— Priscilla Barielle —
Signing off on the last of the current batch, I did one last read through the documents to ensure that everything was in order.
A new water line… I could only hope that the increase of drinking water would aid in servicing the rapidly expanding populace, but knowing it was my knights' idea, I had quite high confidence in it.
And sitting across from me as I did the boring task of paperwork was my assistant, one forgotten duchess named Crusch Karsten.
Idly watching as she diligently flipped through a reference book to properly record the ledgers, I released a silent huff as I turned my gaze towards the window, looking at the plains that stretched past the town before meeting the forests of the east that went all the way to the distant mountains.
How dull… this mansion truly had become too dull, and I knew just the reason.
Selian… he was still gone.
As it had already been two days since he left, he had likely arrived at the Astrea household by now, and would likely take another two days to come back, but…
It had been too long, and I was getting very annoyed.
Not at him, as he had already explained his reasoning for leaving, but I was just… irritated.
And it was all because he wasn't here with me…
The me of the past would have spit on my current self for being so dependent on another, but when I knew how much my life lit up when he was here… well, there was a reason why I did not fight these intense feelings of love despite my usual confidence.
Still… despite my flame of passion, I never realized just how much I craved his touch until now, where the itching nearly becomes unbearable with each passing moment he isn't here.
But once he came back… I was sure that he would fix that.
Ah… and speaking of Selian, and the love that man received… there was something that needed to be addressed.
"Duchess," I spoke to the woman, hearing the movement of the pages across from me come to a halt.
"Yes, Priscilla-sama?" she asked.
Releasing a sigh, I turned back to the room, looking at her as she tilted her head in confusion.
Her beauty, while less than mine, seemed awfully unpleasant at the moment.
A sickening, churning feeling… and that feeling, paired with the pathetic display of watching her fumble over herself, was something I didn't wish to see any longer.
"So… Duchess…" I started, narrowing my eyes slightly as I decided to simply come out with it. "It has come to my attention that you've taken quite a liking to my knight."
Her eyes widened as her jaw opened slack, surprise coating her face for a few silent moments before she quickly regained her senses.
"W-What!? No! I do not! Wha- why would you think that, Priscilla-sama? Me and Selian? T-That… just no!" she replied in a fluster, her cheeks burning red in embarrassment as she fumbled over her words.
Hmm… indeed, while it might be pathetic, a part of me did enjoy seeing that look on her face.
Like a child being caught taking a cookie.
And seeing such a usually diligent woman in such a state, and due to such an innocent topic like romance no less… well, it was quite adorable.
But still… I did not bring this up to tease the woman, but instead to put an end to this farce, one way or another.
"Stop lying. And before you try to argue, simply stop. I do not need your Divine Protection to tell what words are true and which are deceit," I said, leaning my chin on my hand.
While I would say it was due to my own divine ability, I think just about anyone could tell that she was lying.
"B-But! But…! No… I'm sorry, Priscilla-sama," she said, her head turning down as she eventually relented. "I… I know the two of you have a special bond… one past a knight and their liege… but even still… despite knowing that there is no chance… I can't help but like Selian… r-romantically, that is…"
Hah, so she actually came out with it… that was easier than I had assumed.
How amusing, and yet still, I felt that twinge of pain.
"I see… but why is that?" I asked, tilting my head. "While I do admit that my Selian is quite handsome, there are many others that match or exceed his physical attractiveness… so it cannot simply be that, no?"
Her gaze softened, and as she slowly put down her paperwork, she brushed her hair behind her ear in a demure gesture.
"He… made me feel like a woman, you could say," she then explained.
Well… I could say the same applied to myself, but I had a feeling that it was not what I was thinking of.
"While this may be lost now due to the effect of Gluttony's attack… back when I was a Duchess, I was seen as the pinnacle of Lugunican nobility, and had abandoned my femininity to meet the standards expected of me," she said, shaking her head fondly. "I was fine with such an arrangement, especially when it concerned my possible ascendance to the throne, but I suppose, somewhere deep inside… I had wished to be seen as a woman. A regular woman who was simply myself… and he made me feel seen in that way, and… still does."
It did irk me a bit to hear her think she could not rise to her previous position simply due to her gender, but I decided to ignore it for now.
I would have to change that mindset later if she wished to stay at my side.
She then shook her head.
"And past that, there is of course a sense of admiration at his strength and determination, something that I admire about yourself as well, Priscilla-sama… the two of you bring me hope to see this nation flourish as an independent, human entity… but I suppose if I was to say what cemented this feeling, it would have to be how he remained at my side, even after having forgotten me," she said as a soft smile formed on her face. "So… I suppose those are the reasons… a combination of them to be sure, alongside some… other factors."
'At her side'… delirious, but I suppose I could let that mistake of hers slide, considering that it was I who asked the question.
There was only one place that fool of mine could say he was meant to be, and that was either at my side… although, being under or over me worked as well.
"P-Priscilla-sama?" she asked, confused.
Ah… I had zoned out for a moment.
"What is it?" I asked.
"N-Nothing, just… are you not angry?" she asked, her shoulders hunched.
Hmm… that was indeed a question…
Or more accurately, the question was why I wasn't angry, hearing that my second knight lusted for my precious lover.
I was not like those idiotic scoundrels, as I knew myself better than anyone… well, other than anyone besides Selian, as I had come to discover, but that was beside the point.
And because I knew myself, I knew that before, I would have certainly felt angry, or at least frustrated, but yet… I did not.
Even that mild irritation I had regarding this Duchess from before had begun to fade, likely due to seeing her true feelings written so clearly on her face and through her words.
But still… I still felt… a bit frightened.
Now… let's think about this, clearly and calmly.
I already knew that I had Selian under my spell, just as he does me, especially after we had confirmed our love. Not only with the ring I now always wore, but also the new aspect of physical intimacy being added to our relationship.
So, suffice it to say, I wasn't worried about the prospect of a competitor.
But it wasn't just that…
For some reason, the image of two previously enraging characters entered my mind.
The half-elf and her dog… and also that blue-haired maid.
The image of the three of them together, how the two held affection towards that black-haired boy…
I could proudly call myself the perfect woman, especially since I was now complete with my partner, but even I had to admit that the adorableness of the unconfident Rem had sparked an appeal in me.
And Crusch… I felt the two of them were the same in some ways.
I suppose you could call it a different flavour of woman?
Compared to me, who prided myself on my confidence, Crusch was more… gentle, though she could definitely show moments of intensity when she wanted to.
But still… I was better.
So was there any need to worry?
Ha. Ridiculous.
"Do as you please, woman," I said, scoffing as I returned my gaze to the papers on my desk. "But… do ensure you do not leave me in the dark."
Of course, I would need to reconsider my feelings if they got closer.
And this… it might just be a way to discover a bit more about myself, and my thoughts about love.
After all, despite all the confidence I held in practically every aspect of life, when it was something that I had minimal experience in… well, learning was an important trait of one that wished to be perfect.
Besides, I had also grown up in a nonmonogamous household, so it wasn't as if I was unfamiliar with the concept of a man having multiple wives, and from how infatuated we were with each other, it wasn't as if I had to worry about being forgotten.
Ah… so that was it.
The source of this discomfort… it was the fear of losing the place I now call 'home' in Selian.
And while I wish I could call myself someone who could rise above such shallow feelings… there was indeed quite a bit of possessiveness in my heart as well, increasing the unease.
Mmm… control… the assurance that Selian was mine and no other's… I was scared of losing that.
Hmph. That was annoying to admit to myself, but such was the pain of learning.
Besides… at the very least, I had a ring to soften my doubts…
"Priscilla-sama…?" Crusch said, breaking me from my thoughts.
Right… this woman.
The source of this momentary growth and self-realization, and also the worry I had been feeling…
"Yes… as I was saying, you can do as you wish… in fact, I implore you to confess your true feelings to him… but just know something, Duchess," I said, lifting my hand into the air and revealing the ring I had kept on my finger. "I am already much further ahead."
I felt the smile on my face widen at the look of surprise from the woman.
Indeed, it was quite a cruel and childish thing to do, but I felt it was appropriate, considering that she wished to be with my Selian.
But at the very least, this conversation allowed me to confront and understand the thoughts dwelling inside of me.
Selian had already placed himself into the deepest part of my heart, and while I trusted him with all of my being, I still found it unpleasant to think that my overpowering control over him, or rather, being the sole recipient of his love, would change.
But now I understood a bit better.
It was only natural that I would, considering that it was me.
What mattered most was that I felt that sense of belonging in his arms, and that would not change simply due to an interesting woman invading into his heart.
So things could play out as they did, and if I found it unpleasant… well, I would simply place him under my hips and remind him of just who he was meant to dedicate himself to.
The loneliness I had always felt had been replaced with the warmth of love, and I would never let that go, no matter who tried to interfere.
— Selian —
Seriously… that family was completely fucked up.
But finally, I was back home, where I would no longer have to worry or think about all of… that.
Honestly, I was kind of glad Heinkel went off to the bar instead of returning right home with me, as I was sure he would have been far from pleasant company.
Instead… I would get to bask in the comfort of the woman I love…
"Pris… I'm back," I said, burying my face in her chest as we both crashed into the bed.
I didn't waste my time walking around and greeting everyone once I had returned, and instead, right after putting the horse back in the stable, I had rushed right up to our room, where Priscilla was thankfully in despite it being the afternoon.
And now… I was here… content to rest my head in the divine pillows of her breasts after two long days of travel.
"I told you to come right back to me once you returned… you have done well in keeping your word," she said, gently brushing her hand through my hair. "I missed you, Selian."
Mmm… I missed her voice.
"I… missed you too," I replied, my voice muffled by her chest.
"And? How was the useless drunkard and his family? Did that imbecile get any better after seeing his wife?" she asked.
Hmm… that drunkard did seem to gain some clarity after he woke up, and he wasn't even mad, like I had expected… so perhaps he had gotten some introspection after everything calmed down?
But then again, he went right to the closest tavern, so maybe that wasn't the case.
"No… well, perhaps… but either way, I gained some insight to their issues," I said, moving to rest against the bed with her as Priscilla naturally placed her head on my chest, wrapping her legs around mine as she curled closer to me.
"That does not matter. Instead, I have something much more important to do," she replied.
I was about to ask what she meant, but before I could, I found her lips crashing into mine as her grip on my hair tightened, our tongues instinctually wrapping around each other's in a deep kiss.
Just how much time had passed?
A second?
Two?
A minute?
I wasn't sure, but by the time we both separated, with just a thin string of saliva connecting our mouths, we were both out of breath, with Priscilla's rosy cheeks making my heart beat even faster.
"What… was that?" I asked.
It was much more passionate than I would expect for a greeting after what had only been four days… not that I minded, of course.
"Claiming what is mine, one could say," she replied, reaching up to unpin her hair as it cascaded over her shoulders, reaching down to tickle my nose.
She smelled amazing…
"You already know who I belong to," I replied, watching as her hand trailed down to grasp the hem of my shirt.
"I suppose so… but Selian… you are no longer permitted to go on such a journey alone again," she said, narrowing her eyes. "And more importantly… I have an itch that I require to be scratched at the moment."
"An… itch? Where?" I asked, confused.
Did she want me to scratch her back or something?
She licked her lips, leaning in towards my neck before she gently nibbled on my ear, causing my toes to curl as I felt her breath against my skin.
"It's… inside of me," she whispered.
…Oh.
And as if that wasn't enough of a hint, from how her hands had moved down to grab my crotch, I knew exactly what she wanted at the moment.
"Then… I will satisfy you to the best of my ability, my lady," I said, moving over her.
It was my duty as her knight and lover, after all… and besides, I had found myself missing her embrace as well.
"Mmm… good," she replied.
And so, it would seem that it would take a little while before I could greet everyone else in the mansion.
After all, I had a beautiful princess to enjoy.
One that seemed… quite a bit more forward than usual.