CHAPTER 101 - IMPROMPTU PICNIC"Let's see who's making such a fuss this early in the morning," hearing the woman speak as if the commotion was trivial, Jake could feel his legs shaking as he approached her.
"Wh-w-w-who are you?" A stammering Jake didn't recognize Harriet.
Well, that was understandable since Harriet and Jake hadn't really been acquainted and had hardly seen each other. Moreover, Harriet's appearance today was much different from the usual Harriet, who was neat and beautifully decorated with make-up and jewels on her body.
Everyone saw Harriet standing in front of them like seeing a forest spirit coming to their rescue. A forest spirit who befriended a savage wolf monster–
Jake was taken aback when suddenly the giant white wolf stepped casually over to Harriet's side and gently nudged her chin. The wolf licked Harriet's cheeks and lips, causing Harriet to laugh again and gently stroke the wolf's head. Harriet glanced at the humans who were frozen where they were, stiff and afraid to make a sudden move.
She laughed kindly. "Don't be afraid, this is my husband," she said soothingly.
Hearing Harriet's explanation, everyone turned even paler. So they were indeed just met a forest spirit or some kind.
"Jake Scolecite, right?" asked Harriet.
Even this forest spirit could know his name?!
Jake shuddered and marvelled at the same time. He was fascinated by the beauty and the beast that accompanied her. The man saw the beautiful woman slowly climb onto the lowered body of the big wolf and was again mesmerized by her gentle smile.
"We'll meet again soon," said the woman kindly.
Ba-dump!
Jake could feel his heart pounding hard. Meet again? With that beautiful woman?
Liam carried Harriet away and disappeared behind the hills in a matter of seconds. Nothing could react or move even after a few seconds passed.
"You all saw what I saw, right?" Jake asked.
Everyone nodded.
Jake furrowed his brows and told his unharmed subordinates and knights to start tying up the mercenaries who had lost their will to fight. Most of them fainted from fright with foam in their mouth.
***
Harriet leaned against Liam's furry back. The white wolf ran with Harriet through the fields and hills. The wind caressing Harriet's long hair made her feel like she was out of this world. It was as if she was an out-of-the-world creature exploring the world for the first time again.
Liam jumped high, causing Harriet to gasp, and at once they came upon a vast field of flowers.
"Oh, God…" Harriet looked around, as far as her eye could see there were only yellow and white wildflowers.
But Liam hadn't stopped walking yet. He continued walking towards the trees and stopped at a flat land at the edge of an empty forest, with a fallen tree at the side. Liam dropped Harriet, who felt it was the perfect place for a picnic.
After getting off Liam's back, Harriet walked around. When she turned to Liam, Harriet was somewhat surprised to see the man had returned to his human form, naked.
"Oh," Harriet raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"Pfff–" Harriet laughed at her surprise, and Liam laughed too. The naked man stepped closer to Harriet and kissed her.
There was absolutely no living thing around them, except for butterflies and other insects in the trees and grass. Liam took his clothes from Harriet's hands and started to dress. Meanwhile, Harriet started looking in all directions to better identify the area.
"I'll find breakfast for us. Will you help me find some wood for the bonfire?" Harriet heard Liam ask behind her.
Harriet nodded and turned to Liam "Of course. Be careful, Milord."
Liam then disappeared while Harriet went around looking for dry twigs and sticks. She hadn't really exercised in a long time, but she didn't push herself. Her pregnancy wasn't really a barrier to her activities either.
But who was she lying to? If it was an errand trip from the Emperor, Harriet wouldn't be so enthusiastic about gathering dry twigs and leaves. Since she went with Liam, the man she loved, on an impromptu picnic, it was understandable that she was much more enthusiastic than in her usual outdoor activities.
While walking a little deep into the forest, she saw little furry animals gathering and running around. Harriet couldn't help but smile. It was as if her rebelling youth who often left the house secretly returned again.
Did Liam ask her out because of yesterday's story?
Harriet began to speculate. If they had met sooner, maybe, when Harriet was a little younger, would they have fallen in love?
Harriet laughed to herself at the thought of Liam asking her to sneak away from under her mother's watch and run away from the balcony window of her old residence. Then they would go to the hills like this and have an impromptu picnic.
Liam is just like Arai, they would take her away under the same circumstances, under the watchful eye of her mother. Harriet was starting to realize that it seemed like she really fits the same type of person, who was outgoing, mischievous and witty.
But Liam was a little different.
A blush appeared on Harriet's cheeks, and she began to stroke her flat stomach.
Harriet returned to where she was before and knelt on the ground, piling the twigs together. As she finished, she saw Liam walking over with two large, delicious-looking river fish. The man put the two fish down and started making a fire–
"Huh?" Harriet was bewildered to see Liam pick up a stick and scratch it with his fingernail in a very fast motion.
SCRATCH!
"Ah!" the woman gasped when she saw the fire that was suddenly combusting so big. Liam blew it on another stick and created fire without any tools. The man finished and Harriet immediately grabbed his hand and looked at his nails. The woman asked, "How is that possible?"
"Ah, my nails are quite hard, harder than rocks, so the friction with the wood can quickly create a fire," Liam explained calmly.
Harriet blinked a few times at Liam's explanation.
"You created fire with your bare hands, and I almost thought you were doing magic or alchemy just now," she muttered. She was surprised Liam could create fire with just his physical strength.
Liam smiled and stole a quick kiss on the cheek of Harriet who was still in awe of his hand. While preparing the two fish he caught on the fire, the man asked Harriet, "You didn't tell him your identity on purpose… what was his name earlier?"
"Oh, you mean Jake Scolecite?" asked Harriet.
"Mh-hm, Scolecite. For what reason?" Liam continued then.
"I don't know. It felt like it was for the best. But if they see me here with you, the next time people confront our relationship, they can help our state that we're actually close and don't have any domestic problems," Harriet muttered.
"Is that what you think?" Liam asked quietly, feeling that Harriet's explanation made sense.
"No, Milord," Harriet smiled widely, turning to Liam cheerfully. "Actually I just wanted to show off that my husband is really strong and cool," she replied.
Liam laughed out loud at that.
"Mm, right," Liam gave Harriet a mischievous look and caught her chin. "I wanted to ask about this from yesterday. Why do you say that I am a good father to your friends?"
Harriet raised her eyebrows, and instantly her face was burning red. Liam's golden eyes looked her straight in the eye and Harriet didn't know how to explain.
But in her panic, Harriet said quickly, "You will be a good father to my child anyway, right? D-don't tell me you're going to run away from your responsibilities!"