"I didn't even get a wink of sleep. I asked you to make me forget, now I can't forget about everything we did last night." Ruby complained as she leaned against his chest while caressing his abs. The light of the new day shined on them through the glass of the balcony doors.
Aurelius laughed awkwardly as he stroked her hair. "Sorry, I tried restraining myself but little Aurelius is much more powerful. Should I arrange for our engagement in case you get pregnant? I want to take responsibility for whatever may come."
"No need. Today is a safe day so you can rest assured that our union will bear no fruit. However, we need to get dressed since your send-off will be in the next hour. Let's take a bath and act like nothing happened." Ruby instructed as she stood up and rummaged through the closet and found a simple dress that's two sizes wider for her body. Aurelius did the same and picked up his clothing from the ground and dressed himself.
"Of course. Here, take this." he said, lending out his hand to offer a small folded piece of paper.
"What is it?" Ruby inquired in curiosity.
"It's a direct line on my telephone just in case you have something in mind; you have a problem you want to talk about or if you're in need of my help. I want to always be accessible for you when you need me and we can always keep in touch regardless of how much money it will cost me." Aurelius smiled as Ruby accepted the paper and slipped it in her pocket before surprising him with a warm and innocent hug.
"Thank you for being there for me all this time. I really need it and perhaps we can tour the empire together once I'm in a better mood." Ruby pulled away holding both of his hands in her smaller ones, while she smiled at him serenely.
"For now, I'll just find my footing and get back up. Hopefully, I'll be able to hunt monsters once more in the Igraine woods after this week. Pharsa had said that monsters have been stirring lately, as well as the long been slumbering ones. I'll have to investigate the root of that so I doubt that I'll have much time to communicate with you."
"Will you be okay to do that on your own? I can lend out my hand to help you to lessen your work." Aurelius offered, enjoying her gentleness.
"Thanks, but I want to do it on my own. But I'll surely contact you once I don't think I can manage. For now, I should be going. Bedivere will be in my room soon enough with my breakfast since the grand hall will be out of commission after your party. See you on your send-off." Ruby kissed his cheek before leaving through the door.
When the lock clicked into place, Aurelius melted and landed on the chair with a lovestruck look as he relished the lingering feeling of her body with his. He thought that his dreams were out of reach but with the long miles they crossed last night, suddenly everything seems possible. He can't wait for the next chapters of their life to unfold in either romance or tragedy and he prayed more for the former. This incident has boosted his confidence to go all his way for her and he will spare no effort in making her fall in love with him. It's only a matter of time before that happens.
🌹
It was a beautiful morning in Cadmure with no rain or snow as Altria's court of knights and servants gathered outside the yard in neat straight lines as they bid their farewell for the Moniyan Prince.
"May the gods bless your journey and keep you safe from all harm." prayed Altria as she bid him farewell.
"Thank you for your generosity and hospitality. I certainly enjoyed my stay in your wonderful territory as well as the great company." he smiled, directing Ruby with a mischievous side glance making the maiden snort.
"You'll always be welcome to come back here. Especially since you made our princess happy." Merlin said, clapping his back and making Ruby blush.
"My lady and my best friend," Aurelius said, turning to the maiden and asking for her hand. Ruby awkwardly gave it because of the hundreds of people witnessing their exchange.
"I will certainly miss you." he kissed her hand making a few knights cheer and hoot for their relationship to prosper.
Ruby didn't say anything as the prince climbed up his carriage waving them all goodbye with a sincere smile of enjoyment. Soon, the door closed shut and the prince along with his entourage began traveling away back to their homeland. The knights and the servant whom the prince hand charmed and befriended waved enthusiastically and wished him well with cheers and acclamations.
"Here, this is for you." Merlin said as he handed her a small vial with a clear blue liquid swirling inside.
"What's this for? Heartbreak? I'm quite fine now so I won't be needing it anymore. I mean, my heart is still grieving but I think I can manage without the help of magic."
"It's not for that. It's a contraceptive just in case you know... You don't get pregnant." The magus whispered with conspiracy making the maiden blush and violently take the vial from his hand.
"How did you know? Did you spy on us while we were doing it!!?" questioned the maiden furiously in a hushed voice.
"How can I now know? You were screaming so loud I didn't even get a second of rest because of you but it was certainly a feast for the imagination." laughed the magus in amusement.
"So everyone knew about what we did?!" Ruby exclaimed in alarm, her world almost falling apart in realization.
"Not really. Although you were very loud, at least you didn't yell each other's names or else you'll really be in trouble with our mother. As far as I know, everyone thought that it was just Gawain or someone else doing a maid so you can rest assured for now." Merlin reassured, making the maiden sigh in relief.
"By the way, a visitor came last night and left something in your window sill. Their presence was quite interesting so I went to check it out and I found this." The magus handed her a letter and a single crimson rose.
Ruby accepted the objects in curiosity, perplexed as to who their sender is. She flipped the letter to look for any clue of the sender but she only found her name written in a very familiar penmanship. Her eyes widened because of this and she hastily opened the envelope to read the letter.
Her emotions couldn't be anything else but incredulous and amazed as she carefully read every word and every sentence as tears of happiness built up in her eyes. Relief and absolute happiness washed over her weary and exhausted heart due to the unbelievable information the letter is revealing to her. She choked a sob before placing a hand on her mouth to stifle the cry wanting to escape her lips.
She read and re-read the last passage which was ever so dear to her heart.
'I may no longer be with you, my dear and we may no longer meet again, but remember that you are the sun and I am your moon. You may not be able to see me in the light of your days but I will always be there to be your best friend. And rest assured that I treasure your efforts to save me that night and I bear no hatred for you because of my fate. Know that I am happy now with my true love because of your kindness and I hope that you find yours soon because love is one of the best things to have in this world.
Your dearest friend,
Carmilla