Mr. & Mrs Meropide

Chapter Fifty-One: Home

The next morning, both of them slept in. Their clothes were scattered across the floor as they laid skin to skin, bathed in the warm light shining through the window. Her hair was messy, and the added bruising on her neck blended in with the rest. She leaned against his chest, cuddled up and comfortable, completely at ease in his arms.

He woke up first, still sleepy but more than happy; she was an incredible woman, in more ways than one.

She slowly opened her eyes, "Morning," she smiled softly.

"Morning. How did you sleep?" he asked, brushing some strands of hair out of her face with a gentle touch.

"I slept pretty amazing," she said, stretching a little before settling back down.

"We can stay a bit longer and then grab breakfast somewhere," he suggested, his voice low and relaxed.

"Sounds amazing," she agreed, closing her eyes again and snuggling closer to him.

They remained like that for a while, savoring the peaceful intimacy before finally deciding to get dressed and ready for the day. Clorinde took her time brushing her hair, ensuring it was neat, while the Duke styled his own, both of them moving at a relaxed pace. Once they were satisfied with their appearances, they checked out of the hotel and strolled through the bustling streets, passing by vendors selling various goods.

Eventually, they found a cozy café, where they sat down to enjoy a nice breakfast, the morning sunlight warming their faces as they shared quiet moments of contentment.

"You know, I always thought the Fortress was cool, the way it's underwater and all, but an entire city in a tree—that truly is something else," Wriothesley said, admiring the grandeur of Sumeru City.

"It makes me wonder about the other nations," Clorinde agreed, glancing up at the massive branches stretching out above them. "We should climb to the top. I'm sure we'll get a stunning view."

"Yes, seeing over the nation is always incredible, just like the aircrafts in Fontaine," he added with a smile.

"I love the aircrafts, they're so fun," Clorinde agreed, her eyes lighting up at the memory of flying through the skies.

"The best part is when you jump off them. The water's deep enough, and you can get quite the altitude," he said with a grin.

"I've never jumped off one," she admitted, surprising him.

"We can try it back home," he offered.

"Sounds good."

They finished their breakfast and started walking toward the highest point of Sumeru City, passing many scholars engrossed in animated discussions about their theses. When they finally reached the top, Clorinde leaned her head against his shoulder, soaking in the breathtaking view.

"I hate to say it, but we need to get a move on if we want to catch our boat back today," Clorinde said with a sigh, her eyes still lingering on the incredible view.

"I fear you're right, but the trip sure was eventful," Wriothesley replied, still captivated by the city nestled within the massive tree.

They stood there for a moment longer, letting the beauty of Sumeru City sink in one last time, before finally descending and setting out toward their final stop: Bayda Harbor. As they journeyed through the vibrant landscape, they took in all the scenery and wildlife for one last time. They spotted some Fungi in the shade, rivers and lakes dotted with tiny islands where Spinocrocodiles rested lazily under the sun. The tranquility of the environment was a perfect close to their adventure.