Cleaning House (3)

Thank you, DereckESCL, for the 6 Power Stones!

Thank you, CulturalMan, for the 3 Power Stones!

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Feeling hungry, Ciaran suggested an early lunch and strolled to the dining hall with Melissa. As they walked along, he turned to her and inquired, "What are you craving today?"

Melissa touched her chin as if in deep thought before pointing at him, "You." She said seriously.

Ciaran's laughter filled the air as he drew her near, his words brimming with a pledge, "Tonight. There's still much I must attend to. But I assure you, every moment will be cherished. The wait will be worthwhile."

Melissa's voice quivered with a mix of resignation and longing, "I understand. I know you're leaving at the end of the week, and when you return, you'll marry Olivia. I'm just worried you'll be too caught up with your new life to spend time with me."

"I confess," Ciaran's voice wavered with a heavy heart. The coming years will be a grueling test for us all, and that's without the added challenge of the Elven kingdom. There will be a multitude of women seeking my favor. Some will triumph, while others will falter, and there will be times when we hardly see each other."

Melissa's muscles coiled with tension as his words sank in, but she held her tongue, maintaining her silence.

"Which is why we must treasure the time we have now," Ciaran said softly as he looked into her eyes. "For example, this walk," he continued, pausing to take in their surroundings. "Even the times we have lunch or dinner together," he added, gently squeezing her hand tighter as if to emphasize his point.

Melissa felt her eyes welling up with tears, and she tightened her grip on his hand even further, afraid that if she released it, he would vanish from her view. He was forging ahead on a path at such breakneck speed, and she was fully aware that even a moment's hesitation would result in him leaving her behind.

"I guess this is the mindset of someone who is destined for greatness." Melissa assumed. 

As he had previously stated, she was not the most robust or intellectually gifted individual he had encountered. She did not possess any noteworthy titles or positions that would be advantageous to him. Nonetheless, he decided to dedicate his precious time to being with her, time that could have been spent on more fruitful pursuits. She was aware that she shouldn't be selfish, but she found it hard to suppress her emotions.

"You know." Ciaran said, drawing her from her thoughts, "Where I come from, there is a strong belief that a person's shadow is a direct reflection of their soul. With my knowledge of shadow magic, I have the ability to interpret the intricacies of a person's shadow, effectively enabling me to delve into their thoughts and emotions through this form of reading."

"Are you saying?" Melissa trailed off as he nodded his head.

"Yes, to an extent, I can read minds." He smiled at her, "That's how I know that you see me as someone who is destined for greatness."

Melissa's eyes widened, and Ciaran shrugged.

"I do not consider myself to be some great and powerful individual who has been chosen for a special destiny," he said, pausing momentarily. "I am willing to resort to deception, dishonesty, and theft. I will push my abilities to their absolute maximum and may even exceed those limits. Ultimately, I am just an average person with a unique ability that enables me to engage in deceitful behavior."

"Melissa quickly responded, her tone confident and unwavering, "An average person wouldn't have the capability to subdue the princess like you did." She looked directly into his eyes and continued, "Moreover, an average person wouldn't dare to dream of ascending to the position of an emperor, let alone have the courage to pursue such a lofty ambition." A warm, appreciative smile graced her face as she added, "Thank you for your effort to lift my spirits, and please know that I am committed to standing by your side always."

She added a thought, "I love you." 

Ciaran smiled at her as he leaned over to kiss her. "I love you too," he whispered when their lips parted.

The pair strolled through the grand corridors, the soft glow of candlelight guiding their path to the magnificent dining hall. As they entered, a sumptuous feast awaited them, the table adorned with an array of delectable dishes carefully prepared for the occasion. They settled in and engaged in lively conversation for an hour, discussing everything from their fondest memories to their wildest dreams, cherishing each other's presence in the knowledge that such intimate moments would be rare in the days to come.

When they had finished, they left the dining hall and embraced for a moment before separating.

"Do you know what you plan on doing with her?" Melissa asked.

"Nope." Ciaran responded honestly, "I plan on telling her the truth about everything. I owe to her."

"Understood," Melissa replied thoughtfully. "I'll need to focus on extracting resources from House Whiteguard."

Ciaran nodded. "Get in touch with Olivia and have her send all the information she has on the Royal family. It's essential for us to be prepared for the future, especially when I disband both the Royal family and House Maxamus." After a moment of reflection, he added, "I'm also considering relocating the capital of my empire. I'll arrange for you to meet Axton in person to discuss this further."

"Axton?" Melissa asked.

"Yeah," Ciaran replied. "I will see you tonight," he said as he walked down the corridor.

"Liar," Melissa mumbled as she watched him walk down the corridor. 

There was no way he could be considered average. Just yesterday, he had engaged in a fierce battle with the Blade Master. Although he may have admitted to a defeat, the mere fact that he was still standing, having managed to wound her, was an almost unimaginable achievement. He was destined for greatness. But she no longer feared losing sight of him, and this realization filled her with a profound sense of happiness.

"I will ensure his empire is as strong as can be." She vowed, turning to head to his office.

She had a lot of work she needed to take care of.