Chapter 329 The Villain Lady Arrives 158
As the night deepened, the hustle and bustle of the palace gradually returned to silence, with only the occasional sound of drums in the distance reminding people of the passage of time. Tariq stood on the moonlit garden path, surrounded by gently swaying leaves and whispering night wind, as if the whole world was silent for his decision. He took a deep breath, feeling mixed emotions, both the uneasiness of facing the unknown and the clarity and determination of his self-awareness.
He recalled every moment he had spent with Andrila, whether it was the bravery of fighting side by side or the warmth of daily interactions, which filled his heart with indescribable emotions. He knew that this emotion had long surpassed simple friendship and was a deep love and attachment to her. However, he also understood that as a princess, Andrila shouldered the fate and future of the entire country, and her choices were never just about herself.
After countless sleepless nights, Tariq finally decided that no matter what the outcome, he would tell Andrila his feelings. This was not only an explanation of his own feelings, but also a respect for the tacit understanding and trust between the two.
The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight penetrated the clouds and shone on the golden roof of the palace, Tariq was already standing outside the door of Andrila's bedroom. His palms were slightly sweaty and his heart was beating like a drum, as nervous as if he was about to step onto the battlefield. He took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door.
The door slowly opened, and the maid greeted him with her usual gentle smile, but Tariq had no time to care about all that. His eyes penetrated the maid and went straight into the depths of the bedroom, looking for the figure that had been haunting him.
"Her Royal Highness the Princess is dressing up, please wait a moment." The maid said softly, with a hint of subtle surprise in her tone, as if she had noticed Tariq's unusualness.
Tariq nodded, trying to look calm, but his heart was in turmoil. He stood aside, waiting, and every second seemed as long as a century.
Finally, Andrila appeared in his sight. She was wearing a gorgeous morning gown, her long hair was like a waterfall, and her eyes were shining with the clear light of morning dew. When she saw Tariq, she was slightly startled, and then she showed a gentle smile.
"Tariq, what's the matter that brings you to see me so early?" Andrila's voice was soft and warm, like a spring breeze, gently brushing Tariq's heart.
Tariq took a deep breath, mustered up his courage, and slowly walked towards Andrila. He stopped and stared into her eyes, which seemed to contain a sea of stars, and he couldn't look away.
"Your Highness," he began, his voice soft but remarkably firm, "I... have something to say to you."
Hearing this, Andrilla's smile softened a little, and she nodded slightly, motioning for him to continue.
"You have been the most important person in my heart since we met." Tariq's voice trembled slightly, but he tried to keep himself calm. "I... I admire you, respect you, and... I love you more deeply."
After saying this, Tariq seemed to have used up all his strength. He stared at Andrila, waiting for her reaction.
Andrila was stunned. She didn't expect Tariq to express his feelings so directly. A complex emotion surged in her heart, including surprise, touching, and a little bit of subtle panic. She looked at Tariq, and her eyes full of affection could not be avoided.
Princess's Choice
"Tariq..." Andrila said softly, with a hint of hesitation in her voice, "I...I understand your feelings."
She paused, as if organizing her thoughts. "Your courage, your loyalty, and your kindness have all deeply moved me. I have also fantasized countless times about how great it would be if we could put aside all constraints and just be together as two ordinary people."
When Tariq heard this, a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes, but it was immediately extinguished by Andrila's next words.
"But," Andrilla continued, her voice becoming firm and heavy, "I am the princess of this country, and every decision I make affects the fate of countless people. I cannot live only for myself, and I cannot let my emotions become a stumbling block to national peace."
Tariq's heart sank. He understood what Andrila meant, but he still asked unwillingly, "Isn't there a way to have the best of both worlds?"
Andrila shook her head, a trace of helplessness and pain flashed in her eyes. "Tariq, you and I both know that reality is often more cruel than dreams. Our identities and responsibilities have destined us to not be able to freely choose our own love like ordinary people."
She paused and continued, "I appreciate your love for me and cherish our friendship. But I hope you can understand my decision. For the sake of our country and our people, I cannot accept your confession."
Tariq's heart felt like it was hit by a heavy hammer, and he felt a sharp pain. But he knew that Andrila was right. The love between them was destined to be a dream that could never blossom.
The room fell into silence for a long time, only the occasional bird song outside the window broke the silence. Tariq tried to calm himself down, and he looked at Andrila with eyes full of understanding and respect.
"I understand, Your Highness," he whispered, with a barely perceptible tremor in his voice. "I will respect your decision and will continue to protect you and our country."
Hearing this, Andrila's eyes flashed with emotion and reluctance. She nodded slightly to express her gratitude. "Thank you, Tariq. Your understanding and support mean a lot to me."
The two looked at each other in silence, as if at this moment, all words seemed superfluous. The tacit understanding and emotions between them had surpassed the limits of words and were deeply imprinted in each other's hearts.
Finally, Tariq turned and left the palace. His steps were heavy and firm, and every step seemed to be bidding farewell to the past and welcoming the future. He knew that although he had lost his love, he still had more important missions and responsibilities to bear.
With Tariq's departure, Andrila's bedroom returned to peace again, but the heaviness and reluctance to part could not be dispelled for a long time. She stood alone in front of the window, staring at Tariq's gradually blurred back in the distance, with mixed feelings in her heart. She knew that although her decision was based on the overall situation, it also deeply hurt a sincere heart.
All of this was witnessed by a maid hiding in the dark. The maid was named Leah, and she was very sensitive to the subtle emotional changes in the palace. She saw the complicated eye contact between Tariq and Andrila, and the silent farewell that followed, and her heart was moved. She knew that if such a scene was known to someone with ulterior motives, it would cause an uproar in the palace.
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