At the same moment his heel touched the ground, the pair of dainty leather boots took to the air, and with the light blue dress, leaped across a stretch of sea over a dozen meters wide, landing right in front of him.

Those emerald green eyes stared straight at Luo Yan, the sorrowful mist in them was almost about to condense into water droplets in the reddened eyes.

"Why? Why didn't you tell me you were leaving!"

Looking at the emotionally agitated Princess Erin, Luo Yan pondered for a long while, putting on a heavy expression.

"I didn't want to see you upset."

"Do you think I would be happy if you left without saying goodbye?" The emerald green eyes were filled with grief as Erin, with reddened eyes, lightly bit her lip and spoke with a hoarse voice, "That would only make me more sad."

Luo Yan lowered his eyes, speaking softly.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness, please forgive my selfishness. I truly couldn't bear to part with you, nor could I bear to see you upset. The time spent with you has been delightful, and if I could, I would love to stay on this beautiful land forever. However, I am the eldest son of the Colin family, and I have duties and responsibilities I must fulfill... I can only promise you that I will return to your side as soon as possible."

"As for the farewell words, I left you a letter, which will be delivered to you after I leave. But it seems now that it was just my foolish attempt. I have done something wrong."

Seeing Mr. Colin apologize sincerely, Erin felt much of her dissatisfaction and grievance melt away.

Especially at this moment, she suddenly realized that he didn't disregard her feelings; on the contrary, he cared too much.

Precisely because he cared about her, he couldn't bear to see her sad.

The scenes of the past floated in front of her eyes, including the pocket watch he placed in her palm that night, his disregard for danger to enter the enemy lines to help her, and the bowl of mushroom soup and bread he brought when she was most vulnerable...

It was at this moment she suddenly realized he had long ago expressed his feelings.

Perhaps the slow one wasn't him.

But herself.

He had always been considerate of her feelings, yet she had been continuously asking from him...

Behind the sadness and complaints, a hint of shame slowly grew, and then was gradually replaced by self-blame.

And at this moment, not only did she understand his feelings, she also finally confronted her own heart —

She realized she was so reluctant to let him leave her.

Erin's lips moved slightly, suddenly stepping forward, and to Luo Yan's surprise, she rested her forehead on his chest, as if trying to hide her expression.

Just as Luo Yan was pondering what to say to break the silence, she spoke with a slightly hoarse voice.

"I'm not upset because you're leaving, as a member of the Campbell family, I too bear the obligations bestowed upon me by Saint Sis. How could I not understand your difficulties? The real reason I'm upset is because you didn't tell me anything..."

"I'm sorry—"

"Please do not apologize to me, dear Mr. Colin," Erin lifted her head to look at him, a forced smile emerging on her tear-streaked face.

The smile shimmered like the Rushing River under the sunset, bright yet fragile.

Nevertheless, he could still see the strength in those eyes, like genuine gemstones.

"...I will wait for you to return, no matter how long it takes!"

As she spoke these words, she held his right hand, placing an amethyst brooch inscribed with the Campbell family's emblem in his palm.

Seeing the surprise and touched expression on Mr. Colin's face, Erin gave a shy smile and said softly.

"I always wanted to give you something in return, so I made this on my own; it might not be very well done, but I hope you won't dislike it..."

"No, Your Highness, how could I possibly dislike your gift?" Luo Yan shook his head, gazing into those expectant eyes, and with a serious tone spoke the words that made her heart nearly leap out of her chest, "Thank you, I really like it."

"I will carry it by my side forever, regarding it as a lifelong treasure."

He kissed the back of her hand, then, under the gaze of numerous citizens and crew members, boarded the steamship beside the dock.

The steamboiler emitted a shrill whirr, and the massive smokestack spewed milky white clouds, propelling the giant steamship gradually westward.

Erin's gaze remained fixed on that great ship, or rather, the figure on the deck.

Her hand clutched tightly at the pocket watch hanging at her waist.

Until that piece of murky cloud disappeared at the horizon, until only the sound of seagulls remained at the bustling dock.

...

The rolling waves slapped against the ship's sides as Luo Yan stood on the deck, watching the port of Thunder City, until it melted into an invisible point at the sea's edge.

"What a pity... I thought she would confess." Floating beside Luo Yan, Youyou, who had witnessed everything, sighed softly as if lamenting something.

Luo Yan did not speak, only withdrawing his gaze from afar, turning to walk to the other end of the deck.

He thought Erin was truly a good girl, like one who stepped out of a fairy tale.

It's just unfortunate that, as the Demon King, he was destined not to respond to her pure feelings like a prince in a fairy tale.

Of course, this regret did not belong to him.

After all, he was intentional from the start.

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