Chapter 217 - Confession Day

Kinue:

Today is the day. Finally, the long-awaited day. Ever since I realized how much I care for Nathan, I’ve been preparing for this moment—the one where I’d finally share what I feel. We demi-humans are different from humans when it comes to love. Our desire springs from something deeper, something more tied to the soul, while humans… perhaps they’re drawn more to the body first? I can’t say for sure. I’ve read countless romance novels trying to understand how human minds work when it comes to love.

For us, love is about partnership and trust. It’s allowing someone to see who we really are, to understand and appreciate us. To trust another to the point of being vulnerable at their side—that’s deeply instinctual. Perhaps it comes from our beast side. To sleep together, to share the same den, means trusting enough to let down our guard, like a wolf lying peacefully next to another, unafraid of attack. Love, for us, is exactly that: trusting someone so deeply that you give yourself completely.

Since I met him, Nathan has been my one-wolf pack. He takes care of me, listens attentively, gives advice, and stands by my side even in my darkest moments. That’s what drew me to him, what made my admiration turn into something more. He was my first friend and the one person I could trust without hesitation.

“Nathan doesn’t know any of this. He’s human… and I don’t know how humans fall in love. I’ve tried everything, read so many books, but I still don’t understand…” I murmured, gazing at my reflection in the mirror, as if seeking some answer that might help.

My eyes reflected doubt, and my ears drooped slightly in discouragement. I tried to understand this feeling, something that was so clear in the stories, but in real life, it seemed to slip through my fingers. Every romance I read spoke of humans and their restless hearts, of fleeting glances and unsaid words. But it all felt distant, like I was trying to decipher an unknown language.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair to straighten it. “Maybe he’ll never realize…” I whispered, almost resigned but with a tiny spark of hope. “Or maybe he’s already noticed, and his silence was the answer…”

“He’s more elf than human… maybe that’s why.”

I thought about everything I’d learned from reading over the years, and one thought suddenly washed over me.

What if he only likes elves? If that’s the case, I’m lost…

By human standards, I know I’m attractive and that my appearance catches people’s attention, but none of that matters. I don’t want to catch anyone’s eye but his.

I sighed, taking the box of chocolates I’d bought for him out of my storage bracelet. I held it for a moment, looking at the carefully chosen packaging, and a knot formed in my throat.

Since the day Nathan entered the academy, I started counting the days on my calendar. I marked each one, even knowing that special date was still far off. He has no idea how anxious and nervous I’ve been for this moment. No clue of the countless books I’ve read, trying to understand how humans experience this feeling called passion. And now, after all this, I’m going to give up.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

I put the box back in my bracelet, feeling a weight settle in my chest.

“My best friend loves my best friend,” I murmured, tasting the bitterness of the truth. “I love them both… they’re my family. I can’t hurt Chloe… I don’t have the heart to do that to her.”

I looked at my reflection in the mirror. There was something broken in my gaze, a hidden sadness.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, more to myself than to anyone else. “I spent all this time trying to be beautiful, trying to be someone interesting, and in the end… all that effort was for nothing.”

I sat on the bed, feeling the weight of my decision, a quiet melancholy spreading through me.

“I just want them to be happy,” I whispered, as if sharing a secret with the wind. “Even if that means I’ll be left feeling sad.”

What else is there to do but stay by their side… and hope they’ll always be my friends.

I’ve had this conversation with myself so many times lately. Ever since I realized Chloe’s feelings for Nathan, everything started falling into place in a different way. To me, they were always just cousins, but now, it’s as clear as daylight that she sees him in a whole new light.

Leaving the room, I touched my storage bracelet instinctively, as if seeking comfort from it.

Nathan, you’ll always be my first and only love. I’ll stay by your side and Chloe’s, protecting you both, as I promised. And because of that… I can’t hurt my friend. You’ll never know how much I love you, and that thought eats away at me… because if I ever lose you, I know it will hurt more than I can imagine. The irony? The pain is already here, even before anything has happened.

For a moment, a bittersweet smile crossed my face. “It was nice to imagine, even if just for a second, that there might be something between us… but that kind of thing only happens in stories. In real life, a commoner doesn’t meet her prince.”

Chloe Evenhart:

The day had arrived. Finally, the long-awaited day. I’ve known Nate for ten years, and honestly, I can’t even pinpoint when I started to like him. I was so young, and I can’t remember exactly when it began, but to me, it feels like I’ve always had feelings for him.

“Do I look pretty?” I asked myself, gazing into the mirror. I was trying on a few outfits for our gathering after class, when we’d go to the restaurant with the others. I wanted to look a little… attractive for him.

Just a little? No… I want to look very attractive, I thought, laughing to myself.

Today is the last day of school before the month-long break.

“Today is Chocolate Day…” I murmured, holding the box of chocolates I’d prepared for him.

I’d hand him the box and make my confession.

I started thinking about how I’d say everything. I planned to talk about all the moments we’ve shared, all the times I wanted to hug him, but he always seemed to shy away. Since I was eleven, I’ve tried to make him see how much I care, but he always seemed to dodge it.

He has no idea how many times I’ve tried to open up, only for him to change the subject.

Just the thought of his face made me blush.

“Darn it… Nate…” I mumbled, throwing myself onto the bed and hiding under a pillow.

Do I really have to face him? Just the thought makes me embarrassed. Maybe I can confess by asking him to look the other way?

I laughed at the thought.

He’s my fiancé, though he doesn’t know that yet.

Nate is someone I’ll have to keep an eye on. He’s talented and handsome… I’ll have to be careful of any girl who gets close. Thankfully, Cylla is always nearby.

I started thinking about the future.

We’re already engaged and practically adults. We’re both fifteen… maybe we could get married soon?

I got up, feeling my face flush.

Not that I’m rushing anything… It was just curiosity.

I went back to tidying up my uniform, trying to focus.

“Besides, I don’t have to wait to do ‘that’ anyway. When the time is right, I’ll make it happen. I just need the ideal setting. I’m definitely not doing it in the castle… or at the academy either.”

Maybe I could lure him on a ‘mission’ in the duchy… and lead him right into a trap?

I laughed again at the thought.

“Kinue…” I murmured, thinking of my friend who’d always been by my side. A bittersweet feeling washed over me; I didn’t want to hurt her.

I just have to accept it… I thought, trying to muster the courage.

You, as his second wife. Maybe at first, I’ll feel a quiet pang of jealousy, a small sense of discomfort, but… you deserve happiness too.