Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 344: Of choices (2)

It seems the rumours did not yet travel here. The rumour that he had won in the martial art tournament and what happen after it. 

If it did, then maybe the banquet will be even grander. But Arial have no intention of telling this to the masses. 

Let them know it through the rumours and hearsay. 

It will only add to his own mysteriousness and charisma, not to declare it himself but for others to declare it for him, to be the crier of his victory and triumph.

He then quickly walks away from the Council members and walk to his tower.

Arial then step into his bedroom and push opens the door. 

The servants did not announce his arrival since he had gesture them to not say anything.

He moment he opens the door, he could see her

In front of him is a woman, beautiful and graceful, beautiful as the first day he had married her, with smile that matches an angel in the painting of Apotheosis of Levitia.

There is Helia. And she, like always, is graceful and beautiful

Helia is sewing some tapestry so diligently on the chair, a tapestry that seems to depict a dragon doing battle with a crowned lion, while behind the lion is someone holding a sword and shield.

She is so absorbed in her work that she did not realize the sound of the creaking door, and his presence in the room.

And he then said

'I am home, Dear.' 

Her ears perked up. 

She startled and then like she could not believe her ears, she turns her head and looked at him, smile the most happiest smile, a smile that make all of it worth it and for a moment, he is glad and happy…. that she chose him. 

He knows…because there is still love in her eyes, the same love, the same look, that she gave him when she first confesses to him in Seren, and he immediately knew. 

And for the first time, Arial silently believe that the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, or the figure that she carries, or the way their hair flows. 

It is seen in their eyes, the doorway to the heart so unlike his eyes, dark and cold while Helia has this warmth and compassion, a place where her eyes revealed where her love resides. 

True beauty is reflected in her soul, her beautiful soul that give love unreservedly, a trait that she shares with his mother, a propensity to accept love and possessing a daring heart to reach her hand for such sacred beauty that life could offer.

It's the caring that she lovingly gives, the unbridled passion that she shows and her beauty and grace of a woman only grows more lovely with every passing year.

Arial knew at that moment, knew it from the bottom of his heart, looking at her clear brown eyes that she has chosen. 

And all of the things she could have chosen, whether to take an opportunity to tread on the road not taken with Kyle with all the unspoken affection and unresolved feelings of the past, or to stay with him, Arial knew she had made her choice.

With all of his flaws and all of Kyle advantages yet she still chooses him, believing in her future with him, walking, looking at the same direction and that makes all the difference.

Love…. that is what he could see reflected in her eyes. 

Love is a temporary madness some minstrel sings. It is like a fire that burns and then it flickered before it disappeared to a swish of smoke. 

And when it has release the last wisp of smokes from the charred ashes you have to make a decision. 

You have to decide whether your love is so entwined, so interconnected with each other that it is inconceivable that you should part.

Because…. that is what love is. 

Love is not losing your breath looking the face of your lover, seeing their beauty like the first time, it is not that giddy excitement and that butterfly in your stomach, it is not the promises of eternal passion and the songs of love sung on a summers day, and it is certainly not the desire to kiss and make love to your lover every second of the day. 

That is just being 'in love' which any fool can do. 

Love…love…. love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is an art, a very sacred art, a different kind of love, it is stronger, powerful kind of love.

And this time, seeing her, feeling what he is feeling right now, at this moment with all the joy the world could have possibly given him, he knows that he is never letting it go. 

He can't let her go. Not now. 

Not when Arial see that look. 

Not when he has felt what it felt like to have someone like her…who tries her hardest to understand him and remains his wife as also his closest friend.

With some tears on her eyes, she proceeded to run to him and hug him tightly. 

'Helia, I..' And then he is drawing up a blank in his mind

What could I say to convey all this feeling? One word that could possibly convey all of this feeling of gratitude, of love and joy? Arial thought to himself 

And then he realized he can't explain it. Some emotions are not meant to be spoken. It must be shown.

'Don't say anything' she said looking at him with that beautiful face and he know she could felt it what he felt at that moment. 

And she kisses him slowly and with passion. And Arial grin. She never ceases to amaze him and at every turn surprises him with her behaviour. 

Arial could never predict what she wants to do, what she could do. It is her charm that only certain people could appreciate

It seems she have made her choice after all. He will not question her. She has chosen. And she has chosen him. And to Arial …. that is enough.josei

He breaks away from the kiss, panting

Helia seems to be very active, her eyes are like a feral beast, looking at him, with hunger which contrasted with her innocent face, that white, cute, little face.

'Where is Ariadne?' he asked after realizing she is not here. 

'She is on the next room, Dear.' She said. Arial grin. 

And then he smiles and he laugh. She is puzzled, looking at him and then Arial grab her waist and pull her close to him and this is her turn to get shocked. 

Her cheek reddens and she tries to hide her face.

'It has been a long time since I….' he hesitated to say it and then he continued by saying 'and your attack on me, just ignite a burning passion in my heart' And I chuckle looking at the reaction of Helia. 

She understands what he means. 

We are husband and wife…. how could she not understand? Arial look at her eyes and he don't see a wavering woman

He sees a determined woman, a strong woman…and Arial remember his mother words, strong and lonely

Not anymore…he silently promise

'Since you what?' Helia said wiping her tears and then she blushed, realizing that just a moment ago she attacked his mouth, unbefitting a prim lady like herself.

Even when she was a knight, she was always cut above the rest in terms of her noble conduct, reminding you of her noble lineage. 

She did not laugh too loud, but neither did she make the mood sour. But just now…. she just attacks him…not to say that he didn't like it. 

He very much like it. The contrast between her real behaviour and her desires.

'You…. you just got back!' 

'And I'm burning with energy.' Arial said chuckling while Helia is blushing red. He grabbed her waist and pulls her even closer and said. 

'What if we give Ariadne a brother? Wouldn't there will be someone protecting her when she grows up. And surely she will not be lonely.'

'You...' she said coyly and then he kissed her and she made no move to resist him. Slowly he opens her corsets and proceeded to lay her on the bed. 

'You look beautiful Helia. Like the moon is in you with all its beauty.' 

'I gain a little weight.' She said

'It just makes you look more womanly' Arial reply and she seems pleased by that compliment. 

'That is a good answer. You seem to have improved in flattery.' She said while she is removing her clothing. It was like a show and Arial is liking it very much. 

'It is the truth.' he said as he gulped looking at her matured body after giving birth. It was…voluptuous. 

She is beautiful and Arial don't think he could hold back anymore. With her eyes inviting and her smooth hand caressing his chest…how could any man resist. 

She was naked, and she is beautiful. 

With her white skin complexion and her blonde hair sweeping on her neck, she looks like a Goddess descended from the High Heavens. And he approached her neck and kiss her there, slowly tasting her. 

'It tickles, Arial, dear.' she giggled. 

And she removes her dresses showing him her silky white porcelain skin, and he caressed her hair and kiss her nose, slowly moving his lips to her mouth, to her breast which makes her moans in pleasure, then coming down to her navel and then to her nether region. 

She giggled and then she moans with pleasure. She gasped for air and shivered and then she said with a cute voice. 

'I want you inside me Arial' and he slowly work himself up until his eyes look at her eyes. They gaze at each other like both of them are looking at the sky, looking at the moon.

'I love you Helia. Like a fire from within.' He said

'I know.' She replies. Arial then added

'I think I should have said it more often. That I love you, that is. I don't think I really expressed my feeling for you…. not the full extent because it fears me to give so much of myself to a person, to share everything' 

'You should but you didn't and I'll wait. I'll wait until you ready to share. I will not force you to tell me. I want you to want to tell me.' she said her face shows a hint of sadness. 

'From now on, I will.' And for that whole day, these two lovers never leave the bed, though the lady in waiting did hear giggling and moaning from the Duke room.

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