Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Chapter 287: Goodnight Kiss

Aurora, looking so docile and adorable, reminded Julian of a time fifteen years ago, adrift at sea. The little girl was very small back then, and one night, not knowing why, she appeared at his door in a princess nightgown, barefoot, clutching a large teddy bear.

"What's wrong, Little Bunny?" Julian would soften his tone unconsciously whenever he saw this exquisitely cute little girl, as if a louder voice might disturb her. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she murmured, "Julian, I just dreamed there was a monster in the sea trying to eat me. I'm scared. Can I...?"

She hesitated, looking down at her toes, seemingly struggling to voice her request. Julian crouched down gently, "Can you what?"

"I'm scared. Can I sleep next to you?" The little girl tugged at the hem of his shirt, her large eyes misty with sleepiness.

No one in the world could probably refuse such a sweet little girl, who seemed as if she had stepped right out of a fairytale. Innocent, lively, and kind, she was like a clean slate, in stark contrast to himself, who was engulfed in darkness. Aurora embodied everything he aspired to. Tenderly, he ruffled her already tousled hair.

"Of course, you can."

"You're so nice."

The little girl reached out her arms, and Julian carried her back to his room, her hands instinctively wrapping around his neck.

"Why didn't you go to your mom and dad if you were scared?" Julian asked softly, realizing that he had only known the little girl for a few days. Normally, a child would seek her parents when frightened by nightmares, yet she seemed to trust him, a stranger.

"Because mom and dad were unhappy before, and only on the boat did mom start to smile more. Aurora didn't want to disturb them while they were resting. Julian is a big hero, even monsters are afraid of Julian, so I want to sleep next to Julian," her childish voice was soft and delicate, and Julian found it very endearing.

He placed her in his bed.

"Okay, from now on Julian will protect you, and the monsters won't dare to come." "Thank you, Julian. Goodnight, Julian."

She kissed him on the forehead-a normal goodnight kiss. But Julian, who was at the onset of his teenage years, felt his heartbeat quicken unexpectedly because of that simple peck.

"Go to sleep," he said, tucking her in and placing her beloved bear beside her.

didn't close her eyes, still gazing at

goodnight kiss?" she asked innocently, "Every time

just a child, he reminded himself, shaking off the troubling thoughts.

as she felt ticklish, she turned her face into the bear, and

was

little girl simply smiled

"Alright."

off the light and lay down beside her, his mind unsettled for a long time. Aurora should have long forgotten that goodnight kiss, but

that night, Julian saw the Aurora before him unchanged after so many years. "Alright, I'll

Julian scooped her up in his arms, and Aurora instinctively

next chapter is just a click away, exclusively

a deep sleep, feeling an inexplicable sense

the balcony to the room, and Julian placed her gently

girl had grown up. Julian kissed

turn

arms.

side, even the longest night seemed shorter, and dawn heralded a

from the night before, briskly getting up to brush her teeth and wash

pulling out several outfits, "Julian,

Little Bunny, you look beautiful in anything. It's a nice day; wear this dress,"

got ready and joined Julian for breakfast before they

for the miss," Mrs.

I have to drink this? I've been drinking it all day, and I feel great.

The doctor's advice is never wrong, and Mrs. Hill stayed up to brew it for