She walked down the street.
Alone.
It was already afternoon, and the sky is a mixed violet and orange in hue. The wind blew freely, sending leaves flying everywhere, kept tousling her short, bluish black hair. But she didn't mind. Ah, the cold, breezy afternoon, she thought wryly. She stopped.
She looked at the path that leads somewhat downhill. The bay, the deep blue sea water seemed to drown her as she stared and watched its water lapping at the rocks. She drew a sigh. She must get home now. It's been a long day. A very long day wherein she almost spent all her time outdoor.
She shook her head and decided to leave. She looked up the sky. So peaceful out there. Space. "Free space." She had muttered aimlessly to herself. For the whole day she kept on looking for something. Something that she could not put together what. "Clueless me." she muttered once more under her breath.
She was about to cross the street when someone called her name.
Sounds familiar, she thought.
"Lucrezia!"
She spun around. Surprised to see a silvery grey convertible pull to a stop at her feet. "At last, I found you." the owner sighed in quite a relief. He had long flaxen hair and lazy bangs, and ice blue orbs which seemed to drown her everytime she they lock eyes together. Or just when she, alone, stares at him. The prince. Milliard Peacecraft. "Oh, hi, Zechs!" she greeted, not quite sure of what to say. "I have been looking for you all day." He complained, slumping back on his seat. She let out a soft laugh. "Why?" she asked. "Because, I was supposed to visit you, but you weren't there. You even left your red Chrysler in the garage." He said.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay. Where are you heading anyway?" he replied affectionately. "Heading home." She answered. "Hop in. I'll drive you home." He said, reaching for the other door and unlocking it.
She went in the convertible, and leaned back on the car seat. "You look weary." He commented as he stroked her smooth cheek. She held his hand and felt it. "I am? Think so." She rested her head on his shoulder, and he continued to drive.
"Noin, I've been thinking---" he wasn't even finished with what he is saying when she suddenly shouted for him to stop the car. "What?" he asked as she stood up uneasily, leaving him to wonder what he could have possibly done wrong. "Noin?" She rushed outside the car and knelt down. He looked at her, puzzled. As she stood up, he noticed that she was holding something in her arms.
"A puppy?" he asked, stooping on the car's window ledge. She nodded silently, smiling. She let out a soft sigh and held the little furry creature closer. "Poor little thing." She whispered gently, stroking the white puppy's soft fur. "He seemed stray." He said, making his way towards her. "Up to now you still can't detach yourself from childhood." He sighed, placing a caring hand on her shoulder. She didn't reply.
He could still remember when Noin told him about how she loved to be a doctor. How she loved to take care of sick ones. And she had told him about her pet dog---who died with her family during the war when she was still five. Like him.
"It's good he wasn't hurt."
She looked at him. She looked as innocent as ever. But she wasn't. She knew a lot. She just looked like innocent. "I'm gonna take him home." She replied. He stared at her. "Well, if that's what you want." He muttered. "They amuse me." she whispered. He looked at her. Watched as she played with the puppy. And a thought crossed his mind. "Come on." He said, placing his arm around her shoulder and leading her back into the car.
"I thought we were supposed to go home."
"Yes. A little later, maybe."
"Nani?"
He sighed. "Look, Noin, just trust me." she slumped back and placed the puppy between them. "I trust you." She leaned on his shoulder again, but now she slid her arm around his waist. "Zechs." She whispered, and he managed a small smile. They didn't talk much on the way to wherever Zechs wanted to take her, just a little like, "Is it okay?" "Where do you want to eat?" stuffs like that.
They reached the spot where he wanted to go. She was quite amazed that he'd prefer someplace like a cliff…You could see the sea downhill, sparkling beautifully. He stopped there and rested his right arm on Lucrezia's shoulder. "So what's the significance?" she asked him mockingly, looking up at his face which was concentrated on the view. "Nothing much. I just want too reminisce the past. When there was no war yet." She nodded, brushing her fingers through her short dark hair. The breeze was cold, and he pulled her closer for warmth.
She sighed. Resting her head on his chest. They didn't talk for a while, just feeling the air and watching the sunset as beautiful memories flood their minds.
"Lucrezia, I love you." he suddenly said in a soft tone, almost a whisper. She looked up at him and smiled playfully. "I know. I love you, too." she said, wrapping her arms around his neck. He turned to her and touched her cheek, pulled her closer to him. She blushed as she felt her lips brush against her cheek, then against the corner of her lips. She breathed in deeply, sighing as his lips almost touched hers...
Then it all felt furry, and she wasn't at the least surprised the little puppy's tail was in between. Zechs had to complain about that. She only laughed as she took the puppy into her arms. "Aw, come on, Zechs! Don't you think it's funny?" she said teasingly as the pup squirmed, when she saw the irritated look on his face. "I think it's funny. Thank you." he muttered as he took the puppy aside and leaned closer. "Again." He pinned her down the seat and she just held him against her as they kissed, once more, with no interruptions.
Maybe that was all she was looking for.
