《Celestine》


 Prologue: The Final Diary Entry As A Future Duchess

    Prologue: The Final Diary Entry As A Future Duchess


    Has my life been preparing me for a day like this? My grace as a lady be tested to its utmost for a reveal like today¡¯s?


    The unfettered utterances of a cursed spirit summoned by I¡¯ll prepared mage cannot describe the searing anger of the millions of suns boiling within me begging to set this territory aflame. All my life, all my torturous life, have I not been raised to be the matriarch of the Selphim family?


    The wordless dinners, the adolescent nights spent rubbing my throbbing palms and calves for failing to stride in perfection, and the endless hours keeping a placid smile painted facing the shrill screaming of a mother unable to cope with her envies of my youth?


    Is this the price the Goddess has asked for a drop of my tongue¡¯s venom towards the ditzy, classless, graceless saintess that appeared?


    What are a few curt words? What are a few snide remarks? What are a few choice comments towards a lowborn who is undeserving? The bumbling mannerless soft-spoken girl was no one to tell me how to treat my followers.


    She is no one to demand apologies when reduced to tears for simply being told that her concern is unwelcome, unneeded, unasked, and most importantly useless.


    Were all those glamorous balls and dusty books drilling this idea into me wrong?  Of course not, I¡¯m being condemned for doing everything I¡¯ve been taught.


    It is absurd! Deceitful! Hypocritical! Yet I can only blame myself for expecting anything more than nothing from fools.


    Speaking of that saintess I am now reminded of the gall of the crown prince who dared to shout at me, the eldest of Selphim, because I attempted to turn away the meek girl from entering the Selphim estate for the victory celebration. The humiliation I had to endure only able to apologize for being unknowing of the fact the saintess was his invited.


    I was too blinded by my disdain to realize it must have been his ploy when she arrived without escort knowing the address, the time, and the correct entrance. The Uyurist church has no legal bearing and no official position. I was not wrong to turn away a commoner and stranger, to me, from entering my home. Who was I know the prince had taken a liking to the girl worth nothing?


    What has she done to deserve the world? Was it not the hero under his royal highness who defeated the rift demon Malzak? What could a meek woman like her have accomplished when she appeared after Malzak¡¯s demise.


    Awarded for helping the clean up of Malzak¡¯s leaderless remaining forces? Such an ill joke, I myself could have done such a task in scorching speed. Her appearance was nothing but Uyurist¡¯s propaganda, I am certain she didn¡¯t appear at the start of the war because they didn¡¯t want to endanger their Goddess¡¯ chosen and their claw to regain the official political power they once had. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    Was it not me who delegated the Selphim army and led the twin Selphim class airships to create the path for the hero and his party? Was it not me who managed the supply lines for the effortless clean up? Was it not me who procured the funds to stop my father¡¯s short-sighted greedy dawdling that would have damaged us more than saved when the first signs of the rift appeared?


    Yes! It was all I and I alone as a future duchess and rightful heir to my territory.


    Or once rightful, my work no longer matters anymore.


    After hearing the report my protest resulted in a heavy strike across my cheek, which I¡¯m sure carried the indignant anger reminding him his daughter accomplished more than he could ever. It was not the strike, that useless weak man could hit me a thousand times and I would feel nothing, but his words, or his reading of someone else¡¯s words, which caused me to stumble to my room.


    That crass prince must have been laughing, grinning ear to ear, as his father signed the royal decree.


    I had been sold.


    Sold to the hero at his request as part of a larger bill. Fully ratified and approved unanimously before I could even react by all houses including those houses who hadn¡¯t raised a finger to proactively save the kingdom from harm, the houses who raised only words but no material results, and a house that includes my father who has yet to realize, if he ever will, is a father.


    Agreeing after adding a line containing a reward of supplemental war reparations for having the final arc of the rift demon¡¯s war on our land.


    What a stupid useless man. Matches his vain vapid wife. At some point every year of my existence they continue to leave me awed wondering how they produced an heir as capable as me.


    ¡­


    It seems writing hasn¡¯t helped to quell my heart. My pen digs deeply into this notebook as if I were holding a scalpel sliding across my father¡¯s face and mother¡¯s engorged stomach. I can feel the mana in my astral soul roiling white competing with the depths of the hottest nova. My head is spins in the purging flames of the heavens with the full six-hour chant of ¡°Endless Conflagration¡± singing beautifully in my mind lullabying me to reduce everything in my sight into white ash to vent the rage filled inside me.


    Unfortunate my peerless mind reminds me they had no say in this matter, ¡°they¡± being people that I promised brightness in turn for their loyalty and subservience to the Selphim family, I cannot take away what I gave when those who received have done nothing wrong.


    It seems my unborn brother in my hag mother¡¯s womb will be inheriting my work without a drop of sweat. What a bastard that child will be, I am certain he will be equally as stupid as that man with vanity rivaling that woman.


    Today I loath the world, but what I loath the most is the me that cannot find it within me to destroy it all. Destroy the work, the systems, the projects that attributed to this territory¡¯s prosperous growth.


    All I have ever worked for and all that I was born with is now gone leaving me with but a flimsy notice to arrive in the hero¡¯s territory in a month¡¯s time or be tried for treason as a commoner.


    Is it my dignity or my pride that stops me from ending my own life? Or is it spite unable to come to terms with me not outliving the two worthless birth givers.


    I pray the birth is still and the mother is lost in labor, I pray the territory without heir spearheads into the ground by a man who has lost sight, if he ever had it, of the ideals he had someone else teach me, and I pray those who had been loyal to me abandon the hopeless territory sooner rather than later.

 Chapter 1: Right As The Clock Strikes Midnight

    Chapter 1: Right As The Clock Strikes Midnight


    A shot of red crossed the night sky passing over the lands of the Selphim dukedom. The stars in the sky overtaken by a bright comet speeding elegantly high in the air heading east.


    The streak of fire sailed smoothly flashing past the small towns and villages of the countryside before beginning its descent and not long after a slim body touched down with a soft pat onto the dirt ground. Without a single hair astray or her game hunting outfit wrinkled the eldest daughter, or once was, of the Selphim family Celestine Lucurid Selphim stood before the city of Bright Dawn.


    Flipping her wrist she glanced at her watch.


    ¡°35:58,¡± She said frowning.


    ¡°A minute too early.¡±


    Having been told to arrive in the great Hero¡¯s territory in a month¡¯s time she took the final steps past a signboard alerting travelers they were leaving the Acridicisent Kingdom.


    [If life here is unbearable I¡¯ll leave for the Black Continent.] She thought to herself.


    Her attachment to the Acridicisent Kingdom was a powerful one. Tied to her motherland because living for it is what was instilled into her since birth.


    Being a graceful lady, ruling her people, serving the royal family, and helping the kingdom, and her dukedom, see a better future.


    All her life, all her memories, all of her experiences were filled to the brim of her life within the Acridicisent¡¯s borders she could not fathom a life outside of it. Her aversion and her deep fears of a true unknown if she left kept her chained to these lands even after facing the betrayal of the peers she thought something of. However the chains were not unbreakable and their wear was still within bounds, although reaching their limit quickly.


    ¡°So you did come after all.¡± A voice rang out from the shadows behind moonlit trees.


    It wasn¡¯t an unfamiliar voice she had heard it before the first time being a loud desperate yell from her estate¡¯s front gates begging for a moment. Loud enough to pass through the glass as she peered outside.


    ¡°I¡¯m honored, the great Hero Novec has come to personally greet me at his territories most western part.¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Hero Novec stepped forward his large frame coming into view. A body filled with the trials he faced that allowed the finishing blow on a rift demon as powerful as Malzak.


    Celestine stood still for a moment it had been years since she last saw him in person so closely. Comparing to the first time she allowed him into her home he had grown considerably.


    [He was so small then.] Reminded of the time she saw a thin boy from her home¡¯s second-floor library banging on the front gate shaking it yelling at the top of his lungs.


    He had been refused, he had no proper apportionment, by a stationed guard but he made no attempt to accept such a response.


    [Was it pity that I gave him a moment of my time? Was it the desperation in his eyes that led my life to this point? His eyes¡­]


    Lost in thought stuck on trying to remember what it was about the eyes her mind was interrupted by Novec¡¯s voice.


    ¡°The one should be honored is I, having the gifted daughter of the Selphim family come to me.¡± Novec bowed deeply before lifting up and offering his hand.


    Celestine laughed giving him her hand allowing him to kiss it lightly.


    ¡°What charm, yet seeing you again has reminded me of the stuttering boy who turned mute the moment I heeded his need to hear his selfish request.¡±


    She felt his hand tremble the moment her comment left her lips before he gently let go returning her hand to her side.


    ¡°Besides, I am no longer part of the Selphim family was taking that away from me another one of your selfish desires?¡±


    She looked curiously at Novec for an answer her voice carrying an obvious bitterness towards him, although she did try her best to suppress it.


    ¡°I¡­¡± he hesitated unsure of an answer.


    It was his request but it was just something he felt he had to do. He did not know why but his life had always just been following his instinct.


    Seeing him wrack his mind Celestine stopped his train of thoughts.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. There is no need to answer, you are the Hero Novec that saved countless lives, rescued countless innocents, and saved the Selphim dukedom from its impending destruction had you not appeared. What you request was yours to have, it is only right.¡±


    She meant those words. She did feel thankful and indebted to him for his selfless choice when he chose to become the champion against an unknown enemy with no reservations.


    Novec looked saddened at her words but said nothing. He truly did not know why he had forced her to come.


    ¡°Please follow me to the capital you must be tired from your journey here. I¡¯ve prepared a palace for you to reside in.¡±


    Celestine nodded as she watched Novec jump on his massive greatsword and ride the air. With a light jump, she mounted her firey eight legged mare summon and followed after him.


    Staring at Novec¡¯s back Celestine wondered. [Why am I following him?]


    In terms of speed nobody could match her steed Hellfire. She could have run away many weeks ago to the continent in which the journey itself is the most dangerous part. A trail with space random splitting breaks in reality, mind altering fogs, and zones of pure death which threw off anyone who would dare chase.


    Yet, as hard as she thought she didn¡¯t seem to mind complying. She was more curious into finding out why she didn¡¯t mind and why Novec, who did not seem to know either, wanted her here.


    ***

 Chapter 2: Stopping Short of the The Feelings Underneath

    Chapter 2: Stopping Short of the The Feelings Underneath


    [Is this what the hero¡¯s party saw?]


    Sunlight began to break after following Novec for a few hours, Celestine¡¯s eyes were constantly chasing after his back. Different from the slim frame of the red-headed country boy she remembered. His back was now broad enough to match the massive sword he carried. Yet big as he was she couldn¡¯t help but still feel larger than him.


    With her future gone, Celestine for once had time to reminisce about the past.


    A thin boy who she mistook for being much younger than herself with eyes set on nothing but a certain future. Eyes she had only seen in herself. Except lying within his was a desperation. Desperation at the end of their wits as the flame of the future they saw was dying out.


    Desperate eyes where a far concept for Celestine. She was never one to be desperate she knew exactly how to reach her future. From the depths of her youth she raised herself quickly to walk on the perfectly paved road made of bricks of her efforts alone. She had created a deep independence because she knew she couldn¡¯t rely on anyone who didn¡¯t have the same eyes as her.


    She was set, she had planned her entire life herself, but the stranger at the gate who carried those same eyes.


    ¡°It was his eyes after all¡­¡± Murmuring to herself she continued to ponder.


    ¡°Let him in, bring him to the drawing-room.¡± She remembered saying to her maid from inside the library looking over the situation those years ago.


    [Maybe the sight I had readied for myself became astray the moment my eyes met his.]


    Celestine recalled meeting Novec face to face for the first time. As she walked into the drawing room Novec¡¯s eyes fell on hers and the moment they did the still heart, which didn¡¯t now was stifled, for the first time beat. Trembling at the sight of eyes like hers carrying a look as if they were about to lose sight of everything they worked for so far.


    Fully reminisced of that day years ago she was curious to remind herself the exact shade of his ruby-colored eyes Celestine sped up to be beside Novec catching glimpse of the eyes that had left such a large impression.


    [He still has my eyes.] She realized and for some reason felt relived.


    Not familiar with these lands she continued to pursue his eyes whenever his face would turn to avoid headwinds or clouds. Following in wonder of when it was her future became so cloudy hoping his eyes would instill what she longed to know.


    Celestine once believed that the fog would lift once the war was over but it didn¡¯t seem to be the case. Even now everything felt so unsure.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    [What happened to my paved road?]


    Yet every time the sun would shine just right into his red eyes the answer seemed to be a little clearer and a little more unknown.


    [But why? Just what is this feeling?] She thought.


    [I carry the same eyes, even prettier in some ways, but a mirror does not inspire such a feeling¡­]


    A few hours later he finally spoke breaking her circle of thoughts.


    ¡°We should start to descend,¡± Novec said as a large fortress-now-city appeared in the distance.


    It was Malzak¡¯s final stronghold and the place where Novec turned the tide of the war. The place where all her efforts had led the Hero Novec.


    From above she could see for the first time in person the peculiar amalgamation. Silica, dark matte materials, and exotic metals that had made the fortress nearly impregnable.


    Much different in person the countless reports she read not able to transmit this ominous aura of dense clusters of buildings and roads. Reminded of various designs embedded with pure utilitarian philosophy and nothing more. A dark circuitry of a city.


    Celestine had seen similar, smaller, fortresses in her own tasks during the war but had only watched from high in the sky through the windows of Final Judgement the Selphim class airship she rode most often.


    Arriving, Novec slowed and headed towards the center of his city. With a soft snort of warm flames Hellfire galloped to a stop on the roof landing pad of the largest tower. Novec, having landed prior, waited on Celestine and took her hand helping her down.


    As she stepped down Celestine squinted her eyes from the sun.


    ¡°It¡¯s already morning.¡± Celestine looked far off.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± Novec said as he looked in the same direction Celestine was.


    ¡°You¡¯re apologizing on behalf of the sun that has risen?¡± Celestine turned her head to Novec.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s. I¡¯m sorry for bringing you here.¡± His eyes moved downwards unable to meet her face.


    ¡°Ah, so it is guilt over your own decisions. I can¡¯t say that I can understand your intentions Hero Novec, but at least I cannot say you carry ill ones.¡±


    He had figured she wouldn¡¯t want to speak to him but hearing her voice attempt to make conversation caused the gag he had been placed over his mouth to loosen.


    ¡°I-I don¡¯t know my intentions either. I-I¡¯m thankful to you and-and I-I owe you so much. I don¡¯t understand why I wanted this. It was just something I felt I had to do. I truly did not want to make you unhappy. I just, I just, I jus¡ª¡±


    Novec had been mulling over what he had done to her since the moment he requested her be included. He, probably more than anyone, understood how much pain it must have been when he took what she worked so hard for. He understood it yet the same calling that turned him hero told him he had to do this to her.


    Surprised at his panic, but pleased his eyes seemed to have reached hers she felt her eyes uncontrollably soften. She had never softened her expression not once in her life. Some gossip and called her frigid, cold, aloof, venomous, and severe but whenever it came to Novec she found the self everyone believed she was, and that character she acted on, melting.


    ¡°Novec, look at me.¡± She said gently waiting for his head to raise a little higher.


    With the sun against her back, Novec met Celestine¡¯s gaze as she continued.


    ¡°A month ago I would have challenged you to a duel if you appeared before me and if I lost I would have used what remained of my life to place an obscene curse on you and your descendants, however, at this moment...¡±


    Celestine¡¯s platinum hair waved in the wind as she tilted her head. Her silver eyes locking onto his.


    ¡°I find myself enjoying just looking into your eyes. So, take what you will of that to relieve your guilt.¡± She said as she continued to stare into him.


    In her reminiscing she had remembered she had met him eye to eye this closely once, that time being the first time they met, and today she realized she regretted not looking deeply into the ruby colored eyes like this more often.


    ***

 Chapter 3: Realizing Her Heart

    Chapter 3: Realizing Her Heart


    [My eyes?]


    Novec stared at his blurry reflection in his bathroom wiping the steam over the eyes in the mirror. Glaring with the hateful stare he had been directing at himself when he requested Celestine to be included in his reward.


    For the past month he despised himself, disgusted whenever he would catch a glimpse of his body or face. Reminded of the person he is, or thinks he is.


    But, as he stood there with his figure bare for the first time in a long while he didn¡¯t feel revolted.


    ¡°I find myself enjoying just looking into your eyes. So, take what you will of that to relieve your guilt.¡± He remembered her words when they arrived.


    Using his hand he combed back the wet red hair he had grown out in an attempt to hide his face. With his hair out of the way he stared at the eyes Celestine seemed to be fond of trying to decipher what they meant to her and mulling over the idea of ripping them out to gift to her.


    After studying his eyes for a moment a sad chuckle left his mouth.


    ¡°How shameless am I? Am I even human? After all she did for me I now take her pity after I condemned to the value of a trophy...¡±


    The reprieve from his self-loathing was short lived as he recalled the memories with the woman who had saved him from despair. The person who saved him from losing his calling¡¯s voice and the person whose calling he took away.


    [Why did I do this to her?] He wondered.


    Novec was torn. His mind and heart that once been in pure unity were becoming twisted apart. The calling in his heart that told him to do this to Celestine, the same calling that had given him the pride of saving all those he cared for, was fighting against his mind. The mind that was casting doubt towards that voice telling him after Malzak¡¯s defeat he had been fooling himself to use the calling as an excuse to do as he pleased.


    ***


    ¡ªDrip.Drip.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.


    Celestine lifted her arm to reach for a bottle causing the milky bath water to slide down her pale arms. Ripples gently swayed the rare florals placed there for oils they released. A sweet flowery scent permeated the bathroom mixing in with the wafts of rising steam as a young woman who had never given herself such blissful leisure finally took it.


    Sitting in the tub Celestine clutched her legs, her pink knees poking over the water surface, staring out into nothing in particular. She had never experienced a void of tasks, this something foreign to her.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand why I wanted this.¡±


    ¡°It was just something I felt I had to do.¡±


    ¡°I truly did not want to make you unhappy¡­¡± Celestine mumbled Novec¡¯s words.


    Pondering what he said she tilted her head back resting it on the towel folded over the tub rim.


    ¡°Something you felt you had to do¡­ to not make me unhappy?¡± She questioned.


    For some reason her head began to feel hot remembering those words. Recalling them she slowly felt herself sink, but the water was too warm to cool her flushing cheeks forcing her to jump up onto her feet.


    ¡°You can¡¯t say that while showing me eyes like that. It¡¯s unfair!¡± Venting out a new anxiety filling her stomach she left the bath and finished with a cool shower.


    Finishing her shower she entered the connected bedroom inside the towering palace that had been given to her.


    ¡°Why do I feel like I¡¯m crumbling?¡±


    Asking herself in front of a vanity Celestine brushed her silvery hair making sure to straighten out the curls that naturally appeared at the ends.


    She had never felt this flustered person inside of her. It was a stranger that was strangely welcome. The stranger that had been encased in stone that was starting to crumble slowly revealing themselves.


    This destruction was the reason she subconsciously avoided ever meeting with hero Novec closely. Celestine must have been afraid if this part of herself appeared earlier it would have turned her judgment during the war murky.


    With a final sigh unable to control a sudden unease Celestine put down her brush and slipped off her silken robes climbing onto the large bed in her nightgown. Laying down she slowed her breath as she tried to control the romanticized fluttering inside her stomach.


    Flipping and turning in her bed, tossing and retrieving the blankets, and drinking multiple glasses of water she realized she could not sleep if she did admit the fact to herself.


    ¡°I¡¯m, I¡¯m probably in love.¡± She said it feeling a weight off her chest.


    Yet still could not believe she of all people had a crush on someone she has spoken to so sparsely. Remembering the thousands of conversations she¡¯s carried with various potential suitors, some of which she spent months with conversing, none had made her feel in this manner. She figured she would just pick the most docile one in the end that maybe,if she was lucky, enjoyed the same books as her.


    She felt ashamed for having such a maiden¡¯s heart when she always thought herself as having full control over her emotions. However, Celestine wasn¡¯t one to deny the truth once it appeared and always reacted to everything accordingly.


    If she was in love then she was in love there was no use in denying it.


    ***

 Chapter 4: Getting the Seat Filled

    Chapter 4: Getting the Seat Filled


    ¡°Is Novec not coming?¡±


    ¡°I apologize for the late message lady Celestine, Novec is feeling unwell this morning and cannot join you for breakfast.¡±


    ¡°Is that so¡­¡±


    Celestine sipped the glass of water glancing at the empty seat in front of her. She accepted that he could have very well been busy after taking the time to meet her personally but it had now been a week without seeing a trace of him.


    ¡°Then please inform the hero that I invite him to join me for dinner.¡± She said plainly as she put down the glass and continued to eat.


    This was her first time being direct in her wish to see him.


    ¡°Very well, milady.¡± Said the butler as he left the dining room.


    Seeing the head butler leave Celestine took a small bite of a sliced fruit. A soft sweetness which was overtaken by a sudden tart aftertaste.


    She had grabbed hold of the cuff to her feelings and desired to grow them yet the person she held those feelings for was suddenly distant.


    ¡°How unfair must you be? Forcing me to come so close yet keep me at an arm''s length once I am here?¡± She grumbled peeved at Novec.


    Celestine had been going to the secondary tower Novec was living in to have her meals in his residence in hopes of meeting him.


    With the message delivered and hers being sent Celestine finished her meal and retired to one of the libraries. She was surprised at the extensive amounts of books Malzak had and was passing time with the task of slowly using her own developed magic to learn and translate the completely foreign languages that filled the shelves.


    As her delicate fingers slowly turned the page her hand came to a halt.


    ¡°Did I just ask him out?¡± She mumbled to herself slowly realizing the meaning of the message she asked to be returned to Novec.


    Usually engrossed in her self-given task today her mood was different. She was to focus as sudden flashes of red appeared on her face realizing it was the first time she had ever asked anyone to accompany her.


    She was finally going to get to see the eyes of the man she realized she probably loved once again. Celestine was certain Novec wouldn¡¯t deny her request to eat with her either out of obligation from his respect for her or the guilt he had shown he felt on the rooftop.


    However, the evening proved to be disappointing as the dishes at dinner were being served.


    ¡°Were you able to relay my request to dine with Hero Novec?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I was able to reach him lady Celestine. Unfortuenly Novec was¡ª¡±


    ¡°Feeling unwell is it?¡± Celestine cut in.


    ¡°Yes, milady.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡± She said


    Finished relaying the message and overseeing the footmen the head butler quickly left wiping his sweat the moment he left the dining room.


    With an icy glare, her face stared at the seat once again empty.


    Only the sound of dishes clinking as they were placed down could be heard. Each clink overshadowed by the deafening silence of a young woman who had been stood up.


    While angry Celestine wasn¡¯t disheartened.


    ¡°He never did agree to come.¡± She consoled herself in a soft voice. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    With practiced precision, she ate the dishes being served. Her movements refined as she sat alone at the large table. A scene she had faced countless times before, eating alone was her preference, but the one time she didn¡¯t wish for this she was gifted it anyway.


    [His guilt is larger than I had anticipated.] She thought as she raised the glass of a red wine swirling it staring deep into it in a trance.


    Thinking back she remembered why the hero was a stuttering mess on the rooftop and was able to ease her anxious heart. Reminded his feelings for her affected him deeply, but simultaneously angry that they affected him enough to be so cowardly.


    Novec had not been able to manage his self-loathing enough to see her. The guilt having grow since her words on the rooftop.


    [I cannot live with this vague indecision. If you want to passively avoid me then it leaves me no choice but to actively seek you.]


    Resolving herself, through the courage from her drink, she ate the tender meat dish and vowed she would see his eyes once more.


    ***


    The following morning Celestine made her way into the underground training room below Novec¡¯s tower. Knowing he would be here after obtaining Novec¡¯s usual schedule from a nervous butler. She walked in wearing a plain training outfit and her tied in a simple ponytail that reached her waist.


    ¡ªBang!


    Celestine heard the sound of a sword smashing against a stone target the moment she walked through the door. There at the far end of the training ground was Novec being chased by multiple stone training golems only to be blown apart when a swing would land.


    With the mechanical sound of the automatic door Novec¡¯s eyes glanced over in the middle of his training, usually at no cost to his concentration, however, his mind was taken blank when he saw the face of the person who had come.


    With a large wack across his chest a stone fist sent him tumbling across the dirt creating multiple craters as he rolled.


    Celestine smiled inwardly seeing him tumble but then saw the rest of the stone monoliths going after him when he wasn¡¯t showing signs of getting up.


    Worried, she jumped forward teleporting in front of Novec and raising her arm to send seven glowing golden spears at each one turning them into nothing but pools of molten rock.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Celestine crouched down beside the hero sprawled on the floor.


    Novec was still in a daze not by the blow from the golem but by the fact that Celestine still hadn¡¯t left his territory to be free from his selfish self. Not only did she not run away she had personally come to seek him after what he thought was a goodbye dinner that he purposely missed.


    Thinking he must have been knocked out Novec closed his eyes and waited to be woken up.


    Crouching beside to look at Novec, who suddenly closed his eyes and went to sleep, Celestine gave a light smile seeing the man with the eyes she adored be so childish. Unable to help the want to brush away his hair to better see his face.


    Realizing he was not dreaming as he felt soft hands pass over the side of his face and over his ear Novec opened his eyes to see Celestine was truly here with him.


    ¡°What are you doing?¡± He genuinely asked. He was at a loss.


    ¡°Did I not say I like your eyes? Why have you been denying me moments to look into them?¡±


    At his limit on what to do with the guilt and shame that he built up himself, he asked a serious question.


    ¡°Do you want them? If they are enough for your forgiveness then I am prepared to spend my life blind.¡± He said in a low voice.


    If the pain in his chest and the voices in his head went away if he ripped them out of their sockets and handed them to her he would do it in this moment without hesitation.


    Seeing him look up at her with the rubies she loved filled with the earnest innocence she was enamored with she hesitated in saying no. A little part of her truly did want to see the hero squirm as he ripped them out in an attempt to please her, but she knew she liked them better shining on the person instead.


    ¡°Hmm, I can¡¯t say that I want them in my hands.¡±


    Novec continued to stay sprawled as Celestine stayed crouched beside his head.


    ¡°Why do you think you feel the need to give them to me?¡± She asked alluding to something Novec wouldn¡¯t dare think of after what he did to her.


    Silence filled the training ground but internally Celestine was screaming in joy seeing him be silent. She was certain now. Their feelings must be mutual.


    ¡°Why does hero Novec want to gift me the eyes that could stare down a rift demon?¡± Asking again she caressed his face tracing her thumb around his eyes.


    [Say it! Say it!] She yelled in her head.


    ¡°If I said I haven¡¯t disappeared without a trace is because I share the same reasons could you tell me then?¡±


    Novec¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.


    [The same reasons?] His mind quickly realized her meaning.


    Closing his eyes out of embarrassment to admit the thoughts he refused to acknowledge he slowly opened his mouth and spoke.


    ¡°Because, because I carry feelings for you.¡± He answered.


    Celestine¡¯s heart felt as if it were about to burst as she finally heard the words she had been waiting for longer than she wanted to admit. Unable to contain her feelings any longer she stopped crouching to be able to lean down.


    By the time Novec shot his eyes open to see the warm softness that had pressed down his lips Celestine was already standing up beside him looking away.


    ¡°Join me for breakfast?¡± She said offering him a hand to help him up unable to look at him.


    ¡°Y-yeah.¡± He said equally as bashful as he took her hand.


    Novec made an attempt to let go once he had gotten up as they head towards the door but Celestine tightened her grip by entwining their fingers making sure their hands stayed together.

 Epilogue: Another First in a Drawing Room [Completed]

    Epilogue: Another First in a Drawing Room


    Celestine took a glance at Novec.


    ¡°There are times when I do not recognize you. At times you look like a stranger.¡±


    Spending the past month together Celestine was becoming aware that Novec wasn¡¯t the skinny youth that had filled her impression of him. His muscular arms were larger than her waist, his height close to twice hers, and his chest large enough to swallow her if he went for an embrace.


    Sitting beside him in the drawing room as they both read a book she was starting to realize Novec was simply massive.


    ¡°Stranger?¡± Novec turned to her not understanding what exactly she meant.


    Celestine was experiencing a duality in her perception of him. One was the hero and the other was the earnest eyed youth from her memories.


    Taking notice of his sheer size an urge came over her wanting to see if he really is as big as she was beginning to see. Standing up she walked in front of the sitting Novec and planted herself on his lap.


    ¡°W-what are you doing?¡± Novec was taken by surprise feeling her body press against his lower waist.


    ¡°Stay still for a moment, I want to see how big you are.¡± She said nestling herself a little bit lower between his legs not understanding the implications it was causing.


    ¡°How big!?¡±


    ¡°Oh? How surprising. Hero Novec really is as big as the reports said. I wonder why I didn¡¯t take them seriously before¡­¡± Celestine said tilting her head back to see that the top of her head barely reached below his neck.


    She always felt bigger than him and she wasn¡¯t a small woman she was quite tall, slightly taller than the average man in the Acridicisent kingdom, but in his lap she felt absolutely tiny.


    Realizing Celestine meant something else Novec tried to calm his mind but could not do the same for his body. It was of no help that Celestine continued to press herself deeper trying to get a better measurement reference.


    ¡°Celestine please¡­ you¡¯re too close¡­¡±


    Bit by bit no matter what he tried he couldn¡¯t stop the blood from rushing downwards. Fully hard with her bottom pressed against him he was at a loss at what to say.


    Finally understanding why Novec was being so fidgety and feeling why he was so fidgety Celestine was also at a loss. However, she wasn¡¯t angry.


    [So he also wants me in that way¡­] Her thoughts trailed hot leading the heat to her face causing her to blush and heart begin to race.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Celestine twisted her body and turned her head to better see Novec¡¯s current face. She was curious as to what he looked like when he had these types of reactions.


    The moment her eyes landed on him he she felt a sudden warmth spread throughout her as she witnessed the pure eyes she was in love with being filled with such a shamelessly lustful look. Eyes that told her he didn¡¯t want her to move but simultaneously ashamed to say it out loud.


    Seeing his chest heave up and down trying to control his urges sent stronger waves of heat throughout her body. Leaving them both in a trance of enjoying this moment and wanting to take it further but neither having the experience and the method to get there.


    The two stayed sitting sharing the same space as they both shook at each other¡¯s breaths for what felt like forever. Her own vices piqued Celestine finally spoke breaking the silence.


    ¡°Does it hurt?¡± She said referring to the throbbing mass pressing under her.


    Realizing she had fully acknowledged it Novec slowly nodded his head. His face full of want and beg, a face that said he would do anything for her to get a little bit more. Seeing such a look Celestine couldn¡¯t help but want to see just sinful those pure eyes could get.


    ¡°Since it was my carelessness¡­¡±


    Tired of having to turn her head to see the hazy eyed mess of the hero she flipped herself around straddling his waist to face him only needing to look a little upwards to see the dazed look on Novec.


    She felt herself shudder on his lap seeing the hero show her such a look.


    ¡°¡­then I should take responsibility.¡± She said whispering into his left ear.


    With one hand caressing his face the other moved down. Her delicate fingers sliding over his lower abdomen before reaching the base of his, surprisingly hot, member.


    Novec¡¯s legs tensed and his hips involuntarily moved back at her touch letting out a long breath. Embarrassment, shame, lust, love all mixed together showing themselves in his flushed face, in his eyes, and in his soft moans.


    Becoming influenced by his out pour of feelings Celestine too wanted to see more as she began to move her hand in a slow rhythm matching the hips he had lost control over.


    Faster and faster his and her breath became more ragged and uncontrolled as the member that had been pressed against her back had now been rubbing against her lower body causing her own hips to grind with him. Catching a cadence with one another their speed and force increased rapidly as they stared into each other, or more Celestine stared into him, as they both began to feel the height of pleasure to a level neither had ever felt before.


    Novec¡¯s mind was going blank he was so close but just needed that little bit more force.


    ¡°P-please¡­¡± he begged.


    Seeing him spend the last of his conscious to ask Celestine simply nodded and without another thought his arms quickly wrapped around her shoulderes through her soft hair and the other across her lower back bringing her closer tightly pressing her against his body.


    Seeing his sudden loss of control Celestine too finally reached it letting out a soft moan that was quickly overtaken by a Novec¡¯s muffled grunt as they both shuddered.


    ¡°ahh¡­¡±


    ¡°Arghh..¡±


    Having, slightly, quelled their desires both continued to hold each other for a long moment winding down but still unable to fully reach a bottom. Celestine looked at Novec¡¯s face completely adoring what she had brought out from him. She wanted to give him more and to have him show her expressions that she would only ever see. Obscene, lustful, and loving expressions from eyes that carried the purity of the world it saved.


    Celestine felt her future begin to clear. Realizing her sight had always been slightly off. She didn¡¯t want the dukedom. She wanted to create a place free from the kingdom, along with her parents and peers, a place where her own children could grow happy and healthily. Here with Novec she had that future, here she can do what she knew best and develop this free territory to her ideal with person she fell in love with at first sight and the person who had always carried the same eyes for the future as her.


    ***