"What happened?" she asked. One week and she changed so much, her posture was different, her facial features sharper, colder. She didn't smile, didn't laugh, didn't joke. It was as if her personality was sucked out of her, replaced with something else. Something colder and crueler.
"Got ambushed," he said, patting the raven, "So I killed them."
"...I see," she said, turning her horse around to see the army chasing after her. She didn't even ask if he was hurt or not.
"I could use some company," Lucian gave her a cheeky grin, "Care to join me for lunch, My Lady?"
"...Sure," she said, riding beside him, "You are in a good mood."
"It's the first time in a week that I get to see you," he said, looking at her.
"If you tell me that I became less ladylike," she said, looking at him, "I'll throw you off the cliff."
"..." Lucian's lips twitched, "I was going to say that you look prettier today than you did a week ago. More mature. A real Lady."
A smile bloomed on her face as she cupped her cheeks, "You really think so?"
"I know so." Lucian said, and she laughed. There it was, the sound that he missed so much.
They rode back to the estate together, the army behind them, reminding her that she couldn't leave the camp before the Knight tournament. He dismounted his horse, then walked up to her to help her down from hers. He held her hand, assisting her with dismounting.
Her eyes were bright, her face glowing at the gesture. He wanted to say something, to tease her, but he held back. She looked like she could use a compliment, and he wasn't going to ruin her day. He escorted her to her room, the guards and servants looking at them with curious eyes.
"Prepare lunch for the two of us," he ordered the servant, yet again feeling like a housewife, "In the garden."
They went to change their robes, and when they met again, Celine was wearing one of her signature dresses, a hat, and a pair of gloves, while he was wearing a simple white shirt without a vest.
Lucian held his arm out for her to hold.
"Is this what it feels like to go on a date?" she asked, and he looked at her with a smile.
"I don't know," he said, "I never went on a date before."
She looked at him, surprised, "Really?"
"Really," he said as they sat down. "How bad will rumors of us being seen like this spread?" he asked.
"Not much," she said while a maid poured her a cup of tea, "You are my fiance after all. It's natural for us to spend time together. I was surprised that you were the one who initiated it, though."
Lucian hummed, picking up his fork and knife. He began cutting his steak while she was still sipping her tea, watching him without touching her food.
"It's better when it's hot," he reminded her, pulling her out of her daze.
"Feed me," she said, and he looked up at her, "Please?" she added and leaned forward, opening her mouth.
"..." He cut a piece of meat and brought it to her lips.
She closed her mouth, chewing slowly, savoring the taste with a silly little grin.
"Good?" he asked.
"Yes," she said after swallowing. "Now, you try mine."
She began cutting the meat and feeding it to him, "Say ah~"
"Ahh~" he opened his mouth as she placed the meat in his mouth. He chewed, swallowing fast as to cut off the embarrassing silence with some small talk, "We should have asked for different meals if we were going to feed each other like this."
"I don't mind," she said, taking a sip of her tea.
They were like kids, playing house with each other. She was the mom, and he was the dad. They were married, had no children, were living a happy life together, and they were madly in love. At least in their imagination.
They continued to eat their lunch, feeding each other, and talking about their days. He told her that the person who had tried to kill him was most likely a member of House Varrin. She told him that her preparations for the knight tournament were stupidly pointless. He told her that she looked lovely in her riding outfit. She told him that her father was going to kill her for not showing up for training. Then they fed each other dessert.
"Are you going to participate in the tournament?" she asked him.
"Still in the process of recruiting," Lucian answered, "My current squad is not suited for this kind of event. Sir Claude can't carry everything on his own. I will need more capable men. There's one guy I'm thinking of recruiting in particular."
"Oh? Someone strong?"
"Someone who has dedicated his life to serve God, and is still serving God," Lucian said, piquing Celine's interest as she raised her brows, "He lost his left eye in the war and was left to die on the battlefield. He was saved by a miracle, or so he claims. He became a man of great faith as a result of his experience."
"...I'm starting to get a little suspicious," Celine said, her brows furrowed, "You are going to tell me that you are talking about..."
"Father Horace," Lucian finished for her, and she burst out laughing.
"Father Horace?" she repeated, "You're kidding, right?"
"Why not?" Lucian asked, and Celine covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes watering.
"Because..." she said, "Because it's Father Horace. The guy who preaches to people about love, and forgiveness, and not to do anything that might lead to violence. No violence. No fighting. No killing. He's a man of peace, My Lord."
"I'm a man of peace too," Lucian argued, leaning over to whisper in her ear, "I've got an idea, but I will need your help. Would you be willing to participate in a small scheme of mine?" he asked her.
Her lips curled up in a mischievous grin as he revealed his plan. "That's evil," she said when he finished.
"Is it?" he asked, "It's for a good cause, so I don't see a problem with it."