Chapter Thirty-Two (Izla’s Delightart )

Izla was deeply immersed in her work, flipping through files, yet her mind was elsewhere. A nagging fear gripped her—fear that the love of her king might be stolen by a wicked hand. There was no doubt in her mind that her cousin wouldn't leave her in peace. He would never forget what she had done to him. She had slapped him, and his pride would not allow him to let that go.

Life was strange indeed. She had never imagined it would unfold this way. Her heart had once been filled only with love for Iris, her father, and the sea. But now, she had come to realize that love could only last when one found someone who truly understood them, someone who felt their pain as if it were their own.

Love is about giving and receiving—it had never been about selfishness. And so, George could go to hell. That was what she kept repeating to herself.

Izla continued her work, as did Daniel, who passed by her as usual. She barely lifted her head from her deep thoughts until she heard him say:

— My love, how about we go out for lunch at a nice restaurant and enjoy our time together?

Izla's face lit up with joy.

— I'd love to! I really need to get out of the house—I'm sick of staring at four walls.

Daniel chuckled and replied:

— You'll never feel bored with me. In time, you'll visit every place imaginable and see things you've never seen before.

Izla sighed and said:

— Maybe… but nothing will ever be as beautiful as my island. I miss Iris, my dearest friend!

Daniel silenced her with a long, lingering kiss—one that could have led to much more had they not been in the office. Then, he whispered:

— And do you think you would have ever found a love as wild as this?

She smiled, unable to find the words to answer. He tightened his grip on her hands, making her cheeks flush a soft shade of pink, only adding to her beauty. Then, he pulled her close, and together, they left the office. He was determined to shield her from anything that could bring her pain.

If he knew what George was planning, he would have spilled his blood without hesitation. He would not have let him walk this earth unpunished. Daniel had never experienced a love this pure before. For the first time, he truly understood what it meant to be alive. His old life had been meaningless—a void of nothingness. This love… he would never allow anyone to take it from him. And if someone dared to try? He would erase them from existence.

They chose a bustling restaurant in the heart of the city. After scanning the room, they settled at an empty table in a quiet corner—Izla always preferred to be away from the crowd. That day, she spent hours with her beloved, laughing, sharing jokes, and reminiscing about their first encounter—when she had pushed him into the sea, soaking his clothes. She still remembered the way frustration had twisted his features… the very first glance that would soon transform into love.

Her happiness was indescribable, especially as Daniel fed her with his own hands. In that moment, she realized just how tender he was, so much like her father—a man whose heart had always been big enough to embrace everyone… even the creatures hidden in the depths of the ocean.