The Ogre Strength Fairy and the Eldest 'Son'
Chapter 105 - Dawn Breaks To Part What Night Fast United

Chapter 105: Chapter 105 - Dawn Breaks To Part What Night Fast United

The sky began to lighten with the first rays of dawn. Their meditation had been deep for hours... and their spirits had found an even more comfortable way of wrapping around each other during it all. When the newly wedded couple finally opened their eyes to the growing brightness - at nearly the same time - the world seemed both less and more than before.

They turned to face each other with no sense of guard up... at least between each other. Qatrand stared into dull mint eyes while still processing the beauty and intimacy of the night’s event. Elua looked back at the pigeon blue, only a step or two ahead in that process!

’I wonder if I am being objective in thinking this thirteenth marriage night has been the best of them all?’

The blonde stroked the top of her cute wife’s head.

"Thank you for sharing this tradition with me. For sharing... everything with me."

The brunette blinked a few times as her eyes gained more light, then smiled at the blonde.

"Thank you for being here to share it with. I hope to share more and more... and find more still to share with you."

They lingered under the rising sun for what felt like many minutes, simply continuing to bask in the presence of each other. Eventually, the Yecine moved forward and sealed the memory of their night of stargazing meditation with a tender kiss - one that was more than enough for the occasion.... but that also did not last long enough!

---

A pair of eyes squinted open against the sunlight streaming through the silvery curtains. The room at the venue was decorated with as much of the metal as the rest of it. The waking heiress swam with bits of starlit memories... and even after sleeping on it, she still thought it was the best night~

’But the morning could have been better...’

She groaned while burying her face in the unfamiliar pillow. The scent was wrong. There was no one beside her.

’Separate rooms.’

A dull ache settled in her chest as she remembered their parting at dawn. The necessity of it didn’t ease the longing! Her waking thoughts drifted back to ’helping’ Qat carry the gift-laden canvas bags and the sealed chest with those precious, dangerous tools inside. They took two trips to be less suspicious.

That was all fine, but the remembrance of the warmth of a firm hand on her lower back, as they parted ways to take naps separately... made Elua’s fingers clench the sheets. She rolled onto her back to stare at the ceiling.

’Sleeping alone. It was necessary, but it is also awful.’

Part of her - the ancient cultivator - knew this self-imposed distance was wise. Her urges were a tide that threatened to overwhelm her careful plans. But the possessive part of her, even if it had changed in little ways in this new life, ached for the simple comfort of waking up beside her husband-wife.

’Mine. MINE! My body is getting in my own way!’

A demanding buzz ran through her that was quickly chased by frustration. Memories of being a cultivator of immense power and experience had not been helping her solve the problem. She’d faced and overcome so much in her past rise, surely she should be able to handle merely *sleeping* next to-

Elua sat up as she concentrated. Her angry thoughts had derailed as a familiar set of spiritual presences tickled along the edges of her spiritual awareness. Two teenagers a little older than herself, riding together alone in a carriage up the mountain path.

’Why would they be looking for me so... oh.’

A ’giggle’ fell from her lips. Of course her peaceful disciples would want to offer congratulations. Perhaps even a personal gift? She hadn’t received anything from them yesterday, that she was aware of. Going through *everything* on the table would take time.

The mentor thought to herself that as long as they were here, she could use this opportunity for an impromptu training session. The rocky coast would provide an excellent location. Plenty of hard to control water for Nohre and a lot of imagery for Fusand to memorize. It would also be a good memory for both of them!

A knock at the door eventually interrupted her plotting. She called out permission for the probable servant to enter while swinging her legs over the side of the bed. An illusion of a more *normal* dress covered the silver garb as she began to put it on. A woman wearing the uniform of the venue bowed slightly as she entered.

"Pardon the intrusion, Young Miss Goltbred. The Young Master Yecine has arranged for breakfast to be served on the eastern terrace. He requested your presence when you were ready."

The brunette was thrown by the words. She looked at the woman blankly and detected no fluctuations of malicious intent in her meager spirit. Even still, hearing one of the first invitations to a meal together had finally come in left her... flustered.

"Qat did?"

The servant nodded back obligingly as a bit of ’amusement’ spiked. She remembered the seriousness from the young man as he made his requests.

"He was most insistent that everything be perfect for your first morning as a married couple. If I may be so bold to quote, ’If my wife is hungry, then she won’t be happy... and then neither will I’."

A honey-thick warmth spread in the chest of the heiress. These small, thoughtful acts that kept catching her off guard were dangerous. She was going to get used to them! Her footsteps bounded toward the room’s mirror as she straightened and fixed her hair.

Her attention danced between anticipation for breakfast and curiosity about what her disciples’ might have prepared. It would still take them a little while to arrive, but not longer than it would to eat. Either way...

’Dealing with my disciples will have to wait. My ’fortress’ calls me to arms!’

Her reflection caught her eye as she finished preparing. The reincarnator paused, her face going listless as she studied the one that looked back at her. She felt... strange. There was a sense of vibrancy still thrumming through her despite the lack of a fully restful sleep.

’Curious.’

Her facial muscles twitched as - for a fleeting second - Elua imagined dropping her facade entirely. Permanently. Letting her true self be seen by everyone through those dull mint eyes. Maybe even working harder to fix the issue, instead of taking the easy way out with her illusion.

Even as her facade returned, the thought remained equal parts tempting and terrifying. The small teenager squared her shoulders and headed for the door, where she took the time to inform the servant of what to do ’just in case’ her ’friends’ showed up while breakfast was ongoing.

Then she skipped away like a leaf on the wind. Her Qat awaited - and after that, who knew?

The girl quickly approached the eastern terrace before slowing. The scent of freshly brewed tea and warm pastries wafted through the air as she paused at the decorative arch. She took in the lovely sight before her.

Qatrand er Yecine sat at a small table... with her well defined back straight and her raven hair neatly combed. The morning light soaked into her matte black blazer, contrasting with how it shined on the strands that fell down around the shoulders. She rapidly stood up at the cute girl’s entrance... with a very non-Yecine, warm smile.

"Good morning, El. I hope you slept well."

The Goltbred returned the smile - with ’mischief’ that made the taller teenager narrow her eyes, even before any words were spoken.

"Good morning, my darling. I rested as well as one *can*... alone. But I wouldn’t have gotten *any* if you were there~"

A blush colored her Qat’s ears as she stepped over to pull out a chair for the teasing brunette. The ’older’ girl remembered the force of *that* feeling in her new spouse’s spirit - as well as the struggle and ’reluctance’ to part a few hours prior. It wasn’t like she wanted to go either!

"I... even though you told me it’s not my fault, I hope this makes up for it a little."

The pair settled into their seats and let comfortable silence fall over them. Elua poured tea after a dozen seconds enjoying the atmosphere of the setting. Her movements were graceful and practiced as the Yecine watched her... nervousness as clear in her posture as her spirit.

"El, about my hair..."

The swordswoman spoke as a small hand reached for a pastry. The illusionist stopped her hand hovering over the plate and focused intently on her beloved. She said nothing, but her mint gaze encouraged her partner to continue the thought. The young woman’s voice grew stronger.

"I’ve decided to continue changing my hair color. I’ll continue to use black for public matters... and blonde for our personal life. It’s my way of honoring the different commitments that I hold dear."

The heiress took hold of the pastry and moved it closer to her. Then she took a slow sip of her tea - her expression ’thoughtful’ as she gave the *appropriate* amount of time to seem as though she was contemplating this potential choice for the first time.

"How do you feel about this decision, my love?"

Tense shoulders relaxed slightly, knowing that the cute girl likely wouldn’t have had a problem with it wasn’t the same as experiencing it.

"Surprisingly... at peace. I know where my heart lies. At our wedding, after standing beside you with my trueborn color for all to see... I know that the rest is just a duty I fulfill, with respect."

"You never cease to amaze me, Qat. Your strength, your adaptability, and your sense of responsibility... they’re truly remarkable."

Pride radiated at Qat as she reached across the table to take El’s hand in her own.

"You may feel differently - but I learned from the best. You’ve shown me that it’s possible to navigate multiple roles without losing sight of who you truly are."

A facade slipped at that attempt at a compliment.

"Keep in mind that it being possible does not mean I’ve never lost myself. I..."

The depth of her emotions folded over and over until they were safely back inside. There was no sense ruining a happy morning! The pigeon blue eyes staring at her softened, the one behind them realizing that she had said something insensitive.

’There is still so much she must not have told me, yet.’

"Not currently important. I know who I am and who I want to be, Qat. I trust you even more than me to feel the same. Be it black hair or blonde, public or private. You never do anything you are unwilling to do, correct?"

The Yecine gripped the Goltbred’s hand tightly.

"You’re right. I do what I believe is necessary and right, just as you do."

Even before her facade was fully back in place, the small girl’s lips tried to form into a smile. It looked like a quivering sadness, visually, but the tendrils snaking all around her spirit could only feel ’gratitude’.

"Let’s enjoy this lovely and thoughtful breakfast you’ve arranged, my husband-wife. After all, I have disciples to entertain and a day of departure preparations ahead of us."