Aleksis slowly let go of him from her embrace. She stared intently at Alaric, her hand rubbing the man's part of the face not hidden under his mask. "I know two people who are just like you. They were alone and lonely for a long time. Both are the gentlest people I ever known, and I love them very much. After their lives are filled with love, they no longer feel alone ... I really want you to meet them ... so that you can see for yourself that there is always hope ..."

Alaric looked at Aleksis with a complicated look. "Who are they?"

"My mother and my Uncle Rory ..." answered Aleksis. "My mother is an orphan and lived miserably until she met my father. Uncle Rory is also alone and had intended to end his life 20 years ago. Uncle Rory doesn't like humans because his whole family was killed in the war. Actually, you reminded me of? Uncle Rory a lot.."

Hearing this, Alaric let out a long sigh, "Aleksis, I already told you I am not yet ready to meet your family."

Aleksis felt uncomfortable. She did not intend to force Alaric to meet Lauriel and her mother. She was just really surprised to know Alaric's opinions about humans. It was also quite saddening because this man was not the ideal boyfriend she could bring home and present to her family.

As a commoner, he looked down on his fellow humans. Aleksis could not imagine what would happen if Alaric was given the immortality potion... Perhaps he would further demean ordinary people?

Why was Prince Siegfried keeping such a terrible secret?

Aleksis suddenly felt her chest tighten like it was being crushed by a huge boulder.

Alaric saw Aleksis's dark expression and realized that their conversation had depressed her.

"Aleksis ... I don't want to make you sad ..." Alaric said quietly, "But I don't want to lie to you and pretend to be a good person. I told you from the start, you might hate me if you learn who I really am. "

Aleksis nodded weakly. Alaric had been honest with her from the beginning. Although he ultimately gave in to her charm, and now tried to follow his heart to establish a relationship with her, it was still a fact that the man initially rejected her romantic feelings because he did not want to give her false hope and toy with her love.

From the start, Alaric had also warned Aleksis that he was not a good person and that she would most likely hate him if she knew the terrible things he had done. Then again, it was Aleksis who insisted to stay in his life.

Could Aleksis change Alaric? Would her love for him be enough to show that holding a grudge would only ruin his own life?

If he was happy with Aleksis, would Alaric no longer feel lonely and finally be able to forget his revenge?

Aleksis remembered what happened with Lauriel. He had almost taken his life because he had no more reason to live, but Aleksis' presence in his life changed him, and now knew he could live happily by dedicating himself to nature ...

Could Aleksis' love do the same to Alaric?

The girl swallowed hard. She did not know who she could seek advice from. She was not ready to tell her parents about Alaric ...

"Little Girl, it's not too late to end our relationship. I will understand if, after knowing my background, you decide to leave me."

Everyone left me, and now I don't have anyone, thought Alaric. I'll understand if you want to leave too.

"Don't call me a little girl again ... I'm a woman now," Aleksis finally answered, frowning. "I don't know, okay. Let me think first. This all makes me dizzy."

"Alright ..." Alaric smiled. Seeing that smile, Aleksis' felt her heart getting crushed again. How could such a Demon King smile so gently?

"I want to go back to the hotel to get new clothes for the boat ride ..." Aleksis said after some time. Alaric nodded.

"We will drive there," Alaric said. He then looked for Little Prince Siegfried who was sitting lazily in the living room and put its collar on. He then led the dog out, followed by Aleksis who was carrying her bag.

She wanted to ask why they didn't just ride the motorbike. However, when she saw an armored Mercedes waiting in the yard, with two dangerous-looking men standing in front of the car and bowing respectfully while opening the back door, she became discouraged to ask.

Only when she and Alaric were already sitting at the back did she realize that the car window was tinted. It was so dark that she would not be able to recognize the surrounding area once they leave the mansion.