Chapter 4 - II -

 

Ah…yes, so that’s the experience of ‘Teleport’.  When Maddie first used that spell on me, I wasn’t able to focus on its effects since I was trying to hurry towards Lily, back when I mistook she was about to jump from the roof before.  But now that everything’s relaxed, I could tell that using teleport was something that one should take time to get used to.

 

I mean, it seemed cool at a glance.  However, you’d feel woozy and dizzy if you’re not that well-acquainted with its effects.

 

It took me quite some time before I could get hold of myself.  Fortunately, I didn’t throw up, or it’ll be embarrassing for Maddie.

 

“You alright?” I heard her ask me.

 

I silently nodded.

 

“Whew!” Maddie then chuckled, “I almost got caught!”

 

“Hm?  Got caught?  By whom?”

 

“Lily.”

 

“Lily?” I was surprised about that, “Why?  Did you do something wrong with her?”

 

“Hmm…not really.” Maddie had a mischievous smile on her, “As I’ve said before, she’s getting restrictive towards me lately.  She kept on forbidding things around me, like eating too much, or staying up late to read books.”

 

“Isn’t that right?  I mean, those are good things to do.”

 

“Well, of course, it is.” Maddie pouted, “But what ticked me off is that Lily forbid me to see you.”

 

“Ha?  Why?”

 

“Well, I know that she’s annoyed at you.” Her Holiness dropped that nonchalantly, “But other than that, I can think of nothing else.”

 

“Err…do you know the reason?”

 

“Uhm…well, I do…but, I doubt I should tell it to you…”

 

“Please!”

 

“Whoa!  Calm down, Mister!” Maddie laughed, “I think Lily’s the best person to tell her problems to you, so you guys can talk it out.”

 

Ah…yes, indeed she is.  But she won’t talk to me.

 

“I’m working on it.” Her Holiness told me, “So please bear with her for a while.  Lily’s heart is as fragile as mine, just like other girls.  But I’m sure she doesn’t want to hate you; I mean, she’s like that because—”  Maddie quickly stopped her mouth from speaking by covering it.

 

“Because…?”

 

The Saint shook her head furiously, and won’t tell me anything about that.  She just ended her talk with, “Just wait for Lily to talk to you.”

 

Well, I guess that did it.  It lifted the heavy feeling in my chest, even if it’s just for a little.

 

 

Silence ruled between us after that…

 

“…”

 

When Maddie teleported me, I didn’t expect that we’d eventually appear some place outside the Holy Palatial Gardens.  I didn’t know where this was; all that I could say was that this place where we arrived was beautiful and relaxing.

 

“…”

 

Maddie and I just stared at the wide, grassy plain in front of us, occasionally interrupted by a few trees.    The azure sky met with the green horizon far from where we stood, and the gentle blow of the wind made me forget my worries for a while.

 

I don’t know such a place existed in this world.

 

“Haaa…” I heard Maddie stretched out.  It’s been a while since I saw her this happy; I mean, her face was bright once again, compared to what she looked before.

 

“I like this place,” I commented.

 

“So do I.” Her Holiness replied, “This is where I always go whenever I feel I should let out some steam.  In case you don’t know, this plain is in the kingdom of Amaranth, several leagues away from the Holy Palatial Gardens.”

 

“I see…” I nodded, “Well, I guess it’s fine.  Just don’t forget to finish your duties when you finally rested.”

 

“Oh, come on!” she laughed playfully, “What’s wrong with taking a break for a while?  Didn’t you tell me that before?”

 

“Well, nothing wrong with it.” I shrugged, “Unless you piss off the wrong person…”

 

Maddie then fell silent and her face went deathly pale.  Annoying the hell out of Lily wasn’t a joke, and this playful girl beside me knew that fact more than I.

 

“Haha…w-well, I’ll go back once I get my rest.” she stubbornly declared.

 

“Of course.” I strictly replied, “And besides, I don’t think you can go around wearing those types of clothes.  I mean, aren’t you cold with that?”

 

“!!!” Maddie’s face turned red when she realized that she only had her undergarments on.  

 

Laughing quietly, I gave her my coat to wear and cover herself.

 

“P-pervert.” Maddie said, “You  took time when you could’ve just given me your coat immediately.”

 

“Of course.” I jokingly replied, “When someone as beautiful as you looked like that, I guess I can’t keep a complete hold on my sanity.  I’d take an eyeful, at least; I’m a healthy man after all.”

 

Maddie had no retort for that one.  She just sat beside me, completely quiet and sheepish.  I guess she didn’t read my mind to know that I was joking with that, huh?

 

“Well, half-joking, Kuro.  I only let you off because I trust you.”

 

Yep.  My bad, she is reading my mind the entire time…

 

Fortunately, this place had no people passing through, or it’d be a problem if they saw their Saint all in her ‘almost-naked’ glory.

 

“Honestly, I don’t feel like going back to the palatial gardens for the meantime…” Maddie suddenly popped up a conversation.

 

“Eh?” I was surprised to hear that coming from her.  By well, from the sounds of it, I guess Maddie’s all exhausted and stressed by the daily demands of her responsibilities as a saint.  Maybe I should just let her be for a while…

 

But yeah, definitely we had to return; she had no other clothes with her.

 

“Yes, I know.  But can we just stay here for a little more?” she pleaded.

 

“No probs.  Take all the time you need.”

 

She quickly sat down and brought out a canvas from somewhere, as well as her usual art materials.  The Saint then motioned me to sit beside her; maybe inviting me to watch her as she drew her artwork?  I guess I’d oblige.

 

“…”

 

Well, it’s not like I could force her to go back.  I mean, she just went through some difficult moments before—that heartbreak with Sir Simon, the tournament and her family, and that congress thing.  Of course, with all of that happening in just a short period, it wasn’t surprising that Maddie’s all feeling burned out and exhausted.

 

I would go insane if I’m in her place.

 

Good thing Maddie’s mental condition was formidable.  She may stumble and struggle, but definitely, she’s holding out well.  

 

A little time for a break wouldn’t hurt…

 

We were once again silent for quite a while.  I could just hear the wind blew gently through us, interrupted from time to time by the sound of her brushstrokes against the cloth canvas, and it felt pleasant.

 

“Ah, Kuro…” it was Maddie who eventually spoke up.

 

“Y-Yep?  You are done with your work?”

 

“Well…” Maddie had an embarrassed, yet lovely expression on her face, “Uhm…you see, I…uh…”

 

I tried looking at the canvas she’s working on, but Her Holiness quickly hid it.  She was red.

 

“Ah…never mind…” Maddie quickly drew back.

 

“What?” there was a sarcastic tone in my voice, “You’re drawing me nude again?”

 

Maddie’s jolt was clear; my hunch was right.  Well, after all that happened before, I shouldn’t be surprised.  Knowing the subject of her art was enough for me.  Maddie’s paintings were a treat for one’s eyes, but I didn’t think I’d like the idea of staring at my nakedness, anyway.  It’s extremely awkward…

 

Man…Her Holiness has that one-of-a-kind imagination.

 

“Hmph!  Don’t make a mistake; I’m only like this to the man I love.”

 

“Haha…of course.” I guess being an object of your lover’s erotic fantasies wasn’t that bad.  For someone who had been single for his entire life up to now, having someone who liked you unconditionally was pleasant but was unsettling in its own way…

 

“…”

 

…especially if that person always undresses you in her mind.

 

Still, what was she doing with those ‘naked’ portraits of me?  Didn’t she have nightmares with those around?

 

“Y-You’re wrong!”

 

“Wrong?  Why?”

 

“I never had nightmares with you, Kuro!  I…I always dream of you around.  You know…uhm…” Maddie’s red up to her ears, and it’s cute to watch her squirm uncomfortably as she struggled to say what she has in mind, “You see, I…I-I l-love to think…th-that, we’re both…lying in…one bed.  And then, we…k-k-ki-kiss…kissweholdeachotheraswestarttoundressandyoufondlemybre—”

 

Hold on, I guess I had to cut this talk because it’s heading in a weird direction.  I could see a lot of steam coming out from Maddie’s head as she spurted out weird situations in a rapid, ‘machine-gun-like’, manner.

 

And boy, hearing those lewd words from her ‘holy’ mouth felt like a dream.  But well, honestly, I find it amusing, as well as relatable.  I mean, I never thought I could control myself from doing those things with Maddie as well, if I was in my younger teenage years.

 

“And those…are the things I dream of doing with you, Kuro!” Maddie said in-between her breaths.  It’s difficult to tell everything in one sitting using the ‘machine-gun’ method.  She was panting terribly, but I felt that there’s something erotic about the way she did it.

 

“Haha…that’s quite bold of you.” Good lord, I hated to admit it, but hearing her do that was getting me ‘in the mood’.  I needed to put a stop to this, “Aren’t you mistaking daydreams from dreams?”

 

“Of course not!” Maddie countered, “If anything…”

 

“!!!”

 

The Saint set aside her canvas and with all of her might; she pushed me down, throwing her weight on my body as we fell down on the soft grass.

 

“…if you like it, how about we make my dreams a reality?”

 

I could hear my heart beat wildly as I watched Maddie bit her lips in a rather lewd way.  She slowly caressed my face, with her fingers tracing my form erotically.  To add to my woes, the soft sensation of her breasts pressing against mine was just…heavenly!

 

K-Kuro…y-your self-control!

 

My mind was going blank; her face was so beautiful at the moment, and she smelled so sweet and nice that I already found my hands about to touch her…

 

“!!!”

 

“Huh?  What happened?” Her Holiness was bewildered when I deliberately forced my hand and pulled it away from her.

 

“I’m sorry…” I guess my face was also red in embarrassment.  But yes, I believe this was for the best, at least for now, “I think we should wait until we get married.  I don’t want to destroy the trust your father and siblings gave me.”

 

Maddie was quiet.  She was also flustered, and when she realized what we’re about to do, she immediately got off from me and sat back on her spot, “Y-You’re right!”

 

“I’m  sorry…”

 

“No!  Don’t be!” the Saint laughed nervously, “I also let my urges get ahead of me!  Haha…”

 

Well, at least I’d like to respect Maddie.  Though I had my desires, I’d want to put the best of the person I love before my urges and needs.

 

“Yes…I understand.” I heard her say.  Perhaps she’s reading my thoughts again.  Though I could sense the regret in her voice, I could also feel the respect and love in her eyes as Maddie looked at me, “But Kuro, since we have to wait until marriage, can I ask something from you instead?”

 

“Oh?  What is it?” I smirked while watching her get all shy and squirmy once again.

 

“…pat…” I heard her mutter.

 

“Hm?”

 

“…he…” she leaned her head towards me.

 

“Would you want a head-pat?” I asked, quite amused.

 

Maddie silently nodded, all red in embarrassment, “Is…it okay?”

 

“Why not?” with my other free arm, I moved to grant her request.  However, her hand quickly caught mine and stopped me from doing what I intend to do.

 

“No, not yet.”

 

“Huh?” I’m a bit confused.

 

“Not yet.  At least, not for now.” Maddie explained, “I  want your head pat now; it puts me at ease.  But, well, I can’t do it at this moment.”

 

“Oh, alright…?” Well, I didn’t know what she meant by that, but I guess I’d just oblige.

 

“But Kuro…will you give me one once I finish from the Holy Congress?”

 

“Well, of course, I will!” I answered.  If Maddie wants to, I’ll give her head pats all day, for as long as she wanted it.