Chapter 45: The Divine Pillow
Night fell, and stars sparkled above Themyscira.
Inside the ancient round hall, pale moonlight filtered through the star-shaped iron windows, spilling into the silent corridor. A boy dragged something heavy across the stone floor, the sound of friction echoing softly.
The Mother Box: "???"
Xi Nian exhaled in relief as he set down the mattress he'd taken from his small, dark room. He laid it in a corner of the open hall, then collapsed onto it with exhaustion.
That cramped black room was too suffocating. Sleeping here in the ventilated main hall was far better. And besides, aside from the Mother Box sitting on its altar, nothing else occupied this space.
"I'll sleep here. You don't mind, do you, neighbor box?" Xi Nian muttered, glancing at the iron cube on the stone altar, half joking but genuinely asking.
The Mother Box stayed silent.
"No answer means yes," Xi Nian said with a grin, pulling a blanket over himself and shutting his eyes.
The Mother Box: "!!!"
How could it move?
How could it dare to move?
"I wonder how Auntie is doing…" Xi Nian whispered as sleep overtook him, clutching the Starlight Crown tightly in his arms.
All day, he had seen Amazons across the island. Yet not once had he seen Diana, his aunt.
"Well, after so long apart from her mother, she's probably been staying in the palace." That thought lingered for only a moment before Xi Nian slipped into deep dreams.
…
At midnight, the temperature in the main hall dipped lower.
Xi Nian shivered in his sleep, the chill making his body curl. His nose caught a faint fragrance—soft, familiar.
Like a field of violets blooming beside him.
His eyes shot open.
A breathtakingly beautiful woman lay on the mattress beside him.
Her black, wavy hair spilled loosely over the sheets. Her eyes were closed, her long lashes and sharp brows making her face look even more striking. Her tall figure seemed sculpted to perfection, her chest rising and falling in rhythm with her calm breaths. Below her trim waist, her long legs overlapped only because the mattress was too small to contain them.
She wore a regal golden royal gown. Under the silver glow of moonlight, she looked like a goddess descended to the mortal world—so perfect she seemed unreal.
Sensing his gaze, her gemstone-like eyes opened slightly, reflecting Xi Nian's face.
"Auntie? Why are you here?" Xi Nian asked, dazed, wondering if he was still dreaming.
"Didn't you say this morning you wanted to… hold me at night?" Diana replied calmly, as if her presence here was only natural.
"This morning?" Xi Nian's mind flashed back.
He had only said that casually. He never thought Diana would actually remember—and even come here at night to grant that wish.
Auntie Doraemon, granting wishes—you couldn't ask for more.
"Really? I can?"
His gaze fell on her slender waist, his heartbeat quickening against his will.
"Yes," Diana nodded softly.
Xi Nian reached out and gently placed his hand on her waist.
His first impression was of the fabric: the Amazons' royal attire was crafted from the finest silk, smooth, warm, and soft, yet with a resilient strength. There was no excess fat beneath—only firm, healthy muscle.
He held her carefully, cherishing the moment, not daring to use force. His hand barely circled her waist, as though measuring it with delicate precision. He knew—even if he used Antiope's strength—he could never truly harm his aunt.
A woman's waist was a sensitive place. More delicate than even the feet, in its own way.
Because whether up or down, both directions led to places of great importance.
Xi Nian kept his arm around Diana's waist. No other movement. No need for more. This alone was a giant step forward.
He felt her body trembling slightly. Realization dawned: he wasn't the only one nervous.
"Auntie, this crown…" Xi Nian pulled out the Starlight Crown he had kept close.
"Keep it for now," Diana said gently. "You need it more than I do."
"I'll protect it," Xi Nian promised solemnly. After the day's battle, he no longer hesitated.
If even he doubted his ability to bear the crown, how could the Amazons trust him to protect it—or his aunt's future?
"This afternoon," Diana continued, tapping his forehead with her cool finger and smiling faintly, "I was the one who asked Antiope to spar with you. Before I awakened my divine power, I trained under her as well. I thought she could give you special training. But I didn't expect you to fight back with no restraint."
Xi Nian gave a wry smile. He had noticed it too. Antiope had been holding back the whole time. That had been less a battle, and more a sparring session.
Otherwise, with her strength, he wouldn't have lasted even two rounds.
"For the next few days, train with Antiope," Diana instructed. "You must master combat skills. That way, when you trigger your Master of Affection, you can adapt to others' abilities better. No more breaking windows at home or losing control of your body."
"…Alright." Xi Nian sighed. His relaxing vacation had completely vanished.
"But if you do well…" Diana trailed off. She took his hand, rose from the mattress, and walked toward the corridor, leaving behind a single line: "At night, I'll let you hold me again."
Xi Nian's eyes lit up instantly.
He suddenly had both a goal and motivation!
For better mastery of his powers (×),
For limited-time Auntie Pillow privileges (√).
…
The next morning, Xi Nian appeared on the training grounds, brimming with energy, volunteering eagerly for instruction.
Antiope blinked, confused. What had gotten into him?
But confusion or not, she trained him with her usual strictness.
Swordplay, spear throwing, archery, shield techniques, horseback riding…
Even though this was basic human training, by the end of each day Xi Nian was utterly exhausted. Only at night, with his divine pillow in his arms, could his body and spirit recover.
And so.
Three days passed quickly.
The final day for Diana and Xi Nian on Themyscira had come.
TL/N: I guess MC is a dense protagonist to Gwen and Kara just because there's already Diana right beside him xD
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