While the two young men were cleaning themselves, Elara walked toward a lounge chair near the large window. She pulled back the thick velvet curtains, letting the moonlight stream in and illuminate her youthful face. She gazed at the clear night sky, adorned with thousands of stars that seemed to blink in welcome of her freedom.
Now, I am no longer a Duchess. she thought. The words echoed in her mind, yet strangely, there was no sense of loss. I don't know why, but I feel so relieved after letting go of that title. It feels like shedding a suit of rusted iron armor that has been suffocating me for decades.
Elara smiled softly. her reflection in the window looked peaceful. At least, right now I am with my son and my son-in-law. We will start a new chapter in a new place, far from Maxwell's shadow.
Her sharp mind began to form a plan. We cannot keep using the Larvin name. It's too risky for us. It seems that tomorrow morning I must take them both to the AdventurerGuild. We need official, neutral identity cards so we don't face bureaucratic issues when crossing borders into other kingdoms.
Her daydreaming was suddenly interrupted by a commotion from the bathroom.
"Darling!" Wolvin's voice came whining, the echo piercing through to the bedroom. "Come on, just once! I really want to..."
"Wolvin, are you crazy?!" Calian exclaimed, his voice sounding panicked and shocked. "Can't you restrain yourself a bit? My mother is right here! These walls are not soundproof!"
"But Darling, aren't we officially a married couple?" Wolvin countered quickly, his expression one of disbelief at being rejected. "Don't you—"
"That's not the point!" Calian cut him off sharply. "Wait until we have arrived at a safe destination, then I will certainly be willing to do it with you! But not now, and not here!"
"You promise, right?" Wolvin asked to be sure, his voice sounding like a puppy begging for a treat.
"Yes, I promise! Good grief..."
"Okay, I'll try to restrain myself!" Wolvin said again, his voice turning cheerful once more. "As my husband, it's forbidden for you to break a promise to me, your official spouse!"
"Fine, fine... Now, let me scrub your back."
"Okay! I love you, Darling..."
Elara, hearing the conversation, could only offer a wry smile and shake her head. A faint blush appeared on her cheeks. She covered her face with one hand, feeling a bit awkward listening to her son's privacy.
"Goodness, those two..." she murmured softly.
Yet, behind the awkwardness, Elara felt immense relief. Even if I'm a bit shocked by their same-sex and cross-race relationship, at least my son is happy, Elara whispered to the night wind. He is with the person he truly loves, and more importantly, that person loves him back unconditionally.
She remembered how Wolvin was always ready to stand up for Calian, even in front of Maxwell. Wolvin is very sincere toward my son. And he is reliable because of his [True Assassin] blessing. Calian will be safe with him.
The night passed peacefully in Argam City. For the first time in a long while, Calian was able to feel the comfort of sleeping in the same room as his mother again, just like when he was a small child, something he hadn't experienced since he was five years old, before being "exiled" to the West Pavilion.
...
...
Morning sunlight began to creep through the gaps in the window curtains.
Wolvin, with his wolfish instincts, woke up before the sun was high. His energy was fully recharged. He saw Calian still fast asleep, hugging a bolster, and Elara sleeping gracefully next to him.
"Darling, Mother, wake up!" Wolvin said cheerily, gently shaking Calian's shoulder before moving to nudge Elara's arm. "Aren't the three of us going to the Adventurer Guild? The sun is up!"
The mother and son groaned softly, reluctant to leave their dreams. However, Wolvin's persistent calling finally made them open their eyes.
Calian rubbed his eyes and saw Wolvin's enthusiastic face right in front of him. "Good morning, Wolvin..." his voice was still raspy from sleep.
"Good morning to you too, Darling!" Wolvin greeted back, then gave Calian a quick peck on the cheek. "Let's get ready! I can't wait to see what the Adventurer Guild is like."
Elara sat on the edge of the bed, stretching her youthful body which felt refreshed. "If you two want to bathe, go ahead." Elara said while fixing her messy golden hair. "I need a moment to prepare everything we'll need."
Hearing the permission, Wolvin's eyes sparkled deviously. Without warning, he pulled Calian's hand, causing the purple-haired teenager to jump in surprise and rise from the bed.
"Eh? Wolvin?" Calian exclaimed, startled by his spouse's behavior.
"Let's bathe together to make it quick!" Wolvin shouted as he dragged the half-conscious Calian toward the bathroom.
Once inside the bathroom, Wolvin closed the door and locked it. Calian was just about to reach for a small bucket when suddenly a pair of arms wrapped around him from behind.
"Darling, I want to..." Wolvin whispered in a low, seductive voice, his warm breath brushing against Calian's ear. Wolvin's mischievous hands began to wander, playing with Calian's shaft softly yet demandingly. "Please, just once..."
"Didn't you say you'd restrain yourself?" Calian whispered back.
"I can't!" Wolvin whispered, his breathing already erratic. "Just looking at your handsome face makes me aroused, let alone seeing your naked body..."
Wolvin's hands became more eager. Calian held his breath, his face turning bright red. The sensation of Wolvin's touch in the morning was truly hard to resist. He saw his spouse's reflection in the mirror, a face pleading with golden eyes full of passion, yet also full of love.
Calian's defenses crumbled instantly; he didn't want to disappoint Wolvin. Slowly, Calian turned his body around and returned Wolvin's embrace, wrapping his arms around his spouse's waist.
"Alright, but only once! We don't have much time." Calian whispered firmly but yielding. He placed his index finger on Wolvin's lips. "And remember... keep kissing me and stay quiet. I'd feel terrible if Mother heard our moans out there. Understand?"
Wolvin smirked with satisfaction, his tail wagging wildly. "Yes, of course, Darling! I will silence your mouth with mine."