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Today is a really nice day, perfect for the walk that is about to end. The sound of footsteps on the dirt road, distant sparrows chirping and the rustling of branches are a few simple sounds that complete the perfect picture I am experiencing and make me smile. I usually work on days like this, but today I took the day off for myself and my Petit Homme.
Since finishing my studies at Night Raven College, many things have happened. These have changed me, and perhaps made me the happiest person in the world. I searched far and wide for the greatest beauty ever. I was looking for something extraordinary, unusual and distant. I thought that my deepest desire would only be fulfilled if I found the sublime in a very distant land. But then I realised that it had been by my side all along. (Y/n)... Aah, my beloved (Y/n), you are the beauty I longed for and could not see with my blind eyes. You have cared for this poor hunter, refreshing his soul with your immense virtue, attention and love. I wanted you so much and you loved me back, but I was still blind. I could only grasp part of your immense power until the day I saw you in your white dress and heard you say 'I do'. Only then did I realise that my wish had been fulfilled years ago. My eyes opened and lit up with you, and I have never been the same since. My beloved, my sweet femme fatale, I am yours; I am entirely yours, and I always will be. Do whatever you want with me and I will never oppose it. Creating a family with you was the greatest blessing I could ever receive. I, a poor little Chasseur de l'Amour, have been graced with such immense bliss: you and our child, the purest fruit of our love, the one I have dedicated today and I would dedicate the rest of my days, too.
The bow sits on my shoulder, and I can feel the feather on my hat and my tied hair fluttering in the zephyr. I hold the child's hand in my bare hand and the strap of the half-empty quiver hanging from my shoulder in the other, gloved one. In the distance, the sun is setting, painting the sky of Sunset Savanna in warm colours.
“Look, Daddy!” The little boy pulls away from my grip so that he can approach a white patch in the greenery near the path we're walking on. “Primroses!” he exclaims, turning to me with a bright smile.
“Bravo!” I immediately compliment him. “You recognised them at first glance.” I place myself next to him, crouching down to reach his height. He nods vigorously and hums in agreement and looks back at the plants. I had taught him about flowers a few months ago, and it makes me very happy to know that he remembers the lesson and has noticed the primroses during our walk.
“I want to take them to Mum,” he declares, crouching down and trying to keep his balance. His eyes shine with wonder and enthusiasm as he gazes at the white corollas, captivated.
“It's a wonderful idea.” I can't help but smile as he leans forward and starts to choose the most beautiful, fully bloomed flowers, pressing his knees into the earth.
I really don't know what sin I could have committed to deserve all these blessings in my life. I don't deserve such joy. His radiant smile and the meticulous way he creates the bouquet push me to run my gloved hand through his blonde hair, cut in a style that Vil called ‘like a bowl’. The first time he saw him after we went to the barbershop, Roi de Poison was so upset, asking me why I had allowed him to get such a hairstyle. But my little Bishop had expressed a desire to have a haircut like mine, so even though his hair was too short, we opted for something that resembled it as much as possible. I cried that day, overwhelmed by the fact that I am such a good example for him.
“Is this okay?” he places a beautiful bunch of white primroses in front of me and smiling broadly.
“I think they're perfect,” I runs my gloved hand over his cheek and under the touch I feel the softness of his skin. “Come on, let's go home now. The sun has almost disappeared behind the horizon.”
He nods again, gets up and dusts off the dirt stuck to his trousers. He hands me his palm, which is now also dirty, waiting for me to take it. Without hesitating, I take it, holding him in my grip as we resume walking along the dirt path.
A few minutes later, we turn the corner and, from a distance, I see our little house. Although we could have lived in one of the many villas bequeathed to me by my ancestors, we chose a modest home on the edge of nature in which to raise le notre Bishop. We wanted him to grow up without being spoiled and to appreciate true beauty and pure love.
Although we are still a long way off, I notice (Y/n) walking past a window. I allow my cheeks to turn pink at the elusive sight of her, the greatest wonder the world has ever created. My heart asks me not to be held back, so I let it go and allow it to beat quickly for her.
“Daddy?” he calls, and I take my eyes away from the square of glass representing the hope of seeing her again and immediately, bringing them to the essential piece of my soul. “Did you see Mum?”
He has noticed it. Even if he hadn't noticed her, he could tell that I had. I nods, answering yes, before continuing, "She's at home. Go and surprise her.”
His face lights up with a radiant smile and he begins to run towards the door, slamming it open and announcing his arrival with a cheerful cry.
“Mummy!”
I arrive shortly afterwards, approaching calmly, just in time to see him offer the primroses to (Y/n).
“For my beautiful mother!' Er...” He tries to say something to accompany the gift and show his appreciation, but nothing comes to mind. “For you!” he finally concludes, pushing them under her nose.
“Thank you,” my wife says, accepting them with a sweet smile. She then bends down and kisses him on the cheek. Bishop then walks away enthusiastically, running to his room to take off his dirty boots and remove the small bamboo bow from his shoulder.
“How did it go?” she asks, her attention passing to me after the child left the room. She approaches me, holding on to that smile which, once again, makes me fall in love with her.
“Merveilleusement,” I answer, sliding my hands over her hips and up her back. “He has learnt to nock arrows and shoot. I couldn't be prouder of him.”
“I'm glad to hear this,” she said, rocking in my embrace and avoiding looking directly at me. “I was afraid you'd have too high expectations of Bishop when it comes to archery.”
I delay answering her, not because I lack the words, but because my gaze is fixed on her: her soft hair, her sweet and worried face, her gentle lips. Aah, I don't even recognise myself anymore! She has made me lose my mind completely and fall in love with no way out. You have no idea how much I love you, (Y/n).
“Rook?” She looks up in bewilderment at my lack of response, finding me staring at her softened.
“I could never. Le Notre Petit Homme is still young; he has plenty of time to learn. Even if he tells me one day that he doesn't want to be a hunter or that he doesn't like archery, I'll accept it. The important thing is that he's happy,” I say, resting my forehead against hers and closing my eyes. “Don't worry, Ma Chérie. I love him unconditionally... just as I love you.”
She smiles sweetly at my words and I leans down to kiss her, tightening my grip on her back.
“I love you too, Rook,” she murmurs after breaking away.
With each passing day, I have more and more confirmation: I am the happiest and luckiest man in the world, and I owe it all to a woman and a little man who live in my heart.