53. Win/Win. *

The night air was perfect September weather.

No clouds in the sky. We walked hand in hand. The streets were still somewhat filled even at night.

People had fancy clothes on, street musicians played a nice upbeat melody, and even the guards stationed all bowed when seeing Zephyr's trademark straight blue locks.

" Brother we need to shave your head from now on..hahaha." - Alexander waved the now empty bottle around his own head.

""NO.""

We looked at each other and laughed, he put his arm around me and we enjoyed the music.

Alexander wanted give them some coin but they refused it. Saying something in a strange language and gesticulating angry.

Apparently the money offended them.

I forced them to stop for some jam filled buns after feeling the pangs of hunger. I never seen them at night but, most of the stalls were still open.

" Lylly we have so much at the Inn.."

Demelza tried to be the voice of reason.

" None of them are fresh anymore.." - I devoured the first and enjoyed the my favourite jam.

I felt how much I changed.

Spending money like nobility. What I'm supposed to do? Feel bad that my forever someone spoiles me? Nah uh.

As I ate and enjoyed the peach jam and the hot dough, I felt someone looking.

By my right Zephyr just leaning next to a wall and watching me eat smiling. I swallowed the bite and saw him licking his lips. I knew for the fact he don't like the buns.

I walked over and took a bite...then kissed him.

Yeah, I lost..

I couldn't take it anymore. He wrapped his arm around me and lifted by my waist. I rested my forehead on his and enjoyed his touch again. It felt like forever ago..

I opened my eyes and saw his content smirk.

" Khmm..maybe these things are not so bad."

He spoke to me finally!! ..and I felt lighter in his arms. I guess it's a draw then.

" I told you didn't I?..stupid idiot." - I rubbed my nose on his enjoying what's rightfully mine.

" I love you too."

He kissed me this time and it took Alexander and Demelza a few minutes to even get us to pay attention to them.

I turned around and tried my bes to look apologetic. " Sorry we were..I..nooo!.. Yeah what was th..Zephyr stooop!"

I tried to sound legible but, him kissing my neck really made it impossible.

He did stop and it felt they were good solid words but also the stupidest thing I've ever said.

" You know..some would be shaken standing in front the feudal Lord, not mention battling another Blessed. " - his brother looked happy as he embraced his own wife. " Not you little brother. Same as always. I'm glad you okay.."

He hugged me from behind and heard his soft words by my ear.

" The meeting was...predictable and dull. The people all looking down on me walking in..on their knees walking out. It's all very fake. " - as a farm girl it's my first time hearing about nobility from someone who actually seen them.

He stayed the next words chuckling in my ears.

"..Although the faces of terror and fear, when I accidentally sneezed on them walking out was..it was priceless. Carlos lost his soul laughing."

We laughed with him. I asked something that been on my mind since I saw them. " That guy,...how you got so close my love?"

I turned my head so I can see his face. It didn't take someone to know him to understand he liked his personality but, still it's been a few hours.

" He is full of energy.. we talked a lot. He has no problem opening up at all. I suppose.." - he smiled at first but, allowed some of his past sadness to resurface in his eyes. " I would told him things too..just not much history to tell. Besides he,..he has some damn good reasons serving that monkey, who styled himself Lord."

We all saw how much that time spent with his fellow blessed affected him, whoever this man is, he earned the care from my future husband in just a few hours.

Sounds like another idiot brother in law in the making but, I just learn to live with those still to come.. because there will be more..for sure.

" Anyway.."- he the silence and looked manly at Alexander. " It was good thing we came. Once home we need to talk to every one. I want some defensive plans up by winter. "

" What do you mean? "

He looked around but, no one was within earshot.

" We will build a wall surrounding the village, it has to be finished before the first snow. That Sakarai.. " - he looked towards the big hill standing an enormous castle with high towers reaching for the sky. " His sugary interior hides a depraved mind. I believe the only reason I walked out of there it's because he knew...it would taken a significant loss for him and maybe his own life. He had no time to prepare. Also Carlos has a similar opinion."

He seemed to remember but, now without funny anecdotes it was quite a close call then. It could've ended with a massacre and us fleeing from an army.

The lord was afraid he just couldn't handle Zephyr after his own blessed lost to him. After all how many loyal soliders would've died just in an single attempt?

All I believe..

My Zephyr can't be beaten with conventional weapons or fighting styles. Of course the Lord wanted him in his ranks. A single soldier worth hundreds in time of war against Karta?

The timing was too good. Like Ehlite himself sent him.

Alexander followed his gaze and kept it on the castle even as he spoke. " I see.. you think he will attack the village? "

"And I'm not alone brother...Carlos warned me as well. That man is not used to losing, being a relative of King Chensler. Eventually.." - his eyes looked determined. " I'll have to kill him. "

Good.

Just another soul, fool enough to act with hostility to one of Ehlite chosen. But, this also meant..

" So.. eventually we must deal with the King too huh ? - Alexander voiced my line of thinking.

" Not if he forgets he ever had a younger brother.." - he smiled bitterly and sighed. " Which.. I don't see happening, that's why we need to talk to every one. If the majority disagree than maybe it would be best to just ..work for him and step carefully. "

UNACCEPTABLE!

" No..that won't happen. I will not stand seeing you unhappy and working for a more cruel monster than those terrorizing villages and eat their residents.." - I pulled him close enough too see his eyelashes one by one. " If those fools can't see reason, we all leaving Emet. "

They all looked at me but only saw approving smiles.

" She is damn right you know...we pack up the second the vote goes sour. After all.." - Alex hugged his own wife and stole a kiss before looking Zephyr in the eyes. " Family is all right? "

My Zephyr smiled ear to ear. It must be something just between them.

Family is all.

It sounded like one of the universal truths to someone like me.

I felt his hands around me squeeze me tightly.

" Family is all brother. "

--

We spent some time walking around then found ourselves behind Alexander and Dem who built their own world glued together.

Most of the buildings were made of stone and looked majestic. This part of the city, I've never seen before. Looking at the five storey tall building with words unfortunately I couldn't read. More Inns filled to the brim, it's patrons loud drunken laughter echoes long after we walk past them.

Zephyr was recognized every now and then but, even without people just stopped what they were doing once see his trademark hair.

The ladies jealous looks as I kissed him was priceless. Guards around the city were plenty and most bowed as we walked passed them.

News sure travelled fast even in gigantic cities like that.

We arrived at a beautiful flower garden with benches and even more guards at the front protecting the entrance.

Alexander stopped right in front of them and looked back at us. " Brother let's go here.."

The guards were quick to block the gates.

" I'm sorry but, it's for the nobili.." - we walked out of the shadows his arm holding me. " I-I mean..w-we we welcome you Lord. Please enjoy heaven's garden."

They quickly changed tune and even saluted, once noticed the man holding me by my waist.

I hid my smile in his shoulder and walked in after Alex and Dem.

That hair of his sure got us around.

He looked around unimpressed.

" Heaven's garden...sounds ridiculous. "

Demelza defended it. " I think it's beautiful. You like it too Lylly?"

" Hmm.." - the smells of the mixture of hundreds of flowers blended well with the night air.

Looking around surrounded by flowers, I've never seen and the immaculate state of them.. I wished granny were here.

He suddenly turned my head towards him.

" We should we bring Vistellia tomorrow. I'm sure she'll love it."

I tiptoe kissed his lips and slowly deepened it, pulling him down by that jacket that made him so irresistible.

I pulled away and checked the closest darks blue flower I actually known. The butterfly pea flower, made into tea helped with ones hair and skin.

It smelled nice too.

" That's the perfect idea. Plus, I think it will be a great spot for a first date for her. "

" Indeed and she can check these new..these umm. " - his brain was literally jammed. " What.. what was that last part? "