When Peony Blooms #AMBW

Chapter 34: " Lingering truths"

The crown princess and the crown prince reveled in each other's presence; their hearts intertwined with delicate threads of affection. They strolled hand in hand, their steps in sync with the rhythm of their souls. As they ambled along, the gentle breeze caressed their faces, whispering secrets of the approaching snowfall.

The crown prince's hand, like a tender brush, reached out to Ayodele's countenance. His index finger traced a path along the bridge of her nose, gliding with unhurried grace over the curve of her lips, and tenderly gracing the corner of her eyelid. A smile curved his lips as he beheld her beauty. For a fleeting moment, she averted her gaze, but then bestowed upon him a radiant smile that mirrored the love flourishing in her heart.

The chill in the air became more pronounced, signaling the impending arrival of winter. The sun had already begun to sink behind the horizon, and soon the moon would take its place in the night sky. Ayodele shivered slightly in the cold breeze, her body trembling ever so slightly.

Sensing her discomfort, the crown prince enveloped her in his embrace, enfolding her in his warmth. His gentle caress was like a balm against her skin; soothing and comforting her.

"I will protect you from the cold," he murmured softly against her ear, his words a gentle caress that erased all fear from her heart.

Ayodele's cheeks flushed with warmth, not only from the chill in the air but also from the sweet intimacy they shared. She laughed lightly at his words, despite their seriousness. "That should be your biggest concern," she replied teasingly, "I am not accustomed to this weather."

Painting a mischievous smile on his lips, he reached for her hand and brought it to his lips for a chaste kiss before intertwining their fingers together. "Let us go to the room, then," he declared looking at her face shying away from his statements.

The crown prince smiled proudly at her reaction. He held on to her arm leading her back to his side as she tried to walk away. " Now where do you think you are going?" he teased as pulled her closer until their faces were merely inches apart.

Ayodele's cheeks warmed up some more, as she felt the warmth of his embrace. She was acutely aware of the proximity of their faces and trembled ever so slightly at the contact. "Someone will see us," she whispered, hiding her head in the crook of his neck.

The crown prince responded with a soft chuckle, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Fine, I'll stop teasing you," he said, releasing her from his arms.

Ayodele exhaled a sigh of relief as she laughed softly at the situation.

As dusk descended, painting the sky with hues of whitened gold and amber, they continued their leisurely stroll across the sprawling grounds of the palace. The sweet scent of flowers wafted through the air and birds sang loudly from atop trees.

The night air was filled with an enchanting melody that enveloped them in its tranquil embrace. At that moment, time seemed to stand still, for it felt like there was no one else in the world other than the two who shared this beautiful moment together.

They held hands tightly as they made their way to one of Ayodele's favorite spots- a small clearing nestled within a grove of trees where they could revel in complete privacy and peace away from courtly eyes and politics. Once there, they sat snuggled up against each other drinking in the beauty of nature and savoring every minute together as if it was going to be their last.

The next morning, as Ayodele was getting in her walks of the day, amidst the serene surroundings, their attention was captivated by the sight of Seo-Jin engaged in a conversation with Lady Choi.

As the day progressed, Seo-Jin found himself walking down the palace corridors, his mind filled with a flurry of questions. Spotting Lady Choi ahead, he quickened his pace to catch up with her, his steps echoing in the polished marble hallway.