The day finally came when I sealed the spellbook that contains the power of the moon in front of the pulpit of another mage school. My strength is even lesser now, but it doesn't bother me if this is equivalent to an increase in time with my boys.
"Is this your final decision?"
"Yes."
"From now on," an enchanter declares, "you are a retired moon priestess. Your name shall remain eminent throughout the mages' history. You have done a good, and quite risky job. Hence, we are grateful for your services." He made me sign the declaration which all the witnesses in this chamber have signed as well.
Shortly, I left the solemn room and met Lanasia waiting outside. At first, she taps my toga, and then she hugs me tight. "I'm gonna miss you on duty! You have no idea how great you've influenced my career!" She holds my hands later and shakes them. "I know you've been waiting for this so I'm happy about your decision too. Hessuel's home will finally be complete~!"
"Thank you, Lanasia. You've been there for me too, until now."
"Always!"
From being my fan to being my greatest friend. We squeeze one another in our arms some more. I'm still holding the trophy of my job well done as a moon priestess as Zaeramil presents a congratulatory bouquet for me. We didn't undergo even a simple celebration, in fact, I was in a hurry to come home to Cardozen Vil. It is definitely exciting to start a new routine—the reason why I can't stop smiling and stamping like a kid.
"I'm officially retired!!" I surprise at home, but instead, I was the one surprised when no one was home. I inspect the rooms but the emptiness and silence are questionable. The truth that this will be my daily life is still frustrating; my husband will be occupied by his work and the twins will be busy in school.
It will always be me and my dogs at home as usual! However, the dogs aren't here too and that's suspicious. I laid all my gifts on the couch and that's where I found a letter from Hedwelch with a rose: 'Mom, we are waiting for you at the treehouse.' So I'm safe from overthinking. I took the rose with me to the treehouse and found them all outside of it.
It's hard to tell if Danteleon is training or playing with the dogs, unlike Hedwelch who is serious about training, while the one acting like a son is Hessuel as he swings on a swing. He noticed me coming, then I ask,
"Is this your everyday life?"
"Yeah. On to a better daily life, too."
I sat beside him on the swing, watching the twins enjoy their own activities. Realization hits me that this is Hessuel's way of guarding them. It's simple... but peaceful, I can smell it in the blow of the wind of the tall trees. Hessuel only catches my attention again as he holds my left hand and rubs the ring.
"You're still wearing this..."
Shrugging, I say, "Why not? I can wear this for a decade."
"No!"
"Why?"
"That means you don't want to switch it into a wedding ring!"
"Uuuh."
"How was your last conversation with the pirate?"
In response, I unleashed my spellbook in front of him and projected the record of our conversation like a television. ["... I matriculated as a woman. Like you, I want to be an enchantress..."] By the end of the record, Hessuel comments, "Wow, this record is amazing... Imagine we can record and rewatch the moments in our lives," instead of questioning the content.
"Yes, you're so thoughtful to humankind. It'll happen in the future."
"Really? That's exciting!"
"No, not in our century."
"But, Dan, why would you entrust a powerful creation to her?"
"She's the best candidate. I know she will become a great friend to our children's children. They and everyone will be safe because of her if she preserves that creation in goodwill."
"There is still a condition."
"I understand you can't trust her. She will do it... because she will love the future. She's the kind of woman who deserves to live in the future; women can achieve their chosen careers, and women are leaders, educated, and liberated~! A kind of fair world she deserves and motivates her to appreciate herself. I wish I could do this to every ambitious woman, at least, I did it for Afvshaganifs."
"You know what will happen in the future?"
"Yes! Aren't you curious about your business?"
"I'm curious if we are happy in the future."
"..." This dog is full of twists! Sadly, the future I saw is tragic. And I'm here telling him the assurance of the future while I originally came back to alter it! Still, I don't want to ruin this peaceful moment with my negative thoughts. I rub his beard and say, "We will claim it."
He pulls his face closer to my face and whispers in his gentle tone, "Aren't we there yet?"
"We are, at the moment!"
"At the moment?"
"I mean, there is no such thing as a 'happy couple' if they don't experience or overcome sadness together, no?"
"That's logical. If today's the moment, then I won't skip the chance..." He pulls out a small box in his pocket. "Last time was not the perfect time. I want to make it right this time," he said. I anticipated his intention on the spot which made my heart race though this isn't my first time. He presents the tiny box to me. "Dan, will you—"
The rope of the swing suddenly tripped! We both fell but he hit his nape on the ground! "Oh, my goddess! Hessuel! Are you alright!?" I'm trying to pull him up but he extends the empty box to me and proceeds,
"Dan, will you be my mate again?"
"Yes! Yes, of course!" I answered with giggling. Brought by joy, I touch his cheeks and kiss him with my smiling lips. "You're so witty. I love you." I cuddle with him while I'm still on top, and later on, the twins overlap on top of me—filled with playful laughter. Hessuel isn't the only one laughing because we're jamming him like a burger!
"Ugh! What do you think you're doing?" he ticked off the two. We were jammed in his arms as he lifted us up all at once. The twins run off before their father could lay a hand on them, and I giggle at how adorable they are! While the kids are hiding in the treehouse, I hang my arms on his shoulder and tiptoed to kiss him.
"You still did it properly~" I teased. He suddenly grabs my waist and lifts me above the ground for a tight hug.
"I love you, Mrs. Dandeline."
"But, I've been meaning to ask, where is the ring?"
"Ring? The ring was five years earlier than my proposal."
"Are you kidding!?" Then I laugh out loud!
"What? Do you want two engagement rings?" he chuckled.
Meanwhile, I can't answer right away for I can't let go of laughing! He keeps on tickling and teasing me before I could say, "Okay! You got me! I get it now!" I playfully pinched his nose. I'm so in love with this corny werewolf. Surely, my next hundred years will not be boring. Holding hands we came back under the roof with the frisky kids.
They said—before Hessuel could spill the thrill—that he had another surprise for me. The twins came up to the second floor where something is hidden under a white blanket. They entered underneath like a tent, and I asked, "For what is the purpose of this surprise?"
"... For the wedding."
My lips parted and no further chitchat, I enchant the blanket to uncover the surprise and to make it float above the first floor while the twins are riding there. Clasping my hand and covering my mouth, I walk slowly to the most expensive gift I have ever received. "You... How...? When did you—?"
Both sides down to the whole train are sewed with wolf fur, the front up to the neckline is layered with glittering lace, puffy sleeves are thin fabric that extends to the shoulders and to the choker lace paired with a silver necklace, and even the hem of the veil has wolf fur; these designs make me stammer!
He reveals, "I customized that gown with the seamstress for five years. I'm not a real designer but—"
"And you designed this!?"
"Yes. It's... a werewolf wedding gown... for you."
"Okay." I tried to pull his hand down the stairs, "Let's get married now. I want to dress like this immediately!" but I can't budge him. "I've got all the finances needed!"
"Dan~" he chuckled. Like a belt, he buckles my arms around his neck. "We can have our pre-wedding now." He reaches for my hand and waist and dances together without music. I hug him instead while swaying with him. It is simple but pure in happiness.
This day is my very first time eating dinner with them, my boys' first time having a complete dinner. Hessuel mentioned that since then, he knew what is the best ingredient to make the dinner tastier. From this day, I knew I am on to better things ahead. On to the sweetest memories we will create. Never in my life have I denied the grave like this.
After a lukewarm bath, I noticed Hessuel outside sipping a hot drink as he watched the full moon. I took a furred shawl on my way to him, and then I stood beside him sharing a hug of my shawl. "You're always watching the moon, I saw this routine of yours with Acro."
"You've been stalking me?"
"I won't deny."
He gave me his drink and put his arm on my shoulders. "..." As he sniffs my hair, "Did you..." he asks, "used chocolate soap?"
"... What? Is there such a thing?"
"You smell like it! The only missing is the icing~"
"You're kidding."
"Oh, no. It's your scent."
"..." For a short moment, I stare at him with sharp eyes. His sweet 'cabbage' scent is swirling around my nose and so I pull his cloth, sniff his chest, and confirm it! He smells like my mate! Or is it his soap too? This scent reminds me of his taste. I could sniff and gnaw him all night and everything I can do to his body by the pleasure lingering in this scent—
"Dan." I realized I'd been shoving my nose around his neck with my eyes closed, while he was looking at me in shock—cheeks were blushing when I saw his reaction. "No, I... don't have any... chocolate soap, too," he answered... my thoughts!
"G... Great! It's just your scent too!" Trying my best not to make my trembling fingers obvious, I drank the hot drink and burned my throat! At least I covered my dirty embarrassment with another embarrassment! He's taking the cup from me but of course, I didn't give it. "No! I'm fine! I can enchant it. The bathroom is free! You can take a bath now. Go!" I even forced him to get inside.
"Dan, I don't take a bath at night—"
"You should from now on!"
The door was slammed. Finally alone, I laid the cup on a round table and sulk looking at the moon. Surprisingly, the full moon earlier became a crescent, or more like, smiling at me! It is the very first contagious smile the moon showed me. I talk to it, "Yes, goddess, I recognize your signs." And then I raise my thumb at her. "That's what I like about thee~!"
I am an eminent moon priestess, a scholar of the prestigious academy, a paragon of all aspiring enchantresses, and the very first entitled female Eldar that collaborated with the most awesome Eldars in the world of magicians... but I might still act stupid and childish whenever I am around Hessuel!
I hurried into our room while Hessuel was taking a bath. He shouldn't notice my stealing of flowers in his garden and then enchanting them into candles, steaming stimulating aromas. Most importantly, I dressed up in thin nightwear. I rotate my hand in front of the candles, "Hmmm~ Perfect for a steamy night."
"Steamy night?"
"Haa!!" His unfamiliar deep voice behind my ears made me step aside. He chuckles and says in his normal tone,
"What are you doing? What are... these candles for?"
"To steam the night!"
"..." He looks at my dress, slyly bites his lower lip, and says, "I see." Then he drops onto the bed.
"You see? Have you seen the signs too? The moon has fated us again."
"Really?" He reacted as quickly as a delighted dog.
"The scent, the mind linking, the moon itself— Aah!"
He lifts and throws me on the bed! He locks me in his arms and thighs right after that and verifies, "Does it mean we can mate with the moon's consent?" as if he's wagging his tail right now.
I laugh at his reaction. "Yes!" That word just came out of my mouth when he closed it with a kiss. Pressing the whole plumpiness of his lips, I respond with the same gliding kisses. I hold his cheeks and peck kisses all over his face. "Where would you like me to mark you?" I tenderly asked. He simply dips his face on my neck and flails his legs.
I slapped his hip as he grins. First, he sat on the bed and easily set me on his lap before he answered, "Mark me where you want to be marked, too." I hung my arms on his shoulders and cornered his lips with my kisses. During the passion, unknotting and stripping his bathrobe is effectively pleasing.
I let his virile hands do the same to my dress, although he teasingly tears off the back with his claws and explores my skin through the tip of his fingers. I push him down on his shoulders—not paying attention to how my hair disturbs his face—and kiss him vehemently while allowing his palms to run on my waist and thighs.
The liberation tickled me to savor the heat and emotions of our kisses but not the saliva that links our lips. I stare at him for a moment of breathing, he stares at my body and my position above him. I press his left shoulder and then sink my fangs into his skin. Not just my fangs but I also clawed his beefy arms to leave my claim mark on him. The sting made him grab the sheet.
My tongue tastes blood after my marking, and I enchant it with warmth to ease his pain. "There," I say as I slide my finger on my mark, "I want to be marked here."
"Have you had enough?"
"Hm?"
"I thought you wanted to do things on my body?"
"Huh!?!?"
"I'm all yours, my dear."
"Goddess! Please ignore it! I-It was just my random thoughts whenever I smell your scent!" I denied while swinging my hand in the air. Slightly, he tilts his head with a majestic look in his eyes. "No. Don't do it."
"What?"
"I said don't do it!"
"Do what?"
"That!"
"I'm not doing that!"
I put my fingers on his lips as I lean. There's no way to escape the enthralling eyes of silver wolves. "Don't mind if I do..."
"Do what?"
I suddenly choked from laughing, blaming him by slapping his chest! "Don't seduce me or I'll leave my mark on your whole body!!"
"Ssshht!" Shortly, he wraps me in his arms underneath him while covering my mouth. "The kids are sleeping. Don't let them hear that."
I remove his hand. "Relax~ I already enchanted this room... for a perfect steamy night."
"Aaah, then..." He showers my face and neck with his tickling kisses, and he deliberately makes it noisily. "You're acting spoiled today," he points out while I keep on laughing wryly. He meets my lips with his smiling lips until his kiss glides deeper... and wilder. Together, we click the button of our burst of emotion.
Until now, he's a little conservative when it comes to touching me. So I place his hand where I want to feel his touch. That permission tempted him and tore off my dress. Such a perfect day will not be perfect without this: expressing the deepest desire of intimacy. For the first time, he made me wet his bed following my irresistible noise to the point of regretting that I informed him about the enchantment!
This is his way. Driving me to my helpless condition before he marks our bond on my shoulder. I grab his back out of control, he reaches for my hands and pins me down as I squirm in pain. The mating ended with his cuddle; I lay upon him wearily and fell asleep with his gentle kisses.
Though in pain, I feel safe.
The ease is priceless.