The Do-Over System:My Beloved is the Villain! - Chapter 78

Chapter 78: 02/24- Lucian’s Ultimatum

Aeliana’s heart felt as though it were beating in her throat. She stood there, facing Lucian with everything she had, her voice steady but full of emotion. She could see the uncertainty in his eyes, the way he wrestled with the conflict inside him. He wanted to walk away, to protect her from what he believed was inevitable, but Aeliana couldn’t just let him go. Not without fighting for what they shared.

“I know it’s too much to ask, Lucian,” she said, her voice soft but full of sincerity. “But I want us. I want you. I want the future we dreamed of, no matter how difficult it seems. I don’t care about the expectations, the duties, or the weight of our responsibilities. I don’t care about any of that if it means we have to be apart.” She paused, the words nearly catching in her throat. “I’ve been the elf princess, bound by duty for so long. But I choose you, Lucian. I want to be with you, not because of duty, but because of who you are—because of who we are when we’re together.”

Lucian’s gaze softened, his hand trembling slightly as it hovered near hers. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed to catch on the edge of his tongue. His expression was torn, and Aeliana could see the strain in his features. He was struggling, battling with the weight of his own fears and the concerns for her safety.

“I don’t know if I can offer you everything you deserve,” he said quietly, his voice thick with emotion. “I’m not a perfect man, Aeliana. I have so many mistakes behind me. I don’t want to drag you down with me.”

Aeliana shook her head, her eyes never leaving his. “Lucian,” she whispered, her voice firm but gentle, “I’m not asking for perfection. I’m asking for us. You’re not a burden to me, and I don’t see your flaws as something that makes me want to walk away. I want to stand by you, even when it gets hard. And I know it will be hard, but I’m willing to face it. Together.”

Lucian’s breath hitched, and he finally took a step toward her. His expression softened, the walls around his heart crumbling just a little. He reached out and cupped her face, his thumb gently brushing away a tear she hadn’t realized had fallen.

“I wish you could see how much I want to give you everything, Aeliana,” he said, his voice strained. “But I’m scared. Scared that I’ll hurt you, that I’ll drag you down with me. I’ve been alone for so long, carrying this burden of leadership, and now, I’m bringing someone else into it. And that terrifies me. Because the last thing I want is to hurt you.”

Aeliana’s hand found his, and she gently squeezed it, grounding him. “Lucian, I’ve been through so much in my life. I’ve faced challenges that seemed insurmountable. But through it all, I’ve learned one thing: I’m not alone. I have you. And you have me. We’ve faced so much together, and we can face this too. We’re stronger than you think, Lucian. I’m not afraid of the struggles ahead because I know we can face them side by side.”

Lucian closed his eyes for a moment, a long breath escaping him as if he had been holding it for far too long. When his eyes opened again, they were filled with a mixture of resolve and uncertainty. He was still unsure, but he couldn’t deny the pull he felt toward her—the connection that seemed to transcend everything else.

“I don’t want to hurt you, Aeliana,” he whispered again, the weight of his words settling between them. “I don’t want to lose you.”

Aeliana placed a hand over his heart, feeling the steady thrum beneath her palm. “You won’t lose me,” she said, her voice quiet but sure. “I’ll be right here. Always. And I won’t let go of you, not now, not ever.”

There was a long silence between them, the only sound the wind rustling through the trees. For a moment, it seemed as if time had stopped, as if the world itself was holding its breath. And then, slowly, Lucian lowered his head, pressing his forehead gently against hers.

“Promise me, Aeliana,” he said, his voice hoarse, “promise me you won’t give up on me. That even when it’s hard, you’ll still be there.”

Aeliana closed her eyes, a tear slipping down her cheek, though this one wasn’t from sorrow—it was from the overwhelming weight of the love she felt. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as though to solidify her words.

“I promise,” she whispered. “I will never give up on us. No matter what comes our way, I will be here, Lucian. I’m not going anywhere.”

For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Lucian finally allowed himself to relax into her embrace. The tension that had been coiling inside him began to loosen, and for a moment, he allowed himself to hope. To believe that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way through this. Together.

Before Aeliana could fully collect her thoughts, she realized that she needed to take another important step toward mending her relationship with Lucian. Despite the weight of their conversation, something simple and personal remained undone—Lucian’s favorite treats and drinks. It seemed small in the grand scheme of things, but Aeliana knew how the right comfort food could soften a heart, how even something so trivial could remind him of the love that still lay beneath all their pain.

Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for a small enchanted charm from her pouch—a communication crystal that would reach Malion Drethos. Mal was not just any adviser; he was Lucian’s trusted general, and one of the few people who knew Lucian intimately, his needs, his tastes, and his secrets. Over the years, Mal had become someone Aeliana could rely on when things became too complicated. She needed his help now more than ever.

As soon as the crystal began to glow, Mal’s steady voice echoed through it, his warmth a small comfort in her turmoil. “Aeliana, it’s been too long. What can I do for you?”

“Mal,” Aeliana said, her voice soft but firm. “I need your help. I need to know Lucian’s favorite treats. I want to make him something special. I need to remind him that there’s still something worth fighting for between us. He’s so lost in his duties, and I don’t know what to do. Can you help me?”

Mal’s tone grew more serious as he processed her request. “Lucian, huh? I understand.” He paused for a moment, likely thinking carefully. “Well, it’s tricky. Lucian has a refined taste, and it takes a bit of effort to please him when it comes to his comforts. His favorite treat is a spiced honey torte, one that takes precise care to make—it’s a rare dessert, and you’ll need special ingredients. For his drink, he loves an aged wine from the Grand Estates. But don’t worry, I’ve got connections that’ll make sure you can get it. And there’s more—his tea. He prefers it steeped with jasmine petals, simple but perfect.”

Aeliana let out a small sigh of relief. At least she had a direction now. “Thank you, Mal. I don’t know how much this means to me. But… is there anything else I should know? Something to make it more personal? I need him to feel that I care, that I’m not just the Oracle, but someone who loves him.”

Mal’s voice softened, the concern in his tone unmistakable. “Lucian is… complicated. He’s used to being seen as the prince, the leader, the one who’s always in control. But underneath that, he craves simplicity. He wants comfort, something that reminds him of better times. If you can include something personal—like a note or a trinket, something that speaks directly to his heart—he’ll appreciate it more than you think. He may not show it, but he does value sincerity. It’s not about grand gestures, Aeliana. It’s about showing him that you see him for who he truly is.”

Aeliana took a deep breath, feeling both hopeful and anxious at the same time. “I’ll make sure to do that. I won’t mess it up. Thank you, Mal. I’ll handle it from here.”

“I’m always here for you, Aeliana,” Mal responded warmly. “Remember, it’s the small things that count. Don’t hesitate to ask if you need more help.”

With a final sigh of gratitude, Aeliana disconnected the crystal, the weight of the next steps resting heavily on her shoulders. Now, she had a plan. She would gather the ingredients, make the pastry herself, find the right wine, and brew the tea with care. She would do this for Lucian, to show him that she still cared, that she wasn’t giving up on them. No matter how painful things had become, Aeliana knew that this was the first step toward healing the rift between them.

As she stared out at the twilight sky, her thoughts lingered on the times she and Lucian had shared. The laughter, the moments when they were just two people without the weight of their titles, free to simply be. She didn’t want to lose that connection. She couldn’t afford to.

Turning back toward the camp, a renewed sense of purpose filled her. There was so much more to do, so many wounds to heal. But with this small step, she could at least begin. Lucian may have been distant, but Aeliana wasn’t ready to let him go. Not yet.

With resolve in her heart, she set off to gather everything she needed, determined to show Lucian that she wasn’t just the elf princess. She was someone who loved him, who believed in their future—despite everything that had happened between them. This was her chance to prove it.