After the War's End

Chapter 26

"Aloy..." he stammered, swallowing nervously "There's one last thing that... I've been wanting to tell you for a while." she turned to Avad upon hearing her name and looked at him. The light illuminated her face and her deep brown eyes took on a special shine. His clothes sparkled with golden lights and her cheeks were tinged with pink. He looked so elegant, and his gaze expressed complete sincerity. He wasn't hiding, he wasn't keeping anything from her "You see... I-I don't know how to say this... but... I need to clarify..." Avad looked up to meet her gaze as he tightly gripped the fabric of his white pants with both hands, on the right leg. Unintentionally, their faces had come so close, too close. So much so that he had to suppress his urge to kiss her tightly, forcing himself not to lower his gaze from her eyes. His green irises shone illuminated by the sun as if they emitted their own light. For a moment, he got lost in her gaze, feeling a lot of peace. A peace that he only felt when he was by her side. It was that which gave him the push he needed to continue "Ever since you crossed the threshold of my kingdom, I knew you weren't just any hunter, that you had something special... something that completely changed my life." he explained, gesturing with his left hand, extending the palm towards her "All my days were monotonous and exhausting. I saw myself trapped in the palace just like I always had been, only now the weight of the crown was added to it. Everything was gray and dark and you... you appeared like a light, like hope. You even saved my brother and brought him back home, under my protection. The day I first saw you... I felt my heart beat in a different way... Whenever it had beaten strongly or fast before, it had been because of something unpleasant that made me uncomfortable... But... that day it was moving in a way more intense than it ever had and it awakened sensations in me that I had never felt before. At that moment, I knew my life would never be the same." they both felt the closeness and emotional connection between them intensify with each word they articulated as they conversed in the light of dusk" I'll never forget that you even challenged me, saying that I spent my time watching over the citizens from the height of my palace." they both laughed. Then, he put on a serious expression again, indicating that what he was saying was of great importance to him "Then came the war. The fate of everyone depended on what happened during those endless hours. Watching my city crumble beneath my feet was... ah... devastating, but you were there, by my side, and that somehow made me feel better. When in battle you threw yourself into fighting against Helis and then against the machines... I assumed you would die fighting like the brave warrior you are. Thinking that I wouldn't see you smile again... crushed me inside. I stayed there... feeling immense helplessness... I couldn't do anything! But at the same time, I realized your unparalleled strength and determination... You were willing to give your life in that battle for everyone... That's why you're such an admirable person, and every time I'm with you, I discover something more about you, something that increases my admiration for you, like the fact that that day you were giving your life to save us all, even though you were alone... That day you gave me strength, and hope for a prosperous future when it seemed like everything was about to end." the monarch made a brief pause, searching for the right words to continue speaking and not mess it up at the last moment "I... I know that before the battle I told you that I-I didn't love you, that I was confused by everything that had happened those days, but really... I... um... Look, I loved Ersa very much, but like a brother it's... something different and I see everything so clearly now... Still, what I told you was... mostly to... push you away and try to convince myself that..." the words began to come out clumsily from his mouth, but this time he wasn't going to back down as he always did. Gently, he took the hunter's hand and wrapped it with his fingers, gathering strength to continue with his voice trembling with nerves "...that I was confused and what I felt wasn't... real, and hiding this way... my feelings for you... And I really tried to forget you and move on, besides, Marad was determined to marry me, and he tried to find me a good candidate, but... deep down I already knew I wasn't interested in looking for anyone, because I had already found you..." Aloy felt her cheeks flush "And this has been reinforced now. After all, after the battle, how you wanted to protect me the night of the storm, or how you saved me in the Sun Ring and the time we've spent repairing Meridian, doing things together, or just talking, I've realized that... you're much more than a friend with exceptional talent to me. We can't change our past, but our future is still in our hands. I want to stop thinking that my future will speak of a me... to be able to say an... us, because I love you, Aloy, I want to spend the rest of my days by your side. I may not be able to give you everything you deserve, but I will do everything in my power to make you happy by giving you all that is in me. Building a future with you is what I desire most, but I can only do that if... if y-you... feel the... the same..." he finished with his voice trembling. She remained silent, looking at him. A wave of emotions shook her overwhelming her, leaving her without knowing what to say. 'Please, say something, tell me something...' echoed in the king's head "After all this time, my feelings for you haven't changed... I... I love you, and after these days all I feel has only grown, b-but... if you don't love me back, just... just tell me and I won't bother you ever again... never again." he stammered nervously to break the horrible silence that had formed between them, while looking away. He just wanted an answer, whatever it may be.