Aria recovered quickly, partly due to her innate special agent's health, and partly thanks to Dante's devoted care. He didn't leave her side during her recovery, personally checking on her medication and ensuring she had ample rest. That attention made Aria feel warm, but at the same time, she realized she was sinking deeper into this complex relationship.
One night, when Aria was fully recovered, she sat outside her tent, gazing at the star-filled sky. Dante approached, carrying two cups of wine. He sat down beside her, saying nothing, simply offering her a cup.
"You don't have to worry about me so much," Aria said softly, breaking the silence. "I'm used to injuries."
Dante took a sip of wine, his gaze fixed on the night sky. "You are no ordinary soldier, Aria. You are... different." He turned to look at her, his eyes deep. "I didn't know fear until I saw you fall. I thought... I would lose you."
Dante's unexpectedly sincere confession made Aria's heart skip a beat. She had never imagined such a strong, arrogant man could reveal such vulnerability. "Why do you care so much about me?" Aria asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Dante set his wine cup down, his hand gently taking hers. "You have brought me things I never had. Your intelligence, your courage, and even... your stubbornness." He gently squeezed her hand. "You are the only one who dares to confront me, to challenge me. And you have proven that you are not a possession, but a worthy ally."
He looked directly into her eyes, his gaze burning under the moonlight. "I want you by my side, Aria. Not just as an advisor, but as... my woman. The one who will conquer this world with me."
Dante's declaration was an unspoken proposal, an affirmation of power but also full of passion. Aria felt an electric current run through her body. She had once hated his possessiveness, but now, she saw it in a different light. It wasn't just control, but also protection, trust, and intense love.
"What about Lady Lan?" Aria asked, her voice soft.
Dante's lips curved into a slight, mocking smile. "She is merely a puppet in the game of power. The one behind the provisions storehouse fire was not her. She was just a tool." He looked deep into Aria's eyes. "Our true enemy... is another force. A force that wants to overthrow me, and they used Lan's jealousy to cause trouble."
Aria gasped. "Who?"
"I don't know yet," Dante admitted, his expression turning serious. "But they are very dangerous. And they will not stop until they achieve their goal." He squeezed Aria's hand tighter. "That is why I need you by my side. You are the only one I can trust absolutely."
Dante's words were a warning, but also a promise. Aria knew her life in this world would never be peaceful. But now, she was no longer alone. She had Dante, a tyrannical general who had claimed her heart and was ready to protect her at all costs.
She looked into his eyes, and for the first time, Aria proactively placed her hand on his cheek, gently caressing it. "I will be by your side, Dante."
A rare smile appeared on Dante's lips, a smile not just of victory, but of deep satisfaction. He pulled her into a kiss, no longer a brutal possession, but the merging of two souls who had found each other amidst a fierce battlefield.