Chapter 0005

All eye turns to Romanov with Maksim asking.

“This is where you met her, father?”

Romanov nodded but his gaze weakens, “Yes. This was the place where I first met her. I wasn’t supposed to sneak out but Mikael told me there was something he wanted to show. I became bored and end up going deeper into the forest and find this. It was our secret meadow.”

His eyes turn back to his young self, obviously head over heels for Aika.

“I was told that out meeting was a planned set up by her family. By her but I can see that it was a lie. Us meeting was_”

“Fate.” Nikolai spoke. “You and her, it was destiny.”

Romanov nodded, “We were both told not to wander into the forest. No one ever entered it after the war but we were curious. It was actually Mikael and her but I end up seeing her. I even talk to her first.”

Romanov then wondered, is this why Mikael was upset that he was the one who had Aika first and not him?

Romanov gaze glued on how happy they were playing around and getting to know one another. The scenes around them didn’t disappear or melt like before but it slowly morphed into them in different outfits, meeting each other every day, gazing at the sky and just play as much as they can despite being so tired later and unable to keep up with their family at home. It was harder on Romanov as he ends up getting his butt kicked during training. That incurs wrath in his father and he would be punished every day but meeting Aika in the field was worth it and he never mind the beatings. There were scenes of him stealing few kisses here and there, surprising her and sometimes making her annoyed and end up chasing after him.

Though this memories, Romanov was able to reminisce the moment Aika introduce ehim to her power and how amazing, magical and exciting it was, making the meadow sometimes covered ins now, freezing the pond where they would go skating with their bare feet’s and throw snowballs at each other, Zhatierians favourite past time.

In that moment too he could see her memories of going home and having to hide her stained dress after spending time playing with him, running from the guarding eyes of Khalid and her parents as well as sneaking into the forest when no one sees her. Again, the accusation of her planning with her family to meet him was all lies. She had put so much effort to see him and he was glad knowing she wasn’t the only one drowning in joy of the thought of meeting him.

He noticed that his back was quiet so he turned around to see everyone either too fixated, smiling and somehow serious, Ambrose that is, at him and Aika. He smiled and can’t help but speaking throughout the shifting moments. Happy, moments.

Seeing her transform from a little angel to a Goddess with her hair now falling just above her buttocks and her eyes, brighter blue than ever and having her body fill out beautifully in her dress and accentuating her lush curves. Aika was indeed breathtakingly beautiful.

“After she saved me, I guess we became inseparable friends. We promise to meet each other every time either at night or morning. I would sneak out after training and sometimes, I don’t have enough sleep at all. I loved her so much. I knew deep down she was my mate. I didn’t at first. I thought that all the crazy feelings swirling inside me was just me can’t get over how beautiful she was but the more I get to know her, I became more in love with her sweet laughter, the way her eyes glitter when she talks about her family or how her cheeks would turn red when I tell her how beautiful she was. She was an angel, my angel.”

In the memories also shows how Mikael starts to distant himself more and acts more professional rather than brotherly like they were before after meeting Aika. He never understands the sudden changes but Romanov was too distracted being with her that he didn’t even notice.

The memories around them suddenly stops to focus more on what seems to be Aika and Romanov as a teen, lying down on the bed of daisies. She was leaning on his chest while Romanov had his hands behind his head. They were both staring at the starry sky.

“Roma?”

“Yes?”

“Can I ask you something?”

“What’s that?”

A nervous sighed escape her lips and whisper, “You have to promise you won’t laugh.”

Romanov stare down and he frowned, “Why would I laugh?”

“I don’t know but make sure you don’t” Aika says then push herself to sit and stare down at him.

“Alright. I promise.”

Aika bit her lips feeling very nervous from the way she looks and her cheeks flushed, “I think that ugh, you, uh, are my s..sou..soulmate!” She gasped the last word out and cover he rmouth.

Romanov push himself up quickly and his face move closer to hers, “What?”

Aika squeeze her eyes shut and turn around. “Don’t make me repeat that, Romanov. I’m so embarrass especially since you don’t know what it even means.”

Romanov chuckled and hold her chin, turning her to stare at him, “Of course I know what it means. Not Zhateirians’s meaning of that but soulmate, me?”

Aika nodded, “You are, Romanov I can feel it. In here.” She puts her hands and closed it on her chest.

“When I’m with you, I feel my heart beating so fast. My tummy all gets all funny and a part of me, my soul, feel so complete with you around. Do you feel that too?”

Teen Romanov howled and laugh so hard. Aika’s brow drops. Her eye starts to pool with tears but Romanov wrapped his hand around her and twirl her around as he stands. Aika shriek at his sudden burst of energy.

After a few seconds, he slowly puts her down, breathing hard and lean his forehead to hers.

“Me too, Aika. Me too. I am yours. All yours as you are mine.” Aika gasped and stare into his eyes. Tears brimming complete with a smile, “Really?”

Romanov nodded, “Yes. I love you, Aikaterina. I really do. You are my mate. My other half as well. I wanted to tell you before but I was scared. I didn’t want to rush you but I know now I can’t hold it anymore. I had to tell you. Funny how you tell me first. Thank you, my love. Thank you.”

“I love you too, Romanov. With all my heart, I love you.” She pulls him into a kiss, again, surprising Romanov who definitely have no complain about that. When they pull back, Romanov frowned seeing the sadness in her eyes.

“Why do you seem upset, Aika? Isn’t this supposed to be a thing to be celebrate? You are not thinking of turning back against your words right?” Small fear spark inside of him making his wof shivers.

“No, of course not but our people hate each other, Roma. Can we be together? Your father, he…he hates my kind right? He won’t accept me. And my family, they don’t like yours too. We had wars before, remember? Do you think we are possible?”

Romanov smiled and push the small locks hanging in front of he rface behind her ear, “You’re scared for me, love?”

“I’m scared for us.”

“Do you trust me?” He whisper in a low voice.

She tangled her fingers to him and nodded despite looking sad and worried, “Of course I do.”

“Then believe me when I say, when the time comes, we won’t keep our love a secret. We’ll be together forever no matter what. Just give me some time, I’ll think of a way.”

“Promise?”

Romanov chuckled and says, “Didn’t you say you trust me?” She end up giggling and they embrace each other, absorbing the heat radiating from each other and making sure they have hold each other. Both feeling happy yet anxious, concern of how long would their secret last and how long they would last. They savour in I each other arms and say a little prayer that the Goddess up above will make this moment last.

The adult Romanov continue to stare ahead and his breath becomes harder seeing their surrounding starts to melt, knowing what is coming next.

“What happen, Mr Romanov?” Ariadne ask, hearing strings of curses behind him when his special moment with Aika fades.

“The universe had other plans for us.”