Chapter 159 - Their Own World

"His own mother poisoned him to death…"

WHAT?

"That's…"

Suzuki Ara was beyond speechless.

How was that possible? What kind of a mother would do that to her own child even because of the curse?

"His hatred for the Makuras, it's because growing up, he was constantly tormented, abused and condemned. He was constantly reminded that if he wanted to blame someone for his miserable existence, it was the Makuras who was the origin of their bloodline's downfall – his cursed existence."

Ara bit her lower lip. She could never imagine Kazehaya Gin going through all of those and still grew up being able to smile.

"It's not Emi's fault, but Gin-nii couldn't help but hate her anyway. It's the only way he could stay sane, I think," Ryuu said as he turned to Ara who looked like she wanted to protest.

"Don't worry. Gin-nii won't do anything to her," Ryuu said. "But just the same, in turn, there's nothing we can do to them."

"But they like each other," Ara protested, feeling sad.

"So it's up to them to decide what to do with their feelings," Ryuu told her as he pulled her close and gathered her into his arms. "Stop worrying about them. Do you hear? It's not our place to meddle with their affairs, although you are allowed to give them a slight push when there's a chance. I know you won't be able to take it if not"

"I will try," Ara grumbled, and then she remembered something. "Ryuu? Why did you ask me not to be angry at you?"

Until now she hadn't heard anything that could make her so. She was miffed about the Makura system but it was hardly Kou's fault that it existed. He was not to blame.

"Didn't I tell you about the prophecy?"

Ara tried to remember. "The one that the master had to marry a specific person indicated in the prophecy or your bloodline will be doomed?"

"Yes."

"What about it?"Ara asked when she suddenly realized what he meant. "You mean…."

"Yes. For me, it was you."

Ara shifted from her position against Kou's chest so she could look at his face again. She then remembered Kou's answer when she asked him why he chose her out of all the women out there.

"Because it has to be you…"

Ara now understood what he meant by that. She should have known. After all, it was so weird how a nouveau rich family like hers could have a personal connection with such a powerful clan like the Homura House.

Of course, it had to be because of some kind of a prophecy. Homura Ryuu had no other option or his family would be cursed like the Kazehayas.

Oh well…

Ara understood. But, she had no idea why she felt upset. It was not as if Ryuu lied to her, or forced her to be with him.

So, why was she hurt?

Before she brooded further though, Ryuu reached out a hand and massaged the deep eleven that had formed in between her brows. His eyes gazed intensely at her as if he could read her mind, and she felt embarrassed by her petty feelings.

"Do you remember what I told you when I confessed about my jealousy?" he softly asked her, and Ara finally perked up, recalling his words.

"I was angry actually – mad that you looked at another person while all this time since I was young, I already considered you my wife."

These were Kou's exact words to her.

"That's right. For me, there was no other woman except you," he whispered to her, his words like a balm to her hurt feelings.

"Gin-nii asked me once if I care about you," Ryuu opened, and Ara inclined her head, eager to hear his answer. "I said, yes, but my definition of care was different."

"Different?"

"Like I care enough to give you whatever you want – but I didn't think about making you happy because I want you to simply be happy. I was more worried about you rejecting me if I didn't, and it would mean the end for my clan."

"Oh…"

"But now I realize…" his voice trailed off, an embarrassed smile on his face as he scratched the side of his head.

For the very first time, Ara saw him having trouble with his feelings that he looked so cute.

"I realize that I do things for you now because…" his mouth twitched as his blue eyes danced as he gazed at her. "Suzuki Ara, I like seeing you smile…"

At his declaration, all the negative feelings Ara felt vanished like they never happened.

"Well, that's good."

She returned Ryuu's smile as she held out her hands to cup his cheeks. "Because I like seeing you smile too," she told him as she pulled him down so their faces were close to each other they could feel each other's breaths.

"Homura Ryuu, I think I really like you," she professed with a smile.

Ryuu, on the other hand, raised a brow. "Woman, when will you remove the word ' think ' from your confession?"

Suzuki Ara laughed as she pulled him again, albeit this time for a kiss.

Although they had already kissed several times, this time, their lips met shyly as if it's their first; the soft rims meeting in a peck then smiling before fusing again, only to separate to laugh before kissing again as if they were playing a game.

Lost in their own rosy world, their newfound realizations rang in their hearts. They had only meant to take a short walk – to spend a little time while they waited for the others. But in the end, they had totally forgotten about everything else except each other.

A few meters from them, two figures hid behind the pillar as they looked at the couple being intimate.

"Oh my goodness, the subzero prince is actually laughing," Kazehaya Gin commented in awe. "Do you see that face? Your sister got him whipped."

The two watched for another five minutes before their stomachs started to grumble. They had arrived thirty minutes before and decided to wait for the couple to return. But the kids in the room were already dying of hunger but refused to eat without the couple so they came out looking for them.

"What now?" Suzuki Aki asked as he raised his head to look at the other one next to him.

"How would I know? Do you think we can interrupt that?"Kazehaya countered and Aki shook his head.

Nope. Impossible. The stupid lovebirds were not on earth anymore.

"I think it's better to go back to the kids and start eating…"