Chapter 104: I Want to Be Your Partner

The world transformed into a phantom, indicating that the girl had once again crossed over her Heart Demon.

Greed, fear, desire, hatred, love, and lust.

The trial of the Gate of Humanity wasn’t dangerous, but it struck directly at the depths of the soul each time, making this a truly significant experience.

To build this Six Element Array Palace, the price paid by those beings in the Chaotic Great Secret Realm was far greater than what Miss Vilyric had initially imagined.

Next up was probably the final challenge.

The term “desire” encompasses a wide range, from the basic biological needs to the various complex desires shaped by personal experiences and character.

To be honest, in her current state as a Divine race, Vilyric hadn’t felt a strong desire in a long time.

After all, the needs of this body were very faint; no need for food, no need for sleep, and possessing enough power to accomplish most things, perhaps it was the spiritual possibilities that were more pertinent than material needs and desires.

Like the desire for knowledge or exploration…

“Swish~”

The sound of water rippling and its familiar warmth that soaked into her skin made the girl pause slightly. Vilyric raised her head to look around, and found that the surrounding environment had once again completed its construction, and this place was also one she was very familiar with from her memories.

“Vilyric? What are you daydreaming about?”

A familiar sweet voice chimed in her ear. Before the girl could respond, a damp, smooth little hand had already pressed against her cheek without hesitation, bringing some delightful sensation.

“Um… it doesn’t feel very hot, so it shouldn’t be that I’ve fainted, right? And with someone as capable as you, would you even experience such a thing?”

The other party rose from the water and, amidst the rippling waves that covered their lower half, sat down next to the Priestess, with strands of sky-blue damp hair brushing against the girl’s nose, bringing a slight tickle and the faint fragrance unique to the long-haired owner, resembling a hazy beautiful dream in the slowly rising steam in the bathhouse.

“Lily, Liliya?”

Named so, the blue-haired girl turned her head with a smile.

“What’s wrong? You look a bit strange tonight, as if you’re troubled. Did you encounter some trouble?”

The girl named Liliya Meikailande, or should I say Your Majesty, patted her smoothly rounded form that floated buoyantly on the water, creating a wave, and giggled again.

“I really can’t help you. Go on, feel free to tell me if you have any difficulties. No matter what, I’m the ruler of a nation now, so I can definitely help you, Miss Vilyric~”

“No… it’s just… a little surprising.”

Yes… somewhat surprising indeed.

I didn’t expect that in the final challenge representing “desire,” I would see such a scene.

Taking my gaze away from the almost completely bare figure of the other party, whose body was like smooth white jade slightly flushed from the water’s warmth, Vilyric took a deep breath of the moist air mingled with a hint of medicinal fragrance and the unique essence of a certain queen, calming the ripples stirred by that girl’s smooth skin and warmth.

Alright, I have to admit that the month-long indulgent life before heading to the Kingdom of Azure after ending the conflicts in the United Kingdom was indeed the most leisurely time I’ve experienced since crossing over—perhaps even in my entire life.

Occasionally, napping together on Liliya’s wonderfully comfortable queen-sized bed, enjoying afternoon tea, sweet desserts, and tasting various delicacies offered, playing with birds and caring for cats and dogs, and every night enjoying a private medicinal bath larger than a swimming pool, meant for just the two of us. It was almost like having everything handed to me on a silver platter.

Although the Priestess didn’t depend on or demand such a life, she had no reason to endure hardships if she could live comfortably, right?

Moreover, there were always too many tasty dishes for the two of us to finish, and sometimes I could take leftovers to share with Little Dragon Daughter.

Under the attentive feeding and care of a certain queen, Vilyric sometimes found herself thinking—”Perhaps staying like this wouldn’t be so bad.”

But…

The Priestess felt curious.

What exactly was that part within her that belonged to “human,” yearning for and clinging to this past?

Was it the affluent life here, the lazy indulgence with no worries, or… something else?

While pondering, the girl, also naked and soaking in the water, lazily leaning against the soft cushion behind her, spoke again.

“Hey, Vilyric, do you feel happy and relaxed when you’re with me?”

The black-haired girl turned her head to meet the gaze of the girl who had become a ruler, the softness and warmth in her bright eyes was a rare treasure Vilyric had never witnessed in Liliya when she was facing anyone else.

She seemed to be a bit different than before, though when the girl merely nodded, Liliya smiled and nodded back.

“I feel the same way. I remember my mother once told me that if one feels this way about another, it means a strong bond and trust is formed between them. Hehe… I’m so happy that you trust me too, Vilyric~”

The Priestess still didn’t speak, and the blue-haired girl seemed to have already gotten used to her attitude, just continuing to say what she wanted.

“Vilyric, do you remember the story I told you about… the Moon Goddess Luna and March?”

“Oh, I remember.”

No sooner had she spoken than the black-haired girl suddenly felt a smooth, soft sensation intertwining beneath the water come her way. She instinctively wanted to dodge, but the other party pressed even more firmly against her palm, gripping her fingers tightly.

“Liliya?”

Gazing into the girl’s silver-blue flustered eyes, the queen’s sweet breath brushed across the Priestess’s cheek, gentle yet firm.

“Vilyric, I want to be your partner, a partner in the true sense.”

“I know, you’re going to leave soon, right? You are the pure, flawless moon in the sky, beautiful and so unreachable, even if I try my hardest, I can’t reach your side.”

“You appeared in my life when I was most helpless, like a sun radiating endless light, all-powerful, pulling me from despair, helping and transforming me in the most incredible ways, then quietly leaving when I no longer needed help…”

“To be honest, I often doubt myself, questioning whether I am worthy of your grace. Couldn’t someone else—Ban, Devitt, or even Patrick—do the same things as long as you’re there?”

“Because of that, I often feel inferior and lost, thinking I can’t stand beside you with confidence…”

“Yes, I don’t have the ability to keep you by my side because I am a humble mortal, while you are a true God.”

“But… if only once, even if just in this fleeting dream… I… I sincerely hope to get closer to you, advancing our relationship, even if it’s just my absurd fantasy.”

The blue-haired girl slightly lowered her head, seemingly to conceal her shyness, but soon raised her gaze again, looking determined.

“You didn’t respond last time; that hint was too subtle, and I was still bound by my royal pride, unable to face our relationship honestly, causing you to escape in the end.”

“Later, I thought for a long, long time; do you know? Especially at the moment I learned about your disappearance, an intense regret and unwillingness nearly drowned my heart!”

“I was so scared, really afraid I would never hear from you again, never see your face again, and fearful you would simply vanish from my life. I can hardly imagine such a future…”

“So this time, I must catch you… Vilyric!”

“Um…?”

The fragrant breeze rushed in, with warm, damp skin trembling slightly as it pressed against her. The soft, sweet lips intertwined with her slightly bewildered cherry lips, an exquisite beauty and desire—a heat the girl had never felt before.

“…”

Should I push her away or use force to disperse this fragrant and beautiful night?

At this moment, Vilyric recalled many things, thought deeply, but that fleeting moment of helplessness in the blue-haired girl’s eyes ultimately led her to abandon her previous intention.

She simply smiled bitterly, relaxing her body, and in a moment, a thought emerged from her heart.

Can this really still be considered a test of “desire”?

“Swish~ Swish~”

The ripples danced in the water.

   

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