CHAPTER 33: A FLAME UNLIKE ANY OTHER

A few hours after her argument with Shion, Maldie didn’t return to her chamber in the palace but to her old family home.

She came from a small, poor village just beneath the capital’s walls. She had inherited a large house on the very edge of that village, right by the road that stretched out into endless fields and forests.

Maldie always came here when she felt really bad, to be alone for a while. She could’ve sold the place for a small fortune, but sentiment and memories tied her too strongly to it.

Before leaving the palace, she left a note for Gari. She asked her to grab some takeout for dinner and come over.

Maldie didn’t want to go all the way back to the city center. She had time to get herself ready, doing her own makeup, though she always did it better on others

She was decent at doing her own face, but her real masterpieces had always been on Haru.

Maldie knew she had a few hours before Gari showed up.

So she decided to take a long, hot bath. To soak for a bit in the bath and just relax.

Once she’d dried off and put on clean underwear, she stood before her wardrobe, wondering what to wear for the evening.

Damn.

I can’t even remember the last time I went on a date.

Ever since Shion’s parents passed away, she had been taking care of them, then working as a maid in the palace, then came Haru, their wedding... more than twenty years had flown by in a flash.

Maldie glanced around her plain gray-white room, modestly set up. A big two-door wardrobe stood open, a double bed that once belonged to her parents and where she still liked to nap from time to time, a small nightstand, a table with two chairs, and a desk with writing and makeup tools.

She glanced at the small mirror on the nightstand.

Heh, you don’t look half bad for an old hag, she thought proudly.

In reality, she was fifty, but she didn’t look a day over twenty-five.

She flexed one of her arms, and her well-toned muscle, sculpted from years of hard work, showed in all its glory.

No wonder someone’s into you. That body’s still got it, she told herself, trying to get into a good mood before the date.

Just then, she heard knocking at the door.

Crap, I’m not even dressed yet!

She rushed to the wardrobe, threw on the first dress she could grab, a dark brown one with thin straps, a daring neckline, and a slit along the right thigh. She remembered wearing it twenty years ago at the wedding of the previous royal couple.

She surprised even herself that she could still fit into it.

Maldie opened the door.

Gari stood in the doorway, wearing a black dress with a similar cut, though less revealing.

"Come on in," Maldie said, her voice trembling slightly.

For the first time in years, she felt nervous, not because of work or palace drama, but because of something far simpler, far more intimate.

After all, this was their date.

Gari stepped into the spacious room on the first floor, decorated mostly in warm browns. In the middle stood a large sofa bed in dark chocolate tones, an old piece she had inherited from her parents.

It was still holding up quite well.

Right in front of the couch was a small wooden table, and behind it – a fireplace.

The rest of the room was simple: wardrobes, a desk, and a larger table with chairs.

"Wow, I didn’t know you had such a big place! And you still sleep in the palace? If I lived here, I’d never leave!" Gari joked, laughing.

She was holding two small boxes – takeaway food. She placed them on the table and opened them. The room quickly filled with the strong, exotic scent of spices.

"Wait a second. Sorry, I didn’t have time to prepare. I’ll just head down to the cellar," Maldie said, passing by Gari as she sat on the couch.

"Why go down there? The food’s gonna get cold."

Maldie smirked.

"Relax, I’ll be quick. I’m just grabbing some wine, got quite a stash down there. No way I can drink it all by myself."

Moments later, Maldie returned with a bottle of dry red wine. She took two glasses from one of the cupboards and sat down beside the half-dragon, pouring them both a drink, making sure Gari got a bit more.

"didn’t think a maid’s paycheck could cover all this," Gari said, clearly impressed and trying to start a conversation.

"No way, not in a million years. I got it from my parents. My father came from one of the few noble beast people families, but he had to sell me into palace service to pay off his debts. At least he bought this house outright... though honestly, I’m not even sure why I still keep it. I could just live in the palace."

"Well, at least you’ve got a place to move to when you get old."

"That’s true." A short silence hung between them. "So, cheers?"

"Y-yeah," Gari nodded, a faint blush spreading on her cheeks. She didn’t turn to face her.

That surprised Maldie. She had thought Gari would be the same as she was at work, bold, open, maybe even reckless. Instead, she was shy and nervous.

Maldie downed half her glass in one go.

"Alright, Gari, let’s get straight to it. How old are you, really?"

"Umm, that’s... kind of complicated. Depends on how you count it, human years, dragon years, or beast people years."

"The last two usually line up."

"Not for dragons. We’ve got a much slower metabolism. And I’m a half one. Why are you asking about my age anyway?"

"Because your answer decides how the rest of this date’s gonna go."

"Oh... okay, if it’s that important... hmm, let me think..."

"Just give me your beast people age, then your human one. I’m thirty-two as a beast person, fifty-six as a human."

"Then that makes me... four years younger than you, no matter how you count it."

"Only four?" Maldie raised an eyebrow. "You act like a reckless teen!"

"Well, you know, we dragons... stay young at heart for a long time, but we still mature like everyone else," Gari said with a shy smile.

"I see."

Maldie emptied her glass and tried some of the food Gari brought. The half-dragon had already finished hers, but Maldie wasn’t really hungry. She wanted something else entirely.

Maldie sighed and moved closer to Gari, placing her hand over hers.

"Gari, will you look at me? Why won’t you? Do I look that bad?" she joked lightly.

"N-no, that’s not it..." Gari stammered.

I’m s-so nervous, Gari thought, her heart pounding like crazy.

Did I make a good impression? We’ve known each other for a while, but I wanted her to see another side of me tonight.

Gari finally turned toward her.

"Don’t be so anxious," Maldie said softly. "It’s not like we’re meeting for the first time after exchanging letters. We’ve seen each other plenty, with and without makeup."

Then she kissed her, without hesitation.

Gari froze at first, surprised, but then loosened up, letting Maldie lead. Feeling her respond, Maldie kissed her deeper, slow and full of hunger, their tongues meeting gently

"M-Maldie..." Gari breathed out, trembling from pleasure. "I didn’t expect you’d be this bold on our first date..."

"Stop pretending," Maldie replied with a faint smirk. "I’ve seen how you look at me. I knew you liked me, maybe even looked up to me. And on top of that my gut told me this was more than a crush. Admit it, you’ve fallen for me hard."

"Maldie... I... Yes, I did. But I thought it annoyed you. You always turned me down when I asked you out. Tonight, I promised myself I’d try one last time."

"Guess I got lucky I said yes then, huh?"

"Y-yeah. Though really, I’m the lucky one."

Maldie leaned in again, pressing her lips to Gari’s, and then, without a word, pushed her gently down onto the couch.

Moments later, Gari was lying beneath her, both of them breathing heavily from the heat of their long, fiery kisses. Maldie was on top, supporting herself on her arms.

Maldie placed her hand over Gari’s, holding it with tender care.

"I’m sorry for turning you down before," she said, keeping her eyes on hers. "I was always so tired... and I thought I was too old for you. But tonight, I wanted someone to comfort me. No, not someone, you. Only you, Gari. I know it’s selfish."

"It’s okay. I’m just happy I can make you smile," the half-dragon answered honestly, her body shivering slightly with excitement.

"Might be too soon, but..." Maldie held her hand tighter. "I can’t help it. Do you want to do it? Here and now, on our first date?"

"A-are you sure you won’t dump me after? We’ll still be... together?" Gari asked, fear and hope mixing in her eyes.

Maldie leaned close enough for her lips to almost touch Gari’s ear.

"Of course, sweetheart," she whispered seductively, her voice low and certain.

She kissed her again, more intensely, passionately, with a desire that burned deep.

Maldie couldn’t remember ever kissing anyone like that before... and if she had, it must’ve been long ago.

Maldie felt Gari’s grip on her hand tighten.

She took it as a sign, a permission.

She tenderly let go of her hand, then reached for one of the straps of her dress, slowly uncovering it...