Chapter 6 : Conversation

Anna is so thirsty now.

But, her body refused to leave the bed.

The bed seemed to have a magnet, holding her in place as she hugged a pillow against her chest. She had never felt so comfortable. Really opposite with her feeling.

While her body was completely at ease, her heart was exploding like a firecracker.

Her thoughts kept drifting back to the Alex's lips.

Anna really wants to scream right now.

She was overwhelmed with happiness and nervous.

How was she supposed to act to Alex after that kiss?

After the wedding blessing and coronation, they had hosted a banquet for the citizens, which had ended only about half an hour ago.

It’s eleven o'clock at night.

Throughout the banquet, neither of them had a chance to speak privately. The palace staff and the citizens had kept them occupied. No room for privacy.

Honestly, Anna couldn't have been happier.

Their marriage had been blessed by so many people. Anna hadn't stopped smiling.

Then… Anna’s strained. She hears Alex’s footsteps.

Ohh  God… What should I do? Anna is so panicked.

"Lex... could you get me a glass of water?"

Anna asked Alex soon after he stepped into bedroom.

Alex freezing a while hearing his wife’s request. But he still complied his wife's request.

"Sure."

Alex walking slowly while drying his hair with the towel.

Anna hadn't even realized what’s she asking about.

The moment she heard footsteps approaching the bedroom, her mind had gone completely blank, desperately trying to figure out how she should behave.

In the end, asking for water was the only thing she could think of.

"Thank you," Anna said as she accepted the glass from her husband.

"Na..." Alex hesitated.

"I'll sleep on the sofa tonight. You can rest comfortably."

Thump.

Anna froze.

He doesn't want me...? she thought.

"W-Why?"

The tears came out immediately.

"Why aren't you sleep beside me?"

Alex just looking at her in silence.

"You should get some sleep. You must be tired," he said.

"Alexander von Pieterburg."

Anna called him by his full name.

"I'll ask you one more time."

"Why aren't you sleep beside me?"

She grabbed the sleeve of his robe tightly, preventing him for leaving her side.

After knowing Anna for so many years, Alex understood exactly what it meant whenever she called someone by their full name.

She was furious.

"If you still insist on sleeping on that sofa without giving me an explanation..."

Anna's voice is so calm, makes him frightened a bit.

"...then I can guarantee the divorce papers will be waiting on your desk tomorrow morning."

She looked straight into his eyes.

"You know better than anyone that I never make empty threats."

Divorce is last thing that Alex could imagine.

He slowly turned around and stared at her for a long moment before finally walking back and sitting on the bed.

"...I'm honestly scared whenever you make this kind of face."

Anna said nothing.

She didn't need excuses.

She didn't want small talk.

She only wanted Alex to answer her question.

"I..."

He looked away.

"...I'm afraid I'd hurt you."

Anna frowned.

"Hurt me? What exactly are you planning to do?"

"I..."

Alex's face turned red.

"I won't do it."

"Fine."

Anna folded her arms.

"Then let me ask it another way."

"What exactly do you want to do that would end up hurting me?"

Alex's cheeks flushed even deeper.

He scratched his head again despite it not itching at all.

"Wait..."

Anna's eyes widened.

"Don't tell me you mean..."

She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

Only then did she finally realize what Alex had been trying to say.

Her own face quickly turned crimson as well.

"You've had a long day."

Alex spoke softly.

"And... I don't want to force you to do something like that with someone you don't love."

His eyes were gentle.

"So... I'll wait."

The fact that Alex had no idea she had loved him all these years gave Anna a mischievous idea.

"You'll really wait?"

She slowly leaned closer to him.

"What if it takes a year? Or even two?"

Alex instinctively leaned backward.

But every time he moved away, Anna leaned in even closer.

His flustered expression looked unbelievably adorable.

"I don't mind."

Alex smiled softly.

"As long as you're by my side..."

"That's more than enough for me."

Anna smiled shyly now.

"So, you don't even want to try to make me fall in love with you sooner?"

"I..."

Alex looked down.

"I don't want to force you."

He met her eyes again.

"You should be free to do whatever makes you happy... even if that means you'll never love me."

His voice grew quieter.

"You've already spent so many years living at that hell."

"I don't ever want you to go through that again."

He smiled gently.

"I just want you to be happy."

Tears immediately welled up in Anna's eyes.

So...

He really loves her.

"Na..."

Alex panicked the moment he saw his wife crying.

"Hey... don't cry."

He quickly wrapped his arms around her and gently rubbed her back.

Anna buried her face against his chest and sobbed uncontrollably.

After the tears finally subsided, Anna slowly lifts her head.

"Lex..."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Do you love me?"

"Why aren't you answering me?" Anna asked again when Alex remained silent.

She slowly pulled away from his embrace.

Alex lowered his gaze, his expression troubled.

"Can I... not answer that?" he asked quietly.

"Why?"

"Because my answer would only burden for you."

Anna stared at him in disbelief.

"I love you, you idiot."

Her voice trembled slightly.

"I'll ask you one more time. Do you love me, Alexander von Pieterburg?"

Alex froze.

"I didn't mishear you, did I?"

His eyes widened.

"You just said you love me... didn't you?"

"Yes."

Anna nodded.

"I love you. I've loved you for a long time," said Alex.

She frowned.

"How could you not realize it? You noticed Valencia's feelings for you, yet you never realized how I felt?"

Alex let out a helpless smile.

"Valencia wore her heart on her sleeve. It was obvious what she wanted."

He looked into Anna's eyes.

"But you... I could never tell what you were thinking."

"You smiled when you should smile, cried only when it was appropriate, and treated me exactly the same as everyone else."

Anna couldn't deny it.

She had always treated Alex no differently from her other friends.

She had done everything she could to hide her feelings.

Otherwise, Ratih would never have hesitated to punish her.

"I had no choice," Anna admitted softly.

"I couldn't let anyone in the Sanjaya household know how I felt about you. Especially not Valencia. Since she liked you too, it would only have made my life even more miserable."

She smiled bitterly.

"Honestly, I was the one who was surprised to learn that you liked me. I thought I wasn't anyone special to you."

She pouted.

"You even took at least three days to reply to my messages."

Alex rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

"I was attending school and managing the kingdom at the same time. I replied as quickly as I could."

He laughed softly.

"Unfortunately... the fastest I could manage was still three days."

Anna's lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"The maids told me you've loved me for years."

She leaned closer.

"So... they were telling the truth?"

Alex sighed in defeat.

"If you already know the answer..."

He smiled helplessly.

"...then let's end this conversation before I completely lose my self-control."

His eyes lingered on her.

"This man has loved you for a very long time."

His voice dropped almost to a whisper.

"And I don't think I can keep my composure much longer while the woman I love is wearing that short, sheer nightgown."

He forced a smile.

"Let's just get some sleep."

"I don't want to sleep," Anna replied.

"...Because I said I'd sleep on the sofa?" Alex asked.

When Anna remained silent, he sighed.

"Alright. Then I'll sleep beside you."

Anna slowly shook her head.

"That's not what I want."

She slipped her arms around his neck and rested her forehead against his.

"I want you."

Alex inhaled sharply.

He closed his eyes for a moment, struggling to steady himself.

"You'll be sore tomorrow," he whispered.

Anna smiled softly.

"Then kiss me."

Alex smiled.

He gently cupped her face before closing the distance between them.

The rest of the night belonged only to the two of them.

***

Anna ended up missing breakfast.

Every movement made her wince, and she spent the entire morning lying in bed, occasionally letting out quiet complaints.

Despite Alex's repeated suggestions to call for a physician, she refused.

She was far too embarrassed to let anyone discover why she was feeling so uncomfortable.

"And you're still smiling after leaving your wife in this condition?" Anna complained as she pinched Alex's cheek.

Alex only chuckled.

"Hehe..."

After setting her empty glass on the bedside table, he returned and leaned over her.

"Lex... you're heavy."

Anna puffed out her cheeks.

"Don't you realize you're much bigger than I am?"

Alex laughed softly before leaning down to give her a brief, affectionate kiss.

Her lips were still slightly swollen from the previous night.

"Of course, I know I'm bigger than you."

He smiled warmly.

"But I like being this close to you."

His thumb gently brushed her cheek.

"I've missed you so much."

His voice softened.

"We spent years apart."

He let out a quiet laugh.

"I would've gone completely insane if you hadn't turned twenty-one this year."

Anna looked at him with mock suspicion.

"You're lying."

She pouted.

"You were the one who told me to think carefully before marrying you."

A hint of sadness flickered across her face.