Chapter 14

The next day, they dolled up separately a little after appointing a rendezvous and time.

Muren cleaned himself up thoroughly at the river, wore his most expensive and well-woven robe, and prepared a ring made out of wire. Airen also wore her most colorful robe, put the clip that was given by Muren as a gift on her hair, and put on a little color on her tiny face.

Later in the afternoon, they met at the deep forest beyond the rounding time of soldiers and held a secret wedding ceremony by themselves.

It was only the two of them in that isolated place, but nothing more had felt romantic than such scenery.

They also filed documents to the officials governing West and went through various interrogations, processes, and verifications. It all ended well, despite the arduous tribulations.

That night, they slept in the same room and at the same bed, peacefully cuddling each other.

When they both closed their eyes, they quietly drifted to the world of flowers.

Inside their tiny world, they danced with the breeze and the petals.

They gracefully swayed and elegantly twirled around in the singularity of their beating hearts. This must definitely be love, Muren thought.

He saw them dancing as if they were children and when they were young adults.

Step by step, seconds by seconds, and stage by stage, they have been there – present at a moment which took almost a lifetime.

Like most of the nights Airen had danced for him, she began slowly taking off her garments until she was bare naked. Muren for once had joined her. He began taking off his robe and sandals until he was only left with the flesh he was born with. He felt a little cold and embarrassed for a few minutes, but when Airen slowly caressed his skin, all the insecurities and fear had melted away like ice at the touch of a heating love.

She touched him everywhere – at the places where it hurts and where it had been a bit more comfortable, she made it all glow and heat up.

He began moving forward as well and it pleased to let him know that she was wrapped in bliss when he was wrapped around her.

That night became the most magical one among the millions of nights that man had spent.

The next day, Muren was called out and met new comrades in a different block for different morning routines and labor work.

He and the others were assigned at the farm to sow crops. At their break time, it was Airen who came to serve them food.

She took that opportunity to introduce herself with the new name she now proudly has and announced that Muren is her beloved.

The villagers teased them and celebrated briefly with the newborn pair.

Muren could not articulate his joy during those days as he looked up to her mesmerizing eyes filled with so much compassion and beauty.

After the labor, they went to the public market and explored the familiar places together. Their hands would brush and their stares would meet.

Each of those times were blissful and tormenting, but was all worth the hindrances that came after them and would soon come.

The public market had always been noisy and bustling, but it felt a bit romantic to them that day. The parks had always been tense or silent, but they could not care less about it.

Going home had always been tinged with a sense of comfort and refuge, but it felt a little fascinating to them that day.

Their companionship to each other made all the difference that they had always wished.