Rya couldn''t help but be entertained by Hilda''s flustered expressions. When their eyes finally met, she flashed a charming smile that lit up her face, drawing Hilda''s attention like a moth to a flame.
"You must have been deep in thought for me to catch you off guard like that," Rya teased, a playful gleam dancing in her eyes.
Hilda felt her cheeks flush, a warmth spreading through her. Nobody had ever approached her quite like this before, and it made her feel as if she were a child again, innocent and wide-eyed.
"I-I might have been, but you didn’t have to sneak up on me like that," Hilda stammered, her heart racing.
Rya''s eyes sparkled with mischief, clearly enjoying the moment.
"Well, I guess it''s just one of my little habits... Sorry about that," Rya replied, flashing a warm, disarming smile.
Hilda’s mind raced. Was that sincerity she detected? She couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Why would someone from the Royal family apologize to someone like me, a mere nobody?’
In a world where she was accustomed to orders and commands, where respect felt nonexistent except from her maid, Hilda found herself taken aback by this unexpected kindness. The contrast was almost surreal—how could someone so noble be so approachable and friendly?
"I-It''s okay," Hilda replied with a shy smile.
Rya smiled warmly, her posture straightening as she caught sight of the vacant seat beside Hilda. "Is it okay if I join you?" she asked, her tone inviting.
Hilda''s cheeks flushed as she blinked in surprise. She turned her gaze to the empty spot, feeling a flutter of nervous excitement. "O-Oh! N-No, I don’t mind at all! P-Please, take a seat," she stammered, her heart racing.
As Rya settled down, a gentle breeze rustled through the trees, and she let out a contented sigh. "Isn’t it a beautiful day?" she remarked, her eyes sparkling with the sunlight.
Hilda tilted her head back, drinking in the vast expanse of the clear blue sky before turning her focus back to Rya. "Yes… Yes, it truly is," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
As Hilda cast a furtive glance at Rya, a whirlwind of emotions twisted within her. The woman exuded an air of confidence and undeniable beauty, making Hilda''s heart race with a mix of admiration and self-doubt. She longed to approach Rya, to engage her in conversation, but the words felt trapped in her throat. Rya was not just any woman; she had ties to the Queen, which only amplified Hilda''s nervousness. Her eyes caught sight of Rya''s dress—an elegant creation that boldly showcased her cleavage. A pang of confusion struck Hilda. She had always been taught to cover herself, to suppress any hint of allure, and yet here was Rya, radiant and unashamed.
Hilda''s thoughts spiraled. ''S-She''s showing off so much skin... But why is she dressed like that? I thought it was bad to do so. But maybe it''s different for nobles in this kingdom. Wait... I-It''s a sin, Hilda. I shouldn''t be ogling her like a piece of meat, and I should be ashamed of myself.''
Yet, despite her internal conflict, Hilda found her gaze lingering on Rya. The way her curvaceous figure effortlessly captured the attention of those around her—Hilda couldn’t help but be entranced. It was as if the world around them faded, leaving only the magnetic allure of Rya’s presence. How could someone possess such charm and fearlessness? Hilda’s heart raced, caught between admiration and the conventions she felt bound to uphold.
"Enjoying the view?" Rya asked playfully, a teasing smile dancing across her lips.
Hilda''s eyes shot away as she blushed a deep crimson, flustered by the unexpected comment. "I-It’s not what you think!" she stammered in a desperate attempt to reclaim her composure.
Rya couldn''t help but grin wider. "Oh really? Then what’s with the lingering gaze? You seem to be built similarly, so why not admire your own?"
Hilda gasped, indignation flashing in her eyes. "How dare you speak to me like that!" she snapped, the embarrassment quickly turning into irritation.
Rya burst into laughter, unable to contain herself. "C''mon, how would you react if you caught someone staring at you? You probably ask a similar question, no?" she replied, enjoying the playful banter.
Hilda couldn’t believe the words escaping her lips. Was she really being this rude to a complete stranger? Part of her felt compelled to defend herself, to stand her ground against what she perceived as inappropriate.
“Fine! I admit it—I was staring at you,” she blurted out, her voice sharper than she intended. “I just don’t get why someone would choose to wear such a low-cut dress. It’s not something I understand.”
Rya cast a slow, scrutinizing glance in Hilda''s direction, her brow arching in mild curiosity. She couldn''t help but take in the sight of the striking redhead, whose white dress hugged the contours of her figure modestly. The high neckline framed Hilda’s delicate collarbone, while the skirt cascaded down to her ankles, lending an air of elegance and restraint. Although the attire suited her well, Rya sensed an underlying impression that Hilda possessed a certain prudishness, seemingly contrasting with Rya’s own more daring sense of style.
‘Wow, she might be a little prudish, huh? I''m getting the religious vibes from this chick... This could be fun,’ Rya mused, a playful smile gracing her lips.
“I have to ask, does it bother you?” Rya inquired, her tone light yet curious.
Hilda fell silent, her focus locked ahead as if the world around her had suddenly faded away. The tension between them hung in the air, thick and palpable.
"Well?" Rya pressed, an eager smile tugging at her lips.
Hilda turned toward her, a quizzical look on her face. “What? Why are you asking me?”
Rya let out a soft laugh, her eyes shining with amusement. “Because it’s obvious you’re bothered by it,” she teased.
Hilda scoffed, dismissing the notion with a shake of her head. “I am not bothered! It’s just… improper,” she declared with a note of defiance.
Rya raised her hands in playful surrender. “Alright, if you want to know why, I''ll tell you... I love the feel of the open air brushing against my skin. And if you think this is too much, just be thankful you weren’t with me two weeks ago—this dress is practically a fortress compared to what I wore then!” she added with a cheeky wink.
Hilda shook her head, her brows furrowed in concern. "B-But... what about the sins of the flesh? We can’t just flaunt our bodies like this without consequences!"
Rya erupted into laughter, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "And who put those ideas in your head?"
Hilda crossed her arms defiantly, a hint of frustration in her voice. "My father and the Church, obviously!"
Rya rolled her eyes theatrically, a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, isn’t that just typical? Is the Church really just another arm of the patriarchy?"
Hilda''s high and mighty attitude vanished and was replaced by confusion.
"Pati... what?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Patriarchy," Rya reiterated, her tone a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Hilda tilted her head, her brow knitting together as she contemplated the strange term.
"What exactly is a patriarchy?" she asked, genuinely unsure, her curiosity eager for answers.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“D-Do you think your life would be better if you were born a man?” Hilda asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid of the answer.
Rya’s face burst into a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling as they danced across the vibrant garden sprawled before them—an enchanting realm of color and fragrance nestled within the palace grounds. The flowers swayed rhythmically in the breeze, inviting her into their mesmerizing beauty.
‘If only she knew the truth… Maybe it’s time to share a few secrets. If I told her I was actually born a man, she’d probably think I’m joking. But perhaps this will help ease her worries,’ Rya mused, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Well,” she began with a teasing tone, “there are definitely some perks to being a man, like, for instance, the ease of using the chamber pot!”
Hilda’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. “That is not funny!” she shot back, trying to suppress a smile.
Rya chuckled, her amusement infectious. "Any disadvantages we may face for being born women are largely relative to the culture we are raised in. Otherwise, these disadvantages are minor, with the sole exception of giving birth. In fact, the benefits of being a woman often outweigh the negatives."
Hilda gave her a skeptical look, eyebrows raised. “Benefits?”
With a mischievous grin, Rya replied, “Oh, absolutely!”
"Honestly, I really struggle to see the benefits of being a woman," she confessed, her voice laced with confusion and raw honesty.
Rya paused, letting the words hang in the air. *She has no idea... Yep, definitely a virgin—total lack of experience… And no real sex education either... Interesting,* Rya mused to herself, her mind racing.
She met the other girl''s gaze, a spark igniting in her eyes for just a moment before fading back to normal.
"I know we just met, but would you mind if I asked you something a bit... personal?" Rya ventured, her curiosity getting the best of her.
Hilda arched an eyebrow, her expression shifting to one of suspicion.
"It depends," she replied cautiously.
Rya leaned in, her voice a playful whisper. "So, Hilda, have you ever been with a man?"
Hilda''s eyes widened, and a bright crimson hue spread across her cheeks. "O-Of course not!" she stammered, barely able to meet Rya''s gaze.
Rya chuckled softly, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Ah... That explains why you have never considered the benefits."
"W-What benefits," Hilda asked, curiosity dancing in her tone despite her embarrassment.
Rya turned back, an amused smile playing on her lips, clearly enjoying the moment. "Oh, let’s just say there are all sorts of adventures waiting for you. Like the fact that our bodies can feel levels of pleasure that a man can''t."
Hilda''s brow furrowed, her lips parting as she prepared to voice her thoughts. But just as her words were on the verge of emerging, Rya''s hand gently caught her arm, silencing her in an instant.
Hilda was completely blindsided by this woman''s sheer boldness. A wave of disbelief washed over her, and she felt her throat tighten as she struggled to swallow her astonishment. Though the words spilling from the woman''s lips made little sense to her, Hilda found herself inexplicably drawn in, hanging onto each phrase as if it were a tantalizing secret waiting to be unveiled.
Hilda turned her gaze away, letting out a heavy sigh that seemed to echo her mounting frustration. A dull throb began to pulse at her temples, warning her of an impending headache.
''Is it true? Is the church hiding things from us?... And the Gods... Why have they not spoken to me?... They only ever spoke to the prophet or my father...''
Rya noticed that Hilda was deep in thought.
"Are you okay?"
"I''m fine," Hilda snapped back, the cold tone failing to hide her inner turmoil.
Rya''s eyes saw some red, particularly floating around in her head.
''Shit... I gave her a headache... I''ll fix it.''
With a gentle focus, Rya channeled her mana, releasing a soft stream of healing magic toward Hilda. The soothing warmth washed over her as she was still deep in thought and within seconds, Hilda''s headache vanished.
''It frustrates me! Why would the church do such a thing? What does the prophet gain from lying to the people? A-And... Agh... M-My head feels better... That''s strange... What is this feeling in my stomach? I''ve never felt like this before...''
"Y-Yes, actually. Thank you," Hilda said, sounding embarrassed.
Hilda smiled, her eyes sparkling with a newfound sense of hope.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely rising above the gentle rustle of leaves.
A playful grin danced on Rya''s lips, a delightful blend of joy and mischief. "It was my pleasure."
The two women sat together, enveloped in the beauty of blooming flowers swaying softly in the breeze. In that serene moment, Hilda felt an overwhelming sense of tranquility, as if she could linger in this bliss forever. Yet, like a distant storm cloud threatening a clear sky, her thoughts began to intrude.
''But I need to know... I have to uncover the truth... Maybe she can help me,'' Hilda mused, her heart racing.
She turned her gaze to Rya, who sat with her eyes closed, fully immersed in the soothing symphony of nature—the whispering leaves and distant chirps creating a melody that hinted at ancient secrets.
''How am I supposed to broach this? Should I dive right in or take a more subtle approach? What words will unravel the mystery?''
It took Hilda several deep breaths to gather her courage.
“M-Miss... do you think the Divine Beings really care about us mortals?” she ventured, striving for a tone of casual curiosity.
Rya''s eyelids fluttered open, surprise flickering across her features. Her heart tightened as unwelcome memories of Nils and Nebulus surged within her, battling against the urge to reveal her true feelings about the gods.
"That''s quite a weighty subject, but if you ask me... it seems like the Gods are more like cosmic spectators, playing games with our lives for their own amusement rather than genuinely caring about our welfare."
Hilda''s eyes widened, and her jaw dropped.
Hilda’s eyes widened, disbelief painting her face. ''Is this woman out of her mind?''
"W-What makes you think that?" Hilda stammered, her disbelief palpable.
Rya''s thoughts raced back to the moments when Nils had deceived her, the painful memories threatening to surface. She hesitated, not wanting to reveal her dark elven race in front of this curious girl.
“Let’s just say I’ve had my own… encounters with a couple of goddesses who thought it would be entertaining to break me mentally,” Rya replied, an icy edge lacing her words. “They failed, of course. But trust me, their games were no joke. I came out stronger, but it wasn’t easy.”
''This can''t be true! How can she say something like this and not be struck down by the divine beings themselves?'' Hilda thought at first, but she felt like Rya was speaking the truth while still breathing. ''And yet, she sits here unharmed... What does this mean?''
Hilda had never entertained the thought that the gods might be toying with humanity, and now, it churned her stomach.
“What if she’s right?” she pondered, a wave of unease washing over her. “Is that why the gods remain silent? Are we nothing more than mere pawns in their twisted game? How can they be so heartless?”
Rya noticed Hilda’s mind racing, each question sparking darker thoughts like a chain reaction.
"Hey... Don''t think too hard about it... It''s just going to send you into a rabbit hole that will drive you crazy," Rya warned.
Hilda sighed deeply, nodding as she tried to shake off the swirling thoughts in her mind. *It’s a lot to take in, but maybe she has a point. I shouldn''t let it consume me,* she mused, attempting to calm her racing thoughts.
"But how do you not think about it?" Hilda asked, her curiosity piqued.
Rya’s grin widened, "Well... Having trusted friends helps a lot," she replied, her tone lighthearted.
Hilda’s smile wavered, a hint of sadness creeping into her expression. "Friends?"
"Yep... It makes going through life a lot easier. Especially if they are the kind of friend who won''t stab you in the back," Rya said, trying to cheer her up.
“I... I don’t think I have any friends like that,” Hilda admitted, her voice barely above a whisper as it cracked under the weight of her loneliness.
"Really? That''s hard to believe!" Rya exclaimed, leaning closer. "You''re so easy to talk to, and it’s clear you have a kind heart. You possess so many qualities that would make anyone want to be your friend."
Hilda''s mood brightened slightly.
Hilda felt a flicker of warmth at the compliment; her mood brightened just a bit. "I-I never considered myself that way... Thank you," she managed, a shy smile returning to her face
"You’re welcome!" Rya replied, her voice softening. "Honestly, I find you really pretty, smart, and downright interesting. If you''re going to be around here for any amount of time, I wouldn''t be opposed to being a friend... That''s if you want me," Rya offered gently, her sincerity shining through.
Hilda blushed, but her eyes shined brightly. "R-Really? Y-You want to be my f-friend?"
"Yeah, I don''t see an issue with it,"
Rya said, returning her smile, a glimmer of kindness in her gaze.
Hilda felt a rush of warmth bloom in her chest, caught off guard by the unexpected kindness. She was unaccustomed to being treated as an equal.
"I-I would absolutely love that," she stammered, her heart racing.
Hilda reached out to her right hand, which had the beaded necklace with the Divine Three symbols on it, which seemed to be glowing all of a sudden.
"It''s a promise," Rya said, sealing their bond with a firm shake.
"A promise," Hilda replied with a bright smile, "My name is—"
"PRINCESS HILDA!" Roared the voice of a furious man.
Hilda’s heart dropped, her eyes widening in shock as the familiar voice of Sir Darius wrapped around her like a cold shroud. She froze, a chill running down her spine. Rya''s smile twitched as she learned the identity of this woman. This was the woman who had been destined to marry her man, and Rya felt a wave of humiliation wash over her for not seeing it sooner. The realization settled heavily in the air, thick with tension and unspoken emotions.
''It''s a fucking Paladin and his white knights... I''ve been waiting a long time for this day,'' Rya thought darkly.