CHAPTER 112 Is It Morning Yet? Because I Refuse

CHAPTER 112

Is It Morning Yet? Because I Refuse

Brownie

Brownie woke up wrapped in Rufus’s arms. She curled into his embrace, grumbling, “Is it morning yet? Because I refuse.”

A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “It’s morning. I thought you were excited for the festival? Our Dark Lady is going to be here and—”

“Refuse,” she repeated, pulling the blanket over her head to block out the morning sun.

Rufus leaned over and whispered in her ear, “We could go on a date. I have a few hours before Mistress Puma arrives and we start the search for the poisoner.”

Brownie poked her nose above the blanket. “I guess I could be convinced.”

Rufus laughed and kissed her nose before sliding out of bed. He was in his beast form, and pulled on his calf-length pants and a clean white tunic. Brownie stretched, wondering if she should wear the same outfit she wore yesterday. An elf maid had cleaned and dried her with skills while she waited for Rufus. Still, she thought, if they were going to go on a real date, she should dress up a bit more than her usual travel skirt.

She summoned a blue day dress from her storage ring and cinched it at the waist. The puffy princess sleeves pleased her, and the skirt fell to the calf. She pulled on an underskirt for a little bit of extra definition, and Rufus helped her tie a bow in her hair after she used a leather string to secure a half updo.

They swung by the washroom and were downstairs in under thirty minutes. Hemlock, the elf who owned this particular establishment, was busy checking in guests. The Hemlock Haven was a good inn, close to the town courtyard where the Green Oak Dungeon Gate was located .

Since the Hollow rarely welcomed visitors, and then only on festival days, the lineup of people who had arrived early this morning when they opened the city gate must’ve been impressive.

There were at least twenty people trying to secure lodgings.

“Let’s grab food on the way.” Rufus offered his arm, and they wandered off in search of sustenance. Donna seemed content to stand around eating her enchanted oats after her excitement yesterday, and bid Brownie to go have fun.

The street was packed , all manner of people from about the Dark Enchanted Forest wandering around the stalls shopping.

“I want that!” Brownie dragged Rufus over to a crepe stand where an elf was carefully making elaborate crepes with fresh fruit and berries and nuts. It was delicious.

“So, how long do you think it is going to take to find the poisoner?” Brownie asked, leaning her head in and whispering to her beastman.

“As long as it takes.” He sighed. “Though the search is already started, since one of the units reached the other side of Green Oak and is sweeping the forests around the city.”

“Then let’s make the most of it. You said there was somewhere you wanted to take me?” Brownie smiled. The dark clouds of the day before were nowhere to be seen, and blue skies stretched out around the great oak canopy that stretched out over this part of the city.

She was scheduled to perform at the stage they had set up in the square that afternoon, and in the meantime, she wanted to see as much of the city as she could.

Rufus took her through the gardens and toward the main gate they had come through the previous day. Traffic going toward the city down the main road was steady, but they were alone as they walked back up the hill. It was a gentle slope, but it was still a hill, and when they were about three quarters back toward the gate, Rufus pulled her off the road and up a small path.

There were elderberry trees planted in a small crescent shape facing the city below. A bench was placed in the arc of the trees; a perfect place to sit and watch the city. The flowers were few due to the storm, but a few of the remaining happy blooms were open and facing the sun.

They sat on the bench, watching the festival and the gardens, the giant unassuming tree monster that could eat them all staying dormant and providing shade with its large canopy.

“Hey, Bronwynn,” Rufus said casually, his arm wrapped around her, and their heads cuddled together watching the Hollow.

“Yes, Rufus?” She wondered if it was time for him to go hunt down a certain poisoner causing trouble for everyone. Brownie didn’t have the heart to be angry at them, though; without them, she wouldn’t have gotten to go on this adventure with Rufus.

The beastman was silent for a long second. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” She looked at him, and he was blushing.

“I was thinking now would be the perfect time to make a grand confession.” He squeezed her a bit closer.

“Alright, I’m ready.” She nodded, waiting expectantly.

“Ever since you fell out of that tree—”

She was not one for violence, but she thwacked Rufus in the chest, catching him off guard. He was quoting the part of his romance novel that she’d sneaked a peak at back in Peldeep. “What—?”

“I thought you might like it.” He was laughing and holding his side. “Since you were reading it so intently .”

She blushed, remembering the very racy scenes she’d opened up to. “How did you know?”

“I have an enchanted bookmark that keeps track of my reading history; doesn’t everyone?” he asked, fully turning on the bench to face her.

“Do you need me to make the grand confession?” she demanded, flipping her hair over her shoulder in a power move that gave her strength. “Because I can do that. I can make the grandest confession ever, with music and lights and a live audience—”

“I love you, Bronwynn Lyriel,” he interrupted, leaning forward and kissing her.

“You’ve said that,” she retorted, her breath against his. Then she grabbed him and kissed him back.

When they broke for air, he said, “And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Brownie was grinning. “That’s a good start.”

“I can’t imagine going back to a life without you,” he confessed, pressing their foreheads together. “I can’t imagine anything without you.”

“Go on.” She grabbed his hand and interlocked their fingers together.

“I love everything about you.” He squeezed her hand. “I love your smile and your laugh and the way you snore—”

“Hey!”

“And I love the way you look at the world, full of adventure. I can’t wait to start a new encounter with you every day.” He kissed their hands and then disentangled their fingers so he could hold her palm in his.

He pulled out an ornate wooden ring intricately engraved in gold knotwork and set with rubies. “Please, Bronwynn, would you marry me?”