Chapter - 41
Back at the guild, Jacob and Elara reported the successful completion of their mission to Seraphina.
"I'm glad to see you both back safely," Seraphina said. "And I'm not surprised you handled the mission so well."
"It was a team effort. Elara's been improving quickly, and she was instrumental in taking down that ogre."
Elara blushed slightly but nodded. "Thank you, Jacob. We work well together."
After saying goodbye, the two left the guild and made their way towards the inn. As Jacob and Elara approached the Iron Mug Inn, the familiar creaking sign swaying gently in the evening breeze, Jacob began rummaging through his pouch. His fingers deftly counted out fifteen gold orins, the coins glinting in the fading light. He handed them over to Elara, whose expression quickly shifted from curiosity to confusion.
"Do you want me to go and buy something for you, Jacob?" Elara asked, brow furrowed with confusion.
"Nope," Jacob shook his head. "That's your share of our earnings."
Elara's eyes went wide, and for a moment, she seemed frozen, staring at the coins in her hands. "My… share?"
"Absolutely," Jacob said, noticing her disbelief. "You're my partner, Elara. You deserve half of everything we earn. I'm sorry I didn't give you your share sooner—I wanted to be sure we had a solid reserve for any emergencies. But this is yours."
They continued walking for a few steps, but Jacob soon realized that Elara had stopped following him. He turned to find her standing still, her gaze fixed on the gold orins in her hands. Her fingers trembled slightly as she held the coins.
"Elara, what's wrong?" Jacob asked, stepping closer.
Tears streamed down Elara's face as she lifted her head to look at Jacob. Being with Jacob, Elara had started eating better, thanks to the regular meals they shared. Her training classes and missions had improved her fitness and skills, allowing her to gain strength and confidence. The malnourished look she once had was fading, replaced by a healthier, more vibrant appearance. Her beauty, once hidden by hardship, was blossoming.
Elara's sobs intensified, and though she tried to stifle them, she couldn't. Jacob moved closer, feeling a knot in his stomach. Seeing a woman cry always did something to him. Jacob though, aside from Eliza, had never gotten close to another woman, and now he felt awkward and unsure of how to comfort her.
"Hey, hey, why the tears all of a sudden?" Jacob said, his voice gentle. "If I've done something wrong, just let me know, alright? We can talk about it."
In the next moment, Elara moved into his arms, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his chest. Her tears soaked into his shirt as she spoke between sobs. "It's just... it's the first time I've ever had something of my own. The first time anyone has treated me with such kindness. I can't believe how lucky I am to have met you."
Jacob let out a sigh, feeling a mix of emotions. He hesitated before finally wrapping his arms around her, feeling the softness of her body against his. It felt comforting, a warmth he hadn't experienced in years. Memories of holding Eliza resurfaced, but he shook his head, pushing them away to focus on the woman in his arms.
He gently patted Elara's head, his fingers caressing her soft, blonde hair. "Elara, you're a strong, capable, and incredibly intelligent woman with countless remarkable qualities. The fact that no one has seen that before is their loss, not yours. You're truly brilliant."
Elara raised her head, her eyes still glistening with tears but filled with a new light as she looked up at the man who had completely changed her life.
From the moment Jacob had bought her, Elara had felt a deep and unshakable attraction towards him. Many nights, she lay awake, her thoughts consumed by the striking blue-eyed man. She initially tried to dismiss her feelings as mere infatuation, but as time went on, she couldn't ignore the growing depth of her emotions. Jacob was unlike anyone she had ever encountered, and her feelings for him had only intensified with each passing day.
In the world of Mirntha, where men wielded power and women were frequently regarded as inferior, Elara had never imagined meeting a man—especially a formidable mage—who treated women with genuine respect. While there were exceptional women that had managed to carve out powerful roles for themselves, the prevailing expectation for the average woman was to be submissive and compliant, silently enduring the hardships and injustices imposed upon them.
Despite her status as Jacob's slave, he never exerted any pressure on her. Instead, he treated her as a partner and an equal, a rarity in a world that often devalued women. This respect and kindness made Elara yearn to give herself to him wholly.
So, when Jacob wrapped his arms around her and spoke those heartfelt words, she could no longer restrain herself. Rising on her tiptoes, she pressed her lips against his, pouring all the depth of her love and longing into the kiss.
A wave of embarrassment washed over Elara as their lips parted. She quickly ducked her head, burying her face against Jacob's chest to shield herself from his gaze as her cheeks colored bright red. She could feel Jacob's warm breath ruffle her hair as he sighed softly.
"Let's head back to the inn and get some rest," he said gently. "And look at this shirt—it's already soaked with tears and... well, let's just say it's seen better days. No more crying, alright? Let's save the tears for another time."
Elara nodded, a small smile forming on her lips as she pulled back. The warmth of his touch and the kindness in his voice reassured her. Together, they walked back to the Iron Mug Inn, side by side. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with a newfound closeness that words couldn't capture.