Devil's Prisoner of Love by Prefer

Tears streamed down Ivy's face as she nodded repeatedly. "It was all my fault before. I was malicious, but from now on, I won't be like that anymore." Even she felt disgusted with herself. "Frank, do you really not mind my past?" "Mind it? What if I told you I did?" Ivy's face turned pale. She knew she was the one who had done wrong, and it would be fair for him to mind, but her heart ached deeply.

She bit her lip hard. "Even if you do mind, I... I can't change it. Tcan't go backward." Frank held her tighter. "I was joking. What I mean is, even if I did mind, what difference would it make? After all, it's already happened.

Besides, I wasn't part of your past. The Ivy I know is the one trembling when pulled out of the sea, the one afraid of the dark and clutching my sleeve, the one who gets scared to death just by killing a fish.

Your past might have been unbearable, but from now on, you need to learn to be a good person. If you ever again have a heart to harm others, then I really will mind." Frank gently wiped away her tears.

When Ivy had first confessed her past, he had been shocked. Perhaps if someone else had heard it, they would have scolded her endlessly.

But Frank was more perceptive than most. He could sense that Ivy's actions weren't entirely her fault.

Since childhood, her mother had instilled a warped perspective in her, making her believe that her old self was the right way to be. This deeply ingrained mindset wasn't something that could change overnight.

It was only after suffering a great deal that Ivy finally realized just how awful her past self had been. And everything she endured afterward felt like she was paying the price for that.

Frank couldn't bring himself to hate this version of Ivy. The only person she had truly wronged was Aurora. Beyond that, he saw someone others hadn't.

Ivy had run herself ragged to save her mother, even kneeling to beg for help-a sign of her filial piety. She hadn't stood idly by.

To save Zach, she had given her all, willing to endure pain and hardship for the sake of her family.

That was her strength, wasn't it? And now, the fact that she could recognize her faults was the best outcome. "Frank." Ivy threw herself into Frank's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She had fallen from a proud princess to the dust, yet here was someone who didn't despise her for her filth, someone willing to personally cleanse her of it. "Don't cry. Let the past stay in the past. Don't dwell on it anymore. I can't change your past, but I can be part of your future," Frank said softly, patting her back.

"Okay." Ivy cried until her tears soaked his chest.

An elderly woman entered, carrying a bowl. "Why are you crying so hard? What's the matter?" "Grandma, I'm happy. Really happy." "Happy is good. Come, young man, have snoodles. There's not much in this mountain village, so don't look down on it," the old woman said with a warm smile that reflected in their eyes.

"Why would I look down on it? Grandma, I grew up in the mountains myself. It feels like coming home," Frank replied with a hearty laugh.

Ivy wiped her tear-streaked face and stepped out of Frank's embrace. His chest was now soaked with tears. "I hope this is the last tI see you cry. No more tears from now on, okay?" "Okay." Ivy glanced at the wet patch on his chest and felt a strange lightness, as though she'd never felt so relaxed before.

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience-all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! Frank devoured the bowl of noodles in front of him, leaving it completely empty. Seeing how hungrily he ate, Ivy realized he must have been starving and felt embarrassed.

"If you were hungry, why didn't you tell me? I wasted so much tearlier." "It doesn't matter. As long as your heart is no longer burdened, that's what's important," Frank said, ruffling her hair.

In the past, had done this to her as well, but his movements were always as elegant as those of a comic book hero, devoid of any real affection.

Frank's touch was rough and unpolished, but his hearty laughter and bright eyes filled Ivy with warmth.

It turned out she was still a princess-just Frank's princess.

After finishing the meal, Frank wanted to get a good night's sleep, but after several days without a bath, his beard and hair were a mess.

"Grandma, is there a bathhouse around here? I'd like to take a bath," he said. On the ship, he didn't care much, but now that Ivy was with him, he didn't want to appear so sloppy.

Besides, since he'd decided to take Ivy home, he would inevitably meet her family. She had once been a wealthy heiress, and her family's expectations would surely be high.

Looking like this, he might scare them half to death. He hadn't forgotten that Ivy had called him "uncle" the first tthey met.

"A bathhouse? Our village has one, right over there," the old woman said, pointing him in the right direction.

Ivy couldn't bear to let him out of her sight, afraid he might not return once he left. "Don't worry, Ivy. I'll be back soon. How could I bear to leave you?" Frank said with a smile.

If you're loving the book, nel5sis where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience ath for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Okay, cback quickly." Ivy's demeanor shifted into that of a bashful young girl. Frank left casually, and Ivy watched him go, feeling a sense of relief. When she was with Mio, she always felt constrained, constantly mindful of her manners and trying to present her most perfect self.

But with Frank, it was different. She could cry when she wanted to cry, laugh when she wanted to laugh, and just be herself.

"Ivy, that young man is a good one. You need to hold onto him," the old woman said with a knowing smile.

"Grandma, you just met him. How can you be so sure?"

"I've lived a long life. Do you think I can't tell? Good men are becoming ΟΙ rarer these days. If you've found one, don't let him go," the old woman said with the air of someone who had seen it all. "Grandma, was your husband a good man too?" Ivy asked curiously.

"Of course. He spoiledmy entire life," the old woman said, her expression suddenly youthful and sweet as she began recounting her past.

Ivy listened intently. The way the older generation loved was different from her own, and what mattered most wasn't passion, but endurance.

"Remember this, girl: loving someone isn't hard. What's hard is staying together for a lifetime. That young Nfor man seems like someone you could marry. If you marry him, you won't regret it." "I think so too." A year ago, if Ivy had met Frank, she wouldn't have spared him a glance. His shabby appearance would have made her think he looked like a beggar.

But now, she was utterly captivated by him. Every little thing he did made her heart flutter.

It wasn't just about the person-it was also about the timing.

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