Morning After ✨ Lovers 35 - 36 END

 

 

 

35 Congratulations 5

When I left work out of the back door, a large male grall horse was waiting. Unlike mares, the tail was even more curly and luxurious, and it stood a hand or two larger than a mare. It’s not the first time Lucas has come to pick me up on a horse, but this was the first time he had used a first class knight of the brigade. He had armour on too, and looked too luxurious for general commuting.

‘Welcome back, Mira.’

‘I’m back, Lucas.’

I approached Lucas with heavy steps. I had held up surprisingly well during the day, but seeing him made me feel relieved.

I had slept until the last minute this morning, and was on the verge of being late. Lucas got up and managed to send my half-asleep self to work. At work, I drank a bitter herbal tea that had been boiled deeply to stay awake through the morning. During my lunch break, I napped without eating lunch, so I managed to make it through. Even so, my colleagues worried about my sleepy bloodshot eyes. Now the day was over, I was barely managing to stay alert.

‘Hand.’ Lucas held his hand to me, and I took it. He pulled me up into the saddle in front of him, and now I could relax and leave it to him.

‘How is the foal?’

‘Haha, that’s the first thing you think about? You couldn’t see it this morning, so you must have worried all day.’

‘I was on the verge of being late. How is it?’

‘He’s started running.’

In my imagination, I could see the foal, now dry, with a fluffy coat gambolling around the pen. How cute. I want to see it soon. I had planned to go home via the stables, but it seemed I was too tired.

‘Lucas,’

‘Mira, tomorrow is the weekend, why don't we rest tonight?’

‘I haven’t said anything yet.’

‘Well, that’s what I'd planned. It will get late if we go now. Let’s go tomorrow.’

‘Understood.’

The idea of going to the ranch outside the ramparts seemed to have been completely out of the question from the get go. Did he see I was tired? (Zuben: He was the one who caused it in the first place)

And grall horses were not nocturnal in nature, they fell asleep when the sun went down. The mare and foal had to rest. I was just being selfish. I will follow Lucas’ decision. When you’re tired, it was best to eat, relax in the bath, and sleep on a fluffy bed.

‘I bought you Chichica fruit, so you can have the juice you wanted.’

‘Really? I’m glad you remembered.’

‘Because, I promised.’

It was a promise made while we were making love, but Lucas remembered. Lucas was a good cook, and I liked the way he made his juices especially chichica fruit. From the time we met, he’d always kept his promises.

‘By the way, have you seen Laila?’

‘Unfortunately, I’ve been at the outer ranch, so I haven’t been able to see her.’

‘She’s a little unwell, but she’s fine. Douglas said she was due in mid-autumn.’

‘Mid-autumn.’ He repeated thoughtfully.

I looked at him, he had a thoughtful expression on his face; he must have the same concern Douglas had.

‘Geist-chan is usually in heat then, isn't he?’

‘Likely. Though he has a mate, Laila is still a wild beast.’

‘What if she’s pregnant?’

‘Unlike females, males are…when they're in heat they get pretty aggressive.’

If the unfocused impulses were not contained, things might end up like the incident in spring that caused us to meet. Douglas had mentioned sending Geist on a long mission.

‘Geist’s knight registration will be completed at the end of summer, and Douglas said he could take a mission…’

I trailed off as Lucas' face twisted into a grimace. Did I say something strange?

‘Lucas?’

‘That mission…it certainly is perfect. But, when it comes to Geist, I have to....’ He said looked down at me.

He slowed the horse, and held my body closer. He cleared his throat. It was kind of unusual for Lucas to find it hard to say what he wanted to say.

‘At the end of summer, there is a mission to go to the northern border with the national knights. Geist is a chase wolfe of the northern forests so it is a right fit.’

‘Is something wrong?

‘No, um…Geist is my beast. I have to go with him. So I will be away from then until winter, maybe more.’

‘What? Really?!’

I understood why he was reluctant to speak. We only just started living together, and for him to leave on a mission for so long, it would be a bit lonely. He had to go. Geist had been raised by Lucas since he was a cub. If Geist was to be an effective knight, he couldn't leave it to someone else. Lucas was the brigade leader, he will have been to various lands I don’t know. Breeding and raising knights wasn't the Rejude’s only work, they also acted as a private army. He couldn't stop working because I would be lonely.

‘Lucas, I will be okay.’

‘Mira.’

‘This is your work; and you have to help Geist do well in his first job, right?’

Lucas stopped the horse at the side of the road,

‘I can’t be relieved until we know their verdict.’ This was the verdict of Cranbert and Chris.

‘Yesterday, when I was misunderstanding, I knew I couldn’t want to leave you alone pregnant. But when I think of those guys being out of prison…and coming after you…’

Lucas swished the reins and the horse began to move again.

I’m sorry I was too sleepy and caused a misunderstanding. He had been so happy. He had become more overprotective.

‘Thank you, Lucas.’

My heart was warm.

‘It’s really encouraging just to have you.’

‘Really?’

‘Really.’

With his warmth around me, I felt incredible happiness. Who would have thought this would be the result of being blind drunk? If I hadn’t been at the downtown area outside the walls, if I hadn’t met the fluffy beasts who I played with all my might, and if I hadn’t forgotten my shoe, I’m sure I would have still been deeply heartbroken at this time.

‘Hey, Lucas.’

‘What, Mira?’

I have a complete bond with this man, body, heart and stomach. He had sunk in so deeply I couldn't imagine him not being here. It felt so natural to be with him. He pushed me, but was careful about every move I made. He never did anything I didn't want to, and he kept his promises. On top of that, he understood my work and respected me.

In contrast, what about me? I knew I’d changed, but I know I am not where I want to be yet. But I want to be able to say with pride that i was the spouse to the Leader of the Rejude Brigade. I want to be able to face myself and others that i was the only one who could stand next to him.

‘I’m going to study a lot, while you and Geist are away.’

‘Study? You’re still enthusiastic about studying? How amazing.’

Being praised so directly like this, I couldn’t help being shy. I fanned my face with my hand to cool down.

‘It’s not just my current job, something a little different.’

I don’t know if I could be a veterinarian like Douglas, but I love beasts and want to do a job that made me connect with them more. It that would help Lucas more, then it would be worthwhile doing.

‘Mira, don’t quit your job for me.’

‘That is not what I am doing.’

‘Then what?’

‘It’s just something for the future, I am thinking of what more I could do. I am studying for our future.’ I said twisting around to hug him and breathe in his scent to my heart’s content. His very stimulating irresistible scent.

Lucas stroked my head.

‘Are you alright with that?’

‘Does it look like I am doing too much?’

‘No. You are always serious and straightforward when it comes to beasts.’

That may be true. The fundamentals were still the same after all. But I am not only serious about beasts, I was also serious about Lucas too.

‘I will work with Douglas while you and Geist are away. And that way, I would be able to meet a fluffy, cheerful Geist when you return, right?’

‘Mira, have you decided Geist and I will be away?’

‘You have decided, haven’t you?’

He was silent for a beat before replying, ‘I can’t beat you…’

Lucas leaned over my head, and I had an illusion of being surrounded by a big beast. I was embarrassed since we were out and people were riding and walking past us.

‘It’s about three months away, I wonder if I can bear it.’

I felt the same; three months without Lucas will be long.

‘We have to make up for it before then.’

Yeah, it would be nice to go to events, take a vacation, do things I have not done before. Lucas, on the other hand, had other ideas.

‘That’s an usually aggressive invitation. Alright, let’s live up to your expectations. Do you want to try various things from tonight?’

‘Huh?’

‘Let’s carve me into all of you. Let’s take the next three days off and make like beasts in heat.’

Such bewitching and dangerous words made my body stiffen? Three whole days? Like beasts? That’s not what I meant! Lucas, are you intentionally misunderstanding?!

‘Lucas, you’ve got it all wrong. That’s not what I was saying. Lucas, not here…we’re outside.’ As I tried to dissuade him, he was stroking my waist meaningfully. While hiding from the public, he traced the underswell of my breasts under my shirt. I couldn’t believe he was touching me just on the edge.

‘Mira, my cute fiancée,’ he said, whispering in my ear, ‘will you spoil me every night from now on so I can endure three months without you?’

His low voice thrilled me, and my body responded immediately.

‘Lu, no~’

‘Don’t worry, if you don’t move, no one will notice.’

‘No, don’t.’

My nipple was unexpectedly plucked and I quickly covered my mouth to hold back my moans. Lucas is stupid, stupid, stupid.

‘Wait until we get home…’

‘I understand. When we get home, I’ll have plenty.’

Plenty is too much!

I was at Lucas’ mercy. He definitely did not misunderstand what I was trying to say, and knew what he was doing. In the first place, I was tired today, shouldn’t I be resting when I get home? The horse sped up before I knew it, headed for the Rejude HQ. Lucas dexterously manoeuvred the horse around the other traffic while holding me.

Damn it! If I can’t get up in the morning, you’ll have to make me a delicious breakfast and lunch, in bed, or I’ll never forgive you!

I clung to him quietly.

36 Invitation to a date

The sun began to set, colouring the sky a brilliant red, bathing Gran Vita with its light. A cool breeze began to stir, sweeping away the heat of the day. We were in the outer wall Rejude Ranch in Derete.

Is it the time already? I have to hurry!

I circled round the ranch headed for the chase wolfe kennels.

‘I’m sorry I’m late, it took a long time to get ready.’ Mira said to Douglas who had been waiting for her. Douglas had an expression of delighted surprise when he saw her, and smiled.

‘You look great. Did you order this?’

‘Yes, delivery was delayed.’

Mira looked up at the eastern sky, and a large moon was rising.

‘It’s fine, the night has only just begun. Enjoy the late summer festival slowly.’ Douglas said as he signalled, and the brigade members opened the doors of the kennel. A large white beast emerged, followed by a slightly smaller black one. The chase wolves.

The two beasts began to howl at the moon.

Both beasts chased each other in circles for a time, before snuggling up to each other.

‘Geist-chan, Laila-chan, how are you two tonight?’

At her call, the beasts left their play and came up to her, swinging their fluffy tails happily.

Geists rubbed against her wanting to be petted.

‘Sorry Geist, tonight is a little important. If it goes well, I will stroke you to your heart’s content, alright?’

The beast made a disappointed sound, and his ears turned down, but acquiesced. Laila, who was a bit more reticent, greeted Mira with a touch of her nose to Mira’s hand.

The guys around them laughed at the two before they began to attach the riding gear to both animals.

By the time they were done, the sun had completely set, and the sky was deep purple with stars just beginning to twinkle.

‘Ready?’

Though she had been in a hurry earlier, now the time had come, she was suddenly nervous and anxious.

‘It will be fine, Mira. Let’s move to the front. Laila, if you please.’

Douglas pulled the bridle and Laila laid low on the spot. Mira said side saddle, careful not to get the hem of her dress caught, and she took the bridle from Douglas.

Tonight was the Late Summer Festival, magic lights and bunting were hung all over the city, and a night market was bustling till dawn, while various parties were held in different squares across the city.

Hope it goes well, Mira prayed. She was filled with anticipation and anxiety.

‘Commander, sister in law is calling.’ Eugene came to his office to get him. Lucas had been trying to clear his work before Mira arrived.

‘Outside? Okay, I’ll go now.’

Thinking it was odd for her to ask him to come out, he got up and left his office to welcome Mira.

‘Did something happen?’ He asked Eugene.

‘No, she just asked me to call you out.’ Eugene said with an odd smile on his face. It seems there was no problem.

When he got to the main entry and saw Mira he was shocked.

‘Mira, what are you…?’

It was as though the incarnation of the Moon Goddess was sitting side saddle on Laila. She was wearing a while off shoulder summer dress with billowy sleeves that turned dark blue as it reached the hem. On her feet were beautiful high heel shoes decorated with dark blue lace and pearls.

Her golden hair was loose down her back and she was wearing sapphire earrings that twinkled in the gloom.

‘I’m back, Lucas.’

‘Welcome back, Mira.’ he said in wonder. Perhaps because he was staring so much, she got shy and looked down. Lucas felt like he was floating as he approached Mira. Looking her over again as he placed a kiss on the back of her hand. She was wearing her engagement ring on her finger. She usually wore it on a necklace.

‘You look so beautiful Mira. Is this the Passionia Seagle dress you ordered?’

While preparing for their wedding, Mira came across a designer she liked and ordered a dress.

‘Yes, it was finally finished today.’

‘It suits the Deeper Deeper shoes.’

The shoes were from Mira’s favourite shoe maker. They had waited in line for three hours before the store opened for their new limited edition sales.

‘I’m happy you’re dressed up, it’s a wonderful treat for me, but what is going on?’

Why was she riding Laila?

As he questioned Mira, she fidgeted before looking up at him with a small smile, ‘Lucas, tonight is the late summer festival, I wanted us to go to the night market together.’

‘That’s tonight! I totally forgot.’

‘It’s alright, you’ve been getting ready for the expedition. I was told Geist and Laila were about to be properly registered knights so I thought we should take them out with us.’

Douglas was waiting just behind with Geist, already saddled.

‘Yes. I’ll be ready soon. Please wait.’

‘Okay.’

Lucas kissed Mira, and ran back to his office. He glared at Eugene, who was grinning at him.

‘Did you see her like this before I did?!’

‘It was unavoidable. I wasn’t looking directly at her, alright?’

‘Still. Damn! Eugene, help me change my clothes.’

‘Yes. You’re troublesome, you know that?’

They were in his room rummaging through the meagre offerings he had.

‘Not those raggedy shoes, the finest ones. White shirt…no maybe black. I’ll just wear the brigade’s formal uniform.’

While Lucas was getting dressed, Mira was rehearsing her speech under her breath.

‘Lucas Rejude, I fell in love with your sincerity and your passion. Please marry me. No…No…’

‘I have been bound by your passion…so much so, you have to marry me...or something?’

‘Oh, I’m too nervous to remember this. Should I just call him “Beast-chan”?’

Mira had dreamed up this invitation to properly have a dreamy romantic courtship date.

Douglas watched her with a smile as he stroked Geist’s neck. Geist whined in curiosity.

‘Geist, you’re not going out to play today,’ Douglas told him, ‘help them get along well.’ (Zuben: Aren't they past that?)

Geist responded with a soft bark.

‘Very good.’

As the full moon rose higher in the night sky, it began to shine golden.

When they returned from their outing, Mira proposed to Lucas before the brigade members who had come out to greet them.

The event was firmly engraved in the history of the Rejude Brigade and became a legend.

The End!

Index ✨