Honeymoon Proposal

The ride to Rennar's mansion was only filled with the rattle of the carriage wheels and Kael's soft breathing. Elira, on the other hand, was staring through the window. So when they reached the mansion and the carriage stopped, she knew they had to get down. But she stayed still because Kael was deeply asleep.

The door was opened by the servant after announcing their arrival. All of them were surprised to see their lord sleeping soundly on the lady's shoulder.

"Apologies, my lady. Should we wake the commander now?" asked the head servant politely.

Elira took a glance at Kael's sleeping face, then lifted her hand.

"No, close the door. Just wait quietly," she ordered the servant.

He bowed, then carefully closed the carriage door, leaving the pair alone.

Almost thirty minutes passed after they reached the mansion when Kael's eyelids fluttered. The lavender scent from Elira was the first thing that welcomed him as he came back to his senses. He could feel her warm shoulder under his cheek.

Kael blinked once, twice, trying to process the situation. He had never imagined that she would let him lay his head on her shoulder like this. She was still gazing outside the window, deliberately perhaps, as she didn't want to look in his direction. Maybe to ignore him, avoid him. But her warm kindness spoke more than was necessary.

Kael smiled, then closed his eyes again, savoring the moment carefully.

"Again," he murmured with a soft smile.

His voice jolted Elira and made her pull into realization. Her breath caught - not because he was so close, but because of how he said it. That word, that tone, the way he murmured it - it all brought back memories of old times during their academy sparring sessions. The same word, that same teasing tone he'd only ever used with her during training—that same damn tone he’d used after taking her down in the arena.

Her heart raced. She jerked away before he could see the truth in her eyes - she remembered everything. - What she didn't realize? He'd already figured out she was the masked fighter who kept challenging him.

It stunned her for seconds before she brushed it off.

Kael had awoken. And she didn't want him to misunderstand this situation. So she rose and got down from the carriage without taking a second glance in his direction. She didn't care anymore even if Kael still rested his head on her. She just wanted to disappear.

Kael adjusted his position and leaned on the seat back. He inhaled deeply while staring at nothing. But his mind recalled her figure from their sparring time in the past and the lingering warmth she had offered him in that quiet moment. Kael looked at the seat where she'd been. He could still feel the warmth where she'd sat.

"At least she stayed for me," he murmured to himself.

Outside the carriage, Elira put a hand to her chest. Inside, her wolf growled - not at Kael, but at herself, at her own foolish heart. For letting him stay so close. For missing him when he was gone. So she rushed to her room and slammed the door shut behind her.

Hours later, the clatter of cutlery was the only sound breaking the suffocating silence of the dining hall. That night, Elira and Kael shared dinner together, but neither spoke. Every so often, Kael would glance at her, but she kept her eyes fixed on her meal, refusing to meet his gaze.

"When you said you wish for your father’s downfall, what’s your plan to make it happen?" Kael’s voice finally broke the heavy silence.

Elira looked up at him, setting her knife down beside her plate. Her expression was steady, knowing exactly where his question led.

"You want to take revenge on him, right?"

"Yes. So let’s work together. Give me a chance to crush him with my own hands." Quiet determination hardened his eyes.

His knuckles whitened as he gripped his fork and knife so hard his hands shook—quiet, but furious.

Elira nodded slowly. She wouldn’t question Kael’s hunger for revenge—not after what her father had done. If Kael helped bring about Duke Malven’s downfall, her own plan would unfold far more smoothly.

"I’ve heard my father owns a secret mine in Cinderfell," she began, choosing her words carefully. "He guards every detail about it—even I know almost nothing. Months ago, I planted my own people inside to gather information. But it’s been too long since I last heard from them. Strange, isn’t it?" She paused, letting the worry show. "They might be trapped… or worse, dead."

"If they found it hard to escape, that means the mine’s heavily guarded," Kael reasoned, leaning forward.

"Exactly. But why? Why such tight security?" Elira held his gaze, letting him piece it together himself.

"He’s hiding something he doesn’t want anyone to find. Something that could ruin his reputation?" Kael’s eyes searched hers, confirming she shared his suspicion.

"Maybe he’s running illegal operations behind the king’s back," she added.

Kael gave a grim nod. If they uncovered Duke Malven’s hidden scheme at the mine, it would be the key to destroying him. Discovering the truth about its operations—and his secret—would finally give them the weapon they needed.

"We need to investigate directly without making my father suspicious," Elira said, her voice tight with worry. "He’s thorough—he wouldn’t even let a mosquito into his room. How do we get near that mine? We don’t even know where it is."

"Cinderfell, right?" Kael leaned forward. "Does your family at least own property there? A mansion?"

"There’s one under his name," she admitted, "but I’ve checked. No mines nearby. Typical of him—he’d keep it far away to avoid suspicion."

Kael fell silent, thinking. Then, oddly:

"Cinderfell’s famous as a romantic spot, isn’t it? Mountains, hills, beaches..."

Elira frowned. "Yes, but what does that have to do with our plan?"

A smirk curled Kael’s lips—but his eyes were cold, calculating. 

"It’s perfect. We investigate the mine right under your father’s nose… without him suspecting a thing."

Elira stared, uncomprehending.

Kael’s grin sharpened. 

"Let’s play our parts as blissful newlyweds. Pack your bags, wife. We’re going on our honeymoon."