Hearing Lisa's words, Jean fell into thought.
In truth, Lisa was not wrong. Compared to her ancestral home, this place was far, far livelier.
Ever since her father followed Varka off on that distant expedition, she had been all alone.
The old estate held only a few maids and a butler, responsible for cleaning and tending to household affairs. Yet she was busy every single day, and by the time she finished work and returned home, The Knave had already gone to sleep.
It could be said that she was quite lonely in her ordinary life, with no time to chat idly with The Knave of the house.
That home had long ceased to be her home—it was merely a place to rest.
As for her mother and younger sister…
Long ago, after her parents' relationship developed a rift, her mother Frederica Gunnhildr had taken her younger sister Barbara and left the ancestral home, finding another place to live.
With no parents and no sister, the old estate was all the more desolate. By contrast, here there was Lisa, there was Amber and Eula, and so many others besides!
Everyone drinking and chatting together, without any cumbersome etiquette—it gave her a feeling of relaxation, body and soul.
On top of that, the conditions here were excellent. Working at the Knights' headquarters, relying on candlelight at night, was truly exhausting.
But here there was bright lighting—she even wanted to do her office work here!
She had to admit, Lisa's suggestion had stirred her heart.
Just as she was mulling it over, the girls came swarming in. Yae Miko, by the light of the lamps, was reading a light novel while soaking in the hot spring, her several tails unabashedly on display, drifting atop the water's surface.
Jean was very curious about what Yae Miko was reading, so she leaned in closer.
"Oh my, is Grand Master Jean interested in light novels too?"
"Light novels?"
Jean didn't quite understand, but she knew what novels were, so she nodded. "I very much enjoy reading storybooks. I long for the tales within their pages."
"Oh? What kind of themes do you like?"
"To be honest with you, though I am the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine, I do have a few side occupations as well."
"The Yae Publishing House is a novel shop that I run. It carries quite a few best-selling novels, you know."
"I could give you plenty of recommendations."
These words rather astonished Jean.
She truly hadn't been able to tell—Yae Miko was actually the little proprietress of a bookstore.
That said, she had indeed just finished reading a book recently, and very much wanted to find similar storybooks.
"Actually… lately I sneak in a little reading every night before bed."
"That book was called 'Vera's Melancholy.' It was about Cape Oath… uh, you probably don't know Mondstadt's Cape Oath, well, where it is…"
Yae Miko turned around, listening earnestly to Jean's account, and soon she had made her judgment.
"I see now—so you like romance novels."
As she spoke, an intriguing, thought-provoking gleam surfaced in the pink-furred fox's eyes.
She lightly covered her mouth and giggled. "How unexpected—that the usually stern, unsmiling Master Jean would actually enjoy the sort of stories little girls love~"
"Eh——!?"
At Yae Miko's remark, Jean instantly flushed red to her ears, and stammered in a small voice, "Is it… is it very childish?"
She really did love romance novels.
It was not because she had squandered her maidenhood amid training and duty, nor because her parents' marriage had a rift. She simply yearned for the mutual affection those stories depicted—for emotions as exquisite and fragile as spider silk. As a knight, she had to prioritize Mondstadt and the Knights of Favonius above all else, and had no time whatsoever to experience such things.
If only she had the time, she hoped that she too could… try to taste the feeling of being in love.
Now, having Yae Miko say it out loud, she felt rather embarrassed.
But Yae Miko merely waved a hand. "Every reader has their own tastes, after all. If there's a truly fine work, I'll give it a read myself too."
"Mm~"
"Let me think…"
"I've got it—there was a good novel on last month's best-seller list!"
"Tomorrow, then. Tomorrow evening I'll bring it back for you. Just look forward to it."
Hearing this, Jean hurriedly nodded. "Alright, then thank you very much, Lord Guuji!"
As she spoke, her heart brimmed with anticipation for Yae Miko's book.
Yet she also realized that if she was to come and collect the book tomorrow night, then she would most likely have to stay here.
At this rate, perhaps she really might end up coming here every single day from now on.
While the girls were soaking in the hot spring and chatting.
Inside the room.
Ye Xi gazed at Candace before him, who had just taken off her bath towel, and nodded. "So that's how it was…"
"In truth, turning the desert back into an oasis wasn't my original intention—it was merely a coincidence."
Moonlight spilled down through the skylight, falling upon Candace's honey-colored skin.
In that pair of differently colored eyes lay a trace of bashfulness, and a hint of resolve.
"Master, I simply feel that this is what I ought to do."
"And besides, that Dehya has been whispering in my ear all the while, so…"
Ye Xi said with a smile, "That gal said she'd coax you over within three days. I never expected you'd come in just two—I really did underestimate her."
"You've decided?"
Candace nodded gently. "I need to protect Aaru Village. Since becoming Master's woman can grant me great power, and even make me part of the [family], I have no reason not to do so."
"I really like it here—I like every single one of everyone."
"And Master is very formidable, too. To obtain a powerful partner is the long-cherished wish of a daughter of the desert."
Ye Xi's strength was plain for all to see, and Candace naturally took note of it as well.
Just like Dehya and Alusha, in her heart she too admired strength.
Even though she already possessed an Eye of God and had become one of the standouts of the desert.
Still, deep down she yearned for an even stronger soul to conquer her.
This was the wish of every daughter of the desert.
"I understand now."
Ye Xi stepped forward and wrapped his arms around that slender waist. The sensation that met his hands was not the delicate softness of a girl, but the same firmness—the pleasing solidity—as Dehya's.
Under the desert's powerful genes, whether it was Candace, Dehya, or Alusha, the abdominal lines of their bellies were exceptionally defined.
It gave off a healthy, vigorous, athletic air.
Candace closed her eyes, recalling the time before, when she and Dehya had first come to Sumeru City and met Ye Xi—back when Sumeru was still under the rule of the Great Sage Azar.
The journey had been short, but she truly had never imagined that she would give herself to Ye Xi.
She had thought that she, a desert dweller, a descendant of the King Deshret, would never win Ye Xi's favor.
Who could have known that she would truly have the chance to receive Ye Xi's gaze.
At this very moment, she felt a sense of fulfillment.
Gradually, she came to understand that feeling Dehya had described.
It really was quite marvelous.
When Dehya had spoken of it before, she had been rather unable to comprehend it.
But now that she had truly experienced it, she would never be able to forget it again.
____
________________________________________
If you want more chapters, please consider supporting my page on (P). with 50 advanced chapters available on (P)
👻 Join the crew by searching Leanzin on (P). You know the spot! 😉