Once Upon A [Hidden] Time - [Stolen] Series IV

CHAPTER 36

MYRA
27 JUNE 1415

I inhaled sharply again. Was that the actual reason for him not being my friend—that he frightened me, regardless of how he loved me? As if he could sense my fears, he held my face firmly in his hands.

"Do I frighten you?" This time, he was gentle, which melted my heart. "Why can I not be your friend, Myra?"

I took my time to answer. "A friend doesn't feel insecure."

"I cannot afford to lose you, Bellissima," he confessed.

Holding his hand, I placed it on my heart. "This will always belong to you, Edward. Why are you insecure?"

He didn't answer but looked away, out onto the lake.

"James is just a friend," I insisted. "He is not courting me, but sharing my burden."

He pulled me closer, joining his forehead to mine. "I do not trust other men."

"But do you trust me?"

He nodded. "More than my life," he answered. "More than this sun rising from the East, more than the darkness every night, more than the moon shining." With his confession, he kissed me tenderly. He had confessed how much he loved me in more than a hundred other ways, but my heart still ached to hear the words "I love you" from him.

I noticed Emma tiptoeing behind Edward. She placed a finger on her lips, asking me to stay quiet, while she carried a small bucket full of water in the other hand. Oh boy! What was she up to?

I distracted Edward by kissing him again, and in a blink, Emma poured water inside his tunic. Instantly, Edward turned around, capturing whoever was behind him.

"Be careful, Edward!" I shouted, but it was too late, as he grabbed Emma and pushed her to the ground. Just as he realised it was his niece, he loosened his tight grip on her shoulders. Emma looked frightened by his act, but I held her instantly to calm her down.

"Ah, naughty girl, your uncle caught you!" I said, feigning laughter to lighten up the mood. Edward placed his hands behind his neck in surrender. "You managed to shock your uncle. Look at his face!" Emma bought my fake remark and giggled at my words. I continued, "Look at his face!" I lay down with her, tickling her, upon which she joined me with her sweet laughter.

"He looks appalled." Laughing, she pointed at her uncle.

"And always so sour, is he not?" I added.

"Calm down, Uncle Ed," she said. "And look at him, he looks like a clown with wet hair plastered on his face." I laughed along with her.

Edward watched us for a few minutes in utter bafflement. A minute later, a smile graced his face.

"Oh, your sour uncle can smile, too," I said, and Emma laughed harder.

"As sour as vinegar," she added, and we burst into a fit again.

Raking his fingers through his hair, Edward chuckled. Upon seeing us busy laughing, he picked up the same bucket, which had a bit of water left, and poured it over me.

I gasped to catch my breath. He lay next to Emma. "Now, look at your aunty and her face!"

Emma turned to me and fell into another fit of laughter.

"It's not funny," I grumbled.

"Now, now," he chuckled, "who is complaining?"

"You wait and watch!" I stood immediately and grabbed the bucket. He ran after me, but before I could fill the bucket again from the lake, he caught me and jumped into the water, pulling me with him. Emma stood and started clapping excitedly.