Amelioration

Mikail slowly opened his eyes, his body felt stiff. He groaned as he forced himself to shift position, it felt like he was laying down for weeks now. Staring at the wooden ceiling, he took the time to progress where he was. Quite feeling discomfort in his back as the surface he was lying on was rough, but he could tell that the hay bale mattress beneath had been carefully arranged to provide some comfort.

After quite a while of silence inside, he heard the sound of birds chirping outside as the dim light of dawn shone through the small window. As he moved back to properly lean on the wall, He suddenly realized that there was a woman sitting right next to him, her head resting on the edge of the bed on both her arms in a peaceful slumber.

With a careful push, the door let out a creak as it opened. Sauron, who was filled with joy at the sight of me awake, exclaimed, "Mikail, you're up!" holding a dark-green blanket. He carefully walked towards me and placed the blanket over the sleeping woman next to him, who was Notoria, before speaking further.

'Ah, I remember now,' Mikail thought to himself. "My, how long has it been?" Sauron asked as he sat on the wooden chair besides him.

He tried to set my foot on the floor without disturbing Notoria beside him, but his injured body caused him to lose his balance; tumbling off the bed.

"It's been sever- ah, Mikail, you shouldn't move ye-"

Thud!

Notoria lets out a groan as she woke up to the noise of Mikail falling on the floor. "Mikail?!" she exclaimed, quickly assisting Sauron in helping him stand up.

Notoria quickly hugged Mikail tight with tears as he sat on the bed. "I missed you," she said. Mikail took the time while he was in her embrace. It was warm and comforting. Remembering what happened last night, it was quite a ride.

As she lets go of Mikail, sobbing. He gently wiped off her tears and gently touched her neck. 'The bruises are already gone,' he thought to himself. 'And so were the bruises in her wrist,' as he checked it.

"Last night, you..." Mikail said in confusion.

"Last night?" Notoria chuckled, still in tears. "It's been several weeks already, I've been waiting. Two weeks, almost three to be exact."

Mikail was taken aback and his eyes opened wide with shock. He looked at Sauron, feeling worried that he might have burdened him. Now their journey has been delayed for so long because of his foolish actions.

Mikail expressed his remorse by apologizing, "I'm sorry, my lord..." Even though his conviction that his actions were justified, he knew that what he did last night could be a serious offense that is difficult to be ignored, despite the situation and reason. Sauron shook his head with a smile, telling him that it's okay.

Notoria appeared troubled, acknowledging her own culpability in the situation. She clasped Mikail's hands tightly, and tears began to stream down her face once more. In a state of panic, Mikail hastily wiped away her tears, apologizing to her now.

Sauron breathed a sigh of relief, "Shall I start making the kids breakfast?" he asked Notoria to which she nodded as she smiled while expressing her gratitude. Sauron reassured her that he was pleased to be of assistance, and the opportunity to take care for the children once again reminded him of a time when he took care of his own before they grew up and departed from him.

Although the sad expression on his face was apparent as he spoke those words, he was still happy that his children have become strong and independent now unlike before, leaving behind any reminiscences of the past.

"Grandpa Sauron, Juriel has wet his braies again!" A child's voice called out from downstairs. "Yes, thank you, Gwen, I'm coming down now!" Sauron responds.

With that, he took his leave with a remark, "I've grown quite attached to this village now. I think we can still stay here a little while longer." Mikail smiled. In that very moment, he felt relieved as if a weight had been lifted off his chest. The burdens that had once weighed heavily on him were no longer a worry.

With each passing moment, his connection with Notoria deepened, and he felt a profound sense of belonging that he had never felt before. As they gazed into each other's eyes, he knew that he had found someone who truly understood him and accepted him for who he was. Forgetting the past where everyone would call him a monster.

As Notoria tightly held Mikail's hands, it was that moment where he realized that he's no longer alone. And while their fingers intertwined, it was when he realized that this was the warmth he has longed before. That fear inside him simply became a distant memory vanishing along the winds.

Her soft lips sparked an ember the moment it touched his, surging though his entire body as they laid in bed. The mere touch of their lips slowly turned passionate and intimate. Despite the pain in his body, Mikail puts an effort to taking off her clothes, in warm embrace, caving in to love with eyes closed.

'Thank you.'

...

"It seemed like you both had a good time, huh?" Sauron asked with grin. Notoria pouted but Mikail was only laughing.

"Come, take breakfast now."

The food prepared looked different. It looked like it was bought from the city. "Wow, what a feast we got here," said Mikail.

"Uncle, Mikail! Let's eat!" said the kid as she pulled the hem of his tunic.

"U-Uncle?" Mikail replied while blushing.

They all had laughs while they ate breakfast. Conversations but it was mostly Notoria asking Mikail. She seemed very interested in him.

Mikail replied, "Certainly, I am familiar with them. Prior to becoming Lord Sauron's scribe, I served as a knight captain myself," to Notoria's question.

Notoria was surprised at his response as she gasped in shock. She thought to herself that it was no wonder Mikail was a formidable fighter since he had managed to recover from a two-week coma after breaking both arms. And now here he is, joyfully eating his dinner as though he had never been injured.

"In fact, I am currently the second captain of Winthrope knights!" he said with a smile.

Notoria smiled as she giggled before she turned silent once again.

"In all honesty, we were afraid of Jacques due to his affiliation with the village lord and his position as a knight of Order of Nova," Notoria said with a sad expression. She was worried about Mikail getting dragged in the problem all along.

Mikail was shocked as his hands trembled in anger. He had always held the Order of Nova in high regard since childhood, and hearing that the knights he looked up to all his life would be involved in such unethical activities...

"..."

Mikail held himself from lashing out, "Where's Ars?" he asks. Although unsure, Notoria replied that Ars had some matter to attend to. However, she knew that Ars was accustomed to helping the villagers without seeking anything in return, so he was quite popular around.

Mikail smiled in amusement, hastily finishing his meal before heading out. As Mikail exited the church, his eyes widened to the change in the surroundings. And not just in the atmosphere, but in every aspect.

The streets were now bustling with people, and the previously quiet village was now filled with noise and activity, with everyone appearing more lively and energetic.

Mikail noticed the knights from the Winthrope family had arrived in the village, and as he looked around, the village had improved tremendously.

The once dead fields of wheat were flourishing, and several structures, including the church that was previously in ruins, had been repaired. Mikail was completely confused as he wondered what had happened during his absence of two weeks.

As Mikail walked down the road, he noticed several tents nearby. Intrigued and confused, he hurriedly approached one of the knights and asked about the purpose of the tents.

The knight greeted Mikail as he approached, "Ah, hello, sir Mikail. I'm glad to see you." But the knight expressed confusion later at Mikail's lack of knowledge about the situation, considering it was Mikail's idea and request in the first place.

"Rebuilding the village?" Mikail asked who was in confusion.

The knight confirmed Mikail's question and added that the tents were being used as temporary hospitals since the new hospital building was still under construction.

Mikail, still confused, but thanked the knight before walking further the village.

Next, he made his way to the market that was very crowded. The market alleys were filled with merchants, blacksmiths, vendors and other general shops.

The village was transformed, and it had grown so much that it no longer felt like a village but rather a town.

As he walked through the market, the people still gave a stare at him, just like they did before, but their expressions now were different.

Instead of scowls, they were all smiling, and some even waved at him. Mikail waved back even though he was still confused.

Mikail was lost in thought and didn't notice where he was going, which led to him bumping into someone. It turned out to be Ars who was strolling around. "Mikail?" Ars asked with surprise. "I'm glad you're already awake," he added. He knew that Mikail is still trying to make sense of the situation, so he decided to show him around the village.

As they made their way through the main road that is filled with merchants and customers, Mikail couldn't help but wander his eyes from the towering structures that he hadn't seen before.

"Just what happened here while I was asleep?"

"You were planning this idea," Ars replied with a smirk.

"Excuse me?... I don't like that face you're making..."

Several people approached them, talking to Ars while some looked at him.

A young woman approached, handing out a sewn handkerchief with hearts and flowers.

"Ah... Thank you," Mikail accepts with a smile, gently taking the handkerchief from the young woman who was too shy to even make eye contact.

As soon as she gave the handkerchief, she ran towards her group of friends and they laughed.

"Well, well, well... Aren't you popular now?"

"Oh, shut it."

The murmurs of the crowd were audible and it seemed they were discussing something about Ars and Mikail.

Another group of men approached.

"Bandits?" Mikail reacted. He immediately went and pull out his sword but it wasn't on his waist.

In fact, he had been walking around the village in casual clothes.

Although the group of men looked like bandits, one of them tapped his shoulder and thanked him.

"Y-You're welcome?"

The men wore a smile and suddenly carried Mikail as Ars secretly cues them.

"Aah–Ars? Can you explain to me what the hell is happening!?" Mikail asked as he got carried by the group of bandits.

Loud murmurs of people that were passing by the streets were heard, some are calling his name, thanking him for the help he did.

"Sir Mikail!"

"Thank you, sir!

Mikail, who was confused, kept insisting that he didn't do anything of this and this wasn't his idea, but the cheering of the crowd was so loud that his remark was completely disregarded.

The bandits lifted him up higher and tossed him in the air, shouting his name, "Mikail!" repeatedly.

"What the hell is happening, Ars?!" Mikail shouted. But Ars only grinned as he responded, "Just try to enjoy this moment, old man."

"Old man?!"

The cheering was so loud that it was still heard from the distance. There Sauron was, looking from the window, chuckling in amusement. The cheers of the people were so loud that they could hear it. "I think this is too much for someone who just woke up from two weeks of sleep," said Notoria who was also chuckling.

"Oh, no. He can handle this, I know it."

Notoria sighed, "But are you really sure about this?"

Even though Sauron was hesitant, he seemed to have made up his mind. "Yes, this is probably for the best," he replied.

Notoria smiled, "Thank you." before leaving Sauron alone in the room.