He leaned over to kiss me again when I pressed my palms on his chest, stopping him. "Wait." It took all the energy I had to not kiss him again.

His breathing was heavy as he stared at me with his big brown eyes in confusion. "Am I hurting you?"

I swallowed and shook my head. He was way too close to me that I could feel his sweet breath on my face. The moment was so perfect, so real, so magical… For a second, I thought I was in the realms, for this was too good to be true.

I tried to gather my thoughts and not get distracted by the loveliness in front of me.

"W-would you mind explaining yourself?" I asked, straining my breath.

His eyes bore into mine. The wind was blowing his hair. His long eyelashes had cast a shadow in his cheeks.

Kartik was beautiful and hypnotic.

If this was a dream, I wouldn't want to wake up soon. I wouldn't want to wake up anymore…

He took a step backwards and looked down on his shoes.

"I should've picked a better time and place to tell this to you."

"Tell what?" I demanded.

I wasn't sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me, but it looked like Kartik was fidgeting. I had never seen him like this before. He hesitated, and then he let out a sigh. "Miss Doyle, I have been tortured inside for so long. When I saw you looking at Mr. Middleton back in December, I wished that perhaps someday, you will look at me the way you look at him. And I realized that I wanted so bad to be in his position."

He stopped and studied my reaction.

It was too much to take in at once. I had to make sure again that I was not dreaming. I bit my lower lip and looked for any signs of realms. There was none. I was in the real world, and Kartik was professing his love for me.

I turned my gaze back to him. His face remained serious and hopeful.

Judging from the change in his facial expression, it looked like he had mistaken my silence for rejection. I saw pain in his eyes.

He broke his gaze, bowed his head and walked a few steps away from me.

"I apologize for being so forward. It was rather inappropriate of me. I hope this won't ruin our friendship." He was formal again.

I stepped in front of him and lifted his chin. He gazed at me.

I smiled.

"Is that what you wish to tell me?"

The moonlight that was shining on his face made him look more handsome. He blinked and nodded. "I never really left you, Miss Doyle. I'm always here, watching you. I just didn't make my presence known to you. For your safety."

So he was here all along without my knowledge?

That angered me a little. "You were hiding from me? I was so worried about you! I thought you were dead!"

He ignored my question. "Forgive me. I thought it was better if we wouldn't speak to each other. But what happened this morning changed my decision." He fell silent. This morning?

"This morning?" I repeated. I tried to recall anything strange this morning. None that I remembered.

"I saw Mr. Middleton paid you a visit. I didn't listen to your conversation for I couldn't get close enough, but I watched your every move."

My mouth was hanging open. How come I haven't noticed?

"I was afraid that you would accept his marriage proposition. I know I can not let that happen and that made me ask you to meet me here, hoping I could…" Kartik swallowed, "change your mind."

I never knew that jealousy would make Kartik come out of hiding. I shall keep that in mind.

"What if I… accepted his proposal?" I challenged him.

He shrugged. "I might as well die." He casually said. His straight forwardness caught me off guard. His words sent shivers to my spine.

Before I could recover, he spoke again, gazing into the distance. "I can't pretend anymore, Gemma. I am not going to hold back anymore. If I have to compete with Mr. Middleton for your affection, I am ready to face that challenge."

It was a chilly night, but my face was on fire.

Before I knew it, he was standing in front of me again. He took my hand and placed it on his chest, letting me feel the beating of his heart. Staring at me, he spoke. "I don't know if this is the right thing, but I do know that I want to be with you forever."

It took a lot of effort not to throw my hands around him and say, "I do too!" I had to act like a refined lady and pretend to be calm. I had to mind my manners no matter how ecstatic I was.

But I was not about to give in yet. I decided to stall. "K-kartik, this is… overwhelming. I shall h-have to think about it." I said, fumbling over my words. My nervousness was apparent.

His face became apologetic. He nervously ran his hand through his hair. "I have never courted a girl before. Tell me how to win you over."

He looked a lost child and I couldn't help but laugh a little. Little did he know, he had actually won me over a long time ago. But I wasn't going to let him know that yet.

"You have been a very good friend and protector, Kartik. You risking your life everyday to protect me from Rakshana is more than I could ever ask for."

Kartik was not satisfied with that. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

I gave him an answer anyway. I knew one thing that he could certainly do for me. "Stop making me worry and visit me often. I want to see you alive and well with my own two eyes. You think you can do that?"

He nodded. "I certainly can."

I smiled. "Thank you."

"I must go now." He said, facing the west.

No! My mind shouted. I was not ready to let him go yet, but I knew I had to. Kartik was a man of many duties.

"When will I see you again?" I asked.

"Tomorrow night. I shall be in your room. I don't want you to catch a cold because of me." A smile formed on his lips. He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. My cheeks flushed.

"Tomorrow then. Goodbye, Kartik. It was good to see you again."

"It was good to see you too." He kissed my forehead and walked away. I watched him disappear in the deep dark forest.

I stood there for what seemed like forever with a stupid grin on my face.

I knew I would not be able to sleep again tonight, only this time it wasn't because of a dream that seemed like real; it was because of a reality that seemed like a dream.

For once, I didn't need the magic to feel happy again.

A/N: Hello! I am so very sorry for the delay. I hope you are still interested in reading the rest of the story. Thanks you so much for your reviews. They are very much APPRECIATED (not ANTICIPATED)! =)

EDIT: I cannot, for the life of me, figure out why I wrote ANTICIPATED instead of APPRECIATED. I am so freaking embarrassed! Don't get me wrong, I love reviews but I don't anticipate them. I will write even if there are no reviewers. haha. I'm so horrified.