Her life, His Empire.

Chapter 3: Protect his loved one

Tumawa si Merina. Seryoso pa rin ang bukas ng mukha ng kanyang boyfriend na si Vlad, pero alam niya kung paano ito paamuin.

" Wala namang mangyayari sa akin, paano may magtatangka e, parati ka kayang nasa tabi ko," After she said it. She pouter her lips.

Tumitig doon si Vlad. May malapot na expresyon ang nabuhay sa kanya habang nakatitig sa labi ng dalaga. And in one Swift move he grabbed her neck, then, he kissed her fully on the mouth. Umungol angg dalaga pero hindi naman umiwas, bagkus ay gumanti rin ito ng halik sa kanya. And because of what she did makes him more eager to f**k her. s**t.

Vlad missed her always even if they live in the same roof. Hindi pa sila kasal dahil ang gusto ni Merina ay anak muna bago kasal. Ibang klase rin ito.

Ang katwiran ng babae ay kung magpapakasal raw sila dapat ang flower girl at ring bearers ay mga anak nila mismo.

And that he wants to fulfill her ultimate wish. Aanakan niya ito para makasal na sila.

Dahil ayaw niyang mawalay pa ito sa kanya.

Naputol ang halik nila nang sila’y kapwa huminga nang malalim. Hindi bumitaw si Vlad; instead, inilapat niya ang noo niya sa noo ni Merina, his hand still warm at the back of her neck, protective, possessive.

“Don’t say that,” mababa at seryoso ang boses niya. “Kahit nandito ako, ayokong isipin mo na may kahit sinong pwedeng manakit sa’yo.”

Ngumiti si Merina, her fingers slowly tracing his jaw. “That’s why I’m not scared,” bulong niya. “Because it’s you.”

Something in Vlad softened. Hindi bala, hindi dugo, hindi imperyo ang kaharap niya kundi ang babaeng gusto niyang pag-uwian sa bawat gabi. The woman he wanted a future with, not just a throne.

Hinila niya ito palapit, wrapping his arms around her waist. This time, ang halik niya ay mabagal, puno ng pangako. Walang pagmamadali. Parang sinasabi niyang nandito lang ako, at mananatili.

Sumandal si Merina sa kanya, her head resting against his chest. Naririnig niya ang t***k ng puso ni Vlad—steady, fierce, alive.

“Alam mo,” mahina niyang sabi, “hindi lang dahil sa kasal kung bakit gusto ko ng anak.”

Napatingin si Vlad sa kanya. “Why then?”

“Because I want something that’s ours,” sagot niya. “Hindi dahil kailangan. Kundi dahil mahal natin ang isa’t isa.”

That was it.

Hindi niya kailangang mangako gamit ang salita. He kissed her hair, her temple, slowly guiding her toward the bed like it was the most natural thing in the world. Walang takot. Walang duda. Just warmth, trust, and a quiet certainty that this moment mattered.

Habang magkatabi silang nahiga, yakap siya ni Vlad na parang sinisiguradong kahit anong mangyari sa mundo, ay ligtas siya sa piling nito. His thumb traced slow circles on her arm, soothing, patient.

“Merina,” bulong niya.

“kung bibigyan kita ng anak… it won’t just be to marry you.”

Tumingala siya, eyes soft.

“I know.”

“It’s because I want a family with you. A life. A future I’ll protect with everything I have.”

Ngumiti si Merina, tears threatening but happy ones. She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips one that carried hope instead of hunger.