Blue Blooded - [Mick Schumacher]

Twenty three

When the soldier said he didn't know where Mick was, made Lucia feel as if the earth under her feet had disappeared. She felt an ache in her chest that she could barely describe, as if she was losing a part of herself. "My queen, we can't do anything right now, we just have to wait," General Bühler said, his hands placing on her shoulders after he had gotten off his horse. "If he doesn't arrive before the start of the afternoon, we will go back for him. That's what he ordered us to do. We can't go against the commands of our king," he explained. "I demand that you got back for Mick right now," Lucia's voice was shaky, and her arms folded over each other on her chest. "We can't obey that, my queen. The King's orders in war are the highest commands," a solider shyly said, not daring to look into Lucia's feral eyes. Lucia turned around, seeing the maids hug their soldiers, seeing them kissing the other, happy they were back together after being parted by the war. Her feet moved forward, however, she felt like she wasn't moving at all.

She felt like she was floating somewhere between reality and a dream, as if she could wake up any time soon and realize that this was all just a big nightmare. Her brain made up the worst-case scenarios that could possibly happen, and she felt like she could start hyperventilating soon. There was nearly not enough oxygen left in her lungs. She felt like a fool while walking back to the castle, stumbling over her own feet, her vision blurred with tears. And he wasn't even dead yet. Was he? Nobody knew. Why did nobody know? Why did nobody have an answer that could make her sigh in relief for once? She was about to give up hope, she really was, and she felt so pessimistic, she used to be such a positive person, but the hours spend alone, without knowing whether Mick was dead or alive, had been incredibly miserable. It's the gasps that erupted next, that made her turn her head. She didn't see anything, they were probably looking at her poor being. It were the heavy sounds of hooves clattering over the path that made her turn around again.

Lucia ran, she ran as fast as she could, knowing that this time, she would see Mick arrive. In the distance, she saw the large Frisian cantering towards them, the ground nearly shaking under his hooves. The red cape Mick wore around his shoulders fluttered in the wind. She stopped halfway, seeing how quickly they approached her. Mick slowed Elias down, and he hopped off when he safely could. His arms embraced her tightly, her feet lifting nearly off the floor. Lucia curled her arms around his neck, her lungs burning with each sob that passed her lips. Mick felt her trembling against his chest, and he held her as tightly as he could. Her throat was raw from crying, and she buried her head deeper into his harness. "I thought I might never see you again," she cried, and his hands moved to her cheeks, cupping her face to lift it up. Mick looked into her puffy, bloodshot eyes. "I promised I'd come back to you," Mick whispered, and he nuzzled his nose against hers. "I missed you so much," she said. Mick kissed her sweetly, firmly, the warmth flowing back into her body at the feeling.

"Come on, we should get inside," he muttered against her lips, but he didn't part from her yet. They kissed again and again, their lips brushing together in the golden light of the sunrise. "It has been only a day, but it feels like we've been apart for so long," Mick said. "You're saying exactly what I'm thinking," Lucia let out a breathy laugh. "But I'm so happy that you're back. I don't ever want to be away from your side," she continued, to which Mick agreed. Their fingers entwined, and Mick reached for Elias' reins, who neighed impatiently. The horse was probably just as hungry as they were. The soldiers parted for them, relieved to see their King had returned. Lucia's parents and sisters were waiting for them at the gates of the castle, and the servants took the reins of Elias to bring them to a warm stable, and feed him and give him water. All the soldiers were taken care off, and the maids of both castles worked together to set up a large buffet. It was good to see everyone together, laughing, singing and such. The real party would be tonight, when all the people could get back home safely.

"Have you been eating well?" Mick asks when he sat down next to her again. He put a muffin on her plate. "Yes," Lucia confirmed with a smile. "Even though it was hard yesterday. I didn't sleep well either," her eyebrows furrowed together. "And I thought that you, sending away the soldiers to battle Joaquim by yourself, was a very selfless and at the same time incredibly selfish decision," she blurted out, sounding resolute. "Did you think of how worried I'd be? I swore my heart could stop beating when you didn't arrive with them this morning," Lucia explained softly, keeping her voice low at volume while they were closely sitting together. Mick's eyes slightly widened, then his cheeks colored red with shame. "My love, I already knew I'd win the fight against Joaquim. I send the army back to make sure they'd be with their loved ones," Mick softly said. "Well, I thought it was a dick move," Lucia said, putting her plate with the muffin down on the table and crossing her arms over her chest. "Lucia... Please, I only send them back because I was convinced, that I would be able to beat him. If I wasn't sure, I wouldn't do that," Mick explained.

"Making such a decision wasn't easy, Lucia, but believe me when I say that you haven't been out of my thoughts ever since I left," Mick took her hands in his. "I longed for you as much as you longed for me. And we're back together now, so please, just focus on that. On our baby, on the time together we're going to enjoy," Mick continued, and his words didn't fail to cause a small smile on her face. "You've had that speech ready, didn't you?" It made him laugh, but he was glad to see her smile again. "I love you, and I can't wait to get home," Mick sighed, leaning forward to kiss her lips. Lucia nodded in agreement, happy when his arm swung around her shoulders and she leaned into him.

"The horrors I've seen are indescribable," Mick started while they were on their way back to the castle of Geneva. "The war took so many lives, and that while it wasn't even necessary," Mick continued. His arms were curled around Lucia, his fingers holding onto the reins of Elias' bridle. Lucia leaned back against him. "Joaquim is to blame," Lucia shared her opinion. "He was a mad man for starting a war with Geneva, over hatred he wasn't even supposed to be associated with," Lucia added. "I agree with you, love," Mick sighed. "I tried talking to him even before our armies started to fight," he said. "You did what you had to, Mick," Lucia said, her hands moving over his. "And I'm sure our people will be happy to see us back home again, and that they will be able to live safely, because you helped them," Lucia finished. "They really put us to the test for the crown, didn't they?" Mick let out a breathy chuckle. The borders of Geneva were visible already, and they were about to cross them. Lucia was happy to be back home, and she longed for sleep, curled up with him in bed.

It was clear that, as soon as they crossed the borders, that there would be no sleep soon. The people were standing outside their houses, cheering, happy that their king and queen returned. Mick's friends were there too, riding their horses and joining their route back to the castle. The people were singing, having fun, and it looked as if nothing had ever happened. It energized the royal couple, and they decided to stay out with the people. Music was played, Elias was treated and petted by the kids, and all the young boys wanted to see Mick's sword, the royal weapon carved into the holder. Lucia watched him while he told them stories, and it was adorable to see that the kids were listening to him passionately. Mick told them that Lucia was pregnant, explaining that there was a little boy or girl growing in her body right now. They were fascinated by everything, and it was clear that the people loved to see the King and Queen like this. They had spent time eating with the people, dancing with them, till the sun was setting again, and it was really time for Lucia to catch up on some sleep.

She had fought against her tired eyes as soon as she was on Elias' back again, her head lulled back against Mick's shoulder while her eyelids got so heavy. The servants of the castle took care of the horse, and Mick went through his knees to moved his arm under the back of her knees, lifting her up in his arms, and carrying her all the way up those many stairs. Lucia hummed contently at the feeling of being in her own bed again. The sheets smelled like him, the fresh scent after it was out in the open, meadow air the whole day. Lucia got out of her clothing, slipped into her nightgown, and she felt relieved to crawl under the sheets, this time not alone. Mick joined her in their soft bed they had shared so many times already, and his arm curled around her waist, their limbs tangled, and she cuddled into his chest. Her head rested on the soft pillow while his fingers moved through her hair and played with the ends. She wanted to be as close to him as she could, not ever wanting to let go of him again.

Mick kissed her forehead, and her cheek, and sang her a sweet lullaby. Lucia smiled at his sweetness. In her head, she replayed the scene of earlier today, with the kids, as he told them stories. Her heart filled with love, because next to being a great King, she was sure that Mick would be the most amazing father to their baby.

A/N: aweee they're back together <3