Saving My Duke

chapter seven

"sephia?" a melodic voice from an angel glows, as i lift my head up to see ryuuji, bent over looking at me and his arm leaning on the tree. "hello, ryu-"
"why're you out here? it's cold, you will get sick." i jump at the anger in his voice, his eyes fusing red. i sigh, looking downwards. he scoffs at my guilt, taking a hold of my face, and bring it to his. i can see the worry in his face. it makes me feel shameful. i don't like upsetting him.
"i'm sorry." i look away from him, as his grasp grows gentle. he lets my face go, and i move it away to avoid his eyes.

i hear him sit down gently beside me, the only sound other than the gentle pitter patter of the animals near by.
maybe a squirrel? i saw an albino one the other day. they're common here. i gasp as he takes a hold of my waist, leaning me into his black fur coat. my face grows red as i attempt to pull myself away. his grasp doesn't falter. "just lie down, you'll get cold otherwise." he mutters gently, his voice no longer threatening. i sigh, resting my head on his chest as the soft fur on his black coat tickles my skin. i let my eyes rest, i didn't realise how exhausted i am. i was so terrified, so terrified of losing him. suddenly, i feel his hand take a hold of mine, my eyes drifting in and out of sleep. "ryuuji, i was really scared..." i whisper, the harmonious humming stops. his hand holds tighter. "i know, sweetheart, i know." his pained voice sighs. i nuzzle my face into him, all the fear i felt drifting away simply at the smell of him, the feeling of his body against mine. "i love you." i smile, letting go of his hand and wrapping them around him. i feel him sigh gently, a quiver in his breathing. i know he doesn't show it, but i know he was scared too.

i snap out of my somber state, pulling away from ryuuji. "it's the middle of the day," i smile, ignoring my exhaustion. "let's go do something fun!" i reach my hand out to him, spinning around to face him as the wind blows through my locks. a branch of a snowy tree hangs in front of my face, as his surprised face chuckles. he moves the branch gently with his hand. and suddenly his other hand caresses my cheek. "come on then." he smiles, sliding his hand down to mine, our fingers intertwining delicately. i bashfully grin, looking down at the floor as i pull him along with me.

i follow the faded path, leading him to a place i remember so vividly. the sunlight creeps through the trees, slowly dimming into a dark blue mist. i know we are near. i lift up a branch that is blocking our path, it swinging down after ryuuji passes through. he grows quiet, staring at the beautiful field of flowers. the same one persephone resides in, so i know it's my happy place. beautiful lillies and stunning pink tulips. he lets go of my hand, standing and staring. "pretty, isn't it?!" i giggle, spinning around to face him. he slowly walks towards me as i softly take a seat on the grass. my bare legs get consumed in frost covered flowers, their paleness now showing. he reluctantly takes a seat beside me. "how did you know of this place?" curiosity in his voice. i smile gently.
"secret." i wink.

and it's the truth, i can't tell him of this. it's not right. it would hurt him to know, i found this place by dying, and coming back to life. i'd be called crazy. and in a way, i suppose i am.

but who wouldn't be?

as we lay there, a never ending sense of euphoria fogs over me. i hold him, and he holds me, my head in his chest listening to his heart as he leans against his hands. hes quietly humming, as usual. the melodic tune simmers my soul. i feel so at peace. it's in moments like these that i realise i cannot lose him. it's simply not possible.
it can't happen again.
"sephia?" ryuuji whispers, awakening me from my trance. i smile, lifting myself up to meet his ruby eyes, both of my arms leaning beside him as my hair dangles beside his face, like a curtain of white silk. his face softens, gazing at mine. "damn it." he turns his face away from me, adorably blushing. i snicker, moving away from him and standing up. "so when's our wedding?" i question him, turning around to face him. his eyes fly towards mine. "soon." he stands up, gesturing out his arm. i take a hold of him, holding on tight. "how soon is soon?" i giggle as we begin to stride towards the path we arrived from.
"soon."