Crimson Overlord-Chapter 383: Luna’s Dinner

Back in the real world, Luna led Orpheus through the halls of her secluded manor, an elegant space with high ceilings, warm wooden finishes, and a faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. It was a private sanctuary, rarely visited by anyone besides a few loyal maids who attended to the manor’s upkeep. After kindly excusing the staff for the evening, Luna made her way to her personal quarters for a much-needed bath.

The water was warm and soothing, washing away the remnants of their rigorous training. She closed her eyes, letting the quiet peace of the manor settle over her. It was a stark contrast to the wild intensity of the forest training and the disciplined rhythm of their drills, and for a moment, she simply let herself enjoy the calm.

After finishing her bath and dressing in comfortable yet elegant attire, Luna headed to the kitchen. Her movements were graceful and confident as she gathered ingredients, setting up a meal with practiced ease. Cooking was a rare treat for her; it was something she seldom had time for, and the chance to make a meal from scratch filled her with quiet satisfaction. She prepared a mix of roasted vegetables, a savory meat dish, and a fresh salad, each infused with delicate herbs she had grown in the manor’s garden.

Meanwhile, Orpheus was finishing up his bath in a separate guest suite. He hadn’t expected this level of hospitality, nor the invitation to stay in Luna’s personal retreat. The warm water eased the soreness in his muscles, and as he dressed, he felt a strange sense of calm and curiosity. This was a side of Luna he hadn’t seen before—a glimpse of her world outside of training, revealing subtle details he’d only imagined.

When he stepped into the dining room, he found Luna setting the last of the dishes on the table, the soft glow of candlelight illuminating her features. She looked up and met his gaze with a warm smile.

"Hope you’re hungry," she said, gesturing to the meal she’d prepared.

Orpheus took a seat, a rare look of surprise crossing his face. "I didn’t realize you’d be cooking tonight. This looks... incredible."

They shared a quiet laugh, settling into a comfortable atmosphere as they began to eat. Conversation flowed naturally, weaving between topics light and serious. Luna shared stories about her time in the manor, her love for the solitude it offered, and the way it allowed her to recharge away from the demands of the outside world. Orpheus listened intently, occasionally sharing a story of his own from his past travels and experiences.

As the evening wore on, the conversation grew more introspective. There, in the soft glow of the dining room, they found themselves speaking about their hopes, fears, and the challenges that lay ahead. They both knew that the trials they would face soon demanded every ounce of their strength, yet tonight was a rare reprieve—a space carved out of time, where they could just be themselves.

After dinner, they moved to a cozy sitting room, where the crackling of a low fire filled the silence. Luna poured two cups of tea, handing one to Orpheus before taking a seat nearby. They sat quietly, each lost in their thoughts as the fire danced in front of them.

"I have to admit," Orpheus began after a while, his gaze fixed on the fire, "I didn’t expect to end up here like this. It’s a welcome change."

Luna looked over at him, a gentle warmth in her eyes. "Neither did I. I suppose it’s easy to forget we’re more than just lovers. Nights like this remind me of that."

The following morning, Luna and Orpheus resumed their training, setting a fierce pace from the start. The fresh morning air filled the clearing as they moved with purpose, each pushing the other to greater heights. They worked on refining their technique, perfecting every movement until it was second nature.

As the sun climbed higher, they took a short rest, settling beneath the shade of a large tree. Luna reached into her bag and pulled out a carefully wrapped lunch she had prepared beforehand. Orpheus raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering across his face.

"You’ve thought of everything," he remarked, watching as she laid out an assortment of simple yet delicious-looking foods: freshly baked bread, slices of cured meat, crisp vegetables, and a handful of berries.

Luna shrugged, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "I thought we’d need something to keep our strength up. And it’s a nice break from field rations."

They settled in, enjoying the meal in a comfortable silence. The simple food tasted especially good after the intense training, and as they ate, a sense of calm fell over them. There was something grounding about sharing a meal in the open, with only the sounds of nature around them.

After a while, Orpheus looked over at her, his expression thoughtful. "You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this... relaxed."

Luna glanced up, meeting his gaze with a soft chuckle. "Guess you bring it out of me," she replied lightly. "Besides, even we need moments like this. Balance is as important as strength."

He nodded, taking her words to heart. "True. Sometimes I think we forget that."

They finished the meal, savoring the last few bites in the dappled shade, feeling a renewed sense of energy for the afternoon ahead. As they rose to continue training, Luna turned to Orpheus with a determined glint in her eye.

"Ready to keep going?" she asked, her voice steady and confident.

Orpheus gave a small, approving smile. "Always."

With their strength renewed, they returned to their practice, moving with even greater focus and intensity. It was as if the brief pause had not only fueled their bodies but also reignited their resolve.

He nodded, a rare softness in his expression as he glanced her way. "It’s good to remember. Keeps us grounded."

They lapsed into silence again, but it was a silence filled with mutual understanding—a quiet, unspoken bond forged over years of shared experiences and hard-won respect. Eventually, as the fire burned lower, Orpheus rose to his feet, stretching slightly.

"Thank you for tonight, Luna. I think it’s what we both needed."

Luna nodded, her smile gentle. "Get some rest. Tomorrow will come soon enough."

As Orpheus headed to his room, Luna lingered a moment longer by the fire, feeling a renewed sense of purpose and connection. She knew that in the days to come, they would both need every ounce of strength, and tonight had been a reminder that there was more to their journey than just the trials ahead.