Ch. 10: Fun during Daytime

Jennifer knew she had to return home soon, to prevent people from becoming more suspicious. So, sadly, once Duke was completely healed, she had to leave. Duke didn't hear from her for days, and he hoped she wasn't being reprimanded because she was absent for such a long time.

Four days later, Duke was swimming in Rouge Pond, while his animal friends lounged around, enjoying the nice day. Jennifer walked into view, leading Autumn. Overjoyed, Duke swam up to Jennifer, while she made sure Autumn was safe. However, when he reached land, he noticed her sad expression and he made a concerned chuckling sound that got her attention.

"Hi, Duke," Jennifer said, trying to hide her sad tone. She went over to a log and sat down. Duke climbed onto the log and looked at her. "After I came home, Sir Howard lectured me, believing I ran away from my duties, even though Vince and Dave told him I was helping someone who is cursed. He said he could not trust the future alliance of Aether Lands and True Heart Lands with a ruler who acts irresponsibly. So to convince Sir Howard that I will be a responsible queen, I have to abide to a schedule he created. He said it would increase my sense of responsibility, which the Teague brothers failed to do. Vince and Dave couldn't protest because they said it would arouse suspicion with Sir Howard. Because of that schedule, I can't see you at night."

Duke was already protesting and he became more frustrated because Jennifer couldn't understand him. She reached out and stroked him, which calmed him down.

"The good news is that this will only last a week and Vince and Dave talked to Sir Howard into giving me 4 hours of free time during the day," Jennifer said and smiled a bit. "But knowing them, they probably blackmailed him."

Duke felt a little better; he could see Jennifer during the day, but that severely limited the activities he liked to do with her, like holding her, talking with her, and especially kissing her.

"Well, I guess we have to make the most of our time together," Jennifer said and sighed. "Just don't know what to do now."

Duke realized this restriction was also affecting Jennifer as well. Usually she could think of fun activities for them to do, but now she was so sad, she couldn't think creatively. He then thought of a way to cheer her up. Jennifer didn't realize it, but Duke jumped down, then gathered his animal friends and told them his plan. Soon Jennifer felt someone pulling on the cuff of her riding pants and saw Duke tugging on them.

"What is it, Duke?" Jennifer asked.

Duke let go and lead her to the edge of Rouge Pond. He put his front paws in the water and looked back at her. He repeated the action, but Jennifer was confused. Duke decided on a more direct approach. He ran back to Jennifer and bit into the cuff of her riding pants again, trying to pull Jennifer to the water.

"What? Wait, you want me to swim with you?" Jennifer asked. Duke let go and nodded. "I don't know, Duke . . . I didn't bring my swimming gear . . ."

Duke didn't want to listen to her excuses and tried to pull her to the water again. Jennifer couldn't help but laugh seeing an otter trying to drag her into the water.

"Duke, stop!" she protested through her laughter. "What are you trying to do? I can't swim now! How will I—AHYYHH!"

This is when Dwight came up from behind her and attempted to nudge Jennifer closer. However, he overdid it and accidently shoved her into the pond. Dwight looked guilty and embarrassed. Duke didn't say anything and went into the water, swimming around. Jennifer soon surfaced and Duke swam up to her. He swam to the sleeve of her jacket and began to tug it off. Before Jennifer had a chance to protest, she felt Claire trying to undo her shoes, while Tommy was helping Duke remove her clothes.

Seeing that she was outvoted and that they were trying to help her relax, she stripped down to her undergarments and swam with the animals. She first brought her clothes to land and Dwight did his best to either hang them up or lay them down to dry. Duke made a happy purring-grunt sound as he watched Jennifer swim. He dove underwater and swirled around her. He then tickled her stomach with his whiskers before he surfaced and saw Jennifer laughing.

Time passed and Jennifer swam close to Duke's cabin. She then got out and entered the cabin to clean up. Dwight came by later to give her the now dry clothes. After Duke was finishing drying himself, Jennifer, now cleaned and clothed, came out and bent down next to Duke.

"Thanks for cheering me up, Duke; I had fun," Jennifer said, smiling and patted his head, making him smile. She then playfully tapped him on the nose. "But one of these days I'm going to get back at you."

Duke looked surprised as Jennifer walked to Autumn.

For a week, Jennifer told Sir Howard that she went swimming in the morning for exercise and he seemed fine with that. Jennifer really did enjoy her morning swims with Duke and his animal friends. They even played games like tag or hide-and-go-seek in the water. Jennifer had a feeling that Duke let himself be caught on purpose sometimes, but she didn't mind; especially when she tickled him when she caught him.

Duke was happy that he and Jennifer could enjoy each other, even when he's an otter. He didn't forget Jennifer's words of revenge, but she hadn't acted upon it. Duke decided that Jennifer was just giving him a hard time.

The week was over, and Jennifer could finally visit Duke at night. When she saw Duke standing close to Rouge Pond, she ran into his opened arms, and they embraced and kissed each other.

"I missed this," Duke said, after the kiss.

"I missed hearing your voice," Jennifer said, causing Duke to smile.

"What do you want to do tonight?" Duke asked. "Anything you like."

"Whatever I want?" Jennifer asked.

"Whatever you want," Duke answered.

"Well," Jennifer said. "Let's start with this."

Jennifer then pushed Duke into the pond. A few seconds later, Duke surfaced, looking at Jennifer in confusion.

"I told you I'll get back at you, didn't I?" Jennifer said with a teasing smile, as Duke walked out of the pond.

"Yeah, you got me back good," Duke said and then scooped her up in his arms. "Now we're going to have some real fun."

Duke ran to the pond, with Jennifer in his arms and jumped into the water. Soon they surfaced, laughing together. They then kissed and began undressing each other until they reached their undergarments. Duke took in a deep breath and kissed Jennifer once more. He then took her beneath the surface to show her the magic within Rouge Pond.