Flash Marriage: In His Eyes-Chapter 311: Solving the Puzzle

–Livana–

"Mama... foodie."

I felt soft lips against my cheek, small arms wrapping around me with possessive affection. I must have fallen into a deeper sleep than I intended. My husband had thoroughly exhausted me before we surrendered to rest.

"Foodie, Mama."

"Hello, baby," I murmured, still half-dreaming.

I tapped Damon’s arm behind me, feeling his warmth pressed against my back.

"Ungry, Mama. Ungry..." Sky rubbed his stomach dramatically.

I kissed his little tummy.

"I see that."

I tapped Damon again. This time he sighed, rose, and carried Sky to the bathroom. I pulled the pillow closer, ready to drift back into sleep.

"Mama!" Sky suddenly screamed.

I sat up with a yawn and walked toward the bathroom.

Damon was shaking his head while attempting to remove Sky’s clothes and diaper, looking utterly defeated by a nearly two-year-old.

"What now?" I asked, crossing my arms lightly.

"Mama..." Sky reached for my hand, silently demanding my assistance.

I glanced at my husband. He looked far too innocent—there was no evidence he had committed any terrible offense, only incompetence in toddler negotiations.

"Don’t be dramatic, baby," I said gently.

I removed Sky’s pajama suit and cleaned him with warm water, the steam rising softly around us. After drying him carefully, I put on a fresh diaper and dressed him again.

I handed him back to Damon.

He frowned.

"Take him," he insisted.

Of course.

I slipped on my robe and carried Sky downstairs. The scent of breakfast greeted us—warm bread, eggs, and tea leaves steeping.

Damien stood proudly in an apron, presenting a special plate just for Sky.

Damon placed him into his high chair, and Sky clapped excitedly, his delight unfiltered.

I scanned the room.

Everything was pristine. No trace of last night’s intrusion remained. The manor had swallowed the chaos and presented serenity in its place.

Good.

I sat at the barstool and reached for the tea my husband had prepared. I waited patiently as the leaves seeped into the water, releasing their fragrance.

"Picnic is off the list," I muttered quietly.

"Let’s leave and head back to the Philippines," Damien suggested. His tone betrayed longing—I knew he missed my sister dearly.

I agreed without hesitation. We could always have our picnic in our own garden. Under skies that belong to us.

Commander White entered the kitchen.

"My Queen." He handed me the tablet.

I reviewed the reports carefully before approving them.

"Let’s leave. Right away," I said softly.

He nodded.

My eyes drifted to Sky, who was eating enthusiastically, unaware of geopolitical tensions and calculated retreats.

He will understand.

"Let’s pack later," I added, and Commander White inclined his head again.

I sighed quietly, watching my son eat while my husband prepared my usual nutritious breakfast to accompany what Damien had cooked.

I took a sip of my tea.

Logan approached, still in his pajamas.

"I contacted the others. We’ll be departing immediately."

I nodded.

Sky was staring at his uncle thoughtfully.

Yes. He remembers.

"Let’s have that picnic in our garden back in the Philippines," I told him softly, leaning closer. "And a tea party. With lots and lots of food."

Sky’s face brightened. He clapped his hands excitedly.

And just like that, the promise lived again—relocated, not broken. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

A queen adapts.

A mother never forgets.

–Alyssa–

We went to Mt. Province, Sagada first and rented a transient house. Two rooms for Gina and Maris, another for Clark and Patrick.

And of course, I wanted a room for me and Lore.

Gina glared at me the moment she realized I wasn’t sharing a bed with them.

Lore carried our things into our room while I sat on the bed. It was just a foam mattress — not the plush spring kind I’m used to, no cloud-like comforters, no layered luxury.

I lay down to test it.

Not as soft as I prefer.

But it’s fine.

We’re only staying for a night.

I watched Lore pull out a clean sheet and gesture for me to get off the bed. He spread it neatly, added proper bedsheets, even laid another blanket over the pillow.

He gestured again.

I lay down.

Much softer. Much better.

The door suddenly opened without a knock.

We both turned.

Gina stood there, glaring.

"There is no way you two are sleeping together!" she declared like a strict mother.

"It’s fine. We already sleep together," I said calmly, patting the bed.

She frowned harder.

"We only sleep," Lore clarified.

I patted the bed again.

"Come."

"Let’s go downstairs and eat," Gina huffed instead.

I checked my phone. "Cellar Door has a nice vibe."

"Alright, let’s go," Lore agreed, picking up his briefcase.

Gina pointed at it. "Why are you bringing that?"

"He needs it for work," I replied as I slipped off the bed, brushed my hair, and grabbed my camera bag.

I also picked up the jacket I brought for Lore — the same one as mine.

Matchy.

Gina’s jaw dropped.

"You traitor!"

"Come on," Lore gently nudged her. "I’ll take photos of you and Alyssa that’ll make me look like the third wheel."

She immediately agreed.

I locked the door, reached for Lore’s hand, and he kissed the top of my head before we headed downstairs. He spoke briefly with the caretaker.

Outside, he took the wheel this time. The transient sat on a slope, zigzag roads winding downward. He drove carefully while we sang along to the music.

I snapped photos of my friends.

And of my first-ever handsome, muscular, rich boyfriend who also knows how to fix things and survive in the wild.

When we arrived, there was a bonfire surrounded by people. Fog curled around the tall pine trees like something out of a movie.

I took photos of the trees, then handed the camera to Gina as I waited for Lore to put on his jacket.

I held his hand as we walked.

The line was long. Patrick handled the orders while I pulled Gina and Lore toward a farther area with a scenic view — perfect for back shots with the pine trees.

Maris directed us.

"Look at each other!"

"Look at the trees!"

"Kiss!"

Now the three of us posed — Gina dramatically in the middle.

Lore stepped back. I stepped back.

We leaned in behind Gina and kissed — well, he insisted on kissing my nose only.

"Ugh, bleh!" Gina stormed off.

I checked the photos and laughed. We looked ridiculous.

I’m definitely putting that in our wedding slideshow someday.

Lore wrapped his arm around me as we headed to dinner at a cottage near the parking lot. The table was reserved for us — warm lights, wooden walls, the scent of grilled food in the air.

We ate Hungarian sausage. The others drank mango soda mixed with beer. It wasn’t terrible.

But not for me.

Lore liked it.

Which meant I’d be driving later.

After that, they were still hungry. Of course they were. So we went to town to eat again. My Lore needs carbs.

Drinks were bought, laughter echoed, and we finally returned to our transient.

I felt tired.

"Go bathe first," Lore told me.

The bathroom wasn’t anything like mine. It was spacious, but the heater kept switching from warm to icy cold without warning.

"Lore!" I called, wrapping my towel around me and opening the door. "Lore!"

He rushed over barefoot.

"What? Did you get hurt?"

"No." I pouted. "It keeps turning on and off."

He sighed and stepped inside, emptied the bucket, and filled it manually.

"Just use this for now."

"But I can’t bathe like that..." I absolutely could. I just wanted him flustered. "Can you scrub my back?"

He crossed his arms.

He knew exactly what I was doing.

He stepped outside and called, "Gina! Can you scrub Aly’s back?"

I groaned and shut the door.

"Coward," I muttered.

I finished bathing quickly. Not my usual long routine, but manageable. I wore my thick robe and returned to our room, carrying my basket.

Lore was on his laptop, headset on, working.

He turned slightly when I entered.

I loosened my robe slightly to tease him.

He immediately looked away sharply.

"What are you doing?" he hissed.

I pouted and went through my things, removing the robe and changing properly. I sat on the bed, applying lotion slowly. He didn’t turn around.

"I saw your brother a few days ago," I said casually.

"Hmm. How did it go?"

"I studied geometry. And other things."

"Okay."

He responded like he was listening — multitasking as always.

I slipped into my pajamas and continued my skincare routine. Yes, I brought my glam box. Lighted mirror. Complete skincare set. I refuse to compromise my glow.

"Guess what?" I grinned.

I picked up the wooden geometrical puzzle box.

The one I finally opened.

I had been over the moon for days but kept my composure.

I had never expected Lore to give me something so breathtaking.

Inside was a gem covered in a velvet pouch, revealed after arranging the puzzle until it finally turned into a box.

Beautiful.

Rare.

And undeniably meaningful.

I slid the ring onto my left ring finger. It fit me perfectly.

"What?" Lore asked again when I didn’t respond.

"I found something very interesting."

"Okay..." he muttered, trying to sound invested while still typing.

I raised my brows, waiting for him to turn his head.

He didn’t.

"Lore," I warned softly.

"Hmm?"

I stood up dramatically and walked right into his line of sight.

Now he looked at me.

I lifted my hand in front of him and placed the wooden geometrical box on his table.

His jaw dropped.

Speechless.