Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

The square was packed with people tonight. In its center stood a large, symbolic clock. Every year, friends, couples, and families gathered here to listen to its chimes and wait for the arrival of midnight.

Among the crowd, Ivy held onto Mio Walsh's arm. She used to scoff at the idea of coming to hear the clock's chime. How childish, she'd thought. What's so special about a clock chime? If it didn't ring, would midnight not come? Would the new year not arrive?

But tonight, standing beside Mio Walsh, when he asked how she wanted to spend the evening, she blurted out, "Let's go listen to the clock chime."

"Listen to the clock?" Mio Walsh looked at her with mild skepticism, his expression asking what could possibly be interesting about that.

"Yes. You'll understand when we get there," Ivy replied with a mysterious smile.

By eleven o'clock, the square was already bursting with people. Mio Walsh hadn't expected such a large crowd. "What's so special about this clock chime?" he asked.

"People say that hearing it brings happiness," Ivy explained, though she felt embarrassed. Back then, she would have dismissed such an idea as childish, and she assumed Mio Walsh might think the same.

But he didn't laugh at her. Instead, he tilted his head and smiled warmly. "Then let's listen to it for a little longer."

Ivy's face flushed as she met his gaze. His handsome features and charming smile made her heart race.

"Wait here for me," Mio Walsh said suddenly.

"Huh?" Though unsure of what he was up to, Ivy obediently stayed where she was.

A few minutes later, he returned, holding a Mickey Mouse balloon.

so many people here. If you hold this, even if we get separated, I'll be able to find you right away," he said

string, feeling a warm glow in her chest. "I'm

you are a little girl," Mio Walsh said, patting her gently

had plenty of boyfriends in the past, but

distraction. Before being cast out of the Montgomery family, she'd

genuine love between Julian and Aurora, she began to yearn for the same.

was utterly captivated by

left," Mio Walsh said, taking her hand. "Let's move closer

There's no need

hearing the chime brings happiness, then standing closer must mean being closer to happiness," Mio Walsh

years to come. She would never forget the man who held her hand so tightly as they weaved through the sea of people, his warmth spreading from

coldest on record, but with him by her side, she forgot the chill. All she remembered was his warm smile

midnight under the clock. Midnight came every day, yet no one paid attention to it-except tonight. Tonight, the thousands gathered in

to chime, Ivy and Mio Walsh stood hand in hand. The sound rang out-one,

don't take my happiness away. I only want this person by my side. If he can stay with me, I'm willing to live an ordinary life, to be a wife and a mother, and

unyielding mountain. But once touched

he thought. Weak and powerless, they sought divine intervention for things they couldn't achieve themselves. Strong people didn't need gods or fate. Mio Walsh believed only in himself.

considerate lover Ivy knew. She, with her eyes still closed, missed the fleeting coldness

head back," Ivy replied, feeling a sense of fulfillment,

night," Mio Walsh said.

Ivy said,

Walsh walked her to the entrance of her apartment complex. "You live here?" "Yes. You

you to your door. I won't feel at ease otherwise,"