After the meal was done, the group all headed back home, spending the rest of the day playing in the park and chatting.
Rubella hadn't had this much fun since Minos first left, so she was giggling the most, constantly calling out to Minos to watch her perform her tricks.
It was only once the sun was completely set, did they finally call it a day, Minos not forgetting to remind everyone to say goodbye to Zatiana.
Once they arrived home, Minos had them all gathered in the living room since he had some news to tell them.
"I know I've only been here a day or so, but I've got to head out again, and I might not be back for a while." Minos said, while scratching his head a bit nervously.
He felt like he was constantly abandoning these kids, but he didn't have much choice, after all Tinka was his own wife, and he couldn't just keep her waiting.
The children couldn't help but begin crying as Minos told them this, Rubella being affected the most, running up to her room and slamming the door shut.
"Don't worry Boss, they'll get over it." Beetus said, as he patted Minos shoulder.
"I hope so, I just feel somewhat guilty." Minos sighed.
"Boss, this is all part of growing up. How could they ever become adults if they constantly relied on you?" Beetus said wisely, making Minos feel like his true talent lied in rearing children.
"You're right Beetus, it's my own lack of foresight." Minos said, his heart slightly relieved.
"That's right, and besides, there's always me. I'll take good care of them while you're gone." Beetus said, patting his chest firmly.
"Thank you Beetus, you really are a good friend." Minos said with a smile, feeling like he had been taking Beetus for granted.
"Boss, don't say that, you'll make me shy." Beetus said, a blush forming on his face, though his skin was so dark you couldn't really see it.
"Hey Beetus, ever thought about getting a girlfriend." Minos asked with a laugh, having never realized Beetus was so soft at heart.
"A girlfriend? No, why?" Beetus said, scratching his head.
"I just thought you'd be a catch." Minos said with another laugh, making Beetus blush even more.
…
The next day, Minos washed up quickly before heading to his horse, making his way into the Underwood Mountain Range before the sun even began rising.
He missed Tinka a lot, so he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible, and he also wanted to avoid the children, not wanting to have to experience that night all over again.
The journey to the Salt Breathing Tribe was an easy one, Minos having already firmly memorized the path since a long time ago.
As he exited the dense forest range and his horse's hooves stepped upon the sandy beach, he couldn't help but feel a little excited in his heart.
"Hey look, it's Minos." Someone shouted, as they noticed Minos arriving.
"Minos! It's been so long, how have you been?"
"Any crazy journeys? Tell us about them!"
Minos smiled as he saw the crowd gather around him, but he didn't have any time to tell stories, so after politely rejecting them, he headed off towards Tinka's home.
Arriving at the house, he saw Tinka seated by the front, whittling away at some wood and crafting something.
"Tinka, I'm back." Minos said, shocking Tinka awake from her work.
"Minos!!!" Tinka shouted excitedly, running towards Minos.
Stepping off his horse, Minos took Tinka in his arms, twirling her around for a bit before placing her gently back down.
"I missed you so much." Tinka said between whimpers.
"I missed you too…" Minos said, hugging her tightly.
Looking into each other's eyes, the two couldn't help but feel a little heated, but just before they got to do anything more, a loud voice shouted from beyond.
"If it isn't my son-in-law!" Ronkus with his loud familiar laugh.
"Dad! Can't you give us a second?" Tinka said, irritated.
"You heard your daughter, give them some space.." Meninka said from the side, causing Ronkus to scratch his head awkwardly.
"Aiii, I really have lost my daughter, haven't I." Ronkus uttered with a frown as he looked towards the sky with melancholy.
"Don't pretend here, no one will fall for it." Meninka said, as she pinched Ronkus.
"Oww, hey, I thought my acting was good!" Ronkus spoke, as he rubbed the pinch.
"It's nice to see you two as well." Minos replied, a gentle smile on his face.
"Come on Minos, tell me about your adventures." Tinka shouted, as she grabbed Minos and led him away.
Whenever Minos came back, the two would always spend the first day walking alongside the beach, telling each other about what they had done in the time.
This was no different, and the two spent the next few hours walking on the shore, chatting about everything that had happened in the past year.
"So you tricked the guy with your maid! Amazing! But that was also very dangerous, what if he was smarter? You shouldn't take risks like that in the future." Tinka said, firmly grasping Minos by the arm as if still worried.
"It's okay, I know my limits." Minos responded.
"So then what happened?" Tinka asked curiously, filled with wonder about Minos's journey.
"Well nothing much, that is until the Young Patriarch Competition happened. After that we…" Minos started speaking, explaining the rest of the journey.
"So you're telling me you stole the sect's entire treasury! My heaven's you must be the richest man in the world now!" Tinka shouted with glittering eyes, amazed at Minos' adventures.
"Not even close." Minos said with a laugh.
"Speaking of treasures, here. This is a vial of Thunder Birch Sap, it's great for your skin and can help keep you young." Minos said, before handing it to Tinka.
"I can't, it sounds too expensive." Tinka said, firmly rejecting.
"Don't worry, despite the name, it's actually only a mortal item with little effect on cultivators, so take it." Minos said, being honest.
"Well… Okay!" Tinka replied, not rejecting anymore.
"I also have a present for you." Tinka suddenly spoke, a shy blush on her face.
"Oh, what is it?" Minos said, his heart filled with curiosity.
"Here! I've spent the last year working on my wood sculpting skills, and I've finally made this." Tinka said, as she pulled out a wooden flute from her sleeve.
"A flute?" Minos asked curiously as he took it.
"I know it can't compare to what you gave me, but it's the best I could do." Tinka said, her eyes slightly red, as if ashamed of herself.
Minos didn't say anything, instead just taking Tinka's hands firmly into his own. Lifting them up, he gently kissed both her hands, before finally speaking.
"You're priceless in my eyes Tinka, so anything you make is just as valuable. What I gave you can be bought, but what you gave me, it's truly special." Minos said genuinely.
"Minos…" Tinka said, her heart beating wildly.
Minos once again didn't say anything, just picking Tinka up before walking towards the small cabin they had built the previous year.
Seeing where Minos was taking her, Tinka didn't say anything, just burying her face into his chest as her heart kept beating rapidly.
She also missed this passion just as much as Minos did, so who was she to reject? Instead she couldn't help but feel more excited as they drew closer to the cabin.
…
What happened next went without saying, and after an intense tumble, the two rested under the bed sheets, Tinka lying peacefully in Minos arms.
While Tinka was smiling with her head resting against his chest, Minos took out the flute she had given him, giving it a quick blow.
A melodic whistle came out from the flute, but without any rhythm to speak, it was just a nice noise.
Tinka also looked up, noticing Minos fiddling away with her flute. Seeing him using it, her heart felt warm, feeling Minos truly did appreciate the things she did for him.
"Play me a song." Tinka asked with a smile.
"I would, but I have no idea how to use this thing." Minos said with a laugh.
"Here, let me show you!" Tinka replied, as she took the whistle and began blowing out a beautiful tune.
"I didn't know you had such musical talent." Minos said with wonder, as he listened to Tinka play a calming melody.
"There's a lot of things you don't know about me." Tinka said with a giggle, as she gently ran her finger up and down his chest.
"Oh, like what?" He asked with a smirk, as he looked deep into her eyes.