Without a shadow of a doubt, she’s now one of the most important people in my life. And I will do anything and everything to shield her from any possible danger, both from her realm and mine. 
♔♔♔ 
We’ve finished the whole sack and we’re now left with the half-filled one. We talked and shared so much about each other. It’s as if time stopped, giving us more room to be together. But our joyful conversations when we heard a soft thunder from above. We looked up and the clouds began to block the sun. Another faint thunder grumbled from afar. The sky continued to grow grey in color. 
James must be in an unforgiving mood right now. 
“We best leave,” Laura closed the sack and put it back under her seat. “We wouldn’t want to return to the bakery, soaking in rainwater,” she added as we prepared to leave. 
“As the prince of the kingdom who creates rain, I understand what you said,” I teased as I sat firmly on my end of the boat. 
She then grabbed the oars and fiddled with them as she slid them to the oarlocks. “I hope we'll be able to get out of here in time. We’re quite deep in this swamp,” she said. 
“I can row for us. I can do it faster and you already did it a while ago,” I offered. 
“Don’t worry, I can do this,” she smiled as she looked at me. “I’ve done this more than once. Another passenger makes no difference.” 
“Are you sure?” I asked. 
“Of course,” she nodded. “Now, sit tight and I will get us out of here in no time.” She then rowed with all of her might and speed. I kept my gaze on her, not wanting for her to strain herself because of the added strength and speed. I also prayed that James would be in a lighter mood so that the rain would happen. 
♔♔♔ 
A while has passed and the skies just grew darker. The thunder moved closer to our direction and the clouds seemed heavier than before. At any given time, rain can call upon us. To our luck, the dock was already in sight. 
“I told you I’ll get us out of here,” she said, triumphant. 
I returned a smile but it quickly faded as a raindrop fell on my nose. 
She immediately saw it and rowed even faster. A few more drops followed and in a matter of seconds, the rain poured. “Oh!” she shouted, still rowing. 
I was going to control the rain but it’s forbidden to use our magic outside of our realm. And should I try that, James will immediately notice it. Once that happens, he will do everything to trace where it came from. I turned to the dock, wanting to get there a little faster. Then, a faint giggle came from Laura. I looked at her and as soon as our eyes met, she laughed.
“You still have the nerve to laugh when we’re drenched with rain?!” I asked. 
“Why are you taking this situation seriously?!” she asked with a smile. “The least you could do is appreciate the rain!” 
“Laura!” 
She continued laughing and amidst my attempt to stop myself, I couldn’t help but join her. To see her this happy, I couldn’t help but marvel at her child-like characteristics. This woman was just too precious to be angry at. 
A few more rows and we finally reached the dock. I got off first and helped her get out of the boat. I then took it upon myself to tie the boat onto the dock to make sure it won’t float away. 
“We need to go,” she said as soon as the boat was secured. 
I grabbed her hand, stopping her from leaving. 
She quickly turned around. “Is there something wrong?” she asked. 
I looked around and up to the skies. “The rain isn’t that bad,” I then turned to her, “Would you care to dance with me?” 
“Dance with you?” her brows furrowed. 
I nodded with a smile. 
“You want us to dance under the pouring rain?” she repeated, confused. 
I nodded again. 
“Spending too much time under the rain might give us a cold,” she explained. “We still need to return home. I don’t know what to tell Grandpa Ben if I went home in this state.” 
I stepped forward towards her. She then lowered her head, turning slightly to the right to avoid me. I gently lifted her face, “We’re already wet from the rain. What’s the point of getting out of it? And you said it yourself: the least I could do is to enjoy it.” I winked. 
She smiled and lowered her face again, staring directly at my chest. 
“So, would you care to dance with me?” I asked once more. 
She took a deep breath and replied, “Can’t we just leave and go home?” 
I cupped her face and lifted. I leaned in, our foreheads nearly touched. She looked to her left again. She trembled a bit under my touch. I gently poked her nose and said, “If you want to go home, we shall go home.” 
She sighed after holding her breath. She nodded and stepped away from me, walking ahead of me. She may not know this but a short moment of being close to her, I felt safe once again. 
♔♔♔ 
Laura and I finally arrived back at the bakery. Laura and Leo rode right in front of us so I could make sure that nothing will happen to her. When we got back, the rain already ceased and the sun shone once more. Because of the ride home, our clothes were able to dry themselves a little bit.
As Laura stopped at the front, I hopped off and helped her get down. We walked to the side of the bakery, carefully pulling our horses by their reins. 
“Thank you for accompanying me, Robert,” she smiled. 
“I should be the one who’s grateful,” I moved closer. “I was able to do something memorable with my time. 
She giggled as she removed the lead shank from Leo’s collar. “But still, you made the rain worth it.” 
“Which reminds me,” I held onto her arms, “Don’t forget to change your clothes.” 
She nodded shyly. “I need to prepare for work. You should go home and change as well. You might catch a cold. 
I chuckled. “Don’t you worry, madam,” I gently poked her nose, “I will change my clothes. However, rain doesn’t make me sick that easily.” 
She smiled as we stared at each other for what it felt like a long time. If I were given the chance to do so, I’d stay in this spot with her, holding her close. I will never get tired of looking at her. In addition, her eyes would just make you want to stay. 
I cleared my throat, making her look down to her feet. “I’ll take my leave, then,” I stepped back. 
“Absolutely,” she nodded, hiding her face from me.