Chapter 7

It's been 2 years since Zen started to cook for me.

Surprisingly I willingly stopped drinking.

Today was march 21st, he said it was his birthday. He said he had something to say to me today and I too had something to say to him.

I know it's impossible for him to live forever but I was willing to accompany him till his death, until he dies a natural death.

I didn't really know much about love. But I thought this was enough. The warmth he gave me, those gentle smiles and those annoying nagging. If he refuses me then I will just remain as a friend.

Love or not, for me, this was love.

I will mourn and cry after he dies of old age but for now I want to live in the present.

***

He came right on time as usual. But today's dishes were richer and merrier than the usual. Even I brought out a 600 years old wine. Zen didn't scold me for drinking today.

We drank till midnight and finally Zen turned 24. Well I'm sure I'm over 30 but whatever.

I was considering when to confess.

We looked at each other then suddenly burst out laughing. We were laughing for our awkwardness.

But after laughing for a while the invincible something that were restraining us seemed to disappear. There was no need for a confession. We both understood each others feeling.

That night we sealed our feelings with a kiss.

We talked about our future.

He promised to built me a wooden house in the woods as I wanted. I was embarrassed at the fact that I was bad at crafting or building, I only knew how to fight.

But it seems like men were men. He built a cozy house for us and surprisingly there was a tiny river beside our house.

I decided to tell the emperor that I'm quitting my job. After that we will get married. Actually we were just going to buy a ring.

I was planning to learn how to cook, believe it or not.

After settling down I went to meet the emperor. He asked me about the reason why I was quitting.

I assured him that I meant no harm and was just going to live a new leisture life. I didn't tell him about Zen. I didn't want him to get unnecessary attention cause of me and gets dragged into some political situation. Zen too was satisfied with his job.

***

After a year of our marriage I became pregnant. And I learned basic cooking but usually Zen would cook since my own cooking couldn't satisfy my taste buds.

We were looking forward for our baby to come out.

Finally after 9 months of mood swings our son came to us. I shedded a tear for the first time, I could see the happiness in my husband's eyes.

We decided to name him Arthur. Our little sunshine would giggle at us and was especially fond of books. Zen would bring many books despite knowing Arthur couldn't yet read them.

Soon I decided to bring my son a playmate. I remember there were many pet like magical creatures in the forest that I used to hunt.

I would be absent for only two days. And it Zen was on vacation for a week so it was a perfect time. At first he refused to let me go alone but after whining for a while I won.

But I never expected the tragedy that would befall on me.