Chapter 278

Thank you for reading on! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!
It was there, and the secret lovers were entwined in a moment of intimacy. Kiara cherished this side of Barto; he was chivalrous and sweet. “Yes,” she murmured, her lips brushing against his. Barto paused, looking into her eyes. “I don’t think you’ll make me kiss you again.” Kiara smiled, her heart racing. “Oh, I can imagine it because I feel the same way.” They remained locked in an embrace for several minutes, sharing silence that spoke volumes. It felt as if everything they needed to say was conveyed in that hug.
Kiara could hear footsteps approaching, and she knew Barto was always attuned to her wishes, even if it meant keeping their relationship a secret. Kiara nodded, and Barto took her hand, leading her to the first empty room they found-untouched and private. “Don’t you want to be with me?” he asked, concern lacing his voice. “I tried so hard, but nothing came of it,” she replied, a hint of frustration in her tone. “I’m not here for that reason. I came because you wanted asylum. You asked me to keep our relationship secret. You never told me otherwise; you said the opposite.
I just wanted to respect your wishes.” Kiara hugged Barto tightly and whispered, “It’s true, I’ve forgotten.” “If it were up to me, I would tell everyone I know about us. I would show you off to the world. I would be proud to have conquered your heart.” Kiara looked up, searching for the expression on his face. When their gazes met, her heart raced. She caressed his cheek, tracing her fingers over his lips. “I would scream to the world how much I love you,” she said softly, “and how much I want to be with you.” Barto leaned in and kissed her, their lips meeting in a tender embrace.
“Then why don’t you?” he asked, pulling back slightly. “My mother doesn’t accept relationships for different reasons. She sees it as an abomination. If she found out, she would do everything in her power to separate us forever.” Kiara had repeated this to Barto countless times, but he still struggled to understand that their relationship would never be accepted. “So I always have to hide and wait for you?” she asked, her voice tinged with sadness. “You want me to wait in uncertainty, not knowing if you’ve forgotten me?” “Of course not! I’m working to change that.
My mother has that way of thinking, but I will make it so we can be together openly.” “That’s true,” Kiara replied, her voice firm. “I love you, and I don’t want to continue like this. I don’t want to be your occasional lover; I want to be with you for the rest of my life, Barto.” Those words felt like a proposal of marriage. “Do you want to marry me?” he asked, his eyes wide with surprise. “Yes,” she replied, her heart swelling with joy. Barto took her hand and kissed it gently. “I want to see the marriage mark shining on you and in my heart.
I want everyone to see that our union is real and forever.” Kiara was overwhelmed with happiness. Barto’s proposal was something she had never expected. In another time, it might have saddened her, but this moment felt different. She was closer to achieving her dream of her mother’s acceptance. She kissed him again and said, “Yes, Barto, I want to be your wife. I want to carry the mark of our marriage and be united with you until death separates us.” Barto was taken aback, taking a moment to digest her affirmative response. “You’re serious?!” “Yes!
Did you think I would reject you?” Barto began kissing Kiara, showering her with sweet and tender kisses, until their lips met in a long kiss that left her breathless. “There were more chances of being rejected than accepted, which is why it’s hard for me to believe you accepted my marriage proposal.” Despite the joy flooding through him, a thought nagged at Barto’s mind. What would Kiara’s mother say about this marriage? “Will you tell your mother?” he asked. “Not yet, but I will soon.
I’ll find a way to make her accept you.” “And if she doesn’t?” “Then I will abandon my position as princess and run away with you.” “You’ve always said you couldn’t abandon your duties.” “Yes, but I am not the only princess of my kingdom. I have a cousin who has the same rights to the throne. If I disappear, the weight of the throne will fall on her.” Barto began to understand the gravity of her situation. Kiara was not just fighting for herself; she was also considering the future of her kingdom.
“This time, you didn’t come to the human world alone for me, did you?” he asked, a hint of concern in his voice. Kiara smiled softly. “I’m preparing to be with you, and that’s all you need to know.” Meanwhile, Cassian had placed Maya on the bed. “I think it would be best if you read it in April,” he suggested gently. Maya clung to Cassian’s clothes, her voice barely a whisper. “Don’t leave me.” Cassian leaned back, cradling her close. Maya nestled against his chest, feeling safe. “How good it feels to be in your arms,” she murmured.
“I believe I’m getting better.” “Maya, you need to tell me if you’re not feeling well. Hiding your pain only makes me worry more.” “I’m seasick and tired, but apart from that, I’m fine. It’s just a feeling.” “Are you sick?” “No, when it gets bad, I lose my strength, and my body becomes so weak I can’t even move a finger. But that’s not the case right now; I just have waves of nausea.” Cassian began to stroke her hair tenderly. “It’s fine; I believe you. But if it doesn’t improve, I’ll ask Abril to come.” “That sounds good to me.” Cassian continued to stroke Maya’s head until she fell asleep.
As he looked at her delicate, fragile face, his heart ached. She had always been strong and vibrant, and seeing her in this state broke his heart. There was nothing he could do to help her, but he would stay by her side. Useless, he thought. He felt completely helpless, unable to save the woman he loved. Maya slept for the rest of the day, waking only when the sun began to set, casting an orange glow through the room. As she opened her eyes, she saw Cassian sleeping beside her.
She caressed his face, marveling at how handsome he was, but it wasn’t just his looks that had stolen her heart; it was his kindness, sweetness, courage, and love. “How much I love you, my prince,” she whispered. “You should say sweeter words; they make me feel good, even if I’m a bit dizzy,” he replied, half-asleep. “This is my way of showing my love,” she said with a soft smile. “Do you feel better?” “Yes, the nausea is gone. I feel much better, but I’m very hungry.” “Do you want something special?” “Apple pie,” she said, her eyes lighting up.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to eat something so sweet.” “Please, I’m dying for a piece of cake. Don’t deny me this.”