Iris POV
My body was filled with a nice and comforting ache that felt good, reminding me of the special and close moments we had just experienced together.
The soft silk of my sleeping robe felt cool and nice against my skin as I wrapped it around myself, getting ready to quietly leave Rafaelle's fancy and beautifully decorated room.
Just as I was about to take my first step, I felt his hand touch mine. It was warm and surprisingly gentle, and he gently held onto my hand, stopping me from leaving.
“Wait a moment,” he said, his voice soft and low, almost a whisper. There was a husky quality to it, and I could hear a slight tremor that suggested he was feeling something vulnerable, something I had never heard from him before. “Could you please stay with me for just a little while longer?”
I felt a strong sense of hesitation take over me, making my stomach feel uneasy and uncomfortable. Was it possible that I hadn’t done enough to please him? Could this moment be the beginning of another intense and passionate experience between us?
My thoughts were racing wildly, filled with uncertainty and a lack of confidence. I found myself starting to loosen the belt of my robe, but my fingers struggled a bit in the soft, flickering light of the candles around the room.
Just then, I heard his voice, which had a desperate tone, and it immediately caused me to stop what I was doing.
“No, no, Iris,” he said, clearly feeling a strong sense of urgency in his voice that was hard to miss. “What I want is to have a conversation with you. I just want to talk to you.”
He let go of my hand and propped himself up in bed. Then he started to run his fingers through his dark hair, which was a bit messy and wild.
This simple action of his usually made him look charming without him even trying. I felt a bit unsure and paused for a moment, then I carefully sat back down on the edge of the soft and comfortable bed.
My heart was beating fast and hard against my chest, and I felt nervous about what might happen next.
“Iris.” he started to say, his voice sounding a little harsh and strained as if he hadn't spoken to anyone for a long time. It felt like he was struggling to find the right words to say.
“There’s something really important that I need to share with you. I’ve come to realize that I have been… a very terrible person. It hasn't just been to you but to everyone around me. I know I have caused a lot of pain, a lot of suffering, and so much destruction in many people's lives.”
He stopped for a moment and took a long, thoughtful drink from the wine glass that he was holding in his hand. The dark liquid inside the glass swirled around as he moved it, and it shimmered softly in the warm light of the room, almost like a small storm swirling around inside the glass.
“It's one of the main reasons why I decided not to give you to Don Campani.” he continued, his eyes focused intently on the wine in his glass as it swirled around.
“I... I just couldn’t stand the idea of you getting hurt, of you going through the same kind of suffering that I have caused to other people in the past.” His words felt heavy in the atmosphere around us, filled with emotions that were not fully expressed, revealing a deep and painful truth about the struggles he was experiencing within himself.
I felt my eyebrows draw together in confusion as I tried to make sense of the situation. I had never really grasped why he was so determined to not let me be given over to the harsh and ruthless Don Campani.
“But...” I started to say, finding it difficult to express the feelings of confusion swirling in my mind. I wanted to understand, but words were escaping me as I scrambled to articulate what I was truly feeling.
“I understand that what I have to offer may seem small, Iris,” he said, his voice becoming gentler as a touch of urgency appeared in his tone. “But I want things to change for you. I want you to be completely free—truly free. Free from me, and free from everything that holds you back in this life and keeps you trapped in this darkness.”
He took another sip of his wine, looking away as if he were lost in a world of painful memories. “I've been working hard to change. I've been trying to become a better person, someone different from the man who has brought you so much fear and uncertainty.”
I sat and watched him closely, paying careful attention to the way he seemed vulnerable, even though he usually appeared very strong and difficult to read. It was like I could see the true feelings inside him, which he usually keeps hidden.
The wine he had been drinking had made him more relaxed and talkative, causing him to drop his usual guard. Because of this, he was showing a part of himself that I had never seen until now.
“Come on,” I said in a soft voice that showed I cared. I reached out my hand to him, trying to be comforting. “Let’s help you get to bed now. You look very tired, as if the burden of everything you've shared is weighing on you.”
His eyes blinked slowly as if they were struggling to stay open. He gave me a weak smile, one that seemed almost like an apology. That smile made my heart ache a little. I helped him take off his shirt, moving my hands slowly and carefully.
I was very aware of how delicate he looked and the gentle care he needed. To my surprise, he cooperated with me easily, but I could feel that his body felt heavy, weighed down not just by tiredness but also by something emotional that I could not fully understand.
I gently tucked him into bed, pulling the blankets up to his chin. I wanted to offer him warmth and comfort because it was clear he needed it very much.
“Now is the time for you to sleep, Rafaelle.” I gently whispered, keeping my voice soft and soothing. I wanted my words to wrap around him like a comforting melody, helping him to relax and drift off into a calm and peaceful sleep.
He spoke in a low voice, and I couldn't understand what he was saying. After a little while, I noticed that his breathing became calm and steady, almost like a peaceful rhythm. I stayed there for a little bit longer, just watching him…