IBACM Chapter 145

Chapter 145 

As soon as Marilyn’s sandal touched the soft sand, she grabbed Dedrick’s arm excitedly and asked eagerly:

“We’re here, right? Can I open my eyes now?”

“Wait just a little longer.”

Dedrick calmly led her to the spot he had prepared in advance. The weather was perfect—not too hot or too cold—with a gentle breeze in the air.

He nervously swallowed and licked his dry lips before holding Marilyn’s hand.

“If you open your eyes too fast, the light might be too strong… So open them slowly, okay?”

“Okay, Didi, you worry too much.”

When he finally took off the blindfold, Marilyn opened her eyes slowly, just as he told her to. And there it was—the wide-open sea.

The sunlight sparkled on the water, turning it into a brilliant sapphire-blue, like a glittering jewel.

The waves shimmered with golden light under the sun. The sound of gentle waves, the warm sand, and the fresh ocean breeze overwhelmed her senses.

Marilyn stared in awe, unable to look away from the ocean. It was more beautiful than anything she had ever seen, even from a ship.

She let out a soft, amazed sigh:

“Wow…”

Dedrick didn’t look away from her. To him, the way her eyes sparkled in the sunlight was more breathtaking than the sea itself.

Her eyes shifted between the ocean and his, filled with joy.

“Didn’t I tell you? I was right!”

“About what?”

She smiled sweetly and said:

“There’s a sea in your eyes!”

She had once told him that—even though she’d never seen the sea before—because she believed his eyes alone could show its beauty.

“It’s… so beautiful, Didi.”

Her eyes shimmered with tears as she looked into his. Touched, he gently wiped the corner of her eye.

“I always wanted… to show you this view.”

“Hm?”

“Ever since you told me you’d never seen the sea… I couldn’t stop thinking about the day I’d bring you here.”

Marilyn ran into his arms and hugged him tightly.

“Thank you, Didi! I’m so happy—thanks to you!”

The warmth of her body pressed against him so tenderly, he almost cried.

“I think… I don’t need to see the sea again.”

“Why?”

He wanted to hear her say it with her soft voice.

“Because your eyes are more beautiful than the sea.”

“Ha…”

Blushing, he buried his face in her shoulder and whispered:

“Yes… because my eyes are more beautiful.”

Marilyn giggled and gently held his face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box with shaking hands.

Just like the time he had chosen a name for her, his hands were trembling.

“Are you cold, Didi?”

“No…”

He cleared his throat and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

“Your face is really red… Do you have a fever?”

She placed her hand on his neck in concern, and he gently pulled back, saying:

“Sorry… I’m just… really happy.”

“Why?”

He wanted to say: your hand, your voice, your presence—everything about you.

But instead, he gathered his courage and said:

“I can now take the title of Duke anytime I want.”

“Really? It’s about time! That’s amazing!”

“And so… I wanted to keep my promise.”

“Promise? Oh…”

Her expression changed as he gently rubbed the back of her hand.

“We said we’d get married once I became Duke, right?”

“…”

“I wanted to tell you this myself.”

He opened the small box. Inside were two rings, shaped like red roses made of rare diamonds.

They were so beautiful that they almost seemed to give off a real rose scent.

Marilyn looked from the ring to Dedrick’s face, who was clearly more nervous than she was, even though he knew she wouldn’t refuse.

His hands trembled.

She calmly held his hand and waited for him to speak.

Then, trembling, he spoke from his heart:

“I love you more than anyone else.”

“…”

“Mary me, Mary. Be with me forever.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but she smiled through them and said in a choked voice:

“Of course.”

“Will you really Mary me?”

“Yes!”

He gently slid the ring onto her ring finger. It fit perfectly, as if it were made just for her.

He looked at it, then kissed her finger and the back of her hand.

Where his lips touched burned with warmth.

Dedrick had always been like that…

He treated Marilyn like she was the most precious thing in the world.

She looked at him shyly and playfully tugged at his clothes.

“Is that why you dressed so nicely today?”

“Do I look handsome?”

“More than ever!”

Marilyn took the other ring from the box and held out her hand.

Dedrick quietly placed his hand in hers, but before she put the ring on him, she said:

“When I put this on… we’ll be officially married!”

“Yes.”

He smiled and answered.

Marilyn then kissed his finger and the back of his hand—just like he did to her.

He stopped breathing for a second.

“Mary…”

“You’re my husband now!”

She jumped on him joyfully and wrapped her arms around his neck. He gently hugged her back as always.

Surrounded by warm sunlight and the sound of the waves, they looked into each other’s eyes with love—and shared a deep kiss.

***

One Week Later

A week after their trip, we went on the picnic we had planned before.

Dedrick, the Duke, and I sat on a small mat in the back garden, enjoying the peaceful afternoon.

No one spoke—just the quiet sound of me chewing my sandwich while trying to ease the tension.

I gave the Duke a look, urging him to say something. He cleared his throat and asked:

“Did you get a bit tanned?”

“From which angle exactly?”

He looked away, embarrassed. I held out my hand and showed him my ring finger—where my ring sparkled.

I’d been waiting for this moment since the trip to share the news.

Since Dedrick didn’t seem ready to say anything, I took the lead.

The Duke looked from my hand to Dedrick’s—and when he saw the matching ring on his son’s hand, his eyes quickly turned red. He turned away so we wouldn’t see his emotion.

“When you set the date, I’ll pass on the title to you accordingly.”

Even his voice trembled.

“You’re being too dramatic, Dad.”

“…”

“Hah…”

Dedrick laughed softly, and the Duke covered his mouth with his hand to hide a gentle smile.

He had never been good at expressing his feelings, but he was trying now—and that was enough.

I handed him a cup of juice and asked:

“We can start preparing right away, right?”

“Of course.”

“Should we have the wedding first, or wait until you take the title?”

I handed them both sandwiches. Dedrick answered without hesitation, even as he lifted the sandwich to my mouth:

“After the wedding.”

I took a bite naturally, and he continued his meal.

“Why’s that?”

“Because nothing is more important than our marriage right now.”

Then he added as he finished eating:

“Once I become Duke, I’ll be busy with all the responsibilities, and we might have to delay things… So let’s start our life together first.”