My Crimson Lily
The sun was out, and The Empire Sword's army stood behind her. They all stood in wait for a single Nasod that could change everything. Soon, Eve appeared, and Elesis looked up at the descending nasod who bore the code of the Antithese, smiling with a devious smile.
"You've gotten my letter?" Elesis asked. Eve nodded. "I can't deal with this problem alone," Elesis continued, "so that's why I'm coming to you for help,"
Eve's smile deepened as her feet finally touched the ground. She approached the redhead, much to the red knight's surprise. The queen raised her hand and brushed her cold fingers across the knight's chin before lifting it with a single finger.
Elesis felt her heart bounce, but remained calm.
"Anything for you... my sweet darling." Eve said. Elesis's eyes widened, and her heart bounced upon hearing her response- but she quickly recomposed herself by shaking her head. "Although, this task seems a bit too... arduous..." Eve continued. The nasod crossed her arms and placed her hand on her cheek. She carefully folded her fingers again and again with the same wicked smirk on her face. "I need a reward."
"if it's-"
"I've no need for something of monetary value." Eve interrupted. "I want something more... Permanent. Elesis? Have you ever kissed anyone in your life?"
Elesis's eyes widened in shock. She scratched the back of her head as her cheeks were stained with red. The knight took in a deep breath to compose herself- she couldn't look vulnerable. At least not now. Her army was behind her- watching. She couldn't look weak.. She took the time to clear her throat so she would stay composed with her speech.
"...No." Elesis answered.
Eve's smile grew. "I see. Then, upon finishing this task of yours, I require just that."
"Wh-..!" Elesis couldn't hide her surprise.
Eve shrugged. "It's a deal that's too good to refuse. In fact- it's the deal of a lifetime. I do what you ask...and the price is a simple...kiss." Elesis felt her breathing quicken when the white-haired nasod said the word, 'Kiss', She couldn't help but focus on the Queen's lips when she muttered the word. A bead of sweat fell down Elesis's cheek.
"...Fine." The knight said. "It's a small price to pay."
Eve nodded. "That it is." The nasod crouched before leaping high into the air- and out of sight. Elesis groaned and shook her head.
-Later-
Elesis sighed a breath of relief. The battle was over. The young captain stood atop a grass hill in the dead of night, alone with her thoughts. The wind was howling that night, and the full moon had risen from its slumber. The redhead stared at the moon.
She closed her eyes, and decided to listen to the sound of the leaves brushing in the wind.
"I've come for my reward." Eve's voice came from behind Elesis- and the redhead nearly gasped.
Never has the word 'reward' brought such a chill down her spine.
It was only the two of them, so Elesis could show more emotion if she wanted. But even so- despite everything- Elesis refused to give into her emotions. She cleared her throat before speaking.
"Is that so?" Elesis asked.
The nasod's thin arms wrapped themselves around Elesis's body.
"Eep-!" Elesis's body shook and tensed up as Eve carefully placed her ear on her back.
"You are absolutely delectable." Eve whispered. "You are like the finest desserts on the planet- I have to savor every bite."
"...Ugh..." Elesis's face reddened as her heartbeat grew faster. "A kiss is all you wanted, right? Why...hug me like this? That wasn't part of the deal."
"You can call this...Collateral."
Elesis felt herself frown, and her cheeks began to puff.
"This- This is... ugh- Just- let's do this and get it over with." Elesis said.
"There's no need to rush," Eve said in a slow and soft tone. "The night is still young."
"...Fine." Elesis said.
The wind carefully blew against the two of them. Eve's eyes were closed as though she were asleep, and her smile was less devious, and more content. Elesis, however, was feeling her cheeks grow hotter. Her heart was beating incredibly fast.
"Is that... trembling, I feel?" Eve asked. Elesis's eyes widened.
"It-It's from the cold.." Elesis said quickly. "It's- It's windy! So- It's cold!"
"You were standing atop this hill for approximately 30 minutes. You didn't spend a single one shivering like you are now."
"Wh-What?" Elesis slightly turned her head back. "You've been watching me?"
"I've always been watching." Eve said. "Ever since I came to Velder, I've heard tell of you. Elesis the brave. Elesis, the leader. I've watched you give speeches to invigorate your troops. I've watched you remain strong in front of your colleagues and hide all of your stress and emotions. You don't have time to be anxious, nor can you afford to show it. Weakness from a leader can spread, and you know this. So you remain strong. I've seen you once you were alone, too. You sigh in relief- as though the figurative mask you wear was tight enough to constrict your breathing. And so- I'm giving you what you deserve. The peace of mind… of letting out your emotions… and more importantly…A hug."
Elesis's body shivered again. Eve felt it and smiled even more. The Nasod slowly unwrapped her hands from the knight and spun her around. Elesis's entire face was red, and her eyes were glued to the floor from embarrassment. Her lips quivered in fear of getting to know its new possible neighbor.
"I-I-... Are we- Are we going to-...to-..." Elesis couldn't even think straight.
Eve chuckled lightly.
"Elesis The Empire Sword, reduced to a trembling and stuttering mess...this is truly a sight to behold."
"A-Are you trying... to mock me? Is this... all so you can ridicule me?"
Eve shook her head. The wind came and brushed her long white hair. Once the breeze left- Eve spoke again. "Quite the contrary." The Nasod said. "I do this because I love you."
Elesis's eyes became wide. Her jaw dropped.
"I-..You-..!"
Eve chuckled once again.
"And I know you feel the same way." Eve said.
"What-!?"
"That task you assigned me was small- so small, in fact, even a novice could have done it. At first, I was insulted that you assigned me to do such a task that only sounded difficult. But it was then when I finally realized: You asked me to help because you wanted to see me."
"I-... I..!"
Eve slowly inched closer to the knight's blushing face. "It all made sense from there. Those times when I was watching you from afar- you knew. You've always known. You knew when I was watching you from above on your speeches. You knew when I was watching you sigh in relief. You knew it from the very beginning."
"I-...I-...!" Elesis was shivering greatly.
"Not even a single word to defend yourself..." Eve moved close to Elesis's lips- so close that the knight could feel the Queen's breath on her lips. "I was right about you. You are a dessert... that has to be savored. A flower... that mustn't be picked..."
Elesis gulped, then slowly closed her eyes and puckered her lips. She waited..
And waited.
And waited.
But nothing happened. Elesis opened her eyes to see Eve giggling.
"Wh-What..?" Elesis raised her eyebrows to see Eve giggle even more. "I-I knew it! You- You Are mocking m-"
"Tell me that you want me to kiss you." Eve said. Elesis gasped.
"What!? I- I can't-"
Eve pulled herself away.
"Then I suppose I can't savor the taste of your lips just yet."
"Wh-What?!"
Eve turned her back to Elesis.. "Call me again when you need me, It'll be nice to see you again, my love." The nasod began walking away.
Elesis clenched her fists as the Queen went farther away. She frowned as her lips shook. Her mouth was like a dam that was barely able to hold back her words. But as she walked farther away...
"F-FINE!" Elesis roared. Her eyes closed tightly as she spoke. "I-I I want you to kiss me! That's- That's what I want! So-"
What happened next was sudden.
Eve's lips pushed against Elesis's in almost an instant. The redhead's heart completely stopped as her eyes opened wide. In fact- it felt as though to her that time itself had stopped.
The Nasod's arms again wrapped themselves around Elesis's body.
That's when the knight heard the sound of her own heartbeat pound in her ears.
Badump.
Badump.
Badump.
As the surprise slowly left her, Elesis slowly closed her eyes. After a while, the girls' lips finally separated, their foreheads touched one another.
"I love you... my Crimson Lily." Eve said.
"I love you too..." Elesis said. "I-... I love you.. too.."
The end.