Ivy walked into the pristine, and now familiar, chamber. She could remember the first time she reverently passed through these doors, months ago. How she felt both ecstatic and ashamed at the chance of meeting her. The Divine One, the one she had turned towards when she felt alone and miserable. That gave her the strength to face the long years where it had Een her and Ortensia against everyone else.
How she hated the fact that not once, but twice, she had been forced to raise her weapon against her.
How she loved that the Divine One had been kind enough to forgive her. To welcome her with a smile. And a bond.
The solemn act that once made her head spin was now part of her everyday routine. Waking the Divine One was a religious duty, one she had been assigned too for the rest of their time in the Somniel. One she once felt unfit to carry, yet overjoyed to do.
What was once reverence had been turned to familiarity. Friendship. And then... Yearning. For something she had not dared to think aloud. She had buried that feeling deep inside of her, masking it under her faith even when a single smile or gaze made her weak. So weak. She welcomed that weakness, cherished it close to her heart until Alear offered something beyond her wildest dreams.
"I've come to see you, Divine One. Calling you that feels so much more meaningful to me now"
Her voice carried through the empty bedchamber as she watched her beloved slowly stir awake at the sound of her voice. She watched in silence for a few moments, letting her eyes wander on Alear with a gentle smile, that slowly turned into an almost childlike pout.
"I... Have a confession to make. You gave me the Pact Ring..."
Even after all this time, it made her head spin. The Divine One gifted her the Pact Ring, as proof that their bond was... Unique. Beyond one of a worshipper and their divinity. She had felt as if there was no emotion strong enough to describe what she had felt when Alear passed the Ring on her finger. That ring... Was her most treasured gift, carefully stored in the most secure and gorgeous box she could find. A tangible proof of their love, even when she doubted, whenever she needed a reminder that she was worthy of her love. Whenever she felt a pang of childish jealousy, watching others engage and fight by her beloved's sides.
"But you've given your Emblem Ring to others as well."
In the heat of battle as enemies swarmed them.She was almost ashamed of what she felt. But the Princess felt that she needed to confess. Not like a sinner before a priest, but more like a secrer between confident. There was no judgement, no manipulation. Unlike the court that waited her back home, with Alear, there was simply the truth. And it felt to refreshing.
It feel ridiculous to say this out loud, but...
Ivy gently brushed aside a strand of blue hair from her beloved's face. Her nails lingered on the soft skin of her cheek before gently tracing the contour of her face.
"I wish I was the only one devoted to you."
She wanted the Divine for herself and her only. Ivy would never hold it against her companion, but she could not truly squash the hint of possessiveness that reared its head each time. It was foolish, probably a tad heretical, and completely unfounded. She trusted both her ally and the Divine One with her life, but still...
"I know that it's terribly selfish."
And yet self-awareness meant little in the face of her devotion.
Alear's eyes fluttered open, be it by her voice or her touch, and Ivy was once breathless when she saw the sheer kindness in both of her mitchmached eyes. There was a gentle smile as the Divine one slowly grabbed her still lingering fingers and gently pressed her lips against them, nuzzling in the palm of her hand.
The contact sent chill down her spine, and her heart missed a beat. She could feel a blush creeping up her face, but she didn't care. Even more, Ivy welcomed the now familiar sensation.
"You're awake, good morning."
"Good morning, Ivy."
Alear's voice still held a hint of groginness as she rose to meet Ivy. The Princess was delighted to hear it, to see the dishevelled blue part of her hair. To catch every minute details only she could see in the most intimate and pleasant moment of their day.
"May I come closer?"
Alear smiled brightly and patted the bed next to her, opening the covers with a slight blush. Ivy kicked off her shoes and accepted the silent invitation. Both of them fell in the familiar embrace of each other arms, cuddling closer, basking in each others warmth.
"I cherish every moment that I'm close to you."
Ivy nuzzled closer to her precious Divine One. Her hands went through her long hair, gently passing through the mitchmached locks of the one she cherished, carefully unravelling the few strands of bedhair she could find.
Something so simple, yet something she would have never dared to dream. Love, comfort, friendship. To adore and to be loved back. Every gaze during a dinner, every touch as they flew on her wyvern, every battle together. Snippets, each moment, a drop in their lifetime, yet she could never forget one of them. Never grow tired off them.
"Every seconds where it's just you and me."
Ivy heard a sharp intake of breath and felt her beloved arms wrapping closer around her. There was a moment of confortable silence as she felt Alear's breath become shaky and uneven. The Princess raised her head, only to meet the watering eyes of the most important person in her life, and the biggest blush she had ever seen painting her face.
"... Who am I to be so treasured?"
There was something heavy in the Divine One voice, something raw and barely restrained that made Ivy's heart dance. She opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, only to be silenced when Alear deeply pressed her lips against her.
And on this peaceful morning, both decided that they could be selfish a little longer.