[Bonus chapter]

Alex hugged her back as tightly as he could. He did not say a single word as she asked but that was not needed at that moment. The tears falling from her eyes for him and the way her body trembled with fear showed how much she cared about him.

And she was not asking for anything in return. It was not lust for his body. Not the desire to have his money or vying the position of the empress.

He had often thought about why he loved her. Why he trusted her and why he was not affected by her touch. But at this moment, he had the reply.

Because she loved him for what he was not for what he could offer. 

He smiled. For once, he was feeling better but when he thought about the injustice his mother had faced and his fair share in it, his heart clenched and he felt pain all over again.

How much time had passed when he finally let her go.