Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Forty-Nine: Too Hot to Handle

It had been a week since the end of the tournament, and though Clorinde had won the victory she'd been striving for, her neck was still a reminder of the brutal fight with Itto. She'd taken to wearing scarves and high turtlenecks to hide the bruising, the dark marks still visible and tender to the touch. Any sudden movement of her neck sent a sharp pain through her, but she ignored it, as usual, choosing to power through the discomfort.

Clorinde finished packing her luggage, making sure everything was in order for the trip. She was looking forward to it—perhaps a change of scenery would do her good, a chance to relax after the intensity of the tournament. This trip was going to be different, maybe even fun. She closed her suitcase and took a deep breath, ready to step out of her quiet home for a while.

As she left her house and locked the door, she felt the soft fabric of her scarf brushing against her bruised neck. She couldn't help but wince as she touched the sore spot. Still, there was a certain stubbornness in her that refused to let her rest entirely, even when she should.

Clorinde dropped the key off at Navia's house, where her friend had volunteered to take care of her houseplants while she was gone. With a final exchange of goodbyes, Clorinde turned and made her way toward the harbor, her luggage in tow. The trip was starting soon, and despite everything, she felt a quiet excitement.

At Romaritime Harbor, Wriothesley was already waiting, leaning casually against a post, a small luggage bag by his side. It was clear neither of them had packed much; after all, they weren't planning to stay at a hotel or resort. This trip was about freedom, about exploring wherever their whims would take them. He was dressed more casually than usual, but still carried that air of confidence he always had.

As Clorinde approached, his eyes lingered for just a moment on the scarf wrapped around her neck, noting the way she moved more stiffly than usual. But he didn't say anything. He knew better than to bring up her injuries unless she wanted to talk about them.

Instead, he greeted her with a wide grin. "You ready? Because I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty excited to finally explore outside of Fontaine."

Clorinde nodded, her expression softening as she stood beside him. "It'll be good to get away for a while. No responsibilities, no duels, just... wherever the wind takes us."

Wriothesley chuckled, grabbing his luggage. "I like the sound of that. No schedules, no fancy dinners, just pure adventure."

As they stood there, the bustling harbor around them, the energy of the place was contagious. Ships were being loaded and unloaded, people bustling about with excitement, and the scent of the sea filled the air. Clorinde couldn't help but feel a tinge of excitement herself. For someone so used to routine and discipline, the idea of a spontaneous trip was thrilling in its own way.

"Let's take our boat," Wriothesley said with a grin, stepping onto the first one he spotted, not bothering to check where it was heading. Clorinde raised an eyebrow but followed him aboard, her adventurous side winning over her usual need for order. The boat swayed gently as they found their seats, the wind picking up slightly. She wore a nice hat, a rare touch of style that complemented her usual sharp appearance. The wind was playful today, and she found herself holding onto the hat to keep it from flying off as they set off.

The boatride started cool, but as they traveled further, the temperature began to rise steadily. The air became thick with warmth, and the crisp Fontaine breeze was soon replaced by dry heat. Clorinde wiped a bit of sweat from her forehead as the landscape changed dramatically, turning from verdant shores to the edge of the vast Sumeru desert.

When they were dropped off at the border of the desert, Clorinde took in the view with a bright smile, shading her eyes from the glaring sun. "It doesn't get more exploring than this," she said, her excitement clear in her voice.