Chapter 10
Eric, Cynthia, and Philip traveled through the lush forest paths, chatting like long-lost friends. The mood was light, a brief moment of peace in the midst of war. Eric and Cynthia found themselves stealing glances at each other, the silence between them holding more meaning than words ever could.
Eventually, Cynthia broke the silence, teasingly:
"Hey, Eric... you never told me what life was like in Tryzo. Especially... with the women there," she added with a mischievous smile.
Eric chuckled. "Is that your way of asking if I fell in love with someone else?"
Cynthia laughed lightly, but Eric's tone turned sincere.
"The answer is no—because the only one I've ever truly loved is you. Not just because you're the Nature Princess, but because... being with you makes all this chaos feel bearable. I don't know how to explain it, but I've never felt like this before."
Cynthia blushed and interrupted him gently. "Eric, enough. I know. You're already in love with me. But who knows—your parents might have already picked out some noble lady for you. Falling in love with me might be... complicated. After all, I'm your mother now." She smirked playfully.
Philip burst out laughing. "Mother now? You've barely kept him in check!"
Eric, unfazed, smiled softly. In that moment, he wished Philip weren't there. He walked over to Cynthia, hugged her from behind, and rested his head on her shoulder.
"Mama," he whispered playfully, "I'm tired. Please... help me."
Cynthia's heart raced. It was the first time she'd been this close to a man—and she liked it. She closed her eyes, her breathing deepening. Eric's lips brushed gently against her neck, sending shivers down her spine. A quiet moan escaped her, encouraging him.
Philip, sensing the moment, stepped aside, giving them privacy.
Eric's kisses grew bolder, trailing down her neck as one hand slid to her thigh, the other resting lightly on her waist. Cynthia trembled with unfamiliar but thrilling sensations. She turned, cupped his face, and kissed him fiercely.
Eric's hands moved to her waist and lower, pulling her closer. Cynthia moaned softly into his mouth, lost in the passion of the moment. Her fingers fumbled with his shirt, trying to tear it open—but suddenly, Eric paused.
He stepped back, breathless.
Cynthia, flushed and wanting more, looked at him with pleading eyes. "Why did you stop?"
Eric met her gaze, and in his eyes, she saw warmth, restraint, and deep affection.
"There's a time for everything," he said gently. "I want you to be happy, always. And I want to love you the right way."
The sincerity in his voice touched her. She looked down, blushing. "I'm sorry... I just—I liked how it felt."
Eric took her hand. "You don't need to apologize. I love you, Cynthia. Truly."
She hugged him tightly, then quickly let go. "Come on—we're already here."
Before them stood the twisted Turnbush—an enchanted wall of thorns, said to obey only the Nature Tribe. Philip sat nearby, waiting patiently.
Cynthia stepped forward and placed her hand on the thorns. Instantly, the thick vines shifted and parted, revealing a narrow passage.
They walked through, and as soon as they passed, the thorns closed behind them.
Beyond the wall, houses emerged—tall, vine-wrapped structures in harmony with the forest. But before they could take another step, a ring of armored Nature
Tribe soldiers surrounded them, weapons drawn.