Chapter 216: Today, we ride! (1/2)

”Do you really need to go?” Irea asked, wrapping her hands around Layn's belt. Hugged to his back, she just listened to the calm beating of his heart.

”I was the one to suggest the plan,” the archmage replied, lowering his hand and cupping it around his wife's hand. ”I cannot send others for this nearly suicidal mission if I don't go myself,” he said, taking a moment to enjoy the girl's warmth.

”Aren't you the leader of the camp?” Irea asked, still unwilling to accept the harsh reality. ”Can't you just order someone to do it?” she asked in a pleading voice.

”I'm not a commander, but a leader, just like you said,” Layn whispered. ”And as the name suggests, a leader leads. I'm not the ruler to rule. I never wanted to be the one in the first place,” he said in a steady voice, caressing Irea's gentle fingers. ”Heck, I'm not even a leader of the camp in the first place. I know you didn't mean it, but using that name could lead to internal strife later on. And this isn't something we would want, would we?” A small snicker escaped from Layn's mouth.

”If you are not a leader, there should be no need for you to lead, then!” Irea protested, pulling herself even deeper into Layn's back. ”I know it wasn't official or celebrated, but didn't we marry just the other day?” she asked, rubbing her forehead against Layn's spine. ”Can't I have you for myself for just a little longer?”

”It is just as you said, I'm not a leader of this place,” Layn mirrored the girl's words. ”And that means I need to do my duty to protect it, just like everyone else,” he added, turning around on his heel.

Irea didn't let go of him, yet she now buried her head in his chest. Unable to resist, Layn rested his cheek on the top of her head, soaking both her delicate aroma and warmth.

”Layn! We are going!” A sudden shout from the outside broke the peaceful scene for the two.

”I need to go, dear,” Layn whispered, caressing Irea's back with his hands. For a moment, he wrapped his arms around her, only to hug her as close as he could without actually hurting the girl. ”I promise, I will do everything in my power to not make you wait for long,” he added, trying to comfort the girl in this trying time.

But the time of comforting each other could only last for so long. As reluctant as Layn was to do it, he let go of the girl's body before lowering his hands and pulling Irea's arms apart.

”Stay safe and return promptly,” Irea muttered softly. ”I know that you are strong enough to take care of yourself... But take care,” she added as tears started to well up in her eyes.

'I really need to make this sabotage matter,' Layn thought, turning around and walking out of the house in order to avoid looking at his wife's tears. He was used to the sight of blood and carnage, yet just a few drops of water on the face of the girl he loved proved to be too much of a sight for him to bear.

”Done bidding your farewells?” Ation asked as soon as Layn emerged from the building.