Chapter 39:

  Cherished Moments

  (Maya's POV)

  Her heart was beating faster than it ever had. She wasn't quite sure what was happening, but she was...happy. Incredibly so. "No..." Maya thought to herself, "I understand well enough...sort of." She was truly bewildered.

  Ever since meeting Elizabeth had asked her to be Lucas's bodyguard, she had slowly grown closer to him. At first, she didn't think much of it. If it helped do her job, then she didn't mind eating with him when he asked, watching movies, or pying video games together. Yet, at some point...she began to enjoy those things.

  Enjoyment. It wasn't something she was used to. She always did things for a reason. A purpose. There was no reason. No purpose to it. At least...that's what her parents would say, but that wasn't true. There was a purpose. There was a reason.

  To be happy. What was wrong with that? He was her first friend after Elizabeth, and she cared for him immensely. There was more to it, however. Something that she had been scared of.

  It was a feeling that she realized after Miss Kate, his mother, had asked if they were dating. For a brief moment, Maya wondered...what would it be like to date him? It was a thought she immediately squashed. After all, how could she have such thoughts? He was the love of her best friend's life. Literally.

  It was honestly touching. When Elizabeth told her that she was a regressor, and who Lucas was, it sounded like a fairytale. Destined lovers. Kept apart by a cruel twist of fate, and reunited in the most dire and desperate of ways, only to be torn apart again. It was tragic and incredibly romantic. At least...Maya thought so.

  To have someone who loves you so much that they'd go through hell for you many times over...how could anyone say no to that? Then again, Maya wasn't normal. Neither was Elizabeth, or Lucas for that matter.

  Romance was never something Maya ever thought about, for she didn't think it was for her. Not that she didn't want romance in her life, but rather that her parents had groomed it out of her. She was just a trophy to be sold to the highest bidder. Whoever, or whatever, would give her family higher status in the world.

  Thankfully, Elizabeth had saved her from that fate, as well as her sister who would have been next. She was eternally grateful and owed everything to her. So, it horrified her when she realized that she actually might like Lucas as more than just a friend, but...did she? She wasn't sure.

  After all, she wasn't exactly used to being close to anyone. If she did like Lucas, what would that mean for their friendship? What would that mean for her friendship with Elizabeth? That was the most terrifying thing of all. She couldn't lose Elizabeth. Her savior and dearest friend.

  That's why she was so taken aback when Elizabeth spoke to her about Lucas. She had all but said that she had permission to pursue whatever kind of retionship Maya wished with him. It felt surreal. Like she was dreaming. How relieved she felt that she wasn't losing her position next to Lucas, let alone her precious friendship with Elizabeth.

  In fact, the way Elizabeth held her in the moment...it was...rexing. Comforting. Even as Lucas came back with Elizabeth's double in tow, Elizabeth did not move, nor did Maya at first. He tilted his head curiously, adorable in his own way, and smiled kindly.

  "Is everything alright?" he asked sweetly, "I didn't cause too much of a mess, did I? I hope I didn't stress anyone out..."

  Maya scoffed, shaking her head.

  "No, Luke, we're good," she answered him, attempting to sit up, but Elizabeth held her fast, surprising her slightly.

  "More than good, my love," Elizabeth said assuredly, though Maya picked up a hint of mischief, "Just comforting my best friend. Retionship troubles."

  Maya did her best to stop her eyes from widening as she gred up at Elizabeth, trying to silently tell her to shut up. "What the hell is she thinking?" Maya inwardly panicked, though outwardly appeared as calm as possible.

  "It's nothing," Maya's words came out a bit more forced and strained than she had intended, not sounding convincing at all.

  "Well, now I gotta know," Lucas stated, pulling up a chair and looking at her with those unfair eyes full of concern, "I didn't even know you were seeing anyone, or...did you make some friends? Tell me, what's up? We're here for you."

  Maya gritted her teeth as she forced as pleasant of a smile as she could, all while inwardly screaming. At the same time, she kicked Elizabeth's shin, which only amused the woman more. "Damn her..." Maya grumbled to herself, more so cause she didn't hate the sudden attention from him.

  "I know you are," Maya said quietly, "Both of you...more than I ever thought I'd deserve, but...for now, I'm fine. I just need to sort some things out myself. I don't even know what I feel."

  She aimed this at Elizabeth, who sighed and rolled her eyes in exasperation as she finally took the hint. It wasn't like she didn't appreciate it, but right now, Maya was way too overwhelmed and didn't want to try and lie to Luke. The mere thought of it made her stomach curdle, and so...she chose as much truth as she was willing to give, and like the bastard he was...he was as accepting as always.

  "Okay. That's understandable," he nodded, hesitantly reaching across the table to her hand only to gently pat it quickly, but comfortingly, before taking his hand back, "If you need to talk though, I'm here, and I'm sure Elizabeth wouldn't mind helping, right?"

  He gnced up at Elizabeth who nodded.

  "Not at all," her words were sickeningly sweet, knowing exactly what she had done and what she was doing, "Maya, don't be afraid to take initiative. Sometimes, people are incredibly dense and they'll never know what you mean if you don't spell it out for them."

  "Tell me about it!" Lucas excimed, unaware of the irony in his agreement, "Some people are just dense."

  "Yes...you are," Maya and Elizabeth shared the same thought with a subtle gnce at each other.

  "I don't think you're one to talk, love," Elizabeth teased him, "You're not exactly Sherlock, you know."

  "Yeah, yeah," he waved his hand dismissively in resigned acceptance, "I get it right...sometimes, okay?"

  "Heh, yes, sometimes you do," Elizabeth chuckled.

  Maya had to smile, for she agreed, taking her hand from the table and fussing with the bracelet on her wrist under the table. Sometimes...he did, but Maya didn't think he understood just how much his kindness and companionship has meant to her. She had always felt alone, even after Elizabeth hired her, she had always felt isoted.

  Almost everyone kept their distance due to her cold demeanor, but that was just how she was raised. Breaking protocol was unheard of, and now...here she was using their names, or rather...nicknames. Part of her had given up at remaining cordial, but at the same time, out of everyone, Miss Falcrest and Sir Lucas deserved the proper respect.

  "Now, if that's done," Maya finally freed herself from Elizabeth's grasp, "Who wants dessert? Miss Kate gave me an excellent recipe for apple pie. It's been cooling for a while now."

  "I thought I smelled something good," Lucas took a deep whiff of the air, practically salivating at the mouth, "I'd love some pie."

  "I'd like some as well," Elizabeth nodded in agreement, though cast a wary look towards Lucas, "Though, perhaps you should get a bib for him. Don't want to ruin his fresh clothes."

  "Hey!" Lucas excimed bashfully.

  Everyone ughed, including Maya herself. It almost felt illegal for her to feel so...rexed. Was this what it meant to have friends? Something so wonderful...her parents really kept this from her? How cruel and vicious were they? Then again...she begrudgingly saw merit in their teachings.

  Elizabeth, Hannah, and now...Lucas. They were all weaknesses along with the emotions that came along with them. It...threw her off, but at the same time she felt something within. There was strength to these feelings.

  "Damn it," she swore silently, "This is confusing, but...I don't hate it."

  Putting it from her mind for now, she rose from the table and prepared everyone, including Azure, a slice of apple pie. A truly enjoyably moment, for it wasn't just serving anyone, but her dearest friends...and herself. Something that Lucas helped teach her.

  Sometimes, it was alright to treat yourself, and if it's with those you care about...even better.

  -----

  (Lucas's POV)

  "Careful, now...careful..." I thought as I focused on the task at hand. The knife slid evenly through the celery one cut at a time. I had finally talked Elizabeth and Maya to help prepare dinner one day, but...it would be better if they weren't watching me so closely.

  "I'm already nervous..." I sweated slightly, well aware of their gazes. Elizabeth handed a pot to Maya who began to prepare a broth, but all the while their eyes rarely left me. I knew that my reputation with sharp objects wasn't good, but come on, it wasn't that bad. It's not like I...thwuck.

  "What was that?" Elizabeth inquired as I froze in pce.

  The knife which I had been using had slipped from my grasp due to the sweat coating my palms. Luckily, the bde had missed my finger and instead stabbed into the cutting board. Carefully, and as nonchantly as I could, I eased the knife out and continued cutting the vegetables.

  "...Nothing," I replied as calmly as I could, "Vegetable was just a little tougher than I thought. Used too much pressure. It's fine."

  I felt the presence of someone gazing over my shoulder. A fear that tickled the back of my neck. I wanted to look, but was too afraid. So, instead, I simply focused on continuing my task.

  "Hmm," Maya's discerning voice hummed thoughtfully in my ear, "That's enough. I'll take it from here."

  She went to reach for the knife, but stubborn as I was, I tried to keep it from her.

  "N-No, I got it!" I told her with as best of a smile as I could, only...as I did, I felt my footing slip, "Shit!"

  It was over. My dignity. When did I become so accident prone? Before I could catch myself, I felt a firm hand on my back and realized that Maya had grabbed me and pulled me close. She was looking at me with cool eyes.

  "Take a seat, Sir," she instructed once again, "You're too nervous."

  For a brief moment, I was overly conscious about how close I was to her. I could smell a fresh, earthy scent with a hint of berries. It was an incredibly gentle smell, but one that captivated me for a moment before I regained my senses.

  "...W-Well, it's not my fault," I grumbled as she released me and took the knife from my hand, "If some people weren't watching me like a hawk..."

  Elizabeth chuckled, wrapping her arms around mine as she led me to the isnd counter and sat me down in a high-backed stool.

  "Better safe than sorry, my love," she spoke sweetly, giving me a gentle kiss on the cheek, "You know we just worry."

  "I know, but..." I huffed, not being able to really stay mad when she looked at me with such tender eyes, "Fine. I don't know why I'm so accident prone tely. I swear, I've never had these issues before. I mean, I...why are you looking at me like that?"

  Elizabeth's expression had turned doubtful, questioning. It felt incredibly accusatory. The look that someone gave you when you said something that wasn't at all believable.

  "My sweet, naive Lucas..." Elizabeth shook her head sympathetically, "How easy it must be to be so oblivious."

  "Wh-What do you mean?" I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously, feeling a sense of dread wash over me, "Wait, no. I don't wanna know."

  I realized that I would come to regret the question as Elizabeth's smile curled mischievously like that of a cat. I gave her a look of warning, but it was already too te. "I really shouldn't challenge a regressor..." I sighed as I was informed of every single "accident" I've ever had because of my ineptitude.

  "This scar? You were pying with a knife trying to be cool," she expined, taking my right hand and showing me the small white line that had grown between the two joints.

  She was gentle, taking my fingers tenderly in hers that it was almost...erotic. She traced her fingers along my arm to another scar on the underside of my forearm.

  "This one," she said, pointing to a haphazard, barely visible white mark, "Was when you tripped and caught yourself on a hook..."

  I felt myself growing more and more embarrassed, pointing out a long since faded burn mark on my left wrist where I had pced my arm on a hot stove, having not paid attention. I tried to expin that it was normal for people to be clumsy sometimes, but one by one, she went through my entire life of scars and marks from various sources.

  None of them were life-threatening, but...there were an embarrassing amount. I truly could not escape the allegations.

  "Okay, okay!" I held my hands up in defeat, hanging my head on the counter, "Fine, you win! Cut your stupid vegetables. I won't help at all!"

  Maya had been listening with a small smile the entire time. "At least she finds it amusing..." I wanted to die of embarrassment having been called out like that.

  "Listen, love," Elizabeth chuckled, hugging me comfortingly, "There's nothing wrong with being a little...clumsy. It's adorable, truly. I just want to minimize the possibilities."

  "...I know," I mumbled with a heavy sigh, resting my head against her, "Though, with everything id out before me...I do wonder how I ever lived alone."

  Elizabeth caressed my hair lovingly as she simply shrugged.

  "You were never really alone, my dear," she spoke softly with that possessive tone, "If anything truly dangerous were to happen..."

  She left unsaid what I understood. She was trying her best in this life to ensure that things went well. I suddenly felt rather somber, thinking of all the lives she's lived. My head didn't hurt as much as before as I nestled into her, hugging her arms to me, smiling into them.

  "Thanks for always looking after me," I mumbled, kissing her arm lovingly, "I know it couldn't have been easy."

  She hugged me tightly, pcing a kiss on the top of my head.

  "You're worth it, Lucas," she responded quietly, and I believed her.

  At least, I believed that she believed it. I snuggled into her, feeling guilty that Maya was the only one cooking. Though, she assured me that she was fine, even when Elizabeth offered.

  "I don't mind," Maya said softly with a smile, "You two just sit there and rex. I want to cook for you. So, sit."

  Her eyes glinted in warning, the two of us getting the hint. We resolved to simply talking about various things, with Azure eventually getting jealous of Elizabeth and squeezing himself between us. As are most of my days since meeting Elizabeth, the atmosphere was warm, and I felt content.

  Though, if I was being honest...I was feeling a little restless.

  -----

  (Lucas's POV, cont.)

  Rexation. A word that I never thought I'd have to expin, let alone experience. Not truly, anyways. Life was just a bit too hectic, and though I was feeling restless, I also knew that if I didn't slow down, neither would Elizabeth, and she needed it. So, I took a deep breath, my fingers kneading into her supple, strong back.

  "Damn...the knots are crazy," I thought with concern. She was currently face down and shirtless, exposing her bare back to me. It took a little convincing, but...actually, no. It didn't take much convincing at all. She folded pretty quickly when I suggested it, giving her puppy-dogy eyes when she was about to refuse.

  "B-But...I want to do this for you," I had told her as sweetly as I could, a little disappointed.

  Just the hint of disappointment in my voice was all I needed. Maya had found it funny, snickering before acting nonchant. The two of them were too cute. I could see why they were best friends. It made me happy that they had each other. I often wondered what it was like to have such a friend, but then...Maya was my friend.

  She knew more about me than any of my other friends, and honestly...probably as much as Elizabeth knew about me, and just like Elizabeth, I had so much more to learn about Maya. Both of them were still retive mysteries to me, but I was learning more each day. If I was anything, it would be patient. I was in no rush to squeeze their secrets out.

  In their own time, they would tell me. As it was, I already knew more than I thought I would by now. My headaches were getting a little better, but sometimes they were agonizing.

  "Aaah~" Elizabeth's pleased sounds filled my hears as I found a particurly difficult knot.

  Smiling to myself, I began working on it gently, my thumb pressed into it and attempted to smooth it out. Working around it was best at first, but the moment I began working on it directly, Elizabeth's feet curled in relief, letting out a soothing sound.

  "That good, huh?" I chuckled, teasing her.

  "Mhm," she nodded, sounding half in a daze.

  Gods, she was adorable. I would have never known how dangerous she was if I didn't see it firsthand a few times. I found myself once again mesmerized by the muscles of her back. They were supple yet strong. The way her shoulders curved, the slight valley along her spine...

  "Oooh~!" Elizabeth's delight reached my ears as I realized my touch had grown a little...sensual, "Losing focus, love?"

  She was teasing me, gncing over her shoulder coyly. I blushed, sulking as I dug deep into a knot. She flinched, tensing before ughing heartily. She rexed back down, and I loosened my grip.

  Moments like these were precious. With the world in chaos, I never knew when I could enjoy time with her. So...perhaps this moment should be a little intimate. Even so, I shouldn't get too distracted, though she made it easy.

  "Feeling any better?" I asked softly, and she nodded, "Good. I just...I want to make you feel good, and no, not in that way. At least, not right now."

  She pouted, though there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. She knew that I knew what she was going to say, and so I had to crify. Not that I was tempted, but right now was about something more that lustful desire. This was a different kind of intimacy. One that ran deeper than just pure sex.

  Through my touch, the love and respect I had for her was felt by her body. She could feel the intent behind my actions. Not that sex couldn't. This was just...different. I didn't quite know how to expin it. After all, it's just...a feeling. One you inherently know.

  I spent a good hour or more working on her entire body. I used special lotions and scented oils infused, apparently, with various materials from dungeons. They supposedly worked wonders on a Pyer's body, and so I was more than thrilled to use them. Anything to help Elizabeth.

  From her back and neck, legs and arms, hands and feet. Working purposefully, I missed nothing. I was surprised my fingers and hands weren't sore, but as I was taking my time and the energy behind everything was focused on just spending time with her...I honestly felt incredibly energized and rexed myself.

  As she sat up, tested her arm, rotating and stretching it. I couldn't help but feel proud. She looked way more rexed, and said as much.

  "Thank you, my love," her voice was serene, eyes lurid as they looked upon me, "I feel as good as new. I really did need this."

  "I know," I replied, looking upon her lovingly, "After causing you so much stress, I figured this might help a little. Besides, you're a Pyer. The things you deal with..."

  I felt a little guilty, not being able to help her with any of her guild duties or official business. However, before I could think too deeply about it, I found myself in her embrace, head against her bare chest. I blushed, feeling my heart suddenly race. She held me warmly, and with my ear against her, I could feel her own heart beating rapidly in her chest...and I found it soothing, rexing into her.

  There was a gentle smell of lic and what I believed was some kind of citrus. A very pleasant scent. Just subtle enough to linger gently as you breathed naturally.

  "Now this is much better," she whispered affectionately, cradling me to her, "My day is complete."

  "Pfft, so cheesy," I mumbled pyfully.

  "You like cheese," she retorted with a soft chuckle.

  Wrapping my arms around her, I adjusted myself and listened to the beating of her heart.

  "I do indeed..." I stated softly, taking a calm, rexing breath, "You're so warm..."

  As if encouraged by my words, she held me tighter and I found myself wreathed in ghostly fmes that didn't burn. It was just...warm. Like a second embrace. Before I could realize what was happening, I found myself lifted in her arms and carried from the room. I don't know if it was the beating of her heart, or the gentle, rexing smell of the oils, but...I found myself asleep.

  I only remember her arms. The warmth of her body and fmes. The incredibly sense of security. Safety. I must have been more tired than I thought, for the next thing I remembered was waking up in her arms, snuggled upon the couch of our room.

  She was softly snoring and the tv was on. It was pying some kind of cartoon on low volume. I smiled in her shoulder, nestling myself closer. Instinctually, she held my tighter and pulled the bnket she had covered us with closer. I simply id there for a while, not wanting to disturb her.

  The beating of her heart...it would eventually be the lulby that put me back to sleep. After all, so long as it was beating...so long as I could hear it, I knew that this was real. A moment in my life that I would cherish forever. Entwining my hand with hers, I fell back into an incredibly deep slumber.

  I didn't remember the st time I had slept so well.

  -----

  (Elizabeth's POV)

  Elizabeth sat in her office at home, currently annoyed at the situation she found herself in, as it was time taken away from spending it with Lucas.

  "I told them I was on vacation..." Elizabeth sighed, leaning against her hand as she looked over several documents sent to her by Aegis and the Pyers Association.

  "How tedious..." she mulled over her predicament with dejected indifference. Just a few hours ago she had been snuggling with Lucas, and now...she was dealing with petty squabbles between the various teams within Aegis, as well as a few border disputes between a few small guilds. Something that the Pyers Association had asked her to mediate.

  She knew that this work was important. Of course it was important. In order to make sure that this world was safe enough for Lucas, she had to deal with these nuisances. Knowing it was for him helped a little, but even so...

  "Sector Five belongs to Kindred," Elizabeth spoke coolly, exasperated with the current squabble she was arbitrating, "The gate appeared in Sector Five. They are allowed priority. If they ck the manpower to protect the area, it is your duty as Pyers to help them. Making demands when there are lives at stake...do you want Aegis to intervene?"

  On a video call with her were two individuals. Ashley Reed, representative of the Kindred Guild, and Carol Beckett, representative of the Oasis Guild. There was recently a gate that had opened up just on the border between the two guild's territories. A break had occurred and Kindred used most of its manpower to secure the area.

  When they called for aid from Oasis, no one answered. After the situation was settled, Oasis demanded access to the gate. They cimed that Kindred was incapable of handling the situation, as well as ciming it was in Oasis's territory and thus had priority. When Kindred refused, a fight broke out, provoked by Oasis. They cimed that Kindred attacked first, but the evidence wasn't in their favor.

  Oasis had overstepped their authority. An all-too-common occurrence...at least in the past. In this life, Elizabeth cracked down hard on such things.

  "You sent five A-Rank Pyers to secure the gate," Elizabeth continued, eyeing Carol closely, "Or rather, take the gate. Need I remind you that-"

  "These are baseless accusations!" Carol vehemently denied, interrupting Elizabeth.

  Carol was a woman in her early thirties. Elizabeth knew of her. Those annoying grey eyes and arrogant personality. She wasn't the worst person in the world, but she was incredibly self-important. She wore a well-pressed business suit, her dark hair tied up in a tight bun.

  "What proof do you have?" she asked angrily, "This is bullshit hearsay. We sent them reinforcements and-"

  "Miss Beckett," Elizabeth's calm tone was chilling, and her intent clear as the woman shut her mouth immediately, "Interrupt me again, and we'll have an issue. You don't want to have any more issues...do you?"

  Carol swallowed hard, unable to speak in the face of Elizabeth's commanding presence. The other woman, Ashley, remained composed. She was a woman in her te twenties with a prim and proper appearance. Her auburn hair fell gracefully over her shoulders, framing her fair-skinned face. Lime green eyes seemed distant, yet a burning fire raged inside of them. Unlike Carol, she wore more casual clothing.

  "Do you?" Elizabeth repeated, causing Carol to flinch.

  "N-No, Ma'am," she answered meekly, though her eyes betrayed her true feelings, gring away in frustration.

  "Good, now then..." Elizabeth swiped a finger across the screen, bringing up a video file, "You asked for proof. So, tell me...what exactly am I seeing here?"

  The video pyed for everyone. It appeared to be recorded from a high vantage point, as if from the corner of a building. Indeed, there had been security footage around the area. Something that Oasis apparently overlooked when they attempted to start the conflict.

  The area, a small shopping center, was littered with the corpses of what looked to be goblinoid creatures. A crackling blue portal merged with the ground. The Dungeon's Gate.

  A small group of about ten individuals were securing the area around the gate, harvesting the corpses, and tending to their wounded. They each wore various pieces of equipment that you might see in a fantasy game. Normal for most Pyers.

  After a brief moment, five individuals walked into the area confidently. Three men and two women. They wore equipment much like the others. The one in the lead, a rge man with a giant sword and confident air about him, stepped forward.

  A young man wearing navy blue robes and carrying a staff met the man and greeted them. It was quickly made clear that the group of ten were from Kindred, and the five that appeared recently were for Oasis. This meeting of the two guilds quickly took a turn for the worse when the man from Oasis accused them of making a mess of the gate break.

  Several rather obvious provocations were thrown at Kindred, insulting them and stating they couldn't handle the gate. Ordering them to hand over the situation to Oasis. When Kindred refused, one of the other members of Oasis "accidentally" stepped on the broken leg of one of the injured. That's when the fight began.

  Unfortunately...Kindred was profoundly outmatched. They were already injured, and Oasis had sent their heaviest hitters, save for the Guild Leader themselves. It was entirely one-sided as Oasis easily defeated those from Kindred. It was about this time that authorities from the Pyers Association showed up, breaking the scene up and apprehending the Pyers from Oasis. It was about this time that the security feed ended, and a silence fell over the call.

  Oasis was backed into a corner with no way out. Carol's face hardened and Ashley appeared smug. Both of them annoyed Elizabeth, but in this particur case, Elizabeth sided more with the representative of Kindred. It was all too common for Pyers to do what Oasis had tried. That's why there are rules in pce for such things. Rules she had made.

  "So, were these the reinforcements you mentioned?" Elizabeth asked Carol, who remained silent, "No comment? Very well. You know the ws. Trying to forcefully take a gate from another's territory, as well as inciting discord, is grounds for termination."

  "Ma'am, wait!" Carol's eyes went wide, panicking, "Surely we can figure something out!"

  "It's already figured out," Elizabeth stated simply, "Oasis will lose their guild license and every Pyer will be audited. The A-Rank's you sent will be detained. Compensation will be taken from Oasis Guild's holdings, and its territory will-"

  "Fuck you!" Carol suddenly spat, somehow finding the audacity deep within her soul, "If you think Oasis will stand for this, you're mistaken. Just try and-"

  Elizabeth sighed softly, but within that sigh was a warning. Rather, it was a threat. Her annoyance had reached its limits. Her gaze grew colder, though she remained calm, still leaning against hand casually.

  "Do you really want to py this game?" Elizabeth asked, eyes glinting with an ethereal fme, "I've crushed rger guilds than yours for less. There will be order in this world. You have twenty-four hours to report to the Association. Failure to do so will see a bounty pced on your heads. Understood?"

  Carol nodded slowly, too stunned to speak. Barely a squeak left her lips before the call was ended. Ahsley thanked her and left the call shortly after. Leaning back in her office's chair, Elizabeth pinched the bridge of her nose. This had been the fifth call today, but arguably the most irritating. Every so often, there would always be one who thought they could act out.

  Sometimes, she had to remind them of their pce. Pyers who got it into their heads that they were above the ws of the nd. Power often went to their heads, and thus...these things unfortunately happened. She grew sullen, having been reminded of a past life.

  In that life, she wasn't like she was now. She had been weaker, and perhaps a little naive. She had rubbed several guilds wrong in the past, and they enacted their vengeance. Another life that Lucas was lost to her...and that's why she would broker no disobedience in this one. Follow the rules or be destroyed. It didn't matter if she needed them or not.

  Any threat to Lucas's life would be taken care of swiftly, and speaking of Lucas...she smiled softly as she heard the door to her office open and his familiar, gentle footsteps sounded as he entered. She waited in anticipation as he grew closer, the smell of something delicious filling the air.

  "How sweet..." she muttered, opening her eyes to see him set down a tray of food, "Thank you, my love."

  His smile was soothing. "Just what I needed..." she watched him closely with soft eyes full of love. He shifted nervously, well aware of her gaze upon him.

  "I thought you might need a break," he told her, wrapping an arm around her, "You look stressed."

  "Hmm...maybe a little," she gnced at him coyly, "Much better now that you're here."

  "Oh?" he replied curiously, a mischievous glint in his eye, "Then maybe I should do something else..."

  She felt his fingers under her chin, and for the moment, she allowed him control. She focused on his touch, the softness of his lips as he leaned in to kiss her. She pressed closely against his body, eager for more. She smiled against his kiss, biting her lip gently as she pulled away before gripping the back of his head firmly and pulling him back for another, much deeper kiss.

  Lucas soon found himself pulled into her p, her arm around his waist as she held him. He blushed, but didn't protest.

  "Feed me," she told him, causing him to roll his eyes pyfully.

  "Hmm, what do you say?" he asked, her arm tightening around him as she pulled him closer.

  "...Pretty please?" she whispered into his ear, pnting a sensual kiss just below it.

  He shivered pleasurably, much to her satisfaction.

  "Of course, my love," his words were quiet and kind.

  She didn't care about what the food was, though it was a delicious mushroom stew with some bread on the side. It was incredibly savory and filling, but what was more filling was just Lucas's mere presence. He washed away all of the hardships of the day.

  The tension in her body was gone, and for the moment...she shared a sweet, loving interaction with the only one in the world that had the ability to calm her down. She cherished their time together. Whatever sullen memory she had been thinking of melted away and was repced with this moment instead.

  She urged him to eat some of the stew as well, wanting to enjoy a meal together. He was more than happy to oblige. They talked and ughed. It was a more than welcome break from her work. Elizabeth was mesmerized as the air around Lucas felt like it glowed with warmth.

  She smiled lovingly, deeply affectionate in her interactions with him. These were the moments she was fighting for. To have a life full of these moments...that was her dream, and if she had to deal with a little annoyance in order to obtain it...well, she supposed that it was a price worth paying.

  Still...they really needed to understand the meaning of a vacation.

  -----

  Nikushimi