I will strive beyond this cursed bloodline!

Life was good!

 

She was quite comfortable, waking up on the bosom of her girlfriend was a blessing, she could feel the warmth from Rossie’s chest on her face, could hear the rhythm of the girl’s heart beating, could taste the sweet taste of the other girl’s perspiration… She was quite comfortable, and didn’t want to open her eyes.

 

She wasn’t sure if the other girl had lost her gown during the night or if she had stripped her bare and then snuggled into her chest, if she was to make a bet it could be both, but the fact that she was still dressed in her pajamas made her think that it was probably the first. Rossie was a messy sleeper.

 

And…thinking about that made her mood sour in an instant. She had projected her insecurities on Rossie when she had asked an innocent question. It was Elizabeth’s fault, and she knew it, she had told her that she would ask her hand to her parents. And didn’t.

 

They spoke of many things, mostly about her. When in reality she had come here to ask for her parent's permission to date Rossie, and instead? She hyper-focused on the pictures of her parents, about her place in the world. About the minions, about Aura…

 

And when they finished all of that, she spent the rest of the time messing around with Rossie in the Jacuzzi, the moment where she was supposed to pamper her girlfriend, and how had that ended?With her rushing to the other girl, because she felt the thread tremble, because she felt fear, pain, and guilt flooding from Rena. And instead of getting angry at her, Rossie helped Rena, she even cast healing spells at the red-haired girl, because Rossie saw her worried, so she helped her. And when Rena woke up?

 

Instead of thanking Rossie, she started making out with Rena, in front of Rossie, granted the other girl started it, but Elizabeth didn’t stop it, she enjoyed it, and it was different from Rossie. While with Rossie she had needed to stop the advances of her partner, where she needed to measure the pace and create the stops, make sure they didn’t cross the point of no return…

 

Rena?

 

She was so…tame, it as exhilarant to see the girl whose [Soul] burned with the flames of [Rage] and [Wrath] so… tame, so shy. Like a maiden in love who didn’t know how to express herself, like an innocent girl in front of a bad wolf, insecure about her feelings, about her body, about her emotions. It…aroused something within her, while she was the one at the end of the unending love and thirst from Rossie, here? At that moment? She was the one at the top, she moved the pieces, Rena may have done the first step with that kiss, but she stopped and almost pulled back away from her.

 

All it took was for her to move forward and Rena turned into a sheep in front of a wolf, and she was the hungry [Dragon], she was ready to gobble her up, it was only the reminder of Rossie that made her stop. And she was thankful for it, but at the same time…she was guilty. She was aware of how Rossie was containing her urges, how she wanted to do so much more, how all their kissing, their playful touch here and there, all of them had been started by Rossie. Elizabeth enjoyed them all of course, but Rossie was always the one to start them. And here?

 

Elizabeth had been the one to do it all. The one that put the pace and the one that wasn’t showing any restraint.

 

And of course, after that Rossie had asked her what they were. And…that made the next discovery, Elizabeth didn’t think of herself as gay, even if she had a love relationship with another woman. Or would that make her a Lesbian?

 

She wasn’t quite sure, as she told Rossie, she hadn’t ever looked with lust at another woman’s body, not before Rossie, not after her. Well, she could add Rena to that, but that may have been part of her body or [Skills] telling her how to accelerate the healing. Did that count? And that was the thing, wasn’t it? Was she really in love with the two other girls?

 

She…knew that she loved Rossie, even before she made that thread that would turn into a [Lock] and [Chains] binding them. Even before she was aware, Rossie had been the first to look at her for who she was, the one that took care of her without knowing of her parents, the first to see her like a normal girl, it was impossible for her to not love the pink-haired girl, all the advice her Mother ever gave her about pink-haired girls be damned.

 

Rena on the other hand… She had no reason to love her, if anything she should hate her…or at worst pity her, but to like her? To love her? No, Rena was…in a bad spot, she was to be pitied, to be helped, and she didn’t have any reason to try and get into a relationship with her. So why had she liked kissing her?

 

Sinking into her [Soulscape] she sat at the office chair in the center spire. Musing about it, why had she liked that kiss? Why had she returned it? She…shouldn’t have. It hurt Rossie, it made her insecure about their relationship. It made the other girl want to break their [Lock] to prove that she loved her.

 

She…didn’t want to break that, she would respect it, and would go forward with it if Rossie wanted, Agatha had asked her and implied about breaking the link and reforming it at a later date when they were more emotionally mature. Did these create this kind of problem?

 

“Aura.” She said aloud, she wanted another opinion, she couldn’t ask Nyx because…he was too adorable to listen.

 

She couldn’t ask Beato…She was the daughter of them, asking a daughter about their mother wasn’t something one could do.

 

“What can I do for you Mistress?” The purple-haired girl said as she teleported into the office, she was the only one. Someone that she was aware that was human, someone that had been a [Magical Girl].

 

“What is my relationship with Rossie? With Rena? What do you think of us?” Elizabeth asked without preambles.

 

“A toxic and dysfunctional relationship.” The purple-haired girl answered without batting an eye, “As for Lady Rena… A master-servant relationship. Or a consort at best.”

 

“...That is quite rude,” Elizabeth said unsure about how to react. “What about us is Toxic?”

 

The purple girl didn’t bat an eye at her scowl, instead just giggled, see, she wasn’t getting aroused nor anything, even though Aura was quite cute looking, at worst she felt as if the girl could be a cute little sister. “Mistress, you and Lady Rossaline are entangling yourselves in a relationship built upon lust, wounds, and emotional instability. You want to tie to you the first one to see you as a normal person, and now that you are taking your first steps to power and are leaving common people far away you don’t want to let it go.” Aura started stabbing her with her insecurities, “And you know that Lady Rossaline will not leave you no matter what, she is too [Damaged]. Lady Rossaline knows that you are someone that will take care of those under you, that so long she grabs your hand you will pull down the heavens should she wish for the stars…”

 

…Well, she wasn’t wrong.

 

“And she feels guilty for it, but can’t help but grab to you, to your shining aura. To the feeling of warmth that we have under your wings. She knows that you will bleed the world dry should they raise their hand against her, but she knows…As we do, that she is taking advantage of you, because you crave for love and she soothes your lonely heart.” Aura smiled sadly at that part.

 

“I’m not alone, I wouldn’t be alone even if Rena and Rossie left…” Elizabeth grumbled.

 

“No, you wouldn’t. You have us after all.” Aura’s sad smile remained, “You will always have us, the [Dwellers of the dark]. The company of the dead, the remnants of a broken world to keep you company, a dragon made of darkness to keep you company at night. And should you crave the company of the flesh…”

 

Aura’s presence changed, from that of a construct made of shadows to a body of flesh. She knew the girl started breathing, her heart started beating. “You only need to ask, this body you gave me is yours to enjoy…” The purple-haired girl said, one flick of her hand was all it took for her clothes to disappear. “And if it isn’t to your liking…”

 

The body morphed, from the purple-haired petite body to one that was taller, with flowing blonde hair, an exact copy of her body, “Or…” even the voice of Aura was identical to hers, “...this is an option too.”

 

Then the girl’s body changed to one similar to Rossie's, but it had some differences, she was missing a pimple on the base of the neck, and the shade of color in the breast was different. Rossie’s was more tanned, this one was pale.

 

“This one is harder to make since I haven’t had time to scan her form that often,” And this fake Rossie changed into one that outwardly looked like Rena, but she was…wrong, she wasn’t quite sure. The one aspect that jumped to her was that this one had a bigger chest.

 

“You only need to ask, and if you need a male companion…Well, that may take some extra time, but I’m sure we can start nurturing a male doppelganger soon enough.” The fake Rena said, as her body shone in purple light as it returned to her normal Izanami-robed priestess.

 

“I would never…” Elizabeth wanted to say that she would never abuse of those under her like that, but she stopped herself, she felt herself blush at the idea. Perhaps having a few Rossies to mess around would be fun?

 

Not using Aura of course, but she had the skill…surely she could…make a few?

 

“We know, but should you ask we wouldn’t bat an eye, we are yours to command,” Aura said.

 

“Do we need therapy then? Are we really that much of a toxic relationship?” Elizabeth sighed,

 

“I wouldn’t dream of having an opinion on therapy. Never went to one and I wasn’t normal either. My parents did sell me to solve their debts after all.” Aura shrugged, they what?

 

“...Do we need to pay them a visit?” Elizabeth said, cold overbearing tone in her, the shadows seemed ready to answer, and she could feel her minions stopping what they were doing and ready to pounce at her command.

 

“No, they either are dead or were sold into slavery by the Italians.” Aura answered, “But thank you for getting angry for me, that is a life I left behind, Aurelia Vitelius died when the plots of the Italians didn’t work.”

 

Oh…right, Aura was the girl Rossie killed…right…

 

“I’m not that girl who helplessly wanted to survive. I’m Aura Di Starbright, who I was before matters not.” Aura said with a small bow, “And my opinion on your love affairs is…somewhat bad, care to listen Mistress?”

 

That interested Elizabeth, this cheeky girl hadn’t held her tongue, it was different to Beatrice who seemed to be always ready to follow her orders, or to her [Royal Mages] who acted closer to a computer for her. Or to Nyx who only seemed to care about what she said or wanted.

 

“Sure, you are rude anyway, might as well. Just don’t go spreading the gossip around.” Elizabeth said.

 

Aura smiled at her and nodded to her, then…”I advise you to not let go of that which you don’t want to let go of. If you think you love someone, grab to them and never let them go. You are who rules over this [Haven], our [Empress]. Stand proud and tall, that which you desire we will get. That which you hate we will destroy.” She declared as such.

 

“That isn’t good advice, shouldn’t you advise me to take into consideration the feelings of the others?” Elizabeth asked back to the purple-haired girl.

 

“Only if you want, you aren’t a normal person. You are a [Hero], an [Empress], and a [Ruler]. If you wish to listen to those who willingly gave to you, you can grant them an opinion. Don’t ever forget it Elizabeth Starbright.” Aura’s presence seemed to solidify even further as if she was an embodiment of all she feared to ever turn into, “While it's true that Lady Rossaline may survive without your aid as she did before, Watanabe Rena will not survive. If you wish to, you can mold her into what you wish. Do you want a loyal flesh servant? Do you want a childhood friend? A shy follower? A cheeky lover? Her soul is fragile enough, she is starved for love as is, and you can make whatever you want out of her.”

 

*slap*

 

Elizabeth wasn’t sure how or when she teleported, she didn’t even use her [Shadow Step], but she was standing in front of Aura and her hand stinged, “I.WILL.NOT.BE.LIKE.AKIRA.” Elizabeth said with fervor.

 

“Then Lady Rena has nothing to fear, nor you for that matter. You can nurture your relationship with her as you wish, nothing is set in stone. Should you want to nurture a friendship you can.” Aura smiled as she took a step back and nursed her face, her face reformed once more as her slap had been perhaps stronger than needed, good thing the girl had changed back to her body made of shadows, “You can also nurture love and care, you can nurture a causal relationship with the pleasure of the flesh. Perhaps a trio with Lady Rossaline?”

 

Elizabeth’s face flushed red at the implication, and she suddenly remembered Rossie’s words about a cucumber, why was she thinking about a cucumber? What could she even need one for? “So…It’s okay to love two girls at the same time?” Elizabeth asked to Aura.

 

“Speak with Lady Rossaline first, then when she tells you it is. Speak with Lady Rena, and when she also says it’s okay. You will have your answer Elizabeth.” Was the answer Aura gave.

 

“Of course, she will say yes, they need me. They literally can’t live without me.” Elizabeth said grumpily, “They can’t be trusted to know what is better.”

 

“Oho? Then who can be trusted to know what is best for them?” Aura smirked.

 

Elizabeth almost answered that of course, she would be, but bit her tongue, that was a trap. Should she ever say that then it would be the same as admitting that she didn’t care about their opinions.

 

*Sigh* “...I need an adult.” Elizabeth groaned.

 

“Should we build a temple to Lord [Framework] and Lady [Odyssey]?” Aura asked as she pointed at the ruined city behind them, they had plenty of land to work with.

 

“No, I don’t want Papa or Mother seeing this place… Not yet.” She trusted them both of course, but this was her [Haven], a place where she wanted those under her protection to be safe. “...I may need to speak again with Rossie’s Mother. She seemed to know plenty. But first…”

 

Elizabeth turned upwards, it was a meaningless gesture, “I need to wake up and deal with the fallout…Hope Rossie doesn’t want to cut this…” The girl said as she grasped the golden chain that manifested on her chest, its ethereal form seemed to sink into the floor, should she follow it she knew what would be at the end.

 

“You can always form a new one Mistress,” Aura said.

 

“Not as sturdy as this one I can’t. Not without sacrifice. Even if we managed to it wouldn’t be the same…It wouldn’t give us as much, I couldn’t use it to send as much mana to Rossie, nor could I use it to keep her safe.” Elizabeth sighed, she wasn’t quite sure how she knew that, but her [Instincts] told her that. “Even if we used the [Soul Gem], it wouldn’t be as good as this one, my [Instincts] tell me that I will never manage to make one as good as this one again. The [First Love] holds such an important meaning, the joining of our [Souls] is this relevant, this important.”

 

“Then should we inform Lady Rossaline? I am sure she would think twice about-” Aura started speaking.

 

“Don’t you ever dare to imply about this to Rossie.” Elizabeth’s voice came almost as a growl, primal, commanding, her words turned into ethereal shadow chains that tied the maid to the ground.

 

“...as you command….Mistress….” Aura said with difficulty, the ethereal chains disappearing, but Elizabeth could still feel them.

 

“Sorry, I mean…Don’t tell Rossie, if she really wants to confirm that our Love is true and isn’t affected by [Skills] then I don’t mind losing this. I like the extra effects, but I love Rossie more. Besides, I have shadow dragons in her shadow already, I can use them to pass [Mana] to her should it be needed.” Elizabeth said, “Anyway, good talk. I will wake up now since I have a long day ahead.”

 

And Elizabeth did just that, she totally didn’t run away because she didn’t want to look at Aura, who she had just [Chained] down just using her words and nothing else…

 

“Morning Sleepy-head,” what she saw when opening her eyes was the most beautiful smile she ever saw, Rossie smiling down at her as she scratched under her ear with one hand. “I thought you were awake, but didn’t feel you in the [Shadow Haven] nor in the apartment there, so you just woke up?”

 

Rossie hadn’t felt her when she was in the spire? Interesting…

 

“Yesh, morning Rossie.” But Elizabeth would file that for later, at least this meant that their conversation hadn’t leaked. “What do we have today to do?”

 

“Nothing at all, we can stay like this all day if you want, we can have your [Shadow Dragons] getting food here…Or ask one of the maids, but then I would either need to put my gown back on or you would need to use one of your fancy skills,” Rossie said while still treating her like a cat.

 

She liked the touch of the other girl, and almost wanted to purr to make her know that, but why would Rossie need to put a gown—oh right, she was naked…

 

And she was atop her…resting her head on the other girl's chest…

 

“Ah.” Was what Elizabeth said as she stood quicker than she should making the blanket that was covering them fly off the bed, exposing the body of the other girl, “Sorry…did I hurt you?”

 

“Never, you could never hurt me Eli-Eli.” Rossie answered, “But I guess this is enough skin contact for now…Might as well get over to breakfast, Mother sent a message a few minutes ago. Should I tell her to prepare seats?”

 

Had Rossie’s mother sent a message?

 

“She sent an encoded message to Lady Rossaline, it didn’t contain anything about you Mistress so we didn’t report it. Should we start reporting the messages Lady Rossaline has?” Her shadows prompted at her.

 

“No, and even if they contain information or questions about me don’t send them to me. Actually, don’t monitor any message that Rossie sends or receives. Ever.” Elizabeth sent to her shadows. She didn’t want to go in that direction, if Aura was to be trusted…then her relationship with Rossie was toxic enough as it was.

 

“Eli-Eli?” Rossie asked her as she donned her gown again, a shame to be honest. “Do you want to eat here?”

 

“No, it’s okay, we will eat with them…But can I get her personal information? I need to ask your Mother something I forgot yesterday.” Elizabeth said trying to sound casual about it.

 

“Sure, here I will send it to you. You could ask one of your [Minions] to relay the message you know. ”Rossie said as she fiddled with her phone, a message pinged in her [Inventory] and sure enough a new contact was displayed in her phone. It read [Mother-in-law], cheeky Rossie. “I told her you would message her, and she said it was okay. It seems that she wanted to talk to you too.”

 

And before she could say anything a knock on the door sounded, Elizabeth commanded her shadows to open the door, and at the door was a maid, the same one that was supposed to guide them here.

 

“The food is served Lady Rossaline, Miss Elizabeth….Isn’t Miss Rena with you?” The maid asked.

 

“We only have one bed here,” Elizabeth answered, atop the said bed, with Rossie at the side.

 

“...” The maid didn’t say anything while looking at both girls, “I see, do you need a bigger bed? We will prepare one. For now, the food is served, Lady Singh asked for you to see her before going to eat Miss Elizabeth.”

 

And with that said the Maid closed the door and went to the next door, she heard the voice of Rena and the maid coming from the other door.

 

“...You didn’t refuse the bigger bed Eli-Eli.” Rossie teased at the side.

 

“Of course not, more space is always good. That way we can be more comfortable and get more pillows!” Elizabeth smiled at her girlfriend, she didn’t mention the idea of having a certain red-haired girl sleeping with them. Nor did Rossie bring it.

 

“Okay, I will freshen up a little, you can go and speak with Mother first. I’m sure whatever she wants to speak with you will be pointless, but if she causes you trouble you can be rough with her. I would rather leave and sleep in the streets than have my [Family] trouble you.” Rossie said with a frown.

 

She of course didn’t doubt the opinion of the pink-haired girl, she could feel the trust and honesty flowing through their [Link].

 

“Rossie…about…” So she felt it tremble when she started speaking.

 

“Not yet Elizabeth…Let me think more about it, I want to be sure. I will see you later.” Rossie said as she stood from the bed, grabbed a change of clothes, and walked to the bathroom.

 

Elizabeth heard the door lock, unlike usual Rossie didn’t leave the door open for her to enjoy, and she took a change of clothes so even if she waited she wouldn’t see the naked wet body of the other girl after she took a bath.

 

That was signal enough for her about it, so she used her skills to change clothes, the [Garage] evolution didn’t have the same functionality as her previous [Wardrobe], but she could still change easily enough. And a pseudo teleport was all she needed to remove the grime from her body. She would take a shower later, right now?

 

Right now she had to talk with her Mother-in-law.

 

Time to ask the important question to the nearest adult who had Rossie as a priority instead of her. It was time to tell Lizbeth Singh that her daughter had a crippled soul and unstable emotions…And then asked her if she even after knowing that she still approved of their relationship...

 

If she was okay with her daughter dating a woman who had the right skills to brainwash her daughter into servitude…To ask if what she was doing was taking advantage of a girl who needed help. Easy.