyes glittering with a smile. Then again, she felt like she was in high school again—butterflies fluttering in her stomach, her cheeks going pink. She felt eighteen again.
"So... does the female... I mean, does Sunnie accept my offer?" he asked.
Sunnie smiled as she stared at him. "What do you think?"
He hesitated, blinking. "Oh..."
Sunnie laughed. She guessed he couldn’t read that. "It’s a yes."
He smiled. "Ah... then... it’s not over yet." He took her hands and led her away.
"Where are we going?" she inquired.
He smiled. "To fulfill it."
Sunnie was confused as she followed him, the little one in her hand. She didn’t understand what was happening, but she was following him nevertheless. She supposed she’d find out what he meant when they got there.
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They arrived at the river—the same one Sunnie had pioneered, the one close to their habitation.
Sunnie stared as the baby in her hands giggled aloud, as if she recalled the atmosphere. She truly did feel connected to the water she was born and hatched in.
"And... what are we doing here?" Sunnie asked.
He smiled. "In our land, to complete the process of binding our love, we have to do this tradition."
"....." Sunnie blinked. "Huh? What...?"
He smiled as he walked close to her, taking her hand. "Follow me..." He led her into the water. Sunnie panicked, wondering if her immunity from the system in water was still on.
What if she sank?
But she couldn’t bring herself to refuse him. Even the baby was excited.
She found herself stepping into the water until the three of them were in. Standing inside the water, Sunnie looked around. She could actually still breathe.
Azure turned to her. He smiled at the little one in her hand and then stared into her face. "It’s to be done here... in the water." He gently brought his hands to her ears, tucking her hair.
Sunnie said nothing; she simply stared. She could have sworn his eyes were glittering even more.
He smiled as he got something out and handed it to her. "In my land... this is made and given exclusively to someone we love..."
Sunnie stared at the pearl in his hands—a pearl necklace specifically. It was so tiny that one wouldn’t really notice it while wearing it. And it was extremely pretty and glittering under the water.
"This..." She found herself smiling. "Is so pretty..."
He smiled. "It’s meant for the one you want to be with forever. And it’s given to one person in a lifetime... so you’re the first person who’s receiving it."
They stared at each other. Sunnie’s heart fluttered even more. She truly did feel like the female lead in a rom-com movie at this moment.
He continued, "It’s made from the pearls around my body..." He explained. "As a symbol of the other part of someone..." He smiled. "You’re that other part I want to spend eternity with... so... I took my time making it. While you were asleep, I made it. I hope you like it and accept it."
Sunnie smiled as she stared at it. She was extremely moved. This seemed like an extremely important tradition in their land. And him giving it to her was also important to him. He had probably thought about it for a long time, since he was smart enough to overthink without being rash.
Sunnie found it romantic. She stared at the necklace with a smile. "How am I supposed to reject that?" She stared at him with a nod. "Of course I accept."
He smiled, his eyes glittering more. "Thanks... for accepting my feelings..." He leaned closer to put the necklace around her neck. Sunnie felt his face close, his breath and all. She stiffened as her heart fluttered.
When he was done putting it on, Azure stared into her face. Their faces were extremely close. He smiled. "From now onwards, you’ll be the first and only woman I’ll be with. The only one who can have my heart and attention and my child."
He leaned closer. "You’ll be the only one I can do this with."
He leaned in for a kiss. As his lips brushed against hers, Sunnie leaned backwards and stared down at the baby, who was smiling and giggling as if she understood what was happening.
"But the baby’s..." She tried saying, but Azure grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer, leaning in as he whispered.
"Don’t worry. Our little one can be a witness to us sealing our bond forever." He smiled as he leaned in, pressing his lips against hers.