Family system

For a few moments, they simply relaxed. The water lapped gently against their skin, the warmth seeping into their muscles. Jack grabbed a bottle of honey-scented soap and poured some into his hands before running them down Elise's shoulders, rubbing slow, methodical circles into her skin.

Elise hummed in approval, tilting her head to the side as his hands moved lower. "Mmm… you're being helpful for once."

Jack chuckled, kneading at the knots in her back. "I can be helpful. I just prefer it when it comes with some extra benefits."

Elise turned her head slightly, giving him a half-lidded look. "Oh? So you're bribing me with a massage?"

"Not bribing," Jack corrected, leaning down to kiss the back of her neck. "Just… encouraging a good mood."

Elise chuckled but didn't argue. Instead, she let him continue washing her, enjoying the attention as his hands worked lower. Jack took his time, his fingers gliding over her skin, soaping her up and ensuring every inch of her was thoroughly cleaned.

But then, of course, his hands started to wander.

"Jack," Elise warned, though her voice lacked real heat.

He grinned against her skin. "What? Just making sure you're clean."

Elise turned around, grabbed a handful of water, and splashed it into his face. Jack sputtered, blinking as water dripped from his hair down his face.

"That's for getting ideas," Elise teased, smirking at him.

Jack wiped his face with an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. But don't say I didn't offer you the best bath of your life."

She laughed, shaking her head before grabbing a sponge and rubbing soap onto his chest. "You're impossible."

"And yet, you still love me."

Elise rolled her eyes but continued washing him with slow, purposeful strokes. Jack relaxed under her touch, enjoying the feeling of her delicate fingers running over his muscles.

Eventually, once they were both thoroughly cleaned (and mostly behaved), they rinsed off and stepped out of the bath. Jack wrapped a thick, fluffy towel around Elise before pulling her close, his lips brushing against her ear.

"See? Efficient," he murmured.

Elise huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. "I guess it was efficient… in a way."

Jack smirked, grabbing a towel before following her toward the dressing area. "Told you."

They dried off and dressed together, exchanging teasing touches and soft kisses between every article of clothing. It was a slow, sweet process filled with warmth and laughter rather than urgency. When they were fully dressed, Elise turned to face Jack with a small, content smile.

"Alright," she said, stretching slightly. "Time to get to work."

Jack groaned dramatically, grabbing her hand and pulling her back toward him. "Or… we could go back to bed?"@@novelbin@@

Elise smacked his chest lightly. "Nice try. Come on, we have a city to run."

Jack sighed but let her go, grinning as he followed her out of the bathroom. "Fine, fine. But don't be surprised if I steal you away later."

After finishing their bath, Jack and Elise dressed comfortably before heading to the dining area for a quick meal. The breakfast was simple but satisfying—freshly baked bread, seasoned eggs, and mana-infused fruits that helped restore energy. Elise sipped a warm herbal tea, her sharp golden eyes already focused on the day ahead.

On the other hand, Jack leaned back in his chair, watching her with an amused smirk. "You haven't even finished eating, and you're already thinking about work," he teased.

Elise shot him a look though there was no real annoyance in her gaze. "Unlike some people, I don't have the luxury of lounging all day."

Jack chuckled, taking another bite of his meal. "Hey, I'm plenty busy too. I happen to enjoy my time a little more."

Elise sighed but didn't argue, finishing her tea before standing up. "I'm heading to my office. There's still a lot to handle with the festival and ensuring the merchants from Lunaris have everything they need."

Jack finished the last of his food, wiping his hands before stretching. "Alright, I'll come with you. No way I'm letting you handle all of that stress alone."

Elise smirked. "That's surprising. You usually try to avoid anything that requires sitting behind a desk."

Jack grinned. "Well, maybe I just like watching you work."

Elise rolled her eyes but didn't protest, and the two of them left the dining area and headed toward her office.

Once inside, Elise wasted no time reviewing reports and sending out orders to ensure everything ran smoothly. The city was still fragile, with people slowly adjusting to the newfound peace and security. It was her job to make sure they didn't fall into panic again.

Jack sat on the couch nearby, admiring her. She was a natural leader, her presence commanding without raising her voice. Even as she worked tirelessly, her elegance and quiet confidence made her stand out.

"You're dedicated, huh?" he mused after a while.

Elise looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Of course I am. Goldspire is my responsibility."

Jack nodded. "And you're doing a damn good job."

Elise's expression softened just slightly before she returned to her work. "Then don't distract me."

Jack chuckled but leaned back, content to sit and watch her work. After all, he had already decided that he would make sure she had whatever she needed. And if that meant letting her focus without his usual teasing, he could handle that… for a little while.

After watching Elise work for a while, Jack realized that she would be busy for the rest of the day now that the people of Goldspire were returning to their normal routines. With the festival successfully calming their fears, Elise had a mountain of paperwork and logistics to handle. And as much as he loved watching her work, he knew she wouldn't leave that desk anytime soon.

He stretched lazily, standing up from the couch. "Looks like you're tied up for the day," he said casually.

Elise glanced at him briefly, already flipping through another stack of reports. "That was always going to be the case," she said dryly, though there was the faintest smirk on her lips. "What? Getting bored already?"

Jack chuckled. "A little. But mostly, I don't want to get in your way. So, I figured I'd head to Lunaris and check in on Ela."

That got Elise's attention, if only for a moment. She leaned back in her chair, folding her arms. "Ela, huh? She has been handling things over there alone for a while now. You should probably see if she needs anything."

Jack grinned. "That's the plan. I haven't visited in a while, so I figured I'd drop in and see what's happening."

Elise waved him off. "Go on, then. Just don't cause trouble. Lunaris might not be as tightly controlled as Goldspire, but it still runs smoothly under Ela."

Jack put a hand to his chest, feigning offense. "Do I ever cause trouble?"

Elise didn't look up from her papers as she deadpanned, "Constantly."

He laughed, stepping toward her and leaning down to kiss her temple quickly. "Alright, alright. I'll see you later, then."

With that, he activated his space magic, the air around him shimmering as he vanished instantly, his destination set—Lunaris.

Jack appeared at the edge of Lunaris, his feet landing softly on the forest floor as the shimmer of his teleportation faded. The air here differed from Goldspire—cleaner, fresher, filled with damp earth and blooming flora. Birds chirped overhead, and in the distance, he could hear the rush of a river weaving through the trees.

He inhaled deeply, taking a moment to enjoy the tranquility. Something about Lunaris always felt alive. Unlike Goldspire, which thrived on trade and ambition, Lunaris was deeply connected to nature, its energy woven into the very fabric of the land. The trees here were older, their branches stretching high into the sky, forming a canopy that dappled the ground with soft, shifting patches of sunlight.

Instead of teleporting directly into the city, Jack decided to take his time and walk. It wasn't often he got to simply exist in moments like this, where he wasn't planning, fighting, or handling the ever-growing responsibilities that came with his power. He ran a hand along the bark of a nearby tree, feeling the mana pulsing faintly within it.

As he strolled deeper into the forest, he caught sight of various creatures that made this land their home. A pair of foxes darted between the underbrush, their fur shimmering with an almost ethereal glow. High above, a massive eagle-like beast soared through the sky, its wings radiating a faint golden light. Some of these creatures were native to this world; others had likely been drawn in by the magic surge surrounding Lunaris.

The further he walked, the more he appreciated the beauty of this place. Wildflowers of every color bloomed along the path, and vines climbed the massive trunks of trees that had likely stood for centuries. He spotted a few spirit-like beings flitting between the branches, watching him curiously before vanishing into the foliage.

After a while, he reached a small, clear stream running parallel to the path. Kneeling, he dipped his fingers into the cool water, watching as small fish swam past. He cupped some in his hand, bringing it to his lips for a quick drink. The water was crisp and refreshing, with the faint taste of minerals deep within the land.