Note: I am so sorry for being gone so long! To show my apology, I will be uploading two parts for the next three days! After all, I've had some time to work on this story a bit more behind the scenes! :D

I cleared my throat, my throats beginning to tint red a little from the kisses. "A-Anyways, Ares told me that you wanted me to be here. Why?" 

"So, I can announce to my sister that we're going to be mates," Ryzel said before we started to walk off. 

"You never told her?" 

"I couldn't! After all, it wasn't like we proclaimed our love for one another in the Forest Continent my love." 

I scoffed, proclaimed? Had he never happened upon me embarrassing myself then he would've never known in the first place! It was a happy little accident. 

However, that little word choice did nothing to make me raise my brow a little. "You could've always sent a letter you know." I chuckled. 

"I'm an Incubus, who would take the time to deliver it?" Ryzel snickered.

"Just flirt! You did it with the ship's captain." I teased, giving him a small pinch on the arm before he rolled his eyes and wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him. 

"I'm yours now, my flirtations are for your ears only." The Incubus hummed, placing a kiss onto the top of my head before he sighed. 

I looked up at him, my head tilting to the side a little. 

"What's up?" 

"...I...I apologize." Ryzel murmued. 

"I apologize for earlier this morning, yelling at you and such. You wish to help my kind and that's appreciated but-" “But- you don’t want me to go out to war.” I finished for him as he turned his head towards me and nodded. 

“The Desert was a battle, not a war. I do not wish for my mate to see what war looks like, much less participate in it.” Ryzel continued, a small grumble leaving me at his words. 

Sure, it was a small one, but I had already participated in a war before when I dealt with the situation in the Land of Giants! It wasn’t as hate-filled nor bloody as the war between the Beasts and Paladins would most likely be but I had some experience nonetheless! I wanted to help, he understood that but...all he needed to know was that I was capable of doing it, handling myself in battle and trusting that I wouldn’t do anything nor say anything that would risk getting my head chopped off during my sleep.

I wasn't a damsel in distress, the scars on my back, legs and arms should've been proof enough. 

I could handle myself.

“So...with you going out to hunt, I’ll just assume you’re some kind of hunter within your tribe?” I said, trying to divert the conversation as we grew closer and closer to the Chieftess’ home. 

An obvious sight, it was the largest in the tribe’s area! Made out of a mixture of black clay and red stone while it was decorated here and there with jeweled animal skulls as small Latin words of luck and fortune were carved in some of the stone that faced the front of her home. But...strangely enough, it smelled as if someone had just gotten a fresh batch of cinnamon buns out of the oven. 

My mouth watered a little. On Earth, I was never the biggest fan of cinnamon buns but...it was the nostalgia that made me hum in memories that were supposed to be long since forgotten. 

“My sister is the oldest, therefore the title of leader from our father goes to her.” Ryzel started off. 

“I act as a...second-in-command? My sister takes charge of leading war parties, planning how attacks will go and such while me? I lead hunting parties and occasionally lead scout groups. Though, there’s not too much need for that nowadays.” 

I cocked a brow. 

“Why?” 

“Because we live in a safe area of course! Besides, your town will most likely spot something and handle it way before we can even have a chance to come into the picture.” 

“So basically, you’re leeching off of us?” I said jokingly, Ryzel giving my cheek a playful pinch with a small scoff. 

“Not leeching, merely acting as a last line of defense. After all, I like to speak well of my tribe and say we are the strongest members of your town.” He continued, causing me to shrug in slight agreement.

Though I’ve never seen the tribe fight anything themselves, I wasn’t going to be the first to assume they were weak in any way, shape or form! After all, if Ryzel could handle taking down a Beast husk on his own in the Desert then I had no doubt that the rest of his tribe could do the same. 

“Then for my last question, I’ll just guess that I can't just hang around the front door while you talk to your sister alone? I didn't even bring some type of gift!" I chuckled as soon as we reached the Chieftess’ front door, a sudden flurry of butterflies erupting in my stomach at the thought of being able to see his sister for the first time in a while. 

Hell, I barely even remembered what she looked like! Although a part of me remembered her having horns like Ryzel’s. “Oh please, my sister receives enough gifts. She'll be quite fine with one person missing out on giving her a present. Just come with me to see her! I'm confident that she'll approve of us." Ryzel grinned before he opened the door, the scent of cinnamon buns stronger than ever before I heard a small yelp from somewhere in the hut. 

The Chieftess' hut was mostly empty. The scent of burning cinnamon was still fresh and the quiet sound of the home was peaceful as I took my time to dart my head around. 

Looks can be deceiving, from the outside? I thought the inside was simple and quick! But, there was a living room to the left side of me. A large fireplace towards the far right corner while beds surrounded the front of it as tables and empty chairs sat on the other side of the room, books were scattered about and glowing handprints were scattered on the walls! To the right side of the living room? There was a room where it resembled like a library and 'science' room combined! 

Potions with differently colored smoke rising out of them were centered on a table with no chair to be seen as books took up the rest of the room. But...as for the remainder of the home? The long stretch of hallway Ryzel and I walked down? It was empty, no paintings nor pictures of anything! Nothing more than empty black clay before we finally turned towards the kitchen where the cinnamon-y smell originated along with the yelp. 

The place decorated with two sets of round tables with multiple chairs while spices, herbs, and different kinds of food were set on the counter. I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of brown flour scattered everywhere while I spotted the Chieftess’ trying to dust herself off! 

“I see your busy being a terrible cook as usual Ortilla.” Ryzel teased, breaking the silence before Ortilla’s head immediately perked up and looked at us. 

The Chieftess was a beautiful woman like every other woman in the tribe! Her waist-length hair was styled to where some of her hair was in a top bun while the rest fell onto her shoulders and was decorated with colorful beads and jewelry that ranged from greens, reds, golds, and even oranges! 

Overall, however, it was the same shade as Ryzel’s although it favored being a blonder color. Her figure was slightly muscular but curvaceous whilst her skin was a pale ivory color as a red tattoo lied on her arm, her horns were similar to Ryzel’s but they were slightly smaller and had ten gold bands wrapped around them, the tips glowed a dark green color and for her eyes? They were a sharp blue color, the pupils within them were sharp slits similar to a cat's but...they had the happiness of a dancing parrot.

It was refreshing to see the Chieftess.

“Nice to see you too baby brother.” Ortilla chuckled before she walked over to pull Ryzel into a hug, her eyes flickering over to me before they widened slightly. 

“And I see you’ve brought the Lady of the Goblins to see me! I assume this is business then?” She asked, quickly bowing her head a little before I shook my head with a chuckled.

“Not this time.” I snickered. 

“We came because we’re-” 

“Mates!” Ryzel practically squealed, Ortilla’s eyes widening even more before she practically yelled in happiness, the sudden feeling of being pulled into a hug that lifted me off the ground slightly making me grin ear to ear. 

“Thank The One! My baby brother has a mate! Finally!” She yelled. 

“Am I going to be an aunt soon? When did this happen? How did this happen?! Where the hell was I?!” Ortilla giggled as she quickly went to pull out some chairs for the both of us, causing her to sit down on the other side of the table as her hands beat against the table excitedly. 

“Well now? Don’t keep me waiting! Sit down and give me the details! The tribe is going to love celebrating this!” She continued, causing Ryzel and me to sit down before I looked at him.

I was happy and excited...I really was! Slowly but surely, the thoughts of how the big day was going to play out? The day where everyone knew I had chosen Ryzel to a lifetime partner of mine? I was beginning to lean more and more towards a wedding that was traditional to this world, however, my original plans of participating in the war? 

That was still front and center in my mind. I didn’t want to live in a world where I had to forever hide who I was in love with, much less be afraid of waking up to the possibility of him being killed just for being what he was. 

The stress? I’d have gray hair long before I’d even reach my fifties! 

“I’d like to hope you’ll be an aunt soon.” Ryzel snickered, shooting a wink my way before I scoffed. 

“But...alas, the topic never came up.” He continued. 

“So long as it's just one or two, I think I’m happy,” I commented. 

For a second, I thought I would be burned or blinded by the sudden aura of pure happiness from the Incubus! I wasn’t good with kids in the slightest, heck, there was a reason why I never took on babysitting but...so long as they were my own kids? Much more if I had some help from time to time? I think I'd be fine. 

“Then I’ll be looking forward to the day you both have children! It would be nice to have my niece or nephew take over my title as leader of this tribe.” Ortilla hummed wishfully, letting her head lean against her hand.

I cocked a brow. “I thought you guys were immortal? Besides, why can’t you give the title to Ryzel?” I asked. 

“We are immortal! That doesn’t exactly mean we wish to be in charge forever though. Not only that...Ryzel will be busy leading by your side will he not? The Lady and Lord of the Goblins?” Ortilla snorted, my eyes going over to Ryzel once more as I let out a quiet snicker. 

Forever and always, I would be persistent in the fact that I would never need help with the town, sure I got stressed out every now and again but who wouldn’t?! I was fine on my own and I forever would be until the day I decided that leading a town wasn’t my style anymore! 

But, the title ‘Lord Ryzel’? 

It had a nice ring to it.