I Love You

"Do you often experience unsettling dreams?" he asked, his voice soft and soothing.

Crystal gave him a small smile, appreciating his tender gesture. She could sense his worry and fear for her, emanating from his aura.

"Not too often, but yes, I do have nightmares from time to time," she replied, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy. "But this one-- it felt different. I've experienced scarier nightmares, but this one left me feeling utterly hopeless."

Ambrose held her even tighter, enveloping her in a comforting embrace. His protective nature shone through, and Crystal couldn't help but chuckle at the contrast between his aura and his outward expression.

Her chuckle brought a smile to Ambrose's face. "I cannot help but concern myself for your well-being," he admitted, his voice filled with sincerity. "I desire you to never feel alone or scared. You deserve nothing but happiness and peace."

"Same here." Crystal's heart swelled with affection for him. She marveled at how quickly he had become someone she could rely on, someone who genuinely cared for her well-being.

As Ambrose held her tightly, Crystal couldn't help but adore him even more. Just a few days ago, he had been hesitant and guarded, reluctant to give in to his own feelings. Now, he was a pillar of strength and protection, providing her with the support she needed. And she herself had changed a lot.

Crystal spoke up, her voice tinged with amusement. "Your Highness, you are very different from when we first met. I even thought you were going to execute me for being disrespectful." She chuckled softly, and Ambrose cleared his throat, feeling a touch embarrassed by the memory.

"I had a very unpleasant encounter with my father that day, so my reaction was inevitable," he explained, his tone reflecting remorse. "But I do regret shouting at you. I regretted it the moment it happened."

Crystal understood the gravity of the situation, sensing there was more to Ambrose's strained relationship with his father. However, she decided not to pry further, aware that such topics might be sensitive for him. She pondered how to respond to his regretful confession, contemplating the changing dynamics between them.

As Ambrose's words lingered in the air, Crystal found herself interrupted by his interjection. "And do not address me as Your Highness anymore," he declared, a hint of vulnerability in his voice. "Call me by my name only."

Surprised by his request, Crystal raised an eyebrow and scratched her neck, pondering over if it was a good idea.

"But--" Crystal began to voice her concern, but Ambrose swiftly interjected, determined in his desire. "No 'buts.' I don't like it when you call me that way. Addressing me by my name alone-- it felt very nice," he admitted, his ears turning a charming shade of red.

Amused by his response, Crystal pursed her lips, trying to suppress her smile. Crystal's observation of Ambrose's ears turning red amused her, and she found herself holding back a smile. She wondered if there was a more suitable term of endearment she could use for him instead of an adorable little munchkin for him.

Crystal took a deep breath and mustered the courage to approach Ambrose with another question. "May I have a moment of your time for one more inquiry?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and anticipation. Ambrose graciously nodded, acknowledging her request.

Crystal continued, her eyes focused intently on Ambrose's face. "I couldn't help but notice that you never reveal your wings to others. It pains me to see you misunderstood and unfairly judged because of it," she spoke with sincerity, her concern evident in her voice. Others accused him to hide his identity is 'The Cursed One' by concealing the crescent moon shadow over his wing.

Ambrose let out a deep sigh, his gaze drifting towards the endless expanse of the sky above. He seemed lost in a distant memory, a hint of melancholy washing over his features. If it was someone else who had asked the same question, he would have ignored them but it was Crystal; someone who made him vulnerable.

"My wings bear a striking resemblance to those of my beloved mother," he finally revealed, his voice laced with a bittersweet blend of affection and sorrow. "Summoning them evokes a profound pain, a constant reminder of her absence. It requires great fortitude to confront the emotions that accompany their presence."

Crystal's heart ached for Ambrose, understanding the weight he carried within him. His wings held a deep personal significance, entwined with memories and emotions he held dear.

Others around Ambrose knew that his mother was no longer around and had passed away when he was quite young.

Crystal's eyes widened, filled with a mixture of surprise and gratitude as his actions spoke volumes about the depth of his feelings for her."You summoned your wings in front of Aurelius and Marina, despite the distress it brings you, just for my sake?" she asked, her voice tinged with awe and appreciation.

Ambrose just smiled as he looked into Crystal's touched aqua eyes, his silence speaking volumes. In that moment, she leaned in, pressing a swift and tender kiss upon his delicate lips. The sudden contact sent a surge of warmth coursing through his entire being, leaving him momentarily breathless.

His eyes widened, and a rosy hue spread across his cheeks, betraying his reaction to Crystal's unexpected display of affection. It was as if time stood still, their connection intensifying with every beat of their hearts. Words eluded him, for no language could capture the depth of his emotions in that tender exchange.

Crystal, sensing the effect she had on him, continued to shower him with her kisses. Each delicate touch of her lips left him longing for more, stirring his heart with a symphony of sensations. With each subsequent kiss, a chorus of fluttering butterflies took residence in his stomach.

As their lips met once again, Crystal whispered those three magical words, "I love you." The weight of her confession hung in the air, entwining their souls in an unbreakable bond.

Ambrose, overwhelmed by the intensity of his emotions, struggled to find the right words to respond. But he knew, deep in his heart, that his love for her surpassed any language, transcending the boundaries of mere words.

So, he responded in the only way he could, allowing his lips to convey what words couldn't. With each subsequent kiss, Ambrose expressed his love, reciprocating the affection that had bloomed between them.

In that moment, their connection deepened, sealing their fate as two souls intertwined in a love that defied all odds.