LoisNClark4Ever: Thanks for leaving a review! You know the general, he likes to intimidate everyone around him, but like you said, Clark can hold his own ;) All I can say besides that is, I hope you like this chapter :)
imhooked: The answer to your question is found in this chapter, but I tried to add a few dents, if you know what I mean ;) Thanks for reading! :)
SG2788: About the general and Clark, this chapter will answer if your theories are right. And thanks for thinking that I can feed your Clois addiction. I really burst with gladness reading that I can make my fellow Cloisers happy :) Thanks for making me happy as well :)
I now present the next chapter of No Other You :)
Chapter 20
Lucy's head snapped up from her current project, a landscape painting, and promptly dropped the easel on her work bench at the sound of the butler announcing her sister's arrival.
Lucy made haste, and she had made herself known, excited to see her sister and hear her stories. That she had a Greek-statue-brought-to-life in tow, made her more ecstatic. However, the scene she had arrived at was one that she does not want to be involved with.
It was similar to a standoff, with her father and Adonis staring at each other: the older man giving his signature death glare, the other one not backing down. At that moment, Lucy's admiration for Lois' companion grew leaps and bounds. Grown men cower at her father's glare, this one does not. It made her more curious to hear the story behind this current state of affairs.
Without warning, Lucy grabbed Lois' arm and with a quick word to her father, dragged her sister to her room, leaving the two men to deal with each other, and demanding Lois that she tell the story from start to finish, and to not leave any details.
And Lois did just that. With rapt attention, Lucy listened, nary a word from her mouth, only sounds of gasps or shock escaping her, absorbing everything that spouted from her sister.
"Oh my." Lucy said after Lois finished her story, her back hitting the bed in dramatic fashion. "It is all very romantic."
"You call the story of stolen identities, choking by water rope, and turning men into bats, romantic?" Lois asked.
Lucy shrugged, the smile still has not left her face. "It all boils down to the finale, my dear sister. You are safe and sound, with that man at your side, what am I to think of?"
"That you are delighted that I am still in the world of the living."
Lucy shook her head and grimaced. "Then I am delighted."
"You do not look delighted, sister." Lois pointed out.
Lucy studied Lois. Something was troubling her, and she vowed to unravel whatever she was hiding. "How long is your man staying?"
"He is not my man."
"Who is he then?"
It took Lois time to answer. "A hero."
"A hero?"
Lois nodded, not looking directly at Lucy. "He has saved me more than a couple of times. He saved his mother, he saved his friend. Would not that warrant said moniker?"
Lucy rolled her eyes. "Fine then, how long is your hero staying?"
"He is not my anything!" Lois blurted out, then immediately clamped a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide at her own outburst.
Lucy could not contain her glee. "But you want him to be?" Lucy asked cheekily.
Lois knew she was caught. Darn that intelligent sister of hers. She looked at Lucy and decided that it was probably prudent to tell somebody of what she was feeling, for she might burst if she did not tell a single soul. "It would not matter if he does not want you back."
Lucy scoffed. "And what made you certain that he does not return your sentiments?"
Lois turned her back to Lucy, walking to the bay window, hoping it was in time to hide the reddening of her cheeks. Their love making and his subsequent reaction to it was the only part that she had not dared to tell Lucy. "It is in his actions."
"And you are willing to give up?" Lucy asked, incredulous.
Lois sighed. Would she be her if she did?
"You are telling me: you married a woman who took my daughter's identity, then gets promptly burned, and her sister took revenge on you and my daughter, all the while using magic?"
Clark nodded, sitting ramrod straight opposite the desk in the study, bringing him back to his school boy days, only this time it was a general of the king's army and not a governess; an inquisition, and not a lecture.
The general leaned back on his chair, staring intently at Clark. While Clark knew that he did no wrong, he still felt like a child who got caught doing a naughty act. "If I did not know who you are, I would not have believed you."
In an instant, Clark knew that the general was not talking about him being a duke, but him being a spy.
"I know you Clark Kent." The general said. "Behind the Duke of Metropolis is a valiant spy for the king. I have heard your exploits while carrying out your duty, and I sense you are man of valour and integrity."
"That is high praise coming from a man like you, sir." Clark replied.
"Nevertheless, you have my gratitude for returning my daughter to me in one piece." The General stood up and walked around the desk and extended his hand.
Clark stood up as well, and took proffered hand. "It is my duty sir."
The general returned to his seat and leaned back leisurely. "You are most welcome here. I know you have a taxing journey, and I have ordered a room prepared for you to stay in until you are ready to depart."
"Thank you, sir, but if I may be so bold, we are just visiting."
The words did not escape the general. "We?"
"Yes sir." Clark nodded, feeling braver than ever. "We."
The general leaned forward and studied Clark. Then he started to laugh heartily, which confused Clark.
Once the laughter died down, the general stood up, went to the bookcase behind him and from a compartment, withdrew a bottle and two glasses. Pouring the drink, he offered one to Clark. "Continue. I am very much willing to listen."
And as the general listened to Clark, his smile continued to grow, and the only word going through the older man's mind was, finally.
Clark waited until the next day to put his plan into action. He knew that Lois would be tired, the reason he did not seek her out. But Clark could not wait further, he had to talk to her now at this ungodly hour in the morning.
After getting information from one of the maids, Clark went directly to the stable, hoping he would be able to catch Lois before she went on for her morning ride.
Luck seemed to be on his side, because he found Lois, dressed in a man's shirt and breeches, stroking the mane of a beautiful horse already saddled. Lois looked up, but before he could utter a word she said, "It is good that you are here."
"Pardon?" Clark queried.
"I have asked one of the grooms to summon you and now you are here." Lois replied, and then added hurriedly. "I challenge you to a bet."
"You have summoned me for what?"
"A bet." She repeated. "I challenge you to a horse race: the loser will get to do what the winner wants."
"A slave for life?" Clark asked, incredulous at the turn of events.
"If that is your wish if you win." Lois replied. "But please know that I have my horse with me, and even with your Sultan over there, you will not win."
"And what is it that you wish me to do, my lady?" Clark asked, knowing the question would elicit an answer that may diverge either way.
Lois scoffed. "I think it would be best not to say what we both are planning, so as not to taint the race. If you want what I want, then you might throw the race. The same goes for me."
Clark nodded and recalled back to the night they first met. "My eastern against your thoroughbred."
"Your Sultan against my Blaze."
Clark stepped forward and extended his hand. "May the best rider win."
Clark was ready more than he ever was. He was bent on winning this race. He would ask Lois for her hand in marriage, and that she give him another chance. He knew Lois would honor the wager once he won the race, and he knew that this was already his. He has the best goddamn horse in the whole kingdom, and nobody can beat him.
Meeting at the south gate of the property, they have laid out their path. Lois even sportingly told Clark to trace the path, towards the end line, the thatch of trees just before the cliff overlooking the vast ocean, so that he would not be surprised by the twists and turns of the road.
Returning to the starting point, he was more confident than before. Sultan can easily navigate between the turns, and there was that patch of long road towards the end line, and his horse can easily beat another in the open race.
"Are you ready, your grace?" Lois said.
"Ready when you are." Clark replied, his focus on the prize.
Lois signalled the groom, which started counting down, before uttering the word "Go!"
It was a mad dash. The ground was disturbed and they left a huge wake of dirt behind them. Even now, Clark was surprised by the speed of her thoroughbred, for while he was ahead, she was just a horse's head behind and seemed not to slow down.
Clark egged Sultan faster, but Lois and her horse still kept pace. The twists and turns are now coming, and it is imperative that he reach them first, because the path was narrow and it will give him a good head start before that long length of road nearing the end of the race.
Clark gave out a shout when he reached the turn first. Because of the width of the path, Lois was forced to stay behind him, and the best thing she can do was to stay just behind Sultan's tail.
Clark thought he was cruising well ahead, until he was challenged during a wide turn. Lois almost overtook him on the inside, but being alert and with the strong desire to win the race, he was able to fend her off. He heard Lois' grunt of displeasure, but he had to admire her persistence to win.
Finally it was out in the open, Clark bent down and spurred his horse to the win. It was so near, and Clark could clearly see the finish line, literally and figuratively.
What happened next stunned Clark completely. Even at his thundering pace, from the corner of his eye, he could see Lois atop Blaze overtaking him inch by inch. Clark urged Sultan faster, but for the first time in his life, Sultan could not seem to keep pace with Lois' thoroughbred.
But Clark still gave the best he got. He would not lose this race. He could not lose this race. He has to win this for the chance of his happiness, their happiness.
However, it was not meant to be. Lois' horse cleared the trees ahead of him, and just short of the cliff they both slowed down, leading them away from the edge.
Clark was stunned. He lost his chance the second he lost the race. As if going through the motions, Clark dismounted and was staring at Sultan with his pounding heart, already planning an alternative. Maybe he can enter a wager with Lois again, and this time, he will make sure he would win.
Clark turned around to face Lois, who was looking nervous standing beside her horse.
Lois thought her whole body would burst with adrenaline. She had won the race, and she would get the chance to be with the man she wanted. No, the man she loved.
Not wasting time, Lois charged ahead. She was unaware that she was wringing her hands.
"It may be unbecoming of a lady to enter a bet, and somehow, what I wanted you to do would further reinforce the fact." Lois started, afraid of Clark's reaction because of her wish. "But I want you to give me a chance to show you that we can be good together. I will not saddle you with forever if you really do not want me, but I know you are a gentleman and you will honor this bet. I have first-hand experience that you will not do anything that I am contrary to." Lois then stopped and hid her face in her hands. "I am a faltering mess, what am I even saying?"
The moment she removed her hands from her face, they were replaced with bigger and stronger hands, and lips she had been dreaming of every night was kissing her senseless that she thought she might drown in happiness.
But she still has certain questions, and a small pressure on Clark's chest made him stop, but he still did not release her. His hands merely travelled to her back to pull her against him. Lois' heart sang with joy, but there are several issues that she would like to address.
Lifting her head, she saw Clark smiling down at her, those beautiful eyes gazing at her as if he wanted to do it eternally. "Is this what I think it is?"
Clark brushed an escaped tendril away from her face. "I have just kissed you, my lady. What do you think would that mean?"
"I am not certain, your grace. But I was under the impression that you do not want anything to do with me after we-" Lois' eyes darted away from Clark's face, blushing and biting her lip.
Clark let out a sigh. "Forgive me for my boorish behavior, but I am filled with guilt because I have ruined you for a proper marriage."
"You really do not want me then." Lois said, head bowed down, but not before seeing her eyes starting to be filled with sadness.
"That is farthest from the truth Lois." He placed a finger under her chin and forced her to look at him. "Why do you think I married Maxima when she pretended to be you? I wanted us to do right. Only it was not you I am marrying but a very poor imitation."
Clark continued when the doubt still has not left Lois and said solemnly. "We made love that night, Lois."
"We made love?"
"Yes. That is what two people do when they love each other. It would not feel as wonderful and as breath taking as it was if there is no love shared between us."
"You love me?"
"Is it not obvious? I am so determined to win the race, because what I would have wanted is for you to give me a chance to make you happy and to make you fall in love with me, because I am head over heels, love. Ever since we started playing poker in Oliver's game room that night we met."
Lois did not utter a word, for the first time she seemed she was at a loss. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Clark's neck and silently sobbed against it.
"I already asked your father for your hand in marriage yesterday during our talk, and I was about to do so when I sought you out and found you in the stables. Instead you challenged me to a horse race."
Lois pulled away and Clark wiped the tears from her face with his thumbs. "If we hadn't done that, then we would not have known who the better rider was." She said.
Clark groaned, for images of a different type of riding invaded his mind. "Whatever is mine, is now yours. The stable that you said was renowed, it will be ours and you can ride to your heart's content." Then he placed his mouth near her ear as he whispered. "As long as you ride me when the sun sets, or any other time as you feel like it."
Lois shivered at Clark's words. Here was a man who can make her scream both in exasperation and in glee. She decided to keep it playful. "We have one win apiece, maybe you have an idea on how to break the stalemate?"
"It would not matter, love. As long as we do it together, then it is always a win for me." Clark said.
"A bit trite," Lois replied. "But I love it. I love you."
"And I love you." Clark replied, giving her a sweet kiss. "Does this mean you are going to marry me?"
"If it still not evident, then yes, I will marry you."
Hearing it out aloud brought Clark elation he had never experienced before. He picked her up and twirled her. As he set her down, he kissed her once more, and this time, Lois kissed back with more fervor. Soon enough, he felt the stirrings of desire, and he knew that he had to put a stop to it before they do something foolish.
"As much as I want to take you here and now, I am afraid we have to cease." Clark said, his breathing heavy.
Lois nodded. "I understand." But her eyes were still full of mischief.
"Besides, I still have business to attend to."
"Pray tell, what those businesses are?"
"We have to wait for my mother to arrive. I would not want her to miss her son's wedding. A real one."
Lois laughed gaily. "I would love her grace to be here."
"I also have to call upon my solicitor to have my marriage to the impostor declared null and void."
"That would not be necessary. We both know what she and her sister did."
"But it is important to me, love. Call me a stickler, but I wanted everyone to know that the first marriage was a farce."
Lois smiled, tears brimming her eyes once more.
"And I have to purchase a horse to give to your cousin."
"A horse for Chloe?" Lois asked, curious.
"You really are related, because she too, had made a wager with me. She believed that I would find the woman of my dreams in one of her parties."
"Ah. It is payment because you lost."
Clark shook his head. "No, love," he started. "It is a thank you because I won."
Lois understood, because she never thought that she would meet a man who had challenged her very being, and who loved her for who she truly was. This is would be the beginning of something wonderful that is the rest of their lives.
What do you guys think? Just the epilogue left! Hope you leave your thoughts here. Love you lots! :)