By Your Side

"Where are you going?" he called after me, his voice filled with concern.

Each step I took felt heavy, laden with sadness and frustration. Why did he kiss me if this was how he was going to react? What was the purpose of making me feel desired, only to push me away with guilt written all over his face?

"Louise..." Ludwig's voice trailed after me. "I'm sorry..."

Ludwig attempted to pull me back, but I forcefully pushed his hands away and continued walking slowly. As I reached the door, Ludwig grabbed hold of my body, bringing our eyes to meet. "You shouldn't be out of bed. Your body isn't well yet," he insisted, his grip firm on my waist, preventing me from escaping.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done it," he apologized, his tone filled with remorse.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my emotions. "I know, okay? I understand, so please don't keep telling me how guilty you feel. Just let me go, Ludwig!" I pleaded, attempting to wiggle out of his grasp, but his hold on me only tightened, the veins in his arms becoming visible.

"You don't have to keep repeating it, because I understand," I continued, frustration evident in my voice. "Why did I let myself be kissed anyway? You're married, for heaven's sake, Ludwig."

I pushed against Ludwig's chest, but he remained unmoved, his expression unreadable.

"What are you saying, Louise?" Ludwig's jaw clenched tightly as he spoke.

I glared at him in irritation, my anger intensifying when I noticed his gaze fixated on my lips, as if he were lost in a trance. Before he could lean in to kiss me again, I slapped him firmly across the face.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I remained resolute.

Instead of anger, I saw a deep sadness in Ludwig's eyes as he looked at me again. "I deserve that," he whispered slowly, the regret evident in his voice.

He rested his head on my shoulder and took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I'm late. I should have protected you, but I failed. They hurt you, and I wasn't there to save you. You were hurt because of me."

I stiffened at his words, his voice so low as if he still couldn't believe what had transpired. He pulled me closer, wrapping me in a tight embrace that almost stole my breath away.

"I'm sorry, Louise," he finally spoke after a long silence. "Forgive me."

Despite knowing that I should push him away, I felt his vulnerability and weakness, so I returned his embrace, encircling my arms around him. "It's not your fault," I reassured him. "You did your best, and I'm grateful for your help, all of you."

Not being particularly adept at comforting others, I fell silent after that.

After a few minutes, Ludwig released me. I thought I could leave now, but he surprised me by lifting me up and carrying me back to the waiting bed.

"What are you doing?" I protested, squirming under his arms, but he seemed unfazed. Gently laying me down, he then settled beside me and pulled me close in an embrace that provided warmth and comfort.

"Goodness, Ludwig," I exclaimed. "Let me go!"

"No," he replied firmly, pulling me closer to him.

My eyes widened in disbelief as he drew me nearer.

"What the... I'm serious, Ludwig. What will others say if they see us like this? This is unacceptable. You're married, for heaven's sake. So let me go. I don't want to be your mistress," I said, my voice rising with frustration, though my throat still felt raw from earlier.

"Let me rest, Louise. And I'm not married," he whispered, his tone stern yet gentle. "So stop screaming and moving before I lose my control and act on my desires again. If that happens, I won't hold back. Bruises be damned, Louise. Consider yourself warned."

His words left me breathless.

"You're not married?" I asked, seeking confirmation, my curiosity piqued by his statement.

Ludwig buried his face in my exposed neck once more. "I told you I would find a way, didn't I?" He pulled me closer, wrapping his arms around my torso.

"Where's Amethyst then?" I inquired, curious if Ludwig was aware of her allegiance to Amelia.

"She's gone," he replied with a smile that seemed to dismiss the significance of Princess Amethyst's demise. "Hiyasmin took care of it."

My eyes widened in surprise at his revelation. Hiyasmin? The gentle and kind Hiyasmin? It was difficult to imagine her committing such an act.

"I never wanted to marry anyone besides my Fate," Ludwig murmured, returning to nibble on my skin. I instinctively moved away from his touch, feeling unsettled by his words and actions.

He groaned in protest as I pulled away, giving me a disapproving look. "Can you stop pulling away, my Fate," he grumbled before easily pulling me back towards him. His legs entangled with mine, causing me to squirm uncomfortably.

"As I was saying," he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. "I only want to marry my Fate..."

"I don't want to marry you," I whispered back softly, causing him to pause. His forehead creased slightly, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"I don't accept a 'no' for an answer," he stated calmly, though I could see the quick rise and fall of his chest.

"I want to go home..." I began, but Ludwig interrupted me sharply.

"You're an Elven now," he asserted harshly. "Do you think you can return to your normal life in the human world? We don't even know if there's a portal that will open. And even if there is, I won't let you leave. I'll keep you tied to my bed, if necessary."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself and hold back tears. "I want to go home," I repeated, my voice trembling with emotion.

"No, you can't," Ludwig replied firmly, sitting up and hovering above me. His eyes bore into mine, filled with determination, yet I could also see the unshed tears glimmering in them.

His tears only added to my pain. "Ludwig..." I began, my voice choked with emotion.

"No, Louise. I won't let you go. Not at all," he declared, his body tensing as if preparing for a battle. He got out of bed, and I watched as his body seemed to radiate with intensity. His breathing was ragged and harsh, but his eyes never left mine, as if afraid that looking away would make me disappear.

"I'll marry you, Louise," he said in a hoarse tone, clearing his throat that seemed stuck with emotion. "We'll build our family. This castle will be our home. You don't have to leave. You won't be lost here." He paced back and forth in front of me, his turmoil evident in every movement.

Ludwig's words poured out, filled with desperation and sincerity. "You'll never go hungry again. I'll take care of you, always. I'll buy you everything you need and want. I'll build you hundreds of libraries, fill them with every book in existence. If you don't want to bear heirs yet, I can wait. A year, two, even a decade, I'll wait. If you want to study, I'll support you. I'll support your passions, your dreams, everything. I'll... I'll do anything for you," he struggled to speak, his breaths heavy as he wiped something from his eyes with the back of his hand. "I know you may not love me in the same way, and that's okay. But please, don't leave."

Tears welled up in my eyes. "You cared?" I asked, my voice filled with uncertainty.

He furrowed his brow, his expression filled with immense seriousness as he stared at me. "Of course I cared, why wouldn't I?" His gaze briefly shifted away, but then he looked back at me with intense emotion evident in his gleaming eyes, reddened cheeks, and trembling lips. "I love you, Louise," he confessed slowly, almost as if he feared my reaction.

"You're not just beautiful, but you're also strong," he continued, his voice filled with admiration. "You didn't lose hope when you were trapped in a world you didn't know or understand. You fought to keep your sanity intact so you could carry on. You have a big heart. You care for others, even those you don't know personally. You went out of your way to feed the children in the forest. You bravely defended a child from Lucas, knowing you'd face trouble for it. You astound me with your courage and intellect. You spent days studying and searching for a cure for Hiyasmin's condition, even though it wasn't necessary. You're a queen in every way. You may not realize it, but it shines through in your actions and words. You are my Queen. I may not be doing a perfect job of showing it, but I do care. I do. I will always love you," he concluded, his voice barely above a whisper, but the last word was clear and unwavering.

I was at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond to everything Ludwig had poured out. He remained still, watching me carefully, as if time itself hung in the balance.

Sensing my hesitation, Ludwig sighed softly. "You don't need to say anything. I understand," he said, his voice carrying a hint of resignation.

It was a rare sight to see Ludwig unsure of himself. Despite the doubts and challenges thrown his way, he always believed in himself. Yet here he was, unsure about my feelings for him.

I couldn't help but blame myself for his uncertainty. He had confessed his love for me, and it felt like I was his first defeat.

But deep down, I loved him too.

It might have seemed too soon to admit, but I couldn't deny the feelings growing within me. It wasn't just because of his looks. It was who he was as a person. His character, principles, and personality drew me to him.

Despite the circumstances of how we came together, Ludwig never made me feel worthless or insignificant. He treated me with respect and care, and that meant everything to me.

Despite being designated as his Fate, I hadn't done anything to make Ludwig feel obligated to help me, yet he did so willingly. He provided me with a place to stay, food to eat, and clothes to wear. Yes, he could be short-tempered at times, but he genuinely cared for his subjects. He wasn't a cruel prince. On the contrary, he always prioritized the welfare of his people.

Even the children in the kingdom were not neglected under his rule. He made sure they had enough to eat and a safe place to call home. He also showed care and concern for his cousins. I witnessed how deeply he was affected by Hiyasmin's situation in the past. Ludwig was inherently good. It wasn't a choice but rather his nature to seek out and appreciate goodness in everything and everyone, even in the smallest moments.

As I grappled with conflicting emotions, I couldn't help but wonder if Ludwig's feelings would remain the same once he discovered my true identity and who my mother was. Despite knowing that my love for him wasn't in vain, I couldn't shake off the fear of his potential reaction upon learning the truth.

With a heavy heart and trembling hands, I made a difficult decision. I couldn't bear the thought of deceiving him, yet I feared his possible disgust or rejection if he knew everything. Wiping away my tears, I gathered my courage and spoke the painful truth that I knew would hurt us both.

"I can't continue to stay by your side," I confessed.

Ludwig's reaction was palpable as his jaw clenched, and his teeth gritted, betraying the pain he felt. He lowered his gaze, and in a barely audible whisper, he replied, "I understand."