Chapter 75

My heart leaps as Zain-sama smiles, as if he can see right through me.

Even though I think I should deny it, no words come out.

"N-no, it’s not—"

"It is. You cried because you thought I was kissing and hugging another woman, didn’t you?"

"That’s not it—"

My feelings must have been obvious long ago. Still, if I admit it, it will be the end.

If that happens, I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep trying as Grace Sentbury.

But I can’t lie about my feelings, and I don’t want to. My vision blurs.

"Grace"

Staring into his honey-colored eyes, which seem to melt, and hearing my name called in such a gentle voice, my heart overflows with love, making it impossible to hold back.

"..."

I can no longer suppress my feelings.

Overwhelmed with joy and anxiety, I can’t stop the tears from flowing.

Gripping Zain-sama’s warm, beloved hand tightly, he squeezes back as if to say, "It’s okay."

"–If I stay with you... a lot of bad things will happen in the future..."

Even though it must be confusing for Zain-sama, he looks straight at me and nods gently, as if comforting a child.

"Everyone around us, and I, might be in danger... That’s why I’ve been trying to end things."

Even as I try to stop crying, more tears spill over, and Zain-sama wipes my eyes with his other hand.

"Besides, Zain-sama is supposed to be happy with someone else..."

His gentle touch, his nods, and his kind expression, which he shows only to me, make me so happy that I end up crying like a child.

"I’ve been trying so hard to protect everything... But if you do this to me, I—"

"..."

"I can’t give up on Zain-sama anymore."

I have no regrets about telling him this. It’s my honest, true feelings right now.

I strongly feel that I don’t want to let go of someone I love so much, who cares for me.

Before I know it, I’m in Zain-sama’s arms, tightly embraced.

"You’ve been thinking about such things all this time, my kind one."

"..."

"Thank you."

Feeling grateful, loved, and relieved, I reach out to his broad back for the first time.

His arms, which were wrapped around my back, tighten, and there’s no space between us.

"But I decide my own happiness."

Hearing Zain-sama’s words, I feel an overwhelming lightness in my heart.

"Being by your side is my greatest happiness."

The line from the novel, where Zain-sama tells Charlotte, his favorite character, has always been a part of me, binding me.

It defined his happiness, and thus, mine.

"And with you, I can accept any ending."

"..."

–I’ve been holding back for so long.

You were too bright and distant, someone I shouldn’t reach out to, as a minor character.

I must have been drawn to you from the moment we met.

"...I love you."

My voice trembles. It’s my first confession.

"I love Zain-sama... I’ve always loved you—"

Before I can finish, I’m grabbed by the back of my head, and my vision blurs.

The words I was about to say are cut off. Zain-sama’s lips seal mine.

I’ve been kissed on the hand and cheek before, but this is my first kiss on the lips, and my mind goes blank.

"..."

As the kiss deepens, I let it happen, not even knowing how to breathe properly. Finally, I’m released, gasping for air. Lifting my face, I meet his honey-colored eyes up close.

Zain-sama gently wipes the tears from my eyes with his fingertips and smiles softly.

"I love you too. I really do."

Feeling so happy and loved, I can only cry. When Zain-sama says, "I love you," the tears don’t stop.