Chapter Seventy-Nine: Is the Car Moving?

———Present———

Drawing herself out of her memories, Shadow Moon gazed at Arthur before her, her violet eyes brimming with tenderness. When she heard Arthur ask, "What happened to us?" a sharp pain pierced her left chest where Arthur had left his mark that day. It felt as vivid as if it had happened just yesterday, the ache so clear and unmistakable.

Shadow Moon cupped Arthur’s face in her hands, gently pressing a kiss to his forehead, and whispered softly,

“Let’s treat it as a dream. Keep the good memories, and let the bad ones fade as if they never happened.” As she spoke, she placed a delicate kiss on the tip of his nose. “The future stretches ahead of us—let’s create beautiful tomorrows together.” The past should remain firmly behind them, until it is utterly forgotten.

Having spoken, Shadow Moon offered her crimson lips to him, and before Arthur could react, she claimed his mouth, tenderly kissing and savoring him.

Arthur had been lost in the pain of the past, unable to escape its grip. But when the warmth of her lips touched his, and the gentle smack echoed in his ears, he finally returned to himself. He opened his eyes wide, gazing at the woman he adored. Her cheeks were flushed like peach blossoms, and a wave of warmth surged through his chest. He shifted from passive to active, bending over and pressing her beneath him, leaving no space between their bodies. His rosy lips enveloped her small red mouth, leaving no part exposed to the air, as he repeatedly nibbled and kissed her.

Blue was right—since what happened is already in the past, there’s no need to cling to it and make everyone unhappy; it benefits no one.

And most importantly, Blue didn’t mind.

In the little enclosed space, the only sounds were breathless gasps and passionate kisses.

When Shadow Moon was nearly breathless, Arthur finally shifted, releasing her lips with a few silvery threads trailing. He lingered at her delicate chin for a moment, then moved to her slender, graceful neck, biting and kissing with fervor, marking her skin with vibrant roses.

Blue, since you’ve chosen to forgive the person I was, please believe that whatever I do, I do for your sake. My only intention is for you to be happy. So whatever happens in the future, promise me you’ll believe in me unconditionally, support me, and never, never leave me.

If you must leave my side, at least leave your heart with me.

Arthur raised his head, worry etched in his features as he asked Shadow Moon,

“Blue, have you truly forgiven me?”

Shadow Moon looked deeply into Arthur’s eyes, making his heart tremble with anxiety, and he called out uneasily,

“Blue?”

She curved her lips in a faint smile. “Yes, I know that everything you’ve done was for me.”

“Have you remembered everything from before?” Arthur’s concern had not eased.

“Though I haven’t recalled it all, I trust you,” Shadow Moon replied, not revealing what exactly she remembered. She simply told Arthur that she would believe him, no matter what he had done.

Arthur, since the past is so tainted that we dare not look back, why shouldn’t I discard it?

I know that everything you’ve done was for my sake. Though I haven’t remembered all that happened, what matters is that your heart has always been with me.

Even if we torment each other—so what?

Love cannot blossom into beautiful flowers without first enduring storms and trials.