The Cursed King

Elise glanced at Loriel and sheepishly smiled. "I'd like that, Loriel."

"Then allow me to help you," he said.
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"I think I can do it by myself," Elise wanted to reject his suggestion because she felt it would be too intimate. She was worried her heart would beat like crazy.

"It's easier if I help you, Elise."

"Alright, please assist me." Elise gently raised her hair.

Loriel took the necklace in his hand as he went behind her. The soft curve of her nape and the sweet scent of her skin engulfed Loriel's senses as he resisted the urge to kiss her then and there.

He clasped the necklace around her neck and then looked back at her with a smile.

"Thank you for the help, Loriel. I love it." Elise gently touched the necklace and returned his smile with one of her own.

The way that the necklace hung and rested around her neck was a beautiful sight, that Loriel was almost at a loss for words. He couldn't believe that he was once again seeing the smile of his wife.

It was far too easy to get lost in her eyes and to drink in the smile alone.

But Loriel was here to confess, and so he looked at her and said, "Elise I need to tell you something."

"What is it?" Elise asked. Her heart once again started beating at the seriousness of Loriel's tone. She thought that she knew what he was going to ask, and it made her heart pound.

Loriel stared at his wife with all the affection in the world. He knew he wanted to tell her the truth, but it wasn't the right time. Instead, he just wanted to be with her like how they used to be before. 

"Ever since the day that I met you at the cafe during the aftermath of the rain, I always think back and look at it as the most grateful day… and that was because I was able to meet you, Elise."

He finally found her again.

"It's a little sudden because we've only known each other for the past three months."

He had waited and loved her for the last fifteen centuries.

"But I want you to believe and trust me when I say that I have fallen for you, Elise." 

Loriel smiled at her. 

"You've given me a chance to know what it feels like to truly care for someone in a way that's far beyond just silly infatuation. Whenever I'm with you, I want to be good to you and make you happy."

He wished he treated her right at the start. 

Elise was dazed when she saw what Loriel was doing. Her heart pounded and she looked at the man with fluttered lashes. 

"Loriel…"

Perhaps, her late father was right. Maybe men knew other men better? So, did Loriel really love her?

She could see his eyes speak a thousand words, even before he said anything. Elise felt her heart flutter as she locked eyes with Loriel. The man was devilishly handsome, his smile was angelic, and his treatment was gentle.

Suddenly, Elise was thinking of the future with this man. He was the first man she knew outside of the York family. He was kind to her, and Elise always felt safe around him.

"My life has become so colorful and pleasant, ever since the day you enter it," Loriel reached out his hands and took Elise's hands with his.

He looked at her deeply. She could even see the longing in his beautiful grey eyes. She loved looking at his eyes because they seemed to change colors, depending on his mood.

She noticed that his eyes were light blue most of the time, but when he was in a really good mood, they became like silver. It's very unique. 

She could tell he was feeling very happy now because of the color of his eyes. They were like sparkling silver.

She bit her lip and smiled sheepishly. Elise felt overwhelmed by Loriel's sudden action, but deep in her heart, she was very happy that he chose this moment to confess his feelings for her.

He did want to confess his feelings, didn't he?

She looked at his lips, waiting for those words eagerly.

"I love you, Elise." Without further ado, Loriel finally said what was in his heart. He felt his chest was filled with so much warmth when finally he could tell her that he loved her.

Before today, he could only say those words silently because to her he was just a stranger who helped her and then became her friend, her roommate, and nothing more.

However, today, after three long months, plus fifteen centuries, he didn't want to wait any longer. He was dying to confess his love, he wanted to make her mine again.

He wanted to shower her with his love. He also didn't want any other men, not the chef, not her coworkers, not anyone, to try and approach Elise because she was single and she was the most beautiful woman with the kindest heart.

He squeezed her hands gently, and his voice became hoarse. Loriel was starting to feel emotional. Gosh.. he missed his wife so badly.

Now that she was here, right before him… she was still not really here, because she didn't remember him. She only knew him as the kind friend who had been helping her out.

She didn't remember how much they were intimate as husband and wife, and they even had children together… even though they lost the babies.

"Elise… I don't want to be your friend forever. I also don't want to keep being your fake boyfriend…" he whispered. "I am so in love with you and I want to be your real boyfriend. I want to be in a relationship with you. I wish to someday marry you and make you my wife."

Elise opened her mouth to say something… but nothing came out of her lips. She didn't expect Loriel to mention the word 'marriage' and 'wife'.

Was he serious?

This felt surreal.