“Au~Ro~Ra, where is your head right now? I feel like you are miles apart even when standing right in front of me. Isn’t that kind of sad?”
Aurora quickly turned her head toward Rita, only to be faced with her pouting face. The expression dragged out a laugh from Aurora’s lips.
She did not know why she found it so funny, but Aurora was unable to control her laughter once she saw Rita’s pouting face.
“I’m sorry. I was not distracted by anything. I was just trying to enjoy the atmosphere of this place. It is quite reminiscent of my hometown.”
Aurora had never talked about her home before and she had never felt any need to do so either.
She had not been an only child but Aurora had been raised as such. As far as she knew, her brother had died a long time ago and left her parents broken.
As a result, they were a little constrictive when it came to Aurora and didn’t even allow her to go out without supervision. The kind of lifestyle was like rearing a bird in a cage.
‘Let’s put things that have no connection to me in the back of my mind. I don’t need to think about that place again.’
Aurora shook her head, her eyes moving toward the decorations around her in wonder. It had always been her wish to participate in a local festival like this.
The festival was still not here yet as it would take a few more days but the streets were already decorated.
“It’s all so beautiful. Isn’t this all being done to celebrate a festival of the south? I recall that even the central district prepared a few offerings for this festival.”
Rita’s words caused Aurora’s mood to sour. She knew that the central district took this festival seriously.
They had to since they were in an alliance with the South. South was the biggest supporter of the tower and also the closest.
“That reminds me, I haven’t asked you anything about your home life and how you grew up. Are you originally from the south? What about your family? What about Rex? You have known each other forever. Were you childhood friends?”
Rita was curious but Aurora felt weird to recall all she wanted to forget. Her silence finally seemed to have driven the message home because sometime soon, Rita began to quieten down.
She did not ask any more questions, nor did she show any interest in the topic of the festival.
In simpler words, Rita dropped the topic and Aurora felt bad for making the other female uncomfortable.
“My family is well-established in the southern continent. One could even say that we are the controlling powers there. But I don’t get along with my parents. We had too different views of what my future should be like to get along.”
In simpler terms, her parents wanted Aurora to serve in the tower as generations before had done so.
They were under Lady Asami’s command but the real person they followed was Lady Mei.
‘That and my parents followed the rule of ‘survival of the fittest.’ They never failed to remind me what kind of people I should befriend.’
Aurora had been a political tool for them. She had been the right age to send to the tower as a spy and as a representative.
Alas, they had lost their chance of controlling her a long time ago.
“Hey, no more bad thoughts. You should forget all that happened and enjoy your time here. Who knows how long this peace will last.”
Rita’s easy-going words made Aurora smile. She knew that the redhead was trying her best to cheer Aurora up but her words were not appropriate.
“Rita, wrong expression. But I know what you mean. Thank you for believing in me.”
Aurora smiled happily and watched Rita’s eyes widen at that gesture. The awkwardness Aurora had not even known was around them disappeared.
“Of course, I will always believe in you. So, can I ask for your hand to accompany me to this festival?”
If Aurora had been trying to stiffen her laughter before, she could no longer hold it in. Rita was not finny but her delivery had been weird which made Aurora laugh.
Rita’s knowing smile told Aurora that it had been intentional on her part. It was nice to have people around her that supported her.
“Rita, come here.”
The redhead came closer with a confused look on her face. Aurora pulled her into a kiss as soon as she was close enough.
It was considerably softer and gentler than what they exchanged during sex. It was not a playing field of domination but just a quick exchange of feelings.
Rita’s hands reached up toward her lips in shock at the sudden gesture. The confusion in her eyes was clear since the younger had associated kissing with sexual acts before.
“Aurora, do you need my help? You should tell me if you are not feeling well.”
Aurora shook her head at the question she was being presented with. For all worked up Rita got, she was such a beginner when it came to romance.
Aurora had never given anyone other than Clove a change in her life but she wanted to give Rita one. It would not be so bad since they were compatible in bed as well.
“Hey Rita, would you like to go on a date once this is all over? You know, to try out how we feel about each other. We don’t need to jump into a relationship but starting small would be good.”
Aurora turned toward Rita who had gotten as stiff as a stone at her words. The younger female looked like she was in shock at the sudden proclamation.
‘Maybe it is too much for her. Should I take that offer back? Or should I ease Rita more gently into this direction?’
Aurora was about to open her mouth to say that she had changed her mind when Rita suddenly acted out.
The kiss they shared was sharp and passionate, not unlike the ones they shared in bed. But it was far greater than Aurora was used to.
Rita was in charge of this kiss but it was not clumsy or desperate. Instead, it was reassuring and heartwarming.
“I would like to try being with you. Of course, I will do my best to be the perfect person for you.”
Rita’s eyes were filled with tears but they did not drop down. Instead of crying, Rita’s face broke out into a soft smile.
It was the most delicate expression Aurora had ever seen on the female’s face. But somehow, it was not as bad as Aurora had expected it to feel.
‘It’s nice to see her happy for once.’
Aurora took Rita’s hand and held it softly for the first time in a long run. This was the most intimidating the pair had gotten despite having had sex with each other.
Rita behaved almost like a child the whole day, pushing and pulling Aurora everywhere. The pair made most of their day, their worries are forgotten in face of the fun they were having.
It was not until the evening arrived and the city began closing did the pair slow down.
“I had a lot of fun today. It is a shame that we will have to leave this place tomorrow. Do you think Astoria would be done with Mary and Ur for now?”
“I am sure Astoria did her job. We should not underestimate her.”
Astoria was the most competent person Aurora knew. Handing a task to her was asking for the task to be performed with the uttermost detail.
“I know and….I think we should head back now. It is no longer safe here.”
Rita’s words were cut off abruptly. Her cheerful tone changed to a serious one as she looked past Aurora’s shoulder.
Aurora chanced the risk of looking back as well, her curiosity taking the best of her. The familiar face of a goddess met Aurora’s eyes. The cheerful eyes combined with that bored look gave away who the person was.
“Shit, that’s Lady Mei. I don’t know what she is doing here but we need to go back now. We need to head out before we are found in this town.”
It was unlikely for Lady Mei to spot them outright but Aurora would not rather risk it if she could help it.
Her cautious nature stopped Aurora from taking this unnecessary risk and she was sure the others would agree with her.
Besides, they had already wasted a lot of time today. The risk of leaving the city at night was low and the chances of being discovered were nil as well.
“I should send a message to Astoria to get ready. I hope she is alright for now.” Aurora was worried but she also knew her partner could take care of herself.
Still, the nagging worry was starting to form in Aurora’s mind and it refused to go away no matter what Aurora did.