Merina approached Isola, the morning sun filtering through the window and casting a gentle glow on her features.
She placed a comforting hand on Isola's shoulder, and, with a soothing tone, began, "Isola, there's no need to fret over this. I am happy things turned out this way."
Isola looked up, surprise evident in her eyes, "Merina... after what you've seen, you truly don't think it's... disgraceful? I am not even his wife."
A gentle smile graced Merina's face, "How can it be shameful when two people like each other and act on their feelings? It's a beautiful thing, even if the world around us might not understand. The royal consort has endured so much pain over the years. I've tried, in my own ways, to ease his burdens, but I've always known that I couldn't completely fill the void in his heart. With you, though...the chance of him being happy will definitely be more."
A hint of a smile flickered across Isola's face, but it soon faded, replaced by a look of conflict, "But Merina, your queen... she loves him, perhaps more than he even realizes. And my people...they have tens of centuries of grievances against the Bloodburn Kingdom. If word spread of what happened between me and Asher..."
Merina raised a hand to interrupt her, silencing the cascade of concerns, "You needn't burden yourself with these worries now. My Master has a way of navigating the most treacherous waters. If he truly wishes for you by his side, he'll move mountains to make it happen."
Isola sofly smiled, nodding slowly. Though Merina's words were comforting, the weight of the future loomed heavily on her. Still, in this moment, with a trusted confidant by her side, the world seemed a little less daunting.
Amidst the weight of the situation, a curious glint entered Merina's eyes, her lips curving into a bashful smile, "So…" she began, her voice no louder than a whisper, "How was your first night together?" Isola was the only one she felt she could have the confidence to ask something like this, and she couldn't contain her curiosity.
Isola's cheeks immediately flushed a deep shade of crimson, her eyes darting away in embarrassment, "Merina…That's... I can't possibly..." She trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper.
Isola could still feel the soreness down there and yet a subtle throbbing sensation, a leftover sensation of the euphoria he made her feel.
Merina couldn't stop smiling seeing Isola's bashful face, but her expression told her volumes, and just as expected, her Master didn't show any mercy at all to this poor girl despite it being her first time.
It was a good thing she was a powerful Soul Devourer. Otherwise, Merina didn't want to imagine what state any other ordinary woman might be in.
Merina cleared her throat slightly before saying in a very low voice, "Don't forget to take those...pills. Since his bloodline is powerful and special, we can't afford to take any chances."
"Oh..." Isola's cheeks briefly blushed as she nodded with an awkward smile.
Wind whipped at Ceti's scarlet hair tied into a ponytail, sending dark tresses flying as she marched with fierce determination towards the back of the building, which was sitting atop a mountain.
There was only a cliff pointing to the beautiful skies and an endless expanse of ocean below, though she barely took notice.
Each footfall on the gravel echoed the turmoil in her heart. She felt a heaviness in her chest, the weight of surprise, bitterness, and confusion all pressing down on her.
Finally reaching the edge, she clenched her fists, staring out at the horizon. She took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to calm the storm inside her.
She winced, wondering why she even stormed out like a fool when she shouldn't be the one running.
She knew he was always the pervert consort, but to think he would have no qualms about sleeping with the enemy was a bit shocking, even if somewhere inside, she had seen it coming.
Even if the war had been over and the Umbralfiends had been defeated, Ceti knew the Bloodburn Kingdom would never view the Umbralfiends as an ally since the war had cost them a lot.
Both sides would share the same feeling, and now things just got a lot more complicated.
But then, Isola was not a bad person and surely didn't plan all of this to happen. She knew what feelings can make a person do. Ceti bit down on her lip, feeling frustrated by her own thoughts and feelings.
Even now, that image of what happened that day with him was still flashing in her mind.
While she was distracted with her thoughts, suddenly, a voice broke through the ambiance, heavy with a teasing lilt, "I never thought the proud and brave Battlemaster would get that shocked and run away upon seeing something normal."
Ceti's grip tightened around her arms, which were crossed defiantly over her chest. She turned to face Asher, her eyes sharp with a mixture of anger and embarrassment, "You call that normal? You are too... thick-skinned!" With a harrumph, she turned around and added, "If you followed me because you are worried that I would tell the queen, then you can go back. It's not like I can tell her even if I want to..."
Asher's casual stance was a sharp contrast to Ceti's defensive posture.
He raised an eyebrow, his gaze never leaving her back while slowly walking towards her, "And why's that?"
There was a pause. Ceti's expression softened, the weight of her guilt apparent, "Y-You know very well why…I've wronged the queen in my own ways, even before Isola did anything. I am not in a position to judge or reveal."
Asher picked up on her discomfort and pushed further, "So, this is less about me and Isola and more about your own past 'transgressions'?"
Ceti's dark blue eyes welled up with a hint of moisture, the closest Asher had ever seen her come to tears, "I don't need to explain myself to you. You... you just go on and do what you want, without regard for others' feelings or for the rules of our kingdom. Don't think I don't know what you have been doing with my mother…" Ceti's voice became slightly weak towards the end as all these complicated feelings were pressing down on her heart.
Suddenly, without warning, Asher gently encircled her from behind, his arms wrapping firmly around her curvaceous waist. The unexpected embrace caused her to momentarily stiffen, her surprise evident.
"No…Let go…" she protested, her expression carrying anger, yet her voice was weak.
But Asher remained steadfast, his chin gently resting on her shoulder, his warmth radiating through the cold, "Listen, Ceti," he murmured, his voice soft and soothing, "I do care about how you feel."
Ceti's struggle subsided for a moment, the sincerity in his voice making her pause.
He tightened his grip slightly, anchoring her in place, "But things aren't as straightforward as you believe," Asher confessed, his tone solemn.
His breath ghosted over her ear as he went on, "Still, I want you by my side, just like how I want Isola and even your mother."
"You…" Ceti pinched her lips as her fingers tightened around his arms. She never thought he could say something like that with such a straight face.
"Before you say anything…Just think, isn't your mother happier and stronger now that she is with me? She is not the helpless, weak maid anymore. She has found her voice and purpose, and do you think it would have been possible if I didn't care? Merina is irreplaceable to me. If you think that's shameless, then so be it since that's the truth," Asher asked as his words and soothing voice melted Ceti's strength, her hold loosening around his arms.
Whether she liked it or not, she had to admit her mother had changed for the better. She was now more confident, stronger, and happier than ever.
She had never imagined she would see her mother's face have that bright glow.
All her life, her mother always seemed sad and lonely and always had that forced smile to not let anybody else see her pain.
Was this why, despite always knowing the truth in her heart, she never truly felt hatred towards him?
He might be crude and a pervert but he was really different…for a man of his status and power to notice and care about things most wouldn't, let alone nobles like him.
Yet, her emotions swirled like a storm within her, her eyes reflecting the uncertainty and turmoil she felt, "Your Highness," she began, her voice shaky, "we can't…I can't... I don't want to hurt the queen."
Asher's arms around her tightened even more, as if he was trying to shield her from all the complex feelings swirling around them, "It's not your responsibility to take care of her personal life. That's mine," he said, his voice firm, "I will handle things with Rowena, in my own way."
She looked down, away from his intense gaze, her voice barely above a whisper, "But I've always been by her side, always trying to do what's best for her."
"And what about you?" Asher interjected, lifting her chin with a finger, forcing her to look into his piercing dark yellow eyes, "For once in your life, think about what you want, Ceti. Not what Rowena wants, not what the kingdom wants, but what you want. Besides, after everything that we went through and happened between us...There is no going back."
The weight of his words pressed down on her, making her heartbeat echo loudly in her ears. The air around them seemed to thicken with tension. She bit her lower lip, her face a canvas of vulnerability, uncertainty, and yearning.
Asher's voice grew softer, but more intense, "If you want me, don't push me away. But if you don't..." he trailed off, leaving the words hanging in the air.
Without giving her a moment to respond, Asher gently cupped her face, his thumbs caressing her cheeks.
The world around them seemed to fade away as he closed the gap between them, sealing their lips in a passionate, soul-stirring kiss.
"Mnnn~"
At first, Ceti's hands twitched, threatening to push him away.
But the depth of emotion in his kiss, the warmth, and intensity of it, weakened her defenses. She felt her strength being sapped away, her resolve melting, as she was pulled deeper into the whirlwind of emotions Asher was evoking in her.
Not too far away, Merina, standing by the window, silently watched the unfolding scene below.
Despite witnessing such a sight, her expression wasn't one of shock or disbelief, it was filled with understanding and hope.
A soft smile adorned her lips as her eyes glistened.
Shortly after, as the kiss between Asher and Ceti broke, her face was a blazing shade of red, struggling to regain her composure, "You…You can't just... put ridiculous conditions like that," she said, her voice quivering, "And don't expect me to do anything p-perverted...not until you've sorted things out with the queen."
The weight of her words, combined with the intensity of the moment, felt like a storm she needed to escape from. Without giving him a chance to respond, she turned on her heels and quickly made her way back towards the building.
Asher smirked as he watched her retreating figure, the lingering taste of her lips still on his tongue.
He brought a hand to his face, rubbing his temples as if trying to massage away certain complicated feelings brewing within him.
Looking up towards the vast sky, he muttered to himself with a sigh, "What the hell am I doing?"
For the first time in his life, he was having this strange fear of letting go and wanting to hold on to whatever he wanted. Yet, at the same time, he no longer felt like a shipwreck stranded on a desolate shore; the tides had shifted, and he was setting sail once more.
The strange dream he had seemed to have stirred something inside him.
He had never felt so uncertain about his actions and thoughts before, and Rowena's face was still lingering in his mind, making his lips press together.
However, before he realized it, he found himself wondering how she was doing back in the kingdom.
