It was a dark night at the delegation suites where Cosaria and her entourage were staying.
Felux was sleeping in his room, when a shadowy figure passed by his window. The figure stopped and stared into his room, then it passed like a silent ghost.
Felux's eyes flew open.
In Cosaria's room, the shadowy figure slid open the window and began to creep inside.
"Best to stay where yer at," Felux said as his sword was raised at the figure's head. He had followed the figure to Cosaria's room and was ready to protect the lady with his life.
The figure froze and said, "Do your skills ever dull?"
Felux said, "A dead man's one who's not stayed sharp."
"Well said. Although, it seems you have not stayed sharp enough."
Felux's eyes widen as the shadowy figure pulled back the hood to his cape.
༻✧༺
Having had a wonderful night's sleep, Cosaria slowly blinked awake. A blurry, shadowy figure stood over her. As her vision sharpened, she opened her mouth to scream but the cloaked figure covered her mouth. As he rushed forward, the hood fell back to reveal Duke Delrik Alabaster Arquix.
With hand over Cosaria's mouth, Delrik said, "We needn't let others know I've arrived."
Delrik released his hand, as Cosaria breathed, "Delrik…" Her hand caressed his face. "Delrik! I was so worried." Without another moment, Cosaria hugged Delrik.
Delrik said, "You act as if I went to war."
Cosaria tugged at Delrik's shirt, pulling the top buttons loose. She asked, "How is your curse?"
Delrik grabbed her hands and looked deeply into her eyes. He said, "My lady, there are more excitable methods to getting me undressed."
Cosaria cocked her head, asking, "What do you mean?"
Delrik put his hand on her waist and pulled her close to him. Faces inches apart, she looked frightened. As he brought his face closer to hers, she pulled away.
"Don't look at me."
Delrik took her hand and brought it close to his lips. He said, "It's not that I want to look at you. What I want is to kiss you."
He kissed her hand. Then he moved his lips to her neck and kissed. He said, "I've missed you."
Cosaria's body was on fire. This was all so new. But she liked it. But she felt so embarrassed. But she wanted more. But she shouldn't.
Finally, Delrik's kiss was about to reach Cosaria's lips when…
Knock, knock.
From outside the door, Marley called in, "Lady Cosaria? It's time to get up. Sir Felux said something urgent came up, you know. We need to leave right now to go back."
Delrik whispered, "Tell her to come back later."
"I'm coming, Lady Marley," Cosaria called back, then she told Delrik, "I couldn't do that. Especially not if it's urgent."
Delrik grumbled as he thought, Curse that overly competent knight of mine. Couldn't he have procrastinated his duties for at least one perfect morning?
Delrik didn't like having his passionate romantic moment interrupted. Although, Cosaria didn't seem to realize at all what was happening or what Delrik was trying to accomplish.
༻✧༺
It was early morning when Felux and Tilda had started packing the carriage and they were just about finished. As soon as Felux had discovered Delrik in Cosaria's room, he got right to work. Both Tilda and Felux were groggy from going to bed so late and waking up so early.
Felux said, "Lord Delrik said he wants us out as soon as possible."
Tilda said, "Lord Delrik sent word?" She hadn't heard of any mail being received.
"Naw, he arrived himself."
Tilda stopped what she was doing and asked, "Lord Delrik's here?"
"Aye. His entrance was unnecessarily dramatic," Felux said, rolling his eyes. As he furrowed his brow, the bags under his eyes seemed to furrow too.
Tilda asked, "Doesn't he want to say hi to your family at least? They're practically like his own family, aren't they?"
"Aye, but he's not fer entertainin such connections. Hasn't seen my family fer the last two years."
"Why?"
Felux shrugged, saying, "He's worried about growin too attached."
Purely by coincidence, it was at that same moment that Delrik was staring at the beautiful Cosaria, thinking, Now that she's again by my side, I won't allow us to part again so easily.
Felux shook his head thinking about Delrik. He said, "The man has attachment issues."
Tilda saddled straps on a horse, saying, "Shouldn't we at least give your family some kind of goodbye?"
Felux shrugged thoughtfully, saying, "Normally we leave without sayin a thing."
"Wouldn't hurt to send a note at least."
"Suppose not."
Marley and Beniter came to the carriage.
Having overheard the conversation, Beniter said, "Can I send one too?"
Marley said, "Me too?"
༻✧༺
From the living room, Ofelia read from a letter. It said, "Urgent business. Left for Ragdor. Love you all. Tilda and Felux."
Ofelia threw the letter down, shouting, "Them lily livered cods!"
Jeffan said, "At least they were nice enough to leave a letter this time."
Ofelia said, "Unbelievable!"
Rayn rushed to his wife's side and said, "Calm down, Ofelia, think of the baby!"
༻✧༺
At the soldiers training ground, Gareth and Reed were given a letter. Reed read, "Had to leave urgently. Thank you, Brothers in arms. Next we meet, let's spar again. Sincerely, your Ragdorian friend, Beniter."
Gareth said, "I look forward to it."
༻✧༺
From her delegate living room, Lady Finklehead read her note, saying, "Dearest, Lady Finklehead, thank you for blah blah blah, thank you, blah blah blah. I found our time meaningful and blah blah blah. In me, you've found a dear friend. Till we meet again and discuss our secret crushes and gossip like normal young ladies our age. Tah tah for now, Lady Marley."
At first, Lady Finklehead pretended like she didn't care. Then, an uncontrollable smile crossed her face. Then she covered her smile with her hand. She still wasn't used to showing her true emotions, even if she was by herself.
༻✧༺
The Arquix cart passed through the CPG town, under the skyscraper buildings. They went through the forests and meadows, traveling the long distance back to the Kingdom. Finally, the group arrived out front of the Arquix estate.