With All My Heart, Until My Last Breath
I'm giving it everything I've got, really. At first, I thought Carlyle was some kind of lunatic. There was a time like that. But as time passed and I changed, so did he. After letting out a deep sigh and flashing a smirk, Carlyle finally set her down.
"Do I really have to spell it out?"
You're cute right now. So damn cute I want to drag you back to the inn and pin you down this instant.
Bianca Shama wasn't the type to miss that subtext, so she flushed for a moment before satisfaction bloomed inside her. Mwah— On a sudden whim, feeling oddly proud of him, she planted a kiss on his cheek. Then she clapped her hand over Carlyle's mouth.
"The rest… later."
She could feel his lips curving into a smile beneath her palm, tickling her skin. Slowly, she pulled her hand away.
"Yeah, later. We've got plenty of time."
As he said it, Carlyle ruffled her hair with one massive hand, and Bianca's already pleasant mood soared even higher. The two of them spent the rest of the festival night together, savoring every moment.
"No way, it won't catch… How the heck do you even do this?"
Her voice turned whiny, and Carlyle grabbed her hand.
"That's not how you do it. Watch— like this. Move the net nice and slow."
"Carlyle, dummy. As if going slow is gonna—"
Bianca's eyes went wide. The fish actually got caught. She let out her honest reaction.
"Whoa, no kidding…"
Something felt different from before. Back then, she would've stubbornly insisted she could do it alone, refusing to let Carlyle hold her hand. But now, she willingly placed her small hand in his, gasping in pure delight. Truth be told, it was because it was him—Carlyle.
"See? Told you."
Even as Carlyle Schultz crowed triumphantly, Bianca burst out laughing.
"Yeah, you win."
The fish really were biting like crazy, leaving her amazed. They laughed together, high-fived in excitement, and before they knew it, the festival evening had faded away.
Today had been pure bliss. Back at the inn, the two shared dinner and then sat on the bed to unwind. Somehow, it all felt so natural. By the time they realized it, their fingers were intertwined, sitting side by side.
"Not tired, Bianca?"
His hand gently brushed the bangs from her forehead. Bianca flinched at the touch for a second, then smiled.
"Exhausted. Totally wiped."
After the wedding, they'd come straight here, after all. Of course she was beat.
"What are we even doing up since morning…"
She grumbled, but honestly, she felt great. It was like a dream day. Truth be told, even back in the old days—on that school trip with Carlyle…
If only we could've had a date just like today, the two of us…
It would've been perfect. Today was the day she'd finally swept away that lingering regret and greed deep in her heart. All that was left was laughter.
"Oh yeah, Bianca. Should we give them a call…?"
"A call…?"
Bianca caught his meaning and nodded.
"Yeah, let's do it."
There were things they definitely needed to tell her parents. Right after the wedding ceremony ended, her father had abruptly shoved something into her hand.
-Ahem. Here. Check it on your way down.
It was a thick envelope of documents.
-What's this, Dad…?
-You'll see when you look.
He cleared his throat awkwardly, avoiding her eyes—hardly like him. Her mother laughed from the side, calling it a wedding gift, so Bianca gratefully accepted.
On the train, Bianca and Carlyle opened her father's gift together—and couldn't hide their shock.
-Th-this is…?
House papers. Keys included. Right near the spot they'd been scouting. Perfect location, and three bedrooms to boot?
Along with a long letter full of her father's earnest instructions. The opening line hit hard.
Absolutely no refusing. You're still young, so it's only right you accept this much. Your brothers got the same—it's a parent's duty to look after their married kids. No need to feel burdened.
— Dad
Suddenly, Bianca recalled a casual chat with her mom a few days back.
-By the way, sweetie. You've got the rings and venue sorted. What about where you'll live?
-Oh, our place…? She'd offhandedly said they hadn't found one yet—budget issues—so they'd house-hunt slowly after the honeymoon.
-Good, perfect.
She never imagined her mom's smiling remark meant this.
"Call them. Now."
"…Yeah, okay. Video call."
Bianca and Carlyle quickly dialed, stunned. But her father just gave them a stern look and one line.
[Just take it.]
"Dad, still…"
"…We can't accept."
Carlyle chimed in from the side, and her father clicked his tongue.
[Better than a stubborn son-in-law with no pride. But you're young. Accepting help from parents is natural.]
He paused thoughtfully, then abruptly hung up. As they sat flustered, Carlyle's phone rang. Bianca realized her dad wanted a private word with him.
She couldn't hear the conversation, but she watched Carlyle's expressions shift through a whirlwind of emotions. He was getting persuaded in real time by his father-in-law.
[Don't get the wrong idea. It's not because you're pretty—it's for my daughter. Got it?]
Just take it, no stubbornness. Carlyle felt conflicted at his father-in-law's words, but his final response was set. Stubbornness here would just be pigheadedness. The man wasn't wrong, after all. For his partner, Bianca Shama, he couldn't kick away such a golden opportunity.
[Thank you, Father-in-Law.]
Carlyle said it sincerely. He'd repay this debt someday—but he kept that vow silent. And so, just like that, they suddenly had a spacious newlywed home: three bedrooms, two bathrooms.
"D-Dad! About the gift you gave us…"
The video call with her father connected just as Bianca spoke.
-You'll take it? Good.
"No, I mean… We're so grateful…"
-Just live well. That's enough.
Bianca fumbled, flustered, while Carlyle chuckled beside her.
-Why's that guy suddenly laughing?
"Aigoo, Maximilian. 'That guy'? Watch your mouth."
On screen, her father got swatted by her mother.
-Fine, fine!
He looked so aggrieved after the smack. The couple stifled laughs at the sight.
"Anyway, thank you."
"Thank you, Father-in-Law."
-How's the honeymoon?
At her mother's question, Bianca lit up and chattered happily.
"Oh, right! We saw the fireworks festival too. There was a mask parade. And, um…"
-Wasn't the weather cold?
Her father was already smiling warmly at his daughter.
"No, not chilly at all. Oh, and how's Raily doing? He's with you at the house, right?"
Her father grimaced awkwardly at the question about the dog they were minding.
-Of course he's fine. But that name…
"Raily? We named him after Carlyle… Isn't it cute, Dad?"
-Ahem. Yeah. Too cute, that's why I asked.
Carlyle thought to himself, What a total girl-dad. His one honest feeling? This… is family.
A bond he'd never known since birth. Yet here it was—so harmonious, everyone happy. It was the dream he'd chased but never grasped. Unconditional love given freely, mutual trust. Carlyle Schultz had longed for this forever. An orphan like him yearned for family too.
Naturally, his gaze drifted to the woman beside him. The pure, adorable face chattering away.
Yeah… I've got…
Now, he had Bianca Shama. His beautiful, lovable soulmate—his alone. Defining that luck was impossible; it was absurd fortune.
"Gonna hang up now, Dad. Mom, sleep well."
-Okay, sweetie!
-Wait! That guy's look is suspicious…
-This guy's so clueless…!
After a brief commotion, Bianca Shama and he locked eyes. Her hehe giggle was always the cutest.
"Our parents are a bit… lively, huh?"
"What can you do? Always are."
Carlyle smirked.
"I think it's nice."
No exaggeration—pure truth. He even got why his father-in-law let his wife boss him around. Love, plain and simple.
"…"
"…"
The air between them turned charged in an instant. Alone in the room, first night of honeymoon. Only one thing left to do.
"Sh-shall we… wash up…?"
Bianca Shama's face flushed crimson as she stammered it to him, but Carlyle shook his head. He had no patience left—his bride was too tempting. It felt surreal. Bianca Shama was his lifelong partner now. And vice versa. The reality sank in, swelling his chest more than usual.
Thump— Thump—
His heart pounded wildly. He felt it in his arms hugging her, even her ankles and calves. Like his whole body was one giant heart.
Wordlessly, feeling her pulse against his own, he rose and turned off the room's lights. Soft moonlight filtered in. His yukata-clad bride was impossibly beautiful. So much so that Carlyle's expression blanked. No thoughts—just overwhelming beauty.
The most radiant thing. Inexplicably lovely, his greatest treasure. With that gaze, Carlyle knelt slightly before Bianca Shama on the bed. Their eyes met.
One thing to say. Embracing her delicate form, Carlyle Schultz whispered,
"…With everything I am, until the day my heart gives out, I'll love you for life."
His one-and-only, his beloved woman. Explaining his future without Bianca Shama was near impossible. No—utterly impossible. Those words were his unfiltered truth.
Bianca's face went blank at his vow, then tears welled up. Carlyle finally smiled, gently wiping them away.
"Turning into a total crybaby."
"I'm not…"
Denying it, she burst into laughter anyway. Blissful, radiant laughter. Wiping her tears vigorously, she spoke.
"I'll say it too. Just once?"
"Once? Harsh."
Suddenly, his mouth was covered. Bianca Shama was grinning. Playful, joyful—like wildflowers blooming toward him. One small hand muffled his lips; the other pointed at herself, her smile dazzling.
So beautifully.
"Me too. You, Carlyle Schultz. I'll love you for life, for real."
In the gentle moonlight glow, they both knew. Once? Never. They'd say it hundreds, thousands of times more—lifelong echoes. Hold hands, share every joy, thrill, fulfillment. Even sorrows, hardships. Knowing that, their gazes deepened until lips met.
An act to repeat endlessly, an unchanging emotion faced head-on. Overflowing with happiness, they rubbed noses, brushed lips, and smiled in pure delight.