Accepting Her Feelings
Ryan looked at Joan's blushing and endearing face. The two of them were still seated together by the dining table.
He had even put his spoon down and redirected his entire attention to her confession.
“I really like you a lot, and I am incapable of hiding such a thought from you. It’s a lot easier to deal with bandits and other threats than to keep this tucked away in my chest, so I hope you forgive me for bothering you with these feelings of mine.” Joan smiled tearfully.
Ryan tenderly smiled as he cupped her cheeks, gently wiping away the tear from her cheek.
“Thank you for expressing your feelings, Joan. You are right. It is true that I have a lot of ambitions and dreams that I intend to turn into reality… but as I have said before, I am glad that you are with me, Joan. I would like for you to remain at my side.”
“That… that is all that I desire, Your Highness.”
“Perhaps you can start by calling me with my name again.” Ryan mused.
“Master Ryan?”
“Ryan.”
“… If that is what you wish for me to call you, Ryan.” Joan spoke his name with a revered voice.
For the past years she had known him, she had always referred to him as Your Highness. Even recently, the title had changed, but the formality remained. The fact that she was allowed to finally say his name without any honorifics was a good sign.
“Good girl. I like hearing my name from your lips,” Ryan let out a low chuckle.
“Un.” Joan flushed and nodded.
The maid confessed to make it easier for her to get rid of her feelings, so she could remain a good servant to the former Prince. However, her heart only pounded harder.
Meanwhile, Ryan contemplated on what he should do.
‘I never really expected that Joan would develop feelings for me. I do feel attracted to her… even more so now that she’s being so cute. Hah. Why am I hesitating about this? I’ve already decided that I’m going to build the most powerful kingdom, yet I don't even dare pursue a girl? Let’s do this!’ Ryan thought with determination.
“Can I kiss you?” Ryan asked.
“E-eh?!” Joan’s emerald green eyes widened in shock, but it also sparkled. She hadn’t really thought that they would go this far, but she wasn’t opposed to it at all until a thought entered her mind.
“Are you sure… Your High—I mean, Ryan? I am just a humble maid. If you truly desire to ascend up the ranks of becoming a ruler, then it would be most beneficial if you are to be with someone who can elevate your position. I cannot do that for you.”
Even though Joan’s feelings for Ryan had grown stronger, her rationality wasn't clouded and she still had the best for him in mind, which was why she expressed her thoughts about what would benefit him in the long run.
“Are you thinking that I'd be unable to do that myself?” Ryan asked with a chuckle. “If I wanted to, I am sure that there are many influential old widow noble ladies across the Finis Kingdom that would want to marry a handsome young man such as myself, but I have no interest in simply marrying up for power. I will gain power by myself and choose who I want to be with.”
“A-are you sure?” Joan asked, but then pursed her lips. “Ryan, in the future, there might be a chance that you could accumulate power by marrying someone you like, and that would be the best for you. I am more than willing to support and remain by your side no matter what happens.”
‘I guess having multiple partners is a common thing here, so Joan doesn’t seem to have a lot of negative opinions about it.’ Ryan thought and remembered his father’s relationship with his queen and two concubines. ‘In fact, she’s quite understanding. But right now, I want to wipe those worries away from her head. She only needs to enjoy our time together.’
“You know, let’s not think about the future at the moment.” Ryan smiled to ease the seriousness on Joan’s face. “At the present, you confessed your feelings to me, and I feel the same way. Shall we not do something about that now? Isn’t that something worth celebrating for?”
“Do something?” Joan’s face turned red.
“Is that a no?” Ryan chuckled and pressed his forehead against hers. “You know, I've been tempted by you ever since I tried to feed you. I already asked for your permission to kiss. With one 'yes' out of your sweet little mouth...”
“Yes, please!” Joan said.
“Then I'll stop holding back.” Ryan gently pinched Joan’s chin, slightly lifting it, and pressed his lips against hers. It was actually the two’s first kiss and it was something that warmed and filled their hearts.
After a few seconds, Ryan parted away and looked at Joan’s blushing face. There was also a blissful expression on her face as if the kiss had casted an incredible spell on her that made her incredibly happy.
Joan shyly looked at Ryan and cleared her throat.
“Again?”
Those words roused a chuckle from Ryan, and he nodded amicably.
“Of course, I would love to, Joan.” He ran his fingers through her silky lustrous pink hair and brought a couple of strands to his lips.
Joan’s breath was already a little unsteady from the first kiss, but the way that Ryan intimately played with her hair made her even more restless.
This time, Joan took the initiative, boldly stepping forward and kissing him. A bit longer than the last one, she pulled back and gave him a small pout, but then realized that she wasn’t satisfied.
“… Again? On the lips this time and not my hair, Ryan?” Joan said.
“Alright.” This was something that Ryan agreed to happily, he tugged her wrist and made her straddle on his lap. Joan’s body was lithe and felt perfect. “But do you know? Lips aren’t the only place where kisses are planted,” he whispered.
Dinner forgotten, the two shared a passionate kiss that lasted for quite some time.