FVN Chapter 302: Lorem's Return! Lucia's Affection!
Chapter 302: Lorem's Return! Lucia's Affection!
"I cannot believe we got attacked by those damn rats!" Lorem complained while examining the ends of her hair, checking for split ends.
"The rats don't even speak about those damn frogs and lizards! I thought we would be home two days ago. What if more women have taken Asura's heart?" Lucia sighed heavily.
"Do you really think he can take that many women into his heart at once? It seems like a fair stretch, considering that he can barely keep up with just the ones from before. Though he seemed to have changed the past few nights before we left."
"His eyes felt more affectionate and caring. It felt like we truly became his most important people."
The pair of women thought back to Asura's gaze at them before the pair departed, the beautiful but dangerous smile that always reminded them of their place in Asura's heart.
They didn't feel insecure as they had gotten used to this unfamiliar sensation, slowly accepting it into their lives and wondering how they lived without it before.
However, after the battle together, Lorem noticed his change. With his gentle touch and affectionate gaze, she realised it was the doubt and second thoughts that were melting away, that he was Asura and only Asura.
Lorem shook her head slightly and refocused her vision, glancing back at the city, her home.
"Halt! Who goes there!" A guard holding a large golden shield with a white border and spear shouted.
"Royal knight Lorem and Lucia have returned from the southern mission to accept a task from the Queen," Lorem responded, sighing heavily. "Open the gate."
"Hm?" The guards lowered their weapons and peeked through the small window at the top of the gate. "I must contact the palace to confirm!"
"Oh, come on..." Lucia complained.
After several minutes of waiting, the gates finally opened with a loud bang. High-rise towers, luxurious houses, and high-end shops filled the familiar streets of the city while rich families walked around.
After the attack, the late night caused by Asura and Vela building the citadel's walls and cathedral seemed to have given the city a new breath of life.
The nights of Silvara that used to end transformed with some merchants considering it a safe idea to avoid any night attacks from monsters having someone on guard and at the store from morning, noon and night.
"Do we have to visit the Queen today?" Lorem complained, looking down at her clothes.
"It is already late at night. I just want to see Asura and sleep."
The pair turned at a corner and looked down the main street leading towards the palace. Couples strolled down the streets, or vendors sold hot food in the middle of the night to make some profit. Light chatter, some quiet laughter, and music filled the serene night, but something felt different.
"This is Silvara? After the sword fell?" Lorem's eyes widened.
"Yeah, me too, but first we have to report to the Queen, you know? Besides, if we stay all night, we will fall behind on training," Lucia answered in a monotone voice. "But... I think we are done."
"Let's go see the queen! I want to see him even a second faster."
Lorem stopped in front of a massive wooden gate with large black-and-white-painted wooden doors with an emblem of the kingdom embedded in the middle. Two guards stood at either side of the entrance, holding their weapons and paying attention to their surroundings.
"Halt! Who goes—" the guard looked at the pair's dirty clothes and pointed his lance at them, "—go to the barracks."
"Eh, why!?" Lucia asked before Lorem nodded with a wry smile. "Because we look horrible."
"Proceed."
Lorem rolled her eyes as Lucia pushed open the gate.
They passed a large fountain and beautiful garden in the centre of the courtyard, surrounded by four white walls and a black tower in each corner. At the end of the garden stood another black-and-white door with three guards instead of two.
This time, the guards were Valkyrie and part of the Third Unit who guard the palace and knight areas.
"Halt!" The Valkyrie stopped the pair in front of the doors. "This area is off-limits to people without authorisation."
"Mara, why do you ask if you know it's me?"
"Ah!? Lady Lorem! Forgive me. I thought you were a vagrant."
"You cheeky little girl!." Lorem covered Mara's mouth, a playful smirk on her face. "I've returned for an important matter. Please inform the queen of my arrival while we get changed."
"Right away!" Mara opened the barracks doors before she rushed off towards the palace doors and passed several Valkyrie, who shot her strange gazes.
"Lucia, make sure you don't take too long, or I'll go alone!"
"Mm~ I won't."
Lorem took off her armour and inspected the surface for damage.
She deliberately threw her dirty, bloody, and torn clothes and underwear onto the floor in front of the door, knowing it was the garbage bin where someone would take them away.
Lorem found a towel on the side of the bed, then wrapped it around her body and walked over to the shower room on the opposite side of the hall.
"Asura, how much have you grown in a few weeks?" Lorem mumbled.