Chapter 19

Happiness

Inei heard beeping and hushed voices. She felt warmth where her body was under the blankets and cold where her skin was exposed. Feeling like opening her eyes would be a mistake, she tested her hands first. She flexed her fingers slightly, feeling the soft blankets underneath her. It was slow and lethargic. Slowly, carefully, she tried to open her eyes.

The room was dimmed. She blinked several times, as if to adjust her eyes to being open again. She tried to move her head. It was unusually stiff and difficult to move.

"She's waking up!"

"Wasn't that part obvious?"

"Remember to stay calm..."

"H-hello?" It took her a moment to get her mouth to work properly. She was instantly reminded of the first time she woke up this dazed and confused. "How long...have I been here?"

A hand stroked her hair. "Shh, sweeting. You've been out for awhile. Wait a moment."

"Lyude..." She breathed, elated to hear his gorgeous voice. She could make out his features dimly in the darkened room, but she reached out for him nonetheless. He caught her hand in mid-air, gently grasping it with his hand and kissing it tenderly.

"My darling Inei...how are you feeling?"

"Tired..." She replied. "Weak." But she smiled at the feeling of his hand against hers. So comforting...

"That's normal. I want you to rest up."

"Answer my question?" She could hear the slight hesitation in his voice.

"You've been unconcious for nearly ten days, sweeting."

"...Wow. That's a new record." She tried to smile at the small joke. Why was everything so hard to move when you stayed in a medical ward?

He laughed lightly at the remark. "Yes. And we can talk when you feel more up to it. You're still tired."

"And you?"

"I'm fine. I'll be right here to help take care of you."

"The others?"

"Nothing they won't live to tell you about later. Why don't you go back to sleep?"

"Hnn..." Inei felt herself slipping into darkness again. She hoped she wouldn't be out so long this time around.

Inei woke up many hours later to a brighter room and a familiar face. Lyude sat next to her, as promised. He smiled as she woke up, this time feeling much less groggy.

"Good morning, sweeting."

"Good morning." She replied, although her throat felt dry.

As if on cue, Lyude handed her a glass of cool water, and she shakily accepted it. He moved to sit next to her, and held her hand to stabilize it as she drained the cup. "And how are you feeling?"

"Better than last time." She said honestly. How was she supposed to feel? Her shoulder was sore, but it didn't burn like she expected it to. "How are the others?"

"They're fine, actually. A few more scars, but nothing significantly changing."

"And the casualties?" She asked meekly. She hoped it was a small, contained plot to overthrow the Alfard.

"We lost our treasurer." He said sadly. "And a few others. I...wish I could have done better protecting them."

Inei swore. "Damn!" She stared blankly at her blankets, then looked up at Lyude's depressd expression. "It's all right. I mean...he had us covered this time, right? We almost didn't make it. It's really not your fault."

"I know. But I do have this interesting story. We chose an excellent military leader. The story about the squad that was sent to assassinate him is quite riveting. He immediately mobilized the rest of his units to assisst after they successfully defended themselves from a dead of night sneak attack."

"Wow. That's pretty impressive."

"Yes. I do believe we were highly underestimated, however. He had a solid plan, but we were still stronger than he was."

"I'd say so..." There was a following awkward silence. She really didn't know what else to talk about. Do they talk about them? About what happened? She glanced at him, waiting for him to say something. He was looking away uncomfortably, which sort of confused her.

"Inei..."

"Yes?" She asked quickly, eagerly.

"I-it's about your injuries..." Guilt riddled his face.

She froze. "Wh-what?"

"Now it's not that bad! It could've been alot worse!" Lyude said quickly. "But the shot you took to your leg was aggravated after it didn't recieve immediate treatment. I'm sorry, but it's been permanently damaged."

"My LEG?" She asked aloud, bewildered. "Well, HOW damaged is it?"

"You'll still be able to walk on it, but not without the help of a metal brace. And any sort of running could be an issue for you."

Inei folded her arms across her chest. "Great. Just great." Honestly, she was relieved that the leg hadn't become massively infected and have to be cut off, but this still meant she would have to go through some sort of therapy. That was not a happy thought.

"Other than that, you just need to wait for your strength to return. Once you've spent a few more solid days under observation, and do well, you'll be able to leave the medical ward at least."

Inei frowned for a bit, looking down. She then turned to see Lyude's smiling face, and couldn't help smiling back at him. "What about vacation?"

"Over there, over there!" Inei pointed to a gorgeous hand-made flower display, which showed mixed breeds of flowers and an enormous variety.

Lyude smiled, happily wheeling her over to the stand. "All right, I'm going."

Inei's leg still needed time to rest and heal before she could try walking on it. But they had waited too long for this break. And Inei wanted to come back to Anuenue. "Wow. These are so pretty." She inhaled the scent of the flowers slowly and appreciatedly. She gave Lyude a wide smile. "What do you think, dear?"

"I think they pale in comparison to your beauty." He replied, slightly red in the face.

Inei's eyes grew large as her face grew hot. "Um." She was so embarrased she couldn't reply. But she smiled at the sweet remark, attempting to surpress a little giggle but failing rather miserably.

Lyude smiled, leaning down and brushing her cheek with his lips.

"Oh how cute!" The woman running the stand fawned over them. "Ah, young love! How pure and innocent you two are! Oh if I could go back to those days..." She rambled.

Inei flushed deeper. "I...well, we..."

"Thank you." Lyude intervened, giving her a slight nod of the head.

"OWWW!"

Lyude turned Inei around, and they watched as just a few feet away, Folon had just attempted to give Fiza a bouquet of unique flowers. She had retorted with a sharp smack on the back, where Folon had a still-healing injury. Thus the loud shout.

"You are the most abusive girl I know!" He growled.

"And you should know I don't need these cheap gifts." Fiza retorted, pointing at the bouquet with her right hand. Her left arm was encased in a cast and sling.

"I thought girls liked flowers..." He whined, more annoyed than upset.

"We come to Anuenue, where the greatest schools and colleges of magic are, and you buy me flowers? Folon, I'm insulted. Truly."

"Hey, I'm sorry! Look, I'll take you to the old library. There's a few creepers left in it, but they're really weak, we can handle it. Wouldn't you like that?" He grinned at her sadistically.

Inei giggled at them. "Fiza always gives him a hard time." She watched as Folon walked away, and Fiza took a secret whiff at the pretty bouquet, a slight blush crossing her face. "Heehee, how cute. Oh, AYME!" She waved furiously to get the pink-haired girls attention from an opposite sale stand.

Ayme turned her head up, and waved back. She was walking with a temporary cane. Lyude wheeled Inei towards her, and they met up.

"How are you holding up?" Inei asked after they got close enough to talk.

"Fine, just trying to avoid unintentional jabs at my side." She adjusted herself to lean on the cane, keeping weight off of her injured side.

"At least you can walk on your own." Inei sighed, resting her elbow on the armrest of her wheelchair and setting her chin in her palm.

"Aw, it's not that bad. You could talk to Folon about it."

"I think he's gonna take Fiza to the old library. What's so funny?" She turned to Lyude, who had started to laugh.

"The old library is where we first, ah...met Folon." He explained. "It's just funny...to think of that place as a good date spot. It's highly unusual, but at the same time."

"Well, that is Folon. Unusual." Ayme remarked.

Inei giggled. "I see. So is your boyfriend going to be here later?" She asked.

"Oh, he mightbe around later. I don't think this is really his type of thing. Besides, I'm not really sure we'd feel right with all of you seasoned daters out here."

"I'm sorry." Inei said, sincerely. "I didn't mean..."

"Ah, don't worry about it. You enjoy yourself. I'm gonna go think for a bit. Maybe wander around. It's nice here." She grinned. "See ya later." She limped off, waving a hand in good-bye.

"We'll run into her later." Lyude leaned over and said to her.

"All right."

"What do you want to go see next?"

"The rainbows!" She said excitedly.

Lyude could only smile down at her.

"It's almost time for the fireworks." Lyude said, watching as the darkness seemed to fall down upon them.

"Oh, all right. I'm ready to go then." Inei smiled happily. She felt so at ease right now. As if everything in the world had instantly gone from bad to perfect.

He wheeled around to the more secluded streets, and they quickly approached a familiar building.

"Oh! That's the museum you took me to last year!"

"Yes, that's where we're going. I hope that's all right?"

"It's perfect." She said.

He took her inside, and locked the wheels to her chair at the base of the stairs. He then proceeded to scoop her up into his arms and carry her.

"Oh um...are you sure this isn't too much?" Inei asked, her face reddening.

Lyude shook his head. "No, this is fine." He carried her up the stairs and to their balcony.

It was quickly getting dark. Lyude carefully placed Inei on the balcony to sit. "Do you need a footrest?"

"No, I just be fine." She replied, carefully placing her legs in a comfortable position. "They should start soon, right?"

"Should. You've...been awfully happy today."

"Oh. Have I?"

"Unusually so. You're normally so neutral. But today you've been happy."

"I have good reason to be." She finally said. "I feel well rested. And I got to spend an amazing day with you. I don't think I've ever felt as content with my life-or myself-than I have felt today."

Lyude felt a blush grace his cheeks, and Inei thought she had never seen a cuter face than the one he made now. "It's been a wonderful experience for me as well, Inei. I've really enjoyed our time together."

A loud pop went off behind them, and the red glow of the fireworks showered them. "They're starting." She exclaimed, turning.

Lyude watched her as she turned, smiling at the lights he had grown so fond of. Her hair was done up in a complex weave of locks and flowers. The dress she wore was gems and sequins embroidered into fine silk, and lightly decorated with fresh-cut flowers. She was exceptionally beautiful. And it made him so happy to see her happy, content with her life instead of just going through it. He reached out for her hand...

"You must get bored of fireworks, since you see them every month, huh Lyude?" Inei asked, turning. She felt his hand on hers, and smiled. But when she turned to face him, she had to look down. He looked up at her from his spot on the ground, down on one knee, and gently removing a soft velvet box from his pocket.

"Inei." He began. "I have never met anyone as mysterious and wonderful as you. And I have never imagined I would find someone so perfect for me. You have rescued me as I have rescued you. And I find my love for you growing with each day, even on the days it seems impossible I could care for you anymore than I already do. So Inei...my sweet Inei..." He opened the box, revealing a gorgeous ruby engagement band inlaid in rich gold. "...would you do me the great honor of marrying me?"

Inei stared at him in shock. Should she had seen this coming? Probably. But it's something she hadn't even really thought about. Always too busy to think about this sort of thing... she moved her hand carefully towards the soft box, and felt her eyes water with happiness. "I don't really have a good reason to say no, do I?" She said, laughing.

Lyude laughed too, and moved to put the ring on her thin finger. He slid the ring on her left-hand ring finger, kissing her hand gently before moving to huddle her close to his chest, then leaning back and kissing her deeply on the lips.

Inei closed her eyes, relishing the taste of him in her mouth.

"I love you more than anything, sweeting." He said softly, the cutest smile and face directed towards her.

"And I adore you, darling." She replied with a heavy flush on her cheeks.

So this is happiness.

End? Ahahaha, probably not, but this is at least a good stopping point. I may take a break from this story and either work on something new or finish my LoZ one. Hope you've enjoyed! (So far.)