My Name in Your Voice

King and Felix both were looking straight into each other's eyes like opponents. It was as if they could declare a war at any moment. But then, something unexpected happened. King suddenly let out an awkward, almost nervous laugh that seemed out of place for his usual authoritative presence. "Oh, looks like someone is head over heels," he teased, tapping Felix's broad shoulder in a friendly, almost conspiratorial manner. "I like you. You're a real man. I also feel the same way about my wife, to be honest…" He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper as if sharing a secret only the two of them could understand. "The only thing I feel ashamed of is my daughter."

Felix froze, his body rigid as a jolt of shock rushed through him. His heart skipped a beat at the King's unexpected confession. The words hung in the air, and Felix's gaze flickered between the King's unreadable expression and the hint of mischief in his eyes. King, seemingly oblivious to Felix's surprise, circled his finger beside his temple, making a subtle but clear gesture that added to Felix's bewilderment. "She can be really crazy sometimes," King murmured, as if discussing an annoying but inevitable truth.

Felix's lips twitched into a brief smile, though it barely reached his eyes. He didn't reply. The scene was too unexpected, his thoughts swirling as he tried to process it all.

"The more I know about you, the more you impress me," King said, his voice filled with sincere admiration. He stepped back slightly, regaining his calm and steady demeanor. "Why don't you join us for dinner at the royal palace tonight? You and your wife are most welcome as my special guests." His tone was warm, the invitation meant to build their connection. "It would be an honor to host General Felix Hellstern—the great."

"Sure, Your Majesty. It will be my pleasure," Felix responded, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of surprise still lingering.

Just then, the Princess, unable to contain her excitement, bounced on the balls of her feet like an eager child. "Marvelous! This shall be an evening to remember," she proclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement. "I need to go to the palace and prepare for tonight. I shall ensure I look nothing less than my finest." She skipped past them, her heels clicking sharply against the floor, her chatter trailing off as she moved toward her seat.

Ava, who had been silently observing, furrowed her brow slightly as the Princess's words reached her ears. A small frown tugged at her lips, but she pushed the thought away, unwilling to let the Princess's behavior disturb her.

After that, they all returned to their seats, and the award ceremony proceeded without any further disruption.

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At their villa, Ava was getting ready for the royal dinner inside their room, while Felix stood just outside, leaning lightly against the doorframe. His eyes were focused on the starry sky, waiting patiently for her. 

"Ah… umm…" Ava hesitated for a moment before letting out a soft, uncertain sound to catch his attention. "Excuse me," she said, unsure of how to address him. "Are you there?" she called softly, her voice a little shaky. 

"Um, I am." Felix's voice was gentle, almost tender, as though speaking to a child. The softness of his words made Ava's heart race unexpectedly, a warmth spreading through her chest. She had never heard him speak so informally, and it unsettled her in the best possible way. "Do you need any help, my lady?" he added, his tone warm but playful, the hint of a smile in his voice.

Ava's eyes flickered down to the purple pouch in her hands, her fingers lightly flicking the fabric nervously. "Amm, I… I… wanted to ask how long we are going to stay for the royal dinner?" Her gaze dropped as she spoke, the words barely escaping her lips. Even though Felix wasn't in front of her, she felt the shy. 

"We will be back soon after dinner unless His Majesty keeps me for any political meetings," he replied with a reassuring tone, his voice laced with care. Sensing her uneasiness at the thought of staying alone at the place in case the King asked him to stay, he added, "I will try my best to not let any official work come in between us, but if it does, I will request the King to let me escort you home by myself and then go back to the palace." His words were thoughtful, sincere, meant to soothe her growing worry.

Ava's lips curved into a soft, genuine smile in response to his considerate words. She placed the purple pouch carefully down on the dressing table, her fingers lingering on it for a moment. Looking up, she met her own reflection in the mirror. The smile on her face grew as she noticed how easily it came, her emotions bubbling up inside her. 

Unable to meet her flushed reflection, she raised her hands to cover her face, shielding herself from the sight that only heightened her shyness. Yet, behind the soft veil of her fingers, a smile bloomed again—this time carrying a hint of newfound confidence—as she let the gentle fluttering in her heart settle into a warm, soothing rhythm.

Dropping her hands, she then stepped toward the door. As she neared it, she paused, her fingers hovering uncertainly over the handle. "Ahh... umm, I'm opening the door," she murmured softly, making Felix stand up straight from the doorframe and look at the door, waiting for her to open it. 

After taking a few deep breaths, she slowly opened it, revealing Felix standing just outside. His posture had relaxed, but the intensity in his gaze was clear as it focused on her.

However, the patience in his heart was put to the test when his eyes fell on Ava in her new outfit. It wasn't that Ava's beauty had never mesmerized Felix; it had left him breathless every time he saw her—at their wedding, at the farewell before the war, at the return after the war, at the celebration stadium, every time. But this time, she looked ethereal as she wore one of the finest gowns of Canopus. The dark blue gown, adorned with constellations, gave an eternal enhancement to her beauty. She looked like if she stood beside any princess in this universe, everyone would mistake her for royalty and the actual princess would be left feeling like an ordinary woman.

"You look ethereal…" Words tumbled out of Felix's mouth before he could realize. He was still lost in her beauty, so lost that his own voice was distant to him. 

"Thank… thank you, m... my lord." Ava stammered, her lips trying their best to curve into a big smile while she herself tried her best not to because she wasn't comfortable enough to show him her heartfelt smile. 

Felix blinked rapidly, like someone waking up from a trance. "Huh?" Felix muttered, his voice hoarse, still recovering from the magic of her beauty. His eyes slowly refocused, and for a moment, he looked at her as if he had never really seen her before—like she was a dream he had just discovered.

"I said, thank you," Ava repeated softly, her cheeks tinged with a blush she couldn't quite suppress. The warmth of her words made her heart race even faster. However, seeing the confusion on Felix's expression, she quickly added, trying to explain herself. "You just complimented me… so… I am grateful for that, my lord." She lowered her head slightly, a nervous smile forming on her lips, though her hands fidgeted with the hem of her gown.

Felix stared at her, his mind slowly catching up. It took a few long seconds before the realization dawned on him that he had just complimented her, completely lost in the moment.

"Oh, yeah, I did. Sorry," he said quickly, his cheeks flushing ever so slightly in embarrassment. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to pull himself together. "I was…" His words faded as his eyes drifted over her once more. He couldn't help but be drawn to the gentle curve of her waist, the way the gown seemed to flow perfectly around her. His mind went blank again, and for a moment, he was lost for words.

He snapped out of his reverie, blinking several times to shake off his distraction. "I was… dis… distracted," he stammered, his voice now clearer but still laced with the remnants of awe. "And, you don't have to call me 'my lord.' You can call me Felix."

"But—" she began, her voice soft but trembling.

"Please," Felix interrupted gently, his gaze steady now, though his eyes still held a trace of longing. "I insist." There was a warmth in his tone that made her feel strangely safe, and he smiled just enough for her to notice, as though he had just given her a gift she wasn't sure how to accept. "I like hearing my name in your voice."

After hearing him, Ava's whole body felt as if it was on the verge of melting down into a pool of overwhelmed feelings. The flutters in her heart, the fireworks in her stomach, the heaviness in her breath, and the dizziness in her mind—it was too much for her to handle, especially from someone who is always recognized as one of the rude, heartless, emotionless men of the whole nation.