Chapter 100

"Thank you so much. I will wear it close to my body and treasure it for the rest of my life."

"Oh, I'm glad you like it."

After calming down, I properly expressed my gratitude, and he smiled with relief.

Perhaps Zain was also nervous about giving me this bracelet, I thought.

"Today has been a wonderful day! I was so happy with everyone's gifts... Oh, that's right."

I stood up and picked up the brooch from Al, which I had left on the table.

Then, I returned to Zain's side and offered him one of the red brooches.

"Would you like to wear it with me? It would be reassuring to have it on in case anything happens."

Zain looked at the brooch in his palm, then for a moment, he seemed taken aback. But he quickly said, "If you want me to, I will," and took it.

"By the way, I didn't ask anyone to give you this."

"Hehe, I know."

"Good. I will always find you and protect you."

Zain looked at me straight in the eye and said, "So, please don't do anything dangerous like that again."

"Yes, I'm really sorry for that..."

I immediately understood that Zain was referring to the time I tried to destroy the magical artifact and bowed deeply.

Without that light, I don't know what would have happened.

"Still, what was that light? Was it your power...?"

"No, that light was definitely coming from you."

"Huh?"

I thought it was Zain's because it was so blinding and we were so close.

As I pondered the deepening mystery, Zain gently let go of our intertwined hands.

"I'm sorry for keeping you so late. I'll head back to my room now."

As he stood up, I instinctively grabbed his shirt.

"...Grace?"

"Ah, sorry. It's just that I don't want to leave."

I knew Zain must be tired and that it wasn't right to keep him here at this hour.

Even so, I wanted to be spoiled today.

"As a last request for my birthday, could you stay with me until I fall asleep...?"

With that, I mustered the courage to ask Zain and looked up at him.

The moment I grabbed his shirt, he took my hand and pulled me close.

"Mm..."

Before I could react, he kissed me deeply, changing angles multiple times. My body went limp, and I was pushed onto the bed.

Eventually, he pulled away, and I was gazed down upon by his two golden eyes, which were now heated. I forgot to breathe and couldn't look away from him.

"You don't understand how much I've been holding back, do you?"

"..."

"You seem to think I'm some great person, but I'm just a man."

I had no experience with romance, so even though I knew Zain liked me, I never thought he saw me as a woman.

But now, I was acutely aware of it.

"How many men could resist a woman they love clinging to them like this?"

"I'm sorry..."

As I stammered an apology, Zain smiled.

Then, he lightly pressed his lips to the corner of my eye.

"But today, I'll make an exception and stay with you until you fall asleep. I want to be with you too."

"Thank you..."

I expressed my gratitude, feeling both happy and nervous. My heart was beating so loudly, it seemed to be making a racket.

Zain moved from on top of me to lie beside me on the bed, propping himself up on his elbow. We were now in a situation where we were lying next to each other, looking into each other's eyes.

I had imagined he would sit in the chair next to the bed, so being stared at like this made me feel like I couldn't fall asleep.

"You can go to sleep."

"I don't think I can fall asleep with you lying next to me like this."

"I see. Maybe if we touch more, it won't bother you as much."

Saying that, Zain leaned in again. His lips touched mine a few times, and I was already at my limit, wanting to run away.

"You're so cute."

I must look as red as an apple and have tears in my eyes.

Zain's large hand reached out, and he gently stroked my cheek and head. I could feel his love radiating from him, and my heart swelled with emotion.

"Would you like to talk until you fall asleep, Grace?"

"Sure, if you don't mind?"

"Sure. I can't tell you any interesting stories, but you can ask me anything you want to know."

"Then, I'd like to hear about your childhood, Zain!"

"Alright."

Then, Zain began to tell me stories from his past in a calm voice.

About his family, his friends, things he liked, and things he didn't like. It made me so happy to learn more about him, and I listened intently.

As I listened to his soothing voice, my eyelids grew heavy.

"...Zain, I love you."

"Ah, I love you too."

Just before I fell asleep, I told him, and he smiled softly, gently stroking my head.

It was the best birthday ever, and I closed my eyes, feeling happy, and fell into a dream.