Chapter 102: Pinky Promise
After explaining the situation to Ikarus, he decided to form a group of seven people to scatter the seeds in the part of the forest closest to the settlement.
"Since the wild beasts have started coming back, it would be safer if we planted the seeds somewhere we’re already familiar with," Ikarus said as he looked over the area they planned to use for planting the next morning.
Maeve narrowed her eyes because, truthfully, she had trouble seeing anything in the dark. Thankfully, the moon was bright that night, and the torch Ikarus carried gave off enough light for her to make out the area around them.
"There are still plants growing here, so I think the soil is fertile enough," Maeve said. "Yeah, I think this will be a good place for now."
If plants could survive here even during the drought, then the soil would only become richer after the rain.
Maeve continued looking around, but she stayed close to Ikarus because the last thing she wanted was to get lost in the middle of the forest at night.
"I heard you were angry with them," Ikarus suddenly said.
Maeve looked at him in surprise. "Who told you?"
"Cerus," he replied. "He said he honestly didn’t expect you to still want to marry him."
Ikarus let out a soft sigh. "I knew they would definitely cause you trouble if they were left on their own."
Maeve chuckled softly. "It’s alright. In the end, they managed to work together just fine."
To be honest, the real reason Maeve wanted to check this area tonight was because she wanted to spend some time alone with Ikarus. After all, she had left him behind in the settlement, and even though he kept saying he was fine with it, she still couldn’t help feeling a little guilty.
"We should go somewhere nice together someday," Maeve said with a smile. "I’m sure this forest has some beautiful places waiting to be explored."
If she remembered correctly, she had once noticed a strange symbol on one of the forest maps. It was in a remote area, maybe near the cliffs. She hadn’t paid much attention to it at the time, but Pinky later told her it was one of the most beautiful places in the entire forest.
That was why Maeve had wanted to visit it ever since she had been trapped underground.
"Isn’t this place nice enough?" Ikarus asked.
He suddenly looked a little nervous. For a moment, he thought Maeve didn’t like the Azuryn Settlement and that one day she might leave them for good.
"No, that’s not what I meant." Maeve took a deep breath before explaining, "You know... back in my world, couples usually go on a honeymoon after they get married."
"We don’t have honey here," Ikarus said sadly. "Unfortunately."
Maeve blinked before bursting into laughter.
Ikarus looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Did I say something strange?"
She quickly waved both hands. "No, no. Honeymoon doesn’t actually mean you need honey."
He tilted his head. "Then... why is it called a honeymoon?"
"I have no idea," Maeve admitted with an embarrassed smile. "It’s just what people call a trip that a newly married couple takes to spend time together."
"A trip?" Ikarus repeated.
"Mm-hm." She nodded. "Usually somewhere quiet or beautiful. The couple spends a few days together, relaxes, talks, eats good food, and makes happy memories."
Ikarus fell silent for a moment as he imagined it. "So... the purpose isn’t to hunt or gather supplies?"
Maeve laughed again. "No. It’s just for the sake of the fun."
He looked around the forest before lowering his gaze. "I don’t think I can give you something like that," he said softly. "The settlement still needs us, and there are too many things to do."
Maeve stepped closer and gently took his hand. "I wasn’t asking for it right now."
Besides, Lior was still too young for them to leave behind for such a long time. And Maeve wouldn’t be able to relax if she left her son without at least one of his fathers by his side.
"I just thought it would be nice someday," she continued. "After the settlement becomes stronger, after everyone can live comfortably, we can take a short break together. Even if it’s only for a few days."
Ikarus looked at her in silence before finally giving a small nod. "Then let’s go on a honeymoon someday," he said. "When Lior is old enough, and we’re sure the settlement won’t fall apart while we’re away, we’ll go somewhere beautiful and simply enjoy ourselves."
Maeve’s face lit up with a bright smile. She lifted her hand and held out her little finger toward him. "Then let’s make a pinky promise."
Ikarus stared at her outstretched little finger, then looked back at her with curiosity. "What is a pinky promise?" he asked.
Maeve smiled. "It’s a promise that you’re not allowed to break."
He nodded in understanding before slowly raising his hand. The moment Maeve saw it, she couldn’t help laughing.
"Your hand is way too big," she said.
Her entire hand looked tiny compared to his. Even his little finger was almost as thick as two of hers put together.
"I’ll be careful," Ikarus said, looking oddly serious.
He gently curled his little finger around hers, afraid he might hurt her if he used too much strength.
Maeve hooked her finger around his as best as she could. "There," she said with a grin. "Now we can’t break our promise."
Ikarus looked at their linked fingers for a few seconds before asking, "Does this really make the promise stronger?"
"Maybe not," Maeve admitted with a soft laugh. "But every time people see their little finger, they’ll remember the promise they made."
He lowered his gaze to their hands once more. "Then I’ll remember it."
===
They returned to the settlement after walking around the forest several times. It didn’t take long for Maeve to fall asleep the moment her head touched the pile of cloth that served as a pillow.
Lior curled up beside her, wrapping his tiny arms around her as he searched for the warmth and comfort of his mother’s embrace.
Since her hut had been rebuilt with extra wood from the apple trees, it was now much bigger than before. There was finally enough space for all of her husbands to sleep inside with her.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t stop arguing over who should sleep beside Maeve. After listening to them bicker for a while, she finally gave up.
In the end, Maeve chose to sleep with Lior in one corner of the hut, while her husbands were sent to the opposite corner.
The next morning, the first rays of sunlight slipped through the small gaps in the wooden walls, filling the hut with a warm golden glow.
Maeve slowly opened her eyes and let out a quiet yawn.
She glanced down at Lior, who was still sleeping peacefully against her chest. His tiny fingers were holding onto her clothes as if he were afraid she might disappear.
A gentle smile appeared on her face. "Good morning, sleepyhead," she whispered, carefully brushing a few strands of hair away from his forehead.
Lior let out a soft mumble in his sleep before snuggling even closer to her and Maeve couldn’t help smiling wider.
On the other side of the hut, however, things were much less peaceful.
"You pushed me while I was sleeping," Cerus complained.
"I did not," Axan replied flatly.
"You definitely did."
"I was asleep. How would I know?"
Cerus crossed his arms. "Then explain why I woke up with your leg on top of mine."
"I don’t remember."
"You never remember!"
Maeve let out a soft sigh before they could start another argument. "Good morning," she called.
The three men immediately turned toward her.
"Morning," Ikarus replied with a gentle smile.
Cerus scratched the back of his head awkwardly, while Axan calmly sat up as though nothing had happened.
"Good morning, wife," Cerus said softly because he had just been caught arguing with his brother again.
"The weather looks nice," Axan said as he walked over to the window. "It will be a good day to plant the seeds."
That morning, Ikarus headed into the forest with seven others to scatter the seeds across the chosen area. Meanwhile, Axan went to inspect the barrier surrounding the settlement, making sure it hadn’t been damaged while he was away.
At first, Maeve thought Cerus would spend the day following her around. To her surprise, however, he shook his head. "I need to train the youngest warriors," he said. "I’m sure more threats will come to our settlement in the future. We need to make them stronger before that day comes."
"But don’t worry," Cerus said with a reassuring smile. "Axan told me he only needs to check the barrier first. After that, he’ll come and keep you company. In the meantime, Zini and Oraya will stay with you."
Maeve turned her head to the side and saw the two women waving happily at her from a short distance away.
"Goddess!" Zini called out excitedly. "We’re making a new blanket from beast fur! Do you want to come and watch us?"