Married into Alpha Lord

Chapter 49

I got something - K

I read a note inside one of the new books that just arrived. This is how I communicate with Yuuri. I'll give him a list of books, the exact date when Harry would pick it for me, and the location of the bookstore, so they can pass me messages without leaving any trace.

Always be ambiguous. If it's important, just give a short notice and I'll find time to visit soon. Well, I can always create a good secure system to pass these data, but this conventional method works just fine. Besides, it makes some a good reasons to visit them once in a while.

To my surprise, it's only been three days since I asked Kei for the info. It was too fast for their own standard, making me doubt a little.

"Bought another book?" Darren's voice called as he enter the office. I looked up to face him and closed the book, slowly, naturally.

"Yeah," I answered, showing him the cover of the book. Avoiding suspiciousness.

"What is it?" he asked, sitting down on his chair.

"I got interested in its cover. I'll read it later," I replied, putting the book on the sofa.

"By the way, Caden, can you read this language?" suddenly Darren hand me some papers. I stood up, walking to him, took a glimpse, recognising the characters. "Yeah," I answered. "Can you translate those tomorrow?" He requested. I didn't immediately answered, looking at Darren for a moment. "Sure," I said. The report is short, it would only took couple hours. "I'll borrow your help then," he gave the documents to me. "Why don't you use the usual?" I asked, referring to the device that everyone uses. "Yours better," he said.

Couldn't agree more. I love technology but there's some threshold of conveniences that some techs haven't been able to pass. Good translation is one of them.

"Cad, want to practice?" Darren suddenly asked.

I look at the clock that shows it is already three in the evening. My work has been done and there's no urgent matter left. I stood up, stretched my body, feeling stiff after weeks of office work. "Let's go"

The sound of metal hitting each other filling the room of practice. Darren swings his sword to attack, I dodge and try to attack with a slash. He easily defended himself. It's been like this for a while, sensing it's pointless to continue, I took a step back. Darren notices and he also steps backs. We eyesighting each other for a while, searching for new openings.

"Not bad for you who haven't practiced in a while," Darren complimented. He knows that yet never gives me any openings. Doesn't go easy on me.

"Isn't that mean I'm greater than you? I seldom practice yet you haven't been able to land any major attack on me," I provoke him. He took my insult with a smirk.

I dash forward and instead of taking a receiving stance, Darren followed forward. Yeah, attack is another form of defense. Our sword clashes once again, and it feels heavier this time. I tried to push back but barely able to hold. Darren noticed that, as he changed his angle, aiming for a thrust on my stomach. I dodge it by lowering my body and getting a pivot to tackle his leg. He noticed. Jumping slightly, avoiding my attack then took my disadvantageous position to swift his sword and disarm me.

I lose balance, unable to back up from the sudden change of weight balance and Darren doesn't miss the opportunity. Quickly shifted his body towards me and attacked. Shit...

A loud thud coming from my back hitting the floor fills the training room and when I open my eyes his sword is on my neck.

"I win," he smiled at me. His sword is just a couple of inches from my neck. As he pinned me down, I noticed his other hand was on my head, protecting my skull when I fell.

"An act of kindness and hesitation can kill you," I said, the pointy edge from the dagger on my left hand slightly push his stomach.

"A stab on stomach won't kill me," he defended. 

"It will if there's poison on it. You'll join me in hell," I smirk.

He looked at me for a while before scoffing, then drew back his sword. I did the same with my dagger. "It's not fair you know, using other weapons in mock training," he said as he stood up. He lowered his hand to help me up. "There's no fairness in real battle. Either you win and lose, no in between. Every means is justifiable," I took his hand and stood up.

He sighed and just gave me a smile. I'm getting good at arguing with him. Well, it's just me throwing facts based on my experiences.

"I must admit, you really win this time," I said.

He raised one of his eyebrows. "What makes you change your mind?"

I raise my shoulder then pick the fallen sword. "I deduct my point from getting my head protected when I fall," I said. My head would bleed if he hadn't shield it. "Even though I never asked for," I mumbled to myself. Still doesn't accept my defeat.

I know Darren is strong, but so do I! I have advantage from my long experiences. I let a silent sighed. It seems, some people are just born talented.

I could hear Darren chuckled and when I looked back, he already walked towards me.

"You are cute when you argue like that," he said. What a weird remark. Most people got annoyed if I was too blunt. Often, I sealed my lips to avoid commenting that only led to unnecessary misunderstanding. I guess... I grew comfortable with him, able to chat in my real self.

Darren stopped in front of me, tilting my face upwards and giving me a kiss. A light quick one.

"I sweat a lot," I said looking at his eyes which stared back at me. "So do I," he replied. I sneered, amused by him. He give me smile before telling me to end our practice and walk with him.

We got out of the training room, greeted by two servants handing us towels. I pick one and wipe some sweats around my forehead.

"Where do you want to go this weekend?"

I plan to visit Your place again as Kei told me he got something, but... "Why?" I asked.

"You forgot?" He returned my question. Err.. forgot what? I don't remember having any important schedule this weekend. Is there a business meeting? No, it's the weekend. A visit to a noble house? Don't think so, I rarely join. National holiday? Family birthdays? Nah...

I hear Darren's chuckle, again, and immediately look up at him. Giving a questioning look, demanding an answer.

"You were able to remember difficult stuffs yet forgot our anniversary," he said. 

Anniversary?

Eh? It's already a year?

"Ah..." I let out my realisation. I have a tendency to flush unimportant information to free up my memory storage. Even my mind have limitation. I remember getting married around summer, but didn't realise it's already a year. I guess time passed when we didn't count. Okay, I'll mark it important so I won't forget again.

"So, where?" Darren asked again.

Well, I know where I want to go, but not with him obviously. "You choose," I said. Seems like my visit to Yuuri's gonna get pushed back. Or... I can ask them to send me the details through email. It'll leave a digital footprint, but what choice do I get now? I'll tell them to write ambiguously. Or I can just tell them to wait. One-two days difference won't make big difference.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"Okay," I said unconsciously. Eh? What did he say? My mind wanders off and I miss Darren's suggestion. I look at Darren and just see his enchanting smile on his face, looking satisfied with my answer. I smiled back, anxiously. I hope it's not that deep.