The Time Stone Crystal

Chapter 40

MARIA AND KRISTOFF

Mary walks down the hall to the room of the foreign guests who rescued her the night before. She was very grateful to them because if it is not for the foreigners, she might have been a victim of the violence of Baccus's staff. Maria carried the pillowcases and bedsheets with her. As she walked, she had many thoughts. She was also thankful that her father was in good health because she was with him in Brutus' big house according to his order; she would work as one of their stewards there.

They did not neglect her either and even treated his sick father. I am fortunate, and I am very grateful to the people who are here. Just a little bit, and I will be able to fulfill my dreams in life.

She caught her glimpse of the approaching young man who had helped her that night and the young man who never left her mind. It was Kristoff. She just stared as she walked, and there, her heart feels nervous every time she saw him. Just keep restraining yourself, Mary!

"Hi!" he greeted her.

"H-Hi!" she ashamedly replied.

"Where are you taking that?"

"In your room. I-I would like to change the pillowcases and bedsheets."

"I'll help you."

"Huh? I can do it alone."

"I insist. I will be upset if you don't let me help you."

"O-Okay. It's your choice."

He smiled then took what she was carrying, but she was surprised when he held her hand. There seemed to be sparks that make her shivering in the depths of her being. Soon they were walking together in the hallway.

"Can I ask, Maria? Do you have a boyfriend?"

"Huh?" She was slightly surprised at what he was asking. "I don't have. Why?"

"I just asked."

"Uhm, I haven't thought about having a boyfriend yet because I still have a lot to achieve in life. Also, my priority is my father now because he is sick. There is no one else to take care of him but only me."

"We're the same."

"Why? Are you the eldest too?"

"Yes. I have younger siblings who I left with my parents and served Master Kairo."

"Why are you serving Master Kairo? Do you owe him much?"

"Yes. Master Kairo saved us when we needed someone to help us, so I did not hesitate to go with him. It was a long time before I saw my family, but he always told me that they were safe."

"Master Kairo is very kind."

"You said it right. Almost all of us have pasts struggled, so we stayed behind Master Kairo to defend him along with Lady Weng."

"Then Lady Weng is fortunate because she has a perfect husband."

"Lady Weng is kind like you. The creator blesses the good people of this world."

"Like you too."

"Why? I am not a nice person," he smiled.

"You are kind to me because you defend me from people who want to hurt me. If you didn't have it there with Hander, I probably wouldn't be here today. I know they won't revive me either if you don't catch me earlier. I will be grateful for all you have done for me."

"It's nothing. Any woman who needs our help, Hander and I are ready. Especially someone like you, Maria. You are so beautiful."

"Huh?" She heard what it said, but she just wanted to be sure. "W-What did you say?"

"I said you're beautiful."

"T-Thank you."

"How old are you?"

"Twenty-five."

"Twenty-five? You only look eighteen."

She laughed. "Eighteen? How can you say that?"

"You look young, Maria. So maybe most people are obsessed with you because of your gentle face," he said directly.

"I look young, but I am mature enough. Here I am, stretching my bones to lift my family out of poverty as well as my relatives who are poor in life."

"You're not only beautiful, but you're also still helpful."

"T-Thank you." Even though she knew the young man was joking with her.

"I'm not kidding, Maria. You might think I'm joking."

"Okay." It seems that he knew what she is thinking. 

"Maria..."

"Hmm..."

"Can I court you?"

"Courting me?"

"If you would agree but if not, I will respect your decision⸻"

"It is fine with me, Kristoff!" She didn't know if that was right, but she was complacent whenever the young man was there next to her. She feels that she is safe in his arms and no one can hurt her.

"Really?"

"Yes, Kristoff."

"That's good news, Maria. Does that mean I have hope?"

"Kristoff! You're just courting; that's what you immediately think!" She wanted to laugh at the reaction of his handsome face.

"I'm just kidding, but I am serious when I said I want to court you, Maria."

"Okay. I don't have a problem with that."

He gently touched her hand. She could hardly explain how nervous she was, and the sparks that seemed to something her personality flowed through her body again. Soon the door opened, and Lady Weng appears to go out from her room, seemingly stunned by what she saw between them with Kristoff. She immediately reclaims her hand from him.

"Lady Weng…" she said.

"Ah, you are here. I think I bother you both."

"Uhm, no!" She prevented her from re-entering the room.

"I thought I was bothering you." Her glimpse moves towards Kristoff and her while looking at them. "Where are you taking that?"

"In my room," Kristoff replied.

"I see." It turned to her. "I'm glad to see you're getting better, Maria. How is your father?"

"He is doing well, and he's getting stronger. Tomorrow I will take him on a tour of Master Brutus' whole place so that he can breathe fresh air."

"It's good then, and at least his condition is fine. If you need anything, just say so, Maria."

"Thank you," she replied.

"Anyway, we're leaving tomorrow, and we won't be here long."

"Leaving? Tomorrow?" she wondered.

"Yes. Hasn't Kristoff told you yet?"

"I haven't said yet."

"I thought you would stay here for a long time." She was a little sad in that part because she could no longer see the young man, and to this day, she could only feel his presence.

"Sorry. Alright, I still need something to do. Bye!" At once, it immediately entered her room again.

She wondered.

"Come on," Kristoff said to her.

But she just stayed where she was, and the young man glanced at her.

"Why? Is there a problem, Maria?"

"Are you leaving tomorrow? You didn't even mention it," she said. Her voice mixed with sadness.

"Yes. I'm sorry, and I didn't mention it. I'm just sad to think that until now, it's only been my courtship. Forgive me, Maria."

"I understand why you're leaving, Kristoff. It's okay, and I'm used to being left behind."

"I will be back, Maria. We'll be back. We just have a mission to finish, and when everything is in order, I will come back to continue courting you."

"I'm not sure if I have an answer to your courtship when you get back here. We do not know what awaits us." She ambled and passed the young man.

"Maria..."

She opened the room where the young man temporarily stayed to do her work. Kristoff still followed her, and when they entered, she started to change the pillows. Her heart in sorrow that she would never see the young man again. Whether it will return is uncertain because it may take a long time.

"I promise I'll be back, Maria. I can't stay here until our mission is over."

"It's okay, Kristoff. But I said earlier that I do not promise that I will give my answer to your courtship if it takes too long for you to return to this place. I also have a personal life to take care of."

"I understand. In case you can't wait, I'll let you decide. I will accept as I said."

"How long will it be before you can return?" she asked, then she glanced at him, who was also busy arrange the pillow cover.

"I'm not sure. I will spend two, three or more months on this journey."

"Is it more important to your journey than your courtship of me? I'm not saying you stay, Kristoff. I just want to feel safe while you are on a long journey. I'm worried about what might happen to you. I don't know what I will do when you can't come back, and I don't want to think that will happen."

"Maria…" He approached her. "Do not think about it. When I say I'll come back for you, I'll come back for you. I don't know why I'm like this to myself, and I'm not like this to a woman. It was a strange feeling, but I guess I have an answer for that."

"What is it, Kristoff?"

"I love you, Maria. That's how my heart feels for you and when I love a woman, it's true," he said thoughtfully.

"Kristoff..."

"Maria…" He retook her hand. "Will you wait for me?"

"Kristoff…" She bowed slightly. "I'm afraid that one day I will hope, and then you won't come back. That I had nothing to look forward to if it wasn't just sadness, if I accept that promise of yours, I might just get hurt." Then she looked up at the young man.

"Do you love me, Maria?"

She nodded slowly."

"Look into my eyes, Maria."

She was already staring into its eyes seriously and without the stain of any doubts.

"I'm happy, and finally, I have a woman who loves me too. I have dedicated my whole life to my family and Master Kairo. I also want to be myself, so I am thankful that you will accept me and my love for you. I promise I'll be back for you, Maria."

"Kristoff…" Tears welled up in her eyes, and then she suddenly embraced the young man. Only now can she feel genuine love for a man and be even further away from her.

They hugged each other tightly and felt each other's feelings. After a while, the young man parted from her and stared at her again. For a few moments, he kissed her softly. A kiss that would make her feel that she was a woman also needed the love of a man as he slowly laid her down on the bed.

The young man's lips go down to her neck and shoulder while his hand covered her right chest. That was she moaned even more, her body curve with the intimate sensation like fuel combustion. The young man covered her lips again as he slowly removed her clothes. She let him do that as she wanted to know how deep their relationship should face their fate.

Until Kristoff finally saw her top nudity bosom without shaming off. He stares at her for a second then kissed her passionately, but this time, he seemed to be searching for something. It was her first time accepting all the intimacy between them, but everything has just begun.

"Kristoff ...." She moaned again when Kristoff gripped her chest bosom.

The young man became more aggressive and just kept doing. After a while, he even moved to the other side of her chest bosom like a wistful crying baby.

"Uhm ... Kristoff!" She groaned while beaten her lower lips, grasping the sensational lunacy.

"I want you." He whispered. "I want you to stay beside me as you are my twin flame."

"Kristoff ..." He said meaningly to her but wanted to cry. She wants to stay at his side no matter what happens. She felt the passion romance from him again, not only a lust feeling that mediates between them but something that only their heartbeats know.

Kristoff kissed her again down her neck until his hands covered her chest too. She feels shivering down on her spine and curved. There were also current sparks between them that can be dangerous if they can't hold their magnetic emotions. His caressed lips move down from her chest to her feminity.

He wanted to carry out their i*********e, so she even widened her two legs to let him in. Perhaps she felt his manhood enter her subtle part. She almost tightened her grip on him when she felt the pain in the middle of her genital.

"Damn ... I was careful," he whispered again.

"Kristoff ..." She bit her lower lips while trying to suppress the pain.

"Did I hurt you?"

She nodded softly. She could not deny that it did not hurt because it was her first time, and that body she has had purity at all.

"I'm coming ..." He whispered again.

Kristoff was moving faster until he reached the extreme finish line. She just tightened her grip on his hand until they both out of breath. That was the night she never forgets in her whole life with the young man she loved. And yes again! She doesn't know when it started, but she slightly confesses that she has a deep affection for him.