Chapter 309 - THE WINTER MORNING

"Are you trying to run away from me? I'm not letting you do that. You owe me a kiss."

Veronica thought that she heard someone talking to her, but she couldn't recognize who it was. She felt like she was drowning in the deep pool of water. Gradually, her soul drifted somewhere.

When she finally opened her eyes, it was already morning. She rubbed her eyes and looked outside the window. Everything was white. Layers of snow covered the trees. She couldn't see anything after that. The scenery behind the trees was hazy.

'Was there any scene like that in the tower?' she wondered. Closing her eyes, she tried to recall yesterday's event. When she remembered going to Merlin's house, her eyes flew open. 'I don't remember going back to the tower. Did I sleep over?'

She moved the comforter away and tried to get up, but then she realized that something heavy was over her body and that WASN'T the comforter.

It was a hand.

A man's hand.

For a moment, her heart dropped to her stomach. Her inside was filled with terror. 'Who…?'

The next second, she found the hand familiar. Carefully, she turned around and found Arthur. His eyes were closed.

Veronica stared at her husband. She hardly had time to see him sleep like that. Most of the time, he woke up before her. She slowly reached out and touched his long eyelashes. His eyelashes always attracted her.

Her fingertips brushed over his lashes. They quivered at her light touch. She hurriedly moved her hand away.

Arthur opened his eyes. His clear golden eyes landed on her white face. His eyes gradually curved with a smile. "Morning."

"…Morning." Veronica discovered their morning interaction could be normal. If it was before, they either started another course of lovemaking or woke up with the other side empty.

Wishing each other good morning or greeting morning after waking up beside each other was sweeter than making passionate sex.

Veronica's heart softened after perceiving this. The corner of her lips lifted without her noticing.

The back of his fingers caressed her face. "Your face is cold," he commented.

Veronica held his hand and spread his fingers before pressing his warm palm on her face. "Then, you warm it for me."

"…Okay." Arthur was surprised that she was acting affectionately. He became nervous. He kept his palm on her face to warm her. He dared not to make another move.

Veronica closed her eyes again, enjoying his warmth. "We hardly spent time like that, didn't we?"

"…Yes. I'm sorry I should have done better." Arthur's eyebrows were slightly knitted. He recalled the time. All he did was make passes at her in the past.

If others knew it, they would say he was only after her body. He couldn't blame his wife for thinking that way either.

'I actually tried to possess her without giving her actual love. If it wasn't for me losing her for months, I would have kept mistreating her. Should I say that I was lucky to lose her?'

"No," Veronica shook her head. "Marriage is between two people. No matter what it is, we are both in it. We are both at fault. Let's do better from now on."

"Okay." Arthur leaned forward to give a peck on her forehead. "By the way, you forgot to kiss me yesterday. What's the penalty for that?"

With the sudden change of subject, Veronica was dumbfounded before pushing his chest. "Not giving you any. It's a punishment for scaring me in the morning."

"Scare you?"

"When I woke up and saw a hand over her body which shouldn't be there, do you know how frightened I was? I was spooked!"

"How about I give you compensation?" Arthur suggested.

"Compensation?" Veronica was curious. "What do you want to give in return?"

"A kiss."

"All right, get up. It's time for breakfast." Veronica was ready to get off the bed.

"What about the kiss?"

"Forget it. I don't want any." She brushed her hand.

The couple went outside and met a maid. The maid respectfully bowed at them. She informed them, "Master Merlin is waiting for you in the dining room."

"Please show us the way," Veronica requested.

They were escorted to the dining room. Ironin and Merlin had already started their breakfast.

"Good morning, Veronica, Arthur. I hope you had a pleasant night," Merlin greeted them.

"Good morning, Merlin." Veronica was all smiles. "Yes, that was wonderful. Thank you for your hospitality. And I apologize for imposing on you unnoticed."

Merlin took a loaf of bread and replied, "Don't be so formal. You are welcome to come here if Arthur bothers you too much."

"Nice idea. Thank you, Merlin." Veronica appreciated it.

Only Arthur glared at Merlin. "Did you get a reply from the king?" he asked.

He meant – if you have time to meddle into my business, then I think you have finished the task I gave you.

Merlin applied butter to the bread. "Not yet. I'm hoping to get a letter within three days."

"Too late." Arthur was dissatisfied.

"What's the hurry?" Merlin shrugged. "The enemy isn't going to kill you. Ironin is guarding Veronica. As long as you two have trust and communication, nothing that happened in the past will repeat."

Arthur stared at him. "And you think you are an expert in married life?"

"What he said is true," Veronica sided with Merlin. She glanced at him and inquired, "Is there anything I can do to help?"

Merlin smiled at her question. He was a person who liked to work alone, but he didn't mention it to her. His answer was rather polite.

"It will be great if you don't meddle into this. You are already involved and suffered a lot. I know you had lots of adventures and had a hard time. Why don't you relax for the time being? Since I'm already doing this, let me take care of it. If I need help, I'll definitely ask for your assistance like before."

His answer appeared to be logical to Veronica. "Sure. I do have things I want to do."

"You don't like to stay put, do you?" Arthur smiled. "If you are so restless, you should eat more." He placed two slices of bread on her plate.

"Don't treat me like a kid." Veronica pursed her lips.

"You don't like it when I treat you like an adult." Arthur showed an innocent expression.

Veronica frowned. "When did that happen?"

Arthur started, "When I wanted to give you a kiss…"

"All right, stop it," Veronica interrupted him in a hurried manner. She didn't want their bedroom story to spread more than it's necessary.

Merlin controlled his laughter. "Anyway, I'll be off after lunch. If you want to stay here and explore the house or the garden, you are welcome to do so. I won't be coming until late at night. You don't need to wait for me."

"No one will wait for you," Arthur bluntly replied.

"Arthur didn't mean that. We are supposed to go out sightseeing after breakfast. He meant we won't be waiting for you at your home." Veronica pinched Arthur's thigh under the table.

Merlin smirked. "I know what he meant. Enjoy your day." He finished his meal and left the room.

Soon, the other three were done eating. They were ready to go out. Veronica took a look at her husband. "Are you going to the tower?"

Arthur casually answered, "No, didn't you say we had a sightseeing plan? Let's do that."

"I'll be around." Realizing that it was a 'couple-time', Ironin swiftly left.

"Where did he go?" Veronica was surprised.

"Don't worry. He will guard us no matter where we go." Arthur reached out his hand. "Shall we go?"

Veronica hesitantly placed her hand over his. "Okay…!"

The next second, they vanished from the place. Arthur sued teleportation.

The next moment, Veronica found herself in the crowded street. "Where are we?"

"Kerbell. It's the port city on Tybu." Arthur pulled her hand. "This place always bustles with people from other kingdoms who bring their exports here. From this place, the goods are supplied to the whole kingdom."

"Where are we going?" Veronica thought they came here to shop.

"Somewhere you would like to be in." Arthur didn't say anything else. He took her in the back alley and spotted a burly guy guarding a small door.

Arthur murmured a code in his ear. Afterward, the man allowed them to enter the building. Inside, it was dark. From afar, Veronica could hear faint noises. She narrowed her eyes.

They went further and they saw light coming from inside a room. Arthur opened the door and bright light blinded them. The noise became clearer. A huge crowd was cheering.

Veronica blinked several times to adjust her eyes. When her vision became clearer, she noticed a hundred people gathered around a ring. Two people were fighting inside the ring. The ring was down there. Everyone was peeking down at the ring and encouraged the fighters to fight.

"…" With a subtle open mouth, Veronica stared at the ring. She detected a woman among the fighters.

A guy was fighting against a woman!