Chapter 409 - To Prove Her Love
Nianzu leaned closer to Chuntao when she covered her lips with her palm. Nianzu was amused to see her reaction. The two gazed into the eyes of each other. "We cannot do that," he heard her. Nianzu had controlled himself for a long time and since he had professed his feelings to her, he did not want to stop.
He let go of his hand from her cheek and brought it towards her wrist. Chuntao glanced at her wrist, which Nianzu had put down. Nianzu moved forward and their noses touched. Soon he captured her lips while Chuntao closed her eyes. Her heart thumped loudly against her chest.
Nianzu moved his lips over hers and waited for her to reciprocate to him. Chuntao, a few seconds later, moved her lips. The two kissed each other for a few more seconds before Nianzu pulled back. Chuntao did not open her eyes. Her chest was falling up and down because of the nervousness. "Forgive me for not confessing my feelings to you earlier. You suffered a lot because of me. I will not hide and watch you from afar any more," Nianzu proclaimed. Chuntao finally opened her eyes and again peered into his eyes.
"What if something bad happens, your highness? You are supposed to marry a woman from-"
Nianzu placed his pointer finger on her lips thus stopping her from speaking. "I will decide whom I marry. For me, the status of a person does not matter. If I have to give up this title of the Prince, I will also gladly do that," Nianzu pronounced. Chuntao moved his finger down from her lips.
"Why? I am just a common village girl. His highness shall give up on his feelings towards me. I will do the same," Chuntao asserted and lowered her eyes.
Nianzu could not even scold her for saying all those things. Because, as a commoner, she had many insecurities. "Chun, I delivered my feelings to you after putting a thought. If you think that I will leave your hand in the middle, then you can step back now. I will not question you. But keep in mind that I will not let you marry that 30 years old man," Nianzu proclaimed.
"Your highness, I have faith in you," she lifted her eyes, "But I do not want you to fight with the Emperor and your own family for me. For defying the orders of his majesty, you might get punished. Ministers and upper-class society will raise their voices against us. Your family has to suffer from all this! I have no one, so it will not matter much," Chuntao affirmed. She tried her best to make Nianzu understand.
"Chun, you do not know about my background fully. I have felt discrimination among my six brothers and one sister since my childhood days because I am the son of a concubine. Father though protected me and even a few of my brothers. However, there were many instances when I was restricted to do things, unlike my brothers. I never wanted to live in the Palace, but for my mother, I could not leave it either. When you entered my life, you understood me and I enjoyed your company.
All these years, I never asked my father-mother for anything. I was quiet until Father intervened in my personal life. He made decisions for the woman whom I adore. He did not understand my choice. The Crown Prince told me if I want, I can fight for myself. And I have decided to fight this time," Nianzu explained to Chuntao, whose eyes filled with tears again.
So, even the Princes had a difficult life. During Chuntao's stay in the Palace, she also heard from the servants, and maids used to praise every Prince except the Fourth Prince. Even they used to say that he was the son of a concubine but because of the Emperor's favor, he lives in the Palace else he could have lived outside the Palace in a separate residence.
Chuntao never saw a man from the high class so thoughtful towards the people as the Fourth Prince was! In the most difficult time, the Fourth Prince saved her and provided her everything which she never deserved. Now, it was the time to prove her love for him. She should stand with him and walk with him on the same path he was going to carve for them.
"What are you thinking?" Nianzu asked Chuntao.
"I will stand by his highness no matter what," Chuntao gave her answer to him. Nianzu smiled and thanked her for believing him.
"I will not disappoint you, Chun," Nianzu replied. "Do you like me or love me?" Nianzu raised his eyebrow. Chuntao lowered her eyes as she blushed. Nianzu felt good seeing her reaction. He curled his index finger under her chin and lifted her head.
"I want to hear," Nianzu urged.
"Hmm."
"What?" Nianzu asked. "Be clear," he said. "One more thing, don't use graceful titles for me. You can call me by my name," Nianzu suggested to her. Chuntao widened her eyes.
"No, your highness," she immediately refused when Nianzu kissed her again. It astonished her and a tint of red appeared on her cheeks, which spread till her ears.
"Call me by my name. I want to hear my name from your mouth," Nianzu stated.
"Okay," Chuntao replied.
Nianzu caressed her head and stepped back. He let go of his arm from around her waist. "Come," he grasped her hand and took her out of that small room. The sky had turned dark. "Rain will pour soon," Nianzu stated when tiny raindrops started pouring.
"Oh, the rain has started," Chuntao asserted.
"It's drizzle, not heavy," Nianzu replied and removed the overcoat.
"Why is his highness removing it?" Chuntao confusedly looked at him when he put the overcoat around her.
"Because I do not want you to get sick," Nianzu answered.
She grabbed it. "No. I cannot wear this." She moved it back when Nianzu enshrouded her with the overcoat. "Why can't you wear it?" He waited for her answer.
"Because it's of the Prince," she reasoned. Nianzu chuckled upon hearing her answer. "Just wear it," Nianzu stated.. He put on the conical hat and the two walked out of that small house.