A few days passed. They were long days, filled with hunger and a constant fear of getting caught.

Morvran let the horse run as if there was no tomorrow. He had switched the typical clothes of Nilfgaard, the black and the gold, with a simple cotton shirt and leather pants. He had only kept the golden chain with the emblem is the empire. It was worth a lot and he planned selling it for a good price as soon as possible. It would feed you two well.

Now, that the forest seemed a lot less familiar, you figured that you were already far enough away to be a little less frightened. With a deep breath, you took in the fresh air, tilting your head back. Your arms were tightly wrapped around Morvran, so as you would not fall from the horses back.

"Do you like it?", asked Morvran in a lighthearted manner.

"Like what?", you grinned, pressing your forehead to his back.

"The weather. Or the landscape perhaps? You seem a lot happier today than you were yesterday."

A soft giggle escaped you. Trying to hide the happiness he awoke inside your chest, you pressed your face into his back.

He smelled a little. But so did you. The two of you had not been close to any village or city for days. You had avoided to rest in a tavern or anywhere too close to strangers. So you had spend the nights in the forest or on fields. Those nights had left their marks. Both of you looked like homeless people that earned their money with stealing horses.

However, that did not change the fact that Morvran was as handsome as ever. His auburn hair had grown a little longer. He didn't wear it in a ponytail no more but open. Now, he looked a little like a viking. He even grew a little bit of a beard.

You had laughed the first time that you had noticed it. It was common in Nilfgaard to have a clean shaved face. Seeing a noble man such as Morvran with a beard was a funny sight to you. He would probably try to get rid of it as soon as possible but still. It was nice to have seen him like this once in a lifetime.

"Why are you so surprised that I'm happy?", you asked. "Am I not smiling always?"

Now, it was him that had to giggle.

"You do smile a lot. I like that about you.", he took a deep breath. "But I've seen the difference. A few days ago you had smiled but it didn't reach your eyes. Now, you're truly happy again. I can see the shimmer in your little (E/C) pearls. I like seeing it."

The way he was talking made you feel special. He had such an elegant way of giving compliments to you. Most of the time he was so skilled with his words that you didn't even notice it was a compliment.

"Oh, so you can see the difference in my smile?", playfully, you leaned to the side so he was able to glance at you from the corner of his eyes.

He smiled happily.

"I do. At least I like to think that I do.", he took your hand and pressed a soft kiss onto the back. "Wait until we cross the border. Then you will have a reason to be happy."

Blushing, you leaned back in the saddle again.

"Why so?"

"Friends of my family had a mansion in Toussaint. We visited sometimes. For free time, you know. They sold it ages ago, when I was a boy. The owners had changed almost every year. But I know that the last man who had bought it is dead now and nobody took over the land. So, we can go there. Nobody will look for us, not there. It's too far away from the border. Most people forgot about it."

"You mean we have a home?"

As the word home left your lips, you hesitated. Home. It tasted to bittersweet. You wanted to have a place if your own.

But with Morvran?

You didn't even know how he felt about you. Or was he planning on making you a servant again?

To be honest, that wouldn't have been too bad either.

Grabbing your hand with his, he tore you out of your thoughts.

"It will be whatever you want it to be.", he said. "If you wish it to be a home... our home... so shall it be. Your wish is my command."

With a soft smile, he looked over his shoulder. His eyes were filled with a hopeful spark. There was no fear nor hesitation in them. He knew what he wanted. He just had to know what you wanted.

Unable to control the uprising happiness, you began to laugh. Suddenly, tears were filling your eyes. They were tears of happiness.

"Yes!", you whispered in between the tears.

"Yes what?", he asked, softly laughing.

"Yes to everything Morvran."

You grabbed his face with both hands and pressed your lips onto his. He tasted so sweet. Like honey and fresh berries. As good as possible, he returned the kiss. You could feel him smiling against your lips. With even more happiness, you pressed further towards him.

It almost pushed him of the horse. Catching his balance, he turned back, a broad smile still on his thin lips.

"I'm glad you say that.", Morvran whispered, fully out of breath. "We have to celebrate that. Reaching into ,y pocket."

Confused, you frowned.

"Your pocket?"

"Yes, the one on the right."

With one arm still around his body, you let your hand slide into the pocket of his pants. Something cold brushed the tip of your fingers, making you jump in excitement.

"What is it?", you asked, hand still in his pocket.

"Pull it out."

You did as he said.

With the curiosity of a child, you let the object fall into the palm of your hand and looked at it from all sides. As the realisation hit you, a soft scream of surprise left your lips.

"A ring.", you said, Bedford by the golden jewellery.

He nodded.

"Put it on. Not as a proposal, I mean not if you don't want it to be. I mean we don't have to- you don't need to say yes... Uh- this is not supposed it be a wedding ring... I- uh... just... just wear it for me, will you?", his face turned red.

A soft smile spread in your lips as you slid the ring over your index finger. It fitted like a glove.

How did he knew your size?

"I will wear it as a promise.", you said and placed a kiss in his neck.

"Really? You will? I mean... as a promise for what?", he stuttered, not looking at you.

"As a promise that you will exchange it one day with a wedding ring."

He laughed softly.

"I'd do nothing with more pleasure."