A Maiden’s Unwanted Heroic Epic

Realization and What She Wished





The room is built of stone, with a single bathtub that is small when compared to the one's on the estate.
The water pipes are filled with magic crystals, and the flowing water is transformed into hot water.
After washing their bodies, Krische and Bery were relaxing in the tub.

Krische leaned in close to Bery's womanly naked body and hugged her, while feeling the warm bath on her white skin.
The lukewarm water with herbs in it brought a pleasant scent to their nose, and the dissolved extracts turned dyes the bath light pink.
Krische submerged her body into the lukewarm bath and seems to ask to be pampered by Bery.
Slightly more intense than usual.
Bery sensed her fatigue from that act and simply stroked her head gently.


"Krische-sama seems really tired. Krische-sama, please take care of yourself a little more. don't be so reckless as to come running from the forest."

"But Krische wanted to cook with Bery ..."


When Bery stroked Krische's cheek, Krische raises herself up a little and kisses Bery.
Bery accepted it without resistance, and she returned the kiss, while stroking Kurishe's head.
She used to tie up Krische's long hair up with a towel, but recently at Krische's request, she left it as it is, according to Krische if she uses the towel, Bery would not be able to pet her head.
Bery carefully and gently stroked Krische's wet hair as if combing it with her hand.

As with her cat tongue, Krische will get dizzy immediately in hot water.
The lukewarm water was also at the request of Krische, who likes to be pampered like this, probably because she values the time she spends with Bery.

Since arriving here, Krische has been very busy, but she never misses this time.
Once Krische step foot on the battlefield agaim, even if Bery were to accompany her, she would not be able to spend this kind of time with her.
It's because she knew this that, Krische makes time for, hugging, being pampered, and just express her innocent affection.
and to Bery, she is more lovely than anyone else.


"... Fufu, thank you for the hard work."

"Ehehe, Bery too helping Serene, thank you for the hard work."


Krische is satisfied just by doing this, and the so is Bery.
She wished this time could go on forever, but she also knows it won't continue forever.
That's why she's going to pamper Krische lots and lots.

She already heard from Selene and guessed about it.
The gossip among the soldiers----the way they look at Krische.
Even Bery, who doesn't walk outside that much, can tell that Krische is feared in the military.
It was the same with what had just happened.

Of course, not everyone is like that, and Krische is also not bothered by it.
But even if it doesn't bother her, she is aware of the fact that she is feared, and as a result, she seems more tense, alert, and tired than usual.
There is not much Bery can do for her, she can only make time to make her feel at ease (relax) like this.

Krische's eyes shook with anxiety as she hugged Bery.


"......Bery, does Bery not like it when Krische scares people?"

"To be honest ... I don't like it. But I know that it's not like Krische-sama like to do that too so, it's fine."


Krische smiled happily as she hugs Bery and leans her weight on her.

Krische is stronger than anyone else, but she is also more timid than anyone else.
It's not that Krische doesn't have feelings.
She just doesn't understand.
She is incapable of understanding others and can only judge them by their actions.
It must be like being in total darkness.


'----Krische is not good at talking and sometimes Krische doesn't understand what other is saying, that's why other people think Krische is weird or creepy but.... even so Krische doesn't know how to make it work.'


All alone in the dark.
without seeing others, understanding other, that's why she can't trust other, and become timid.
Because she doesn't understand others, she is unnecessarily wary of others, constantly harboring cold hostility and murderous intent, and making plans in their minds to kill others.

She fears those who would harm her and those who might harm her.
She therefore seeks power, and to eliminate those who would harm her, she behaves in ways that would make others fear her, that way she can creates place where she can relax.
The difference between Krische and Kreschenta is only the difference in methodology.

That is probably also the reason why she is asking to be pampered more than usual now.
In that darkness, the only place she can relaxes is in someone's chest.
Krische always rubs up against Bery or Selene and leans her body against them.
She begs for kisses and hugs and asked to be spoiled like a little girl.
She was afraid.
Only her heart, like that of an unfulfilled baby, is left behind in her growing body.


"That Krische is really kind, and want to be spoiled, I know it properly. That's why, even if everyone in the world says that they hate Krische, only I will continue to love Krische."


Holding Krische cheeks between her hands, she told her.
Krische's gems like purple eyes shakes shyly.
Her wet hair sticks to her light peach skin, she places her hands on Bery's shoulders, and raises her small body slightly.


"Nn......."


Bery looks into her eyes and slowly presses her lips against Krische's.
After doing so several times, Krische blinked her long eyelashes several times, then relaxed her body and happily pressed her face against Bery's bulge.


"Bery is, umm, ...... too sweet these days, Krische, feel like she is becoming more and more of a spoiled...... is it fine?"

"Oh, Krische-sama hate it?"

"A, that...uu."


Krische raises her body in a panic, seeing that Bery laughed.


"Then, Krische-sama like it?"

"Yes...... Krische like it."

"I love it too. Spoiling Krische-sama, just like Ojou-sama said, I want to pamper Krische-sama to the extent that Krische-sama would become an idiot."

"That is, umm......"

"... How about Krische-sama? I love Krische-sama no matter what Krische-sama is like, so please don't hesitate."


Krische's gaze wandered as Bery traced her lips, and nodded.


"Krische, might be fine becoming an idiot......"

"Fufu."


Bery pressed their lips together.
Krische happily hugged her, even as her face is bright red.

A wrong expression of affection.
But she likes it above all else.
It is the only way she knows how to express her love.
Like a newborn baby chick, Krische is obedient, on the brink, and eager.
She lightly trace Krische's thin neck.

Even if she were to be strangled, for example.
If Bery told her that it was an expression of love, she might endure the pain and allow it until she passed out.
She knows that Krische is that dependent on her, and she knows that it was herself who made Krische like that.
At first it was good intention----No, She wasn't even sure how it was.

She might have wanted something that could not exist without her.
She might have wanted something that was only hers.
Like that, she subconsciously imagined a future in which this girl would be dependent on her.

When she was a child, she gave up on her own body, which she didn't know when it will die.
Before she knows it, she woke up from the longing to be like a princess in a fairytale, and the longing disappeared.
Her heart was always depressed, and while she respected her sister's brightness, she was also jealous of her.

She doesn't think of herself as a beautiful person.
Rather, she's a distorted, and twisted human being, the opposite of such nobleness.
She wanted to be liked by others, so she behaves, and acted the people thought as good.
She liked to play as a good person, while she's doing so, she looked very beautiful.
She was more beautiful than anyone else, like her sister.
However, sometimes something dark and gloomy would suddenly come up in her, at that kind of time she would feel like she was helplessly filthy.

Krische and her are similar, she thought.
But she also thinks that Krische is genuine, and she is a fake.

She pities Krische, who was kicked out of the village because she was not accepted by the people.
She thought she could guide Krische who looks like a troubled, lost chils.

But, did she really wanted a future where she would be accepted by all everyone.
She only wanted to be the only one who understands Krische.
And she wanted Krische to think she is the only one who understands her.

Some part of her wants to give up on Krische's distortion as it is inevitable, and another part of her is thinking that it is fine.
----Since, no matter how twisted she is, I can still love her.

How can she declare her resignation is not because she has that feelings?

If this beautiful thing in front of her would turn that beautiful feelings that's just like a baby bird to her, then that's enough.
Such a muddy monopoly desire sometimes seeps out, she become can't understand herself.
Did she think like that because of her resignation, or did her resignation is because she thinks like that?


"......Bery?"


Startled by the call, Bery gently shook her head.


"Just, thinking a bit."

"Is that so......"


Krische tilted her lovely face a little and seems to be thinking something.
Then, as if an idea came to her, she raised her body and hugged Bery's head.


"Uh, um......"


As Krische shapely, small breasts are pressed against her face, Bery was puzzled.
Krische gently stroked Bery's head, smiled and said.


"Ehehe, it's okay for Bery to be spoiled by Krische. Recently, Krische have been petting Krischenta, and noticed that Krische, like Bery, also like to pamper other. Usually, Krische is the who has lots of happiness, but this way Bery also has lots of happiness."

"...... happy."

"Yes. Bery same as Krische, um... does Bery not like being spoiled?"


Being petted like that made Bery's face heat up.
Her head is in turmoil, but it feels good, and the petting is gentle.
Carefully , as if she were handling a treasure----Krische, hand caresses her head, , Bery closes her eyes.


"......I like it"

"That's good. Bery is always spoiling to Krische, so Krische wants to return the favor. ......Though Krische's breasts aren't as big as Bery's, so it might not be as comfortable the one Krische receives."


This girl, Krisje, is always concerned about the weirdest things.
Though she isn't concerned about the things that make others happy about, she always concerned about things she doesn't need to be concerned about, and doing her best at it.
Thinking it was funny, Bery giggles, and Krische as id troubled told her.


"I wish it were a little bigger."

"Whether it's big or small, I like everything about Krische-sama."


She mischievously looks into Krische's eyes and wraps her hands around Krisch's shapely breasts.
Krische giggles ticklishly and smiles happily.


"Ehehe, is that so?"

"Yes"


Return the favor, she said.
Even though she has received more than enough from return, this girl doesn't realize it, that's why no matter how much time passed, the amount of "repayment" that she can't pay back keep accumulating inside her.
Even though it has become a loss for her, but she still doesn't realize it and still tries to give back.
And it might be like that for forever.

She's stupid, she thought.
And more than that she's beautiful, she thought

Krische is more beautiful than anyone else in the world.
And for the rest of her life, this girl would remain that way.

Krische smiled happily and put strength into the hand that held her head.


"Then, is Bery happy?"

"...Yes. I'm happy."

"Then, hehehe, it's mutual. Krische is also very happy."


Krische said sheerfully and happily.


"...Recently, Krische feel like Krische've come to understand something. When krische is working away from home, and want to see Bery and Selene, Krische feel moyamoya. It wasn't like that in the past, Krische doesn't really understand it but, Krische feel moyamoya......umm."


----Maybe it's the one called lonely.
Krische said and pressed her cheek against Bery's head.


"That's why... maybe, but being together like this makes Krische happier than before. If Bery is happy and having fun, Krische would be happy too. ...... Krische feel like Krische want to do a lot of things like that. Krische want to do that all the time, Krische think."

"......That is."

"Could this be...... umm, the love that Bery talk about?"


When asked, she couldn't answer immediately.
What shoud she answers with.

She thinks, being puzzled and troubled about it.
Whatever the case, she knew it was not up to her to decide.


"......Krische-sama, what does Krische-sama think?"


----Bery knows that the idea of a heart-to-heart communication is nothing more than a fiction.
Only the person themself knows what's inside their heart.
And isn't, she herself doesn't know it clearly.


"Krische's, is it?"

"... Yes. Words are ambiguous and uncertain. That's why Krische-sama feels it, what Krische-sama thinks would be good, and what Krische-sama wished for, that is the answer."


Krische thought for a moment again, and then let go of her body.
Then she said happily.


"Then it's love. ......Krische thinks it would be good if this is love. Krische'd like to think that Krische is able to find the love that Bery feels for Krische."


Just believing in itwithout doubt, it was such beautiful word.
She knew that such beautiful words would spill out of the girl mouth.

Bery accepts it as her lips are pressed against Krische's.


"......Among the various Krische that Bery said, the Krische that the Krische wants is the Krische that can properly return Bery's love."


Krische just stared at Bery, waiting for her reaction.

Return, she said.
----I wonder what kind of beautiful love she thinks that I've given her.

She doesn't think it's that beautiful. But that's how this girl sees it, then maybe, just maybe it really exists inside of her.
If so, more than anything that would be good.

Bery lowers her eyes, thinking just like Krische, and returns the kiss in the same way.


"...then this is my answer."

"Ehehe. It's Mutual love."


Krische hugged her and Bery also hugged her body.

She doesn't think what she has in her is as beautiful as what this girl though.

But she hoped that even if it's only a little bit, it would be good if there's some part that is the same as this girl.
If she stays by her side, will she find something like that?
Will she be able to give this girl the kind of love that she gives her?

But at the very least, she believes that there is only one person with whom she can find such love.
At the very least, she believed it was such fortuitous meeting.


"......Lipus."


The words flowed naturally.
And just like how it is for her, she hoped this meeting is also a fortuitous meeting to this girl.
If she can help fill the distorted innocent happiness.


"......?"

"Bery Lipus Argan. Nobles are given secret, hidden names by their parents when they are born. ......It's the first time I've said it out loud, and my parents are already gone, so the only one who knows about it is only Krische-sama."

"Only Krische ......?"


She patted the wondering Krische and told her in a whisper.


"Yes. It doesn't mean much. It's just a word, my little secret."


It's just a simple word. There is no meaning in them.
They are meant to be given meaning.


"I just wanted to create a secret between the two of us with Krische-sama. How about it?"

"...Okay. Krische'll keep it a secret."

"Please don't say it. Not to anyone else, no, even when it's just the two of us."

"Yes, um... Yes, Krische understand."


It was a face that seemed to understand, but didn't understand.
But that's fine, she thought.
A vow is simply something you make to yourself.


"Fufu, it's that kind of secret word. But--"


Bery continued,


"Just once...... Krische-sama, will you call me by that name?"


Krische tilted her head.


"Just once?"

"Yes, just once.... the first and the last. Look into my eyes properly."


Krische paused for a moment as she pondered its meaning.
Then she looked into her eyes and opened her mouth.


"----Lipus"


Krisch called, and Bery silently closed her eyes----and opened her mouth.


"......My true name along with this body, I offer all of myself to you."


----A vow from the place where words are spun.
Long and slowly.

It was stupid, meaningless, and merely self-satisfication.
But the pressed lips remained there for a while ---- only to part a few moments later.

Krische smiled happily without understanding it, and Bery smiled as well.


"It's a little old-fashioned way of expressing love."

"Is that so? Ehehe...... Krische wish Krische had a hidden name too."


Krische kisses her back again, and Bery smiles.


"Krische-sama has nothing to hide so, Krische-sama is fine as it is."


Saying that, she stood up and lifted Krische into her arms.


"Let's go out soon. If we stay too long, Kreschenta-sama will get sullen."

"Yes"


The beautiful thing that she wants to see by her side for forever.


"Should we invite Kreschenta-sama later and bake some cookies?"

"Then, since Selene also said she wanted to eat something sweet, today we'll put plenty of honey."

"Yes. I'm also in that kind of mood today."


If she has something inside her that's as beautiful as this girls's, that's all that matters.
If she can find that beautiful thing that this girl shows her inside herself, then----

The treasure in her arms.
Bery just smiled as she gently stroked it.