CHAPTER 432: MORNING IN HARMONY

The first rays of dawn slipped through the tall windows, spilling across the bedroom in golden shafts. The soft curtains swayed gently in the morning breeze, carrying with it the fragrance of the orchards that surrounded the estate. The air was cool, the silence broken only by the faint rustle of leaves and the chirping of distant birds.

Orpheus stirred first, though he didn’t open his eyes immediately. He was content to remain still, the warmth of the blanket and the quiet presence beside him too precious to leave behind so quickly. Luna had curled against him in her sleep, her silver-golden hair spread across the pillow like a silken halo. The soft rhythm of her breathing brought him a peace he hadn’t realized he craved.

When her lashes fluttered and her golden eyes opened, she found him watching her with a faint smile.

"Morning," she whispered, her voice husky with sleep.

"Morning," Orpheus replied softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek.

For a while, neither moved. The world outside could wait. But Luna, never one to linger too long when she had an idea, slipped from the bed with a playful grin.

"Stay put," she said, pressing a finger to his lips when he made to rise. "Today, I’ll take care of breakfast."

Orpheus raised an eyebrow but settled back against the pillows, amused. "I’ll hold you to that."

In the kitchen, sunlight streamed through wide windows, glinting off polished countertops and shelves lined with jars of herbs, spices, and dried fruits. Luna moved with practiced ease, humming softly as she tied an apron around her waist. She lit the stove with a flick of her fingers, the fire dancing obediently to her command.

The scent of fresh bread warming in the oven soon filled the room, mingling with the crackle of eggs sizzling in a pan and the sweet aroma of fruit preserves. She sliced apples and pears from the orchard outside, arranging them neatly on a platter, then poured juice into crystal glasses. Every detail bore her touch—precise, elegant, yet filled with care.

When everything was ready, she carried the tray to the dining room, where Orpheus was already waiting. He had traded his bed-ruffled hair for a slightly neater look, though the lazy grin remained.

"Well, well, Let’s me help you my little princess" he said, rising to help her set the table.

Luna placed the final dish down with a flourish. "Breakfast, à la Luna," she announced.

They sat together, the morning sunlight painting the room in warmth. Orpheus cut into his meal, taking a thoughtful bite before giving a slow nod. "Impressive. You may have redeemed yourself for the barbecue smoke incident."

Luna swatted his arm lightly, though her smile betrayed her amusement. "Eat, before I take it back."

The simple act of sharing breakfast became something more. They lingered over each bite, trading soft words and quiet laughter. Orpheus poured her juice before she could reach for it; she smoothed his hair when a rebellious strand fell in his face. Neither noticed how much time slipped by—it was enough to simply be.

When the plates were cleared, Luna clasped Orpheus’s hand and tugged him toward the bath hall.

"Come," she said, her golden eyes glimmering with mischief. "We’ve earned something more relaxing."

The bathhouse was a sanctuary in itself, carved of pale stone with wide windows that overlooked the rolling hills beyond. Steam rose gently from the large pool of crystal-clear water fed by natural springs, its surface reflecting shafts of morning light. The air was thick with the soothing scent of herbs that Luna had scattered into the water—lavender, mint, and a faint trace of jasmine.

Orpheus slipped out of his outer garments, his movements unhurried, while Luna dipped a hand into the pool to test the warmth.

"Perfect," she murmured, before stepping in. The water embraced her instantly, shimmering faintly around her like liquid glass.

Orpheus followed, easing himself into the pool beside her. The warmth soaked into his muscles, drawing out the last traces of weariness from battles and travels past. He exhaled deeply, leaning against the smooth edge of the bath.

Luna drifted closer, her hair floating across the water’s surface like strands of light.

"See?" she said softly. "Better than any inn bathhouse."

He chuckled, eyes closing as he let the heat seep in. "I’ll admit, this is one luxury I could get used to."

The water shimmered like glass around them, warm and soothing as it lapped gently against the carved stone edges of the bath. Sunlight streamed in through the wide windows, turning the rising steam into golden mist. The world outside felt distant, muffled—here, in this bath, time itself seemed to slow.

Luna’s laughter rang softly, the sound bright and light as she splashed water at Orpheus, droplets scattering like jewels in the air. He raised an arm to shield himself, grinning despite his efforts to look indignant.

"That’s how you want to play, hm?" he said, leaning forward.

Before she could dodge, his hand cut through the water, sending a gentle wave toward her. Luna yelped, half laughing, half feigning outrage as the ripples soaked her hair, which floated around her like a halo of liquid gold.

"You’re impossible!" she gasped, swatting at him.

Orpheus only chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "And yet, you keep challenging me."

For a moment, they continued their playful skirmish, the water rippling and splashing, laughter filling the air. But as the splashes stilled and their breathing slowed, something shifted. The distance between them shrank.

Luna drifted closer, her cheeks touched with warmth—not from the steam, but from the way Orpheus’s gaze lingered on her. His hand brushed hers beneath the surface, and she didn’t pull away. Instead, her golden eyes lifted to meet his, steady and unflinching.

Silence stretched, broken only by the soft dripping of water from the stone edges.

Then, slowly, Orpheus leaned in.

Their lips met—soft at first, testing, like the first brush of wind before a storm. The warmth of the kiss spread through them, deeper than the heat of the water, wrapping them in something tender and unspoken. Luna’s hand rose to his chest, not to push him away, but to steady herself as if the ground beneath had shifted.

When they parted, her breath caught. "You..." she whispered, her voice trembling between laughter and something deeper.

Orpheus’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Me," he answered simply, his forehead resting gently against hers.

For a while, they didn’t speak. They didn’t need to. The bath, the light, the faint hum of their heartbeats—it all became a cocoon of stillness, fragile and perfect.

Luna nestled against him, her head resting on his shoulder, and his arm slipped around her, holding her with a gentleness that contradicted the battles he had fought. She closed her eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart, letting herself melt into the moment.

"Orpheus," she murmured softly, her voice drifting like a ripple across the water. "Let’s stay like this... just a little longer."

And so they did, entwined in warmth, their lips finding each other now and then in soft, lingering kisses, until the world outside the bath ceased to matter.