13: The Ceremony

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..

Kuea opened his eyes as he felt an unfamiliar warmth surrounding his body and saw a familiar face. He then remembered what happened last night and couldn't help but blush in disbelief as the memory of them moaning each other's name came rushing in.

"Get a grip, Kuea! You didn't even have sex! You just... helped each other!" Kuea thought to himself, trying to convince his mind and fool his feelings.

Then, his eyes once again landed on the sleeping man beside him. Kuea couldn't help but admire Lian's features. Finally having a chance to look at him up close freely, the details that Kuea used to ignore became magnified. From his long lashes that he noticed were a whole lot longer than he initially thought to the thin lips that looked rather French pink than red.

"Who on Earth wouldn't fall for this man? You even cleaned up for me, ugh..." Kuea complained with a sigh, slightly annoyed at Lian's almost perfect face and manners.

Kuea is more than aware of Lian's patience especially on how he's been acting. He wouldn't even wonder why he fell in love to this man in the past because he's just perfect.

Too perfect.

"I want to like you... to love you just like how you love me..." Kuea paused upon realizing the words coming out of his mouth.

He has truly grown fond of Lian but something kept stopping him from falling all the way through.

"You shouldn't have made me forget you in the first place." Kuea almost whispered as a tear fell from his eye.

Kuea have thought of it since the day he found out the truth. The way Lian acted on that day, he couldn't help but consider it selfish. Though he was saved from the curse, Kuea kept thinking that they could have asked him first. That they could have found a different way together.

Well, Kuea wasn't wrong. Nuxx was a sly demon that would've done and said anything just to get what he wanted. Though the memory ritual had the most efficiency, they could have used other sealing methods that were on the royal's spell book. Nuxx clearly used the momentum wherein everyone was in a panic for his revenge.

But then again, desperate times meant desperate measures and no one could be blamed of the circumstances that lead everyone to the present situation. No one wanted to take the risk of the unknown things that might've happened if they hadn't done what they did. What's done is done and all they could do was look ahead.

Still, Kuea couldn't force himself to fully love this man. Maybe he could learn through time but not today, not now.

..

Finally, the day of the engagement came. It was a private event held at the Royal Hotel, a hotel owned by the Wang family, and only a few people were invited to witness it. Exactly 40 people, from Lian's trusted colleagues and friends to Aelin's prodigy trainees and Mr. Wang's loyal subjects.

From the decorations to the guests, everything was smooth-sailing as planned. As the door opened, Lian and Kuea walked down the white carpet towards the center stage as everyone watched in aww.

"I hope you're finally satisfied." Kuea whispered as they walked hand in hand.

"I am. But I don't see any of your friends." Lian noticed as he looked around.

None of Kuea's friends were in fact present. More like they weren't aware of the said occasion because Kuea kept it from them.

"They don't have to know this." Kuea whispered as Lian tightened his grip on his hand.

"I see you haven't told them about me after you lost your memory." Lian stated as he looked at Kuea.

Kuea paused for a while before walking forward. It's confusing that none of his friends even asked about Lian. Knowing how the past Kuea loves Lian, it was impossible for him not to brag his beloved to his friends. Did he not brag about him? Did his friends not know?

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