Chapter 10: I'm Glad I Loved You

Immediately following the thunderous roar that had echoed from the direction of the Drefon Great Labyrinth, the courtyard of the Drefon estate became a hive of frantic activity as soldiers prepared for battle.

Victim Drefon stood in his third-floor office, looking down at the chaos before turning to the figure loungeing on the sofa behind him.

“So, it’s true... Drefon has finally been revived?!”

“Sure has. You heard that god-awful scream just now, didn't ya?” the robed man replied. “That was the signal. Right about now, he’s probably haulin' himself outta that egg, lookin' for a snack.”

“Heh... hehehe. I feel for the students of the Royal Academy, but I suppose they’ll have to serve as Drefon’s first meal.”

Victim’s eyes went wide, a distorted, twitching grin stretching across his face.

Inside his hood, the robed man couldn't help but sneer.

(What a moron. Seriously. He thinks strapping on that shiny armor is actually gonna let him kill a dragon?)

Whether it was Victim himself or the soldiers scrambling in the courtyard, their gear was woefully inadequate for a dragon hunt. They seemed to think they could take down a legendary beast with nothing but swords and bows.

(No way, man. Not a chance. The thing flies, for cryin' out loud.)

When Drefon had first appeared in the past, the Reese Kingdom had been utterly decimated because they couldn't find a single effective way to strike back. Swords couldn't reach it in the sky, and arrows just bounced off its reinforced scales. Countless soldiers and adventurers had charged in bravely, only to be slaughtered where they stood.

In that regard, the adventurer who became the founder of the Drefon house was likely a coward. He hadn't faced the dragon head-on; instead, he’d obsessively studied its ecology. Eventually, he’d discovered its nest and set a series of traps while the beast was away.

While the traps hadn't managed to kill Drefon, they’d inflicted wounds so severe that the dragon required centuries of slumber to recover.

(But he couldn't finish the job.)

The man’s gaze shifted to the low table, where a sphere emitting a dull, crystal-like glow sat. Inside, a pulpy, throbbing mass of flesh beat like a drum—Drefon’s heart. As long as this remained intact, Drefon could be resurrected over and over again. That was how it had been designed.

(I really wanted to let it ripen for another five years, but hey, whatever. I guess I’ll just look forward to seein' how much it grows from here.)

The man chuckled to himself, lost in a fantasy of the calamity Drefon would bring to the Reese Kingdom and the entire continent. He’d never had any intention of helping Victim.

Unaware of this, Victim waited with bated breath for the moment he would slay the dragon and be hailed as the new hero of House Drefon.

The robed man watched the pathetic, comical display with a mocking smirk.

...Then, it happened.

Crack.

A faint, unfamiliar sound reached their ears. Both men turned their eyes toward the low table, focusing on Drefon’s heart.

The outer shell was splintering.

“...Huh?”

The robed man let out a stunned gasp. For the hundreds of years he’d possessed it, the heart had never sustained so much as a scratch, even when handled roughly. And yet, it was shattering.

Why?

Before he could even process the question, the change accelerated.

The cracks spread in the blink of an eye. The heart split down the middle, exposing the fleshy mass inside. Then, the rhythmic pulse stopped. It went still for a heartbeat before dissolving into silent, shimmering particles of light.

“What the...?”

Both the robed man and Victim stood frozen in shock as Drefon’s heart vanished into nothingness.

“What is the meaning of this?!” Victim demanded.

The robed man couldn't find the words to answer.

(That’s my line! What happened?! Where’s the heart?! No way... Did it seriously just die? The Black Dragon?!)

The Black Dragon Drefon could not die unless its heart was destroyed. Since the heart had vanished, the conclusion was obvious. But it made no sense.

(There isn't a single person in the Reese Kingdom right now who could kill Drefon... The only possibility would be a 《Sword Master》, but Roan wasn't with Lucas. He should've been back at the capital!)

Had Lucas predicted the revival and moved in secret? Had he used himself as a decoy to distract them while sending Roan Ashblade to the Labyrinth to slay the dragon the moment it woke up?

(No, that’s impossible. Besides, Drefon didn't just die—it was erased. Even a 《Sword Master》 couldn't wipe out the heart along with the body.)

“Answer me! I asked you what happened to the Black Dragon!”

“Shut up already. Why don't you have a drink and calm down?”

The robed man pulled a small vial from his cloak and tossed it to Victim. Without a moment's hesitation, Victim downed the pink liquid inside.

The robed man let out a bored sigh as he watched Victim collapse, writhing in agony on the floor.

“...Lame.”

For reasons unknown, the Black Dragon had been completely purged from this world.

Like a child whose favorite toy had been snatched away, the robed man stood up irritably and kicked the thrashing lump of flesh at his feet.

“Seriously, what is the deal? Nothin’'s been goin' my way lately.”

It had all started when that human trafficking ring he’d been using to gather sacrifices for the revival was dismantled. Even Greed Letchery, his useful pawn, had been caught by Lucas and had to be disposed of.

Then there was the little game he’d been playing with Cardinal Malicious and the Saint, Rosalie. Just when things were getting good, someone had to go and interfere. He hadn't even gotten to see the look on that old man’s face when he realized he’d turned his precious "granddaughter" into a monster.

Looking back, every single one of his plans had been thwarted by Lucas.

“The third prince, huh...”

He knew the Prince was sharp, but he hadn't expected the boy to be such a persistent buzzkill.

“I was thinkin’ about playin’ with him eventually anyway. Guess now’s as good a time as any.”

Manipulating people, tormenting them, and watching them fall into the pits of despair was his greatest joy. The man’s mouth curled into a jagged grin beneath his hood as he imagined the look of absolute hopelessness he would eventually carve onto Lucas’s face.

◇

Lucas moved into action the moment the roar echoed from the Great Labyrinth.

He dispatched half of the Kingdom Knights he’d brought as guards to the dungeon to assess the situation and provide aid. With the remaining half, he made a beeline for the Drefon estate.

From inside his carriage, Lucas watched the distant mansion through his blindfold.

(The watch-fires are lit. There are roughly two hundred soldiers gathered...)

The numbers were too high for a force assembled after the roar. It was too well-prepared—as if they’d been waiting for a specific signal.

(I’d like to believe my uncle hasn't done anything reckless, but...)

Lucas held Victim in high regard.

The Drefon family and their territory had suffered immense damage from the source of the plague. Despite losing most of their land and being demoted to the rank of Viscount, Victim—an adopted son-in-law—had managed to keep the house and the territory afloat amidst scandals and false accusations.

His political acumen and the talent he displayed in managing the territory were worthy of praise.

The reason Lucas had visited the Drefon territory unannounced was to see the reality of the situation with his own eyes. A lord’s rule is written on the faces, clothes, and behavior of his people.

The people of Drefon were cheerful. Their clothes were clean, and there were almost no vagrants in the streets. While the population had dwindled and parts of the town were in ruins, the center was regaining its former vitality, and the town was clearly being rebuilt from the inside out.

Few nobles could manage a territory so effectively. Lucas felt a sincere, unadulterated respect for the man.

He had hoped to recruit Victim as his right-hand man in national politics. Using a man from the Drefon house—the family branded with the stigma of the plague—would surely draw criticism. Not just from his enemies, but even from the nobles currently on his side.

Even so, Lucas believed Victim was worth the risk.

He remembered the troubled look on Victim’s face when he’d brought it up at lunch a few days ago. Had his uncle already known what was coming?

As Lucas was lost in thought, a knock came from the carriage door. Merry opened the window, allowing a knight to report.

“There appears to be a disturbance at the mansion, Your Highness. I’ve sent scouts ahead to investigate.”

“...Understood. Let’s hurry.”

An ominous feeling settled in Lucas’s chest as he ordered the driver to pick up the pace.

When they arrived, the Drefon estate was in an uproar. The house guards were gathered in a corner of the courtyard, looking bewildered.

Upon seeing Lucas, they parted like the sea, kneeling and bowing their heads. At the end of the path they formed, a dark, reddish-black stain spread across the grass. It was a sight Lucas had seen before.

“Report,” Lucas commanded.

The knight with a 《Discernment》 skill saluted. “Sir! It appears an ape-like monster suddenly appeared inside the mansion. There was only one. It has already been slain, and its corpse dissolved upon death.”

“...I see.”

Lucas looked up to see a massive hole blasted through the wall of the third floor. The monster must have emerged from there.

(A monster... though I use the term loosely.)

Normal monster corpses didn't dissolve into stains like that. That only happened when someone was transformed by that drug. The presence of such a stain meant someone inside the house had been forced to drink the pink liquid.

Who had it been? And who had given it to them?

“Where is my uncle?”

“We were told he was preparing for battle inside the mansion.”

“...Understood. Have the men secure the perimeter. If you see anyone suspicious, do not let them escape.”

“Sir!”

Lucas’s orders were carried out swiftly. The soldiers Victim had gathered followed the Kingdom Knights without hesitation, suggesting they hadn't been assembled with the intent of attacking the Prince.

Accompanied by Merry and a few knights, Lucas entered the mansion.

Inside, the servants were running through the halls in a panic, shouting Victim’s name. Lucas caught one and questioned them; apparently, the monster had appeared in Victim’s office. When the servants had rushed in, Victim was nowhere to be found, and they’d been searching the house ever since.

Lucas ordered the servants to evacuate and headed straight for the office.

The room was a disaster. Sofas were shredded, and desks and shelves had been smashed to pieces. It was a miracle the place hadn't caught fire, thanks to the magic tools used for lighting.

The hole in the wall offered a clear view of the courtyard below. The knights searched the room, but there was no sign of Victim. He wasn't even buried under the debris.

“According to the servants, Viscount Drefon was meeting with a guest in this room right before the monster appeared,” a knight reported.

“Do we have a description?”

“A tall man in a dark green robe. Should we begin a search?”

“...No, it’s too late for that.”

The robed man was almost certainly the same one who’d been in contact with Letchery and Malicious. Given his track record, he’d have slipped away the moment the monster caused a distraction. Searching for him now would be a waste of resources.

However, Lucas could no longer afford to leave him be.

(My uncle was likely turned into that monster. I’m not exactly the type to go on a quest for vengeance... but I’ll make sure he pays for getting in my way.)

Lucas tightened his fist and ordered his team to scour the office for clues as to why Victim had been gathering soldiers.

They found it surprisingly quickly.

A hidden drawer in the smashed desk had been forced open by the impact, revealing a single book inside.

“Is this a diary?” Merry asked, handing it to him.

Lucas flipped through the pages. “It seems so.”

The early entries were mundane. It was started last year, detailing work, small interactions with servants, and meetings with townspeople.

The tone changed about six months ago. From the entry mentioning a merchant in a dark green robe, the handwriting and content shifted so drastically it was as if a different person were writing.

From that point on, the pages were filled with a hatred for the royal family that read more like a curse. It was the raw, unbridled passion Victim had likely kept buried deep in his heart.

Anger at the unfairness of the plague. Despair and disappointment that his pleas for help were ignored, only for him to be saddled with the blame. The suffering of living under the stigma of "Drefon’s Curse."

The emotions Victim had suppressed for years had been unleashed by the robed man. Eventually, it spiraled into a gruesome plan to kidnap innocent people from the capital to gather blood for the revival of the Black Dragon.

“...Uncle.”

Victim had been a tool for the robed man. The diary claimed that Victim would "slay" the dragon and destroy its heart, but there was no guarantee the robed man would have followed through. It was more likely the man’s only goal was the resurrection itself.

Victim had probably realized that.

He’d realized it, but he couldn't resist.

『I will likely die. Let this record be my final act of defiance.』

The last sentence of the diary spoke volumes about Victim Drefon.

(I won't let your death be in vain, Uncle.)

Lucas tucked the diary into his coat and turned to his knights.

“We’re heading to the Great Labyrinth. Gather the men.”

If the diary was true, the roar they’d heard was indeed the revived Black Dragon.

(If the dragon of legend has truly returned, the Reese Kingdom is in for a catastrophe. I can only pray that Hugh is handling things on his end...)

With a sense of resignation, Lucas looked out at the mountains beyond the hole in the wall. A full moon hung quietly in the cloudless sky, surrounded by stars like powdered sugar.

◇　◇　◇

Alyssa’s reaction to the roar from the Great Labyrinth was instantaneous.

She gathered the students of Class 1-A and evacuated them to the cliffs above the entrance. Then, alongside her former subordinate Cicely and the other adventurers, she took up a defensive position in front of the dungeon.

The first wave of monsters fleeing the roar was met with a hail of stones. Alyssa had instructed the students on the safety of the cliff to hurl down any rocks they could find.

Even the girls who’d never held a sword were effective combatants when dropping heavy stones from a height. Furthermore, these were the elite who’d passed the entrance exams with flying colors; they’d gained plenty of experience in the class matches and this very field exercise.

A barrage of stones, fire, and water skills rained down, thinning the monster ranks. However, the sheer volume of creatures pouring out was staggering. Raptor-like monsters that managed to weave through the projectile fire lunged at Alyssa’s line.

“Good grief. I wish people would stop making messes for me to clean up,” Alyssa muttered.

“Cleaning up, ma'am?” Cicely asked.

“Just talking to myself, kid. More importantly, I hope your skills haven't gone soft now that you're a 'Holy Knight'.”

“Of course not. The swordsmanship you beat into me doesn't rust that easily.”

“Is that so? Now that’s what I like to hear.”

Alyssa grinned, deftly sidestepping a lunging monster and taking its head in one smooth motion. Cicely followed suit, her movements a mirror of Alyssa’s as she methodically cut down any beast that came near.

(She’s still incredible!)

Cicely watched Alyssa out of the corner of her eye, marveling at the way her mentor seemed to dance through the fray. Her swordplay had only become sharper since their days at the Academy.

Alyssa’s strength lay in her unpredictable, free-form style, which stood in stark contrast to her refined, disciplined movements. While it looked like she was just swinging her sword at random, every strike was the result of thousands of hours of repetitive practice.

There were many strong swordsmen among the Holy Knights.

But Cicely was certain that Alyssa was the strongest she had ever met.

Cicely adjusted her position, moving to finish off any monsters Alyssa missed and ensuring her mentor wasn't flanked. The other adventurers followed her lead, shifting their tactics to support the whirlwind at the center of the battle.

By the time two or three piles of monster corpses had begun to form, the flow of enemies slowed to a trickle. Alyssa flicked the blood from her blade, a puzzled look on her face.

“That’s weird. I didn't think that was all of them.”

Only about a hundred monsters had emerged. Given the size of the Drefon Great Labyrinth, she’d expected at least five times that number.

While Cicely and the adventurers looked pale at the prospect of more, Alyssa remained unphased, tilting her head back to look at the sky. The moon and stars were peaceful, shining down on the quiet night.

“Cicely, we haven't heard another roar since that first one, right?”

“N-No, I don't believe so.”

“...Well then, maybe... just maybe...”

Alyssa let out a little chuckle and turned her gaze toward the dungeon entrance.

Shadows were moving inside the tunnel.

Cicely and the adventurers raised their weapons, but Alyssa held up a hand to stop them. Emergin' from the darkness were Idiot, Lily, and the rest of the First Squad. They looked utterly exhausted, and Lily’s eyes were red and swollen from crying.

“Lecty! Lady Lily! Lord Idiot! You’re safe!”

Rosalie, who’d been watching from the cliff, called out joyfully. But her expression quickly tightened as she looked at the group.

“Where are Lady Lugue and Hugh...?”

The two were missing. None of them could answer immediately; they only hung their heads and bit their lips.

Lily lunged forward, grabbing onto Alyssa’s sleeve as tears welled in her eyes.

“Professor Alyssa! Hugh and... Lugue!”

Her voice was frantic and broken as she reported what had happened. She told them about the roar during their camp on the fifth floor, the ledge collapsing, and Hugh and Lugue being dragged down into the abyss. She spoke of the powerful monster in the depths and the threat of a Monster Parade.

Alyssa glanced at Ryug and Tina. They both looked as if their world had ended, their faces masks of pure despair.

(Ah... so this wasn't part of the plan, huh?)

The two of them had told her that the Black Dragon was supposed to revive years from now and destroy the Kingdom. Their mission was to guide Hugh to the depths to slay it before it woke up.

(I guess Drefon decided to wake up a little earlier than the history they knew.)

Getting a handle on the situation, Alyssa turned to Lily, who was begging her to go back and save them.

“Alright, first things first. We need to check if they're still alive, don't we, Lady Lily?”

“I... I can’t...”

“You’re not gonna give me some half-baked 'I'm scared' excuse, are you? If we don't know where they are, we can't save 'em.”

“...!”

Lily stood frozen, her eyes wide.

Alyssa knew she was being harsh. But she couldn't let her team go running off into a massive dungeon without a target.

More importantly, Alyssa was Lucas’s knight. Even if the Prince’s sister was in danger, her absolute priority was Lucas’s safety. She would have to take the heat for it later, but her duty was to ensure the Prince returned to the capital alive.

(Seriously, kid... I’m countin' on you!)

That said, she didn't exactly want to die for failing her duty, so she prayed with everything she had that Hugh had protected Lucretia.

Lily sank to the ground, hugging herself as if to stop her trembling. Seeing her like that, Lecty ran over and pulled her into a tight embrace.

“It’s okay, Lily.”

“Lecty...?”

“Just like he saved us, I know Hugh will save Lugue! We have to believe in him, okay?”

Lily leaned into Lecty, her rigid body finally beginning to relax.

“...You’re right. Thank you, Lecty.”

Lily pressed her forehead against Lecty’s and closed her eyes, activating her skill.

“Skill: 《Strategist》.”

Under the watchful eyes of Alyssa and the others, Lily searched for the signals of Hugh and Lugue.

A few seconds later, her eyes snapped open.

“There! They’re both safe!”

A collective sigh of relief swept through the group. Idiot tightened his fist in a silent victory, and Lecty let out a sob of joy, tears spilling from her amethyst eyes.

“What about the Black Dragon?!”

The voice belonged to Ryug. He stood up, his eyes wide with desperate hope.

“Do you see a signal for the dragon?!”

“The dragon...? No, there’s nothing like that, but...”

“...He did it! He actually did it! Everyone is...!”

“Ryug!” Tina cried, throwing her arms around him.

Ryug covered his face with his hands and dropped to his knees, his shoulders shaking.

In the midst of the celebration, Alyssa clapped her hands together loudly.

“Alright, eyes on me! It’s way too early to celebrate! Hugh and Lugue are still at the very bottom of the dungeon, got it? We’re not out of the woods yet!”

“Hmph... She’s right. Let us depart at once to rescue them!”

At Idiot’s call, Lecty and Ryug stood up, ready to move. Alyssa prepared to leave Cicely in charge and lead the rescue party, but—

“No... that might not be necessary.”

Lily smiled, wiping the last of her tears away. She was looking up at the sky, where a large, full moon was shining with a soft, silver light.

◇　◇　◇

“Hugh Pnocis. Your skill is 《Saint》.”

I stared at my reflection in the pale purple crystal stone Tia had found in the depths of the cave. I activated my 《Brainwashing》 skill.

I let out a shaky breath of relief as I felt the skills swap.

Cutting it a bit close there... I’d barely managed to do it before the blood loss knocked me out for good.

“《Heal》.”

As the skill began to knit my wounds back together, I thought back to what had happened after the dragon vanished.

I’d managed to release the 《Brainwashing》 on myself by using the reflection in Tia’s eyes, but when I tried to use her eyes again to put the skill back on myself, it wouldn't work. Apparently, the skill recognized that I was making eye contact with Tia, so no matter how many times I tried, the skill targeted her instead of me.

If only I could change other people’s skills freely, but I’d already proven with Lily and Rosalie that it doesn't work that way. My 《Brainwashing》 skill really is a pain in the neck sometimes.

Since I couldn't fix myself, I’d sent Tia out on a desperate gamble to find anything that could act as a mirror. Finding that crystal stone was a stroke of incredible luck. If she hadn't found anything, I’d be dead on the floor right now.

“Hugh!”

Tia, who’d been watching my wounds heal with bated breath, lunged at me and pulled me into a hug.

“Thank goodness! Oh, thank goodness!”

“Guh... S-Sorry for worrying you, Tia.”

My shoulder still hurt like crazy because the healing wasn't finished, but I gritted my teeth and hugged her back. Her warmth and the sweet scent of osmanthus wrapped around me, soothing my frayed nerves.

She’d gone out into the dark, terrified and crying, just to find a way to save me. Seeing her let out all that suppressed emotion now made my heart ache.

“Thank you, Tia.”

“No... thank you for protecting me.”

We stayed like that for a long time, holding each other as if to confirm we were both still there. I couldn't help but wish this moment would last forever.

...But I knew better. We were at the bottom of a dungeon. The dragon was gone, but who knew what else was lurking in the dark?

Once I confirmed my shoulder and leg were fully healed and functional, I slowly stood up with Tia’s help.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, I'm good.”

I was a bit lightheaded from the blood loss, but I could manage. The pain behind my eyes had faded to a dull throb, and the agony in my limbs was completely gone.

“Your skill is amazing, Hugh. You healed those wounds just like Lecty would.”

“Well, I switched to the exact same skill she has. But... 《Brainwashing》 is still a dangerous power, Tia.”

The ability to swap skills at will, combined with the power to dominate others—it was the ultimate cheat. It was clumsy to use, sure, but in the wrong hands, it was a nightmare. A power like that shouldn't even exist.

When I said that, Tia puffed out her cheeks in a pout.

Wait... did I say something wrong?

“I told you I wouldn't let you say that!”

“W-Well, yeah, but I lied to you, didn't I?”

“That’s part of it, but I think you need to trust yourself more, Hugh! Maybe 《Brainwashing》 is dangerous, but isn't every skill dangerous if you use it the wrong way?”

“I don't think it’s the same...”

“It is! You could use 《Pyrokinesis》 to burn people’s houses down, or 《Strategist》 to be the world’s greatest stalker!”

“You... really do have a point there.”

If Lily heard that last one, she’d probably blow a gasket. If anyone other than Tia had said it, I might have been offended too.

...Ah, I see. That’s why she’s upset.

“The Hugh I love would never use his skill for something evil!”

Tia’s voice was filled with a pure, hundred-percent trust.

She believed in me. She knew I wouldn't do anything bad with my power. So, when I insulted the 《Brainwashing》 skill, she felt like I was insulting the person she loved.

...I see. It was the same with the others, too.

Lily, Lecty, Idiot... they hadn't just accepted the 《Brainwashing》 skill. They’d accepted me.

When I first received this skill from God, I was just confused. To be honest, the thought of using it for my own gain had crossed my mind more than once. But every time, I’d used my reason to crush those impulses. I’d told myself that because I had such a wicked power, I had to live as an honest, upright man.

Tia’s words made all that effort feel worth it.

I felt like I could finally, truly accept my own existence—even as the possessor of the 《Brainwashing》 skill.

“Thank you, Tia.”

Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. God, crying in front of the girl I like... how pathetic can I get?

“Ehehe. You’re welcome!”

As I wiped my eyes with my sleeve, Tia gave me a soft smile. She stood on her tiptoes, reaching up as if to pat my head, so I knelt down and let her.

Her small hand brushed my hair with a gentle touch. On the ring finger of her right hand sat the ring I’d given her, its iolite stone sparkling in the dim light.

I really am a pathetic, uncool guy.

But I loved the girl who accepted me anyway more than I could put into words. I fought the urge to pull her in for a kiss. A guy begging for a kiss while crying is just way too creepy.

After Tia comforted me for a while, I finally regained my composure. We decided to head back to the shaft where we’d fallen.

The hole was dark, so I switched my skill to 《Levitation》 first. I couldn't do it with one leg, but with both legs healed, a full-power jump should carry us back up to where we’d fallen, even with me carrying Tia.

I picked her up in a bridal carry and kicked off the ground with everything I had.

We soared into the air, rising up and up. As we left the pitch-black bottom of the pit, the world gradually grew brighter.

I think we can make it back to the camp like this... I thought. But as we rose like a helium balloon, I realized we were going to overshoot the ledge by a wide margin.

“Hey, Hugh? What if we just go all the way outside?”

“Outside?”

“I want to see the moon. Is that... okay?”

I couldn't say no when she tilted her head like that. She was too cute.

“Hold on tight, okay?”

“Mhm!”

Tia gripped my coat and tucked her head against my neck. Her silky silver hair tickled my cheek. The sweet scent of osmanthus was enough to make my head spin.

I held her small body close, making sure she wouldn't fall as we aimed for the surface. Our momentum was slowing, which meant we’d start falling the moment we cleared the hole.

The stagnant, cold air of the dungeon gave way to the warm, pleasant night air of summer. Bathed in moonlight, we leaped out of the earth and into the starry sky.

“Wow...!”

The massive moon felt close enough to touch. Tia let out a gasp of wonder, her sapphire eyes sparkling as they reflected the lunar glow.

I was busy staring at her profile, captivated by her beauty, when she noticed my gaze and turned to smile at me.

“It’s beautiful, isn't it, Hugh?”

“Yeah. It really is.”

I almost said, “Not as beautiful as you,” but I managed to stop myself. That would've been way too cheesy.

But I couldn't just keep these feelings bottled up anymore.

“Tia, I love you. I’m so glad I met you.”

“Hehe. I love you too! I'm so happy right now, Hugh!”

Without either of us having to say another word, we leaned in and slowly pressed our lips together.