IX.

Beloved

It has been a month since Jean accepted my feelings. It has been a month since we officially started dating.

It has been a month, but I still feel like its yesterday. My days went on faster, I don't laze around much, and I found myself enjoying my time working.

The Traveler would pop in from time to time, and she would note that my smile was much more genuine than ever.

"Wow Lisa, you look even more blooming today!" remarked Paimon, her floating companion.

"Am I really? Or are you just flattering me?" I then asked her, and she shook her head. "Paimon's being genuine!" she then replied.

The Traveler simply giggled. "You can't deny the truth in Paimon's words. How are the two of you lately?" she then asked.

"Oh you know Jean, dutiful as ever, although recently I've noticed she's become more determined than ever." I then told her, and she smiled. "Maybe because you motivate her to be such?" she asked.

I felt embarrassed at her words. "Oh hush, Lumine. It's a good thing she's currently busy, lest I would be more flustered if she were to hear what you said…" I then told her, as the Traveler laughed.

"Lumine's enjoying this newfound power of teasing too much…" remarked Paimon.

"Hear what, dear?" then came a voice. I looked at the door and saw Jean enter, carrying a neat stack of papers with her.

Ah…my beloved. She looks so beautiful.

Lumine then went and assisted her. "Oh, good morning Traveler. Helping out as always." She commented, smiling at her.

"And Paimon too!" Paimon then interjected, happily taking the stack of papers from Jean. She laughed.

"Were you just eavesdropping outside? What a lovely sight that would be~" I then said, and she merely giggled.

"You know I'm not that type of person, Lisa." She then replied, as I took the papers from Paimon.

"Paimon thinks we'll be taking our leave now. We're off to do Commissions for the Guild." Paimon then said, as she waved her hand and floated back to Lumine. "Have a good morning, you two." she simply told them.

"Don't get carried away now, alright?" Jean then reminded her. As Lumine went out of the library, she looked back and smiled. "Of course, big sis." She then closed the door behind her.

"Part of the family now huh?" I then teased her, and she sighed, smiling as well. I went to her side, holding her right hand with my left. "Soon, you'll be, too." She then told me, looking at me as she closed the distance.

I felt her soft lips unto mine, and I realized that I will never tire of this sensation.

"I'll wait for the day that we exchange vows, then~" I softly told her as I embraced her. I let out a sigh.

"Are you alright, my dear?" she then asked me. She always was concerned, always was worried.

She spoils me so much with her affection. I am blessed to have her by my side. I am grateful that she loves me.

"I love you, Jean." I softly told her.

I heard her let out a content sigh, and returned my embrace.

"I love you, too."

"Jean, its already getting late, so why don't we—"

I looked at her desk and saw that was peacefully deep in slumber. I gently closed the door behind me and walked towards her, slowly.

There was nothing on her shelf which allowed her to sleep like this. I took a quick look around her office and noticed the lack of paperwork present.

Granted, the papers she gave me this morning were still at the library. They were mostly reviews made by the people who read the new books shipped from the Yae Publishing House.

…now I'm starting to think like Jean. Always about working and accomplishing tasks each day.

I took a nearby chair and set it in front of her desk. I took a seat and merely watched her sleep.

Seeing her like this makes me wonder: how often would I be seeing her like this once we…take our vows?

While it is considerably still far-off, there is no harm in thinking, or rather worrying about the future.

Goodness me, I never thought I would be this concerned about the future.

…love surely is a strange feeling, and yet I have felt nothing but the joys of it.

I have read about love, indeed, but not in stories. There were studies and research conducted back in Sumeru that aimed to decipher and empirically understand this emotion. I knew it was a fruitless endeavor, to begin with, but while it seemed nonsensical, it yielded numerous results.

The results all spoke of how individuals in love were more determined and focused, at the same time being dreamier and much more sentimental.

Similar to what I am currently feeling. I let out a giggle.

And then realized that it was quite loud. I looked at Jean, thinking I might've woken her up.

Thankfully, she was still sleeping. I let out a sigh of relief.

"Hmm…? What…?" then spoke a still sleepy Jean.

…curses! Now I've gone and done it!

"Ah, pardon me for the unnecessary noise, beloved." I then softly spoke, leaning closer and kissing the top of her head.

"Lisa…? Ah, is it…already late?" she then asked, as she slowly sat properly, yawning and rubbing her eyes.

"Adorable…" I found myself saying it out loud.

"Pardon?" asked Jean, still looking dazed a bit, but was slowly becoming fully awake. "I slept in here again…" she softly whined.

Now this is the first I'm seeing her like this.

An annoyed Jean Gunnhildr is slightly more adorable than regular Jean Gunnhildr.

I stared at her as she continued on with her annoyed glare. I found myself admiring this look of hers, too.

She then pinched the bridge of her nose. Apparently, sleeping in her own office rubs her the wrong way.

Naturally, I went to her side, embracing her as she stayed seated. "You're not bothered simply because you slept here. Tell me." I then softly asked her, leaning down and kissing the top of her head.

"I still have tasks to do that I wasn't able to finish because I slept…" she softly spoke, burying her head onto my stomach, returning the embrace I am giving her.

I gave out a giggle, and proceeded to untie her hair tie. I gently stroked her long blonde hair. "If its alright with you, I can help you out tonight." I offered. "That way you won't have to revise and readjust your schedule." I continued, as I went and held her head, then cupping her cheeks and positioning her face to look at me.

She gave out a sigh as she averted her gaze. "We may end up going home at midnight…" she told me.

I leaned down and pecked her lips. "Two heads are better than one, or so the old saying goes." I told her, smiling.

She managed to show me a smile as well. "Very well then. We better start now." She then told me, as she broke away from the embrace and stood up. She opened the drawers of her desk and took out stacks of papers.

Continuously.

"Oh dear…" I muttered. I looked at Jean once more, and saw that she was determined to finish all of this tonight.

I couldn't help but giggle loudly. Love truly is a strange thing.

"Lisa?" she then called out, and I just shook my head, waving my hand dismissively. "Oh its nothing, my dear. I'll go ahead and get some tea ready." I then told her, as I went out her office to brew some.

It has been a month since I accepted her feelings, and yet I fondly remember that day as if it happened earlier.

How time slips us by unknowingly whilst we enjoy heartfelt companionship.

I looked at my left side and saw her sleeping peacefully, unbothered, and comfortably.

"Lisa…" I softly spoke, caressing her cheek with my left hand.

It wasn't a particularly cold night tonight, but considering we both were sleeping naked, we are understandably pretty chilled.

She turned her head away from my hand. It seems I'm bothering her peaceful rest.

How cute.

I went and laid back down on the bed, wrapping my arms around her slender body. She feels so warm, and the smoothness of her skin is…alluring, to say the least.

It seems this is what they call "cuddling".

I positioned my face at the crook of her neck, and gently did I kiss it.

"Mmm…" softly murmured Lisa. I smiled. The sounds she makes while she sleeps would act as my perfect lullaby.

"I love you, my beloved Lisa~" I whispered, as I drifted off to sleep.