.
Time was a fascinating thing. Sometimes it went by really fast, sometimes really slow.
And even if he couldn´t explain why, Bell had the feeling that time went slow like honey when something bad or embarrassing happened.
Or when his Mom caught him doing something she didn't think he should do
He didn´t hear how his door got opened, Bell was too focussed on Haruhime´s soft lips on his mouth, her warm body pressed against his...and Lefiya´s wonderful body snuggled up to them, while she kissed Haruhime´s neck.
This picture saw Alfia when she learned that Bell was indeed in love. Not with one girl, but with two.
For Alfia this picture was pure horror. An image from the past came up in her mind again. At first she saw Bell in a cute bunny pyjama, while a hungry fox and a thirsty fairy tried to lure him towards them. Then he saw Bell lying in a bed with a smug grin, both girls in his arms. What also scared her was the fact that Haruhime´s tails were wrapped around them, so she couldn´t see where exactly all the hands were...
And then she did something very uncharacteristic of her.
.
.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!"
.
.
Bell, Lefiya and Haruhime reacted in the same way to Alfia´s scream. They startled, their eyes darted to the source of the scream, widening in terror, then the three young people hastily jumped away from each other.
Out of instinct, Haruhime and Lefiya checked if their clothes sat properly, which was thankfully the case.
"M-Mom?!"
"Lady Alfia?!"
"Bell´s mother?!"
Alfia´s expression went dark, she growled. "What are you three doing here?!"
"M-Mom, this is..ahm...I..."
Alfia´s eyes wandered to Haruhime. "You...sly...fox..."
Haruhime gulped, but she didn´t move away from Bell´s side. "I love Bell, lady Alfia, and Lefiya. From the bottom of my heart. And today I told him that, I don´t regret that."
Now Alfia´s eyes wandered to Lefiya. "And you...you were so nice and polite in the city...but to think you were after my son too..."
Lefiya went a bit red, this wasn´t how she imagined to talk to Bell´s mother after confessing to him. "Please don´t call it like that.. I l-l-love Bell and Haruhime."
"And I love both of them too, Mom."
Alfia had no words, she really didn´t know what to say. On one hand it was good that Bell found someone, on the other hand...she was very overprotective...and it were two girls. She had started to prepare herself for one girl in the future, maybe Haruhime.
But two! Two! Maybe they were even more? Like three or four?! What about Lily? And the two girls that came fromt he Apollo familia?! A living nightmare was unfolding in front of Alfia.
He isn´t trying to build a harem, is he?! ZEUUUUUUS! WHAT DID YOU DO WITH MY BABY?!
"I want to talk to you two."
Alfia stared at Haruhime and Lefiya.
"Mom, I-"
"No, Bell. This is a talk between women."
"Ahm.."
Haruhime looked at first at Lefiya, who nodded with a serious face, then at Bell.
"Bell, this is something we have to do and that we want to do."
"But..."
Lefiya shook her head. "It is important for us, she is your mother."
"Okay..."
Bell could only watch how Haruhime and Lefiya followed Alfia out of the room.
This was...pretty awkward.
.
.
"Hah...that didn´t went as expected..."
Bell felt like someone had poured ice cold water over him. His heart had been pounding like crazy as the three of them confessed their love to each other...and kissing afterwards...it was wonderful.
Bell was still in a high spirits. But when Alfia came in...
Argh...Mom! Why couldn't you come in a few minutes later?!
It wasn't like they went any further, but Bell had imagined his first kiss to be somehow...more private.
And then his mother had "abducted" his two loved ones.
"What do I do now..."
Bell walked back and forth in his room, but he had no idea. A movement down in the garden caught his attention when he passed the window, it was Welf.
"Maybe he has an idea."
So Bell left his room and went down, he knew where Welf was going, to the small forge that was built there. When he came closer, Bell heard noises from the inside, maybe Welf was cleaning up.
He knocked loud at the door that was halfway open. "Welf?"
"Bell? Come in."
Bell went inside and saw that Welf indeed was cleaning up the forge. It wasn´t dirty to begin with, but Welf took one tool after the other, cleaned them again, oiled them, polished them and then he hung them up again. Welf always took good care of his tools, when he took a day off from forging something.
"Do you need any help?"
"Nah, I´m good. What brings you here?"
"Hah...I..."
Welf looked at Bell. "Oy, Oy. What happened? You look like a bunny that was left in the rain or had it´s favorite snack taken away from it."
"The thing is..."
Bell started to explain to Welf what happened on that day so far. At some point, Welf got big eyes, looked baffled and then he looked sympathetically at Bell.
"Oh man, brother. You really had a hard day, hm? Fighting all that. I wondered when you and Haruhime would finally be honest with each other."
"What do you mean?"
"Everyone could see that you two have the hots for each other."
"Really?!"
"Yeah, we talked if we should make a bet when it finally happens."
"It was that obvious?"
"Absolutely."
"Auuu..."
"And to think you would be so greedy. Not only your pretty fox, but also that elf that helped us."
"I am not greedy..."
"Hah! Most men dream to get a girlfriend at some point in their lifetime. And here you are wanting to have two! And to think that both of them love you! Not only you but also each other! You have something really precious there, brother."
"Please don´t let it sound like I won a prize."
Welf smiled and put a hand on Bell´s shoulder. "You won the biggest prize there is. And I don´t mean them as a prize, but that you got someone you love and they love you in return. There isn´t something more precious. Except maybe becoming the greatest smith ever and having a woman at your side that is also a master smith!"
Bell chuckled. "Like a red haired goddess?"
"If possible!"
Welf grinned and winked. "But to think you couldn´t choose between a Renard and an elf, so you took both...you sound almost like the stories about the old god Zeus."
When Bell heard the name of his grandfather mentioned, something clicked in his head. He had to write a letter to him! Bell had to tell him about that! Maybe Zeus had a few tips for him.
Then Welf sighed. "But man, you sure are unlucky. You got your first kiss with two stunning beauties...and your Mom walked in. That´s not even bad luck anymore, that´s something worse. And then she dragged them away. Oh boy...I heard the first meeting of the girlfriend and the mother is always harsh...but with these circumstances...uff."
"Welf...this isn´t helping..."
"What do you expect me to say? I don´t even have a girlfriend!"
"I thought you have a crush on lady Hephaistos?"
"Of course I do! But that doesn´t mean we are a couple! I swore an oath to forge something that she and I would call a master piece first!"
"What about my shield?"
"Ah, your shield was awesome, but not a master piece. If I were already level two and had the master smith ability, that shield would´ve been more awesome."
"And the other things?"
"Not what I would call a master piece."
"Hm."
"Anyway, back to the topic. Your girlfriends are currently talking with your Mom. I can´t even imagine how she interrogates them."
"Interrogate?!"
"Bell, we´re talking about your Mom here. I have high respect...or rather I really fear her...but she is probably the most overprotective mother I´ve ever seen. Which isn´t that bad...except maybe for the girl or girls that are interested in you."
"Uuuuh..."
"Hehe, heads up, you have two fine, young ladies at your side now. Haruhime sees you as her hero, I doubt she is willing to let you go. And I heard a bit about elves, when they find their one love, they will stick to it, forever. Even when you three are young and filled with love, I doubt it just happened on a whim."
"You talk like you´re much older."
"Hey, I´m basically the big brother here."
"True."
"Maybe you could get a tip from lord Miach? He looks like a man who has broken many hearts. Even the middle aged women are all over him, while he has only eyes for Nahza, maybe he can find a way to calm down your Mo-"
"Did you just call me middle aged?"
The temperature inside the forge suddenly went past the freezing point. And yet Welf started to sweat very much when he heard Alfia´s voice behind him.
Bell whirled around, he didn´t hear Alfia approaching.
"Mom?!"
"Bell, come with me. Welf...we two will talk later a bit..."
"I-I-I didn´t mean it like that!"
Alfia just glared at him and went outside.
Welf looked like all strength left his body.
Bell was torn, he would like to comfort Welf a bit, but he had to follow Alfia. He was afraid why the talk went over so fast.
.
.
Alfia led Bell back to his room.
"Mom?"
"Please wait until we are there."
"Okay..."
"You are not much in trouble, don´t worry."
"Not much?!"
"Don´t shout."
"Sorry..."
"Don´t try your sad bunny act."
"I´m not trying anything!"
"Yes you do, you always do it subconsciously. Your grandfather taught you that."
"Mom, I..."
Alfia opened Bell´s door, Haruhime and Lefiya were inside his room. She noticed how the faces of all three lit up as soon as they saw each other again.
"I spoke extensively with the two and we came to an agreement."
"And what would that be?"
Alfia sighed. "I'll be honest, I'm not happy I found out that way. And I'm sorry for interrupting you in that way. Lefiya and Haruhime made me a promise that they don't want to take advantage of you and will prove to me that they really love you and you can grow into a meaningful relationship."
Bell frowned slightly. "But Mom, they don´t have to prove anything to me."
"But to me."
"Mom, this isn´t fair."
"Bell, this is something we have to do and we want to do." Lefiya smiled slightly.
Haruhime nodded. "It is important to us."
"But.."
Alfia sighed. "But...But...But... Did I raise you like this? Stop babbling like that! Imagine yourself in their places. At some point in your life and re...rel...whatever, at some point you will probably meet Lefiya´s family. They are elves, what do you expect will they think about you? Tell me honestly you don´t plan to prove to them that you are a perfect partner for Lefiya? I know that Haruhime thinks the same."
Alfia was considerate enough to not mention Haruhime´s family.
She saw that Bell puffed his chest a bit. "I understand."
"Good. I will now leave you alone, it should soon be time for Lefiya to go home, her familia will be worried."
Alfia´s eyes told Bell everything. She expected them to behave and not do anything naughty too soon. In a way, Alfia saw Lefiya and Haruhime like she saw Bell´s father. She couldn´t help but doing that, she didn´t hate them...but she feared they would steal the purity of her precious son.
When Alfia left, she closed the door behind her.
Silence followed for a moment.
All three fidgeted a bit and blushed slightly. They had just confessed to each other and had their first kisses...and now they felt really shy because of that.
Bell scratched his cheek with his index finger. "I guess you could say...it was a good day after all?"
Haruhime and Lefiya didn´t know what to say, but then they started to chuckle slightly. After a few moments, all three laughed. For some reason they laughed so much that they started to cry a bit.
Bell grinned while he shivered from happiness. "I can´t tell you how happy I am right now."
He saw that Lefiya´s ear tips were red. "Me too."
Haruhime´s tails moved in different directions. "Mmh..to think I was so daring...hauuu..."
"Haruhime?"
She hid her face behind her hands, after the talk with Alfia and calming down a bit, Haruhime realised that she basically threw herself at Bell.
Lefiya smiled a bit abashed. "I don´t think it is something that bad."
The elf looked to the clock in Bell´s room. "I think I should really go home now, not that my familia will get worried."
"Shall we walk you home?"
Lefiya shook her head. "No, it´s okay."
Then Bell looked to his desk, where two wooden boxes lay.
"There is something I want to give to you two."
"Oh?"
"And what?"
Bell walked to the table, took a deep breath and picked up the two boxes.
"I ahm...to be honest...I bought this a while ago. I never knew how to say it or give it to you...but everything turned out alright so...h-here. I couldn't decide which of the two to give to which of you, so I wanted to let you decide.
Bell put the boxes down on his bed and let the two open them.
They had the same reaction.
"What?!"
"Bell?!"
Lefiya and Haruhime looked shocked at the phoenix feathers that lay inside the boxes, then at Bell. He got quite red.
"I ahm...I just thought they would fit you two..."
Lefiya´s ears were deep red again, Haruhime´s twitched into various direction.
"B-Bell, do you know what a phoenix feather as a gift means?!"
"I am aware of that."
Haruhime looked like she was in a dream. "I´ve read about this in a story. Auu...I always dreamed about getting such a gift..."
She looked at Bell as if her love for him skyrocketed and she wanted to kiss him more.
"I am glad that you like them."
Lefiya looked at the red feather, then at Haruhime.
"May I?"
"Mhm." Haruhime lowered her head a bit.
Lefiya picked up the red feather and put it carefully halfway behind Haruhime´s right ear.
"It really suits you, the color matches your kimono."
Haruhime smiled shyly. "Thank you for choosing for me."
"Oh eh...would you´ve liked the blue one more?"
"Mh-mh. I think the blue one suits you, may I?"
"S-Sure. But please be careful, my ears are sensitive."
Haruhime carefully took the blue feather and put it carefully in Lefiya´s hair at her left ear.
"You look really pretty with it."
"Thank you."
Both girls smiled at each other, then Haruhime couldn´t resist, she moved her face closer to Lefiya, who also leaned a bit forward and they met in a soft kiss.
Both smiled happy and abashed after the kiss, then they turned to Bell.
Haruhime gently stroked the feather. "I will cheerish this feather for all my life."
Lefiya nodded. "As will I."
Haruhime looked at Bell with a longing gaze, she hoped to get something else too. After her first very forward kiss, Haruhime now closed her eyes and waited for something. Bell gently put his hands on her shoulders, moved a bit closer and kissed her gently. For Lefiya this sight was really precious and her heart got warm. She heard how Haruhime sighed from happiness and saw how Bell´s hands just tightened a tiny little bit, as if he wanted to hold Haruhime forever. Without noticing it, Lefiya slightly bit her lower lip. She thought she shouldn´t feel like that as an elf, but she loved to watch her lovers kiss...and she wanted it too.
"Bell..." Lefiya got ashamed that she nearly whimpered his name...but she really wanted to kiss him.
I´m a lewd elf...
Haruhime´s face was pure bliss when Bell separated his lips from her. And then...to her great shame...Lefiya did as Haruhime did before. She moved fast, put her hands on Bell´s chest and gave him a more passionate kiss than the first one she had with him, the feather made her insanely happy, Haruhime noticed how Lefiya´s left leg curled up until the sole of her foot pointed upwards.
Lefiya sighed, it felt just great, even more when Bell put his arms gently around her. She felt protected, safe and loved.
Kissing felt great.
After they were finally able to let each other go, Bell and Haruhime walked Lefiya to the gate that was the entrance to the grounds of the Miach Familia.
"S-So...I´m going now..."
"Stay safe.."
"Will we...see you tomorrow?"
Lefiya nodded with a red face and ears...somehow she couldn´t look into their eyes. A goodbye kiss was out of question, not here in public.
She waved shily, then Haruhime and Bell watched her go until she vanished out of sight.
"Your kimono really suits her."
"I agree."
They glanced at each other, then they too got red again. Haruhime rememberred Lefiya´s abashed face when she told her that a kimono like that is normally worn without underwear. There was no way she could do that.
.
.
When they got inside again, Mikoto walked past them by chance. Perception was something very important for a ninja and this ninja instantly froze when she saw them.
"Mikoto?"
"Is something wrong?"
Mikoto´s mouth opened wide, but she didn´t make a noise, her eyes shot down.
Bell and Haruhime tilted their heads in confusion, then they too glanced down. And noticed...they were holding hands. It happened without them noticing it.
"Oh!"
"Ah!"
Mikoto immediatelly looked at her very red friend and Bell, her mouth opened more.
"C-C-Congratulation you twooo!" Mikoto bowed down hastily, her brain was overloaded instantly.
"M-Mikoto?!"
"Ms. Mikoto?!"
They saw that Mikoto´s eyes were spinning. "W-W-We need to talk to Chigusa! Now!"
"Eeeh?"
Bell could only watch how the heavily confused Mikoto dragged Haruhime away.
Not even two minutes later sat Haruhime at a table in the part that belonged to the Takemikazuchi familia, in Chigusa´s room. By chance, Chigusa had already made tea and now all three sat on their legs around the table, a cup of tea in front of all of them.
"So."
"So."
"So?..."
"H-Haruhime, what was it that I just saw?!"
Chigusa looked really eager. "I want to know too!"
"It just...happened..."
"What do you mean happened?! You two were holding hands! This Mikoto saw it with her own eyes!"
"Holding hands?!" Chigusa clapped her hands in front of her mouth.
"Hauu...I´m a naughty fox..." Haruhime tried to hide her face behind her hands.
"D-Does that mean you and Sir Bell are...are..."
Chigusa finished Mikoto´s sentence. "A couple?!"
Both far eastern girls got as red as Haruhime.
"W-We are..."
"Hiiii!"
"Auuuu!"
"And...Lefiya...too..."
"What?!"
"Huh?!"
Haruhime slowly started to explain what happened. She played nervously with one of her tails, looked more down to her cup than at her two friends.
Both had noticed that Haruhime and Lefiya were really friendly with each other, but not that there was so much between them.
"So, Haruhime. You l-love them both?"
"I do..."
In a way it wasn´t that shocking for Mikoto and Chigusa. In the far east it was quite common that a mighty man had more than one wife. Also, it indeed happened that two women fell in love with each other. Mikoto had read more than one ninja or samurai story that had romance in it. Chigusa read them too.
And the books from the mysterious author "Z.", featured mostly blooming love between a mistress and her personal ninja or samurai.
"And how d-"
Mikoto got interrupted when the door got pushed open by an amazon.
"Stoooop it right there!"
Mikoto, Haruhime and Chigusa startled when Lena barged into the room.
"You can´t have a girls talk without me! And your big sister of course!"
Aisha followed Lena into the room with more dignity. "You really intended to have this talk without me?"
"Aisha?! Lena?! How do you know about that?"
Lena smirked. "When it comes to love and girls talk, I have better ears than any elf in the city! I heard that Mikoto here kidnapped you and immediatelly went to get Aisha!"
"Kidnapped?! I didn´t kidnap Haruhime!"
"But you dragged her away, hah I can really understand you."
Aisha bonked Lena lightly on the head. "Not so loud, Lena. You know the far eastern girls don´t like it too loud."
"Woops, sorry, got a bit carried away."
Lena and Aisha had wiped their feet before they went here, now both sat down carefully at the table, Lena next to Chigusa. Despite Chigusa being such a shy girl, she got along very well with Lena. It was as if the young amazon managed to pull Chigusa out of her shell.
Aisha sat down on Haruhime´s left side, with Mikoto on Haruhime´s right.
The adult amazon grinned and patted Haruhime´s head. "So you really did it, little sister. You got yourself your personal hero. And not only that, you also managed to catch an elf too! You sure are a greedy, lewd fox."
"Aisha...mouh...don´t call it that."
But Aisha couldn´t stop herself from teasing Haruhime a bit. "Aw, come on. I can see that your two childhood friends also are reeeaaaally curious. I bet they didn´t know that you are also into women, heck I didn´t even know that! I mean it somehow makes sense I guess, you lived surrounded by women and never touched a man."
"Aisha..I´m not "into women". It is...just..."
"Just her?"
"Mh." Haruhime nodded.
Mikoto and Chigusa got more red and fidgeted.
"Hm, can´t blame you I guess, elves do have something on them, but most of them are just fun to tease. Hah, so you really are so pure that you manage to get your hero and also have an elf fall in love with you. I never heard about an elf with more than one partner. Or could it be that you´re so curious now that your hero isn´t enough for you?"
"Aisha! Stop saying these lewd and naughty things! I love Bell and Lefiya from the bottom of my heart! There is nothing naughty to it!"
"Oh my~~"
"Mmmmmh!"
Haruhime got red after her outburst.
Lena grinned. "Can´t blame you, while I have only eyes for my hubby and prefer men, loving a woman has its own kick to it."
Aisha snorted. "As if you have any experience with women."
"I do in fact."
"Oh?"
"Shina and I were a bit bored one day since no customer came and curious."
Aisha raised her eyebrows. "You did it with Shina?"
"Jup, elves really are something else. But it was only that one time."
Shina was the elf that worked in the pleasure quarter, non of them knew what became of her after it got destroyed. Aisha noticed how embarrassed Chigusa, Mikoto and Haruhime were when they heard that.
"Let´s talk about that another time, Lena. These three here are not ready for this kind of talk. So, Haruhime, tell us how that all happened, hm? I mean how did you get to know that elf and how did you fall for each other?"
"Do I really have to?"
Chigusa and Mikoto nodded eagerly.
Lena´s eyes shone. "You absolutely have to!"
So Haruhime started to tell them the story, when she first ran into Lefiya by chance after her fight with Aisha, the incident with the unicorn and all the other things that happened. And she told them everything about Bell.
"Haaah~~~ so romantic! I should go on quests with Bete Loga too! Thank you for the tip, Haru-Haru!"
Haruhime saw that Mikoto and Chigusa smiled happy.
"I am really happy for you, Haruhime!"
"As am I! That was soooo romantic!"
And then Aisha grinned naughty again. "So...have you kissed them already? And what is it with the feather in your hair?"
All of them saw how Haruhime got deep red, steam rose from her head...then she nodded.
Chigusa and Mikoto made the same noise. ""Kyaaa~~~!""
Lena cheered for her and Aisha looked pleased.
"Now...tell us all about it."
"Mmmh...okay..."
While she told the whole story, even Aisha couldn´t deny that it was really sweet.
Not only Haruhime was busy at the moment. Bell didn´t know what to do exactly, so he went to Welf again, to his surprise, Luan was also there. The young prum was also very interested, mostly so that he could figure out how to win Lily´s heart.
.
.
And in the home of the Astrea familia, happened something that should never again happen.
"Pffft!"
"Eeek! Alise!"
Alise couldn´t control herself when Lefiya walked into the living room. Thankfully she was only drinking water right now...Ryu still got most of it on her face and clothes. Alise wasn´t the only one that reacted in such a manner. Kaguya nearly choked on her tea, Filvis jumped up to her feet, a shocked expression on her face. Lyra and Neze were about to eat some snacks, but let them fall down.
The various members reacted in different ways.
Astrea clapped her hands over her mouth, while she had seen Lefiya with her mirror kissing her loved ones, she didn´t saw that her hair was shorter now, also Riveria didn´t give them all the details so that the familia wouldn´t be too worried. "Lefiya! What happened?!"
"And why are you wearing a kimono?!"
"Uäh...I´ll go and wash myself..." Ryu looked very unpleased.
"Oh yeah, sorry Lion."
"Mh..."
The unhappy Ryu went out of the living room towards the bathroom, but nobody paid real attention to her.
Filvis didn´t wait for Lefiya to sit down, she went to her little sister and put her trembling hands on her shoulders. "L-Lefi, what happened?! Are you hurt?!"
"I´m not hurt, don´t worry I´m fine."
"But your hair...what happened to your clothes?"
"I will explain it, everything is fine, really."
"Mh..."
Filvis was too worried to leave Lefiya´s side, both sat down on a small couch, close to Astrea.
"Lady Astrea?"
"Yes?"
"Lady Riveria was already here, right?"
"Yes she was, she explained to me, Alise, Kaguya and Ryu what happened, also a few other things."
"So I´m allowed to tell everything to everyone?"
"Of course."
Lyra raised her hand. "First I need to know why did you cut your hair? Is this what they call character development?"
"No, it wasn´t me. Bell severed my hair with his sword."
"""""WHAT?!""""""
Filvis´ eyes shone. "Kill! I must kill!"
Lefiya took her hand and squeezed it gently. "No, Filvis. Bell did that to save my life."
"What?! How?!"
Lefiya started to explain about the quest.
Laurier raised her hand. "So you saw them and just decided to go with them? To help them?"
"I did and why not?"
Most members of the familia went quiet when they saw how Lefiya smiled sheepishly.
Astrea folded her hands in her lap. "Please continue, Lefiya."
"Yes."
So Lefiya explained everything, except for the small moments between her, Bell and Haruhime. The others went quiet for a different reason soon, there was nothing funny about monsters in the sewers.
"And that was when we parted from lady Riveria and went back to the guild."
Filvis put her arms around Lefiya and pulled her closer, to protect her little sister. "You poor thing..."
"It´s okay, really."
Astrea sighed. "I´m just glad that you´re save. I have to thank Bell for saving you from the monster."
Alise frowned. "That mage in the black robe...is that the same person that came to us after "that"?"
"I guess, maybe I should talk to Ouranos."
Ryu still looked worried. "And when you were finished at the guild, you went with them to get new clothes? Why didn´t you come home?"
"I...had my reasons, also since lady Riveria was coming here, I didn´t want to interrupt."
Neze leaned a bit forward. "Even when you were healed, the monsters got you good."
"Hm?"
Neze pointed at her neck. "You have a bruise there."
"Mmh!" Lefiya hastily covered that spot with her hand and blushed. "O-Oh...I didn´t notice that."
The mood changed immediatelly. Lyra, Kaguya and Alise looked at each other, then they started to smirk.
"Lefiiii."
"Hm?"
Kaguya joined Alise. "Saaaay."
"Huh?"
Lyra showed a smug grin. "That´s not a bruise...riiiiight?"
"I don´t know what you´re talking about!"
"Hooo, don´t play dumb. We have seen a hickey on Iska´s neck before...and this looks reeeaaaaally similar."
Filvis immediatelly went stiff. "Did he do that?! Did Bell Cranel attack you when you were weak?!"
"N-No...it isn´t like that."
The three members of the teasing squad moved closer, Filvis tried to shield Lefiya.
Astrea knocked on her table. "Girls."
"""Mouh..."""
"Lefiya, I´m just glad that you are save. If there is nothing else that you really want to tell us, it´s okay."
"Mh."
"Alise?"
"Jup?"
"I would like to talk to Bell and Haruhime tomorrow, can you get them in the morning?"
"Alright."
Lefiya glanced to Astrea, the goddess showed her a very slight smile.
"Lefiya, your clothes are mostly ruined, right?"
"Yes, nearly completely."
"Such a shame."
Lefiya glanced to Iska. "Ms. Iska?"
"Yes?"
Lefiya turned her head slightly. "This doesnt really look good...could you cut it for me?"
Most of the elves in the familia looked shocked, especially Filvis.
"L-Lefiya, I can do that if you want."
"Filvis, thank you. But...do you know how to cut hair?"
"No..."
Iksa looked incredibly happy. "You really trust me with your hair?!"
"Yes...but please be careful."
"I will!"
Since everyone wanted to see that for different reasons, everyone was watching how Iska carefully and gently cut Lefiya´s hair. She didn´t cut much of it, just enough to that it looked fine.
"Wow...Lefi with short hair."
"Not even reaching her shoulders now."
"Looks quite good actually."
"Suits you, Lefiya."
"It´s really pretty."
Ryu looked a bit curious. "Lefiya, I don´t want to stick my nose into it, but ahm...where does this phoenix feather come from?"
"I also want to know!"
"A phoenix feather?"
"Why do you have something like that?"
A few members asked questions, the elves were surprisingly quiet again.
"Ahm...it´s a gift..."
"Oh."
They saw that Lefiya fidgeted and got red again, most of them guessed why she did that.
Since her familia would ask her anyway and find probably out next day, Lefiya hid her face behind her hands.
"Bell gave it to me."
Laurier was as excited as the others. "But..does he know about the meaning?"
"Yesh..."
Alise tilted her head. "Meaning?"
Laurier smiled abashed. "It means...eternal love."
""""HIIIIIII!"""""
Maryuu grinned. "So the "bruise" there?"
They saw that Lefiya´s ears slowly got completely red, Filvis glared at her familia for teasing Lefiya so much.
"That wash Haruhime..."
""""WHAT?!""""
While she hid her face, Lefiya explained what happened.
When she finished, many of her familia members were quiet.
Alise whistled. "Hah! So I was right!"
Kaguya nodded. "After witnessing what happened at the wargame, no doubt."
Lyra smirked. "So the "sandwich" wasn´t an accident!"
Lefiya finally took her hands away from her face, she looked like a tomato. "It was an accident!"
Filvis had a grim expression. "I need to get my sword."
"Filvis?!"
"I have to hunt."
"Filvis don´t! I love him!"
Filvis looked shocked, Lefiya embarrassed.
"Mouh, Filvis! What are you making me say!"
"Huh? Is that my fault?!"
Lefiya couldn´t stand the stares of her familia members, she hugged Filvis and hid her face at her big sister´s side.
The mood in the Astrea familia was pretty good.
Later when the members of the familia would go to sleep, Ryu noticed that Alise glanced to her, but didn´t say anything. Alise would wait for her answer.
.
.
"Bell, you saved Lefiya´s life, I can´t thank you enough for that."
"You don´t need to, lady Astrea."
"I absolutely have to, it is the least I can do. Except..."
"Except?"
Astrea smiled slightly. "Except...for giving you Lefiya as a thank."
"""WHAT?!"""
Three voices shouted out in shock.
"Ehehe, I´m sorry, I couldn´t hold back... I´m sorry really."
Astrea´s smile widened. "I will be honest with you, Lefiya. I already knew it before you told us the truth."
"Huh? How?!"
The goddess smiled. "I am a woman too, I don´t need to be a goddess to see how you three reacted to each other."
Haruhime, Lefiya and Bell looked a bit embarrassed.
"I don´t intend to tease you further than I did. Lefiya I will tell you the same as I told Iska. I have no problem with your relationship at all. It would make me sad but if you want to change the familia, I will allow it. I just want you to become happy. And if you want to stay in two different familias, that will also be okay. Bell and Haruhime, in case you want to change into my familia, I would also welcome you, even when you are a man, Bell. I don´t want to force you to do anything, just know that I will support you in any way possible."
Normally a relationship between members of different familias weren´t allowed by their gods, but Astrea was different in that matter. All that was important for her, was that Lefiya became happy.
Lefiya smiled. "Thank you, lady Astrea. But I won´t leave this familia, I love everyone here."
Haruhime sat between Bell and Lefiya, two of her tails curled around the hands of her two important people. "And we won´t leave our familia either. We want to thank you for your kind words, lady Astrea, it really put us at ease."
Bell bowed slightly. "I want to thank you too, lady Astrea."
The goddess showed them a warm, motherly smile. "You two are always welcome here, no matter what."
.
These words would be put to test...soon.
.
Bell and Haruhime had a hard time to escape the members of the Astrea familia after their talk with Astrea was over. Over the course of the next week, there was a lot of talking. Lefiya introduced herself properly to the Takemikazuchi familia, since they were so important to Haruhime.
.
.
Ungh...why does it have to be one of her children...why the goddess of Justice of all people?
Alfia walked slowly through the streets of Orario. She wore her usual, goth-style dress and her long veil, that also covered her hair. Alfia looked very much like the goth version of a bride, a fact that drew quite a lot of eyes to her...her deep cleavage with her quite enormous rack could also be a reason. She didn´t mind the stares, Alfia had other problems.
Hah...two girlfriends at the same time...at least they are also into each other. Zeus...I´m sure this is your influence somehow. I´ve seen how many women in this city look at Bell. Hah...I will not allow that there will be others! Astrea has too many love starved, lonely women in her familia!
Alfia gasped.
What when they attack Bell?! He is too cute for his own good!
She continued her way, but swayed slightly. Suddenly, Alfia staggered and started to cough heavily. She leaned with her left hand against a wall, her right hand shot to her mouth.
The coughing fit got pretty bad, a man who looked a little worried came up to Alfia to ask if she needed help. She shooed him away with a snarl and an angry gesture. Alfia coughed more and more...blood appeared on her hand. It felt like her heart was being crushed and her lungs were being crushed.
She had good and bad days with her illness, this was going to be a very bad day, she felt it.
It had gotten worse and worse lately, Alfia was hiding it all from Bell. She had required an oath from Miach and Nahza that they would not say a word to Bell.
Argh! It hurts!
She coughed again and again, Alfia could just keep from sinking to her knees.
Eventually, the attack slowly subsided. She realized the veil had fallen off her head, so she carefully picked it up and put it back on.
Alfia led her covered eyes wander around, a few people looked at her, even what looked like a few adventurers.
She hissed. "Mind your own business!"
Then she continued her way, she wouldn´t allow herself to die now. Bell still needed her or rather she needed to make sure that he grew into a fine adult. He just found love and she had to be there for him.
There were tons of things she still had to do as a Mom. She had to make sure that Haruhime and Lefiya were good girls and wouldn´t "use" Bell. There were probably enough women in Orario that were looking for a strong adventurer to protect them and care for them. It had to be a good relationship, she had to protect Bell. Or she could never look into Meteria´s eyes when the time finally came.
Also, Alfia had a secret mission, she didn´t tell Bell about it, but it had something to do with him.
All that Alfia did was for Bell.
My baby... Meteria, give me strength! Please!
Alfia gritted her teeth and continued her way. But her body wasn´t in a good mood today.
.
It was the first time since they confessed to each other, but today Bell, Lefiya and Haruhime went into the city, they were all really shy about their first "date".
.
.
Ack!
Alfia stumbled and eventually fell to her knees.
Argh! I don´t want to die right now! I can´t allow myself to die! Bell needs me!
One hand was pressed to her heart, that didn´t beat exactly how it should be.
Her lungs spasmed again and Alfia coughed up more blood. Her vision blurred before her eyes, she had a strange iron vinegar taste on her tongue. Her ears were ringing and she didn't hear or notice what was happening around her. Alfia hadn't noticed, but she had collapsed almost exactly in the middle of the big market square. Her veil lay beside her again, the ash colored hair spread down her back.
"Aaaah!"
She screamed in pain, which said a lot about how she felt... Alfia almost never screamed.
Sweat poured down her body, tears trickled from her eyes, and more blood hit the floor.
Do I die like this? Bloody hell!
Alfia felt miserable, she was getting weaker by the moment.
She didn't know how long she knelt there... but at some point the severe attack of illness subsided.
"Hah...hah...hah...dammit..."
She had never felt so weak before.
It was the hardest struggle of her life just lifting her head. Without looking, she groped for her veil with her left hand.
Alfia noticed that the marketplace was completely empty, not a single person was there.
"Wha..."
She turned her head slightly... and looked straight at a sword blade pointing at her face.
The person who owned the sword gritted her teeth in anger.
"Alfia!"
Alfia looked up and straight into Alise Lovell's green eyes.
Within seconds, Alfia was surrounded by the high executives of the Astrea familia, all pointing blades at her. Most of the other members of the familia were in the background and had evacuated the people after Lyra noticed the commotion and recognized Alfia.
And then... the goddess Astrea approached her.
.
.
Irgh.. .
.
.
Haruhime noticed that people were running in their direction.
"What happened?"
A man that ran by shouted. "The Astrea familia! They are taking someone captive!"
The three looked surprised at each other, then they ran into the direction of the market place.
.
.
Alfia stared wordless up as Astrea stopped in front of her.
"Alfia the "Silence"..."
.
