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After the Deliverance had conquered the bastion, Alm and Clive decided to set up camp there. It made sense, given how hard they fought to claim it. It was easy to defend from any Rigelians trying to take it back and it was well furbished for an army to reside there anyway.
And the most important thing, it was close to Rigel Castle. It would take less than a day to get there.
Tomorrow, they would face the Emperor of Rigel himself.
Needless to say, everyone at the camp was busier than ever.
Some were making preparations for the upcoming battle, some were training, and some were celebrating as if they were sure they were going to win tomorrow.
Faye, on the other hand, was at a loss for what to do. She felt restless and aimless, desperately wanting to do something to calm her nerves but unable to focus on anything.
It wasn’t that she was anxious about the next day. While she knew anything could go wrong in war she had faith in her friends and allies that they would see the end of the battle.
But the question that wouldn’t stop tormenting her was: What then?
What was she going to do after the war was over? The more she thought about it, the more she felt a pit in her stomach.
Faye decided to look for Clair. She wanted to see her one last time before tomorrow. Eventually, she found her intently polishing her spear.
“There you are, Clair.”
“Faye!” Clair turned to loook at her, smiling. Even in the dim light of the fires around them, Faye found Clair’s smile bright like the sun.
“Hi, Clair. Preparing for tomorrow?”
“Of course. I have to be in perfect condition for our final battle!”
“Heh, I’m sure even the Emperor will be dazzled when he sees you fight!”
“What about you, Faye? Have you finished your preparations?”
“Oh, um… Yes!” Faye nodded after hesitating for a moment. “I’ve just… been thinking.”
“Is something troubling you?”
“Clair…” Faye looked downwards for a moment. “What are you gonna do after the war? …if we win the war, of course.”
“Of course we will win. Too much is at stake for all of Valentia for us not to. But to answer your question… I shall return to Zofia Castle with my brother, Lady Mathilda and the other knights. We shall restore the Knights of Zofia and make sure the kingdom’s rightful ruler is returned to the throne. And, of course, we must do all we can to undo the damage Desaix and Rigel have done to Zofia.”
“Wow.” Faye blinked. “A knight’s job is never done, huh?”
“Indeed, it is not! But I am more than up for the challenge.” Clair grinned.
“I know you are!”
“And you, Faye? Will you return to your village?”
“I…” Faye frowned. “I don’t know. I wanted to do that ever since we joined Lukas to fight in the Deliverance, and I do wanna see my family again, but now…”
“Hm?”
“I thought that when we’d reclaim Zofia Castle I’d go back home with all my friends. But then the war went on, and the more the days passed the more I realized I’m… I’m going home alone, aren’t I?” Faye’s fists clenched.
“What do you mean?”
“Kliff made it very clear he wants to keep travelling and that Ram is the last place he wants to see again, I heard Gray and Tobin want to officially join the Knights once all is said and done, and Alm…” She wanted to laugh. She wanted to cry. “I guess we all know now he’s destined for great things, isn’t he? Definitely more important than going back to an insignificant little village with me.”
“Faye…”
“And then… And then there’s you, Clair.”
When she first met her, she saw Clair as nothing more than a self-absorbed noble and wanted nothing to do with her, but now…
“The idea I might never see you again, it’s… It’s agony! It feels like I’m being stabbed in the heart!” Faye wept. “I don’t… I don’t want to be alone… I don’t want to be without you…”
She was suprised when Clair smiled sadly and brought her hand to Faye’s cheek. As always, Clair’s touch was delicate but strong.
“It doesn’t have to be a farewell, you know. I wish not to lose you either. Perhaps we could exchange letters?”
“Wouldn’t be the same as now, though. Having to wait months to hear from you, not being able to see you or hear your voice…”
“Well, of course! I wouldn’t be satisfied with it either! And besides, I always wanted to see Ram Village with my own eyes!”
“Oh! I’d love it! My family would love meeting you! But are you sure you can visit me often?”
“Well, if you’d like to see me even more frequently… Perhaps you might come live with me?” Clair said.
“M-Move in with you?” Faye blushed. “I mean, it wouldn’t not make me happy, but… I’m not sure I’m cut for the city life.”
“Of course, you’d have to agree with it, but… I’d love to live in the same home as you. I really would.”
“…Yeah.” Faye smiled. “Me too. If I could make meals for you while you were healping the realm and spend the evening in each other’s arms… I would be so, so happy.”
“Oh, Faye…” Clair smiled as she grew closer to Faye’s face and kissed her.
After some moments of suprise, Faye returned the kiss.
When they broke the kiss, both were blushing. Faye especially was red as a tomato.
“I… wow.”
“Are you feeling mesmerized?” Clair smiled proudly.
“That was… my first kiss. I-I never thought you could kiss another woman…”
“The world is full of possibilities, my dearest Faye!” Clair giggled. “What matters most is, how did it felt?”
“Can…” Faye hesitate as she blushed even more. “Can we do it again?”
They would figure out what to do later. But for now, all they wanted was to be with each other.