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It had now been four months since Ivy joined the Divine Dragon's ranks, and she found herself in an uncomfortable position. Though everyone was outwardly nice to her, Ivy knew better from her court days than to take their niceties at face value. She had grown accustomed to rejecting offers for tea from Celine and pickles from Clanne. This was the way it had to be: for her safety, and for Elusia’s future.
Ivy rested on the sofa in the cafe terrace, watching Kagetsu interact easily with Diamant. To see her retainers striking up friendships, despite their individual aloofness, renewed her sense of despair. Why was it so easy for them? Kagetsu, lacking any semblance of tact, and Zelkov, one of the most dangerous men she knew, were constantly in conversation with other members of the army. She wondered what anyone even spoke to Zelkov about, and Kagetsu was constantly propositioning people. How were they so comfortable, and so popular when they were alongside Ivy during the attempted killings?
Ivy resolved to speak to Kagetsu. Perhaps then she could learn to befriend someone, and ease the loneliness that had haunted her since childhood.
--
"Kagetsu, we need to talk," Ivy beckoned him in one of Lythos' Castles myriad hallways. She had no idea what Kagetsu was doing, carrying bundles of seaweed around, but she decided to ignore that for now.
"Ah, Princess Ivy?" Kagetsu grinned, lopsidedly and easily. For some reason, it served only to irritate her. She shook her head to clear these thoughts. It was not fair to be angry at him, just because he was better at socialising than her. Most people are, after all.
"How is it you have become so ingrained in the army, when only recently we tried to murder them in cold blood?"
"That is an ancient memory, Princess Ivy."
"It was five months ago, Kagetsu," Ivy shot back. She sensed this was going nowhere, fast.
"We are at war. We have shown we are committed to their mission. Now we can go out with them." Kagetsu nodded sagely, as if any of his comments were relatively helpful.
"Kagetsu..." she sighed, taking a moment to compose herself. Kagetsu just smiled again. She knew she couldn't ask him to stop smiling - she maintained some level of decorum - so she looked to the floor for help. That was even less helpful, as the recently polished tiles attacked her with her own reflection. She sighed. "Kagetsu. You are a fortune teller. Please, tell me there is congeniality in my future with this army?"
She felt a wave of embarrassment for even asking this. She had been raised to hold scientific evidence and logic in esteem. Yet, here she was, consulting a fortune teller in her moment of need. Kagetsu smiled at her reassuringly, then turned away and closed his eyes tightly, as though he were about to begin prayer. A few moments later, he spun around, his grin again visible.
"Princess Ivy, your fate has been revealed." Kagetsu finally put down the bags of seaweed. Ivy supposed his triceps needed a break. She shook her head to clear herself of the distraction - whatever the fates revealed, she needed to take seriously. She nodded at Kagetsu, a prompt for him to continue, and felt anxiety slowly bubble within her.
"Tonight, you shall have the fish option for dinner!"
Ivy slapped her forehead with her palm and walked away, leaving behind a confused, stuttering Kagetsu calling after her. As her retainer, he should probably go after her. Except, she seemed to be in quite the mood, and Kagetsu was riding on a high after beating Diamant in a duel. He didn't see the need to drag his mood down with her, and reasoned she would forgive him for it.
"Perhaps she wanted meat tonight?" He wondered aloud, wanting to reassure the fates they had done a good job despite her reaction. He shrugged, picked up his seaweed, and continued on his quest. "I shall not let this deter me from creating the world's greatest Onigiri!"
--
Ivy resolved that she must find out if camaraderie was in her future. Kagetsu was a notoriously awful fortune teller, but she had heard rumours that Seadall was quite talented. Alear had even designated him a cottage to run his business from. More confused than ever, Ivy rushed into the real fortune teller's cottage, not bothering to knock or wait for an invitation.
"Seadall. Tell me my fortune. And please don't tell me about what is on the dinner menu."
She heard several items clatter to the floor, and sighed. She looked around to see what damage she had done but found only Yunaka desperately trying to pick up several of the stars that usually adorn her hair. They sounded strangely heavy. Again, she shook her head to clear it of the distraction.
"Oh! Princess Ivy! We were just... umm... finishing up!" Yunaka was blushing furiously, the top two buttons of her shirt undone. Ivy grimaced at the odd couple in front of her.
"Spare me the details please. Now Seadall -"
"We were practicing." Seadall explained, unprompted. Yunaka looked away, seemingly embarrassed by this revelation. Ivy kept looking at Seadall. She truly did not care to learn erotic Solmic slang. So she nodded politely, before asking when Seadall can tell her fortune.
"Jeez, so uncouth for a princess." Yunaka murmured in a tone that was distinctly unfamiliar. She gathered her stars from the floor, and in a cheery voice that now seemed rather strange, bid Ivy goodbye and promised Seadall she'd be back later.
Ivy stared at Seadall, waiting for an answer. Seadall blinked. It was rare he felt awkward, but Ivy seemed to have a talent for generating this feeling. He steeled himself for the session ahead.
"Now that Yunaka has left, we can begin." Seadall gestured to Ivy to sit at the round table he had in the center of the room. She took a deep breath and braced herself.
The cottage went dark, and Ivy jumped in alarm. Seadall assured her it was to aid his abilities, but she still exhaled a shuddery breath. She was nervous enough, but now Seadall was creating an environment that could summon ghosts, whilst performing an activity that was honestly a bit supernatural, and she was starting to think this was a bad idea. What did she even want to know from Seadall?
Judging by the creaking noise in front of her, she assumed Seadall had taken a seat. Rather, she hoped Seadall had taken a seat, and that it was not a phantom.
"Princess Ivy, I am going to lay some cards on the table infront of you. I shall lead us through this session."
Seadall instructed her to draw some cards by touch alone. After some minutes, Seadall turned the light back on.
"The central card you have drawn L'Isolation, the card of isolation," he said. "Is there someone on your mind lately? Perhaps a lover, or a romantic interest?"
Ivy was taken aback. Why was he asking such a thing? Her thoughts turned inward as she considered his question. Was she in love? Had she ever been? She conjured up pictures of former crushes - embarrassingly, Goldmary among them - and much to her surprise, a more recent image came to her mind. An image of Alear.
Ivy was shocked at herself. Why had her thoughts turned to Alear? Her leader, her deity... Yet as she dwelled, she began to recall moments with Alear - her smiles, the tenderness in her eyes - and feelings she had never considered before began to stir within her.
Ivy tried to push these thoughts away. Alear likely did not feel the same. Yet Seadall's question had unlocked something within her, revealing hidden depths to Ivy's feelings towards Alear. The intensity of these new emotions both confused and frightened her.
Seadall cleared his throat, bringing Ivy back to the present. She tried to regain her composure, feeling flustered and embarrassed at the path her thoughts had taken. Pushing these confusing new feelings aside for now, Ivy resolved to figure them out on her own time.
"The card tells us that your wish won't come true without the help of others. Particularly, the person on your mind as a romantic interest, potential or realised. You must take them to the swimming pool."
L’isolation. The card of isolation. She chuckled bitterly. How fitting that, with her senses blurred, she still managed to choose isolation. Perhaps it was drawn to her, and she to it - partners in destiny forever. She expected that was what Seadall was waiting to tell her - she would be alone forever, and never befriend anyone in the army, and would die as a sad, lonely Queen.
"The card says I must take Alear to the pool?"
Seadall laughed. "Well, if it is Alear on your mind, then yes - take her to the pool."
Oh.
Oh no.
Ivy blushed harder than she ever knew was possible. Her ears burned, her skin was on fire, and she felt like she could die of embarrassment, here and now, and it would be the hands of fate finally treating her kindly, to enable this awkwardness and suffering to end.
"It is imperative that you do what the fates have asked of you.” Seadall, ever the professional, drew her from her reverie. “Onto other things, I can sense you are worried someone will find out the cute name you gave your levin sword. The fates tell me that you must share this burden in order to alleviate it. Ivy, what is the name of your sword?"
Ivy groaned. How had her life choices led her to this moment?
—
As Ivy spoke with Seadall, images crept into her mind — memories of Alear's moments of tenderness. Ivy dismissed them, uncomfortable with these thoughts about her Divine One.
Later, Ivy saw Alear across the courtyard, deep in discussion with the army generals. Sunlight caught Alear's hair and face, highlighting her noble features and a physique honed through battle.
Ivy felt drawn to linger, though she knew not why. Alear looked up suddenly and smiled at her. Ivy's heart skipped. Perplexed, she hurried away.
At dinner, Ivy noticed anew the gentle cadence of Alear's voice. Her smile tugged at Ivy's heart. Yet it was improper to dwell on such things. Alear was Ivy's leader, deity made flesh.
At night, Ivy recalled these moments, lying awake.
The realization came hesitantly.
She was, in fact, attracted to Alear.
Perplexing emotions welled within, mixed with guilt. Ivy pushed the troubling thoughts aside, resolving to hide her feelings.
Still, the truth lingered in Ivy's mind. She had begun - without meaning to - to see Alear in a light she could never have imagined. The thought filled her with wonder, fear and longing in equal measure.
She supposed it made sense. Alear was beautiful, kind, and wielded a powerful authority. She resolved that the dark atmosphere in the cottage, combined with Yunaka's disheveled appearance and Seadall's incessant questioning, had forced her brain to picture _someone_ in that way. It just happened to be the Divine Dragon, her deity, her army's leader….
And the woman she was currently standing in front of.
"Swimming?" Alear repeated, confused. It was rare that Ivy sought her out, and even rarer that the elusive princess asked her to spend time together.
"Yes. I would like us to go swimming together." Ivy clarified, trying her hardest to maintain her composure. Alear looked puzzled, and Ivy silently wished that this conversation could end, that she could reverse the last hour of her life, and, thinking about it, maybe the entire last year, too.
"Okay! Framme borrowed my only swimsuit a while ago - though I've never actually seen her swimming now that I think about it... Anyway, Framme borrowed my swimsuit, so I'll have to go find one. Maybe I can borrow Timerra's. When did you want to go swimming, Ivy?" Typically for the Divine Dragon, she agreed easily, and her thoughts spilt out rapidly. Ivy felt as though she had probably missed something. Nevertheless, they agreed to meet by the pool in half an hour.
This was her opportunity to make her wish of friendship come true. How would she navigate this? But on the other hand, what if Alear still hates her and doesn't want to help? Should she ask Zelkov to come in case Alear tries to assassinate her?
--
Sat by the pool, Ivy was quiet, lost in these thoughts, and assumed Alear wouldn't notice. She put on the bravest smile she could muster as Alear approached her.
Alear did notice. As she asked if Ivy was okay, the princess couldn't help but sigh. She was a fool for thinking her literal deity wouldn't notice her emotions.
"Sorry, Divine One. If I'm honest..." she paused. She wasn't sure how much she wanted to reveal to Alear. But, as she looked up and met the Divine Dragon's gaze, she saw nothing but worry and tenderness. She felt compelled to continue, as Alear waited quietly.
Ivy cleared her throat and continued. "If I'm honest, I have been feeling... a little uncomfortable in the army. It was so recent that I was against you, scheming to end your life for my father. And now I am here, and we act like nothing has happened. It doesn't feel right that you trusted me after that. I suppose I am struggling to grapple with these feelings, and I am isolating myself as a result."
"Oh, I didn't trust you!" Alear smiled as if that were a helpful thing to say. Ivy felt her mood steadily becoming worse. Not only had she shared her feelings - something she resolved to never do again after court - the leader of her army had revealed she was not to be trusted.
“Well, not immediately, anyway. But you've proven yourself. You, Kagetsu, and Zelkov, you've been invaluable assets to our army. You saved us when our rings were taken! Without you, most of us wouldn't have survived. I'm so grateful you're with us, Ivy, and I'm so grateful we're here having this conversation now."
Alear was so sincere, it made Ivy feel something close to discomfort. She wasn't used to people wearing their emotions so openly for the world to see. She smiled softly and looked down. However, something caught her gaze on the way down - Alear's midriff. She felt a surge of emotions that she couldn't quite place, but for once, they weren't negative emotions. She couldn't tear her eyes away from Alear's taut muscles, the subtle scars marking her stomach, the way her ribs moved as she breathed, the slight -
"Is everything okay, Ivy?" Ivy was immediately pulled out of her trance. Guilty and embarrassed, she decided there was no better option to clear her mind than to dive straight into the water.
The coldness reset her brain instantly, and she felt energised and refreshed. She swam around lithely for a moment, lost in the sensation, until she heard and felt a sudden entrance to the pool. Alear was behind her, shaking water out of her hair, and smiling tenderly. No one else was around - the smile was reserved only for Ivy, and Ivy felt her heart have an unusual reaction to this realisation. Ivy smiled back, blushing, and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. The two stood staring in the pool for an electrifying moment, before Alear splashed Ivy's face with water.
"Hey!" Ivy spluttered, wiping the water from her face as Alear laughed. The tension was broken, and they both joined in the laughter. Ivy couldn't remember the last time she had laughed like this. As they swam around, Ivy felt a sense of ease wash over her. It was strange, she always felt like an outsider in the army, but here, with Alear, she felt like she belonged.
Ivy noticed small details: the way the water glistened on Alear's skin, her smile as she commented on Ivy's form. Ivy felt those strange stirrings within. Her gaze lingered with growing fondness.
—
They rested at the pool's edge.
"Divine One, there is something I wanted to ask you.” She paused, and Alear nodded encouragingly, patiently - all traits Ivy had grown to treasure in her leader.
“I know it's a lot, but… I was hoping we could be friends." Ivy looked at Alear, hope in her eyes. Alear's face lit up, and she took Ivy's hand in hers.
"I would like nothing more than to be your friend, Ivy." Ivy felt a weight lift off her shoulders. She had never felt more relieved in her life. Then, she realised that the Divine Dragon was holding her hand.
Swiftly their hands parted, and the two shared a loaded glance, eyes saying what words could not. ivy felt something had shifted between them.
"Then, I am excited to walk this path of friendship with you, Divine One."
Alear beamed a blinding smile and squeezed Ivy's hand, again. It felt as though Alear had torn apart her chest and squeezed her heart itself. A newfound intimacy had been born, though neither yet knew how to name it.
They stayed sitting together, dreaming of what tomorrow might bring. A subtle shift had occurred, one that held the promise of something deeper taking root. For now, it was enough that they had swum together and discovered a new closeness in the simple act of sharing the water.
"Hey! Dinner is ready!" Clanne had appeared from... somewhere... and his intrusion, while usually annoying, was greatly welcomed by Ivy. She needed time to think, and a silent dinner alone seemed the perfect opportunity.
—
"Aha! Princess Ivy! You did indeed choose the fish option!"
Ivy groaned, head in her hands, as Kagetsu marvelled at his talents.
—
Ivy was assigned wake up duty today, and she was dreading it.
She had been trying to avoid Alear since their swimming session a week ago. The Divine Dragon had looked hurt by this, but Ivy knew it was for the best. There was no chance Alear would return her feelings, and Ivy didn’t want to risk making Alear uncomfortable, nor did she want to risk her feelings deepening. The main motivator for her avoidance, however, was just that she didn’t know how to handle the overwhelming feelings that Alear stirred in her. She had made a fool of herself during swimming by asking such a pathetic question, and this foolishness must have doubled in Alears eyes when she ran away. Thus, it was easier for them both if Ivy avoided her.
Yet today, the cruelty of Vander has led her to stand in front of Alears bed frame. She watches as the Divine Dragon sleeps peacefully. Her blue hair is messy, with locks of it covering her face, and Ivy feels an overwhelming sensation to move in and brush it back.
She restrains herself.
She is here to do a job, after all - not to satiate her cravings to touch Alear.
So, she steels herself, and prepares to speak to Alear. It had become customary for those on wake up duty to deliver a speech to Alear to wake her in the mornings. Ivy was not one to shirk her responsibilities just because they made her uncomfortable. She didn’t know what to say, but decided to just speak, and see what happened.
“Alear. You may have wondered why I suddenly wanted to go swimming with you.” Ivy paused to check if she had stirred. No sign of movement. She cleared her throat.
“I went to see Seadall. I was feeling alone, and like I had made a mistake by being here. It was hard to see Kagetsu making friends while I was lonelier than ever. Seadall read my fortune and told me to seek out… someone for whom I felt strongly. And that they would help grant me my wish - my wish to make more friends, here. I suppose it makes sense my brain brought me to you, as you are the glue holding the army together.” She could have sworn she saw Alears mouth twitch, but she kept speaking, regardless.
“Yet, I have realised the real reason I came to you was not to help my friend making journey. It is that… I am devoted to you, Divine One. Not just as a follower, or a friend, but as something… more. I do not expect you to return the sentiment but it is improper for me to stand over your bed, hiding this about myself. I think I have feelings for you.”
Ivy shuddered at the words. She had not experienced romance in her life, and could safely say it did not feel good. She felt vulnerable, scared, afraid, and this was all while Alear was unconscious and unaware of her confessions.
“You are so talented at sleeping, Divine One. How I wish I could be half as peaceful as you. “
“I’m not sure it’s much of a talent, Princess Ivy.”
Ivy's heart stopped.
There was no doubt in her mind that Alear had heard it all. Warmth rushed to Ivy’s cheeks and her stomach knotted itself. She remained silent, waiting for the Divine One to speak, and ready to deliver apologies upon apologies for her impropriety.
Eventually, Alear sat up, biting her lip nervously. "Ivy, how long have you felt this way?"
Ivy stared at the ground. "Not long, Divine One. I was not sure what these feelings meant until recently."
Alear paused, then spoke hesitantly. "Your company has always given me great peace. I was thrilled when you asked to be my friend, that day."
Ivy's eyes met Alear's, uncertainty and embarrassment shining within. "I do not wish to make you uncomfortable, Divine One. Please forget I said anything."
Alear took Ivy's hand. "You did not." She paused.
"Truthfully, I have wanted to feel a connection growing between us. But duty and propriety held me back from exploring that desire further."
Ivy squeezed Alear's hand, her anchor in the moment. "You do not reject me entirely?" Hope seeped into her voice.
Alear smiled. "No, I do not."
Ivy smiled tentatively in return. Alear continued. "We live in uncertain times, knowing not what will happen tomorrow. Perhaps we could walk this path together for as long as we can, and see where it may lead?"
Ivy nodded and sat next to her deity, unshed tears of relief shining in her eyes. "I would like that."
They sat in silence for a moment, hands clasped, the promise of a new romance taking root between them. Ivy spoke first.
"We shall proceed only if it pleases you, Divine One."
Alear laughed. "Formal as ever, Princess. Please call me Alear. At least when we are together, alone, like this."
Ivy grinned. "As you wish, Alear."
Alear grinned back, and in that moment Ivy hoped that no matter what the future held, they would keep their promise to walk that path together. With this in mind, she gave the Dragon’s hand a tight, reassuring squeeze.
Perhaps it was not friendship she was deficient in, but something far more complex and consuming. If anyone could guide her through these feelings, though - it was, and has always been, Alear.