Finding You, Again
Again 9 - Just Us

In the snowfields appeared a pair of footprints, heading towards a small cottage by the lake.

Some of the lynx, sensing the arrival of other creatures, have poured away from the usually silent hut.

Slowly the Duke lowered Lui on the sofa then immediately went to light the fireplace.

The air in the cabin was almost frozen. The duke may not be affected, but again he did not want to risk making things worse for Lui, he still had a hard time trusting Sorrel.

"What's that?" Lui pointed at the new hallway next to the dining table that used to be non-existent.

"The room for the piano, I'm glad they finished it right away" said the Duke, throwing a few more boulders into the fire.

Duke asked for more room for the piano. And because the size of this cottage is not too big, then finally one room plus, to be able to accommodate the Duke's grand piano.

The piano is now arranged in a corner of the room equipped with large glass windows and blue curtains that are in line with other rooms.

"Why did you move him here?"

"I want this place to be where we enjoy a relaxed life, it wouldn't be complete without a piano. But of course it will be more perfect with you" said Duke with a mischievous smile.

His words were rewarded with a pillow throw from Lui, but of course due to Duke's perfect reflexes, he caught the pillow easily.

"Well, wait a minute here. I'll cook you some porridge. Mom will kill me later, if you know you haven't eaten" said the Duke, walking toward the kitchen.

They left Manor without waiting for Lui's food to come. Myra will definitely ask about this when they return.

Lui exerted all her strength, rising from the sofa. Lui was glad her body was much stronger than usual, but the work went more difficult than she had expected.

The duke who caught Lui's movements from the corner of his eyes, moved closer. But Lui prevented him with a palms-on.

The duke complied and remained silent in dismay, as he watched him walk a few steps towards the dining table. After a few minutes of struggle, Lui finally managed to sit perfectly on one of the chairs.

The Duke breathed a sigh of relief to see him

"Your body is much stronger than the usual Bee"

Lui nodded, "Indeed, and this is surprising" Lui said, while looking at her two hands which also did not feel limp.

"Sorrel" replied the Duke shortly.

"Who?" ask Lui confused.

"You saw it earlier, long blonde hair with incredible horns"

The duke raised his hand above his head, depicting Sorrel's massive horn.

"Oh.....We haven't gotten acquainted yet" Lui understood.

"He's an elf, one of the rare inhumane types, and would you believe it if I said he was your great-grandfather from 5 generations ago?" duke asked, while distracting from his cooking on the stove to see Lui's reaction.

For a while Lui just kept quiet with her mouth agape, her brain could not digest what the Duke had just said, as it sounded too odd.

"He who?" ask again.

"Your great great great great grandfather. From your Mom's side"

The duke grimaced to see Lui's mouth still opening playfully, hearing her explanation.

"How come? I'm definitely not horned" Lui argued.

"Oh.ha.ha.ha.ha" the Duke laughed heartily at hearing her, Lui's innocent answer never failed , comforting her.

While continuing to stir the pot, Duke explains at length how Belva, Oscar and he are descendants of Sorrel.

When the cooking was perfectly cooked, Duke poured it into a warm bowl and brought it to the face of Lui who was still in disbelief. Accepting that your ancestors were giant horned creatures would not have been easy.

"I'm not human?!" Lui muttered softly.

"Part of Bee, your mother is human. Sorrel guarantees that. But Oscar and you are a rare case where Sorrel's DNA has finally appeared after generations"

The duke blew quietly before feeding a spoonful of porridge into Lui's mouth. He accepted the bribe without thinking because his mind was still in the clouds.

When a savory and warm porridge flowed through the throat, Lui finally regained her senses and pulled the spoon from Duke's hand.

He was able to scoop out his own food, without needing to be fed, Duke's attention was sometimes a little excessive.

Duke smiled and took off the spoon. He had hoped that Lui would not come to her senses because she was busy thinking. The Duke stepped back into the stove because the boiling water had boiled.

The nature of this Duke is very precise with Myra. Lui's memories that had returned made her aware of this.

The rain of attention and affection he received from the two of them, made him moved right now. It made Lui feel even more stupid for having forgotten about Duke.

"I'm sorry" Lui said lowered her head, regretting her actions for the past seven months.

"....!"

The duke sneered in annoyance, because Lui's daydream, had taken him in a direction he didn't like.

"You know, I'm getting tired of hearing your apologies, Bee. I have to tell you how many times, if it's not your fault!"

Duke placed a steaming cup of hot chocolate near the bowl, then sat down next to Lui.

"I've been rude, angry, even screaming in fear when I saw you first transform" Lui said as she looked at the Duke, with eyes that were back in tears.

"Don't Bee" Duke sighed in despair, looking at those tears.

"Listen--if I hear an apology from you again, then I will punish you!" said the Duke, smiling slightly as he took a casual sip of his hot coffee.

He knew the right way to make Lui apologize

"What punishment?" Lui looked at him confused.

The duke pulled Lui's chin closer, the distance their faces were now only as thin as paper.

Lui can smell the coffee from Duke's mouth. No need for further explanation, Lui's heart was poking out in panic at this moment. And Duke enjoyed it.

"I'm gonna kiss these sweet lips, every time you say sorry to me. It doesn't matter where we are" Duke said quietly in a hoarse voice.

Her fingers gently stroked Lui's lips which looked very tantalizing in Duke's eyes.

"You won't dare" Lui said, with a squeaking voice remaining.

"Then, try it!" challenge Duke with a seductive smile.

Once again he rubbed Lui's lips with a longing face.

"I have to eat" Lui finally couldn't bear the Duke's 'attack' and broke away.

He returned to the porridge bowl with a flaming face. Lui wanted to fight against her embarrassment, but it failed.

The duke chuckled, Lui is already his whole possession. They'll have plenty of time after Lui's body is healthier. Duke will be patient.

During Lui's meal, Duke explains at length how Sorrel awakens her from a coma. Lui can only nod along the story. The explanation from Duke sounded like a fictional story in his ears.

"So all this time Oscar knew about Sorrel? " Lui wanted to mention grandfather, but the memory of Sorrel's smooth face made him feel awkward.

Lui is not surprised or angry, if Oscar chooses to keep it a secret from her. There was a possibility that he would not believe it, if he did not see it directly. Lui also found the move to be reasonable.

The Duke nodded, "And you should be a normal human being. But reality says otherwise, you are now a unique inhumane with a mixture of elf and Alpha blood. We're gonna age with Bee, you don't have to worry about that stupid thing anymore"

Lui was always worried about this, either before or after she lost her memory. Duke's words stunned him.

"You sure about that?" he asked, smiling doubtfully.

"This assumption is not without Bee's evidence. I've always thought of you and Oscar as twins. I used to think because Oscar was young. But what's happening is that Oscar's aging has slowed down" Duke said

Lui finally smiled relievedly hearing that. He knew, the Duke had never bothered about it. But his excitement was now complete, he would age with the Duke.

This eliminated a large portion of the worries he had been craving all along.

The porridge in Lui's bowl has been slippery toilet.

Lui wanted to sit on the sofa to rest her sore back. Lui slowly pushed back the chair. The duke reached out and offered Lui a helping hand to stand up, which was again rejected by her.

Trudging, Lui walked alone towards the sofa in front of the fireplace that was already filled with warm embers.

Duke filled the cup with chocolate and coffee again and placed it on a small table near the fireplace. Then ahead of Lui sat down, filling the surface of the sofa, by lifting her whole body up.

His eyes looked mischievously at Lui who was still a few steps away from the sofa. Lui chuckled at the childish action.

Duke patted the rest of the room gently on the sofa - - right in front of his stomach - as a sign for Lui to sit there. Inevitably Lui according to\, because his legs had begun to tremble tiredly.

Lui threw her body on the sofa, and the Duke easily grabbed the tiny body by her arms. Lui just resigned without being able to fight back.

"I miss you, very much" Duke whispered as he held a hug on Lui's back.

Words that were almost impossible to say before. The word of longing that finally came. A word he's been saying for the past few months.

"Me too" Lui finally whispered in a choked voice.

Lui rubbed the Duke's hand that was on her stomach slowly, permeating how the Duke's warm body made her comfortable.

The duke instantly buried his face into Lui's back neck in satisfaction. He also had to wait for months to hear that answer from Lui's mouth.

Lui who lost her memory will not miss her.

Duke's feelings were filled with happiness. And now he is enjoying the happiness in full. Without doubt and fear.

As David, Duke and Pace, Lui has remembered everything.

"But what really happened? Are you really lost at sea?" lui asked, he had forgotten the thing that intrigued him the most.

The Duke sighed, "No, what happened was my father" replied the Duke, shifting his tilted posture, half-sittingly leaning comfortably on the back of the sofa, pulling Lui's body to follow him.

With Lui curled warmly in her arms, Duke begins a long story.

Fluently, Duke recounted everything that happened during his 6 months departure to Lui, with nothing else to hide. Lui shrieks softly, as the Duke recounts the night that Egon's betrayal unfolded.

"Egons? Egon was...." Lui was at a loss for words in surprise. Duke nodded.

"Yes, the one whose stomach was half I blew up" said the Duke as he tightened his jaw due to his sudden anger.

Lui shuddered in light of the terrible incident.

The Duke continues his story, until the part of how he finally found out who Myra really is.

"Oh.. Oh.hhhh..!" Lui turned around and hugged Duke tightly, she could not imagine how messed up the Duke felt back then.

"Yes, I've never felt so**** my whole life" Duke said as he stroked Lui's hair.

Lui let go of her embrace and gently rubbed Duke's cheek, while looking at the green eyes filled with regret and sorrow from the loss of her father.

"I'm fine now" said the Duke with a small smile.

Lui nodded at the beautiful smile, and then returned to her original position to listen to the continuation of the story.

Not to forget Duke also told Lui about Dyad. Lui's eyes widened to the maximum of hearing all of that.

"Your eyes turned green because of me? I did it?" Lui repeated reassuringly.

"Yup, you've marked me as yours since a long time ago" Duke smiled with satisfaction.

And due to her confusion Lui ignored the Duke's temptation.

"Your eyes went back to being yellowish-brown when we met at the Delmora Mansion" Lui tried to better structure her memories.

"Because you've erased me from your memory" Duke said softly.

Trying to sound unconcerned, not wanting to make Lui feel guilty again.

Lui squeezed the Duke's hand softly upon hearing that. An apology was already at the tip of her tongue, when recalling the punishment she was about to receive, Lui finally could only sigh in annoyance.

"When I heard the terrible news, I felt as if someone had thrown my body into the abyss. Painful" whispered Lui.

It was clear how his screams echoed in the Mansion, when he saw the news of Duke's death on television. His world was once again broken down into meaningless fragments.

The duke was the sun that illuminated the day, when darkness enveloped his heart. When he was crushed by a lump in his head, when his world crumbled dimly due to the departure of his mother. Duke was the one who made him want to wake up and enjoy the warm morning sun.

The news of her death was a bell of destruction for Lui, who was clanging loudly nonstop, drowning all her hopes and life.

"I'm sorry" The Duke again tightened his embrace.

"It's not your fault either, don't repeat that apology" Lui said, quickly.

There's been quite a lot of apologies floating around today, no need for more.

The duke chuckled softly, hearing Lui demand the same thing as himself, when he heard an apology spoken from her.

"At least you don't have to suffer that grief for too long" said the Duke, bitterly.

The loss of Lui's memory may have made her suffer, but it was also at once the easiest way out at the time.

"But my mind is completely fucked. My emotions and thoughts are often unstable. Nightmares, mood swings and more. Several times I had time to question my sanity, because I often felt sad without knowing the cause" explained Lui.

"Now everything is becoming clear of course, all that instability is due to the absence of you, Pace. I threw away one of the most precious things in my life, I threw away the memory of the only person I loved. I miss you without knowing you"

Lui could only sigh given all the confusion at that time. The confusion that had been answered with Duke was back in his life.

Behind all his strange interest in Zeno, he is actually searching for the missing Duke.

The wolf mask certainly reminded him of Duke's werewolf form, therefore his heart was pounding uncontrollably upon seeing him.

Especially after that, he saw Zeno's green eyes. His heart wildly recognized the color, and his heart pounded every time Zeno looked at him. He liked those green eyes, as it brought his longing to Duke.

Lui cried uncontrollably, when she first met Duke at the Delmore Mansion, as her heart recognized the poignant sense of her longing for Duke.

His heart demanded the Duke's whereabouts, but his mind refused to embody all the memories of the Duke.

"You're not giving up? With the fact that I don't remember you anymore?" ask Lui, please,

Lui instead wanted Duke to give up, but Duke was definitely injured.

"How can Bee? I was shaky when I saw you sparkling cheerfully in your new life. But I'm selfish Bee, I just want you to be mine. I can't imagine how my life would go without you"

The duke buried the multiple faces of Lui's neck.

"Thank you for being there for me, no matter what" Lui whispered in a trembling voice, as tears welled up again.

"Thank you, because you continue to love me, even though I'm no longer in your memory" Duke whispered back, not losing.

Lui turned to face the Duke, and immersed her entire body in his arms

"I also can't imagine how I would have a day without you. That's what made me accept this weird marriage proposal from you. And I'm glad I decided to follow my heart. A decision I will never regret in a lifetime" Lui said, in a muffled voice, as most of her face was buried in the Duke's chest.

The Duke tightened his embrace, gratefully.

He knew it took tremendous courage and determination for Lui to make that decision. Marrying someone you've only known for a few weeks, will never be in Lui's shadow, the Duke believes.

For a while the two of them were silent and drowned in their respective daydreams. Dive into how the wheel of destiny brings tremendous complexity to their lives.

The duke hoped, fate no longer made him miserable after this.

After a few minutes of being in such a position, the Duke finally realized something. Both of their bodies stuck tight earlier.

The Duke was eager to expel the vulgar thoughts in his brain.

But he could feel how Lui's body was in his arms. His breathing and heartbeat began to rush, defeating the determination to drive away inappropriate thoughts.

"Bee, I think you should take me off now!" The Duke tried to shift away from Lui's body.

Not an easy job, because Lui hugged her very tightly.

"Why?"

Lui relaxed her hand, but her face looked puzzled.

"Don't misunderstand Bee. I really enjoyed your embrace. But my defense will soon collapse, if you do it any longer" said the Duke, with a forced smile.

Lui blushed, starting to understand what was happening. But Lui again buried her face into the Duke's chest.

"Bee..." The duke tried to shift frantically, but Lui did not take it off either.

"We're married now" Lui whispered in red that had been evenly distributed around the neck, a mixture of shame and fear.

"Bee, are you seducing me right now?" Duke rubbed Lui's warming cheeks, smiling.

"If you do, believe me you've succeeded"

The duke pulled Lui's body so that their faces were now aligned. Lui's eyes of course looked at anywhere other than the Duke's face.

"If you could read my mind right now, you'd be very surprised by what I want to do to you. But your body is still weak Bee, I'm afraid that it will hurt you later. I'm not sure I'll be able to hold back and be gentle later on"

The Duke forced Lui to look into his eyes by holding both sides of Lui's head.

Those green and blue eyes were finally focused on the Duke's face, and it was a mistake, as those beautiful eyes made the Duke's self-defense go broke.

Duke******Lui's red lips without a second thought, and let it be all her wits.

Lui's warm lips were an invitation she would not refuse. Slowly the Duke walked down those trembling lips, making Lui's breath seem to have stopped.

Lui's heart and blood flow had been pushed twice as fast, making her head feel floated.

The Duke's green eyes no longer shone sharp, there was only Lui there. The figure with a flushed face returned his fondling innocently.

The duke lifted Lui's body and laid her down in front of the fireplace,

"I love you, Bee" he whispered, tirelessly between his disordered breaths.

Duke inhaled Lui's intoxicating scent greedily, a scent that explored his restless dreams all along.

"And I am yours, Pace" Lui replied weakly Duke whispered.

Unconcerned about the consequences, the Duke clasped Lui's body completely.

The warmth that radiated from the two of them, overcame the seething fireplace with a blazing flame.

\~\~\~\~\~\~\~IlI\~\~\~\~\~\~

A gray and cold morning returns to Blackmoon. The thick pale snow still perfectly covered the entire land, not revealing a single green shade of grass.

On the bed, Lui lay curled up in the blanket.

His sleep was extremely deep, completely unperturbed by Duke's movements, as well as the biting air temperature.

The atmosphere of the room was very cold, because the fireplace that raged almost overnight, now left only a few grains of coals, which were burning lazily.

"Morning" Duke greeted gently, and Lui immediately opened her eyes.

His nose smelled his favorite scent. In Duke's hands, two cups were reflecting hot steam. The aroma of coffee and chocolate filled the morning air.

Lui lazily squirmed on the bed. His body felt stiff and achy, he straightened his hands and feet, so that his muscles became more limp.

Friction of the blanket on her body, made Lui aware that she was not wearing anything under the blanket.

Lui immediately gripped her blanket with a reddened face. The memory of the incident last night flashed clearly on his face. His body feels sore.

The duke who noticed the change in look on Lui's face rushed to tease her

"What's wrong? You didn't forget what happened last night, did you?" he asked, while giving hot chocolate to Lui.

With the pain of still having to hold the blanket, Lui received the cup. He raised both of his knees to prevent the blanket from sagging.

"Thanks" whispered Lui down in embarrassment.

"I've seen it all, Bee. What else are you hiding?"

The Duke could no longer help but laugh at Lui's behavior. He then threw his body next to Lui, and tried to make eye contact with her.

It wasn't that Lui didn't want to see Duke, but Duke who was bare-chested, she thought it was dangerous. Lui was still grateful, because at least Duke was already wearing his trousers.

Gathering up courage, Lui finally raised her face and looked at the Duke.

The duke who had not expected Lui would dare to look at him was a little surprised, but then laughed happily. Lui has learned a little to control shyness.

"What's that?" Lui pointed towards the naked Duke's chest.

The intricate tattoo of Insignia caught his attention.

"You didn't see him last night?" The duke asked in surprise, because Lui had only asked him now.

Lui's face blushed, before finally shaking her head.

Frankly speaking, last night Lui was too busy enjoying their 'activity', the other thing wasn't important at the time.

"This is part of the spell Sorrel gave me, I think you'll have Bee too. On your right shoulder" explained the Duke, pointing with his finger.

Lui tried to look back to see, but of course it was impossible.

"You'll only be able to see it in the mirror" the Duke held back a smile looking at it. Lui gave a peck of annoyance, she then attempted to shift to look at the insignia on the Duke's chest closer. The Duke approached him.

"It's so pretty" Lui said as she groped the insignia.

Duke glanced at the tattoo that was on Lui's shoulder, and frowned.

Insignia was a little different to him. The crescent moon that was there, was black, with a blue complexion, but the magic circle that surrounded it, was identical in blood red.

The Duke decided to ask Sorrel later.

"When are we going back to Manor?" ask Lui.

"You tired of being here with me?" The Duke asked back, while dipping his body into the blanket.

Lui immediately pulled out most of the blankets in a panic.

"He.ha.haa..."

The Duke clearly laughed out loud seeing that. Teasing Lui was truly a healthful activity for him.

"It's not like that, but don't you have an important unfinished assignment?"

Lui again asked, painstakingly reaching for her clothes that were splattered on the floor, before the Duke had another idea to prick her.

"Indeed, but I'm not thinking about it right now" the Duke snorted.

Lui's question made her remember the 'big event' she was about to face.

"Does this have anything to do with Egon and the vampire?" Lui said in a muffled voice, she was trying to wear clothes inside the blanket.

The Duke sighed and revealed a long story about the upcoming war.

"the war? Like battlefield and others?"

Lui pulls the blanket down --*the dress* it has been perfectly plugged-and reveals her astonished face.

He knew the Duke was facing something big, but a war never crossed his mind.

Oscar's words flashed again in his mind. How inhumane warfare is a dangerous thing and should not happen.

The Duke nodded grimly.

"I also didn't expect that the vampire would be this desperate. But I won't know how to walk a bloodsucker's mind. All we can do now is prevent him from doing anything stupid, because a war with man will only lead inhumane to his destruction"

Lui nodded in understanding, but her face now implied worry.

War was definitely something he should be worried about. With the nature and standing that Duke was able to afford, it was certain that he would be at the very forefront.

The duke noticed Lui's change in face, then pulled her body into an embrace. Lui who was daydreaming screeched in surprise at that sudden move.

"What about the long face?" Duke whispered in Lui's ear, which made her squirm amusedly.

"It's a War, you're going to war" Lui looked at the Duke, stroking the sharp-edged face.

"Did I tell you that your green eyes look amazingly beautiful?" The Duke smiled, while giving a small kiss on Lui's lips.

"Are you trying to divert the conversation?" accuse Lui.

Which the Duke answered with a wry smile, and a small nod.

"It won't work" Lui denied unconvincingly, as her entire face had turned red as usual.

"Bee, this war is inevitable. If Crispin succeeds in carrying out his intentions, it is certain that there will be no longer a future for inhumane and humans. Humans may be weaker, but from thousands of years of experience, we inhumane people know very well, humans are very adaptable creatures and that's what makes them strong. Such a war would only bring damage to both sides"

Duke explained softly, looking at Lui's green and blue eyes. He is trying to reduce the worry that is entrenched there.

Lui threw herself at the Duke's body and hugged him tightly. No more shame or anything. He simply did not want the Duke to face such danger, but he also could not possibly prevent it.

That long explanation, is enough to give him an idea of how strange the problem is being faced. He understood, Duke indeed has to do this war.

"I just hope you'll be okay, Pace" said Lui, after a long silence.

He had to try his hardest to let the Duke go to the battlefield, this was part of his duty as Zhena, and he had been determined to do well.

"I'm gonna be fine Bee. You know, don't you? I'm the most powerful werewolf in Blackmoon?" Said the Duke in an overbearing joking tone, so that Lui could be a little comforted.

Lui gave a pinch on the waist in response to that statement. The duke pulled Lui's face closer and gently kissed Lui's pale lips.

"I will try my hardest to get back to you Bee, I promise" whispered the Duke, among Lui's shortened breath.

"Must, I don't want to drown in the nightmare of losing you again" Lui bravely returned the kiss, which was immediately greeted with a feisty moan, by the Duke.

The fire inside him, again ignited and demanded.

"We're going back to Manor tomorrow" Duke growled, as he pulled Lui's body into his arms.

With great difficulty Lui let herself off by getting out of bed,

"No, we should go back. They're waiting for you" Lui said that with gasping breath and lips that had been flushed red from Duke's kiss.

Angrily Duke kicked the blanket and ruffled his hair.

Lui was right of course, today her schedule had also been full.

"We're going to pass it on later tonight Bee" Duke said as he stood up and stroked Lui's face. Shamefully Lui nodded, she would not pretend not to enjoy it.

"I'll make breakfast, you take a bath" Duke gave him a light peck on the forehead, Lui smiled and obeyed Duke's suggestion with relief, as Duke followed his advice.

Lui will feel guilty, if his existence, makes Duke forget his duty as Alpha.