Chapter 368 367: Conversing As We Travel



Jahi PoV

Setting out from the castle of Goron an hour and a half past dawn, we loaded ourselves into the various carriages and wagons before departing from the city, watched the entire time by the citizenry as they hid inside their homes.

Some glowered at us, others scurried away as they saw us, while some seemed indifferent to our presence, likely thinking life would remain the same under the Empire.

With Nirinia joining Mom and us, we began to make our way towards the south, where the Kingdom of Tragon lay in ruins.

We would reach the capital Nogart in a day and a half if we made our way straight there, but since we were investigating the various smaller villages and cities located inside of Tragon, we wouldn't reach it until three or four days from now.

The first stop of ours was three to four hours away, being both a place that had multiple Gates reported as well as the 'entrance' to the Kingdom of Tragon, Huran City.

With such a long amount of time waiting for us, we all glanced at Nirinia, who was looking out the window of the carriage with complex emotions clearly writ on her face.

Sensing our gazes, she glanced back at us and sighed, her jade eyes tired as she rested her head against the cushioned seats.

"What? Did you want to hear what happened? My romantic live can't remain private?"

Pursing her lips, Mom glanced at me before grinning, shaking her head as she said "Nope, it can't~! Besides, sometimes it is best to get it off your chest instead of mulling over it on your own. Maybe you've been too damn stubborn to see whatever it is from a new angle, or you've become so biased that something obvious remains hidden."

Giving Mom a deadpan look, Nirnina said "Lady Chordeva, respectfully, please just say 'I'm extremely bored and what you to give me a distraction' next time, alright?"

Mom's grin widened, and she shrugged as she said "Fine. Nirinia, please tell me why Adelina seemed odd this morning, and why you went from having a blatant crush on her to fucking one of the Legionnaires? Better?"

Rolling her eyes, Nirinia sighed before saying "Better... Anyways, I... I decided to just confess to Adelina last night, but... she brought up the same argument that separated us last time. Said that I wouldn't be able to remain chaste with her until we married, and that me asking if we could find something that would work to keep me satisfied while also not having sex before marriage wasn't 'seeing things from her side'."

"Oh, the whole Leonisa thing where sex is a holy, sanctimonious act as they please their Goddess Serenata? Yeah, hate to break it to you, but they're rather devout little followers of their Goddess. So... half point to her, as asking her to do anything sexual is something her family considers taboo to the extreme unless married."

Scoffing, Nirinia clenched her fists as she said "So then what is 'sexual' to them? Is kissing sexual? Because if it is, Adelina broke that taboo on her own!"

Shaking her head, Mom pursed her lips as she stared at the carriage floor, her ruby eyes slightly distant.

"No, it's not... pretty much, the Leonisa's won't have sex - obviously - but that also included use of breasts or mouth, but... never heard anything about the hands? That, and if you're into it, I guess the feet as well. Odd, but I've heard worse..."

Nirinia gave Mom another deadpan look, before glancing at Anput and I as we chuckled.

"Anyways, I asked her to try it again, since Lady D'Arcon's magics made me recall memories I believe were best left forgotten, but... well, I fell for her again, and it seems that while I was willing to try, Adelina isn't."

Leaning into her seat, Mom smirked at Nirinia as she said "Wouldn't count on that, my apprentice~! You might be a bit of a lady killer and rather experienced with sex, but how often have you actually courted someone?"

Staring at Nirinia, we saw the Djinn open her mouth only to close it moments later, making Mom nod.

"Exactly. You've only ever actually courted Adelina, so you aren't used to the signs of a crush or hidden love. You usually 'hunt' those that have made their desires for you known, so when someone keeps those desires hidden... well, to put it bluntly, you're fucking clueless."

I snorted, nodding at that, while even Leone had to nod, the Vampire staring at Nirinia with slight pity in her eyes.

"Clueless? How am I clueless? She explicitly told me that my confession wasn't worth her time and that she didn't care! The hell is that supposed to mean besides 'I don't like you'?!"

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head as I said "Depends on how she said it, honestly. Tone matters. What she did when she said it. All of that matters, and most likely she was trying to make you chase after her... for one reason or another. 'Cause, this morning, when you were enjoying the lips of that other woman, she was watching you... and she seemed jealous and annoyed at your actions, while also being angry, but considering how she stomped off, I guess that anger was at herself for pushing you away?"

Nirinia blinked as she stared at me, confusion evident in those jades, and I chuckled as I shrugged.

"Or I could be making all that up just to give you false hope since that would be entertaining as well~!"

Leone rolled her eyes and slapped my shoulder, while Anput shook her head, raising a brow at me.

"No, she's not trying to goad you into making a fool of yourself, Nirinia. Adelina definitely didn't like that you had found another woman so quickly, but she doesn't know how to confront you about it since you're both adults and she pushed you away. Honestly, it's a personality that I find annoying to deal with, but..."

Shrugging, Leone added "Either way, Adelina feels something for you still, but she likely pushed you away since the last time hurt too much, so it's both for her own protection but also because she's angry. Everything is going to be complicated, and don't take everything at face value so quickly. People are complex, but women more so."

I nodded at that, earning another slap as Leone growled "No need to agree so swiftly!"

Giving Nirinia a look, I saw the Djinn was deep in thought, her eyes focused on the floor as she sat there quietly.

"Well, let's hope that gets her to think a little bit more now. Doubt much'll change though."

We all nodded at Mom's words, while Nirinia glanced at her and asked "Did you say something, Marquess?"

"Nah, don't worry about it. Think over your problems a bit more, alright?"