Rowan's POV
"General Voltaire, are you certain this plan of yours will work? What if it doesn't?" Aurein asked, his voice tight with unease.
By then, we had already returned to the farmland. General Voltaire had deliberately avoided explaining his full plan in front of my father—Aurein's identity was at stake, after all.
He certainly did not want it known that he intended to make Aurein dance like a moon dancer. If word of that ever reached the king, there would be consequences—and none of them pleasant.
"This is the only plan I can think of to lure that thief," General Voltaire said calmly. "Through your dancing, you will draw people's attention. Just like the magician's performance earlier. The more people gather, the more attention it creates. And when that happens, the thief will surely show himself, hiding somewhere among them."
"Are we doing this today?" I asked.
"We may have to postpone it until tomorrow," General Voltaire replied. "It's nearly evening. If the thief appears in the dark, it will be harder to catch him."
"I see... then I hope that magician comes to our house," I said worriedly. "I told him that if I failed to return his hat filled with gold, he should come there so we could help him and his wife."
"I am certain he will go there, Lord Rowan," Elder Henderson said reassuringly. "Duke Kristoff is easy to approach and kind to the locals. That magician will not hesitate to seek his help."
"I hope so," I said quietly.
"Wait, General Voltaire," Aurein suddenly said. "If you're making me dance, then they must not see my face, right? Do I really have to dance like the moon dancers?"
"Yes," General Voltaire answered without hesitation. "Do not worry, Aurein, while you dance, Rowan and I will watch the surroundings. We will be the ones to catch that thief. You only need to focus on your performance."
"Alright," Aurein said at last. "I will do it. Finally, I can dance in front of the people!"
* * *
The next day, we were already at the city market, fully prepared to carry out our plan to capture the thief.
We were gathered inside a tent—just the four of us—making final preparations for Aurein's performance.
The plan was simple: attract a large crowd and force the thief to reveal himself. The more people there were, the more opportunities he would see to steal.
Of course, we would never allow him to succeed. I was certain we would catch him before he could take anything.
Aurein was dressed in flowing white fabric, just like a moon dancer. A white veil covered his face, concealing everything except his eyes.
"I'll be the one to introduce Aurein's performance," Serena said confidently. "I'll draw the crowd's attention."
"Yes," General Voltaire agreed. "You will stay close and watch over Aurein while he dances. Rowan and I will remain hidden among the crowd so we can observe the thief more easily."
I noticed Aurein pacing back and forth, unable to stay still.
"Aurein, are you alright?" I asked.
"I'm just nervous," he admitted. "I wanted to dance, for sure, but I'm not used to dancing in front of so many people. What if I messed up?"
"They won't recognize you," Serena said. "Your face is covered. There's no need to worry about being embarrassed. Just do your thing and be a moon dancer for once."
"But what if they don't like it?" Aurein asked quietly.
"They will," General Voltaire said calmly as he walked towards Aurein and caressed his cheek. "Just as I liked your dance the first time I ever saw you."
That seemed to steady Aurein, at least a little.
"There you go again," Serena muttered irritably. "Flirting already. I know you are already tempted to do something to Aurein, General Voltaire. But save it for later. We have a mission. Let's go out there and get this done. If all else fail, don't worry, and leave this to me. I have a back up plan."
We nodded to one another in unison.
General Voltaire and I stepped out first, laying down a woven mat for Aurein to dance on. He would be barefoot, and we didn't want his feet getting dirty.
Once everything was in place, General Voltaire and I moved to our assigned positions.
Serena then emerged from the tent and signaled that it was time to begin calling the crowd.
Fortunately, we were all wearing cloaks, disguising our identities. The last thing we wanted was for the thief to recognize us—if he did, he would never show himself.
"Beloved locals of the Southern Region!" Serena called out. "I invite you to witness a dance performance that will stir your hearts!"
People nearby turned toward her. Others began drifting closer to where General Voltaire and I stood.
"Who's dancing?"
"This sounds interesting."
"I hope it's a beautiful woman."
These were the murmurs I overheard from the crowd around me.
"I present to you the finest dancer of Ardentia," Serena announced grandly. "When he dances, he is as light as the wind itself, carrying you to the clouds with every movement. Please welcome... Aur—"
She froze.
General Voltaire shot her a sharp look, his eyes widening.
"Aur... rora!" Serena quickly corrected herself.
I exhaled in relief.
That was close. Far too close.
The crowd erupted into applause, swelling in number even before the performance had begun.
Aurein stepped out into the open—and the moment he did, my heart sank.
He did not walk with confidence. His steps were stiff, almost mechanical, as though his body had forgotten how to move the moment the crowd laid eyes on him. His shoulders were tense, his posture awkward, like a deer that had wandered onto a stage instead of a forest clearing.
"Aurein! Fix yourself!" Serena hissed.
I could not hear her voice from where I stood, but I could read her lips clearly. The sharp precision of her mouth, the panic barely restrained in her eyes—it was unmistakable.
The murmurs began immediately.
"Is that... a man?"
"A moon dancer?"
"Maybe he is a moon dancer?"
"He's pretty and his body looks like a maiden, even if he's a man. Does he want to be one of them?"
The whispers rippled through the crowd like a spreading illness.
Serena clapped her hands sharply, forcing a smile that could cut glass.
"Let's give a round of applause for Aurora!" she announced.
The crowd obeyed, clapping out of politeness rather than excitement, and Serena stepped aside.
Aurein stood alone at the center.
His head was bowed.
I could feel it—no, I knew it. He was terrified. Dancing in front of a crowd was never easy, but this was different. This was exposure. Judgment. Expectation pressing down on his shoulders like a physical weight.
"Dance already! What's taking so long?"
"What is this? You're wasting my time."
The irritation in the crowd was growing sharper, louder.
Then Aurein slowly raised both of his hands—a silent signal that he was about to begin.
And when he moved...
It was painful to watch.
His body was rigid, trembling, every motion uncertain and disconnected, like someone puppeteering a stranger's limbs. The crowd noticed immediately.
"He's not even good!"
"What a waste. Let's leave. I've got better things to do."
People began turning away. One by one, they started to leave.
"Wait! Don't go!" Serena called out desperately.
It was useless.
I leaned toward General Voltaire, lowering my voice.
"What do we do now? We'll loose the crowd and the thief." I asked.
"This wasn't part of the plan," he muttered, his jaw tight. "I thought Aurein would enjoy dancing. I thought he wanted this. Maybe he wasn't just used to this."
"Then we change plans," I said. "This isn't good."
The General nodded grimly.
Then Serena spoke again.
"Don't leave!" she shouted suddenly. "This is part of the performance!"
Both General Voltaire and I stared at her.
She shot us a look—eyes wide, sharp, meaningful—and subtly gestured at us to stop the crowd.
Before I could process what was happening, General Voltaire stepped forward.
"Anyone who leaves this performance," he said coldly, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword, "will not see the moon rising tonight."
The crowd froze.
I scratched my head, stunned.
That was... not what I expected. I was hoping for a more civilized and peaceful way of controlling the locals, not by scaring them!
"Now then," the General continued calmly, as if he hadn't just threatened an entire crowd. "Let us all stay and enjoy the show. I am certain they have prepared something... unforgettable."
He spoke like a commander addressing his troops. The locals looked as though they were one breath away from fainting.
I shook my head, biting back laughter.
"We'll right back! Stat tuned!" Serena said and grabbed Aurein by the wrist and dragged him into the tent. The crowd buzzed with confusion, exchanging glances and murmurs.
We waited.
Minutes passed.
Then Serena emerged alone.
"Thank you for waiting," she announced grandly. "Now, behold—the true performance of Aurora. Witness beauty worthy of a goddess. Observe his grace, his allure, and the face that will steal your breath."
Then Aurein stepped out.
My eyes widened.
I nearly forgot how to breathe.
I glanced at General Voltaire—and for once, the man looked utterly speechless.
He stared.
Simply stared, of course he would. Who would not?
"Is that... really a man?"
"I'm confused. He's beautiful. But his name is Aurora—maybe he's a woman?"
"He must be a woman. Look at him."
"No, he is a guy! But... argh! Should I date him?"
Aurein was unrecognizable.
Makeup softened his features, hiding his identity even without a veil. His lips were redder, his cheeks flushed, earrings glinting against his skin. A necklace rested at his collarbone. His outfit—no longer modest and veiled—was seductive, flowing, deliberately enchanting.
So this was Serena's contingency plan.
No one suspected a thing. No one knew that the figure before them—dressed as a woman, admired as a goddess—was the Prince of Ardentia. Our future king.
Even I felt disoriented.
Watching Aurein like this—his feminine beauty, the way his body carried itself—I felt an unsettling thought stir inside me.
If my true love that I will meet soon is someone like him wouldn't be so bad. It would be wonderful!
The crowd swelled. More people gathered—mostly men now—pressing closer.
"He's gorgeous."
"He might be a man, but if he looks like that, I might forget."
"I might be punished because of liking a man, but I would not care if it was him."
"I wish he were a woman."
"I'm inviting her to dinner after this."
"If there is a hole, there is a way."
It was the comments from the men beside us that finally made General Voltaire snap.
He shot the men a murderous glare and deliberately shifted his sword so it was clearly visible.
Silence fell.
"Aurora belongs to me," he said dangerously. "Do not desire what is not yours."
The men shrank back instantly.
I rubbed my temple.
"Once again, let's hear it for Aurora!" Serena called.
Aurein closed his eyes.
He inhaled deeply.
The world went silent.
Then he opened his eyes—and locked his gaze onto General Voltaire.
And he danced.
His movements flowed effortlessly now, arms and feet swaying like moonlight on water. A gentle breeze passed through, lifting his garments, turning his dance ethereal.
As fate would have it, someone nearby began playing an ocarina.
The music wrapped around Aurein, and the crowd was spellbound.
Applause erupted.
More people came.
I glanced at General Voltaire—his entire world had narrowed to one person.
And Aurein... he danced as if no one else existed.
Perhaps Serena had told him to focus on just one face.
We were supposed to be watching for the thief, I remembered suddenly.
But the General was hopelessly entranced.
So that left me.
I scanned the crowd, eyes darting left and right. Cloaks were few, hoods mostly down. Everyone was watching Aurein.
Maybe the thief won't show, I thought. Or maybe he's hiding.
Still, my gaze kept drifting back to Aurein—especially when the applause thundered.
"He's good," a man beside me said. "You don't see many men like that."
"He's captivating," I replied—and turned.
The man wore a cloak.
His hood was up.
I couldn't see his eyes.
But the lower half of his face was visible.
And he was smirking.
Subtle.
Almost imperceptible.
But my breath caught.
Something sharp glinted briefly at the corner of his lips.
A fang?
My heartbeat quickened.
Is this... the thief?
I leaned forward—just slightly.
Not enough to look insane. Not enough to look like some deranged noble staring down a stranger's face as if I were about to accuse him of murder in public. I tried to be subtle. Painfully subtle. The kind of subtlety that required my neck muscles to ache and my dignity to hang by a thread.
I did not want to look like a lunatic.
I only wanted to see his face.
Then it happened.
His eyes moved—and met mine.
Directly.
My breath caught.
He smiled.
Not a polite smile. Not a friendly one. It was slow. Deliberate. Dangerous. The kind of smile that felt like a blade drawn just enough to let you see the edge.
I swallowed hard.
My eyes widened despite myself.
There was no doubt about it.
This man beside me—
That predatory gaze.
That faint glint of a fang.
That smile that promised trouble.
For a heartbeat, I forgot how to breathe.
I wanted to shout. I wanted to point. I wanted to scream that I had found the thief.
And yet... I didn't.
Instead, my body froze, nerves buzzing, instincts screaming danger while my mouth stubbornly refused to cooperate.
"Thank you all for your support!" Serena's voice rang out. "Aurora's dance has come to an end!"
I snapped my gaze forward just in time to see Aurein bow gracefully at the center of the clearing.
Thunderous applause erupted.
Serena stepped forward, now holding a bag.
"A small token of gold for Aurora's beautiful performance," she said sweetly.
Pieces of small gold began to rain into the bag, clinking and glittering under the light.
The moment my focus drifted—
I looked back to my side.
He was gone.
The space beside me was empty.
I scanned the crowd. Left. Right. Behind me.
Nothing.
No cloak. No hood. No dangerous smile.
My pulse raced.
Was he real? Or did my imagination betray me?
"Rowan," General Voltaire asked quietly, suddenly beside me. "Did you see the thief? Forgive me, I was entranced with Aurein's dancing."
I turned to him at once.
"I think I did," I said carefully. "But I can't be sure. It might have just been my eyes playing tricks on me."
He nodded once.
"All right. We proceed to the next plan," he said. "We'll lure him with the gold we've collected. Aurein and I will hide inside the tent. Serena will remain outside with the bag. And you—stay hidden. Watch everything."
"I'll do it," I said.
As the crowd dispersed, General Voltaire and Aurein slipped into the tent. Serena stayed behind, deliberately displaying the gold, pretending to count it.
I hid myself at the edge of the clearing.
Waiting.
Watching.
For the dangerous smile to return.
* * *
Voltaire's POV
We were already waiting inside the tent, every sense sharpened, every second stretched thin. I had instructed Serena to scream the moment the thief made a move—loud enough to tear through the market noise and alert everyone at once.
Yet despite the urgency of the mission, my attention betrayed me.
Aurein stood a short distance away, half-hidden by the soft drapes of the tent. His back was turned to me, shoulders drawn in, posture timid. He looked shy—uneasy in a way that was almost painfully endearing. The morning light filtered through the fabric and kissed his silhouette, and for a moment, the world narrowed until there was only him.
I stepped closer and gently took hold of both his arms.
"Well," I asked smoothly, my voice low and unhurried as my thumb brushed against his skin, "who is this beautiful lady standing before me?" I said.
"Ge-General... I'm embarrassed," he said softly.
"You danced so freely in front of everyone... even in front of me," I murmured, my voice low and gentle. "So why grow shy now, when it's only the two of us?"
I took a quiet step closer, careful not to startle him.
"You don't have to hide," I added softly. "Not with me. Won't you turn around, Aurein?"
My gaze lingered on his trembling shoulders. "I just want to see you."
"D-did you like my dance earlier?" he asked, hesitation woven into every syllable.
"Of course," I replied, my hands still stroking his slender, delicate shoulder, as if reassuring him with every touch.
"It... it was for you," he said, stumbling over his words. "I'm sorry I couldn't do it the first time. I was too scared—too nervous. But Serena told me that the second time, I only looked at you. She said I offered it to you so I wouldn't feel ashamed," he added quietly.
"I liked it, no, I loved it." I said honestly. "I was only surprised when you came out dressed like this—wearing women's clothes, with makeup on. For a moment, I truly thought you were a real woman." I smiled faintly. "Well, I already know your heart is that of one."
"O-only when I'm with you beside me do I feel like a woman," he said. "Only you make me feel like that."
Then he finally turned to face me.
That expression—soft, open, vulnerable—undid me completely.
God knew how hard I had been trying to restrain myself this entire time. We were in the middle of a mission. I was supposed to be alert, vigilant, prepared for anything. And yet, how could I be, when he looked at me like that?
He was breathtaking. So beautiful it hurt. I couldn't tear my eyes away.
Yes, I was meant to watch for the thief—but Aurein had always been my greatest weakness.
"Do you want me to stay like this?" he asked hesitantly. "To look like a woman? Do you prefer me this way?"
I lifted my hands and gently cupped his cheeks, guiding his gaze so I could look at him properly.
"You know," I said softly, "earlier, there were men who couldn't stop staring at you. If only you knew—I had to stop myself from killing them for desiring you while they watched you dance."
"General!" he protested. "You'll end up being the villain instead of the thief."
"What can I do?" I said smoothly. "Your beauty could turn me into a criminal."
"H-hey..." he said, averting his eyes again. "So... do you really like me with makeup? Wearing women's clothes? Does it feel like you're with a woman instead of a man?"
Still, he refused to look at me.
"Look at me, Aurein," I whispered.
Obediently, he did.
"You are the most beautiful being in my eyes," I said, my voice steady despite what I felt. "More beautiful than any woman I have ever known—especially when I see you dressed like this."
"S-so you prefer me this way?" he asked shyly.
I chuckled under my breath.
"I prefer the Aurein I know," I said. "The simple one. The one without makeup." I paused, then added with a teasing edge, "But perhaps I prefer you in women's clothes. It does things to me."
"General!" he said in mild annoyance—though his tension had softened, his shoulders no longer so stiff.
Then, without warning, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me.
"What's wrong?" I asked, one hand cradling the back of his head while the other held him firmly against me.
He shook his head and pressed his face into my chest.
"Feeling needy?" I asked gently. "Do you just want to hold me... and feel relaxed?"
He nodded.
I laughed quietly.
"You know we're in the middle of a mission to catch a thief," I reminded him.
"I know," he said, tilting his head up to look at me. I bowed my head slightly, our gazes meeting.
And God—his face.
I didn't know how much longer I could hold myself together, especially when he looked at me like this, like he needed warmth, like he needed me.
"There, there," I said calmly, tightening my arms around him. "Just hold me, my wife."
He clung to me more tightly, resting his face against my chest once again.
How could he be this captivating?
Perhaps it was the way he was dressed, the way it made him think and feel like a woman. But I didn't mind. I had always seen him that way—despite knowing he was entirely a man.
In my eyes, in my mind, he would always be a delicate maiden. And that was how I would treat him for the rest of my life.
We were still embracing when Serena's scream pierced the air.
The thief had made his move.
I pulled back at once, instinct snapping me into motion. I turned to leave—but Aurein reached out and stopped me.
"I will come with you."
"Run while you wear that? No. Stay here inside the tent," I said firmly. "I'll chase the thief. Serena will stay with you."
Then I was gone.
Outside, I immediately found Serena.
"Where are they?" I asked urgently.
"There!" she said, pointing. "Rowan is already chasing him!"
"Good," I said. "I'll follow. Stay with Aurein inside the tent."
With that, I took off—heart pounding, focus sharpened once more—as I ran to catch up with them.
* * *
Rowan's POV
I stayed hidden, my eyes locked on Serena's position. People drifted past her in a steady flow—vendors calling out prices, children weaving through legs, travelers pausing to stare—but none of them carried that telltale wrongness I was waiting for. No one yet felt suspicious enough to be the thief we were hunting.
Serena, meanwhile, was committed to her role.
She counted the gold slowly, deliberately, letting each piece glint in the sunlight as she displayed them one by one. It was almost excessive—borderline theatrical—but that was the point. If greed had eyes, this was how you made it stare.
My gaze wandered despite myself, sliding toward the white tent nearby.
General Voltaire. Aurein.
Alone.
Hidden behind soft canvas where no one could see.
An unfortunate thought crept in.
They must be doing something.
I winced. I sincerely hoped they were not... in the middle of something—especially General Voltaire—considering Aurein was dressed as a woman.
My imagination, traitor that it was, supplied images I did not ask for.
Kissing? That thing?
No. Absolutely not. I shook my head hard.
Focus, Rowan. The thief.
I dragged my attention back to Serena just as something shifted in the crowd.
There.
A figure moved differently.
At first glance, he blended in perfectly—cloak drawn close, hood pulled low. Ordinary. Forgettable. And yet... his pace was wrong. Too fast. Purposeful. He cut through the crowd like a blade through cloth.
You would only notice it if you were watching from afar.
I fixed my eyes on him.
He was heading straight for Serena.
My body tensed. I subtly shifted into position, heart thudding in my chest.
Any second now...
The cloaked figure passed her—
And in one violent motion, he tore the bag of gold from her hands.
"Thief! Someone stole my gold!" Serena screamed.
That was the cue.
He ran.
So did I.
The thief moved like lightning, his steps smooth and practiced, as though fleeing crowds was second nature to him.
"Move! Out of the way! I have to catch that thief!" I shouted as I charged through the bustling market.
People gasped when they saw my face. Recognition spread like wildfire. They scrambled aside, squeezing into tight spaces to clear a path.
The thief glanced back.
He saw me.
And even beneath the hood, I caught it.
A smirk.
A flash of a fang.
My blood ran cold.
So my instincts were right. I hadn't imagined it earlier. It had been him all along—standing right beside me before.
I should have grabbed him then.
Damn it. If only I did not hesitate!
He turned forward again and ran even faster.
I pushed myself harder, lungs burning, legs protesting. Speed had never been my strength, and now it showed mercilessly.
Suddenly, people ahead of me began pointing behind my back, their expressions shifting from surprise to outright shock.
I risked a quick glance over my shoulder—just enough to understand the commotion without losing sight of the thief.
General Voltaire.
He charged through the crowd like a raging bull, sheer power incarnate. People practically threw themselves aside to avoid being flattened by his momentum.
He caught up to me effortlessly.
"I'm sorry I was late," he said.
I had no time to answer. He surged past me, already closing the distance between himself and the thief. I kept running, but it was painfully obvious—we were not operating on the same level.
Just as the general was about to reach him, the thief veered sharply toward a food stall.
He seized the table and flung it backward.
Wood cracked. Food scattered. The stallkeepers shouted in shock as chaos exploded behind them.
General Voltaire slowed just enough to avoid plowing straight through it.
The thief used that heartbeat of hesitation to escape.
"Sorry about that—we'll pay you later!" I shouted to the stunned stallkeeper as I passed. "We're just chasing that thief!"
I ran again, forcing my legs to move even as my lungs burned and my breath came out ragged. My chest felt like it was on fire, each step heavier than the last. Only the general could keep up with him now—only General Voltaire had the speed to match that monster.
The thief realized it too.
The moment he glanced back and saw that General Voltaire was still relentlessly closing in, he changed course. Without hesitation, he swerved sharply to the right, darting straight into a narrow alley.
Of course.
He was trying to lose him.
That alley was a trap—twisting paths, hidden turns, exits only a local would know. General Voltaire might be fast, but speed meant nothing if you didn't know where the road led. Even if this was my hometown, for sure I would also get lost.
The general followed him without slowing.
By the time I reached the alley, they were gone.
Both of them.
I stared into the maze of stone and shadow, my frustration boiling over.
"How the hell am I supposed to follow them now?" I muttered, running a hand through my hair in pure irritation.
I had no plan. No sense of direction. And yet, I ran anyway.
Because knowing my luck, I might just crash into the thief by accident.
I sprinted down one path—only to hit a dead end.
"Of course," I groaned, spinning on my heel and charging down another passage.
That was when fate decided to mock me.
I burst into a secluded corner and froze.
Two lovers.
Completely naked.
Very... occupied.
They stared at me.
I stared at them.
We all screamed internally.
"I didn't see anything!" I blurted out, panic rising. "I'm so sorry! I was just passing by! Please—continue whatever you were doing!"
I turned so fast I nearly twisted my ankle and bolted down another path, my face burning.
Seriously?
That was what I found in the middle of a chase?
I ran again, weaving through alley after alley like a mouse trapped in a stone labyrinth—until I nearly slammed into a group of men that made my blood run cold.
They were dangerous. It was obvious from their clothes, their weapons, the way they carried themselves.
They were sharpening their blades when they noticed me.
The scraping metal stopped.
Every pair of eyes turned my way.
"I—I'm just looking for a thief, but not you! I mean someone else!" I said quickly, raising my hands near my face as I stepped back with careful slowness. "I'm not here to cause trouble with you."
They didn't stop sharpening their weapons. The sound alone was enough to make my skin crawl.
"You know who I am," I added, trying to sound threatening even though I was unarmed and very aware of it. "If you try anything foolish, I'll make sure you're captured and punished."
It was a bluff.
And they knew it.
Still, they didn't move—didn't attack—just watched me like predators deciding whether I was worth the effort.
The moment I felt I had enough distance, I turned—
Blag!
I collided hard with someone.
Pain exploded through me as I fell backward, landing squarely on the rocky ground.
"Ow..." I hissed, wincing as I looked up.
The man I hit had fallen too, sitting across from me on the stone floor.
My breath caught.
"The thief!" I exclaimed, pointing at him.
He calmly reached up and pulled back his hood.
There he was.
"Pleasure to meet you again, Rowan," he said, grinning—and this time, his fangs showed without restraint.
"That's Lord Rowan to you!" I snapped, trying to kneel despite the sharp pain shooting through my backside. "I will capture you, no matter what it takes!"
I pushed myself up—and then something caught my eye.
A glint.
Right beside his feet.
"Wait," I said sharply, pointing. "That's my—my charm—"
My words died in my throat.
He bent down and picked it up.
My heart stopped.
While I remained kneeling before him, he stepped closer. Slowly. Deliberately. He reached out and caught my chin between his fingers, lifting my face until my eyes met his.
"Give that back," I hissed. "That's mine."
"Oh?" he said, smirking dangerously as he held it up. "So this heart gemstone, it belongs to you."
He turned the heart-shaped charm, inspecting it—checking his reflection in it—right in front of me.
"How fitting," he continued softly. "Not only do I have your sword... but now this heart charm as well. It's mine."
My thoughts spiraled.
This charm was supposed to lead me to my true love.
My soulmate.
Don't tell me—
Don't tell me it led me to him?
A thief?
This dangerous, infuriatingly handsome criminal?
No.
Absolutely not.
There was no way I would spend the rest of my life bound to a lowly thief.
Why did it have to be like this?
Why him?
Maybe General Voltaire was right! I should not believe in this charm! This doesn't make sense at all! How can I love someone like him?
End of Chapter 47