The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 258: A Precious Memory

Cordelia’s eyes widened, a mixture of disappointment and longing flooding her gaze. "That’s it?" she breathed, her voice trembling slightly. "You’re leaving already?"

Louis stepped closer, the intensity of his gaze sending shivers down her spine. "Did you want me to stay?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Cordelia felt her cheeks flush, her heart racing in her chest. The room seemed to shrink around them, the air thick with unspoken desire. "Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the emotion behind it was unmistakable.

"We should rehearse... our wedding kiss..." Cordelia herself didn’t understand where she got the guts to speak those words to him.

She thought he would mock her but his eyes meeting hers held no playfulness. Instead...

He moved closer, so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from his body. His hand gently cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing softly against her skin. Cordelia’s breath hitched at the contact, her eyes fluttering closed.

"Then I’ll stay," Louis murmured, his lips so close to hers that she could feel his breath mingling with her own. "Oh! Darling Cordelia, I can’t wait to start our life together."

Cordelia was lost for words, hearing his voice filled with longing and love.

The world outside ceased to exist as Louis leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was both tender and passionate. It was their first kiss, a moment they had both dreamed of but had never dared to hope for. His lips were soft yet insistent, moving against hers with a slow, deliberate rhythm that made her knees weak.

Cordelia’s hands instinctively found their way to his chest, clutching the fabric of his shirt as if to anchor herself. His arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer, and deepening the kiss. The taste of him was intoxicating, a heady mix of warmth and desire that left her breathless.

As the kiss deepened, a fire ignited within her, spreading through her veins and consuming her every thought. She parted her lips, allowing him to explore further, their tongues meeting in a dance that was both erotic and intimate. It was as if they were discovering each other for the first time, their bodies responding to a primal call that had been waiting to be answered.

Louis’s hands roamed her back, his touch both gentle and possessive, leaving a trail of heat in its wake. Cordelia arched into him, pressing herself closer, needing to feel every inch of him against her. She was lost in the sensation, the world around them fading away until there was nothing but the two of them and the electric connection that sparked between them.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their hearts pounding in unison. Louis rested his forehead against hers, his eyes dark with desire. "Cordelia," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to do that."

She smiled, her lips still tingling from the intensity of the kiss. "Not as long as I wanted to," she replied, her voice breathless and filled with joy.

Louis’s fingers traced the outline of her jaw, his touch tender and reverent. "I want you to know that I love you, Cordelia," he said, his voice trembling with sincerity. "I will always love you."

Tears welled up in her eyes, a mixture of happiness and overwhelming emotion. "I love you too, Louis," she whispered, her voice choked with tears. "More than you could ever know."

He kissed her again, this time slower, savoring the taste and feel of her. Each kiss was a promise, a vow of the life they would share together. The passion between them was undeniable, but it was the love that made it all the more powerful.

Holding her cheeks, he looked into her eyes. "Should we rehearse our wedding night too?" he asked, with a playful smile.

Cordelia, still under the influence of his gentle touches, looked at him, confused as to how she should answer him. Her heart was pounding, her body reacting to his every word and touch. The world outside seemed to blur, leaving only the two of them in their private universe.

Louis let out a soft grunt, trying to overcome the desire rising inside him. Her presence was intoxicating, her innocent confusion only fueling his longing. He saw the desire in her eyes, and it took all his willpower to hold back. He had to get through this night. Afterward, she’d be his forever.

"Darling Cordelia..." He kissed the tip of her nose, his lips brushing her skin so lightly it felt like a whisper. "I visited now because I wanted our first kiss to be a memory we shared alone," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

Cordelia’s eyes watered. She didn’t want their first kiss to be at their wedding. "Thank you..." she whispered, leaning into his touch, her heart swelling with love and gratitude.

*Knock* *Knock*

"Milady... Do you need help?"

Her maid’s voice at Cordelia’s door startled Louis, but Cordelia stayed close to him. She wanted to hear what he wanted to say, to savor every moment they had together.

Louis smiled, looking deeply into her eyes, and pressed his lips to hers as he cupped her cheeks. The kiss was gentle yet intense, filled with unspoken promises and overwhelming love. "Remember this... I can’t wait to claim you as mine forever," he murmured against her lips, his breath warm and intoxicating.

Cordelia’s heart fluttered as she melted into the kiss, feeling the depth of his love and the strength of his desire. She knew that this moment would stay with her forever, a precious memory to hold onto as they faced the future together.

As they finally pulled apart, their breaths mingling in the cool night air, Louis rested his forehead against hers, his eyes filled with a mix of longing and contentment. "Goodnight, Darling Cordelia," he whispered, his voice a soft caress.

"Goodnight, Louis," Cordelia replied, her voice trembling with emotion. She watched him climb back out of the window, her heart full and her soul alight with happiness. She would become his wife tomorrow, and together they would face whatever the future held.

As she closed the window and locked it, Cordelia couldn’t help but smile. With that smile, she walked to the door to answer her maid.

Cordelia then climbed into bed, her mind replaying the evening’s events, her heart filled with love and excitement. Her fingers lingered on her lips, where she still sensed his taste.

I can’t wait to be yours, Dearest Louis...