Bitter reality.

"There is no way I'm allowed to be there with you." I shook my head, staring in the ceiling.

"I'll beg God until he lets you in. He has to listen to me, I know you the best. I don't want to live forever if I can't be with you." Her hand slid by my lower abdomen to my crotch but didn't stop there. I felt how her gentle fingers ran across the only scar I was proud of. 

She told me many times how she was drawn to me even before I saved her that day and I believed her. I could remember the way she used to look at me. But it was history anyway.

"I killed many more people. Both before and after that night. Men who were standing on the opposite side of a battlefield and innocent people, too. I'm no better than the lowest criminal rotting in our underground cells."

She was quiet for a long time and just as I thought that she had fallen asleep, she wriggled a bit and kissed my chest "I'll beg Satan then, to allow me to burn with you."

"You will do no such thing." I chuckled as the image of her soul, shining like a pearl in the depths of hell, came up in my mind.

"You are just trying to argue by now." Her soft voice dipped into nothingness. I stopped moving and watched her fall asleep with a satisfied smile. This stubborn head of hers will surely bring me much more trouble one day.

As the night wore on, I couldn't help but think about the future. I stopped doubting her sincerity a long time ago, It was clear that her love for me was unwavering.

I loved her more than anything in this world, but the thought of losing her was unbearable. I had seen too many battles, too many friends and allies fall. I couldn't bear the thought of Valleria meeting the same fate.

The struggles of my past, roared louder in my mind, drowning out all other thoughts. What kind of man was I to drag her into this darkness? Her innocence stood in stark contrast to my sins, yet she remained persistent in her love for me. I closed my eyes, trying to push away the doubts and fears before my mind finally shut up and allowed me much-needed sleep. 

Valleria stirred beside me, "Good morning, Your Majesty," she teased me, her voice tainted with a wide smile. 

I smiled back, still sleepy. "Good morning, my love," I replied softly before I reached out to pull her closer, but she was no longer there. 

"Why the rush?" I sat up to find her by the edge of the bed, hastily getting dressed. 

Valleria simply turned to me, partly covering her breasts with her palms. Sure. She needs to ease the pressure accumulated through the night. 

"Come back, I can help with that, too. You don't have to bother our daughter every time they are this full." I tried to lure her back without much success, so I tried the other way "Give me a kiss before you go."

"I know you too well. It's a trap." She laughed, but came closer, held my face in her hands and kissed me regardless.