Chapter 193. We’ll find out

I found Anna standing outside, her hands resting gently on the gate, her gaze lifted toward the sky. The moonlight bathed her face in a soft glow, and even from a distance, I could see the shimmer of tears gliding down her cheeks.I took a deep breath, letting the crisp night air fill my lungs before walking over. Without a word, I leaned against the gate beside her, my hand brushing lightly against the cold metal. Silence stretched between us, not heavy—but fragile. Like glass.

"It’s beautiful, isn’t it?" I said quietly. "The moon."

Anna didn’t look at me. She simply nodded, her eyes still locked on the sky. Another moment passed between us in stillness.

Then I spoke again. "You know... I’ve come to believe that most people misunderstand what love really is. And I’ve been one of them."

Her posture shifted slightly, but she still didn’t speak.

"We’ve been taught that love should look a certain way—flawless, polished. Like if someone forgets your birthday, they don’t care. Or if they stumble, or break down, they’re not strong enough to be loved. But that’s not love. That’s performance. That’s control disguised as affection."

I glanced at her, my voice softening. "Real love... allows space for imperfection. It’s not about fitting into someone’s expectations, or changing yourself to match their ideals. It’s about being seen—fully—and still being chosen."

Finally, Anna turned her head toward me, her eyes red and wet, her voice barely above a whisper. "But you said... you like strong women. Women who can stand on their own..."

I smiled faintly and reached out to gently take her hand. "I think you misunderstood what I meant," I said, holding her hand a little tighter. "I didn’t mean I want someone who wins every battle or never leans on others. I meant someone who’s real. Someone who, even when she’s scared or hurting, is still here. Still trying. That kind of strength... that’s what I admire."

Her lips trembled. "But I cry so easily... I doubt myself. I freeze up in fights. I’m nothing like girls like Lorraine."



"Yes, you’re right," I said, my voice steady. "You’re nothing like Lorraine. She gave up during our fight and ran away. But on your fight, you didn’t give up till the end. You fought through the tears. That makes you stronger."

I squeezed her hand gently. "You’re the one who cares, and that matters more to me than how loud someone shouts or how many battles they win."

She looked down at our joined hands, then back into my eyes. "Then why didn’t you ever say that before?"

I exhaled slowly. "Because... I didn’t realize I needed to. But I do now. And I’m sorry I made you feel like you weren’t enough."

She turned to face me fully, her expression searching. I met her gaze without hesitation.

"Then..." she paused. "Why haven’t you ever told me you love me?"

I didn’t look away. I studied her eyes—those innocent jade green eyes that always saw more than I was ready to admit. I raised a hand and gently brushed away the remnants of her tears.

"I didn’t want to lie to you, Anna," I said quietly.

She blinked, startled—but still held my gaze.

"I wasn’t sure," I continued. "There’s a lot you don’t know about me. And part of me was scared. Scared of what you’d think. Scared of ruining something so pure. The first time I met you, my heart raced like it never had before. And maybe... maybe that’s why I hesitated. Because I’m messed up. I’m afraid I’ll poison whatever good you see in me. Truth is... I’ve never felt worthy of someone like you."

She took a step closer. "Do you love me, or not?"

I hesitated, swallowing hard. "I... I honestly don’t know. But right now, there’s this warmth in my chest that won’t go away. And..."

I pulled her into a hug—tight, long, and wordless. The kind of hug that didn’t need explanation. I didn’t understand what I was feeling. I shouldn’t have. She was my age. I usually found myself drawn to older, more experienced women. But ever since she saved me in that dungeon when l was new in this world, Anna had been the only one who made me feel like a teenager on their first date with their crush.

[...]

I slowly pulled away. I swear, my system wanted to say something—probably a cheesy line—but it stayed quiet for once.



"And... I don’t want to let you go."

"I guess... we’re the same," Anna said, a soft smile finally forming on her lips.

"What?" I asked, confused.

"I mean... I don’t know if I love you either." She looked down shyly. "It’s not like I’ve ever been in a relationship before. So I don’t really know what love is supposed to feel like. Sometimes I wonder if I just admire you because you’re the only one who’s ever really been kind to me. You care about me... You’ve done things for me no one else would."

Her smile turned sly. "Even if that meant stripping down to warm me up with your body."

I choked on my breath. "Let’s not bring that up again..."

She giggled. "But really... I think I’m definitely attracted to you. I just don’t know if attraction means love. Does it?."


I stayed silent. Not like I was some romance expert. Even in my past life, I lost my virginity to my wife—and never got close to anyone else.

"I don’t know either," I admitted. "Why don’t we figure it out together?"

Her smile widened. "Well then..."

She wrapped her arms around my neck, eyes playful.

"Do you mind kissing me?"

I grinned. "Do I mind? Let me find that out too."

And then, our lips touched. I tilted my head slightly, deepening the kiss as our hearts beat in sync. There was no rush, no desperation. Just... a quiet, shared confession that didn’t need words.

Her fingers curled into my hair, and I pulled her a little closer, feeling her warmth press against me.



But then, we heard soft giggles and froze. Both of us, our lips still touching though.

Slowly, we broke apart, just enough to glance toward the source of the sound.

There, standing in the doorway of the house, were both of our mothers—barely holding in their laughter. Anna covered her face in both hands, blushing while groaning.

"Mom!" she hissed. "How long have you been standing there?!"

"Long enough," Ivy teased with a wink.

"We weren’t spying," my mom added with a grin. "We just happened to come out for fresh air."

"Fresh air my foot," I muttered.

Anna hid her face against my shoulder, giggling now too. "This would’ve been better in your room."

I smiled, brushing my thumb along her back. "You’re right about that. But we have a thread of union ritual to do, don’t we?"

She looked up at me. "Right!" she said with a soft laugh, the kind that made something warm stir in my chest again.

And then, without hesitation, she took my hand and led the way back toward the house.

TBC