Blood Oath (O/O CLOSED)

I nuzzled him back, grinning from ear to ear. “Someone who I would not date.”

“Well, glad I like it, then,” I bit her ear, pulling on it lightly. “I wouldn’t want you breaking up with me.”

Red bloomed across my cheeks.

“Is it your life goal to make me flustered in public settings?” I managed, wrapping my fingers around his wrist.

My smirk widened, and I responded by kissing the base of her ear.

“Well, there’s my secret,” I answered cheekily. “Yes, that’s my life goal. Even when we’re old and wrinkly, even when we can barely stand on our own feet, I’ll make you flustered.”

“I—I have no doubt about that,” I stammered, swallowing hard.

“C’mon, let’s order now,” I murmured against her skin. “My stomach’s just about ready to rebel.”

I called a young waitress over, struggling to hide how flustered I was. “Hi—Um, could we please have two onion soups to start, and an order of ribs to share?”

The waitress noted down our order and walked away, leaving me and my blushing lover behind.

“So, after this, where do you want to go? I remember you saying you wanted to put flowers in my hair…”

I nodded vigorously, twisting my head around to face him. “It might be too late to find big ones… but there may be a few wildflowers left.”

I hummed, closing my eyes.

“What if we go to the Royal gardens?” I murmured. “There’s one in my name, and no one goes there except me. I haven’t gone there for a while now…”

My brows drew together. “Would we be allowed entrance? Remember, we’re under illusions. Is it open to the public?”

I snorted.

“Sweetheart, it’s in the palace island,” I snickered. “And no, it’s not open to the public.”

I tilted my head, confused. “Then how will we… get in?”

I contemplated her question for a while before sighing.

“Er, for now, I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “The entrance is somewhat in plain view. Whatever, forget I ever mentioned it.”

Truth was, I wanted her to put flower in my hair, not an illusion’s.

I paused, an idea rising to mind. “Would your father mind if he happened to see you with a certain red-haired village girl? We could remove your illusion and keep mine… that way we’ll be granted entrance.”

I mused to myself. Her idea wasn’t bad at all…

“He’d be extremely curious,” I murmured. “About the girl who’s stolen the heart of his son. My father wouldn’t mind, but he would definitely want to meet Isabella.”

“You can tell him that it was just an afternoon of.. frivolity,” I suggested, “You were just having… fun.”

“And of course he would believe that,” I said sarcastically. “There’s no way I’m going to pin an illusion of yours as a one-night-stand, Elle.”

"Then…. we'll say I'm moving away that night," I tried again, "And we wanted to meet one last time."

I kissed her, taking her lips in mine again.

“Or I’ll just not say anything,” I shrugged when we pulled apart. “Doesn’t matter, really. Ah, speaking of which… for New Year’s, my father’s inviting a musician. He says he wants the students to relax, with everything that’s been going around lately.”

"Alright….." I murmured, but when the second part of his statement reached my ears, my expression transformed into one of surprise. "Pardon? He's doing what?"

“He’s inviting a musician,” I repeated. “I, too, was surprised. My father has never done that before—he is not fond of musicians in general, but apparently he was at a meeting at a general’s, and watched the performance. He thought it was soothing, and it would be perfect for the students.”

I blinked.

“That’s…. oddly touching. It might be nice, I guess…. what’s their name? Do you know?”

“I haven’t a clue,” I shook my head. “He knows I might look into them. He wants it to be a surprise, but I thought you’d like to know.”

“Thank you…” I murmured. A small smile formed on my lips. “It’ll be nice…”

I smiled when I saw her smile.

“Have I told you I love your smile?” I touched her lips with my thumb. “It’s breathtaking.”

I kissed the calloused tip of his thumb. “Not as breathtaking as yours… it’s like the sun remembers to shine when you’re happy.”

“Excuse you, girlfriend,” I chuckled, nuzzling her neck. “I’m supposed to be the one with the smooth tongue.”

“You can do a lot more with that tongue than smooth talk…” I muttered. My eyes flickered away, cheeks darkening.

I smirked at her comment.

“Sweetheart, you have no idea,” I chuckled. “But when we’ve got a country to serve, maybe I’ll show you.”