Chapter 56: Love

“Come,” Luke said, offering his hand to the woman standing there.

Dalia took his hand and climbed onto the saddle, settling in front of him.

“You can sit with both legs on one side,” he suggested when he noticed her struggling to sit with a leg on either side.

Dalia looked back at him. “Are you sure? Won’t that make it difficult?”

Luke shook his head. “Don’t worry. Just hold onto this tightly,” he said, grabbing the raised part of the saddle, “…and enjoy the ride.”

Dalia held the saddle and nodded.

Luke glanced toward his mother standing near the entrance and waved at her with a smile.

Monica waved back, though faint tears shimmered in her eyes.

Soon, they set off. The horse swayed gently as it began walking through the village streets, heading toward the western exit.

“Have you eaten anything?” Luke asked.

He hadn’t seen her eat that morning. As expected, she shook her head.

Luke sighed and pulled the horse to a stop in front of a shop.

He jumped down, startling Dalia. “Where are you going?”

Luke didn’t answer and walked toward the shop.

Confused, Dalia watched as he paid the woman behind the counter. She handed him a small packet.

He returned to the horse and passed it to Dalia.

“Eat it. I don’t want you fainting halfway through the trip.”

Dalia blinked in surprise as the fresh smell of bread drifted from inside.

“Isn’t this… berry bread?” she asked, astonished. Berry bread was usually expensive for something so simple, yet he bought it for her without hesitation.

Luke climbed back onto the horse and guided it toward the village exit again.

Dalia glanced between the bread and Luke, still confused.

Luke let out a quiet sigh. “Staying hungry won’t heal your mate any faster. It will still take a few days.”

Dalia’s heartbeat steadied as she remembered how Lex had been writhing in pain earlier. If Lex hadn’t insisted that she go visit her mother, she would have stayed by his side.

But it was also true that people were there to take care of Lex, while Dalia’s mother lived all alone.

In the end, Dalia unwrapped the bread and took a small bite.

The sweet, soft bread melted the moment it touched her tongue.

She closed her eyes briefly, savoring the taste.

Luke noticed the small smile forming on her lips and leaned slightly closer, keeping a protective arm around her to prevent any accident.

Watching someone enjoy their food was a surprisingly satisfying sight for him.

Soon, they reached the village exit, where several soldiers were patrolling the area.

Luke noticed there were far more guards than the last time, when the chief had not yet left for the tribe.

’I wonder if the chief impressed the tribal head or something?’ Luke thought. He had heard that all the smaller chiefs had been summoned to the prime tribe after a magical beast appeared.

If the chief had returned with extra troops, Luke could only assume the danger had been dealt with and the village chief had done well enough to be rewarded.

He shrugged. He wasn’t particularly eager to encounter a magical beast anytime soon. Magical creatures meant abilities, powers similar to his own. And at the moment, Luke knew he wasn’t ready to face something like that.

Soon, they left the village behind. After asking Dalia for general directions, Luke guided the horse along a forest trail, heading toward her hometown.

….

Back at home, Monica was currently resting in the room.

In Luke’s room.

This was the same bed where they usually spend nights together.

Her face always turns hot when she thinks about what they usually do at night.

It has been three times. They have done it thrice in just a few days.

She knew that usually men don’t desire their mate this regularly. In fact, a woman has to entice a man anyhow, under the pressure of lineage to make them take their women and then only the mating begins.

However…things were different with Luke.

He craves for her like a bee hungry for nectar. He desires her every single night…no, not only at night. She could tell that even when he hugs her from behind when she cooks, or in the morning when they wake up…his gaze always feels so loving, so full of herself that she couldn’t quite understand.

She has never felt anything like this for anyone including her mate.

She likes to be looked at by Luke, the way he craves her body, enjoys her attention and always finds his way back to her despite the situation…it makes her heart beat restlessly and yet there was strange serenity about it all that makes her smile.

“What is this feeling?” It hadn’t been much long and yet she was already missing him.

With a soft smile on her face she hugged the pillow in her arms and closed her eyes.

….

“Haah… let’s take a rest,” Luke said, noticing Dalia had been shifting in her seat for the past few minutes.

It had only been three hours since they left the village, so it was understandable. Thankfully, they still had more than five hours before sunset.

He got off the horse first before she could say anything and raised a hand toward Dalia.

She said softly, “I can manage…”

Luke shrugged. “My butt is sore. Come on, let’s rest for a bit.”

Dalia didn’t argue further and took his hand.

She hopped down, her milk juggs nearly spilling out and the abrupt movement nearly tripped her off, only for Luke to catch her and lift her effortlessly into his arms. The strength he had gained from hunting recently was clearly showing.

“You good?” he asked, his face close to hers.

Dalia quickly averted her gaze and nodded. “Yes… I am good.”

Her face grew warm, perhaps because of his hot breath.

Just then,

*GRRRRR*

They heard a growl.

Dalia stiffened.

Luke’s eyes narrowed as he turned and saw a moving object behind the bushes.

Just then, the notification popped,

[Quest: Hunt the Silver Tooth]

[Reward: 100G, Samurai Vest]

“….”

Wasn’t this supposed to be a trip meant for relaxation? Fuck.

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A/N:- Thanks for reading.

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