Holding Shiomi's hand as they walked through the forest, Aesc couldn't quite tell which part of it was more exhilarating.
The only thing she knew for sure was that something important was changing between her and Shiomi. She knew what it was, but couldn't find the right words to describe it. Sweetness mixed with a faint tinge of bitterness—a feeling that even the word "beautiful" couldn't fully capture.
Whenever they went out like this, she had already grown unaccustomed to walking without holding his hand. That kiss—for both of them—was never just a kiss. It was something like an exchanged vow.
That didn't mean kissing had become a heavy burden. The sensation of their first kiss, even after more than half a month, still lingered in her heart, refusing to fade. And so she couldn't help but reach for him, or else wait for him to reach for her.
Just like now.
Though they were only strolling through the forest to relax while observing its ecology, she suddenly stopped, threw her arms around him, and stretched on tiptoe to kiss him. Guided gently by him, she steadied herself, waiting for him to lean down and return her affection.
Leaves swayed, light and shadow spilling through the canopy. In Orkney's forest, there was hardly a sound of insects or birds. It felt as if the entire world contained only the two of them.
At last, when she was satisfied, she gave him a slightly bashful smile.
"So... where were we just now?"
Aesc leaned against him as if nothing unusual had happened, sitting with him in a clearing to continue their earlier conversation.
"You don't remember?" Shiomi slipped an arm around her waist, his other hand catching and holding hers firmly.
"...I think it was about how to build the 'Ideal Kingdom'..." She did remember, but his deliberate question had forced her to recall it in a rush.
"Are you sure it's alright? The fairies of Paradise indulge in things like this." Shiomi cupped her face, asking with playful humor.
"It... it should be fine, right? It can't be a sin just because I've bonded with you, a human." Aesc sounded unsure.
After all, this had nothing to do with duty or the purpose she was born with. It was a 'desire' and a 'feeling' that had risen from her own 'self.'
The wish to be together, to become irreplaceable to each other.
It was hardly something a fairy was meant to feel. Whether it betrayed the way fairies were supposed to exist, Aesc couldn't say.
But when she finished speaking, she caught his warm smile and realized he had only been teasing her again.
With a sulky little bump of her head against his shoulder, she squeezed his hand tightly—though not nearly enough to make him feel any pain.
"Building a kingdom isn't simple. You've lived all your life in the Land of Rain. You know nothing of fairy clans beyond the Rain Clan, not even the Mirror Clan, which is closest to here." Shiomi nodded steadily. "So, no matter the purpose, setting out to travel across all of Britannia is essential."
Aesc agreed wholeheartedly. "That's why Mother was so concerned about whether Tenkei would accompany me on my journey when she first met you."
"After all, traveling alone across Britannia to decide the future of this island would be far too difficult." Shiomi nodded earnestly. "Especially now that you've resolved to build an ideal realm where fairies can be free from suffering."
"First, we need to travel across all of Britannia to learn the situation of every clan. Only then can we truly begin considering how to unite the fairies and build a single kingdom on this island." Aesc recalled their earlier discussion, confirming the first step toward her dream.
"Not only that," Shiomi added, "but along the way, we must find fairies from the six clans who will follow us—who will walk and fight alongside us—to form an army under your command."
"Fight..." Aesc's expression grew thoughtful.
"You said yourself that the calamity called Moss is only one among the many afflicting Britannia," Shiomi reminded her. "Even if we can peacefully unite the six clans and found a kingdom, force will still be necessary."
To Shiomi, even the Rain Clan—the one they knew best—had already shown that fairies and humans held values worlds apart.
Therefore, he was certain that all human common sense would have to be redefined once they made true contact with the six fairy clans. Their ingrained perceptions would need to change.
Even among fairies, Aesc was, in many ways, closer to humans than the rest. Shiomi preferred to see that as her own uniqueness, something irreplaceable, rather than place false expectations on all fairies—expectations bound only to collapse.
"Wouldn't it be even better if it could be done peacefully?" Aesc stood up, slipped off her shoes, and spun in circles on the dry grass.
"...Yeah." Shiomi's throat tightened, and he could only force out a response. He knew the idea was far too idealistic, an impossible dream... yet he couldn't bring himself to shatter it now.
"But I haven't decided when to set out. I keep worrying I'm not strong enough yet to begin the journey." Aesc suddenly stopped and looked back with a trace of uncertainty. "So—"
"I've got plenty of time. Just as much as you." Shiomi answered calmly. "I'll wait until you're ready."
"Tenkei, you're the best." Aesc threw herself into his arms, her voice bright with happiness. "I'm so glad I met you."
She could hear her own tone shifting, softening into something almost shamelessly alluring, but she didn't care. All she wanted was to lift her face to him.
Her body was warm and yielding, completely trusting. Shiomi knew exactly what that meant.
"I really have... become a little strange, haven't I? Whenever I'm with you, whenever I'm close, both my body and my heart won't stop stirring."
She rose slightly in his embrace, looking up at him, shy and confused.
"No, not strange at all," Shiomi said softly. "But... could you wait here for a bit? There's something I want to show you."
"Hm?"
Aesc didn't quite understand, but she stepped back from his arms and watched as he disappeared into the depths of the forest.
Moments later, she felt the surge of magical energy. He was casting Magecraft.
The ground trembled, the forest shook, yet none of it frightened her.
When the strange disturbance finally stilled, his voice called faintly from afar.
"You can come now, Aesc."
She immediately set off, following the woodland path until his figure came into view.
And beside him stood something that did not belong to the forest.
...
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