Morpheus paused, meeting Persephone's earnest gaze. "But I haven't given you anything yet...""You've already given me the best!" Persephone blushed, smiling softly. To her, he was the best gift in the world."Let's go. Don't stand in the blazing sun!" She took his hand. "Today, you're my chauffeur, and I'm touring Southeast Aciatic!"He indulgently chuckled. "That wish seems a bit challenging." "No matter what Grandma Cordelia wishes, Grandpa Zephyr always makes it happen!""I see." He ruffled her hair. "Grandpa Zephyr is Grandma Cordelia's superhero.""So what about you?""I..." Morpheus pondered. "I'll be your Doraemon, okay?"Persephone smiled sweetly.After securing their seatbelts, Morpheus started the car. Under the sunlight, their laughter drifted in the wind.-Persephone shared her plan to complete her graduation project at the fireworks factory with Morpheus.Morpheus' brow twitched, and he turned to her with a smile, which she could tell was quite strained. Her
Morpheus could tell Persephone had been awkwardly trying to please him, doing everything to make him happy. He felt sorry for her and deeply guilty, too. He didn't know how to tell her about his past. Those ugly scars were something he didn't even want to touch himself."Morpheus, what's wrong?" Persephone's heart dropped when she noticed his constant distraction. "Did… Did I say something wrong?""No." He gently caressed her face. "It's not you, Sephy. It's me.""Why would you say something silly like that?""It's really my fault."Persephone tiptoed to run her fingers through his hair when a distant rumble echoed in the sky. Southeast Aciatic's weather was unpredictable—just moments ago, there were clear skies, and now dark clouds loomed, carrying a damp scent in the air.Before she could react, large raindrops started falling.Morpheus hastily pulled her into his arms and dashed in a certain direction."Where are you taking me?" Persephone urgently asked. "Our car isn't ther
Persephone's hand wandered up and down his body.Morpheus grabbed her hand with a frown. He exerted too much force, causing her to let out a low gasp. He quickly let go and turned to look at her."Did I hurt you?"Persephone pouted, turning her face away.Morpheus stood there stiffly, not reacting for a while. Despite that, there was a restlessness within him, a raging tumult—his last bit of rationality felt fragile and almost laughable.Persephone lowered her head, her face getting warmer. Outside, the rain poured heavily, but the temperature inside the cave shot up. Her heartbeat echoed loudly in her ears."Morpheus..." After a silent moment, she approached him again, placing her hands on his waist and resting her head against his solid chest.Morpheus panicked, afraid she might sense something was not quite calm with him."Sephy, don't do this!""Don't you...""Not now!"Morpheus grasped her shoulders. How could he not want to? But he couldn't. He feared hurting her. Not
Persephone felt like she was in a dream. Morpheus led her out of the cave, her hand in his, and the post-rain air was exceptionally fresh.The sun peeked out from behind the clouds, casting a smile upon the earth. The fragrance of the soil was uplifted by the sunlight, permeating every corner of the mountain.She smiled foolishly, following him as the roadside flowers seemed to sway her way.-When Morpheus drove near the palace, the night had fallen. Persephone lingered in the car, reluctant to leave. Morpheus pinched her nose with a fond gaze, urging her to go home quickly."You take the car back!"Morpheus handed her the car keys with a gentle shake of his head."What's wrong?" Persephone seemed disappointed. "This was meant for you.""This is something you've earned," Morpheus said tenderly. "It's rightfully yours. While I'm happy when you give me gifts, I believe your first gift should belong to you.""But—""Listen to me," he said, patting her head.Persephone wanted t
Morpheus stood there steadily, devoid of any fear.At Christopher's signal to seize him, the guards were all taken aback when they saw his face, halting in their tracks and refusing to move forward."What are you doing?!" Christopher demanded angrily. "This man is scheming to get close to Ms. Hamerton with ill intentions! Why aren't you arresting him?""Your Highness..." The guards looked at Christopher. "This... This is..."Even Christopher found this peculiar. From the man's back view, he seemed slightly more robust than an average person. The palace guards were the cream of the crop, so how could they be easily intimidated by someone like him?Since they wouldn't act, he decided to take matters into his own hands!Christopher dashed forward, snatching a gun from one of the guards. As he raised the butt of the gun to strike, other guards rushed in and actually restrained him!"Are you all insane?!" Christopher was hysterical."Your Highness, you can't... Please, don't take ac
Morpheus wasn't just an ordinary person!Christopher wholeheartedly accepted his defeat to Morpheus."Then... I'd like to invite you to come over to my place for a while as a friend. That's fine, right?"-A few days later, Persephone finally ran into Christopher, who had been missing in action for days, in the classroom."Hey, you finally showed up!" She dashed over, plopping down in the seat beside him and handing him breakfast. "You haven't eaten, right? Let's eat together!"Usually, Christopher would readily accept, but he waved his hands now. "No, no, no!""What's wrong?" Persephone widened her eyes. "This breakfast isn't poisoned!"Christopher awkwardly smiled. "You have a boyfriend, so maybe... we should keep some distance."Persephone burst into laughter. Then she remarked, "Strange... Morpheus was right!""Uh, what?""My boyfriend!" She chuckled. "He made this breakfast. I asked if he could also make a portion for you, and he said sure, just worried you wouldn't tak
Christopher struggled to swallow the bite of the sandwich in his mouth for what seemed like ages. He gazed at Persephone, his mind wandering back…He didn't just know Morpheus. He had been close since childhood to the children of the two prominent military families in Southeast Aciatic.Compared to the Harrises, he preferred visiting the Ortons, especially when he got to spend time with Morpheus. He considered Morpheus a friend, a brother even, having engaged in countless mischief together, much to their parents' dismay.In his memory, Morpheus was someone who smiled a lot, radiating warmth and brightness like the Southeast Aciatic sun when he did.However, from the moment Kaiden betrayed the country, Morpheus never smiled again, gradually growing distant from Christopher as well.It wasn't until that evening at the gates of the palace that Christopher felt like it had been a lifetime."I... I don't know him." Christopher forced a smile. "Where would I have met your boyfriend!"
"No need, you can go back first." Morpheus glanced at him. "I'll wait here for her a little longer.""Prince Christopher wouldn't do anything to Ms. Hamerton...""Alfred, what are you thinking?" Morpheus couldn't help but chuckle. "I know exactly what Christopher is like, but I just want to wait here for Sephy. Christopher mentioned that she'd specifically designed these fireworks for me. Hah! I'm the useless one. I don't even dare to go inside and take a look.""Sir, don't say that.""If I wait here, will it count as accompanying her in her efforts?"Alfred nodded.Morpheus smiled and sent Alfred back. He continued waiting under the tree.The air in Southeast Aciatic was hot and humid. The shade of the banyan tree offered some relief, but it couldn't completely dispel the oppressive heat.Morpheus took a deep breath, about to move elsewhere, when he glimpsed a suspicious figure swiftly darting through the factory's side gate.The security at the side gate was lax, making it e