Picnic

A few days had passed since the incident with the Duke of Whitedale and the Hazarth had agreed trade agreements with Imponini. Himari and Duncan had been working nonstop writing up trade agreements and getting all the paperwork together that they needed for the trades with Hazarth. The Demon Lords general had teleportation magic like the Demon Lord and had quickly transported the Duke of Whitedale back to Vitriolio. The general had returned and recounted what took place when he had showed the video to the king of Vitriolio. First the king had been impressed by the holographic images then he had been enraged by the duke’s behavior towards the Demon Lord and his fiancée. It was as Duncan had predicted the Duke of Whitedale was stripped of his tittle. The king also made him pay restitution to Duncan and Himari for his disrespect towards them. The pouch of coins the general set on the table seemed to make the table buckle under the weight. Duncan tried to give Himari the full amount but she refused. They had a small argument before they both agreed Himari would take half and do as she pleased she used half of her share to improve the schools in Imponini and even was able to open a small free library that was open to the public. She hoped to increase its size and open up one in each village and town throughout Imponini in the future. The other half she put up. Duncan and she were going today to check on the library and he told her to make sure her schedule was free because they were going to something. When she had questioned what he had only grinned and said it was a surprise. She gave her reflection a once over before heading to the front door of the where she had promised to meet Duncan. She found him waiting there for her. He offered her his arm and they walked out of the castle where two guards were waiting who followed at a distance as they walked to the small library Himari had built. She had ordered books to fill the library. Books were slightly more expensive here in this world since they were mas produced using mana. Himari planned on looking into trying to create a printing press that used artifacts that held mana like they used to power other things like the ovens and lights. She also wanted to try her hand at making an artifact, but that was going to have to wait until they had got things more stable in Imponini. She was so excited to see the library. She hadn’t seen it since first being built and now the shelves should be full of books and the library card system should be set up that she’d created. She’d ordered all types of books and couldn’t wait for the people of Nuktala, the town the Demon Lord resided in. Duncan said they needed to make a quick stop at the school. They entered the school and found it full of the people from the town including the children. They had hosted a surprise party to thank Himari for the donation and for the changes she’d made to improve the school system. She had set up a free breakfast and lunch program that once the economy got back on its feet the Demon Lord would help cover the cost of. Himari also had suggested a trade school and just a school to learn basic math and reading that would be taught at night. Himari wanted to improve the entire nation ensuring everyone received an education. So far the trade school teachers were volunteer but hopefully soon they would be able to pay them. Himari didn’t feel like she had done enough for them to throw this party for but was deeply touched by their kindness and felt tears of joy welling up in her eyes. She smiled at everyone and thanked them for the party. They ate, laughed, and talked with the people of the community. After a few hours her and Duncan left and headed to the library. The quiet of the library was in complete contrast to the party they had just attended. The shelves were lined with books and it was just as she pictured it would be. The thought of people roaming the library and finding enjoyment filled her with happiness. She caught Duncan staring at her and quickly looked away blushing. She could since his joy and pride over what she accomplished and those feeling made her feel warmth spread all through out in her chest. They made it over to the librarian desk, where Elizabeth the girl she had hired sat reading a book. She blushed and apologized for reading while working, but Himari just laughed and said as long as she kept up her duties she could read all she wanted. Elizabeth stuttered out “Thank you Gracious Himari.” She sent Elizabeth an inquisitive look, but didn’t question her since she was eager to see Duncan’s surprise. They bid farewell to Elizabeth before leaving. As Duncan and Himari walked they chatted. Duncan said “I noticed your surprise when Elizabeth called you Gracious Himari. Did you not know that is what people here in Nuktala are calling you? they call you that because you always are willing to help anyway you can and when you made your donation and helping with the school and of course we can’t forget your free library that all just cemented it in their mind. They are all looking forward to you becoming queen. You have truly been a gift to my country. I know I keep saying this but thank you.” Himari’s heart fluttered at his words. She loved his people and felt her heart swell with their kind words though they also made her super shy. The thought of being called Gracious Himari was so embarrassing. She didn’t know how to prevent them from calling her that though. He had talked like her becoming queen was a forgone conclusion. The thought terrified and made her heart stutter a staccato in her chest. She was at a loss for words. She looked up and realized they were in a meadow near a stream. The meadow was filled with flowers of all colors, shapes, and sizes. It was truly magical. The stream gurgling made it feel like an oasis far from town when it was just a short distance away. She caught Duncan watching her with a boyish grin on his face. She noticed at some point he had pulled a blanket and a basket out of his item box. He said as he began laying the blanket down “You have been working so hard I thought this would be a nice change of pace. We can relax just even if for just the afternoon. Have a nice meal and enjoy each other’s company.” He blushed as he continued “This is one of my favorite spots that I like to come to when I need to relax and get my mind off things. I love being here out in nature. I thought you might like it too.” He had busied himself with getting things from the basket as he’d said the last part. Himari looked around and grinned. She said “This is a beautiful place. I can see why you find it so peaceful. It feels like an oasis.” She caught his gaze and said with sincerity “Thank you for bringing me here.” Now it was Duncan who was at a loss for words so he opted to change the subject by blurting out “It isn’t fancy just cold meats and cheese and some fruit and bread.” Himari looked at the spread and sat down while saying “It looks like a feast to me. It all looks delicious.” They sat eating and talking. Duncan entertained her with his antics as a boy that had Himari laughing loudly. Duncan told her about the places he’d traveled and silly stories that had happened while he was traveling. Himari told him about her childhood that had him smiling and about places she had been in her world. Occasionally while they ate and chatted their hands or arms would brush and a sizzling sensation would shoot through Himari and her chest would feel like it had a herd of bisonalce was rushing through it. Occasionally the other would catch the other staring before they would look away blushing. After they had eaten they picked up everything and put it in the basket. Duncan pulled out cookies that had been wrapped in a napkin. They nibbled on them in companionable silence enjoying the sounds of nature around them. After they had finished eating the cookies Himari felt Duncan reach over and gently brush her cheek and lip. Heat coursed through her and her face felt like it was a dark red. Duncan mumbled that he was cleaning cookie crumbs off her face but the way he was blushing and staring at her lips had Himari tingling all over. His touch sent her emotions in a tailspin and combining hers and his emotions coursing through her made things even more confusion. She respected Duncan as a ruler and as a person. She liked his sense of humor. She found him kind, honest, dedicated, hardworking, and things she wasn’t sure she could put into words. So of course she liked him, but as for more she wasn’t ready to look into that and see if what she was feeling was more. She didn’t think she was ready for more than friendship, so these feelings she felt had to be just friendship and she would keep telling herself that until she believed it or. Or what? She wasn’t ready for that. Duncan must have felt her turmoil because he placed a gentle hand on her arm and said gently “Hey everything is okay. We are friends. I understand you are confused by this as much as I am, but let us just take things slowly. We have all the time in the world to figure what this is between us.” He said pointing at her and then him before continuing “Let’s just concentrate on our friendship and getting the kingdom back in working order and let things happen as it will. Okay? “Himari felt her anxiety melt away. Sometimes the connection they had really helped. She would have thought herself ragged if he wouldn’t have sensed her turbulent emotions and talked her though them. She nodded her head in agreement with his words. They sat there a few more hours occasionally talking but mostly just enjoying nature and each other’s company. The picked up and Duncan put the items back in storage and made their way back to the castle. The guards had been waiting at the forest edge just a five minute walk from where they had picnicked. Himari hopped they were far enough away they hadn’t overheard hers and Duncan’s conversations. They walked a few steps ahead of the guards chatting as they watched the sun sink towards the horizon. The chef Arturo already had dinner fixed and waiting for them. They continued talking as they ate, completely absorbed in each other’s company. Their night ended the same as it had since she had first arrived there in UFC with Duncan placing a gentle kiss on the back of her hand at the door to her bedroom and bidding her goodnight before he went to his own bedroom. Himari felt completely relaxed and refreshed after such a wonderful day and once she’d showered, got dressed in her sleep gown and brushed her teeth she fell asleep quickly.