After rescuing Eilownia from the Elaide Brothel, they traveled slowly on horseback back to Sola. Many Solans eyed them nervously and suspiciously, whispering quietly amongst themselves as the men’s horses walked on through the streets.

"We’ll stop here." Marix said, bringing his horse to a halt in front of a large inn. There was a path to what looked to be luxurious stables in the back.

After instructing his men to wait outside while he checked the rooms, he dismounted and then held his arms up for Eilownia.

"Come to me."

She placed her hands on his shoulders and slid off into his arms. He let go only once she was steady on the ground.

Marix took her hand in his and led her inside.

As he relayed how many people would be staying the night and how many horses, Eilownia looked around at the interior, her eyes practically sparkling.

Rounded, light wood pillars held up the floor above, they shined like honey. She couldn’t help but reach out and rub one of them – it was smooth like butter.

The wood floor held the same shine and color as the pillars. It made no creaks when she walked around, and the main lobby was mostly covered with a large cream colored rug with yellow designs.

Against the wall directly across from the counter was a stone fireplace. Although it was too hot now to keep it lit, she wondered how it would feel to sit down there during the colder months.

Memories of that rainy night with Marix flooded back into her memory, which caused a huge smile to spread across her face.

"Whin, come." He commanded, while waiting at the base of the stairs.

His heart skipped a beat when she turned around to face him with that giant grin of hers.

Their room was nice as well. Not as large as his bedroom at home, but decent for an inn. There was a bed in the middle, smaller than his, with two nightstands on either side and a plush bench sitting at the end of it.

Across from the bed was a fireplace with two chairs facing it and two doors on either side; one a walk-in closet and another to a bathroom.

Eilownia was busy checking out the walk-in which held towels, robes and slippers, while Marix started to run her a bath. She’d been through so much, he wanted to make sure she was relaxed and that her days of suffering were over.

The bathroom was a bright white marble with a large soaker tub big enough for two or three people.

’Of course, this place should offer luxury somewhere for its price. I bet this is where the highest nobles stay during the festival and ball season.’

Marix often traveled to Sola as a child for festivities, and after the war had began, he’d come for political ties and for social appearance.

However, being a Prince, and later the General, he never stayed too late and always returned home in time to sleep in his own bed.

If Eilownia had not been carrying his child, he would’ve had them all gallop through until they reached Viraaz.

He didn’t know much about pregnancy, but he remembered when his late mother had become pregnant with his younger sibling, she couldn’t ride her beloved mare anymore. Something about the motions of it being bad for the baby.

Thus, they would walk back at a slow pace.

’Is it still alright, I wonder? If we walk slow enough, she shouldn’t face too much motion. Am I protecting her enough? I’ll have to ask Dr. Lein all of these things and tell him how we rode home as soon as we get there.’

A few moments later, Marix called Eilownia into the bathroom and told her to bathe.

Her eyes widened as she entered and saw the tub full of bubbles.

She gasped and ran up to it, staring in with her jaw open wide with a smile.

"You caught me a cloud?!" She reached her hand out, palm flat and pressed against the bubbles, causing them to stick to her hand.

Eilownia giggled as she blew them in the air and watched them float around.

"They’re bubbles. I made you a bubble bath. Relax and bathe while I go give everyone else their rooms and find you something to eat. Don’t open the door for anyone and don’t leave the room okay?"

She nodded as he kissed her cheek, "Okay~"

As he went to leave she stopped him, "Oh Marix!"

"What is it?" He turned with a look of concern.

"Can you get me seasoned chicken to eat?" She asked, licking her lips and gulping hard.

Marix let out a soft laugh, "I’ll do my best."

He then left her alone to enjoy her bubble bath, which she slowly sank into. It wasn’t too hot but was instead a perfect warmth.

She splashed around in it a bit and squished the bubbles in her hands before she leaned her head against the back of it and sighed with contentment.

"I’m so glad Marix has come to take me home and that he’s going to marry me~" She hummed while looking up at the ceiling.

She couldn’t help but imagine being married to him and living in his estate, raising their baby together.

"Will you be a boy or a girl? I wonder~ I don’t mind, you can be whatever you want to be. I love you all the same." She said aloud, continuing to stare up at the ceiling.

Then, she reached down and rubbed her lower abdomen while staring down at it, "You know, I won’t let anyone treat you like how I was treated. Marix and I will protect you forever. I’ll make sure that our home is full of your smiles. Will you like that?"

She smiled and giggled as she continued to imagine how their home would look. First, she and Marix would change his bedroom to look more like their room rather than his and turn her bedroom into a nursery for the baby. Then, they buy a bunch of baby things....

’What do babies need I wonder?’

By the time she got out of the bath, Marix had already returned and was laying on the bed with his eyes closed.

Eilownia had put the white plush robe on provided by the inn and quietly crept over to the empty side of the bed.

"Marix?" She whispered, but he made no movement. His chest was slowly rising and falling as he slept.

Then, an aroma wafted into her nose. She turned around and gulped. There, on his nightstand was a plate of seasoned chicken.

She sucked on her lips as she shuffled over.

Marix opened an eye and watched as she started to devour the plate of food.

"Mmmm~! Hmmm~! Oooh~! Yumm~!" She made numerous delighted noises as she ate, which caused him to chuckle quietly.

Once she was done eating, he grabbed her and pulled her over on the bed.

"Oh! You’re awake!"

He smiled, "I’ve been awake the whole time. I just wanted to see the real you and I think, judging by how fast you gulped down that chicken, you’re quite the monster."

She giggled as he rolled her onto her stomach, "I don’t know, I just wanted it so bad~ I was already salivating so much at the thought of it."

Marix nodded and began to give her a light back massage, "Whatever you find yourself wanting, I’ll do what I can to make sure you have it."

She lifted her head and smiled wide, "Really?! You will? Anything?!"

He nodded, "Anything. If you want it, I’ll do whatever I can to make it a reality."

She smiled and rested her head against the pillows, "That feels good~"

"I’m glad. I want you to relax. You’ll never face hardship ever again. Except for tomorrow."

"What’s tomorrow?" She murmured against the pillow, her eyes were already beginning to close.

"Tomorrow morning, we’ll head back to the Evans Estate."

Eilownia shot up and turned to face him, with a look of shock and a hint of betrayal.

"N-No! Never! I’m never returning there. If we go back, my father will NEVER let me go. Don’t you understand how he is by now?!"

Marix cupped her cheek and rubbed it with his thumb before slowly turning her back onto her stomach.

"Shhh....." He soothed her as he began to massage her back again, "It will be alright. I wouldn’t put you in that position if I was not confident you would be safe. The Viraaz troops will come with us. You will be completely protected."

"Are you sure?" She questioned as her eyes slowly started to close again.

"I’m positive. None of us will let anything happen to you. I’m going to make sure of that from here on out."

"Oh.....kay..." She whispered as she slowly drifted into a deep sleep. Marix continued to massage her for a while to ensure she was completely relaxed.

Tomorrow wasn’t going to be easy, but he was going to make sure his and Eilownia’s future was secure.