Five more minutes...
Five minutes later-
Five more minutes...
Five minutes later-
Five more minutes...
Five minutes later-
And that continued until I finally felt like I can't fall back asleep. Man, can't I just nap, it's so comfy with my dearest next to me that I want it to continued forever.
I cuddled into her in hopes that this will bring me more comfort and maybe put me back to sleep, but what I was met with was only a sweet giggle.
"Extra cuddly today I see." She teased.
I looked down and saw her beautiful eyes looking at me.
With a sigh, I relaxed. "What can I say? I'd rather do this than go work right now."
"Me too, but this will be over soon, right? We will both be able to rest together as much as we want." She asked, both to motivate and to search for reassurance.
I nod. "Yes..." I yawned and finally sat up from the bed. "Alright, let's get the day going..."
And so we both rise up from the bed. As we sat and drank our tea/coffee, I thought of what had to be done today. The list included, get a map, preferably with Iris help, because she knows her landscape best, after the routes are made on a map of the kingdom and are approved by the princess, I will make a machine that places rails and then get to making the whole thing.
So yeah, lots of stuff cuz I don't have a clear design, and I also might have to make factories for the components.
I got in my usual clothing, the coat, the pants, lovely shirt, vest.
With that I send off a letter, hour one, hour two - nothing comes in the receiving box. Man, fuck this shi, I'm infiltrating the castle, it's for their own good. Besides i'm bored... So I teleported to the output box in the castle. And wouldn't you know it, i'm in some random dark ass place.
Whoever moved this here is a bitch. How could they, this piece of technology for fast communication...
So, anyways, how do I get out of here... I shone like a lightbulb as I converted mana to light. Around me I saw many barrels, behind me, where the box was, I saw other crates. Perhaps this is a cellar. Looking closer I actually saw hanging dried meats. "Yup, definitely a cellar."
Sadly there isn't much I can do here, except maybe try and escape... Nah, not worth the trouble. At this point it'd be more efficient if I go through the manual stuff, drive all the way here, deliver the letter.
With I sigh, I return home defeated by whichever fucker placed my box there. Ugh, Too much work, I'm straight up breaking in that bitch and intimidating everything till I get to Iris and she clears my name.
Nah, fuck this shit, I'm not driving a few hours from here just to deliver a message again, I will deal with it another day. I deserve rest for today. So I just laid back and relaxed, allowing my spell to carry my mind in my own personal dimension. There I began with making designs for the factories and the rail placing machine, which had presses, hammers, the deployers, which would place the already made cement blocks with places to hold the rails, and the rails themselves. I tested it out in the dream world and it worked surprisingly well, though it would be nice if I also add an auto enchanter and a welder. The enchantment was to automatically absorb heat so the metal doesn't bend when in place, and the welder to make the metal skick together. There's also memory and unbreakable just in case something hits it really hard.
So now, I have the automation part, but the issue is that it goes in a straight line only, perhaps rolling wheels, and with it being slower the heat from the friction would be less. So now it has the capability of making long turns, just how a normal train would.
Then I heard her voice. "You seem to have been lazing around all day." As I opened my eyes I saw her, her face painted with a faint, but knowing smile. "So much for getting all motived this morning."
Her voice was soft and playful, though this pocked me a bit.
I sat up from the bench, placing one hand behind my back on the bench for support and the other on my knee. "I didn't want to go to the Capital," I grumbled. "The last time it was a long drive, agonizing drive."
She tapped a finger on her chin, pretending to think, though by her eyes I could tell she already had something in mind.
"Well..." She began inocently. "How about this? I'll come with you. As Chris."
I looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Aldarp has gone missing. And I'm very much sure the sacred treasure is still in his manor."
She came closer and crouched down beside me, propping her elbows on the bench as her smile took on a mischievous curve. "This way, we can sleep in late - she drew in until her hair brushed my arm - and then do both our things. Hmm?"
"Besides..." she added, leaning into something soft and nostalgic, "you haven't seen me as Chris in a while. Might be time to catch up with the girl you first fell for."
I straight up malfunctioned, my head twisted to the side for second before returning back into place, that was maybe a nod, not so sure.
"...Babe," I said softly. "Either way, I can't resist you. You know this."
She grinned at me triumphantly.
"So," I continued, reaching up to brush a thumb across her cheek. "Sure. Be my passenger princess."
Her cheeks colored faintly, but her expression became dangerously pleased.
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow morning, we go there, you do... whatever you have to do, and I break into Alderp's mansion. But tonight..." She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes shimmering. "...tonight we rest properly."
I had a feeling "rest" meant precisely not that, but I don't really mind.
And so we did our thing tonight, eat, bathe, enjoy ourselves.
Then came the morning, sunlight sipped through the curtains as we both laid there, tangled in our embrace.
Eris stretched with a small yawn, the sheets rustling as she curled up closer to my side. I tried holding my eyes closed, my muscles pleasantly sore after what happened yesterday. My arms tightened around her, but not too much.
"Good morning, my love." She murmured, voice dripped with honey.
"Morning."
After a while of this moment that neither of us wanted to end, duty finally pried us from the blankets. Breakfast follower, something simple, though today I decided to experiment and made some pancakes, would be nice if I also make a farm for maple syrup, but some other day. Pancakes and coffee were a lovely combo.
While we enjoyed this wonderful breakfast, I looked at her and asked. "I'm wondering, where'd all that teasing energy come from? You've been pretty tame these last few days, and suddenly, you're..." I gestured vaguely. "...weaponizing affection."
She froze with her fork halfway to her mouth, then set it down gently. "Well..." she began, lifting a fiunger as though giving a sermon, "first, I need to get into character. You have a strange effect on me, you know."
My eyes narrowed. "And the truth?"
"I..." her voice cracked. "... also wanted your touch like that again." She confessed softly. "It's been a while... I just wanted to feel closer to you again."
I reached across the table and took her hand. "My love, you only need to ask..."
Her smile turned shy and affectionate. "I know."
And so after we were done with breakfast she turned into Chris in her own mystical way.
I called upon Acat to wait for us at the end of the road near the castle home.
From there the only thing that was going to happen is a long, long ride. Acat knew the way to the Capital because of the last trip, which was pretty nice.
"A long ride." Chris announced. "With nothing to do and a view like every other. So... talk to me."
I leaned back and then to the side on the surface between the driver and passanger seat. "What do you want to talk about?"
She smirked. "Well, since you're staring at me like that, I assume the topic is: 'How is my girlfriend so cute even when disguised as a thief?'"
I shook my head and snorted. "I was thinking something mroe along the lines of, 'How do I keep my hands to myself?'"
She gasped dramatically. "Scandalous! In broad daylight?!"
"You started it."
"And I will finish it," she threatened with a wink, "when we reach the inn."
And so we spent time yapping for random stuff... Eventually we fell silent, she was looking out the window as we neared the Capital. With softness, understanding woven in her voice, she says: "I think i'm starting to understand my senior better?"
"Who?" I asked.
"Aqua. Her belief... That if something is done with love and doesn't bring harm to anyone that it would be forgiven..." She said thoughtfully, her gaze not following anything outside.
Then she turned to me calmly. "My love... What do you believe in?"
I thought for a second looking forward, before turning back to her. "In growth, and in joy. Life is for us to grow, but there can also be lots of joy, like the moments we spend together... or food... or views - you get the point."
"Yes."
"That's my belief."
And so this conversation was over, she understood me better, I understood her better. Nice stuff.
When we got to the inn, I rented us a room, left Chris to rest, because she needs to keep low profile, after which I went towards the castle.
I looked at one of the guards with the letter I had sent, and gave it to him. "Bring it to Iris, would you?" And I looked at him with the most 'do this or you will die' smirk ever.
"Yes, Lord Svetislav!" the guard said, posture snapping upright. And so he sprinted inside.
A few minutes later, a familiar figure emerged - Claire. Looking as though someone had forced her to swallow a lemon whole.
"Lord Svetislav," she said, voice professionally neutral but spiritually suffering, "Her highness will see you. Please... follow me."
I chuckled. "Good day to you too, Claire."
Her eyelid twitched slightly. "This way."
And so she led me to the courtyard of the castle. There, Iris sat under the stone summerhouse. Her expression brightened the moment she saw me.
"Svetislav!" she greeted warmly. "Welcome back!"
I bowed slightly, just for formality. "Iri-" I looked at Claire who looked like she was going to kill me. "Your Highness."
"Your letter said you're ready to begin the railway project?" Iris stood up.
"Yes." I nodded. "The Snowfield Resort is building itself steadily, and it's time to connect it. But I need a proper map of the region... and your approval on the routes. Too steep or too curved means disaster."
Iris clapped her hands. "Then let's look at the maps in detail!"
Moments later, a wide table was brought out, a royal map unfurled across it. Claire stood stiffly at Iris's side, while I created threads and pins.
"Now," I placed the first pin at the snowfield forest, presumably where the Snowfield resort would be. "We want a mostly straight paths. Mountains here so let's move around them, because it'd be nice to have a little more of this winter wonderland. Then, to Axel, through the forest, further away from the lake to not disturb the wildlife there."
The threads soon grew into something of a vein system.
Iris watched with sparkling eyes, clearly interested. "It's as if you've been planning this for ages."
"That's the funny part, I haven't." I said.
Claire who was looking over the whole thing nodded. "Your proposed route aligns with the kingdom's geography. It is... acceptable."
That was such high praise for me to get out of HER.
And so finally, with Iris's approval, and a map in hand, I could start building the railway. Yippee... Oh boy, this will take a while.
As I returned to the inn and the room we rented, I saw it dimly lit, with Chris sitting by the window, playing with a coin, looking out.
She perked up as she heard me enter. "Welcome back. How was Iris?"
"She's doing well." I said, before walking towards her.
"Love."
"Hm?" She looked up.
"I suppose you don't have the ring while you're Chris?"
She instantly stopped playing with the coin. "No way," she said proudly, pulling off her right glove, revealing the brass ring that I gave her. "I ALWAYS have it."
"Good." I took her hand and did a little thing. "I put another piece of me. If you are in danger while in there, just signal me, will it to happen."
Her eyes widened. "But your titl-"
I placed a finger over her mouth. "I'd rather suffer that shame than lose self-respect again."
Her eyes softened instantly, it didn't matter who was - goddess, thief. She leaned in for a kiss, which I met halfway, brief but warm, filled with the unsaid: "I'm here for you."
And with that we headed out.
I drove us out of the capital and stopped a good distance away from Alderp's mannor.
"Be careful." I told her.
She smirked as the door opened for her. "I'll be back before you can miss me." And we that she darted out.
[To Chris/Eris's POV]
The mansion loomed ahead. dark and dust-covered. Alderp's estate, once obnoxiously extravagant, now looked unacknowledged. As I slipped through an open window and activated my detect treasure skill, I heard footsteps, I quickly hid behind the first thing I saw.
With that I made my way towards where my skill was pointing. Guard here, guard there, sneak in the room of sleeping cleaners, and then finally reach the goal... The basement, I couldn't exactly tell why, but there was an ominous feeling. Despite that I went in, and there I saw it, the stone with which one can summon a random monster and tame it for a price that they must pay...
"Piece of cake."
I quickly scooped it up and then slipped out of the manner, running back to the machine in which Svetislav was waiting.
[Back to Svetislav's POV]
The door opened. "Told you," she said smugly, hopping in.
"And you weren't wrong." I took a breath - relief, pride and affection washing over me. "Let's get back. We deserve a reward for all the good work."
Acat closed the door and with that she drove towards the inn.
We cooked whatever simple thing we can with my portable cooker and then ate. It was simple, but flavorful. She enjoyed it even more, as if her successful heist gives her more reasons to enjoy life.
Afterwards, we prepared to sleep, she stretched, her arms reaching up, back arching.
"...Mesmerized?" she teased, peeking over her shoulder with a teasing grin.
"Always." I admitted without hesitation. After all, it is the truth.
Her expression softened, a blush blooming gently. She stepped close, fingertips trailing along my jaw. And the rest... We could only imagine.