"Huu…"
I released a calm breath, raising my spear as I went through another practiced motion, twirling the shaft over my shoulder as the tip cut through the air before I finished the movement with a series of jabs into the open air.
It was the same routine as always, but I still remained focused as if I was in the middle of an actual fight.
I wouldn't get any better if I didn't pour all my concentration into every movement, after all, and I… wanted to get much stronger.
While I knew I was already among the best fighters in the kingdom, even the world, there were still monsters my spear couldn't reach.
And I had too much to protect… people too important to lose… so staying at my current level was not acceptable.
But I wasn't the only one training out here in the morning.
With her sword raised overhead, I watched as she went through a set of precise slashes connected in a flowing dance, before she finished it off with a final horizontal slash, a blade of wind releasing from her sword that snipped the edge of the grass in front of her.
While I had been practicing my ability for ranged slashes as well, my control still wasn't near her level yet.
But I was slowly getting better, so I wasn't too concerned.
"Haa. That felt like quite a productive session. Thank you once again for accompanying me, Selian," Crusch said, turning towards me with a smile.
"Yeah, it's… not a problem," I replied, my gaze unintentionally focusing on the sweat that was dripping down her neck and into her loose-fitting shirt.
I had only returned a couple of days ago, but in that time, I couldn't help but notice that Crusch was a bit… different.
She wore her hair in a ponytail more often, changed into her nightwear earlier before bed, and just last night, I had unintentionally met her in the hallway after she finished her bath, her skin still rosy from the heat.
And that brought me to now, where I found myself entranced as she wiped her face with her shirt, momentarily exposing her toned stomach as she did so.
Fuck… what the hell was I thinking when I had Priscilla?
I know Crusch was a beautiful woman, and the vulnerable side she revealed around only me was definitely enticing, but still… I had Priscilla, and she was all that I needed.
So get your mind out of the gutter, Selian.
"Anyway… I'm going to head back and start helping Priscilla with her morning routine. I will see you at breakfast," I said, giving her a nod before I turned to the mansion.
"O-Okay… I'll see you then, Selian," she replied, giving me a small wave.
Cute… no, it was just a wave.
With the crisp morning breeze cooling me down, I made my way into the mansion and up the stairs, handing my spear off to the maid waiting at the top as she passed me a cool rag in exchange.
They really were great at making things comfortable, just as expected from the people Priscilla allowed to serve her.
Wiping myself down, I gently knocked on Priscilla's door before opening it, only to see her sitting at the desk by the window, brushing her hair as her crimson eyes surveyed the land outside.
"You're already awake?" I asked, closing the door behind me.
That was a bit surprising.
I usually woke her up once I was done training before I started her morning routine, but it seemed that she had beaten me to the punch.
"Indeed. Do you think I wouldn't notice the lack of your presence at my side?" she said, turning to me with a smile. "Now come here. I wish for you to properly greet me, considering that I have already done your job in waking me up."
"Are you sure? I'm still a bit sweaty," I said, moving towards her.
Reaching her side, she leaned against my chest before I bent down, her hand snaking up my neck and through my hair.
"As if that matters," she replied, her lips pressing against mine as I gently caressed her cheek.
How I loved kissing her… and thankfully, she loved kissing me as well.
We kissed for the most trivial of reasons, whether it be waking each other up, or even when we were just passing each other in the hallway.
Separating, the two of us stared into each other's eyes for a few moments before she narrowed her eyes, her hand reaching up to clasp mine that was against her cheek.
Huh? Why did she seem a bit… annoyed?
"Hmm… you were out there with that Duchess, correct?" she asked.
"Yeah. She was practicing her swordsmanship," I said.
"I see…" she said, turning away as her grip on my hand tightened. "Say, Selian… you truly are a troublesome man."
What was this about?
"Having me feel so vulnerable, let alone show it… I was always sure of my love for you ever since I declared it, but over the past few days, I have realized just how much you meant to me. A frightening weakness," she said, looking up at me with a trembling gaze. "Selian… am I able to have this weakness?"
Huh?
What was with this suddenly vulnerable moment, seemingly out of nowhere.
Was she… worried or something?
"Pris," I said, my tone serious as I leaned down, my hand grabbing her chin to keep her eyes squarely on me. "There is quite literally nothing that could stop my love for you. It is undying, and I will remain by your side through whatever could possibly be thrown at us… you know that, right?"
She was not a stupid woman, and she wasn't someone that would needlessly fish for validation, and if it was simply reassurance that she required, then I would offer her it whenever she needed it.
But then again… I always told her how much I loved her, and performed quite a few actions to prove it.
So why did she-?
"And what about the Duchess?" she asked.
…Oh.
So it was just that? Jealousy?
No, it wasn't only that.
It must be regarding Crusch herself as well.
Considering that even I was able to notice, I guess I should have assumed that Priscilla would have recognized the change in the green-haired woman.
"Look, I have positive feelings towards her… and perhaps, if I didn't have you, they could even be romantic-"
Her eyes sharpened into a glare as I felt the mana around her transform into the Yang element.
Whoops, I probably should have changed the order up.
"-But I only love you… and I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. So… you can be as weak as you want around me," I said, thankfully causing her anger to recede.
Almost messed up there.
"But if you are still unsure… is there anything I can do to show my sincerity?" I then asked.
She reached out to grab my shirt, while her other hand reached up to grasp my ear, her eyes staring deep into mine, pulling me in.
"There is… something you can do," she said. "Stay with me. Forever."
"I already planned to do that," I answered.
"Don't ever betray me," she continued.
"I won't."
"Always love me."
"I will."
"And…" she said, eyes upturned. "Shower me with kisses."
"…Naturally."
A part of me wanted to tease her for saying such an adorable thing with such a cute expression, but I decided against it to not ruin the mood.
And so, of course, I did as she wished, lifting her up and onto the desk as I assaulted her lips, her legs tightly wrapping around my hips as I did so.
"Pris… it's morning," I warned after finding some air.
"Then that simply means you have some energy to burn," she said with a smirk, lifting my shirt over my head.
"You'll need to take a bath," I continued, reaching behind her back to begin untying the lace of her dress.
"Then I suppose I will just need you to wash me," she replied.
Well… it wasn't like I was going to refuse.
Suffice it to say, from how she acted for the next hour, I was fairly certain that Priscilla was still confident about being the main woman in my heart.
Though I would need to ask Ferris later to heal those scratches…
—
"Selian… is it just me, or are you walking slower than usual?" Crusch asked.
"You're imagining it," I quickly replied.
It seems that once again, I had underestimated Priscilla's impressive set of abilities… but at least I could use today's patrol around the town to get back to normal.
"Is that so… but I'm surprised that Priscilla-sama didn't join us today, even though she seemed to be in a very good mood this morning," Crusch continued, the two of us turning down a side street.
Right… compared to my state, that wonderful woman of mine had almost seemed to be glowing after our activities.
Quite impressive indeed.
And as for why she didn't join us… well, I wasn't quite sure either.
She simply told me to join Crusch for the afternoon, even though either of us could have done our usual rounds by ourselves… but maybe she just wanted to take a rest?
A part of me hoped so, because otherwise, I would feel quite outmatched in the stamina department.
"No!"
My head snapped to the side as I heard the cries of a few children.
Was there something wrong?
Kidnappers?
Pris and Crusch had already destroyed the crime syndicate that had tried to infiltrate this growing town, but could it be another one popping up to fill the void?
Crusch and I looked at each other before sharing a nod, and with me grabbing hold of her hand, we teleported into the air, my eyes narrowing in on where I had heard the commotion.
It was a small park, one of the green spaces we had left open to give the citizens some greenery for leisure as the town became more urban, and in it, there were four kids, all who were surrounding a… ball?
No… it was a ball, but it had burst, with the leather exploding outward.
With a small burst of wind from Crusch to push us towards them, the two of us landed just before the children as I let go of her hand, observing the situation.
"Dana, I told you that you kick too hard!"
"I can't help it! That's how I play!"
"Uuu… that was my birthday present…"
"Don't worry, we… we can just pool our allowances together! And I heard from Mother that there's a new craftsman on my street!"
I see… so they were playing a game, and ended up breaking their ball… fuck, it was just that?
That scared me half to death.
"Hey kids… did something happen?" I asked.
The older girl immediately turned around, her blue eyes lighting up as she saw me.
"Mr. Sun Lance! And… yeah, something did," she said, turning back to the ball with a frown. "We were playing that game you showed us back then, but the ball…"
Ah… soccer?
I remember playing it with a few kids a while ago when they were bored, as the expanding town had made it so they couldn't run around to play as often.
"I see… well, no need to get too upset," I said, patting her head as I knelt down between them.
Hmm… I hadn't used my Yang magic for something like this in a while… but I suppose it was always good to get some practice in.
In fact… I think now was a good time to see if I could do it without a chant as well.
I had been trying to be able to cast Jiwald quickly, but with little success, so if I was able to do it, this might help a bit.
Clasping my hands over the deflated ball, I closed my eyes as I let my mana flow out of my gate, ignoring the impressed exclamations from the kids as I focused on the image of mending the ball together.
The bladder inside… the leather coating it… the lace keeping its structure… the torn fibres and worn material, I imagined its form returning to normal bit by bit, like sewing a piece of fabric together.
…Not that I sewed very often, but that was beside the point.
And then… after a few seconds of focus… it was done.
Opening my eyes to see the ball back to its original state, a bit of pride bubbled up inside me.
I did it… without a chant, I did it by simply picturing the effects while controlling the mana in the way I felt it move when I used a chant… so if it was like this, then…
I discretely pointed my finger to the ground.
The energy of light turning into heat as it was intensely concentrated… Jiwald!
…
Nothing.
So I guess no development there… then why was I able to cast the restore spell without a chant?
It must just be because I used it so regularly back when I was with Rom and Felt?
Or… was my method of imagination for Jiwald wrong?
Haa… well, still…
"Sun Lance! Thank you!" one of the boys said.
"Yeah! That was so cool!" another added.
Even if it didn't help grow my abilities… considering the smiles of the kids before me, I couldn't say that it was for nothing.
"No problem, kids," I replied, patting their heads as I went to get up.
But before I could, I felt someone pull on my cloak from the side.
"Umm… Mama said you and the Sun Princess are really amazing…" a little girl said, her eyes still a bit wet from tears.
I didn't recognize her… was she one of the newer residents?
But she looked around five, so it wasn't one of the young couples starting families like most were… I guess the whole family decided to move?
"Why thank you," I said, giving her a smile.
Her eyes widened before she suddenly ran away, nearly tripping over herself as she went to the edge of the grass before running back to me a moment later.
"Yeah! So, um… thank you! And… take this!" she said, handing me a small flower. "Mama said you made this place really nice… and I was able to get friends…"
I see, so it was like that…
And as for the little gift… this was one of the flowers at the side of the park, wasn't it?
I think it technically was a weed, actually.
But, well… what kind of man would refuse such a gift?
"Thank you," I said, taking the flower and placing my hand on her face, my thumb gently wiping her cheeks dry. "And what's your name?"
"I-It's Mari!" she replied, face red as I reached up and patted her head a few times, her eyes squinting a bit each time I did so.
When I saw kids like this, with their squishy cheeks and cute expressions… it reminded me a lot of Felt when we were younger.
Ah… I think I get it.
I really wanted a child… no, more than one.
Well, let's just hope Priscilla was open to the idea… but I had a feeling she was.
After we win the royal selection, of course.
"I see… well, does this look pretty?" I asked as I tucked the flower behind my ear, my hair keeping it in place.
"Y-Yeah!" she said, smiling wide.
That… was a nice expression to see.
And hearing how much her mother apparently praised this town… I guess our policies and expansions had truly paid off.
"Then I guess I have you to thank for that," I said, letting go of her head with a wink as I stood up. "Now you four have fun, but don't overdo it."
"Okay~!" they all cheered before quickly returning to their game, already laughing as one of them got in between the pegs acting as goalposts.
Yeah… it was good to see the town thriving like this.
Now, if only Priscilla had been here… she surely would have thought of that exchange as something quite 'amusing'.
I then turned to Crusch, who had been watching on in silence.
"This is what a city should look like, don't you think?" I asked, reaching up to ensure that the little gift was still safe behind my ear.
But as I looked back at her, I noticed that her face had gotten a little… red.
Why?
"Uh… Crusch?" I asked. "Is something wrong?"
"H-Huh!? Ah! No… it's nothing!" she quickly replied, turning away.
She then looked down at her hand, a complicated expression forming on her face, before she looked back up at me.
"Selian… there is one thing I would like to do before we return," she said, eyes steady and voice firm. "Can you… join me to inspect the riverside?"
Uh… okay?
But… what was with the determined expression for something so simple?
—
It didn't take long to reach the river, and with the sun on its way down towards the horizon, I overlooked the serene scene before me.
There were a few boats slowly travelling down the water, either filled with cargo to trade with the nearby villages along the river, or small fishing vessels with their nets filled, preparing to return after a successful day of fishing.
There was also the new bridge that had been put in place, arching high over the water to allow any boats to pass under, with the wooden railings decorated with carvings from one of the craftsmen that had moved into the town thanks to Anastasia's connections.
Truly… it was-
"Beautiful," I muttered.
This… this was the vision that Priscilla and I had wished for… well, not exactly, but we did want to develop the previously devastated territory into one that flourished, and this was definitely flourishing.
"Indeed… it truly is wonderful," Crusch said, tucking a strand of her hair that was blowing in the wind behind her ear as she came up to my side.
"Is… this why you brought me out here?" I asked, turning to face her.
After we had made it to the bridge, we then stepped off the cobbled road, walking down the beaten path along the river, and it had been quickly apparent that, unlike what she originally said, this was no inspection.
"No… apologies, but it is for a much more… selfish reason… although, the setting isn't bad," she said, looking forward with a soft smile before turning to me.
I felt something within my chest begin to heat up… a heat that had nothing to do with mana.
"Selian… do you mind coming closer? I wish… to tell you a secret," she said, averting her eyes downward.
I did as she asked, moving my head forward as she herself slowly approached, her head lifting as her lips neared to whisper into my ear.
But instead of receiving a whisper… I instead felt something soft and warm against my cheek.
…What?
"The secret is… that I have fallen in love with you," she whispered softly before leaning away, her face looking up at me with a bashful smile.
The sun seemed to grace her with its light, her skin shining softly in the warm orange glow as another gust of wind blew her hair aflutter.
She… kissed me?
And what did she say? Love?
Out of nowhere?
What was all of this?
And why… why did she look so beautiful right now?
A beauty that I had only experienced from one other being…
"Crusch-"
"Just let me finish, please… while I still have the bravery to do so," she said, cutting me off. "I… while my life has been extremely privileged, that in itself comes with its own burdens, as I'm sure you know… the burden of my responsibilities as Duchess, and one who wished to lead this nation to prosperity… despite feeling pride about such a position, it was difficult, I must admit… but I never understood how difficult it was until recently…"
"Until… recently?" I asked, confused.
"Yes… or more precisely, until I met you," she said, looking down at her hand. "You respect me, which I appreciate, but you also make me feel like a regular girl… not like a Duchess or a candidate for the throne, but as simply… Crusch."
She then looked back up at me.
"There are many other reasons for my feelings, of course, and I will state them if you wish… but at the very least, I ask you to continue seeing me as Crusch," she said, cheeks darkening. "The one who… loves you."
Love… I see.
These blossoming feelings inside my chest… they were likely related to that.
I could tell that Crusch was truthful in her confession, and if I was being truthful to myself, I could easily see myself accepting based on feelings alone.
But… I had already promised myself to Priscilla.
Even just having these feelings threatening to burst out made me feel guilty enough.
After all, if she felt such things towards another man if our roles were reversed, no matter how earnest his confession was, I would not feel great, to say the least.
And it was for that same reason… I would remain faithful.
I shouldn't even have hesitated… I would need to apologize to her once we returned.
"W-Well, th-that is all I wished to s-say-"
"Wait," I said, reaching out to grab the now flustered Crusch's arm before she ran away. "I… wish to answer your confession."
And where did all of that previous bravery go?
She hesitantly nodded her head as she turned back to me, her gaze turned downward.
"Crusch," I started, her shoulders jolting at my voice. "I love Priscilla."
While I didn't enjoy the way her hands clenched at my words, that statement was the easiest thing to say in the world.
"I love her, and I will love her as long as I live. And because of that love, I do not wish to hurt her, or do anything I would not want her to do if our positions were reversed," I said, clearly and calmly. "I appreciate your feelings… truly, I do… and to be honest, if I did not have her, I would have easily accepted your confession."
She looked up at me, a resigned look on her face.
"I do not feel the wind of untruth blowing from you… but how could you be so sure?" she asked, unconvinced.
Was it really so hard to believe?
"Because you are a wonderful woman," I easily replied. "You are beautiful, and a perfect mix of prideful, humble, smart, kind, and strong. You care for the people you are obligated to care for, just as a good leader should, and you spare that care for innocents if you can without taking on too much in the process. You have a tender side that contrasts perfectly with the harshness you show to adversaries. And… you're beautiful."
Her cheeks, that had calmed down after I stated my love for Priscilla, became extremely red once more.
"Y-You said beautiful twice…" she muttered.
Did I?
Ah, well, I guess I did.
No matter.
"Yes, and I mean all of those things, but despite all of that… Priscilla still comes first in both my heart and mind," I said, letting go of her. "So unfortunately… I will have to refuse your advances."
Crusch bit her lip and shook her head before looking up at me and… smiling?
What was with that?
"It is a shame… but I already knew what your answer would be. Hearing what you thought of me is… plenty enough of a compensation," she said. "But Selian… I hope we can still remain close."
"Of course," I replied with a smile.
Good, she seemed to have taken it well.
It would be bad for the two head knights of Priscilla's to be against each other, and while I doubted things would remain exactly the same between us, we could still remain positive towards each other as both friends and comrades.
Crusch took a few moments to look at the riverside in silence, the gentle sounds of water lapping against the docked boats entering our ears before she turned towards the bridge.
"Then, I suppose we should return," Crusch said, nodding as she walked past me. "Oh, but… before I forget."
She then turned around, bending her body forward so that her face was inches from mine, her lips curled up into a playful smirk.
"While I accept your rejection… that doesn't mean that I'm simply giving up," she said, her hair brushing against my face as a gust of wind blew past.
Again, seeing this almost playful side to her… it was making me think bad things.
"You… are awfully bold," I said, matching her smile. "You do know what type of woman Priscilla is, right?"
She wasn't someone who would simply take this lying down, and I would definitely need to tell her about this.
But to make sure she didn't lash out too badly at Crusch, I would need to give her some-
"Actually… she was the one who pushed me to confess like this."
…
…
…What?
—
Having returned to the mansion, I immediately went up to the library, as I knew just where Priscilla would be at this time in the afternoon.
And just as I had expected, I opened the door to reveal my lover sitting elegantly in her chair as she flicked a page of her book, a tray of cookies and milk on the table to her left, which had likely been brought over by Schult.
"Ah, you're back," she said, looking up at me with a neutral, yet slightly curious expression. "So? How did it go?"
'How did it go'… that wasn't something she would usually say after a patrol.
In the rare cases that she didn't join me, she didn't even need to ask, as she knew I would report anything that would need her attention or spark her interest.
So for her to ask that…
"Did you expect it?" I asked, furrowing my brows. "For Crusch to confess… did you expect it?"
And to allow it, let alone encourage it… that didn't sound like her at all.
"Hmph. Naturally. Human nature, and especially for one as earnest as her, is easier to read than this very novel," she said, closing the book as she stared at me. "So? Tell me, Selian… how did it go? I see that you've gotten a new accessory, so I can only assume you had a pleasant time."
Her tone… it was a bit harsher than usual.
And being so eager to get the answer after just boasting about being able to read people so well… was she… afraid?
But that just made her actions more confusing…
"I rejected her," I answered.
A few moments passed in silence as Priscilla slowly looked down at her lap.
"I… see," she said, her tone calming down once more. "So you rejected her earnest affection… quite the enemy of women, my man is."
Why was I getting insulted for remaining loyal?
But despite my complaints, at least she was now visibly relieved.
"I guess I am. But why… why did you push her to confess? And having the two of us go out alone today… it was as if you were wanting us to get together," I said, moving up to kneel in front of her. "Did you… want me to accept? What if I had?"
Her brow twitched as she clicked her tongue, sharply turning her head away from me before she let out a heated sigh.
"I… don't know." Her voice turned sombre. "I believed that I was confident enough to handle you wanting another… at least one that I approved of in that woman… but yet…"
Her lips thinned into a frown once more.
"How uncouth of me, to act like this… I thought I had already grown out of such weakness. It's pathetic. Infuriating. Disgusting-"
I shut her up by moving in close and covering her lips with my own, her eyes widening for a moment before they fluttered close.
We remained like that for a few seconds in silence, not indulging in passion like many of our kisses as of recent, but instead simply feeling the softness of each other's lips before we eventually separated.
"There… do you feel better now, Pris?" I said, reaching up to caress her cheek. "Oh… and don't speak ill of the woman I love ever again, alright?"
I caught her lips quirking up as I lightly pinched her cheek, but a moment later, she gave me an indignant huff as she batted my hand away.
"Fool. I was simply evaluating myself fairly in order to continuously improve… but I suppose I should not falter to such concerns," she said, staring down at me with warm eyes. "Telling me how to evaluate myself… do you think you're that important?"
"Yes, I do," I replied, moving closer to her with my arms raised.
"Hmph. Arrogant."
She huffed as she accepted my hug, burying her face into my neck as her arms squeezed against my back.
"Selian… thank you, for staying with me," she said softly.
"Of course… you're a woman much too good for me, and more than enough to keep me satisfied," I said.
She nodded into my neck as she leaned closer towards me, her chest pressing against mine as I began idly combing my hand through her hair.
She seemed better. As if all of her worries were disappearing as she relaxed deeper into my embrace.
Such was the power of a loving hug.
So… now that she seemed stable… for making me go through such an emotional day out of nowhere… it was time for some payback.
Besides, I didn't get too many chances to tease her like this, so I should take advantage of it.
"You know… I refused because you never said that you would be fine with me taking another partner, and I didn't want to hurt or betray you in any way. But knowing that you had pushed for that very outcome…" I said, a smirk tugging on my lips. "Perhaps I should hurry and go tell Crusch that I have reconsidered her proposal?"
Priscilla's hand instantly flew up to my ear, pinching it hard as she moved back, staring at me with an annoyed frown.
"I take it back, so don't even think about it," she snapped.
Hmm… as I thought, I liked seeing her act possessive… even if seeing the mana shift around her was a bit scary.
"And by the way… who gave you this?" she asked, her hand moving to touch the flower tucked behind my ear.
"Just a cute kid. It seems that she appreciated me fixing their toy," I replied.
"Hmph…" she narrowed her eyes, a slight smirk forming on her face. "As I thought… you are indeed the enemy of women."
How unfair.