🌻 🌻 🌻
OUR ship ride back was much like our voyage when we first arrived at Lapisasther. A constant party was going on, and an elegant socializing occasion was on full display. We attended the first night out of obligation as we joined a round of applause at the ship owner’s speech in the corner of the grand hall.
I wore a splendid dress and gloves that caused light to scatter all around me with a welcome drink in my fingers. It felt like my time in Lapisasther was all a dream. My time on the ship was also fantastical, but my days in Lapisasther were equally unusual.
Lucas sized me up pensively, and I tilted my head to one side, wondering what was on his mind. “Iris, can you grant me a selfish request?” Lucas asked.
“Of course. What would it be?” I replied.
“I want to spend the entire boat ride in our room with you. This’ll be the only night we’re out to socialize. I want to be holed up together for the rest of the voyage.”
His frank words made my ears grow warm. My eyes darted around, wondering if anyone had heard him, and I nodded in reply.
“I-I don’t mind that at all,” I said.
“Then that’s that,” he said. He downed the rest of his glass in one gulp and turned on his heel, leading me out of the party that had just started.
“H-Huh? Um, Lucas?”
“We joined in and did the bare minimum for greetings. I’m sure people would allow a newly wedded couple to be in a room for a few days while on vacation.”
He snaked his arm around my waist and gallantly left the party behind. We approached our room in a flash, and he turned around to give Leik, who was following us, an order.
“Don’t let anyone come close until we step off the ship. It’s at my behest,” Lucas said. “Tell people we’re seasick or something.”
“Your wish is my command,” Leik said.
The moment Lucas entered the room and shut the door behind us, he tilted my chin up and kissed me passionately. I could hear him undoing his necktie with the other hand.
“L-Lucas,” I gasped.
“I’ve been wanting to spend some time alone with you without thinking about anything troublesome,” my husband said. “Once this ship docks, I’m gonna be busy again.”
“I-I’m also…happy to spend some time with you, but…”
“Is there a problem?”
“This is far too sudden.”
“I can’t help it. I’m at my limit. When I see you dressed up all beautifully and stealing the gazes of everyone else, I just want to trap you inside so that my mind can be at peace.”
He tossed his jacket aside and bridal carried me to the bedroom in the back. After he set me down on the bed, he locked me in a tight embrace, his breath hot against my ears. I felt myself become a touch dizzy. When I looked up at the ceiling, I noticed the chandelier rocking back and forth with the waves ever so slightly. I found everything to be so humorous.
“Hee hee,” I giggled.
“What’s wrong?” Lucas asked.
He glared down at me like a beast looking at its prey. Despite his scary expression, the fact that he looked like he had no time to spare was so endearing. I couldn’t stop giggling.
“It’s so curious,” I said. “We’ve been together this entire time, but there are still so many things that I don’t know about you… I’m making all these discoveries…”
“Huh? You’re one to talk,” Lucas said. He enveloped my cheeks with both hands and kissed my forehead with a smile. “I didn’t think you were the type to continue being polite with me on purpose,” he said.
“I…told you before,” I insisted. “I’m used to speaking politely. It’s more like…a force of habit.”
“Liar.”
His sweet whispers lit a fire in my heart, and my face grew fiery hot. Satisfied with how flustered I became, Lucas mischievously grinned, flashing his pearly whites.
“What do you wanna do? Will you kiss me? Or shall I do it first?” he asked.
“I’ll…leave it up to you.”
✦ ✦ ✦
🌻 🌻 🌻
I awoke to the cries of the gulls. When I looked outside, I saw the orange rays of the morning sun, closely resembling the color of the sunset. The coastline of Solalitika’s port emerged into view. We were getting close. I wanted to go get a closer look, but Lucas was fast asleep with his arms around me, locking me in place.
“It’s sad to think that this time together will end,” I murmured.
The voyage back home allowed me to indulge in happy times with him. It was nothing short of enjoyable. Lucas was asleep beside me, looking defenseless. He was so endearing. I touched his cheekbone and stroked his beautiful, canary-yellow hair. It seemed almost natural for me to be by his side, and I could hardly remember my life before I spent mornings with him. How did I live without him in my life?
“It’s so odd,” I whispered. “I spent most of my life without you in it, and yet, it feels like I’ve known you since before I was even born.”
I snuggled beside him and remained in his arms. I closed my eyes to take a deep breath. His warmth and our skin touching felt only natural. It felt like we were supposed to be this close. We were born in different places and ranks, but I felt like we were two halves of a shell—a perfect fit for each other. It felt so comfortable to be by his side and was so wonderfully mysterious. In a foreign nation far away, there was a religion that believed in reincarnation. Perhaps the person who first conceived this idea had the same emotions and thoughts I currently had.
“Lucas,” I whispered.
I kissed his left hand, which had a wedding ring that matched mine on his long, slender finger. Those fingers found me and held me tight while showering me with affection. They were kind, and I had this vague conviction that I would forever be by his side. When I nuzzled my cheek against his hand, I noticed amber eyes staring right at me.
Lucas smiled, moving the fingers I’d just been playing with and brushing them against my cheek and lips. As I indulged myself in this moment of happiness, Lucas also gave me a smile of pure bliss.
“Morning, Iris,” he said.
His amber eyes were clearer than the morning sun and brighter than the sunset. I saw myself reflected in his eyes and heard the cries of birds echoing outside. The ship was slowly reaching the port.
We’re living in happiness.