The early morning light entered the room through the window.

With the lack of the darkness, Samara's eyelids twitched. Slowly, the sleep started leaving her senses. Every inch of her mind felt awake as she opened her eyes lightly.

The plastered ceiling reminded her of her actions from last night.

Sadness spread all over her heart as the realization of disrespecting her parents' orders sank further.

But then, they were wrong at thinking that they could control her life like this. They were forcing their choices on her.

So, she rebelled.

Her father and brother, the army men. Surely, they would get mad. But Samara feared her mother the most. A woman who had the heart to send her husband and son far away to War. She knew, that her mother had a strong heart. But when she cared for society more than her own daughter's happiness, it was enough for Samara to decide her ways.

And now, she was satisfied with her actions. Especially when her morning began in her lover's home, on his bed, with his thick-muscular arm wrapped around her waist.

Turning her head, she observed him peacefully.

Rodwin liked laying on his stomach in the last three to four hours of deep slumber. Just like how he was asleep now, snoring mildly with his mouth staying open.

Her eyes moved towards the right slowly, noticing his chiseled muscular shoulders, the back. Turning on her right side beneath his arm, she forwarded her hand towards his bare back slowly.

Roaming her palm over his back, she watched his snores going silent. He twitched his eyebrows unknowingly and kept sleeping, looking like an innocent boy.

Samara moved her hand up towards his head. The sides were shaved properly along with the back of the head. While the top of his head held the dark hair the same length as half of her pinky finger.

Running her fingers through his hair gently, she felt him relaxing more. Going down to his back, she caressed the skin with extreme gentleness.

He stirred and pulled her closer to him. Having their faces closer, Samara observed his lashes and straight nose.

Going closer, she pecked him on the full lips. She did it again, and this time, she kissed him properly.

Watching him with adoration in her eyes, a smile came upon her face. The corner of his lips curved upwards.

"God is showering miracles early morning," he mumbled faintly. "Rodwin Lester is getting kisses without asking for them."

"Because this time, you didn't disappear," she said humorously. "You stayed."

He opened his right eye that was visible as the other one was pressed into the pillow. "This is my home, after all. . ." He stared at her and smirked. "Our home."

Samara blushed while lowering her eyes. She continued caressing his back.

"Are you feeling better now?" He asked while turning his face more to her, showing both the eyes. His hand reached for her face, observing her swollen eyes and cheeks.

She nodded quietly, her eyes holding certain fears. "I want to know what happened back there in the forest in the night."

Rodwin blinked, his hand moving up from her waist to cheeks, removing her flicks to behind her ear. "Father wants to know the same," he said quietly. "I will describe everything, later. But before that, we need to talk to your family. You can't stay here when we are not married yet—" His eyebrows raised as Samara sat up hastily.

Clenching her jaws, she gave him an angry look. "I am not going anywhere," she said, raising her voice. "I won't stay here. I am going to live here like your family."

Rodwin gulped while blinking in exhaustion. He took a breathe and raised himself up to sit. Rubbing his eyes, he raised his one knee and put his arm on it. He shook his head helplessly. "This is not how it works, Samara. I am going to talk—"

His mouth closed just as he observed her angry expressions. His eyebrows raised.

She bit her lip and gulped the lump forming in her throat. "Am I being a burden to you, Rodwin?" She asked while showing hurt in her eyes.

His own eyes widened in shock. Putting his knee down, he grabbed her forearms. "Why would you say that?" He said while looking in her blue eyes. "You can never be a burden. Do you hear me? Instead, you will be filling so many holes of our lives after marrying me."

"But without your parents' permission? That is not my how I work," he told her quietly. "I cannot put your reputation, your character at stake. I know that this society won't understand your helplessness and will make talks. I cannot let that happen. I will have to convince your parents. Make them understand. It's upon me to explain them what happened. Even Samuel."

Samara shook her head sadly. "Rodwin, you don't understand how hurt I am by their acts. They hated on Samuel when he was accused. They hate you now that you are the target of the whole village. My father craves the maintenance of his reputation. I don't. I will not get my life compromised because of his meanness. I saw how they dominated me. It's unacceptable. As my lover, you must—"

"I understand. I really do. Which is why, I will get ready and go to your home, now. They are just misunderstood." Rodwin stared at her with love in his eyes.

"Rodwin, you don't understand." She said quietly while lowering her eyes. "My heart is hurt by their behavior. I do not care what they think or what the society thinks. I will do as my heart says. Now, my heart just wants me to be here. With you."

Rodwin smiled to himself.

"I am tired of everything that has been happening. These monstrosity that is taking place in this village, it has ruined my days and nights. I am getting to see dead bodies and injuries. There is so much horror spread around. We can't trust our own people. I wish I could leave this place with you and your father. You aren't safe here. They caught you just like that. Accused you."

Rodwin's smile faded as Ida's last words revolved in her mind for a blink. She too was asking him to leave the village.

"And Nathaniel, that heartless person. I know, he took your name knowingly. If not my brother, than you. I don't want to see his the faces of persons I have been hurt by," she said, her voice cracking. "I don't want you near them because they have made up their minds. They think, you killed Ida. That's it. They care about their own reputation only. My parents would hurt you. Samuel will, definitely."

Playing with the hem of her dress, she whispered. "Do you know how it felt seeing you being tied to that wooden pole? Ready to be burned?" She cringed at her own words. "My heart was in my throat and blood had frozen. All I could hear were your struggled breaths. So many bad thoughts were coming in mind. The very thought of you getting hurt was eating me up inside. I couldn't breathe myself, Rodwin. I have never felt like this. My heart ached, veritably."

"Hey," mumbled Rodwin while cupping her cheeks. "Samara. I am here with you, very much healthy. Breathing erratically because, well, I have never woke up like this. Having seen the most beautiful woman of my life beside me in my bed, ever. I am on the top of this world."

Samara still couldn't smile. She was very sad because of what happened last night with her family.

"Fine, I won't talk about talking to your family anymore. And you are staying with me. We will soon be getting married and then, no one can put a finger on you?"

Samara wiped the corner of her eye while looking away.

Rodwin twitched his lips. "Now. Now. What can I do to make you smile?"

"You can't do anything, Rodwin. All you do is get into trouble for the sake of helping others. Why would you even go to that forest?" She choked out mournfully.

Rodwin stared at her and sighed heavily. "But I am capable of doing this to make you smile."

Samara looked up in his eyes immediately. "What?" She asked innocently.

Rodwin's hands moved down to grab her waist and tickle her all of a sudden.

A shriek escaped Samara's mouth as she squirmed hard. She laughed while falling on the bed, thrashing her legs, making Rodwin grin heartily.

"I love this," he said while tickling her more, and chuckling himself.

Samara laughed and tried to push his hands away. Only to get tickled in the neck.

"Ah! Rodwin! Stop!" She squealed loudly. "Rodwin!"

He hovered over her, grabbing both of her wrists with one hand, and stealing a passionate kiss from her.

Samara chuckled through kiss as he kept tickling her. Tears leaked from the corner of her eyes.

"Rodwin! Stop!" She squealed in between the tickles and the kisses.

The door to his room burst opened, making them halt their movements immediately.

"You! Rascal!" The rough voice came from the door.

Both of them gasped. Rodwin widened his eyes along with Samara. He moved his eyes off her to look back at the door.

"You couldn't wait for my talk with her father! That you kidnapped her!" His father yelled while picking up the boot from the floor.

Rodwin gasped and rolled off Samara, falling off the bed. "Calm down, old man!"

"Calm down! What would you. . . You couldn't wait! So much youth at peak! Huh! What else? You shame of a son! What will the society say? What else do you want? For them to spit on my face! I cannot believe you forcefully brought her here!"

"Listen—"

His father cut him off while throwing the boot.

Samara gasped while covering her mouth. Rodwin immediately ducked the attack.

"Listen to me, first!" He said while widening his eyes.

His father has picked up a stick from behind the door. "Heaven! You couldn't wait! Your mother will be cursing me! She will come in my dreams and hit me!"

"For God's sake!" Rodwin yelled back in humour.

"You talk back to me? To your old man!" His father said while looking for something more scary.

"Lord Lester, stop! I came here willingly!" Samara shouted in between, making his father halt his movements.

Lord Lester widened his eyes while looking at her. "What did you say?"

Samara started feeling embarrassed and lowered her eyes.

A goofy smile erupted on Rodwin's face. "She couldn't wait to be with me. So, she left her home already. She is going to live with us." He smirked.

Lord Lester gasped and looked back at her. "But you both are not married yet?"

"My parents are against this marriage now, Lord Lester. This is not some game. For me, it's my life. I will do as I want it to be. And J want it to be with Rodwin," said Samara while looking up at him. She got off the bed and took a shaky breathe.

"My father said that he would find another man for me. Samuel warned me to not associate with Rodwin anymore or he would kill him. He is so into believing that Rodwin killed Ida. My mother. . . She hit me," choked out Samara with tears in her eyes. "Hit me twice. Snatched the engagement ring from my finger."

Rodwin tightened his fists calmly while Lord Lester stared at her in shock.

"My. . . My. . . Then, child. Must you go and respect their decision. It is upon me and Rodwin to come and convince them of the truth."

Samara shook her head and pleaded with eyes full of unshed tears. "I beg you, Lord Lester. Please. I don't want to go back. This is my new home. Why should we delay something that is meant to happen anyway? I am ready to marry Rodwin any soon as you will say. I even brought my most precious white dress. I think, it will work for the wedding day. All I ask is for you to understand. I can't go back."

"The society will question your decision, dear. I. . ." Lord Lester looked anxious.

"You don't have to worry. I will answer them," said Samara confidently. "They are the same people who are asking for him to be burned. They only want to follow the rumours. I will do all of the work, all the errands here. I will cook you both food. Will organize the house," she said while looking around the room.

Rodwin's ears reddened at realizing how his uniform and sword hung on the nails carelessly. His boots were here and there on the floor carelessly. His table was full of his journals and three glasses of tea and water from five days ago. His farming clothes were on another wooden chair, being dirty and muddy.

Lord Lester glanced at his son and looked back at Samara.

"My heart has recognized you both as my new family forever. I understand, that you still want time to get used to it. I promise, I will not intervened in your father-son moments, in your tasks, and even in the kitchen. I will do as will please you both. I just don't want to go back there," she said desperately.

Rodwin's smile turned cheeky at seeing his father going speechless. He moved his tongue around in mouth to control a snicker. His old man was helpless.

"Forgive me, the house is very dirty. Rodwin's room stay like this all the time. You will have to put up with his carelessness," said Lord Lester, a small smile erupting on his face. "Actually, with no woman in the house, we had been living like savages. But I tried as much as I could. His floor is free of dust. I wiped here, yesterday."

He sighed while nodding his head in helplessness. "Your father has insulted us by returning the ring. He said that you did it willingly. Of course, we didn't believe it. But I was hurt. I have known your father since forever," he said while smiling sadly. "But now that, you're here. Rodwin's mother will hit me in my dreams if I don't welcome you, properly."

"Must I go, make some tea and breakfast for you. I must also bring the ring," he said, making Samara blush as Rodwin grinned. "We were also planning to have a hand pump in the backyard before the wedding. So, you could get water at any time conveniently for extra work. Instead of going to the well. Ah! I will have to take you both to the church tomorrow to exchange them vows and be legally married."

"Why not, today?" Rodwin asked in confusion.

"Very safe. Aren't you in this village?" His father said while looking at him. "Also, I have to go to the seer to bring that paste for his bruises. His body aches. But does he show it? No, he doesn't."

Rodwin lowered his eyes while chewing his lip.

Samara's heart jolted in pain as she looked at him in shock.

"Do not worry, dear. The paste will do wonders. But we both will have to take care of this joker," Lord Lester said with a sigh. "There is fresh water stored in a small tank in the backyard. I had filled it, last night. It is cold enough for your swelling to go away. I will go and make the tea, now. Welcome home, dear Samara."

She blushed hard as Rodwin wiggled his eyebrows.

"I can make the tea, Lord Lester."

"Oh please, dear! Not yet! You can take the charge of the kitchen afterwards. But for now, I'll make the breakfast! Please call me father, already." Lord Lester said while giving Rodwin a cheeky smile who was now stunned and blushing slightly. "See. Look at him. He takes your name in dreams. Look how, he can't believe it."

Samara chuckled while observing Rodwin's goofiness.

"Why don't you leave, already?" He mumbled quietly, his face turning scarlet.

"Here's the ring," his father said while bringing it from another room. He walked inside and unfolded the handkerchief, showing it to Rodwin.

Samara took a deep breathe as Rodwin picked it up and asked for her hand. She obliged and watched as he slid down the ring smoothly.

Lord Lester clapped and laughed while observing their embarrassed faces. "Fine, the old man will give you privacy now. But let me tell you both, no frisking allowed until you are legally wedded. Am I clear?"

Rodwin blinked as if that was the joke of the century. While Samara was all red and delighted by the frankness.

"The tea," Lord Lester said while moving out as Rodwin was giving him the irritated look. "Notorious son, you gave me, my God!" He said while on the way to the kitchen.

Samara relaxed and looked at the ring in her hands. A squeal escaped her when Rodwin took her hand and kissed the finger with the ring.

She breathed happily when he snaked his arms around her waist and pulled her close for a heartfelt kiss.

Samara closed her eyes while Rodwin was almost flying. He sighed dreamily while pulling away. "Can I do this?"

"What?" She asked in confusion.

Rodwin bit his lip and carried her upwards, twirling her around. Samara squealed while chuckling hard.

He laughed heartily. But all of a sudden, pain jolted in his knee. He winced while bringing her down.

"What happened? The bruises?" Samara panted and shook her head when he nodded slightly. "You will be the death of me," she whispered while looking up at him as she realized that his mere wincing in pain would rip her squeeze her heart so painfully. When had she started loving him so much, she thought.

"I know I am breathtaking," he joked lightly.

Samara wrapped her arms around his neck while smiling widely.

"Yes, you are."

Rodwin blinked his eyes in surprise, in extreme happiness. He felt overjoyed by her words.

"Come. Let's get that swelling off your cheeks and eyes."

____

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