Chapter 31 - Secret Whisper

Girlfriend.

Woman.

How long had it been since the last time he had one?

Lifting the corners of his lips, Cor looked at his phone, re-reading the last message sent by his girlfriend. It was a good morning message, with a cute emoticon as usual.

[ Good morning! (◕‿◕) ]

Just a simple message that warmed his heart.

Yes, he didn't forget the fact that she was too young for him. Twenty four years of age gap, and it was the main reason that he couldn't tell the world about their relationship, yet.

He knew that this kind of relationship would face many hardships. They needed to hide it. They needed to keep it secret. They couldn't be honest with her parents, and he doubted that they would allow their daughter to have a relationship with an old man like him.

But, he couldn't stand seeing her crying over and over, especially when he was the cause.

Moreover, he loved her so much he couldn't stop thinking of her. He loved her so much that it was painful when he rejected her. He loved her so much that the days without seeing her were so excruciating.

They loved each other yet the age-gap hindered them from being lovers.

It burdened him whenever he should bury his feelings. It burdened him when he should hurt her because he couldn't—he shouldn't return her love. It hurt him when she shedded a tear. It was painful when he witnessed her crying.

But now all of those burdens had been lifted. All of those pains had been healed. Since he was officially her lover now.

And this morning when he woke up, the world seemed much prettier than before. He was so energized and refreshed. It was because he was so eager to go to the citadel and meet her. Also, it was because of a simple greeting message from her.

After making sure that he didn't have any paperwork left today, Cor left his office. He was in a very great mood now after having a morning kiss from his girlfriend.

Not being able to see her for a few hours—and they also couldn't have lunch together—, he already missed her though. But work is work. No slacking off. Even though this morning he slacked off a bit, just a bit, to get a kiss that cast a spell on him which brightened his day.

Cor didn't realize that he was walking with a smile on his face all along. Thus, when the elevator door opened, the man inside the elevator noticed Cor's adorable smile.

Blinking, Cor greeted the man as he walked into the elevator. "Hi, Clarus."

"In a good mood, eh, kiddo?" Clarus smirked.

Cor's heart let out a loud thud. Gulping, he looked sideways, avoiding Clarus's gaze. He then said, "Nah, not really."

Cor quickly put a stern face, trying to hide the fact that he was indeed in a good mood. He didn't want Clarus to find out that he had a lover which was the cause of him smiling all day. It would be worse, if Clarus knew that Cor's lover was a young woman who was still in her eighteen. And worst, if he knew that she was a daughter of William Heallint, one of the Royal Council members.

"You were smiling before entering the elevator. Very rare smile of a Leonis." Clarus teased.

Amicitia men were really perceptive. Cor was unlucky to have Clarus see his smile. Now he should be careful not to let another Amicitia catch his smile in the training room later.

Cor chuckled, pretending not to be flustered. "I think you're mistaken."

But then Clarus suddenly yelled, "Damn, kid. Fuck. I just realized, yesterday was your birthday wasn't it?!"

Cor furrowed his brows.

"Well… Yeah…" Cor replied.

He didn't know whether he should be happy or not that Clarus abruptly changed the topic. Good thing that Clarus wouldn't ask the reason about why Cor was smiling. But, he also didn't like it if Clarus was going to talk about his birthday.

"Gotta celebrate it." Clarus smirked. And this was the reason why Cor didn't like it. Celebration. The last time Clarus initiated the birthday party for Cor, he invited lots of women and booked a bar. That was because Regis couldn't attend the party, thus Clarus went wild.

"Nah, no need." Cor shook his head then looked at his front, to the steel elevator door which unfortunately reflected Clarus's smug face—even though it was a bit blurry.

"Let's have dinner! Party! We can sneak it between Reg's heavy schedule. Tomorrow, yeah?" Clarus warped one arm around Cor's neck and the marshal let him to. Cor didn't mind his gesture. Clarus loved to do that since Cor was thirteen and it became a habit even after they became old men.

"You do know that I dislike celebration. Just be honest and tell me that it is you who's the one wanting a party," Cor said.

Clarus laughed. "Damn, kid. But a party once in a while is nice, you know? Okay, just a small one this time then. And I can invite some people—women, single, who'll be more than happy to get to know about a birthday marshal."

Cor grunted, "I won't attend such a party."

"Okay, one woman then. I have someone in mind. She's perfect for you. Yeah... It will be a nice birthday, eh?"

"That's not the point…"

"Gonna tell Regis. He'll be very happy to join. You won't be able to refuse."

Cor sighed. Clarus was right. If Regis attended the party initiated by Clarus for Cor, the birthday marshal couldn't refuse. Hell in the Eos would you refuse a dinner with the King.

"But, if he can't. We can book a bar again like the last time," Clarus grinned.

"No."

The elevator stopped at Clarus's designated floor and Cor was relieved to be free from the bigger man's arm. And as the King's Shield left, finally there was peace.

Why should Clarus remember his birthday? It would be nice if he didn't though. But, deep down in his heart, Cor was quite happy that he remembered it. He didn't want to admit it though.

Cor crossed his arms over his chest, looking at the floor number displayed in the elevator. Ten... seven... three... It didn't take too long until he arrived at the ground floor.

As he stepped outside the elevator, his eyes caught a black haired young woman running toward the elevator while giving out a muffled scream.

"Aa…!" It was Eira. She was chasing the elevator and Cor quickly pressed the button for her.

Damn, she was so adorable. Running like that with her high heels tapping loudly on the floor, with a panicked face, while her hair was swaying roughly and now wasn't tidy anymore. Cor couldn't help but give off a chuckle.

"Slow down," he said gently just when she was four feet away.

"Huff… Thank you." She smiled while panting softly. Eira stopped running and scurried to the elevator.

They looked into each other's eyes for a few seconds, appreciating this fleeting moment when they could see each other inside the citadel without raising any suspicion.

"Hei…" Cor still held the door as he whispered to Eira. Glad that she was the only one there.

"Um?" she raised her head to look at the man taller than her.

Clearing his throat, Cor asked, "Dinner tonight?"

After hearing the invitation, Eira raised the corners of her lips then nodded, "Sure. Pick me at citadel west station."

"Why?" Cor raised a brow.

"Do you want people to see me getting into your car too often? What if someone also goes to the parking basement when we go there?"

"Right…" Disappointed, but Eira was right. Stepping back from the elevator, Cor looked at Eira for one last time before the steel doors were closing. She was smiling, and it created hundreds of fluttering butterflies in his stomach.

A forty three years old man, Cor Leonis, acting like a teenage boy who just had his first girlfriend.

Turning his body, Cor continued to walk toward the training room. This time he made sure that he didn't raise the corners of his lips, not even slightly. He didn't want anyone to stumble against him and noticed that he was smiling by himself, again.

Cor couldn't wait the training to be over so he could pick up his girlfriend to have dinner together.

Note : Sorry for short chapter again xDDDD Tehepelo- But thank you for reading! 3