Reincarnated: Vive La France-Chapter 50: "I am writing one right now."

They reached Verdun train station from barrack.

Moreau adjusted his bag, shifting it over his shoulder as he stepped off the train with Renaud beside him, stretching his arms with a loud yawn.

"Goddamn, I am tired but still I will always prefer civilization over those cold barrack's " Renaud muttered, rolling his shoulders.

Moreau smirked, shaking his head. "You act like you've been away for years. You just came yesterday

"It feels like it," Renaud sighed dramatically. "I think I have wrinkles now."

Moreau chuckled. "You had wrinkles before. You just never noticed."

Renaud grumbled under his breath, then glanced at Moreau with a knowing smirk.

"So, going to see your little café girl?"

Moreau rolled his eyes, but the slight twitch of his lips betrayed him. "I suppose I am."

"Good. You've been way too tense lately. Maybe she'll help with that," Renaud grinned, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

"You are insufferable," Moreau muttered, shaking his head as he turned away.

Renaud laughed. "I'll be in the café waiting. Take your time, loverboy."

Moreau stepped inside the small, warmly lit café, immediately greeted by the rich aroma of fresh coffee and baked bread.

And there she was.

Élise.

She was standing behind the counter, her sleeves rolled up as she wiped a glass clean.

Her auburn hair was tied back loosely, a few strands falling over her cheek.

When she saw him, she smirked.

"Capitaine Moreau, what a suprise and here I thought I will see you again after 10 years.

Moreau chuckled, approaching the counter. "I managed to escape. But only for two weeks."

She raised an eyebrow, setting the glass down. "Two weeks?"

He nodded. "I'm going home to visit my family in Lyon."

Élise's smirk softened into something gentler. "That's good. You need that. The army isn't everything, you know."

Moreau exhaled, realizing that he hadn't thought about it that way.

"You're right," he admitted.

Élise leaned on the counter, resting her chin on her palm. "Of course, I am. I usually am."

Moreau smirked. "Modest, aren't you?"

She grinned, but then, suddenly, she straightened up, her eyes glinting mischievously.

"Have you ever seen my pet?"

Moreau blinked, caught off guard. "Your pet?"

She nodded. "Yes. I have one. A rather charming creature. But you've never met him."

Moreau narrowed his eyes slightly. "I don't recall you mentioning a pet before."

"Then come to my place. I'll introduce you," she said simply, a playful smirk tugging at her lips.

Moreau hesitated for a brief second, then sighed, shaking his head.

"Fine. But if this is some elaborate joke, I swear I'll.."

"Shh, no threats, Capitaine," she teased, grabbing her coat. "Let's go."

Her home was small but warm, decorated with soft candlelight and the faint scent of rose.

Moreau took a seat on a worn but comfortable couch, glancing around at the neatly arranged books and trinkets.

"Alright, where's this pet of yours?" he asked.

Élise stood by the doorway, watching him with a knowing look.

Then, she took a step forward.

And another.

Moreau tilted his head. "Élise?"

Before he could react, she closed the distance and kissed him.

It was sudden, stealing the breath from his lungs, and for a brief moment, his mind froze.

Then, instinct took over.

His hands slid around her waist, pulling her close, deepening the kiss as her fingers curled into his collar.

The warmth of her lips, the scent of her perfume..it was intoxicating.

She finally pulled away, her breath slightly uneven.

Moreau smirked. "That was a very misleading way to introduce a pet."

Élise laughed softly, trailing a finger down his chest. "I suppose it was. But you didn't seem to mind."

Moreau chuckled, resting his forehead against hers. "No. I didn't."

They stayed like that for a moment before Élise whispered, "Come back safely, Capitaine."

Moreau nodded. "I will."

Elsie then approached his ear and spoke "This was just a trailer Capitaine if you come back and bring me something from your hometown you might get something more."

Moreau smiled became even better.

"Alright I will be back".

Then after saying goodbye he left.

Soon he reached the station and boarded the train, Renaud already seated with his feet kicked up.

"Took you long enough," Renaud grinned as Moreau settled in. "So? How was your 'farewell' meeting?"

Moreau smirked, leaning back into his seat. "Let's just say… I'll be back sooner rather than later."

Renaud chuckled. "I'll bet."

The train lurched forward, the steam hissing loudly as they began their journey south.

After a few minutes of silence, Renaud sighed dramatically.

"You know, I was a little terror as a child," he mused.

Moreau raised an eyebrow. "That doesn't surprise me."

"No, really. I once convinced my younger cousin that our grandmother's old dog was actually a cursed prince and that if she kissed it, it would turn into a knight."

Moreau chuckled. "Did she?"

Renaud nodded. "She kissed that flea-ridden mutt and waited an entire day. Started crying when nothing happened. I, of course, was banned from dessert for a week."

Moreau laughed, shaking his head. "You were an evil little bastard."

Renaud grinned. "And proud of it."

Moreau exhaled, gazing out the window at the passing countryside.

Then, after a moment, he smirked.

"Do you want to hear something interesting?"

Renaud glanced at him. "Oh? What kind of interesting?"

"A story."

Renaud leaned in. "A good one?"

Moreau's smirk widened. "Let's just say it's a tale from a faraway world. A place of magic, war, and adventure."

Renaud raised an eyebrow. "Sounds ridiculous. I'm listening."

Moreau settled in, lowering his voice slightly, making it more dramatic.

"There was once a man a warrior, like us but not quite. He had seen many battles, fought many wars. And yet, when the world needed him most, he disappeared. But fate had other plans for him…"

Renaud leaned forward, intrigued.

"Go on."

And so, as the train rushed toward Lyon, Moreau told a tale, a plagiarized masterpiece from another time and place from an app called Webnovel by his favourite author Clautic.

Renaud listened and found this concept very interesting.

He then asked "Why don't you try writing such stories".

Moreau who was interrupted smiled awkwardly but soon replied with a smile.

"I am writing one right now."novelbuddy.cσ๓