Recently, I've gone through a really bad breakup.
The never-ending suffering my heart experiences is a shattering echo of every memory I now resent.
Yet, who knew you could just fornicate without doing your due diligence and dating someone for a century?
The Seventh has done great things for the elven people. Her brothels are to die for.
She has the most beautiful elven men and women that anyone can spend intimate time with.
I then realized: I can just have sex? I don't have to get to know a person?
A brilliant experience. Would recommend.
Review of an adult business called "The Rouge" in Moon's Rise.
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Gwynevere was alone in her bed. She recalled last night's events and looked back on them fondly.
Artero undoubtably had something important to do, she figured. She couldn't help but feel a fragment of disappointment now that she was by herself.
She buried the emotion.
She had to get ready for class. She dreaded it today.
However, she knew Anastasia would be there. Without a doubt in her mind that elf would attempt to make her life a living hell. But she had something she didn't.
Artero.
He even felt so inclined to make love to her last night.
Maybe I can rub that in her face.
The thought made her smile.
Although… she didn't fancy the idea of having her arm broken again.
Maybe she would keep their love affair to herself for the moment.
Gwyn went to the bathroom to get ready for her day, and it had been completely remodeled.
The bathtub was larger, and now the room also included a shower and actual plumbing.
Gwyn was suddenly amazed by a working faucet with running water.
A note was on the countertop by the sink.
Sorry this took so long. But if you'd ever want some "company" in here again, don't hesitate to ask.
Artero.
She held the note to her chest and whispered aloud.
"Thanks, Artero."
"You're welcome!"
"Ah! Artero?! What are you doing here?"
The Kosmairian Prince was standing there in the flesh. Gwyn assumed he'd already left for the day.
"I went to get you some breakfast. It seems you already discovered the new bathroom."
She eyed him suspiciously.
"I have."
He got quiet for a moment.
"I realized after we… spent some time in here." He ran his finger through his hair. "That, although I do enjoy um… helping you when needed. I figured you'd prefer some independence."
"Well, thanks. This was really nice of you."
"Don't mention it, it was long overdue anyway. Well, don't let me keep you from bathing. Food will be downstairs."
He gave her a kiss on the lips, then left her alone.
Gwyn read the note again and thought of him fondly.
She then undressed and showered. The water was warm and pleasant, although she enjoyed her time with the Royals. She did like to just bathe without the chance of having a sexual encounter.
When she finished, she put on a nice red dress and… She looked at her ringless finger. The Chosen One was resigned to the fact that the ring was gone, but looking at her bare finger made her miss her mother all over again.
When she went downstairs, only Artero was in the kitchen.
They were alone.
"You look incredible," the Prince said.
Gwyn put a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Thank you. Is no one here this morning? I was half expecting Elise to show up."
Artero shook his head.
"Nope, no one's here—to my knowledge." He looked around skeptically, sipping his black coffee. He then approached Gwynevere and pulled her close, pressing her against him. "But you said that Rodrick couldn't attend because he wasn't a student, right?"
Gwyn eyed him suspiciously, preparing to push herself away.
"Yes…"
"Well, I'm a student, so I'll make sure you get to classes safely, and then I'll be there after. You'll never be alone."
Gwyn gave him a kiss.
"That's so sweet, but that doesn't solve the fact that I'll be alone with her during the class itself."
"Yes… You're right." Artero's smile inverted, and he thought hard. "I'll certainly think of something. You just have to hold out a little longer. Refuse to participate if you have to."
"I honestly don't know if I am allowed at the school anymore, so we will show up today, and if they kick me out." Gwyn shrugged. "We did what we could."
Artero just hugged her.
"It'll be okay. You hungry?"
"Yeah, what'd you make?"
The couple ate breakfast, and by the time they were finished, it was almost time for Gwyn's first class. They held hands the entire walk to class.
Gwyn liked the feeling of Artero's hand in hers. Gwyn never thought of her hands as small, but when his hand was in hers, she couldn't help but feel tinier.
When they arrived outside the classroom, Anastasia was standing by the door.
"Artero, you suddenly took an interest in garbage?" Anastasia quipped, looking rather pleased with herself.
The Prince rolled his eyes.
"Sorry? The only garbage I was ever with was you."
Anastasia only laughed. She made a heart gesture with her hands.
"You know that isn't true, my little Harty."
He winced at her calling him Harty, a pet name he didn't enjoy and now found humiliating.
Gwyn, however, found it almost endearing.
"Harty? That's the best you could come up with?"
"Well, he seemed to like it whenever I'd call him that in bed."
"Gods, she is truly so insufferable," Artero said.
Anastasia frowned, stepping closer to him.
"Why are you speaking as if I'm not even here, Harty?"
He held his hand out.
"After all the time we've spent together, a single moment with Gwynevere is worth more than the rest of eternity with you."
Anastasia's face twisted into a furious glare. She balled her fist and said.
"You think you're over me, Harty, but I know you aren't."
"I think he is, actually."
Gwyn pulled him into a kiss. Not just a quick one. No. The kind that was incredibly uncomfortable to watch in public.
Anastasia watched in unbridled fury as the kiss never seemed to end.
Artero only cleared his throat whenever it was over. Erect would have been a downgrade from whatever he was currently.
Ana gritted her teeth.
"Say what you will, but he can't protect you once we're in the classroom walls."
Anastasia wore a particularly smug expression, feeling especially pleased with herself.
Out of seemingly nowhere, Elise held her hand out to Anastasia.
"But I can. Nice to meet you. I happen to be your newest classmate."
Anastasia's face sank.
"Y-you aren't supposed to be in this classroom… Y-you're not a student. I'll tell my father, and he'll have you removed immediately."
"Ah, actually." Elise handed Gwyn a rolled paper with a green-and-gold seal as the binding. "As of today, I am."
Gwyn read the paper aloud.
"Elise Sylvian of House Sylvian hereby will continue her education at Kaldere Academy— effective immediately—by decree of the King of Keceo, Vendrick Sylvian."
"Thank you," Elise said, taking the paper back and holding it out to Anastasia. "Go on, read it. It has my father's seal and everything."
"You think you're so clever, Elise… You're nothing to anyone."
Anastasia tried to shove Elise, but found her unmoving. She had to walk around her and take a seat at the front of the classroom.
Gwyn hugged Elise, jumping into her arms.
"I can't believe you did that for me!"
Elise nearly fell over.
"Well, I continued my education for a long time after I left this place. I pretty much know all the material." She opened the bag around her shoulder; it was filled to the brim with hundreds of papers. "I figured I would go through a lot of the documentation searching for any mention of wishes while I coast by and make sure that wicked woman doesn't lay a finger on you."
"Clever. That's actually… really clever, Elise," Artero said, nearly at a loss for words.
Elise gave him a shy smile.
"Thank you."
Gwyn couldn't help but notice they seemed to be avoiding eye contact with one another.
"I see you have things handled. I'll see you during lunch then."
"You shall, if you aren't too busy sucking up to your professors," Elise teased.
"C-c-connections are just as important as the knowledge itself!" He said, running his fingers through his hair before turning away from the women. "I'll see you later, Gwynevere."
Gwyn waved him off, and Elise whispered to her.
"So, what did you do last night? You're positively glowing, Gwynevere."
Gwyn's face flushed, and she dismissed her.
"W-what? N-nothing at all!"
Elise laughed.
"I think it's fine, I'm glad you two are bonding. But remember, it's a competition I don't intend on losing."
She spoke so close to Gwyn's neck that it gave her goosebumps.
Gwyn quickly shuffled inside the classroom.
"Y-yeah…"
Elise followed behind her, but frowned when there weren't two empty desks next to each other.
Gwyn tried to shrug off the inconvenience.
"It's fine, we don't have to—"
The Bloody Princess walked up to a student at their desk next to an empty one.
"Would you be so kind as to move for me, so I can sit next to my friend over there?"
Elise seductively leaned over the student's desk. But her charms did not seem to sway this student.
"No way! I was here first!" The scrawny teenage elf said.
"Please?"
"I don't care if you're a princess, I was here—"
Elise stood straight and sighed. She pointed her golden dagger at the student, and it glowed. The blade emitted an emerald green glow as Elise used gravity magic to lift the student out of his desk. They just glided, mouth agape, across the classroom and were gently placed in another seat.
Elise bowed in his direction.
"Thank you for your kindness."
She dabbed a handkerchief to her nose, cleaning the blood from the spell cast.
"You didn't have to do that for me," Gwyn said, shyly.
"I want to protect you, and I'm going to do what it takes to do that." She glared at the rest of the class, and they all looked away at her, except Anastasia. "Come now, sit beside me."
Gwyn nodded.
"With pleasure."
"Get a fuckin' room," Anastasia said.
"Language, Ms. Everroote."
Mr. Felsp arrived late again. The teacher seemed on edge, with Elise sitting right up front. Perhaps having the two daughters of some of the most powerful casters in Keceo was nerve-racking.
He taught about magical etiquette, how it is improper to cast spells on other people. The young student, Elise, lifted into the air and seemed to be sweating as he stared at the Bloody Princess from across the room.
"Don't worry, my schedule is exactly like yours," Elise reassured Gwyn. "I pulled some strings and learned that Anastasia handcrafted your schedule and had her father approve it. Since I couldn't change your schedule, I just copied yours."
"Wow, how did your father approve that? I thought you two weren't on good terms?" Gwyn whispered back.
"Yeah, I mean. I may have told him it was to further my education and failed to mention I happened to have the same classes as my girlfriend." Elise said casually, not even trying to whisper.
Girlfriend?!
Gwyn's momentary shock faded. That was exactly what Elise was, but hearing it from her mouth was still new. It made sense. With what they've done and their relationship. But for her to actually consider herself that made Gwyn's heart race.
She reached her hand over and grabbed the elf's.
"Thanks again, Elise."
"No holding hands in class!" Mr. Felsp shouted, and the women both shot up straight, then laughed to themselves.
Anastasia, however, did not find any of this cute or romantic. She was seething with anger.
It was already frustrating to retake these boring classes. But now, Elise was fucking everything up. The inner turmoil over Anastasia fueled her hatred, and she stared at the clock until the class ended.
The bell rang, and Elise eyed Anastasia, making sure she wouldn't make any attempts on Gwyn.
"You're really fucking annoying, you know that?"
Anastasia stormed past the couple.
"I live to serve," Elise said, staring daggers at the blonde elf as she exited the classroom. Elise sighed when she was out of sight. "She really has it out for us, huh?"
"Why is she so obsessed with us? She should, like, get a life," Gwyn said in an exaggerated tone.
Elise laughed.
"Is that supposed to be some human humor?"
"No, no." Gwyn laughed. "I was bullied when I was younger. My sister would talk in that exaggerated way to make me feel better."
Elise smiled and grabbed Gwyn's hand.
"She sounds like a lovely person."
"She really was." She gazed lovingly at Elise. "Ready for the next class?"
"I think the two of us just being together ruins her day. So yes, I am more than ready, Gwynevere."