The Duchesses

Chapter 92 : Illusionist in a War under Sun Tzu's Supervision

The Temple takes the chance to organise a special prayer day dedicated to the Guardian Deity about the curse that sets upon them and still happens if the witch hasn't burned. So people have dispatched themselves in a group, roaming around the heart of the Empire, to find any trace of Natalie, but of course, it is a failure. So they have taken their chances to meet with their trusted Cardinal, His Eminence Eryx, to talk about it and request to have a private prayer room.

The nobles are also in havoc, but the revolutions are suspicious over the sudden situation. To think the new Emperor possesses a divinity power and how frightening it is for the people of the Empire put their trust in him without any doubt. Anything that happened in the past has been a rollercoaster discreetly.

Especially the fact that late Empress Ophelia and Emperor Atticus' death are too suspicious. The House of Valimos is vacant now, but their eldest son is there to manage any of Valimos' businesses since the Duchess is gone. Three nobles' houses fell after five this year, from Lykaois to Nicoli and now Smith.

The Duchesses arrived with Hera at a secluded place not too far from the Imperial Palace before they decided to part away to do their fair share of the plan. After embracing their allies for this sacred day, they fight the rising panic inside them.

"Please come back alive," Lord Apollo and Marquess Hector faintly whisper with their voice wrapped in fear to each of the ladies.

"You too," the Duchesses reply, embracing them in their arms.

Anything could happen today, and they know the higher risk that some of them might not return.

Hopefully, it would not.

Medea feels terror spike through her head, not fearing for this battle but more losing the Duchess of Light again.

"Nate," she calls out, masking her fear with a stern voice.

The ruby eyes shifts to her eyes, expecting Medea to utter her words quickly as time is not on their side now. However, Duchess Valimos is never someone who knows her ways of words about feelings, so she takes another level of courage while knowing the emerald eyes staring at the Duchesses in puzzled. She grabs Natalie's arms tightly before giving herself an embrace of the younger woman.

Natalie is hardened by the unexpected move from Medea but soon recovers, putting her head on Medea's shoulder.

"Don't die in front of me again. Please," Medea whispers in a low voice, almost begging the Duchess of Light to never leave her side again.

"You too. If you die, I die," Natalie tightens her grip around the woman, almost drowning in misery from the last time of sleepless nights and restless days.

The emerald eyes watch them unblinking, as Hera had never seen these women like this before. So much rawness and tension between both of them. That's until her eyes almost pop out of their socket when Medea plants a kiss on Natalie's forehead before leaning in closer to kiss the woman's lips.

Her cheeks flush from the action alone as her eyes wildly search for another thing to look at. The Duchesses don't care about anyone right now as Natalie pulls Medea closer to kiss her back with the same intensity, inhaling the sweet scent of love in the air. It feels their body fluttering like crazy that they might die, drowning in ecstasy.

"I'm sorry I didn't say this the first time. But please return to me safely," Natalie whispers after the kiss, smiling somewhat bittersweet at the amethyst eyes.

"I will, and I am sorry I didn't say this the first time either," Duchess Valimos smiles as she thinks it is perfect time she could find to confess her feeling.