Chapter 130: Mine, as much as I am yours
Music Recommendation: Lights are on- Tom Rosenthal
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It took some time before Anastasia’s tears finally ceased, and she calmed down. They sat on the ground, with her sitting on Dante’s lap, her face buried in his chest, and his arms around her.
Anastasia hadn’t meant to cry this much, but once she started, she simply couldn’t stop. He felt warmer than usual, as if she had found her way back home, and despite the recklessness of her decision, she was glad she had jumped off the ship. She wondered if the ship that had sailed without her would return once it was discovered that she was missing.
"The fragrance of jasmine has now been replaced by the scent of the sea," Dante murmured as he caressed her head.
Anastasia slowly pulled away from his chest, and her tear-filled eyes met his darkened ones. She asked, "You noticed?"
"I always notice, particularly when it concerns you," Dante answered, as his eyes drank her in without missing a single detail. He brought his hand to her face and gently tucked her hair behind her ear, allowing his fingertips to linger on the back of her ear, delicately tracing the contours of her skin and noticing the way she shivered in response.
Having detected the scent of jasmine on her, Dante had to hold himself back from yielding to its compelling allure earlier. He asked her, "Feeling better now?"
Anastasia nodded, and before long, she felt Dante press his lips against her temple. He expressed, "Don’t cry, little rabbit. It breaks my heart when you do."
Now that he was back to using his old endearments, Anastasia felt like she was floating on clouds. Curiously, she inquired, "How did your meeting with the Elder ministers go?" Because she assumed that was what had kept him from seeing her off.
"I had to cut it short," Dante replied, taking her hand into his own and caressing it with his thumb.