Chapter 42: The ultimate happiness

When the moon shone, I thought of her. Like the night mist, appearing at midnight and fading at dawn, she moved through the forest, her presence silencing even the most fearsome monsters and the bravest warriors.

I want to see her again.

I prayed to the moon, remembering her shimmering golden hair, its radiant glow etched in my memory. I vowed to embrace her next time, soothing the longing that filled my heart each night, and drifted off to sleep.

****

“Mmm…”

I woke up in darkness, the moonlight illuminating my surroundings.

I’d dreamt of…someone. A bittersweet dream that left a lingering sadness and tears in my eyes.

I yawned, stretching, and pushed aside the covers. My body was slick with sweat, my clothes disheveled.

“Ugh…why am I so sweaty?”

I frowned, feeling a sticky warmth between my legs. I reached down.

It was wet. Had I wet the bed? But it felt…different, stickier.

I rolled over, burying my face in the pillow, and sighed deeply. I had to accept reality.

“…A wet dream.”

Even girls had them.

I was surprised when Sister first told me. I’d been worried about the sticky residue in my panties after sleeping with her, but she’d reassured me, saying it was normal, a sign of a healthy young woman.

I trusted Sister, but it hadn’t happened in a while. I thought it would stop as I got older. Apparently not.

“Sigh…”

I dreaded the cleanup.

Where was I, anyway? This wasn’t my room.

Crisp white sheets and curtains.
A faint medicinal scent.

I looked around, realizing where I was.

“The infirmary…?”

I was back here again. I didn’t remember how I got here; someone must have brought me. Was I really that frail? I briefly considered the question, then

“Mmm…”

“Eek! Who’s there?!”

Thud!—

Startled by a sudden presence behind me, I rolled off the bed.

“Ow…”

Who was there, lurking in the shadows? I cautiously peeked over the edge of the bed, searching for my attacker.

Someone skilled enough to sneak up on me. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness.

“Could it be…?”

Was I still dreaming? I stared at the figure lying in the bed, my eyes wide with disbelief.

A woman’s curves, faintly illuminated by the moonlight. Long, beautiful blonde hair.

“…Lena?”

Lena, the beautiful adventurer, was asleep in the bed.

Her tight-fitting clothes.
And her…ample bosom.
It all brought back memories.

Was it really her?

I crawled onto the bed, my heart pounding, my breath catching in my throat.

Just a peek.
Just to confirm.

I repeated the words in my mind, my hand reaching for her face, partially hidden by her hair. I had to see. I had to know what was hidden beneath the mask.

I gently brushed her hair aside. The moonlight illuminated her face.

“Ah…”

I gasped, realizing who she was. Or rather, who she wasn’t. It was so obvious now.

“…Linne.”

I whispered her name, the girl who constantly pestered me. I stared at her, my gaze fixed on her sleeping form. It wouldn’t change anything, but…

“Sigh…”

How disappointing. I’d been so excited.

Annoyed, I poked her between her eyebrows. She stirred, frowning in her sleep. I continued poking and prodding her face.

How could I mistake her for Lena, even with the same hair color? I must still be half-asleep. But with her hair down like that, she really did look like Lena.

I lay down beside her, the scent of her hair filling my senses.

“Linne…are you asleep?”

She didn’t respond. She was deeply asleep.

Slurp—

I wiped the drool from my mouth and draped my ash-gray hair over her body, like a silken blanket.

Linne was…attractive, objectively speaking. And she was harmless when she was asleep. I relaxed and gently wrapped my arms around her.

“Hee…”

It was…better than expected. A soft, fluffy warmth filled my arms, surpassing even Sister’s comforting embrace. It rivaled even Mother’s, the reigning champion of…comfort.

“Haa…this is the life.”

I briefly enjoyed the blissful sensation, until dawn broke.

****

Walking back to my room in the pre-dawn light, I suddenly felt worried about Linne.

She’d been so deeply asleep…was she unwell? That’s why she was in the infirmary, after all. Perhaps she was…mentally ill.

“I feel bad for her…”

I should be nicer to her. She’d be happy to be my…servant, wouldn’t she? A chair when my legs were tired, a punching bag when I was angry, an errand girl… She could read to me at night, or be my…body pillow.

Such generosity towards a commoner…perhaps the “villainess” role wasn’t for me.

“No, I can’t think like that!”

Slap!—

I slapped myself, trying to regain my composure. I couldn’t afford to be soft-hearted in this place.

I am a villainess!

A truly wicked woman! I repeated the words in my mind, feeling a surge of…something.

“Ahem!”

I straightened my back and walked confidently, ignoring the chill against my bare thighs.

I reached my room.

Slam!—

I threw open the door dramatically, announcing my return.

“Hmph, such a flimsy door.”

“…Ellie.”

“Eek?!”

Wh…who was that?
In my room…?

The voice startled me. It was raspy and unsettling. I didn’t dare turn on the lights, peering into the darkness.

A figure sat on my bed, shrouded in the shadows cast by the thick curtains. I trembled, backing away slowly.

Slam!—

“Eek! The door…!”

“Don’t…run away, Ellie.”

The figure stood up.
A raspy voice.
Glowing red eyes.

I couldn’t breathe as the strange creature approached.

Thud.—

My legs gave way as it reached me. I looked up, into those terrifying red eyes, and forgot how to speak.

“Ah…ah…”

Drip, drip.—

Something warm trickled down my legs, pooling on the cold floor. I stared, my eyes wide with fear.

The figure knelt beside me, seemingly unconcerned by the…puddle.

“Ellie…are you…okay?”

My eyes adjusted to the darkness. I could finally see clearly.

“Sister…? Sister, is that you?”

Despite the dark circles under her eyes, it was her. Sister, her voice hoarse, looked at me with concern.

“Yes, it’s me…your sister, Ellie.”

“Sister…!”

I lunged into her arms, not caring that I was soaking her clothes.

“Waaah… I was so scared.”

“I’m sorry… I’m so sorry, Ellie.”

Relief washed over me, and
tears streamed down my face.

I was so glad it was her. Only Sister could save me.

I hugged her tighter. She hugged me back. I finally stopped crying as dawn broke.

****

“S…Sister…? You can…shower first…”

“No. We’re both…dirty. We should shower together.”

“O…okay…”

I didn’t mind showering with Sister; it was a welcome activity, usually. But right now, I wanted to be alone.

“Now, let’s wash…this, shall we?”

“Sister, this is…”

How could I face her, knowing she’d seen… that? And she was the person I… I wanted to disappear.

“I…I can do it myself!”

“Don’t be silly. Let Sister take care of it.”

“No, really! I’ll wash it myself!”

I pushed her away, frustrated. She stumbled back, hitting the wall with a thud.

“Sister, are you okay?”

“…Ellie? Did I…upset you?”

She smiled sweetly. But I knew her well enough to see the coldness in her eyes. She wasn’t smiling at all.