Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

When Justin heard Aurora say she wanted to watch the stars with him, a small wave of excitement rippled through his heart.

"The stars here in the mountains are much brighter than in the big cities. You can hardly see a few stars in the city," Justin explained.

"Yes, feeling the mountain breeze and listening to the chirping of insects-it's a nice sensation," Aurora agreed.

"I thought someone like you, who's always lived in the city, would find life here unbearable. But you're not as delicate as I imagined." "In the city, it's impossible to experience this kind of life. How could I not like it? By the way, Justin, I found this in the room." Aurora pulled out a small wooden carving of a dragonfly. Justin's expression stiffened when he saw it.

"It's beautifully carved. Did you make it?" "Yes, I used to carve things like this when I was a kid, just for fun." "The room I'm staying in is so elegant, like a girl's room. Did you prepare it for your sister?" "Yes. Mrs. Woolf must've told you about her?" "No, I asked her myself. Justin, I've always thought you were a good person." "Even though I took you away, kept you from your fiancé, you still think I'm a good person?" Justin looked at her in disbelief.

"When you first took me, I was furious, but I've thought it through and moved past it. First of all, you've always treatedwell and even saved my life.

"After spending twith you, I realized that even though you're a pirate, you don't have a cruel heart. So yes, I still think you're good." Justin had assumed Aurora would hate him for everything he'd done. Yet, to his surprise, she didn't seem to hold any resentment.

"Justin, I'm sure your sister must have been a wonderful person if she were still alive. Mrs. Woolf said she was a sweet girl." "If she were alive, she'd be about your age. Your eyes remindof hers-they're so pure and clear." Aurora didn't interrupt him. She understood that in this world, Justin's sister must have been the most important person to him, the source of his deepest longing.

"Tellabout your sister," she encouraged.

"Alright. Her nwas Chloe. She was naturally lively, always running around the mountains as a child. Our parents couldn't keep her under control, but she would always listen to me. I still remember that year..." Justin's voice was low and magnetic, the kind of tone that could draw anyone in. Aurora hugged her knees to her chest, wrapped in his jacket, listening quietly as he recounted stories of his childhood.

Justin, who spent most of his life at sea, rarely spoke at length. He preferred to stand silently on the deck, gazing at the horizon. But now, once he started talking, he couldn't stop. Hours passed as he shared memories.

"Chloe loved the sea," he said finally. "But when she died, she was too young-she'd only seen the ocean once. That's why I decided to be her eyes, to see the sea for her, for the rest of my life." After hearing his story, Aurora understood just how deeply his pain ran.

"She was so young, so full of life. How could those pirates do such a thing..." "Justin, it's all in the past now. Chloe must be living happily in heaven, a place without pain." Aurora's voice was calm and soothing as she comforted him.

For someone as strong-willed as Justin, seeing his eyes reddened with tears was a rare sight. Everyone assumed he had moved on, but in truth, he never had.

Instead, the weight of his grief had grown into a towering mountain inside him, with no way to release it. Depression had quietly taken root in his heart.

"I'm sorry for taking up so much of your time," he said finally.

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "It's alright. Don't you feel a little better now that you've talked about it?" Aurora smiled gently. In the moonlight, her smile was soft and pure, reminding him of Chloe's innocent grin from their childhood.

In that moment, he seemed to hear Chloe's childish voice calling out to him: "Brother, brother." "You... you did this on purpose, didn't you?" "I know you've had a knot in your heart for a long time. If you don't find a way to untangle it, you'll always feel this burden.

"Justin, the way you feel aboutisn't the love between a man and a woman. It's because I remind you of Chloe. Out of guilt for her, you've been projecting your feelings onto me. That's why you can't letgo.

"But I have an idea. Since you don't have a sister, why don't I be your sister? You don't really want to be a pirate forever, do you? Mrs. Woolf toldyou've been doing business.

"I can help you expand your market and build resources. Together, we could lift this entire village out of poverty. How about that?" Justin stared at her deeply for a long moment. "You're saying all this just to makelet you go, aren't you?" "Yes, I do want you to letgo. But more than that, I want to do something for you. You're a good person, Justin. You deserve kindness and happiness." "And you think you can convince me?" "Justin, letbe clear: you can't keephere forever. The moment I get the chance, I'll escape.

"I don't hate you, and I don't dislike you. Isn't this kind of relationship better? Why ruin it, forcing us to hate each other? "There are so many people in this world. The fact that we crossed paths is a rare stroke of fate. You savedfrom the sea-that's not something I'll ever forget.

"I don't want to destroy what we have now, Justin. Let's preserve this connection, shall we?" Aurora's voice was calm but persuasive.

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Do you really love him that much?" "Yes. I love him just as deeply as he loves me. No matter what happens, that will never change." "It's late," Justin said after a pause. "I'll take you back. It's cold, and if we stay out here any longer, you'll catch a cold." "And what about my suggestion?" "I'll think about it. After the Petal Fest, I'll give you my answer." "Alright."

Relief washed over Aurora, and she carefully got to her feet. The two of ΟΠΤ them walked back from the riverbank, their footsteps slow and unhurried. By the tthey reached home, it was almost midnight.

Aurora could sense Justin's change in attitude. She knew he was om beginning to waver. This was the best outcshe could hope for-no one would be hurt. Still, to be safe, she prepared a note to secretly pass to Alison during the Petal Fest, just in case Justin refused to let her go. Alison could then bring Julian to rescue her.

But Aurora's greatest hope was that Justin would willingly set her free, sparing them both from conflict.

In truth, she felt both compassion and gratitude toward him. If they could remain friends, that would be ideal.

That night, she slept soundly, dreaming of Julian descending from the heavens to take her away.

Justin, however, didn't sleep at all. He stood by the window, staring at the moon with a deep, pensive gaze.

"Chloe, if you're watching over me, tellwhat I should do, Because the truth is. don't see her as a sister.

E I've fallen in love with her." A soft "clink" broke the silence as the wind knocked the wooden dragonfly off the windowsill, sending it tumbling to the floor.

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