[Chapter Size: 1900 Words.]
Third Person POV
Skellige.
...
...
Madara calmly opened his eyes as the sun was already shining through the window.
He turned his head and saw Ciri staring at him with a small smile, while her body, pressed against his, was naked beneath the covers, feeling her warmth.
"Good morning," he commented.
"Good morning, Madara," she laughed with a sincere smile. She leaned closer to him, sealing his lips in a joyful feeling.
Madara felt relieved and satisfied with her. She hadn't changed one bit after discovering all the madness of him being in this world with a past life.
Ciri seemed to be reading his thoughts.
"You know, Madara..." she began. "I was thinking about your memories... You smile more often. And you're more handsome when you smile. I'd like to see you like that more often. I love it when you smile," she murmured.
"Look at my face, Ciri..." Madara was speaking but was interrupted by her the next moment.
"It's the most beautiful face I've ever seen in my life. I have nothing to complain about and couldn't ask for better!" she laughed, cutting Madara off before he could continue.
"That's not the point. I have a reputation to uphold," Madara said as he began to smile, laughing as well, and seeing that it was just a joke, Ciri let out a loud laugh.
"You're an idiot," she said, laughing, moving closer to his face and kissing him while he still held a wide smile. She never stopped admiring him.
"Anyway, let's take a bath and go downstairs. I'm sure the others are waiting for us," Madara said. In the end, he got up with Ciri following him.
There was a bathtub in the room that had been left for them to bathe in, in case they had come the night before to get ready. Obviously, there was no more hot water, and bathing like that would be terrible, but Madara found a way. Using a jutsu he had, he easily heated the water in just a few seconds, and then they shared the bath.
"So, what's the plan for today?" Ciri asked as she washed one of his outstretched arms with a sponge, while she was cleaning herself, leaning against Madara's chest in one corner of the tub.
"We'll stick to yesterday's plan. We'll explore one of the islands and head to the giant's cave," he said.
"Yes, that'll be interesting," she said, looking at him as she finished cleaning her body.
But soon, she spoke again with a more serious look toward him.
"Did you find out anything yesterday?"
"Well, I had a meeting with someone I didn't expect, but it was pretty reasonable. The man who handed over the paper yesterday was sent by someone among the tables... It wasn't hard to figure out, and when I said I was Vilgefortz's enemy, I confirmed it—our enemy really is here in Skellige," Madara said in a serious tone.
"He could be a problem... like, for our wedding?" she asked, worried.
"I doubt he could come up with a plan so close to the date, especially with what King Bran is organizing in two or three days... It's way too soon to try something big against our union," Madara said.
"But it's still a problem, isn't it?" she asked again, and Madara didn't deny it.
"Yes," he admitted and continued.
"But don't worry. I'll deal with him today or tomorrow," Madara said in a serious tone.
"Wait... but you're taking me too, right? He's as much my enemy as he is yours! You said he influenced my father to kill my mother and steal me, and later he was also involved in Nilfgaard's ambition to expand its empire..." she said.
Madara hadn't hidden any information about that mage from her, revealing his entire involvement in Ciri's affairs, even his desire to steal her power. In a way that had made Ciri vomit.
"Yes. We'll deal with him," he said in the end.
There was no reason not to take her, and she nodded in satisfaction when she heard him.
They grabbed some clothes from the stock Madara still had in the scroll. They weren't as extravagant as the ones worn yesterday, and they left through the door, this time entering the corridor after closing it.
"Do you know where the banquet hall is?" Ciri asked.
"We could ask a servant... but you could practice your powers a bit. After all, you're a seer," Madara said.
Ciri nodded, starting to concentrate, and then her eyes glowed for a few seconds before returning to normal. She smiled at him.
"Come, let me show you the way, Lord Madara," she mocked, as if she were a servant.
Madara just shook his head and followed her, while she grabbed his arm. The corridors unfolded as they went down the stairs, with servants and guards watching them.
They found the banquet hall a moment later, and the guards opened the door for them. Inside were the same tables, but now all clean, with a bunch of people having their first meal of the day, and in the middle of the hall, the same fire was lit, now heating water so they could drink something warm this morning.
It wasn't hard to spot Zoltan and Geralt sitting at the same table as yesterday, wearing different clothes. Madara and Ciri went to join them.
King Bran was still not present at the main table, with his chair empty. There was only Mousesack along with King Bran's eldest son on the other side of the table.
"Uncle Mousesack!" Ciri shouted to him, drawing some looks as they walked through the hall, stopping at Geralt's table.
Mousesack greeted them, and they returned to their friends.
"Good morning," said Geralt in a dry tone, clearly hungover.
"Good morning, lovebirds," Zoltan muttered as the two settled at the table.
"Good morning, Father. Good morning, Uncle Zoltan," Ciri said cheerfully, drawing a raised eyebrow from Geralt.
"Good morning. You always seem so comfortable when she calls you father. Does that bother you?"
Madara couldn't help but enjoy the moment with some humor, looking at Geralt, while the witcher gave the boy an intense look.
Zoltan also laughed beside him, while Geralt drank a bit of whatever he was drinking and turned to Madara.
"That's unexpected. Tell me, what happened that made you start calling me father all the time? You never called me that before... It's a bit strange."
Geralt's question sounded a little embarrassed, especially at the end, while Ciri gave an even wider smile.
"Let's just say I found out a few things," she said, offering no further information.
Ciri could handle it, and Madara had even taken a risk by giving her all the information he had kept for years. But she knew not everyone would react the same way or understand. She was an exception, after all—she would be Madara's wife and the mother of his children, his life companion, so she had the right to know. But no one else needed to.
Geralt just stared at her, not knowing what to say.
The door opened as Yennefer appeared, wearing a black dress, different from the one from the previous night. Even so, it didn't seem appropriate for breakfast—but she was a sorceress. And sorceresses are the kind who like to show off.
She joined their table, making a few comments about Geralt and his performance during the party after they had left, and Ciri laughed at it while Geralt picked a fight.
"So, what's the plan for today?"
A fourth person joined the table—Dandelion—already beginning to sing.
"Good that you asked, that's what I wanted to know. I was wondering if Madara is available...? We have a few things to discuss, if it's not a problem," Mousesack also appeared at that moment, looking directly at Madara.
"We can do it after the ceremony. I want to investigate a few things," Madara said in a serious tone, and the man nodded without pressing him.
"Of course. No rush. Do you have plans for today?" Yennefer asked curiously, and Ciri was the one who answered, nodding quickly.
"Of course, Madara and I are going to explore some islands," Ciri said.
"And maybe hunt cyclopes!" Mousesack added with a smile.
'Maybe something bigger than that...' Ciri said mentally, but didn't share that thought.
"Well, we'll see what we find along the way," was all she replied awkwardly in the end.
"I'd say don't do it, but..." Geralt began from the other side of the table, before receiving an elbow from Yennefer. He gave her a look and continued,
"But I know you two can take care of yourselves just fine."
"I'll take my leave. I'm heading to King Bran's chambers. He's indisposed this morning," Mousesack said, bidding them farewell.
"Is he okay?" Ciri asked with concern.
"Yes, he is. This always happens in recent years whenever he drinks. He feels a bit rough the next day. Must be age. But don't worry, I'll be there to look after him," Mousesack laughed as he walked away.
"Well, anyway..." Yennefer was the one to speak this time.
"I'd like to borrow your bride for a moment before your wedding. After all, we have some women's things to discuss before the big day," she said, while Ciri raised an eyebrow and turned to Madara, silently asking for his opinion with her eyes.
"Do as you like. I'll be doing a few things you'll probably find very boring," Madara said, knowing Yennefer would have a long talk with Ciri about wedding matters — and whether she was mature enough for it.
"I'd also like to speak with you, Madara," Geralt said in a serious tone, and Madara already knew what was coming. He simply nodded.
In the end, they didn't stay away for long before King Bran appeared, and then Madara and Ciri returned to their room, discussing a few things about their travels.
Eventually, Ciri teleported again to that little cottage by the lake where they had been the night before.
While she put on a cloak and her sword, Madara checked on Totó as the griffin descended from his tower and greeted them.
"Maybe we won't need to walk over water," Madara thought aloud, patting the griffin's neck as Ciri stepped out of the house, fully prepared.
"So we're going with Totó?" she asked, and he nodded.
In the end, they flew over the skies of Ard Skellige. After some time flying above the sea, they headed toward the island that was said to be the giant's home. They arrived after half an hour of travel, while Totó chose a spot deep within the forest to land, so no one would be frightened by a monster like him near the town.
"Stay away from the area. Find a safe place for yourself. I'll summon you later," Madara instructed, as the griffin flapped his wings and flew away.
"Madara..." Ciri murmured, looking into the forest where they stood, while Madara sensed the environment around them.
"I know. Our presence here has already alerted every creature. Let's clear them out, find the road, and summon our horses to explore the island," Madara said calmly.
Ciri drew her sword.
He pulled his katana from the scroll, while several eyes stared at them from the darkness of the forest.
Quickly, creatures emerged, baring their teeth and growling at the intruders in their territory.
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