Hey. Lucy here.
I just wanted to say that this chapter, and probably the next few, will be more of just some relaxed slice of life fluff to give everything some breathing room before the next big event.
Please enjoy.
… … …
Neia felt at peace.
She was resting.
Probably laying down on a bed.
The details didn't matter, all she knew was that she felt pleasant and relaxed.
A voice reached her ears, piercing the silence.
"Mommy?"
Neia did not know where it came from, or who it belonged to, but it was calling for her. She was desperate to reach out for it, and comfort its owner.
... But then, the young woman woke up.
Slowly opening her eyes, she searched around with both gaze and touch, but it seemed she was alone. Saddened by Satoru's absence, Neia instead started caressing her wedding ring for comfort. By the time she closed her eyes back up and shifted to a more comfortable position, the dream from earlier was already long gone from Neia's memory, replaced by longing for Satoru's warmth.
... ...
Now done with her morning routine, a fresh-feeling Neia was walking through the mansion, accompanied by the head maid, Emma. The two friends were chatting about whatever came to mind, not rushing in the slightest. The opposite, in fact. They walked far slower than one would expect, stopping to look out the windows or talk to any other servants and guards they passed on the way. They had plenty of time to do so, and simply use their stops as an excuse to enjoy conversation.
"... what about gardening, Your Holiness?"
"Ah, gardening... honestly, I'm not sure. I've never really tried it, but I do like nature! There is this one absolutely breath-taking field of flowers that darling took me to see a few times... Hmm, maybe we could work on a small garden together?"
"Seems like a nice activity for a couple."
"Yes, I think it does."
"In that case, I'll have everyone prepare some reading materials for you."
"Thank you, Emma."
As she was about to move on to another topic, Neia's keen hearing picked up a conversation coming from somewhere behind the corner they just turned.
Neia could not tell what the talk was about, but recognised the voices as belonging to the bafolk paladin Adren, and also Linda, a strong-willed woman who rose through the ranks of the order quickly. The latter was laughing along happily, which made Neia smile. She was happy the integration of the demi-human was showing signs of going well.
This train of thought led her to the demi-human children at the orphanage here in Hoburns. She should probably visit that place again soon… she deeply enjoyed the presence of children.
But as she was getting lost in thought, the two arrived at their destination. Neia knocked thrice before speaking.
"Mom?"
The voice she expected could be heard from behind the door.
"Come in!"
As Neia opened the door, she saw Sofia getting off the bed, leaving on it a closed book.
"Hello sweetheart!"
"Hey mom. How have you been?"
"I've had yet another very pleasant morning."
The two started hugging as they spoke.
"I can say the same. Though it is unfortunate darling couldn't stay overnight."
"Oh, I'm sorry about that, sweetheart."
"It's okay. I mean, I shouldn't be too clingy."
They each pulled away.
"Well, doesn't that just depend on him? Maybe he likes clingy."
Neia felt a blush starting to redden her cheeks. There was something romantic about being so in love she could not handle them ever being separated, and Satoru loving her back to the point he'd happily have her by his side for every moment of every day.
But those were just some romantic fantasies. She knew that in reality, loving partners did not normally require, or even wish for each other's attention at all times.
"... maybe we should talk as we go? Assuming you didn't change your mind."
"Not at all!"
... ...
Satoru was sitting down on the ground next to Albedo, who was looking around very carefully.
They were in the Field of Flowers, on the 6th Floor of Nazarick. Earlier, he asked Albedo to look around and tell him what she sees. She was very confused at first, worried about displeasing him due to not understanding the full scope of the task, so he explained that he meant it in a sort of less literal way. He wanted to hear what this specific place meant to her.
The succubus accepted of course, granting him some time to rest and not have to focus on conversing with her. But he felt that enough time had probably passed by now, and so he slowly turned to her, and spoke in a relaxed manner.
"... do you have an answer now… my love?"
Albedo's gaze shifted over to him with some unease.
"Well... when I look around, I see the creation of the Supreme Beings. Everything here signifies your collective great power, as well your personal glory and wisdom as their leader."
Satoru stared into her eyes for a brief moment, before turning to look out at the flowerfield. He could not know why exactly she answered the way she did, and what thought process led her there, but it was somewhat interesting nonetheless. It seemed this was what most of the denizens had to say about any given corner of the Tomb.
"... Uhm, my dear husband?"
"Hm? What is it?"
"Was my answer satisfactory?"
"Oh, sorry. I suppose my thoughts are wandering elsewhere... it's all got me thinking a lot, you see. But yes, your answer was satisfactory. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, it was just simple curiosity at what you might say that made me ask."
"I see."
Looking around him one more time before it was probably time to get up and continue on with the date, he wondered what his own answer would be.
What did he see when he looked around in this place?
Not long after, it came to him. He saw a place of personal significance. A place his dear friends built together. He saw that whole conversation, the result of which was keeping this place free of traps...
And he saw those few times he took Neia here.
Shaking his head to clear his mind of those memories, he got up, and offered his hand to Albedo.
"Perhaps it's time we move on, love?"
The succubus let him help her up with a blush, and a few happy flaps of her black wings. This was something he used to not really notice, but due to Neia, he now was someone who instinctively paid attention to wings as part of body language.
Something about that made him uncomfortable, in a way.
It reminded him that in certain aspects, Albedo and his beloved Neia were exactly alike.
... ...
"Hit."
The volume of Neia's speech was louder than normal conversation, but quieter than shouting. Just as she announced this, her fencing partner relaxed, and took a calm step back.
Both were wearing a gambeson, and some steel plate over the joints and other troublesome areas, like the head. Because of this, and the use of dull wooden swords, being grazed like just now didn't hurt at all, and even the more direct strikes were not something she flinched at. Her mother, who Neia found a rather insurmountable opponent, seemed to take hits even better.
After breathing in and out a few times to regain focus and relax her body, the young woman spoke again.
"... okay, one more exchange I think. I'm starting to get a bit exhausted."
Neia wanted to ensure she still had plenty energy left in preparation for spending the rest of the day with Satoru.
"Okay... I'm ready!"
With those words, Sofia assumed a Fool's Guard, a stance where the sword was held in both hands with its tip low to the ground, making Neia groan internally.
It was not a stance she liked dealing with, especially with her mother's speed. Forming a quick plan, she started out in a stance similar to Sofia's, with the only difference being that her sword's tip was pointed higher, the blade parallel with the earth.
She then started off approaching slowly, proper footwork and all. But upon getting close, she quickly stepped in as fast as she could. Sofia was caught off guard and did the most simple thing one could, raising her sword to thrust into her daughter's abdomen. Thankfully for Neia, this is exactly as she predicted, and by the time Sofia started thrusting, she was already parrying and releasing one hand from the sword's grip. Now that Sofia's strike was deflected, Neia simply continued moving closer, until she was able to push with her free hand. Her mother just barely lost balance, causing her to stumble backward, which Neia exploited for a sly hit.
After the exchange was done, the two simply stood there to rest for just a few seconds.
"Great job, sweetheart. I see the strength of an angel is something I should always keep in mind."
Neia smiled at her mother's prideful words as they both started removing their helmets.
"Thank you, mom."
They stood in silence, wiping away the sweat on their faces and otherwise simply resting for a few more moments.
"So... I suppose you won't be taking your bath right away, unlike me?"
"Ah, yes."
Neia blushed, realising she sort of just admitted that she'll be bathing together with Satoru later.
"B-but uhm... I'm getting thirsty! Emma?"
The maid, who always remained near the pair in case she was needed, bent down to open the medium-sized leather bag resting on the ground. Out of it, she pulled two things. A plain waterskin, and a ceramic bottle beautifully decorated with intricate, colourful patterns.
Emma walked over to them and handed the former to Sofia, and the latter to Neia.
Her mother's drink of choice for today was the usual; some slightly sweetened tea. Neia's bottle was filled with ice-cold Nazarick-made coffee, which was of course absolutely delicious.
They rested and sipped on their respective beverages for some time. It has been a while since she physically exerted herself this much.
… Well, some nights with Satoru were indeed a workout, but sparring like this was still a good bit more demanding.
"... mom, Emma, I suppose I'll be contacting my beloved now."
"Oh, of course sweetheart."
With a quick wave and another sip of the coffee, Neia started walking further back. When feeling far enough, she used [Message].
"Darling? It's me, Neia."
"Hello, gorgeous. Are you ready for me to come pick you up?"
Getting to talk to him instantly cheered her up, and made her wings flap several times.
"Yes! I just got done sparring with mom. When can I expect you?"
"I finished my work already, so I can arrive anytime."
"Ah, okay! I'll go to my room right away!"
"Are you sure you don't need to rest up for a bit first? I assume you might be a bit tired, right?"
"I made sure I'd still have plenty of energy for our time together, so I'm fine."
"Hm. Then I suppose I can teleport over right now?"
"Yes!"
"Alright. See you in a bit, love."
"Yes! I love you!"
"I love you too."
It then took a few seconds for Satoru to sever the connection. Neia did not usually do so herself, as she feared rudely and awkwardly cutting off her beloved husband in case he had something else to say unexpectedly. The delay from just now made her wonder if he felt the same. With another sip, Neia went back to the two women waiting for her to finish.
"Hey! It's time for me to go now. Darling is waiting for me."
"Of course sweetheart. Have a fun time, and send Ainz my regards!"
"I will!"
Emma seemed to stop for a moment before bowing.
"I hope you'll both have fun."
Neia would normally not pay much attention to something like that, but it was very unusual coming from her head maid, a woman who never seemed to hesitate.
"Emma? Did you want to say something?"
"Well... I suppose it would be too rude to send my regards along as well?"
"Rude? Oh, not at all! You shouldn't be so overly cautious, you're my dear friend!"
"Thank you, Your Holiness."
Neia offered a smile and a wave as she started walking off.
"Goodbye for now!"
...
Neia felt her heart beating faster as she neared her bedroom door, knowing Satoru was already waiting for her inside. When it came into view after turning the corner, she sipped on her coffee one last time before sealing it.
Now in front of the door, Neia opened it slowly, and indeed saw her husband waiting inside, in his usual skeletal form. But something made her freeze in the doorway.
"Hello, Neia. Do you like my outfit?"
Satoru was wearing some sort of thick, black, long-sleeved shirt of a foreign style. All of the cloth's edges were hemmed, and decorated with a brightly gleaming golden thread. The buttons were made of equally beautiful gold, and the placket was positioned significantly further to the right.
His pants were dark grey, with silver and golden patterns running along most of their length. The shoes were pure black, and did not shine at all, seemingly absorbing almost all light.
It took her a few blinks before she finally managed to answer, now blushing and unconsciously moving her wings in a repetitive motion.
"Y-you look lovely, darling!"
A happy, short chuckle escaped his non-existent throat.
"Thank you, Neia. And you look as gorgeous as always."
He then slowly started walking towards her, most likely hoping for a hug and kiss.
"W-wait! Just a moment, darling!"
Neia quickly turned and ran over to one of her drawer chests, setting her helmet and bottle of coffee on top of it. Opening the perfume drawer, she quickly grabbed a bottle and sprayed the scent on most of herself. After that, she quickly went back over to Satoru.
"Sorry darling, I probably reek of sweat..."
"It's alright, love. We're going to bathe in just a moment anyway."
"Well... even then, I shouldn't smell bad when in the presence of my husband..."
"You worry too much. So, do you want to hug now?"
"Yes please!"
…
Hello. I hope you enjoyed the chapter! The next part will start right where this one left off.
In the meantime, here's another promo.
Behind Each Smile, by Nihilum
This one is very different from everything else I've recommended and will recommend. It's an original work, a dystopian sci-fi novel that's heavy on action. You'll be led through a story full of different factions and characters, each with their own goals and methods to achieve it, all tangled up in one messy conflict.
Summary: "We follow a group of mercenaries in a Europe ravaged by the Last Great War. These heroes are Unknowns, people who have lost their identity during this conflict, or were born without one. Most of them become mercenaries with nothing else to lose, working for the various factions that have risen from the world's ashes. We follow the Grinning Devil and Khutulun, two Unknowns, in their journey to bring a child, Evelyne, from Europe all the way to Japan. We shall explore a new world where Nations are replaced by Poleis, and Humans by Machine, though some of them have taken a different approach. A world where evil and good is just a question of perspective and where being alive makes right. I welcome you to the World of 2062, may it be kind to you, for it has not been on others."