Chapter 30 – An Unforgettable Day
After everything they had been through, Arthur decided that Black Maria deserved something different. Something simple, yet something she had never truly experienced before: a happy day.
They spent the afternoon wandering through the vibrant Flower Capital. The streets were filled with lanterns, performers, merchants shouting their wares, and children laughing as they chased each other. Arthur floated beside Black Maria, since she was still a giant—even at twelve years old—and attracted attention wherever she went. But Arthur didn't care. In fact, he wore a proud smile every step of the way, as if showing the world that she was his.
At one point, Arthur noticed a group of pirates swindling a merchant. They took his goods and laughed as they walked off, stuffing the stolen money into a heavy wooden chest. Arthur, without a sound, vanished in a flash and returned moments later with a bag of gold in his hand and a mischievous grin on his face.
"Wanna go shopping?" he asked playfully, tossing the bag slightly in the air.
Black Maria's eyes lit up like stars. She nodded eagerly.
They visited all kinds of stores—traditional kimono shops, boutiques with flower-patterned silks, and places selling elegant accessories and sandals. Arthur followed her through every aisle, watching with admiration as she tried on different outfits. Each piece of clothing she liked, he bought without hesitation.
"You like this one?" he would ask with a warm smile, holding up another option.
Maria would give a shy nod, and Arthur would walk to the counter to pay, without a second thought.
It was the first time in her life that someone had treated her with such care—no mockery, no rejection. Just attention and kindness. It touched her deeply.
At one store, she turned to him with slightly teary eyes but a wide smile.
"I've never felt so... happy," she whispered.
Arthur reached out and gently patted her head.
"Get used to it. You're going to have a lot more days like this," he said.
As the sky began to darken and paper lanterns lit the streets, Arthur guided her through quieter alleys to a peaceful inn. He didn't want her around the rowdy parts of the city at night. They needed rest.
"You should get some sleep after a day like today," he told her at the front desk as he picked up the room key.
The room was simple but cozy—wooden floors, warm lighting, and a futon large enough for someone of Maria's size. They stepped inside, and Maria walked to the center of the room and began to undress without hesitation.
Arthur, startled, immediately turned around and covered his eyes.
"W-What are you doing?!" he asked, his voice a mix of confusion and panic.
Black Maria looked at him with honest curiosity, as if surprised by his reaction.
"Isn't it a wife's duty to serve her husband?" she asked innocently.
Arthur froze for a second. Her face showed no malice—only sincerity and trust. That was when he truly understood: Black Maria wasn't just calling him her husband as a joke. She meant it. In her heart, she had already accepted him.
Arthur let out a soft laugh, his tension easing.
"You're amazing, Maria. But you're still way too young for... that. You need time. You need to grow stronger, get older... then we can talk about those duties."
Black Maria didn't argue. Instead, she walked over with a gentle smile, knelt down, and pulled him into a soft hug against her chest.
"Then... as your wife, can I at least hold you while I sleep?" she asked.
Arthur smiled at her kindness. She was huge, but her embrace was warm and safe.
She lay down on the futon, keeping him tucked in her arms. Her eyes slowly closed, and her breathing became calm. Arthur, nestled against her chest, looked up at her for a moment before closing his eyes too.
That night, there were no enemies, no monsters, no battles.
Just peace.
And the sound of two hearts beating in harmony.
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