TGS - Chapter 160
Chapter 160: Confirmation
The dense chestnut leaves overhead rustled in the wind, obscuring the bright moonlight that filtered down from the sky.
The sounds of the patrol had long since faded. After an unknown amount of time, the lips that had been gently kissing parted. The faint, sweet scent of roses receded along with its source of warmth, yet it seemed to linger, clinging to her lips and the tip of her tongue.
Lotus blinked, suddenly realizing her arms were wrapped around Alyuin.
One hand gripped the collar behind Alyuin's shoulder, nearly pulling it down to reveal the curve of her shoulder. The other rested on her waist, and through the fine linen, the young woman's supple, resilient skin burned against her palm—skin that held the strength to wield a blade and cut down any foe.
Soft, slightly ragged breaths sounded in her ears, the two of them breathing almost in sync.
The heat that had flooded her mind subsided, and reason returned. Lotus realized what had just happened. She subconsciously pressed her lips together, only to feel a film of moisture.
Lotus's gaze turned somewhat vacant.
Alyuin was in no better state. Perhaps she always seemed more at ease when expressing her emotions, but this was truly the princess's first kiss, and it was with the goddess who embodied her faith, reverence, admiration, and profound love.
The immense psychological satisfaction, the sensory stimulation—all of it...
Alyuin let out a muffled murmur, slowly lowering her head to bury her face in Lotus's shoulder, her arms tightening around her.
"Lotus..."
The murmur caressed her eardrums, each utterance her own name. Lotus felt a subtle, tingling itch deep in her ear canal, as if invaded by the sound, and she unconsciously tilted her head.
After a brief pause, Lotus replied softly, "Mm."
Recalling the futures she had once envisioned, Lotus now profoundly understood the saying that plans can never keep up with reality.
The idea of taking things slowly, of following a set plan, the worry that Alyuin might not like her true self, the consideration of her responsibility to remain calm as the elder one... all the things that had stood between them now seemed pale and powerless in the face of that kiss.
Never before had Lotus realized so clearly: she wanted her.
She wanted Alyuin. Every leaf said so, every trickle of water said so.
Most importantly.
They had already kissed, so what was the point of agonizing over when to be together? To be locked in a sweet embrace one moment, only to push the other person away the next and solemnly warn each other to exercise restraint and not cross any lines—wouldn't that be hurtful in itself?
What should I do?
What should I say now?
What was the best thing to say? What was the best thing to do?
Lotus's mind seemed to have stalled. She unconsciously raised a hand to turn her red-gold bracelet, her movements halting. The scene from moments ago flashed through her mind, along with the sensation of a tiny electric current shooting through her consciousness that still made her lips and tongue tingle.
Amidst this chaos, Alyuin lifted her head, observing the goddess's expression from the corner of her eye, as if trying to peer past those frost-blue eyes and deep into her heart to see the tangled mess of her thoughts.
"Have I made things difficult for you?"
"No, it's me—" She was the one being hesitant, overthinking everything. It was less about being thorough and more about being hopelessly conflicted.
But before she could finish, she stopped abruptly with a soft gasp.
Without warning, she felt a light bite on the side of her neck. There was no pain, perhaps because the bite wasn't forceful enough, or perhaps due to her divine constitution.
But it must have left a mark. The sensation of teeth sinking shallowly into her skin lingered, only to be meticulously licked by a warm, wet tongue.
It swept back and forth, like the soft, fluffy tail of a fox, or the barbed tongue of a cat. The stimulation was almost too much.
The tongue traced a path upward. Alyuin lightly kissed Lotus's chin and lifted her eyes, the upward tilt at their corners exceptionally captivating.
"Then, for my sake, let yourself be troubled a little more."
"I don't want to wait anymore. I want you, and you have to want me too..."
With a soft thud, Lotus found herself pressed against the trunk of the chestnut tree. The bark was rough and hard, not at all comfortable to lean against, but she had no time to spare for such details.
The night wind died down, and the rustling of the chestnut leaves overhead ceased. The clamor of the banquet hall was inaudible. Every breath, every heartbeat, was laid bare—for both of them.
Lotus felt dizzy, as if she had drunk too much wine and hadn't used her divine power to negate its effects.
She opened her mouth, as if to say something, yet as if she had said nothing at all.
But Alyuin had heard. In the hazy night, her golden eyes, unclouded by the sheen of moisture that veiled them, shone like liquid gold, like the purest golden crystals.
The princess pressed closer, her posture allowing no refusal. For a moment, she seemed at a loss for words, the tip of her tongue resting against her teeth. Then, with practiced skill, she wheedled, her voice dropping as if in a show of vulnerability.
"Lotus, kiss me."
Lotus took the slowest, deepest breath she could manage.
She couldn't bear it any longer. All her indecision could wait. Even if complications arose later—even if the Kasnie pantheon invaded this very night, the laws of reality collapsed, the heavens and earth sundered, and the world itself was destroyed—nothing could stop the impulse she felt in this moment.
The next moment, Lotus seized Alyuin's arms, reversed their positions, and pressed her against the tree trunk.
Alyuin was completely relaxed, showing no instinct to resist or struggle. In fact, she seemed more than happy.
Lotus cupped her face, the near-perfect line of her jaw resting obediently in her palms.
"Close your eyes," Lotus said.
Alyuin: "But I want to look at you."
The princess rarely disobeyed a divine command, and Lotus was at a loss. She simply raised her other hand and covered Alyuin's eyes, blocking a gaze so bright it was almost shame-inducing.
The pure white, soft shawl that hung between her wrist ornament and shoulder strap drooped down, covering the lower half of Alyuin's face.
It was getting in the way, so Lotus had to let the end attached to her wrist ornament come loose. But instead of falling, the shawl defied gravity, lifting on its own to wind around the princess's bare arm.
The shawl—and indeed, all the garments the goddess had worn since her awakening—was not a physical object in the truest sense. It was a symbol condensed from divine power or faith, one that could not be damaged or stained by dirt and dust, forever remaining pristine.
In a way, they were a part of Lotus herself.
And now, this shawl was winding around Alyuin as if embracing a cherished treasure, something even Lotus herself hadn't anticipated.
So my clothes can move on their own...?
Alyuin was also a little surprised, and she raised an eyebrow.
Lotus: "..."
Lotus gave up on explaining, tilting her head to kiss the princess's soft, glistening lips.
Alyuin returned to the banquet hall just before the feast ended.
The hall was brightly lit by candlelight. Fortunately, it wasn't the harsh white of modern lamps but a warm, orange-yellow glow. In such light, the fact that the princess's lips were redder and fuller than usual was not especially obvious.
Of course, few would be so bold or rude as to scrutinize the princess's face—such disrespect was a crime second only to blasphemy. The exception might have been Lena, a veteran who had long been by the princess's side.
But Lena, perhaps seeking an emotional outlet, had gotten thoroughly drunk at the banquet. She was slumped motionless over her table, giving her no opportunity to notice anything amiss with the princess.
It was nearly midnight, the time for the banquet to conclude. Alyuin said a few brief words and declared the feast over.
Afterwards, the princess ordered the guard who had prepared the smoking set earlier to take the unconscious Lena back to her quarters. Then she turned and called over a commander.
This commander was the direct superior of the foot patrols. Realizing he was the only one being summoned, he sobered up considerably in his fright, terrified he had inadvertently done something to warrant the princess's punishment.
However, Alyuin's attitude was nothing short of amiable.
"Tonight's patrol was exceptionally diligent and deserves commendation. Improve their food rations as an encouragement. Future patrols that perform well are to be rewarded by the same standard."
The commander was baffled but still replied with a resounding, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Perhaps Her Majesty went out for some air and happened to witness the patrol's diligence? Those lads are certainly lucky!
In the empty space beside Alyuin, the spirit-form Lotus was silent. "..."
She touched the corners of her own lips—which were just as flushed, the change even more obvious than on the princess due to her naturally paler complexion—and averted her gaze.
She was likely the only one who knew the real reason.
As everyone knows, plans can never keep up with reality.
Lotus had once thought she would wait until everything was over to tell Alyuin all she had concealed. If the princess's feelings remained unchanged after that, then they could be together.
But now, Alyuin had openly acknowledged the existence of secrets and was eagerly waiting to guess them one by one.
The distance between mortal and god still lay between them. She hadn't discussed amending the myths with the priestess Rhea, and success was far from certain.
The other two pantheons were still eyeing them covetously from beyond the barrier, and it was impossible to know when they would set foot on Solancian soil to challenge its gods.
The future was full of variables, the outcome uncertain, yet they had somehow naturally confirmed their relationship...?
Never mind before; even the Lotus of yesterday would never have expected things to progress so quickly.
Love, regret, annoyance at her own lack of self-control—but what occupied the vast majority of her heart was absolute joy and delight.
It was like warm water flowing against her heart, submerging all her uncertainty and apprehension, not even allowing a single bubble to surface.
Perhaps they would resurface after a while, but for now, Lotus didn't want to think about them.
Both she and Alyuin knew their limits. Being in a relationship wouldn't cause the ever-victorious princess to stumble on the battlefield, nor would it affect the divine war.
While she was lost in thought, the two of them returned to their room.
Lotus was still in a daze when she suddenly felt a tug on her shawl.
She turned to see Alyuin leisurely toying with the white silk ribbon that was still detached from the wrist ornament. Alyuin smiled as she watched it wind around her fingers as if it were alive.
Lotus put a hand to her forehead. "Stop playing with it."
"It's the one wrapping around me," Alyuin said innocently. "Could it be that you don't share a sense with water, but with silk ribbons, Lotus?"
Of course she didn't share a sense with it, but it was still strange to watch her own shawl wrap itself around someone.
"This must be another one of the things you haven't told me."
Alyuin was still playing with the shawl.
Lotus closed her eyes. I'm not, I didn't.
She had said she wasn't hiding anything like that, and besides, she hadn't even known the thing could move on its own before today!
The River Goddess gave up trying to explain. With a wooden expression, she pulled the shawl back and reattached it to her wrist ornament.
Alyuin was still staring at it, looking rather regretful.
As she fastened it, Lotus said, "Speaking of which, did I ever mention to you that Rhea is on her way here?"
Alyuin froze, her head snapping up. "Rhea?"
"Apparently not," Lotus said calmly. "But now you know."
Alyuin: "..."
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