Chapter 351: Your good nature
Zilia cried as she looked at the ring in her hand and touched it. "This is beautiful," she whispered between her sobs.
"You’re not supposed to cry then." His thumbs again brushed away the tears from her damp cheeks. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you." She had a lot of things to say, but in that moment, she couldn’t.
Casaio caressed the back of her head. "I find my way to you. That’s the kind of love I carry for you. I’m sorry for not understanding what kind of position you were being put in all these years. That’s why it took so much time to be like this."
"No. I should be sorry for breaking your heart by rejecting your proposal whenever you asked me to marry you, Cas." She pulled away and looked into his eyes. A smile bubbled on her face. "I love you."
She tiptoed and kissed him. He held her firmly at her place, letting themselves melt in that moment, in that kiss. His lips withdrew from her lips, pressing a finger on them, and trailed kisses down her neck. Slowly, he lowered his hand to her blouse, unbuttoning it halfway.
"Mmmph."
Soft moans and gasps escaped her mouth as she tried to keep herself standing on the floor. She didn’t hesitate in undressing him either. "Wait! Aren’t you hungry?" She stopped midway from removing his overcoat, her eyes fluttering when he sucked the skin of her neck, leaving a fresh mark behind.
"Yeah... Hungry for you," he mumbled and lifted her up. The next second, she found herself on the bed. Zilia used her strength and flipped him over while straddling him.
His hands flew to her hips, caressing them while his eyes never averted from hers.
Zilia pulled up the blouse, revealing her curves that still were hidden behind a bra. Casaio grinned and he sat up. His hand moved to her back on the strap.
"Sister Zilia! I’m home!" Idris’ voice rang from outside, followed by a firm knock on the door.
"Idris?"
Both Zilia and Casaio exclaimed at the same time. She scrambled off his lap, quickly pulling her blouse back on, while Casaio straightened his own clothes in a hurry.
"Is my sister really in her room?" Idris asked the housekeeper outside.
"Yes, Young Master," the lady replied politely.
Casaio stepped closer to Zilia, running his fingers through her tousled hair to fix it. She noticed the faint smudge on his lips and quickly wiped it away with her thumb. "Lipstick stain," she murmured with a mischievous smile before hurrying to the door.
Idris knocked again just as she opened it.
"My boy!" Zilia exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him. She pulled back to get a better look. "Have you gotten taller? I just saw you two weeks ago, and somehow you’ve already changed!"
Idris grinned. "Yes, and I even awakened my wolf!"
"I told you Idris would do it soon," Casaio’s voice carried across the room. "But I’ll admit, I’m impressed. Less than a month. That’s truly remarkable."
"Your Highness!" Idris bowed deeply.
"Come on, Idris. Give me a hug," Casaio said, holding his arms wide. Idris’s smile widened and he threw himself into the embrace.
Casaio patted his back and ruffled his hair. "You’ve grown so much. And please, call me Casaio. We’re family now. So, no need for formal titles."
Idris mumbled, a little shy, "How can I call a prince by his name?"
"Gosh, even your voice has gotten deeper," Zilia said with amusement.
"He’s becoming a man, that’s why," Casaio replied with a grin. "Tell me, Idris, did you get a girlfriend yet? I bet girls are already flocking around you."
"Cas!" Zilia scolded, eyes wide. "What kind of question is that to ask him?"
Idris chuckled softly. "I’m just focusing on myself for now. I still think I’m too young for all of that."
"I’m so proud of you," Zilia said, squeezing Idris’s hand. "Come on, let’s go to your room."
She led him down the hall, their laughter echoing softly, while Casaio followed behind. Watching them, he couldn’t help but smile. Zilia’s only family, her little brother, was finally close to her again. After years of being apart, this bond was something precious, and Casaio silently vowed to protect it.
Once Idris settled in his room, Zilia brushed his hair affectionately. "I’ll bring some snacks for you. Just wash your hands and feet first. Cas will stay here with you until I’m back."
She slipped out, and Idris turned to Casaio, his face bright. "Did you like my surprise, Brother-in-law?"
"Of course," Casaio chuckled. "Tell me how’s school going? Everything all right? Nothing troubling you?"
Idris shook his head with a wide smile. "No, everything’s good. I’ve made a lot of friends. Everyone’s nice to me, mostly because of you."
Casaio tilted his head, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "Because of me? Or maybe because of you? Don’t you think your friends like you for who you are, your good nature, not just because I happen to be a prince?"
"That’s half-truth. I’ve seen boys from not to well-to-do families. They are on scholarships. Bu they are being mocked. I feel my life could’ve been like that if none had known that my sister is your mate," Idris stated while fidgeting.
"I’m not complaining. I’m just saying that the world is cruel to the poor," Idris replied.
"You’re right," Casaio agreed.
"I tried to be their friend. But they-they avoid me. I think because they are too scared of my status. I don’t know honestly," Idris murmured.
"Who knows what’s in their minds? But Idris, you don’t have to hide your own identity. You are you," Casaio advised him.
"Yes." Idris smiled. "Won’t you marry my sister? I thought you would."
"I’ve proposed your sister," Casaio answered with a broad smile.
"Did she say yes?" Idris asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Yes, I’ve said yes to Casaio," Zilia’s voice reached their ears, who was at the door.