Chapter 348 Announce The Mate Bond


    Sylvia''s POV:


    I was so nervous that my palms were sweating.


    I didn''t dare to look up at Rufus.


    He took the medal from a soldier and calmly put it around my neck.


    My body went stiff at his touch and I held my breath. Although I was nervous, I was a little excited,


    too. I actually got the thing that I never thought I''d have. I wanted to pinch myself, wondering if I was


    dreaming.


    So I did. I pinched my finger hard and felt the pain. No, I wasn''t dreaming.


    Subconsciously, I raised my head. My eyes met Rufus''. He was looking at me intently, a hint of a


    smile ying at his lips.


    I almost couldn''t control my emotions. There was a lot I wanted to say to him in that moment. But in


    front of so many people, I could only shake hands with Rufus briskly.


    Rufus was also very serious. He shook my hand firmly before finally letting go.


    I thought that was all, but then he also hugged me.


    "Congrattions, Todd. Your future is bright."


    Although the embrace was purely professional, I couldn''t help but smile sardonically.


    He had never hugged me like this before. Usually, he hugged me so tightly and passionately that I''d


    almost suffocate. But now, he pretended to be abstinent.


    "Thank you, Prince Rufus," I said gruffly. I yed along and pped him on the back.


    We didn''t dare move in such a way that would''ve made us look like more than just a superior and a


    subordinate.


    Even then, Ethan cleared his throat loudly. "Enough. You''ve been hugging for too long."


    N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.


    Embarrassed, I withdrew my hands awkwardly. I could feel my ears burning. Rufus, on the other


    hand, let his arms drop to his side as though nothing had happened. He straightened his cor and


    nodded at Ethan curtly.


    "That concludes today''s trial. Everyone, please proceed to the closing ceremony," Ethan


    announced, intending to leave.


    I was about to follow behind Ethan''s attendants, but before I could step off the tform, Rufus


    stopped me suddenly.


    I whirled around, wide-eyed, and looked at him questioningly. "What''s wrong?"


    Rufus gave me a small smile and simply asked me to wait for him for a while. Then he turned to the


    judge and asked for the microphone.


    "Please wait a moment, everyone. There''s something I''d like to announce." Rufus'' deep voice


    boomed through the speakers.


    Everyone exchanged confused nces and returned to their seats, wondering what Rufus had to


    announce.


    I saw Ethan''s face darken from the corner of my eye. He seemed to have figured out what Rufus


    was about to say, but he didn''t step in to stop him.


    I too had a hunch, but I couldn''t believe it. It was just too bold.


    But if my hunch was correct, then...


    My heart banged against my chest as Rufus slowly walked towards me. Then, he took my hand and


    turned to face the audience.


    "There is something I have been hiding from you —my mate."


    My mind wentpletely nk and I didn''t know how to react. I just stared at him dumbly.


    "The Moon Goddess designated Sylvia as my mate. Ever since we first met, we''ve fallen in love.


    She''s the love of my life, now and forever."


    Hearing this, the crowd burst into an uproar.


    I saw Laura stand up indignantly. She seemed to want to say something, but Ethan pulled her back


    to her seat.


    I tightened my grip on Rufus'' hand, nervous and at a loss.


    Rufus looked at me and gave me a gentle smile, his eyes twinkling. In that moment, I got lost in his


    eyes and could not think straight. It was as though the whole world disappeared and it was just us


    two left.


    While the crowd argued and discussed, Rufus suddenly lowered his head and kissed me.