Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

After breakfast, Justin made a point of taking Aurora to the countryside to pick fresh wildflowers. It was spring, and many flowers were in full bloom. The air was alive with a sense of renewal. Aurora loved this feeling, listening to birds chirping on the branches and breathing in the delicate fragrance of nameless little flowers. It felt as though her very soul had been cleansed.

This place was truly a perfect getaway. It lacked the crashing waves of the sea and the bustling clamor of the city but offered something much more serene and peaceful.

"The flowers here are free for everyone to pick," Justin said with a smile.

"Really?" Aurora crouched down, carefully selecting the flowers she liked.

As Justin picked his own flowers, he began to share stories about the mountain. His hands were deft, weaving the flowers he collected into a delicate wreath.

"Here, try this." Aurora crouched down, allowing Justin to place the wreath on her head-a local custom, he explained.

She wore a flowing white dress, her loose hair cascading in soft waves. Even without makeup, her natural beauty was striking, an elegance that seemed almost otherworldly.

"Do I look good?" Aurora asked, her wide, luminous eyes glimmering with an almost hypnotic light.

Justin stared at her, completely captivated, and could only nod dumbly.

"Beautiful," he murmured.

From a distance, Mrs. Woolf watched the scene unfold. If Aurora didn't already have someone in her heart, she thought, how wonderful it would be if she and Justin could be together. But fate had its own cruel plans.

This day would be one Aurora would never forget. Justin stayed by her side, accompanying her to the day's rituals and blessings, keeping busy from morning until nightfall.

"Aurora, there's a bonfire party in the village tonight. You should join us," Justin said. "You usually attend high- society galas, but I bet you've never experienced something like this." "That's true. I'm looking forward to it," Aurora replied, finishing her meal quickly. By dusk, the sky was painted in brilliant hues of orange and red.

"What a beautiful sunset," Aurora remarked as she stood by the window. Ever since she had sent a message to Alison, she felt a weight lift from her shoulders, her mood noticeably lighter.

Julian had once told her that they could never truly be apart. Even if they were separated, it was only temporary. He would always find her.

Aurora was his life. And without life, how could anyone survive? Justin, too, seemed less anxious about whether she would stay or leave, and Aurora no longer felt the pressure of his suffocating presence. Her spirits soared, and she began to feel a newfound fondness for this small village.

"Yes, the sunsets here are the most breathtaking," Justin said, coming to stand beside her. "Aurora, tomorrow, I'll take you home." Aurora's eyes lit up. "Really?" "Really. I'll let you return to him," Justin said, gently ruffling her hair.

Aurora was stunned by his sudden offer. Her heart swelled with joy.

"Thank you, Justin," Aurora said with a sweet smile. For the first time, she felt a truce between them. If Justin had insisted on keeping her here, it would have only worsened things between them.

"Aurora, I have just one request," Justin said, gazing at her radiant face. In this moment, her smile was for him alone, and he wanted to freeze time.

"What is it?" "Can I hold you for a moment?" Justin asked. He thought of the three days when she had been unconscious. Each night, he had held her in his arms, feeling as though it was the happiest he had ever been. But that was something Aurora would never know. Aurora hesitated, and Justin thought his request was too much.

"Forget it," he said quickly. "If you don't want to-" Before he could finish, Aurora stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him.

Her hands rested on his broad back, and Justin froze, completely unprepared for her embrace. For a moment, he couldn't move, his entire body numb.

His trembling hands slowly reached out to hold her, his heart heavy with emotions too complicated to name. Only he knew how much he liked this woman, how much he wanted to keep her by his side forever.

"Thank you, Justin..." Aurora whispered softly.

Justin's lips curled into a bittersweet smile.

So, this was what it felt like to let go-painful but strangely fulfilling. He wanted her to be happy, even if it meant loneliness for himself.

The two of them stood by the window, wrapped in each other's arms. The scene was as peaceful as it was poignant.

Downstairs, Lana happened to catch sight of them as she cto call Justin for the bonfire party.

Bathed in the glow of the fiery sunset, the two looked like a pair of lovers. To Lana, it was a heartbreaking sight. Since Justin had returned, he was no longer the same. He had changed, adopting the air of someone from the city.

Lana missed the man he used to be, the one with a rugged beard and a simple charm. Now, all of his changes were for another woman.

Her heart burned with resentment. She had grown up with Justin, chopping wood in the mountains and catching fish in the rivers. Why did this woman have the right to intrude on their lives? But love was never a one-sided affair. No matter how much you cared for someone, if they didn't feel the same, nothing you did would matter.

As night fell, Justin led Aurora to the bonfire party.

"The villagers love to sing and dance. Since you're expecting, you shouldn't join in, but you can enjoy the atmosphere," Justin said.

"Alright, Justin. I understand," Aurora replied, her heart already soaring with the thought of returning htomorrow.

Later, she would call Julian to reassure him that everything was fine.

The villagers were dressed in their traditional attire. Aurora spotted m Alison in the crowd. Since she had NO sent Alison the message earlier, Alison didn't dare approach her openly. The festivities were lively, with the host skillfully engaging the crowd. Everyone joined hands and danced together around the bonfire.

Justin held Aurora's hand tightly. Watching her blend seamlessly into the crowd, he smiled with genuine happiness.

When the dancing stopped, individuals began stepping forward to sing or perform. Lana was the first to volunteer, singing a mountain ballad.

Though sof the lyrics were in a dialect Aurora didn't understandm Lana's voice was clear and melodious, like a songbird in the mountains.

Aurora sat back, enjoying the atmosphere. Compared to the high-society galas she haḍattended e in the past where people wore polite masks and exchanged veiled barbs- she much preferred this simple, heartfelt gathering. As she was lost in thought, she suddenly noticed everyone looking in her direction.

Confused, Aurora glanced around, only to see Lana approaching her.

"What just happened?" Aurora asked, puzzled, turning to Justin.

Justin's expression darkened as he looked at Lana.

"Have you had enough?" he asked coldly.

"This is our tradition," Lana replied. "I've issued her a challenge. If she doesn't dare to accept, then she's lost." "Was she just challenging me?" Aurora asked, still unsure of what was happening.

"Yes," Justin replied grimly. "She wants to see if you'll compete with her." "Compete in what?" Aurora asked, turning her gaze to Lana.

mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1