Lucia's Attack
Lucia didn't ask where I went. The two of us returned to the small, but cosy house that Lucia currently resided at. I was surprised to see earthen pot and plates already set up on the table. The food had the uniqueness of elven dishes. Inside the pot was probably fruits from the forest mixed together to form congee. They didn't make congee using rice but a soft liquid comparable to tofu. A sweet aroma whisked from the bowl. Slices of meat and some bird wings that were akin to fried chicken wings were plated on the side. There was a square-shaped savoury dish that resembled pastry. To top it off, there was a large bottle filled with the elves' unique green wine. The flame on the candle flickered on the bottle that resembled an emerald gem. Two cups were prepared and waiting for their owners return.
There were no decorations nor did Lucia go out of her way to adorn the table. They were delicious and simple homemade dishes. It had been a long time since I saw food waiting for me at home. It had probably been around four to five years since I came home to a table of food. When I arrived home with Lucia to see food ready for me, it was such a heart-warming feeling that I nearly shed tears. I grew used to taking care of others, comforting others and resolving the troubles they started. I had forgotten the life of having someone care for me and enjoying others bringing me things.
Actually, it was the first time I had a table of food prepared for my homecoming. If I was with Veirya or Leah, I'd need to cook for them upon arriving home. Their beauty was arresting, and they were adorable, but seeing a table of food upon coming home was pure bliss.
I had gone through a lot; I had gone through a lot of betrayal, deceit, excuses and all of the other grossest things humanity had to offer. I ran, tripped and crawled my way to the present. I sealed off my heart long ago. Humans can't survive in darkness. Embrace the darkness, or the darkness shall devour you. That was how I ended up the way I was. In the end, the bliss of having someone taking care of me, feelings I found myself foreign to, shattered a piece of my heart. If my memory does me justice, it was the first time I realised I was also a living being, and I also needed someone to look after me. I never loved Lucia for a moment. I could say that with my chest in the past. If I ever had a moment where Lucia touched me just ever so slightly, it was then when I saw the table of food.
I grabbed hold of Lucia's hand and solemnly asked, "Lucia, did you prepare all this?"
Lucia turned her head away with an unnatural expression. She dryly chuckled: "Yes. Yes. Of course. What's the matter? Is there something wrong with them? I spent a lot of effort… uhm… yeah…"
I determined that there was something fishy… Lucia was an honest girl, so it was really easy to read her. She didn't know how to lie. Smiling, I teased, "How… did you make them, then?"
Lucia vigorously turned her head back to look at me. With her face glowing red, she loudly and desperately explained, "That… uhh… it doesn't matter, does it?!! It doesn't matter how I made them, does it?! I specifically ordered them to be made for you. I had the best chef prepare every dish. I spent a lot of time, you know?! I don't know how to cook, but I'll definitely learn! I'll definitely learn how to cook!"
After expending all of her energy, Lucia fell into my arms. I kissed her forehead: "That's fine. I'm glad to see this version of you… Thank you, Lucia. Thank you…"
"You don't need to thank me…"
I tightly hugged Lucia. She snuggled up on my chest as though she was trying to find a comfortable spot. While she didn't know what happened, she enjoyed my hug in peace. It was the first time I hugged Lucia without concerns or burdens ever since I arrived.
My rationality continued to tell me what to do. I didn't come to the elven lands to love Lucia. My return to humanity was inevitable. I came only for Queen Sisi. I couldn't immerse myself in Lucia's arms forever. I knew what I had to do. It was to rescue Queen Sisi. Nevertheless, I thought it'd be fine for me to appreciate Lucia's warmth for a while.
We sat down, and I picked up my spoon. Dinner was delicious. The elves' dishes had a very natural flavour. You could most likely sell their food for premium prices in the modern day, but when I ate it in the elven lands, it was just a very ordinary dinner.
After dinner, Lucia quickly cleared the table and took everything to the kitchen before I could. I heard a door open from the kitchen a while later. Apparently, there was a door in there…
"Don't tell me… Lucia hands the utensils to the banshees to take away through that door," I said in my mind.
Whatever, though. It wasn't as though Lucia would ever personally cook even after marriage. She was from a noble family and the elves' hero, after all. The banshees would take care of chores at home; however, Lucia had the will, so she'd sincerely love me in the future.
Lucia returned to the table. I suddenly realised the two of us were then and feeling very awkward. Lucia sat opposite me. She was too shy to say anything, while I didn't know what to say after finding myself put on the spot. We could distinctly hear the candle's flame flickering. We heard the elven children outside laughing equally distinctly…
Just when I finally found something to say, Lucia suddenly blew out the candle, engulfing the room in darkness abruptly. Before I could react, I detected Lucia crawling across the table. She climbed onto my hips and pushed me to the ground. Thud! It felt as if my back was torn off the bone when it collided with the ground…
"Let's… do that…" Lucia stammered from above.
Lucia grabbed my hand vigorously. I touched something flat and hard. I lingered for a moment. I would've thought that I touched the floor if it wasn't for the warm sensation. I wondered, "What body part is this? Wait, wait, is that a rib?" For the first time, I discovered that not all girls could turn me on or get me flustered. Lucia couldn't.
Lucia rubbed my chest as though she really wanted to do something but didn't know what she needed to do… She was probably in despair because, unless I purposely controlleded my heart rate, it wouldn't have sped up…
"Lucia." I calmly grabbed hold of Lucia's hand: "Lucia, I don't want to do this. It's not because you're not attractive but merely because I want to save something so important for the night of our official wedding. That's when you'll be more charming, right?"
"But we're already engaged!"
"I still think it's better to wait till then. After all, it'll have a more ceremonial feel. If something happens as a result of us doing it now, I won't take responsibility."
"Nothing will happen. We're destined to be together from now!!"
"I still think we should wait. Lucia, let's just sleep in each other's embrace's tonight…"