Lucas froze for a moment, his gaze dropping to Annie's flushed face. Her long lashes trembled, and her cheeks glowed a soft crimson as she tilted her head upward, straining on her tiptoes to close the distance between them. Despite her valiant effort, her petite stature betrayed her—she was just a fraction too short to reach his lips. The sight was both amusing and endearing, stirring a warmth in Lucas's chest. With a tender smile, he bent down, closing the gap, and pressed his lips gently against hers. His arm slid around her waist, pulling the fox-eared girl into a warm embrace, her small frame fitting perfectly against him.
High above the world, in the quiet cradle of the hot air balloon, they shared a sweet, lingering kiss. The moment stretched on, soft and intimate, the only sounds the faint crackle of the charcoal fire and the whisper of the wind. When they finally parted, their lips were flushed, glistening in the golden sunlight. Annie's eyes flickered with shy affection as she met Lucas's gaze for a fleeting second before ducking her head, nestling into his chest. She stayed there, silent, her fox ears twitching faintly as she savored the warmth of his embrace.
This was a bold move for Annie, perhaps the boldest she'd ever made. Despite her playful, mischievous nature—some might even say cheekily audacious—her antics were usually reserved for her close female friends. With Lucas, she was different, her usual confidence giving way to a shy, hesitant tenderness that made her heart race.
Lucas's hand rested on her back, patting gently in a soothing rhythm. Every so often, he reached for the bellows, giving it a tug to keep the charcoal fire burning steadily, its heat lifting the balloon against the cool spring air. The two of them basked in the serene moment, suspended between earth and sky, where the world felt far away and their connection felt infinite.
Annie was the second beastkin Lucas had grown close to, her quirky, spirited personality a constant source of light in his life. She had the energy of a playful teenager, her petite frame and lively demeanor belying the fact that she was actually a year older than Mina. Her fixation on her chest—her peculiar blend of pride and insecurity—was a running joke among the beast-eared girls in the castle. Yet, it was Annie's infectious playfulness that wove them all together, helping the group settle into castle life with ease. She was the glue that bound their little community, her antics breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging.
If Lucas were asked who had helped him the most, who had done the most for Sedona City, he would name Annie without hesitation. Beyond her lively exterior, she was a capable administrator, handling much of the city's governance with a sharp mind and a steady hand. Her contributions were invaluable, a quiet strength that underpinned his ambitions.
"Young Master, do you feel a lot of pressure?" Annie's voice broke the silence, soft but earnest. She lifted her head, her eyes searching his face with a seriousness that caught him off guard. "Are we… are we putting too much pressure on you?"
Sedona City was home to so many beastkins, a rarity in a world where human nobles rarely embraced their kind. Lucas, as their leader, bore the weight of their expectations, their safety, and their future. The responsibility was immense.
"Silly girl, pressure? There's no such thing," Lucas said with a shake of his head, his tone light but firm. He turned his gaze to the horizon, where the sky stretched endlessly before them, a canvas of possibility. Raising his hand, he clenched it as if grasping the future itself. "Sometimes, what feels like pressure is actually motivation. You all push me to keep moving forward, to never stop. One day, I'll make sure every race can live together in harmony, side by side."
Annie's eyes sparkled with admiration, her lips curving into a gentle smile. "Young Master, that's such a grand dream," She said, her voice filled with awe. "It'll definitely come true. Who knows? Maybe one day you'll be a king!"
Lucas blinked, caught off guard by her words. A sheepish grin tugged at his lips as he lowered his hand, rolling his eyes playfully. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves," He muttered. Some dreams were too big to speak aloud, at least for now.
Annie, sensing the shift, deftly changed the subject. "Young Master, I heard Amelia's going to be your daughter?" She asked, her tone teasing but curious. Some topics were better left untouched for the moment.
Lucas faltered, his words catching in his throat. How did that get out? he wondered, his mind racing. "Uh…" He managed, unsure how to navigate the sudden shift in conversation.
"Didn't you already promise her?" Annie pressed, her arms wrapping loosely around his waist. Her eyes locked onto his, a glint of mischief dancing in their depths. "So, when are you going to adopt her?"
This was a good topic, one Annie was eager to explore—not just for curiosity's sake, but because it touched on her own hopes. She wasn't young anymore, and in a few years, she'd be considered old, much like Perry, who, if Annie recalled correctly, was twenty-five this year. The thought of time slipping by weighed on her, a quiet urgency beneath her playful exterior.
Lucas sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I already adopted her," He said.
"Oh." Annie said.
"The weather's nice today, isn't it?" Lucas said, his tone deliberately casual as he gazed at the clear blue sky. The chill of winter was fading, replaced by the gentle warmth of an approaching spring.
Annie glanced up, catching the easy, natural expression on his face. Her lips pursed into a pout—she knew he was teasing her now, dodging the moment with his usual charm. "Hmph. Young Master's such a dummy," She huffed, her voice laced with mock indignation. She spun around and stomped to the edge of the basket, staring out at the sky to vent her flustered feelings.
Lucas watched her small, indignant figure, a chuckle escaping him. They'd kissed, shared a moment that meant something, and he knew marrying her was inevitable. Leaning closer, he lowered his voice, his words soft but sincere. "Give me a few years, Annie. I'll give you all the answers you deserve."
Annie's body stiffened, a tremor running through her. Then, a radiant smile broke across her face, her voice bright and clear as she replied, "I'll wait. I'll always wait."
It was a promise, one rooted in her unique place among the others—Mina, Amelia, and the rest. Once, she had been a proud princess, and though she carried that quiet dignity still, she wasn't one to fight for attention or vie for affection. Well, except when it came to food—that was a battle she'd never back down from.
"Let's head down," Lucas said, his smile warm and easy. This mutual understanding, this effortless connection, made everything feel lighter, freer.
"Okay," Annie agreed, nodding obediently, her fox ears perking up.
Under Lucas's steady control, the balloon began its slow descent, the basket swaying gently as they returned to earth. Neither spoke, but words weren't needed—their hearts understood each other, even if the final step remained unspoken.
As the balloon touched down, Annie waved enthusiastically. "Mina, come on!" She called, then turned to Lucas, her face flushing with sudden embarrassment. The basket's edge was too high for her to climb out on her own, a reminder of her petite stature.
"Don't worry, I've got you," Lucas said with a laugh, stepping forward. His hands slipped under her arms, lifting her effortlessly as if she weighed nothing. With a gentle heave, he set her down outside the basket, her feet landing lightly on the grass.
Annie's face burned, not from shyness but from the mortifying reality of her height—or lack thereof. She bolted away, muttering to herself, One day, even Amelia's going to be taller than me.
"Miss Elisa, I'll head over now," Mina said politely, her cat-like grace evident in her movements.
"Alright," Elisa replied, brushing a stray lock of hair from her forehead with a nod.
Mina flashed a polite smile before jogging toward the balloon, her steps light and swift. As she passed Annie, she couldn't resist a playful jab. "So, Annie, how's it feel to be swept up in the Young Master's arms?"
"Shut it, you overgrown cat!" Annie snapped, her fox ears flattening as she lunged for Mina's swishing tail.
"You'll have to catch me first!" Mina teased, dodging with feline agility. Her tail flicked out, landing a playful swat on Annie's hip before she darted away, laughing.
"Ugh, you're the worst!" Annie growled, her teeth flashing as she stomped her foot. Watching Mina climb into the balloon, she muttered under her breath, "Whatever. The Young Master likes petite girls anyway. You're all too tall—nothing special like me…"
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