I'm amazed by how many of you are enjoying this story. Now, fair warning before we begin. Things start to heat up in this chapter. You have been warned, my awesome readers. I also have a question for you all.
Would you like to see Petra become a supporting character in Dorothea's storyline? I enjoy writing her. Not to mention her and Rolan's character would be fun to explore. Leave a vote in the new poll on my profile. Or let me know in a review. The choice is yours.
Lets begin shall we?
Beauty (Black Eagles II)
My time as a Black Eagle begins tonight. Come tomorrow I'll transfer classes. But now? I'll enjoy myself. I've earned it after the scuffle with Petra. Brigid's princess is no pushover. It'll be fun sparring with her again. I respect her more everytime we fight. Who knows? Maybe if I spend time getting to know her I might be able to visit Brigid someday. Or perhaps not. What am I saying? Get ahold of yourself, Rolan. Don't be foolish.
Just because you've passed one test it doesn't mean you're the best swordsman in the world; get ahold of yourself. Focus on what's important.
My beloved songstress is waiting for me to escort her across the monastery.
She's lovely in so many ways. But it's not her beauty that draws me closer. It's who she is inside that matters. She's both compassionate and considerate, but also strong-willed when it comes to her beliefs. I don't think she cares that we were born in two very different places and lived equally unique lives.
So long as we're together like this? She's beyond happy.
Together we leave the training grounds, her hand in mine. The sun is low in the sky; the last rays of daylight are almost gone. At long last the sight of a sunset has regained its soothing charm for me. It's lovely, especially when I'm able to share it with somebody who cherishes me.
I give Dorothea's fingers a gentle squeeze. She returns my gesture with a warm smile.
"I love you," she whispers in my ear. "I don't say it enough, I know. I mean it though. Truly I do."
For the first time in a while I'm not distracted. Nor am I fearful for the future. I can look ahead with prideful dedication.
"I love you too, Dorothea."
Our walk back to the dorms is thankfully a short one. It's helpful that the commoner dorms are so close to the training grounds. It's always made them easier to reach in a hurry. Me and Dorothea pass a handful of fellow students on our walk. A few start gossiping at the sight of us holding hands.
One of the girls is a Golden Deer; a first year just like me. Melonie I believe her name was. I'd remember those freckles and her button nose anywhere. She's quite the gossip. I see her whispering from here.
"Say Anna," I overhear. She's not being subtle either. "I hear Rolan's courting Hilda... Isn't that Dorothea from the Black Eagles?"
Oh well. She can spread rumours as much as she pleases. I couldn't care less.
The painful task of leaving the Gold Deer House waits ahead of me, and I'm prepared for it. I've made the right choice and I know it. There's no way I could've turned my back on Dorothea, even if it means I'll have to bid farewell to Hilda.
A twinge grips my chest; I take a short breath to steady my thoughts.
"And here we are," Dorothea chimes. We stand outside of her dorm room. The plaque beside the doorframe gives it away. She waits for the last few stray students to pass before taking the key out of her jacket pocket. "Would you like to join me for a while?"
My heart skips a beat. It's hard to ignore the amorous tinge to her offer. Her cheeks are flushed a gentle shade of pink.
"Are you sure it's okay?"
"Of course it is, Rolan... I want to show you my room."
There's a certain assertiveness to Dorothea at times. It's subtle, though it gets easier to notice the longer you spend in her company. She wouldn't force me to join her, but I think she'd be a bit upset if I refused her offer. Her eyes are quivering. It's as though she's pleading with me. And what sort of gentleman refuses a lady's offer? Pop would sure think I'm crazy for turning her down.
"I'd love to."
Bringing the door open, Dorothea invites me inside. "After you."
One lit candle later and I can see all there is to see.
The songstresses' room is far from what I expected. I imagined vibrant colors and grandiose items of furniture. She was an opera diva, after all. But no. One thing in particular stands out as remarkable. In the corner of the room is a mannequin which sports an absolutely gorgeous white corset-style dress with frills. The fabric appears divine. The longer I look at it the more I'm drawn to it. I can't even imagine how much time and effort went into making a piece like this one. Even my mother would blush at such fine craftsmanship, and she's one of the most renowned dressmakers in Goneril.
Dorothea slides the door's deadbolt into place and joins me. Again she links her fingers with mine. "It's my opera dress. I used to wear it every night when I sang. It doesn't fit me now, I'm afraid." She giggles softly, patting her stomach. "I've gotten a bit of a tummy since joining the monastery. The food here is so nice." She sounds ashamed. "I love a nice bite to eat; I can't help myself."
"You could've fooled me," I respond, desperate to provide a hint of comfort. "You have a lovely figure."
"And that, Rolan," sighs Dorothea, "Is where you'll learn a valuable lesson about us ladies." She takes ahold of my hand and brings it over her stomach. There she holds it for a while. With each passing moment I'm drawn into the depths of her gaze. "We're skilled at hiding our imperfections behind well-tailored clothes."
Hearing you put yourself down hurts, Dorothea. Truly it does. You're wonderful. I know fellows back home in Goneril who would fight in the streets bare-fisted for a simple chance to talk with a woman like you. There has to be something I can do to stop you dwelling on your appearance. I understand being neat and tidy, but obsessing is sad. I'm not just going to turn my back on you because of something as trivial as the way you look.
Noble lads might do that, but I was raised differently.
Words haven't always worked so far. She's a girl swayed by action. Here goes nothing.
I bring my lips to Dorothea's cheek and revel in the softness of her skin. A short peck. Nothing more and nothing less. "You should stop worrying," I tell her with assurance. "You're fine for me just as you are. If anything it's me who's getting the better deal here."
Dorothea pouts. It's brief but adorable. "Stop it, you. Don't put yourself down," she says insistently. "I happen to think you're rather dashing. You're tall, and your wild black hair is lovely. Be nice to yourself."
"Only if you do the same, Dorothea. I didn't give my heart to you for your looks." Again I kiss her cheek with belief and compassion. "I'm here with you because of one important thing. The most special thing about you."
"And what might that be?"
"Who you are, of course."
The brunette falls quiet at my words. She looks to be a million miles away. For the longest time she doesn't say a thing. Here's hoping my shot at a supportive gesture didn't hurt her feelings. Some ladies are fragile. It only takes a small nudge to send them into a downward spiral.
Dorothea smiles warmly and frees hand from mine. "Okay then, Rolan..." To my surprise, she starts working open the buttons of her jacket. "In that case... I'll show you." A wink is what I'm given, and little else. "I'll let you see all I keep hidden. You've stayed true to me; I trust you."
If you trust me then why do you sound so nervous?
The first thing to go is Dorothea's jacket. Beneath it waits a simple black vest top with short sleeves. She lifts it away with a smirk, exposing the fullness of her chest to my sight. My blood warms and my breaths turn heavy. I shouldn't stare. I know that. But... goddess help me, she's amazing. Her skin is perfectly smooth, save a small but deep scar. It starts below her breasts and finishes just above her stomach.
Dorothea edges away from me. She stands in the middle of the room; the upper half of her clothing is all but gone.
She throws off her hat to reveal a trio of silver hairs mixed in with her brunette waves. They shine amidst the candlelight.
"Well?" The songstress closes the gap with a wiggle to her step. She coils her arms over my shoulders. "What do you think?" Her tone is laced with romance. Our noses touch. I feel the warmth of her breaths against my face. "Do you like what you see?"
"But of course." I slide one of my hands downward, trailing the tip of my finger along the length of Dorothea's scar. She shivers amidst the sensation; she's trembling. "You're as beautiful on the outside as you are the inside..."
"But my scar... And my hair..."
"Stop it. You're all I could ask for..." I quiet her fears with a loving and soulful embrace of our lips. She quakes in my arms; I hold her with all of the dedication I can muster. Our hands begin to wander. Our feelings heat and our passions flare. I want you, Dorothea. I-I want to make you happy. I want to show you that a woman with your kind heart and goddess-like beauty has nothing to fear.
The harder she kisses me, the harder I kiss back. The more sinful the place touches, the more I do the same. Beat for beat. Second by second. Heartbeat by heartbeat. Our instinct speaks for us. Button by button Dorothea brings my shirt undone. I moan into her; her fingers find their down by toned and clammy chest. She brings her body against mine; her full and ample breasts press against my chest. Our shared heat is unbelievable. Droplets of perspiration crawl down her the songstresses' forehead drip against my sizzling skin.
We part lips. We're panting. Our bodies shudder with longing.
I want more than I can have. Dorothea's scent makes me thirsty. I bite down on the corner of my lip and ball my hands into tight fists. I'm throbbing. I'm swelling. My head is light and the room is almost spinning. "W-We should stop," I rasp. "We keep this up and I'll lose control... We're not married and we're still students here."
"Not yet," responds Dorothea, "We're not married yet... But we will be someday. Rolan," she continues, clasping her palms over my cheeks. "This is why I came here... to find a man who'll love me for all I am, and I found someone; I found you. I'm not afraid..." With tearful eyes she caresses me; she pleads with me. "Stay beside me and I swear to you... I'll never leave. I'll stand by you no matter the struggles you face. I'll be yours... forever."
At last the picture is revealed to me. There's no room for doubt in my mind. Dorothea wishes to entwine her life with mine.
"Are you asking for my betrothal, Dorothea Arnault?"
She smiles with tenderness, "Yes. I think I am."
"Then you'll have it. I'll accept. I swear myself to you this day. My life is your life. My future is yours." I affirm my commitment with my lips against her glistening forehead. "Someday, once we're settled in Adrestia, we'll get married."
"In that case... I'm not afraid; I'll show you all I have." Dorothea edges back and releases the buckle holding her skirt in place. The garment falls from her curvy hips; she steps free of it, kicking it aside. Nothing but a pair of lacy black undergarments protect her modesty. Before I'm able to reach out and touch, however, the buckle of my belt is grabbed. "Not yet," she hums. "Be patient."
Before long we're tangled together, sprawled upon the linen sheets of Dorothea's plain single bed. I'm left wearing nothing but my shorts thanks to a playful attack on her part. I heave for breath. My beloved sits atop of me; she slinks her digits over my pectorals and down to my stomach. She intoxicates me with her seductive charms.
I can barely bring air into my lungs. I'll faint if she keeps teasing me like this. It's now (as my senses swirl) that Dorothea permits me to touch her underwear. They're damp with enjoyment. She moans loudly as pull aside the cotton. A smooth patch of womanly hair rewards my curiosity. A symbol of maturity I've long lusted after. The experiences I've enjoyed since joining the monastery have been so very different to innocent courtship back home.
There's no wonder the Knights of Seiros hide all of the racy reading material from the students here.
"I hope you don't think it's dirty," Dorothea says nervously. Her face burns a deep crimson. "Most of the noble girls drink potions to get rid of it... but I didn't want to. Too expensive, and they say it burns."
There's so much pressure among highborn circles to look pleasing. It's completely unfair.
I hadn't noticed Hilda making such a fuss over her body. Then again, she was probably too laid-back to care.
"Fear not... You're everything I'd hoped for." I stroke Dorothea's special place. She shivers. My fingers become slick as they brush the petals of her precious rosebud. The harder she pants the quicker I get. I'm going to make her feel nice if it's the last thing I do. She's done nothing but open her heart to me; she's eased my pain in some of my greatest times of need. I've gotta return the favor.
The bedside candle fizzles out. We're left in darkness. We have nothing but our senses to guide us. Which is fine by me.
"Oh- Oh goddess..." Dorothea cries out. Her entire body tenses and her voice trembles. Overwhelmed by the bliss of release, she slumps exhaustedly against my chest. I bring an arm around her waist. We cuddle in the dark and share clumsy kisses.
Dorothea paws at my shorts once she's gathered her composure. She purrs in my ear, pinching my earlobe with her teeth, "Your turn, darling."
I gently move Dorothea's hand aside. "It isn't about me tonight; I can wait." I have to show Dorothea how strongly my heart beats for her. I'm far from perfect, but she's taught me a valuable lesson. You cannot give your all to another if you cannot love yourself. I'm a commoner, but that doesn't mean I'm worthless. And that's exactly why I'll stay beside my wonderful Black Eagle. I'll make her feel good in both body and soul.
To say that I don't love Hilda would be a lie. But I know now where my future is.
Adrestia. At Dorothea's side.
She and I are so very alike.
"Awww... But I wanted to make you feel good too."
The brunette tries with renewed fire to tease and torment me. She slips her fingers beneath my shorts; she carefully strokes the tip of my sword. I take in a sharp breath and throw my head against the pillows. With every second my restraint slips further and further away. I-I can't resist. Bested, I close my eyes and enjoy Dorothea's gift. This is our first night of many together. And I'll treasure it. Even if things are far more... intense than I'm used to.
Dorothea silences my rasps with kisses. She works her wrist harder the louder I get. The air in the small bedroom is thick with pleasure. I-If she keeps this up I'll melt. "Let it out," she utters sensually in my ear. "Please? For me?"
I writhe against her touch and bite my lip in protest. "C-Careful... If you keep going..."
Dorothea gives an impassioned moan, "Exactly. I've never done this for a man before. You're the first. My only."
Her aroused admission tips me over the edge. She tugs my shorts down to free my manly prowess. White-hot flames claim me. My moan of release is stifled by my lover's lips. My essence spills over Dorothea's clammy palm. I-I've never felt so amazing.
"Was it nice?" Dorothea asks with a tender chuckle.
"Oh yes..."
"Wonderful." She lays her head against my chest, "You're heart's pounding."
"I wonder why," I snort with laughter.
My amusement tickles Dorothea. Giggling, she wipes her digits on the sheets. "Messy..."
"You insisted," I smirk. "My lady..."
Drenched in sweat and nearly as naked as the day we were born, we curl up and share one-another's warmth. I could get used to tranquillity like this. The ticking of the clock at the back of the room is soothing. Tomorrow will be a new day with new challenges. But so long as I can wake up beside Dorothea like this, I'll be the luckiest man in the world.
To be continued...
There you have it! Another chapter comes to a close. Did you like it? Would you like to see more in future? Feel free to leave some feedback and share your thoughts. As always, keep on supporting Fire Emblem and I'll see you in the next part. Thanks again!