Zelda POV:
'Um...this is the first.'
Zelda thought as she frlt her heart constrict, a feeling of loneliness covering up her heart as she kept moving through her training room. Her spear, as always, filled with deadly intent as she focused forward, a mix of competitiveness and blooming love filling her mind as she thought of the young man that bested her and now probably is filling up her heart.
Zelda never expected to find anyone near her age group capable of beating her. Not her, who led the Era of heroes and spent most of her time on the battlefields in her past life. The presence of Austin itself is an anomaly that seems to defy all odds - a notification to the world that another Era of war will soon be upon us.
'But I don't dislike this feeling.'
A hum sounded out as the sheer focus with which Zelda moved her spear created sound waves across the room. Light sweat filled up her body as the movement of the spear got faster, her eyes focused yet her mind wandered about.
Since her date with Austin, she seems to have been introduced to a world she has no idea of - a world she had heard a lot about in the past, especially from her battle mates or other women of her tribe. The Lionbeast people are ones of extreme pride, and it's the strength held between them that decides who would be the commanding one in the relationships - a structure more similar to the werewolves of the other realm.
And since she was defeated fair and square, it meant Austin was the commanding one here. Of course, the two of them have not entered any sort of relationship yet, but Austin did show his desire to be her mate, and she, in all ways, finds the young man to be a very eye-pleasing mate to her.
He has the looks, a great background, his character seems upright yet not stupid, he's strong too and above all that he...
'He seems to understand me.'
This thought somehow created an embarrassment within Zelda as her cheeks flashed a bit red. The power within her spear increased as her tail wagged around faster. The only problem that Zelda was finishing was the 'age' gap between the two of them. It doesn't exist physically, but a mental one still does.
The main reason she can't seem to get along with the rest is due to it. The way she perceives things and the way this generation perceives things is a bit different, thus making it hard for her to truly connect with anyone her age. In fact, she had given up complete hope of even finding a mate for her in this Era.
While she was desperate for male love, she wasn't going to lower her standards at all. If it were so simple, then she could have had lots of different mates, but she held onto her position, and now perhaps a path exists in front of her.
'It's as if this second chance of mine was for him.'
Shaking off those thoughts that were making her mind love-focused, she moved her spear, her muscles trembling as the mana in the room wiggled. In fact, all these thoughts were a waste. She has already thought of Austin as the perfect mate for her, and the only thing she is waiting for is to iron out some more details between them.
She wishes to know more about him before which she could accept any sort of proposal from Austin. After all, once they are married, they would be together till the end of their lives, and based on their talents, that would be a long time together. So she wishes to get to know Austin more before which she can display herself to Austin's mother.
Thinking of this, another blush filled her beautiful face. The thought of marriage and family finally staying another path in front of her. She always wished to have a partner beside her, to understand her difficulties and to share her woes. Finally, having a path toward it was making her mind a bit messed up these days.
In her historic and conservative mind, anything physical between the two of them more than a kiss can only take place after a fixed engagement and a sworn love between the two of them. And truly, Zelda wishes for her first time to be on the night of their marriage - a beautiful scene that would fill her mind till the last of her breath. That's what she wishes for.
'Maybe I should get things started for the engagement after confirming everything.'
With such thoughts, she stopped, holding her spear tight as several plans seemed to be running through her mind. She's well aware of how such a rare man Austin would be very desirable to other women, and she doesn't mind having them around for now, but once any engagement between them happens, only she will be beside Austin.
'After all, only the most powerful get the best, isn't it?'
Just as she thought this with a battle-hungry smile, the communication orb in her room trembled. Seeing it, she walked towards it and read the message on it. A surprise left her mouth.
"An order to join the Babylon Academy?"
'Looks like I won't need to wait long for an engagement.'
With such thoughts, Zelda headed out, planning for her journey ahead.
...
Vena POV:
'Looks like whatever Austin is planning is going well.'
Vena thought as she looked at her daughter, deep in thought, Celestinia making her own plans about Austin. She chuckled at her daughter's seriousness, after which her face turned serious.
'The Dragon Emperor is getting restless....'
Ever since she finally awakened, she hasn't given the Dragon Emperor any sort of affection. Heck, she always keeps her distance from him, and she stayed in focused cultivation all this time. Even when she got out, she doesn't spend any sort of time with him, which is making the Dragon Emperor extremely reckless.
'His obsession is acting out.'
His deep love for her and her constant disregard for any sort of physical affection is driving him crazy. There is also the fact that the plot of acting like she is angry at him won't work for much longer. The Dragon Emperor isn't dumb by any standards. It's his extreme trust in her that lets her roam outside without any issues, but if this continues, she would soon lose that trust too.
Plus, it seems like the time isn't far away from the Dragon Emperor physically comforting her. Powerful as she is, under the pressure of the Dragon Emperor, she would have to take a knee, for Vena knew she isn't a fight for him.
'I have some more time, I need to deal with him within that time frame.'
Vena has already created some light problems all around that would keep the Dragon Emperor's focus away, and within that time, she and Austin would need to discreetly take care of him, which won't be easy at all, and running away isn't an option that is acceptable.
Shaking her head off, Vena entered her room, taking a seat. Her mind started to play with the images of Austin and their time together. Her mind directly cooling off, as the whole pressure within her body went away. By now, she has already taken care of the other ego within her, the one that was living before her. Hence there's no problem on that front.
'Is he fucking some slut right now?'
Vena thought, her mind filling with crazy and jealous thoughts at the idea that Austin might be with another girl, but she controlled it, for it is her punishment, her punishment for not being with Austin, not giving him her first love and her first time. Just the thought that someone else took it fills her body with cruel disgust to herself, even though she wasn't in control back then.
Yet she needs to punish herself; she could accept all this pain for now, for she knew she holds the majority of his heart, and as time passes, all those sluts he took would die off, their time coming to an end, and finally, she would be the only one left for him, well, she along with Scarlet and her daughter.
But she could accept that, for she had vetted the two of them, watched them grow, and already subtly influenced their behavior to be the best for Austin. Plus, with their dragon lineage, they would be 100% trustworthy and loving of Austin. As much as she hated the idea of the two girls with Austin, throughout her planned paradise, she could still accept that part as her eternal punishment for her deeds.
Plus, she knew with all her heart that her daughter would be loved and happy 100% if she is with Austin. For now, all she has to do is watch as everything comes into place, for a Dragon like her, everything would pass in a blink of an eye.
'But first, I need to finish layering all the parts for my plan.'
As she thought so, she waved her hand, a file appearing in her hand, with the words 'Paradise.' Seeing it, Vena's eyes glinted as a crazed possessive loving smile filled her face, thinking of the future she has planned for her true family ahead.
