Life Beyond the Doors

Chapter 68 : Awkward

Marlin had been talking to Prince Ethan way before in his room when Mathias and Everi had interrupted them. Before that, Marlin had found herself alone with Ethan, and he had asked her why she wanted to be alone with him.

Marlin had frozen up, feeling the weight of Ethan's presence in the room. She struggled to find the right words to say and couldn't think straight. Ethan watched her closely, waiting for her response.

After a brief moment of silence, Marlin finally spoke up. "Ah, I-I...," she stuttered, feeling her heart race in her chest.

"It's alright if you don't have anything to say," Ethan reassured her, his voice soft.

But Marlin knew she had to say something. She couldn't let this opportunity pass her by, not when she was alone with the prince. She took a deep breath and mustered up the courage to speak her mind.

"No, I have something to say," she said, reaching out to grab Ethan's face gently. "Tell me, my highness. Are you really alright?"

Ethan was taken aback by her question. He hadn't expected her to be so bold, to cut straight to the heart of his current state. He sighed deeply before answering.

"To be honest, Marlin, I'm not sure," he said, his almond eyes gazing into hers. "My mind is constantly preoccupied with royal duties and finding Aiden and get my revenge then I can be at peace. Sometimes, I feel like I'm suffocating under the weight of it all."

Marlin listened intently, her heart aching for Ethan. She knew the pressure he was under, having grown up in the aristocrat family herself. "I understand," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But just know if you feel like crying you can right now"

Ethan smiled at her, a small but genuine smile. "Thank you, Marlin," he said, his voice full of gratitude. "But i already cried enough when my mother died..."

Ethan's mask slipped for a moment, and Marlin saw the tension etched in his features. It was then that she knew that she had to do something to help him. Without a second thought, she wrapped her arms tightly around Ethan in a comforting embrace.

"It must be hard," Marlin whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan hesitated for a moment before returning the hug, his arms enveloping Marlin in a warm embrace. He lowered himself onto her shoulders  and Marlin sat on his lap, holding him tightly as he opened up to her about his struggles.

"Ah, I really feel peaceful in her embrace. Like she was sent into this world only for me" Ethan thought.

Ethan wrapped his arms around Marlin's waist, pulling her closer. She had been so kind, supportive and comforting to him throughout this entire journey, he finally decided to admit that he had developed feelings for her way beyond.

Now Ethan pressed Marlin into his lap, wanting to make it clear that he wanted so much more with her. Marlin smiled shyly in response, and Ethan couldn't help but stroke her hair.

Everything felt so natural at that moment. Marlin belonged in his arms.

"Ethan..." Marlin blushed.

The name itself coming from Marlin's mouth was enough to provoke him entirely. Marlin looked into his deep eyes. "You don't mind saying your name since we are alone right?"

Ethan couldn't take his eyes off Marlin's soft hair and the way her eyes shone. He wanted to feel her lips, to kiss her.

He leaned closer to Marlin, hoping she understood what his gesture meant. "From now on, call me Ethan even when we are not alone so that everyone will believe I belong to you" . He said.