Aegon didn't know what his words would do to Elara, but he wanted to say them aloud. He didn't want to lose her, but neither did he want to lose Rosa.

He knew he was being indecisive, but this was exactly why he wanted some time to find a solution. He would have to eventually decide, but he wanted to do something before that.

Elara raised her shaking hands and clutched his cheeks, trying to smile. "Aegon, you love me and I also love you, then what's the problem?"

Aegon was actually surprised to see Elara in this state. It shocked him and made him curious about just how much she was hiding beneath her usually calm face.

'She's hurt and... scared? But why? What happened?' He wanted to ask more, but the fear he saw in her eyes scared him too.

He took her hands and said calmly and gently, "El, I'm promising you this. I'll choose you over anyone else. Always. So you don't need to worry. I just need some time."

He didn't lie there. Aegon knew himself that he would choose Elara. The connection they shared was superior to anything else, so even if he felt attracted to Rosa and wanted to be with her, he knew he would always choose Elara over her.

It hurt him deeply to choose between them, but it was something he had unconsciously decided already, so there was no harm in promising her.

"...You will?" she asked, her voice cracking, her lips tugging upwards in a beautiful smile. "I'm so happy! I can't even tell you how scared I was, but now none of it matters. Thanks! Thanks for choosing me!"

Aegon kissed her forehead and said, "I should be thankful that someone with such a beautiful heart loves me."

Elara's cheeks turned red, along with her ears, as she lowered her head and said, "I'm glad."

"Then, can I take some time?" he asked.

"Why do you want it?" she asked, still looking down. "Everything is clear, after all."

"It's not," Aegon said, patting her head lightly. "You're scared, El. Afraid of something, aren't you? It's related to Rosa, right?"

She stayed silent at his question, but it was enough of an answer for him.

"See why I need some time?" Aegon said softly. "Let me work this through before I devote myself to you completely. I don't want to leave behind any regrets. When I enter this relationship, I want to focus on it completely, so I want to deal with other things first."

He caressed her cheeks lightly and said, "Can you share your problems with me? The sooner we solve them, the sooner we can move on."

Elara lingered for a while, enjoying his touch before saying, "Want to have a walk with me? The garden here is very beautiful, and the twilight sky makes it an even more wonderful sight."

"Sure!" Aegon smiled at that.

Elara also smiled and held his hand as they walked out of the hall, each busy with their own thoughts.

What they didn't see was Rosa sitting up the moment they left the hall. She stared at their disappearing figures before bursting into a fit of laughter.

"Irony, isn't it?"

She stopped laughing, turning back as she heard that familiar voice. Just as she expected, she found Aurelia leaning against a pillar as the older woman smiled warmly at her.

"It's the biggest irony," Rosa replied, making herself comfortable on the sofa. "Can you believe it?"

"I certainly can," Aurelia said as she came to sit beside her. "After all, love is like this. You should be more familiar with this, no? I thought you took that part?"

"Nope! I only know that I love him. If you ask me why, I won't be able to answer," Rosa said, straightening her long crimson hair. "And I'm fine with it."

"Not knowing why you love him?"

Rosa nodded and said, "What we feel for the other person can be explained by many things, Mother Dearest. So I prefer a love which I can't describe or explain at all."

"Then are you even sure it's love?" Aurelia asked in amusement.

"Yes!" Rosa responded without any hesitation.

Aurelia simply smiled and didn't say anything to that. She just stared into the distance and asked, "You're happy for her?"

"Kind of!" Rosa nodded. "I hate her, but don't forget why I hate her! I'll always pity her existence, so seeing her happy makes me happy too."

"Even knowing that you're not chosen by him? That you lost against her?" Aurelia asked, still smiling.

"You know very well, Mother Dearest, that neither of us is losing in this," Rosa sighed and said. "Besides, I was prepared for this day since the day I met him. I'm actually more surprised and happy knowing that he also loves me."

"Even though it's a big irony," Aurelia laughed, still finding the whole situation so hilarious.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!" Rosa rolled her eyes at her. "You're seriously the happiest in this, aren't you?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" Aurelia retorted. "You two have given me so much headache that I wanted to bury you both under the World Tree."

Rosa instantly shifted farther on the sofa and gave a side glance at Aurelia. "Mother Dearest, you're creepy."

"Blame yourself," Aurelia snorted, but soon after smiled as well. "I'm just happy because I know Little Gon will bring some sense to you two. I'm tired of everything."

"What kind of mother are you?" Rosa gasped in shock. "You're actually tired of your daughter?"

"I very much am, dear," Aurelia nodded, not even caring what Rosa thought of her. "My love for her has exhausted me. Now, I just hope Little Gon can knock some sense into her head quickly."

"I don't think we need it," Rosa countered, clearly displeased.

"See? This is why I'm exhausted!" Aurelia sighed. "You don't even realize how much you both need it. Actually, all three of you. But that silly little girl is too sweet, unlike you two."

She looked ahead and asked, "When are you planning on disclosing everything anyway?"

"Depends on her," Rosa answered in a low voice. "My existence isn't enough for that."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.