But Arabella heard it from his thoughts.

[What if you suddenly realize that you cannot be with me?

That they are more precious to you no matter what?

What if after seeing them again, you change your mind and no longer go to Estrella with me?

What if you realize you wanted to stay there for the rest of your life instead of here or Estrella?]

Ferdinand had his fears that Arabella might change her mind on the decisions she had already made.

Arabella looked at him in deep in the eyes and said, "Ferdinand, I love you."

Ferdinand gulped at her words and a blush colored his face. His face turned red and she felt his heartbeat drum in his chest loudly especially since he could not avert his gaze from her this time with how she looked at him.

"You believe me, right?" Arabella inquired and Ferdinand nodded.

"Then, please trust me. And believe in me. Believe in my feelings for you, Ferdinand," Arabella asked.

But Ferdinand’s eyes still wavered. He could not cast his fears and doubts yet.

"I’m sorry. I know you are not lying. But I can’t help it. I know you love me. I love you and everything about you. And that’s exactly why, I cannot get rid of my fears. I can’t help but be nervous and edgy just at the thought that you might not come back to me. That you might change your mind. When I think of all the possibilities, my fears creep up and I cannot sit still and just allow you to go," Ferdinand said filled with so much emotion and frustration like he did not understand himself either.

’Right. He won’t be able to get rid of his fears immediately.’

"Alright. I understand," Arabella hugged him, hoping it would give him some sort of assurance.

"I’m so sorry."

"You don’t have to apologize."

"..."

[She must be disappointed in me.]

"I am not," Arabella smiled gently as she looked up to meet his fearful gaze.

"..."

Ferdinand did not know what to say. He was clearly feeling bad that he was not allowing her to go to Lobelius but he could not let himself allow her either.

"Ferdinand, Lobelius is indeed very dear to me. As you said, it was where I was born. It was where I played around when I was young. It was the place where I first fell in love and had childish stupid thoughts. It’s the place where my parents and siblings are. It is indeed filled with a lot of memories," Arabella said and her husband stiffened.

[She would still insist on going?! Would she tell me she would be parting with me now?!! Had she made her decision because I’m such a handful?!!]

Ferdinand went to the wrong conclusions and panicked. He covered Arabella’s mouth. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"I don’t want to hear it. Don’t say it. I will never accept it," Ferdinand said with teary eyes.

[Should I cover her mouth with something and leave? I don’t want to hear it. I never will. I will leave her room and not listen to what she says.]

Ferdinand’s complexion turned pale.

’Haish. Look at him all teary-eyed and scared when I said all those so gently. Where in that part hinted to me saying I would part with him? Is there a cure for overthinking? If there is one please send me one now!’

Arabella could not even let out a sigh with her husband covering her mouth.

She recalled she still had her ring so she touched it and communicated with him through it.

{If you do not stop covering my mouth, I will never talk to you again since it seems that’s what you want.} Arabella gave him a warning look.

"No, no. That’s not it. I just don’t want to hear what you are about to say," Ferdinand quickly said with even more panic in his eyes.

{I will count to three. If you still don’t stop covering my mouth, I will not speak with you ever again. I’ll take it that you mean you don’t like me talking.} Arabella said Ferdinand turned pale.

[WHAT SHOULD I DO?!!! WHAT SHOULD I DO?!!!]

Her husband was in overdrive trying to think what to do all because of his overthinking.

Arabella began her count. She cannot have him continue to do these things because of what he concluded in his mind without even listening to everything she had to say.

{One... Two... T-}

Ferdinand stopped covering her mouth, dropped to his knees, and quickly said, "I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Please don’t say whatever you were about to say. You can go to Lobelius, but I’ll go with you."

He looked at her with such a strong fear in his eyes as if his life was online. He even clung to her legs like she might run away. Then he looked at her with begging eyes.

’What am I going to do with him?’ Arabella no longer knew what she would do to stop him from doing this much just from all his overthinking.

"See? You could have just said that in the first place instead of covering my mouth. Let’s go to Lobelius together," Arabella said.

"You mean that?!" Ferdinand asked again for verification.

"Yes," Arabella said and Ferdinand sighed in relief. His forehead was against her tummy as he held her tightly.

[She was not about to tell me that she was tired of me?]

"I was not. Why would I say that? You are indeed being a handful right now but I won’t part with you Ferdinand. Don’t underestimate my love for you," Arabella ruffled his hair and Ferdinand looked up to meet her gaze and he looked like he was incredibly touched.

"You mean that?" Ferdinand wanted to hear it another time.

"Of course. So stop kneeling and hugging my legs. Don’t do this again. What would we say if someone accidentally saw this? They would think I’m bullying you," Arabella said and Ferdinand chuckled lightly.

"Weren’t you?"

’He even dares put the blame on me?! When did he learn to be like this?’