The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: 02/09- Like a Virgin

Skye took a deep breath as the weight of his confession hung in the air between him and Leona. The moonlight illuminated the quiet garden where they stood, the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze the only sound surrounding them. He had spent so much time carefully planning every move, making sure that everything aligned, but now, with the confession hanging in the open, his heart beat harder than ever. “Allow me to explain my actions, Leona,” he began, his voice steady, yet his eyes betrayed the deep vulnerability within him. “It’s true… I have feelings for you. Romantic ones. Maybe even more than just that.”

Leona’s gaze faltered for a moment. She didn’t immediately say anything, but her expression was a mixture of confusion and contemplation. Skye could see her mind racing, trying to process what he had just said. She had always been cautious, analytical, and driven by the responsibility of being the oracle. He knew her better than most—she had learned not to let anyone close, never truly opening herself up to others. The weight of her duties as oracle had always stood between her and any form of personal connection. Yet, as he stood there before her, with the truth of his emotions laid bare, he hoped she could find some small part of herself to trust him.

“I didn’t come into this with ulterior motives,” Skye continued, his voice slightly more earnest. “I didn’t seek you out because of some hidden agenda. What I felt for you… well, it wasn’t planned. It was just there. And now I can’t pretend it’s not anymore.” He took a step closer, allowing the space between them to shrink ever so slightly. “It was always there, even when I tried to ignore it. The truth is, I care for you more than just as an ally or a confidante. You mean more to me than you could imagine.”

Leona remained silent, her eyes searching his face. She had always been good at reading people, understanding their motives, their desires, their fears. But now, standing in front of Skye, she found herself questioning everything she had known about him. Was he telling the truth? Was this really the same man who had been so calculating, so mysterious? Or had his feelings for her begun to chip away at the façade he had built around himself?

“Skye…” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly as she struggled to find the right words. “I don’t know what to say. This is… unexpected. You’ve always been so guarded, so focused on your goals. I never thought that you would…” Her words trailed off, leaving the air thick with tension. She couldn’t deny the strange pull she felt toward him, the way his presence made her heart race at times. But was that just the allure of his charm, or was it something more? Could she allow herself to feel something for him? Could she truly open her heart to someone who had always seemed so distant?

Skye stepped closer, his gaze softening as he reached out a hand toward her. “I know this is hard to believe, Leona,” he said quietly, “especially considering everything that’s happened. But I’m not asking for anything from you, not right now. I just wanted you to know how I feel. You have a right to know.” He looked down at his hand, hesitating before gently placing it on her wrist. “All I want is for you to consider that there’s more to me than the man you’ve seen in the shadows, working in the background. If you’ll let me, I’d like to show you the person I really am.”

Leona’s breath caught in her throat, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt a flicker of warmth spread through her chest. Her fingers twitched at her side, wanting to respond, to reach out and touch him in return, but she held back. Everything inside her told her to stay distant, to stay guarded, but there was a part of her that was undeniably drawn to him. The way his eyes shone with sincerity, the way his voice trembled with vulnerability—it was unlike anything she had ever seen from him before.

“I don’t know if I can do this,” Leona confessed softly, her voice almost a whisper. “I’ve spent so many years keeping my heart locked away, too afraid to open it to anyone. I don’t know if I’m capable of… being vulnerable like that. But I can’t ignore the way you’ve made me feel these past few weeks, Skye.”

The confession hung in the air like a fragile thread, and Skye could feel his heart pounding in his chest. He stepped back slightly, giving her space as he processed her words. “Leona, I never expected you to open up to me overnight,” he said softly, his voice tender. “I’m not asking you to do anything that doesn’t feel right. I just want you to know that I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Leona turned away slightly, her eyes cast downward as she processed his words. She could feel the weight of his sincerity pressing against her heart. The walls she had built around herself had always been her way of protecting herself from the world, but Skye’s words, his presence, made her question whether they were still serving her. Could she take a chance? Could she let herself trust him, even with all the darkness that surrounded their lives?

“You’ve always been so persistent,” she murmured, her voice a mixture of awe and uncertainty. “And now I can see that it wasn’t just about your plans or your ambition. You really do care.”

Skye nodded, his eyes earnest as he stepped closer again. “Yes, I care more than you know, Leona. But I’m not asking for anything from you right now. Just know that I’m here, and if you ever decide that you want to open your heart again, I’ll be waiting.”

Leona took a deep breath, the weight of the moment heavy on her shoulders. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but for the first time, she felt the possibility of something different. Something real.

Leona’s voice quivered slightly as she took a step back from Skye, her eyes filled with both uncertainty and sadness. “Oh my, I am still the Oracle, Skye. I have sworn to abstain from sin… You of all people should know that.” Her words were a mix of conviction and sorrow, as if the very weight of her responsibility crushed her every time she considered allowing herself to feel something more than just duty. The Oracle’s path was one of strict discipline, a life devoted to the greater good and the preservation of balance. The thought of betraying that sacred oath, even in the name of love, filled her with dread.

Skye, however, was undeterred. He saw the conflict in her eyes, the inner turmoil that waged within her. “Leona,” he said softly, stepping closer once again. “I understand your struggle. You’ve always been bound by the chains of duty, always thinking of others, always putting yourself last. But what if your purpose isn’t just about the Oracle? What if there’s a different path you can take? One where you still serve the greater good, but with someone by your side—someone who truly understands you, and what you’re going through.”

Leona shook her head, trying to push away the thoughts that seemed to swirl and pull her deeper into confusion. “But that’s the thing, Skye,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I cannot just walk away from my destiny. My purpose is greater than my personal desires. I have to be strong, I have to stay true to the Oracle’s path. To be with you… I would be turning my back on everything I’ve worked for.” Her eyes filled with a deep sorrow, as if the weight of her responsibility was more than she could bear.

Skye’s gaze softened as he reached out and gently touched her arm, his fingers warm against her skin. “What if I told you that I’m willing to stand by you, not as someone who wants to change you, but as someone who respects your duty?” His voice was gentle, his words carrying an honesty she had never heard before. “Leona, I’m not asking you to abandon your purpose. I’m asking you to let yourself be free—to let yourself be loved, without guilt, without the pressure of your role. I’m willing to fight beside you, help you find balance, and support you in your journey, no matter where it takes us.”

Leona looked down at the ground for a moment, her mind racing as she considered his words. She had spent her entire life being the Oracle, the one who sacrificed her own desires for the good of others. The thought of stepping away from that responsibility was terrifying, but in Skye’s words, there was a possibility of something she had never allowed herself to consider: happiness. Could she have both—her purpose and her own happiness? Could she truly allow herself to live for something more than just her role as the Oracle?

“You would truly stand by me?” Leona asked, her voice barely a whisper, as she finally lifted her gaze to meet his. “Even if it meant standing against everything I’ve ever believed in?”

Skye nodded, his expression unwavering. “I would stand by you, Leona. No matter what.”