Rebirth Of The Duke's Daughter

Chapter 65

"It's not my fault for not knowing who tried to surprise me just now," Mila huffed, letting out a breath as she eyed ZH. In her mind, he deserved it for not choosing a different, less startling method to get her attention. "Why are you here anyway?" she asked, watching as he straightened up, his eyes on her with a look of quiet intensity. She could see that he was studying her closely, noticing how she had grown in the time they'd been apart.

ZH stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. He didn't want anyone else to see her, especially not men who might be tempted to remove her mask and uncover the face she kept hidden. "Is it bad if I want to see you again?" he asked, his voice soft but with a playful edge. As he neared, he couldn't help but notice how much she had changed. "You've grown," he said with a teasing smile, his curiosity piqued by the way she kept her left side hidden, her hair shielding her face. He wondered if the poison incident from almost three years ago had anything to do with it—was that why she now wore her hair this way?

"There's no need to start this kind of conversation," Mila replied, trying to brush off his teasing. "I've had my time to grow, and I'm not even halfway there yet." She wasn't about to start complimenting him either, but she couldn't help but notice how much he had changed as well. His long hair now reached past his waist, and he seemed taller and more mature. 'I can tell he's gotten more handsome over the years,' Mila thought, feeling her cheeks warm as ZH leaned in closer, his face just inches from hers.

"Are you thinking about how well I've grown?" ZH teased, his smile widening as he saw the blush creeping up her cheeks. Mila quickly turned and started walking away, trying to put some distance between them.

'This man!' Mila thought as she hurried along the streets, ZH following closely behind. She had no idea what he was planning, but she knew he was always unpredictable. 'What does this man have on his mind?! He's always so cunning, but he would never do anything to hurt me,' she reassured herself, though his persistent presence was unsettling.

"You're not going to tell me how much you missed me?" ZH asked, his smile turning sly as he noticed her ears turning red. She was shy, too stubborn to admit how much she'd missed him.

"There's no need when actions speak louder than words," Mila shot back, realizing she was now almost at his shoulder height. "By the way, how have you been these last few years? It's been a while since we last spoke." She glanced up at him, genuinely curious about what he had been up to.

"I've been fine. How about you? And why have you changed your hairstyle?" ZH asked, his tone shifting to one of concern as they stopped on a bridge overlooking the market streets of Pearlrest town. He reached out, trying to tuck her hair behind her ear, but she flinched away, stopping him. She wasn't ready to let him see her face—not now.

"It's nothing. Thank you for your concern," Mila replied, turning away from ZH. Her gesture left him feeling a bit disappointed—after being apart for almost three years, he had hoped she might let him see her face. But Mila continued walking, and ZH silently followed her as the day turned into night. Eventually, they reached the tavern where Mila was staying. The sky had darkened, and their time together was coming to an end. "I think this ends our time together," Mila said with a small smile, looking up at him.

They stood outside the tavern, and Mila wondered if ZH had a place to stay. She had no idea if he had just arrived in the kingdom or if he had already settled in somewhere.

"Are you worried about me?" ZH asked, noticing how Mila had grown more beautiful as she matured.

'Like hell, I'll admit that!' Mila thought, unwilling to voice her concern. "Go and rest. I don't want to be lectured by anyone and get blamed for not sleeping early enough," she said, turning to head inside the tavern. But just as she was about to go in, ZH reached out and gently took her hand.