Dear Immortal Tyrant

[Meet me at the temple I dedicated to you.]

After discovering she had no more client meetings, Lina decided to head for the place. By now, the sun was setting in the sky, adding a lovely hue to the everblue canvas. She excitedly exited the car and glanced at her surroundings. They were at the foot of the staircase that lead to a garden before the full beauty of the temple was revealed.

"Temple of the Favored," Lina recalled the very history of this place.

This was a popular tourist attraction in Ritan. There were gardens and ponds with small bridges that people could cross. Flowers were always in season, despite the weather.

People always took photos here, especially upon the enormous grand entrance filled with statues of protective beasts that were once said to be loyal to the God of War. The temple itself was an enormous building of ten floors. It was an extremely difficult infrastructure to build back then.

"Dedicated to the Fourth Princess of Teran, she, who sacrificed everything," Lina read out loud each time she came here.

This was a famous location for school tours as well. Lina stood by the monument at the entrance with a humored smile—this place was dedicated to her.

The favored Princess of Teran.

Lina walked up the staircase with the weight of the past behind her. Each step she ascended, her heart skipped. Every footing, the contemporary world began to disappear from her line of sight.

Lina was suddenly transported to her very first life. At that time, she was nervous. She was going to trip over her red gown, had it not been for Prince Kade's swift hand. Walking upon these stairs, she was reminded of her very first day in Ritan.

At the top of the staircase, Lina could see him in the distance. He was in the very place where a statue of a beautiful woman was. From her outfit and her pained expression, he knew who she was.

Before Kaden could register her presence, Lina dashed towards him. Just as he turned, she enveloped him in a back hug. He froze, almost paralyzed by her actions. Then, he let out a smooth chuckle, whilst turning around to embrace her.

"Well, this is a surprise," Kaden smoothly said to her. She rested her chin on his chest and grinned up at him.

"The history books said you'd pay respect to this palace every morning," Lina said. "In this exact spot."

Lina gestured to the golden footprints right in front of the Princess. Originally, it was made from metal, but after all these years of people rubbing the spot for good luck, it had become yellow.

Kaden laid his eyes upon the statute. She was beautiful even when she was made of steel.

"And every night," Kaden added.

"Why?"

"It was where your soul rested," Kaden said. "You were buried within this temple. In Ritan, there used to be a national holiday dedicated to giving blessings towards you."

Lina narrowed her eyes. "I feel like we've had this conversation before."

"I made you a goddess, even in the eyes of the people who don't know the world up there," Kaden mused.

"Why did you choose this exact spot in Ritan?" Lina asked.

"Don't you feel it?" Kaden murmured, glancing down at her. She was such dazzling beauty, her hair turning amber amidst the sunset. Even now, she did not know the cause of this location.

Lina slowly blinked. She took a good look at their surroundings and then, shook her head.

"In this very spot, was where you took your life."

Lina pulled away. "Way to ruin the mood."

"It is also where Teran was merged with Ritan," Kaden stated.

Lina didn't even know what to say. She pressed her lips together and recalled what the history books wrote about him. They said the Second King's advisor would have to pry him away from this place. On certain days, there were even rumors of him sleeping on the ground here.

Lina knew it was when he had nightmares. Suddenly, he grabbed her hand and bent to kiss the crown of her head.

"What are you doing?" Lina murmured, beginning to suspect that something was amiss. By now, nightfall had come. Even so, this entire place was shrouded in darkness. She was certain this wasn't how it appeared.

"This was where everything ended and began for us, again, dove of mine."

Lina's heart began to race. She opened her mouth, but cut herself off. Under the stars, under the clear sky, she felt her head spin. It was no wonder why people weren't here. He rented this entire place out for her.

"I have knelt on this spot, not once, but twice, and I will make it the third time." Kaden brushed his thumb upon her knuckles. He heard her pulse quicken. He gazed down at her, she, who reflected the universe in her eyes. She was already in tears and he wasn't even finished with his long monologue.

"The first time was to hug your dying body. The second was to demand a proposal from you." Kaden revealed a wry and almost awkward smile.

"We truly make one hell of a couple, don't you think so?" Kaden slowly reached into the suit pocket.

Lina's breath quickened.

Then, Kaden got into position. "About time I do it correctly, don't you think so, dove?"

"G-get up—"

Kaden bent the knee. He took her hand in his, revealed his charming smile, and opened his mouth.

Lina could feel her knees go weak. Out of all the days, she just had to wear a white dress today. Her lips trembled, for she knew what was to come.

"Lina, do me the honor of marrying me."

Suddenly, the world around them lit up. She gasped, her gaze glistening. It was almost as if a thousand shooting stars rained upon them. There was no darkness on this earth, so long as he was with her.

Then, Lina let out a slight laugh. His brows tugged together in confusion. Then, his eyes grew wide. Grumbling under his breath, he quickly dropped her hand and took out the box.

"I did it wrong, didn't I, dove of mine?" Kaden wryly asked, his handsome face twisted into a sheepish grin.

Lina saw the redness of his ears.

"I forgot to word it as a question and I was too distracted with touching you to pull out the ring," Kaden awkwardly cleared his throat. He coughed into his fist just as she bit back soft laughter.

Kaden's chest swelled with warmth. "One more time."

"Fourth time's the charm?" Lina teased.

Kaden offered her a playful glare. To see such a great and arrogant man mess up, Lina couldn't control her smile. She even bit on her bottom lips, but that was impossible. He cleared his throat, and took one hand of hers, whilst his other held the ring box.

This time, it was the Second King of Ritan's ancestral ring. Lina would know, the ruby shined brighter than any other on this earth. She heard it was lost in history, for the Second King of Ritan's mother took it to the grave—or so, that was what the historians said. No one knew that in the dying concubine's last breath, she gave the ring to her son.

And now, it was within a satin box.

"Lina, we have damned the world twice now, let us do it one more time. Marry me and I'll have the whole world on their knees for you."