42 A picnic in the woods? (1/2)

I feel like I am a pet! Yes, if I think about it, our relationship is like I am the pet and Celes is the owner. When I do a pleasing trick I get fed and otherwise I have to stand on guard.

It's infuriating! I am the king of a country! Somehow I have to get the upper hand in our relationship. If I could just remember one weakness of hers from our past life.

Just a single weakness would be enough, but nothing comes to my mind. I remember that she always jumped at every plea of our children.

When I wanted her to do something, I always used our children as middlemen. Ugh, nothing like that available now... and I am not sure if having children in our current relationship would be a good idea.

And we will get married in a few months! Our parents are already making preparations and are sending out invitations. It looks like they want to throw a party for the whole world!

Huh, I guess they -are- throwing a party for the whole world! Stricc and Tirna will be officially one country after our marriage.

Every weekend Celes drags me off to an event. She always chooses loud places with many people. I really hate those, you can't talk to each other and in the end you just sit side by side and watch the performance. Maybe I should try to go on the offensive? It would surely surprise her if I would take her out on a date by myself?

If I would do something like that, it would surely catch her off guard and maybe I can find a weakness. But where should I bring her to? Hmmmm.....

****

Where should I take him to? Maybe the national flower garden or the new theatre? I can't decide what I like better. No point in asking the hermit, he would surely visit a library if he could choose.

I am in my room and planning our trip for today. There are still some points on my list, which have to be accomplished.

Muahaha. I could do this and that. And afterwards.... I just have to make sure that he can't escape.

”Celes.” A voice behind me shocks me and I cover my list.

”What are you hiding? It's that perverted list of yours isn't it? Have you thought up a few new idiotic points for it?” The hermit asks from behind me.

”It's not perverted! It's a guide to a decent life! And what are you doing inside here? How did you even get in here? I was sure I locked the door!” I ask flabbergasted.

”I just teleported here. Oh, and you locked the door? Where you about to release some urges?” He asks with a smirk on his face.

”Noooo? And don't you have any common decency? Just waltzing inside a lady's room? At least knock first!” I am angry. He acts like this place belongs to him.

”Hoh, Sorry. I didn't think that you would have anything to hide. But if you need some time for yourself first, then my surprise can wait.” He looks at me with an interrogative expression.

Since when did the stupid hermit do anything for me on his own? That's suspicious! On the other hand, he gave me the ring. So he has his generous moments.....

”Umm. No I have nothing planned? Though we have a date today you know? Not a chance that you could distract me from it.” -Me

”Then we can take look at the surprise, care to join me?” He offers his arm to invite me. Something is definitely wrong.

After wavering for a moment, I grab his arm and stand up.

”Then let's go.”

The surroundings distort and are replaced by a wide grassy plateau. A valley stretches out in front of us and at the bottom is a forest with a lake. ”Huh? Did you just teleport us?”

”Geez, and there I thought the picnic would be a surprise.” He sits down on the blanket under us and starts to unpack a huge basket with food. ”I told Rose to prepare something really good after I found this place. We are in the southern area, which is mostly uninhabited. It took me a few days to clean this mountain valley from all the monsters, so we could have a nice evening here. It's really cool when the sun sets and the whole sky is painted in red. Why are you feeling my forehead?”

”I just wanted to make sure you don't have a fever.” I sit down beside him and help to unpack. ”So if I understand it correctly you took care of today's date?”

”Huh, why not? You are planning all the others. And you always bring us to noisy places with many people. So I thought I would take you somewhere quiet for once. Otherwise talking would be just a huge pain.” -Angrod

Huh? He wants to talk to me? The other places were too noisy? So he didn't like the dates I organized? I am not sure if I should hit or kiss him.