CHAPTER 331: JUST THE TWO OF US

Twenty minutes ago, in the bathroom, on the stone tiles, a pair of slender and delicate legs disappeared into the pale white mist.

The woman’s bright silver hair cascaded over her snow-white, delicate skin, the ends of her hair brushing against her thighs, cleverly accentuating her alluring curves. Further up, her flawless back was hidden within the silver hair, exuding a jade-like luster like the steam rose.

Astrid stood quietly, the warm liquid spiraling around every inch of her skin through her mental energy, like a living water snake gently kissing her.

In the heat of summer, the most comfortable thing is to take a perfectly warm bath at the end of the day.

Although the bathing facilities at Lyra’s home were not as sophisticated as those in the royal capital, as a mage, Astrid could still enjoy a service comparable to her palace by manipulating water elements.

The clear water flowed over her skin, the moist and sweet scent of soap lingering in her nose. From head to toe, she was completely enveloped in comfort. Astrid closed her eyes, letting her thoughts drift aimlessly.

Recently, by observing Lyra Beckett’s every move, Astrid had come to a conclusion about whether this destined heroine secretly liked her.

Without a doubt, Lyra’s attitude towards her was almost equivalent to how one would treat someone they liked. It was just that, under the dual influence of the halo of gratitude and the filter of friendship, those reactions that didn’t make sense had been subconsciously ignored by Astrid.

The destined heroine was also human, with her own passionate and sensitive emotional needs. One couldn’t just assume Lyra was a blockhead because the original story didn’t include a romantic line for her.

After realizing the special feelings Lyra might harbor, Astrid’s response was to stop making words and actions that could be easily misunderstood or seemed flirtatious.

To a straight girl, her previous words might have sounded like jokes, not to be taken seriously. But to Lyra, whose sexual orientation might be different from what she initially thought, continuing to speak like that could be seen as leading her on without intention to commit.

However, after she did this, Lyra seemed more sullen than before.

Recalling the moment when the pink-haired girl lightly bit her lip and looked at her with hesitant eyes as she descended the stairs, Astrid took a deep breath, her eyelashes trembling with water.

Lyra had noticed her change and seemed to have misunderstood it as Astrid deliberately distancing herself.

Thinking carefully, it wasn’t entirely Lyra’s fault. After all, her past actions were indeed too much for a lesbian, and suddenly disappearing overnight created a huge contrast that inevitably made one anxious, wondering if they had done something wrong to upset her.

Tsk... this is a bit troublesome...

Recalling Lyra’s clear blue eyes, slightly misty, and her hand resting weakly by her thigh, Astrid inexplicably thought of a dejected pink-haired puppy.

She could either pretend not to know and treat Lyra as before, although she would feel somewhat guilty, but it would at least solve the immediate problem.

Or, she could break through that layer of paper and have a good talk with Lyra.

The rhythm of her mental energy delivered faltered for a moment, a stream of water diverted, falling from her hair to her forehead, sliding down her eyelid.

Feeling the wet liquid sliding down her cheek, Astrid opened her eyes, looking down at the dark brown tiles and her smooth feet with faintly visible veins. Her thin lips parted slightly, letting out a soft breath.

No matter which decision, it needed to be implemented quickly. Delaying will only cause more harm to both her and Lyra.

After all, seeing the pitiful face of the pink-haired puppy once or twice was enough. Letting her stay in the corner looking pitiful was something Astrid couldn’t bear either.

............

Time returned to the present. Feeling a cool, smooth hand on her cheek, Lyra instinctively raised her head, just in time to meet Astrid’s gaze.

Those ruby-like transparent pupils were calmly looking at her, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, the emotions within them seemed deeper than the heavy night outside the window.

"Why are you still sitting here, Lyra, even after I’ve finished bathing?"

Hearing Astrid’s words, Lyra remains stiff, her cheeks tilted upward, looking at the silver figure so close to her.

Seeing Lyra’s dazed expression, Astrid smiled charmingly, her lips curving seductively, and like before, she pinched Lyra’s face with her hand, her breath like orchids.

"Because you missed me too much? So you couldn’t bear to leave?"

Smelling the faint body fragrance emanating from the woman, combined with that elegant yet flirtatious action directed solely at her, Lyra’s pupils instantly dilated, fine glimmers of light quietly lighting up in her eyes.

"As... Astrid?"

Although she didn’t know what had happened, judging by the other’s current behavior, it seemed she wasn’t angry with her anymore?

Seeing Lyra’s suddenly brightened mood, Astrid didn’t withdraw her hand, her fingertips deftly hooking a few strands of pink hair, smoothing them behind Lyra’s ear.

This intimate gesture naturally brought the doer’s body closer. Lyra’s gaze caught a glimpse of creamy white smoothness between the white nightgown, her cheeks instantly flushing red.

"I, I just wanted... to sit alone for a while..."

She couldn’t tell Astrid that because she hadn’t been teasing her, she had been feeling down for a long time, which was why she had been sitting here until now.

What would that look like...

Hearing Lyra’s words, Astrid’s delicate nose slightly snorted, her fingers pinching the girl’s earlobe firmly, her smile charming.

"Sitting alone? Could it be that the staircase is softer than the bed in your bedroom?"

"Waiting for me is fine, there’s no need to be shy about it. After all, I’m Lyra’s best friend..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Astrid caught a trace of panic in Lyra’s eyes. Her red pupils narrowed slightly, and that panic turned into a more complex emotion.

Like deliberately suppressing affection.

Lyra’s heart pounded wildly, her two slender, smooth legs clad in white stockings unconsciously tightening.

"I... was indeed waiting for Astrid..."

Since Astrid had said so, it meant that her current actions still fell within the realm of what best friends would do in the other’s eyes.

On one hand, there was a bit of resentment towards Astrid’s obliviousness, but on the other hand, Lyra was secretly relieved that her hidden emotions remained submerged at the bottom of the lake, unnoticed by the person concerned.

However, it was exactly this slight discrepancy in information that allowed Lyra to still hold herself together and have a normal conversation with Astrid. Otherwise, she might have already been overwhelmed, stalling and unable to say a word.

"Astrid seems... a bit different lately..."

"Are you in a bad mood?"

Lyra controlled her tone, making her curious just right.

Hearing the timid words from the girl in front of her, Astrid shook her head and answered softly.

"Why do you say that?"

Because she didn’t like to tease people as much as before?

The same thought passed through both their hearts, but they both tacitly did not mention it.

"I just feel something is different... I can’t quite put my finger on it..."

Lyra curled her white toes, her fingers lightly tugging at the hem of her stockings on her thighs.

"It’s just... if possible..."

"Astrid, if you’re unhappy about anything, you can tell me."

She was willing to be Astrid’s emotional outlet, letting her vent however she wanted.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Astrid spoke gently.

"So when you asked me about eating and sleeping earlier, you were actually probing about my mood?"

Astrid knew the answer to this question in her heart; she was merely using it as a springboard to start the next topic.

Hearing this, Lyra nodded, her eyes avoided Astrid’s gaze.

"... I was just a little worried about you."

"Worried that Astrid might be uncomfortable somewhere... and worried that you..."

At this point, Lyra’s head lowered even more, looking at the white stockings that had become thinner from her pulling, her voice almost inaudible.

"... worried that you might dislike me."

This worry actually took up a significant portion of her concerns.

Astrid didn’t respond immediately, just lowered her head to look at Lyra sitting on the stairs. Feeling the gaze from above, the pink-haired girl pursed her lips, her brown leather shoes clinking against the steps with a crisp sound.

"I’m not unhappy, and I certainly don’t dislike you..." Astrid said.

Amidst the noisy ticking of the clock, the woman’s melodious voice was clearly discernible.

"On the contrary, I really like you, Lyra."

Such a straightforward statement hits Lyra’s heart hard. The girl raised her head, looking at the serious Astrid, tumultuous emotions churning in her chest.

"... Really, really?" Lyra’s voice trembled slightly.

Astrid nodded, "Of course."

Having accompanied each other all this way, if it were merely a simple exchange of interests, she wouldn’t have gone this far for Lyra.

Astrid truly liked this gentle and kind girl from the bottom of her heart, but this affection stemmed more from pity and admiration for Lyra’s beautiful personality, far from the kind of love the other desired.

Seeing the light that seemed to have been ignited in Lyra’s eyes by her words, making them clear and bright, Astrid suddenly felt an indescribable taste in her heart.

Was she really that important to Lyra?

Could she easily make her feel down, and also lift her spirits with just a single sentence?

Was it not appropriate to talk about love and affection with her at this moment?

In a daze, Astrid saw the Lyra in front of her, dressed in light summer clothes, transformed into the Holy Light Knight clad in armor. The two images gradually overlapped, merged into one.

When her vision refocused, the person before her had returned to the delicate and pure-looking girl.

"..."

Even though she knew everything, she was the one who should be clear about her words. Why was she acting like a lovesick girl, hesitating and indecisive at this critical moment?

The future Holy Light Knight was not a love-struck fool; she wouldn’t be easily defeated by setbacks.

This time, Astrid made up her mind and slowly extended her hand to Lyra.

"Get up. The stairs are stepped on every day; even if they’re cleaned often, they can’t be that clean."

Hearing this, Lyra took Astrid’s hand, using the other’s strength to stand up. Her peripheral vision caught the wrinkles on her knees, so she casually pulled up her white stockings.

"So what’s been bothering Astrid lately... you seem a bit down..."

Seeing Lyra’s suddenly much lighter mood, Astrid’s pink lips parted slightly.

"I’m not down, I just figured out some things during this time."

After finishing, before Lyra could speak, Astrid continued.

"I remember Lyra mentioned before about taking us to see the lake behind the village. Is it far from here?"

Hearing Astrid mention a place unrelated to the current situation, Lyra was momentarily stunned, then opened her mouth to say.

"Not too far. If we walk, it will take about twenty minutes."

"Why did Astrid suddenly bring this up? Do you want to go for a walk tomorrow?"

As soon as Lyra finished speaking, Astrid shook her head, her voice soft.

"Not tomorrow, but now..."

"Right now, just the two of us."

The next topic wasn’t suitable for anyone else to hear except them, including Amelia and the Beckett couple.

Elise might be okay, but she was with Amelia now, and Astrid couldn’t conveniently call her. Besides, both of them were Sorcerer level mages; in a village without powerful magical beasts, there wouldn’t be any problems they couldn’t solve.

So late... just her and Astrid together?

"Is it inconvenient?" Seeing Lyra not speak for a long time, Astrid took the initiative to ask.

Hearing this, Lyra shook her head, "Ah, not really..."

Even the most obtuse person understood that Astrid meant to find a place where they wouldn’t be disturbed to have a proper talk.

"If Astrid wants to go, just follow me."

Combined with the woman’s earlier statement about "figuring out some things," Lyra’s mood suddenly stirred, her mind subconsciously conjuring up a thought she dared not ponder deeply.

What things... would affect Astrid’s attitude towards her...

Were they related to her... Could it be...

Even if she deliberately avoids thinking about it, that possibility lingered.

Looking into Lyra’s eyes, Astrid quickly withdrew her hand, her cool red pupils reflected the slightly dazed face of the girl.

"Then let’s go..."

"While it’s not too late, let’s not linger too long and affect our rest later."

Let’s say what we want to say to each other clearly, don’t let it pile up in our hearts, adding to our worries.

Feeling the air around Astrid filled with a certain despondency as if she had made a choice, Lyra stretched her fingers a few times, waiting for the panic in her heart and the warmth in her palm to dissolve before speaking softly.

"Okay."

"Let’s go early and come back early..."