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“I don’t know what to do.”And it was the truth. There was just a dozen feet that separated her from Rathe, but somehow the distance seemed impossible to travel. Earlier, it had all seemed easy. She would tell him she loved him, and it would be okay again.

But now?

Everything felt like a dream, one that could never happen.

“Don’t be afraid, Mary.”

Rathe’s strong voice reached out to her, destroying her fears, a lifeline she clung to. Her tear-filled gaze flew to the door that separated them. “I-I’m t-trying.”

“Listen to me. I have a question for you.”

“Q-question?”

“Yes, little pearl.” Her tremulous voice made him ache to hold her in his arms, but he knew he had to be patient, had to do this right. “This time, there won’t be any lies between us. No secrets. Just the truth.”

“Y-yes.”

At her answer, he said right away, “I love you.”

Mary’s entire body shuddered.

“I promise that if you become my wife, I will love only you for the rest of our lives. I will forever be proud to have you stand beside me.”

Rathe stepped back. “So if you believe me...then come out and let me put this ring on your finger.”

Time stood still after that, and every second was a dark blur as he waited tautly for Mary to make a decision.

He knew he could have just kicked the door open, could have kissed her into submission, could have chosen not to give her a chance to think.

But he didn’t want to do any of that.

He wanted Mary to really think about it because in the end, she was the one getting the worse part of the deal.

If they married, he would have the kindest girl in the world. She, on the other hand, would only have a flawed, selfish duke as her husband.

An eternity later, he heard the sound of the door opening, and that was the only time he allowed himself to breathe. His gaze began to blur at his first glimpse of Mary, and then she was crying as she ran to him—-

He caught her in his arms.

She hugged him tightly, sobbing harder at how much she had missed the feel of being in his Rathe’s embrace. Pulling away, she whispered, “Tell me. I w-want to hear it for real.”

He didn’t even think of refusing or teasing her. So much time had been wasted already.

“I love you.”

She broke down. Sniffing, she said, “Again.”

“I love you.”

“Again.”

“I love you.” He lowered her down so he could hold her hand.

“Again.”

“I love you.” He dropped to his knees.

The tears flowed endlessly, but still she choked out, “Again.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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