After killing Rose, I decided to take a breather and sat down on my ice. Her words still echoing in my head and my seething anger unable to calm itself down. I couldn't understand why everyone talks so badly about Cera. The only person who has been genuine with her is Celest. I looked down at my hand that was still shaking because of the built-up frost from my attack.
I didn't know I had a limit. Not only that, but I also got stabbed in the middle of that fight. I stood up and covered myself in mist before pulling out the dagger and stabbing it near Rose's missing head. Blood splashed out and I cringed with pain before freezing my shoulder and part of my arm and heading home.
I looked back to make sure I wasn't leaving a trail of blood behind and continued running within the mist I was creating, so people wouldn't see me. As soon as I arrived at our courtyard, I looked at my wound again, expecting blood to gush out as soon as I released my ice, but the wound was closed.
"Welcome back, my lady." Viv welcomed me back with a warm towel and started to clean up the blood I had splattered on me before entering the house.
I was still shocked to see that the stab had closed and that it didn't leave a scar, as if it never happened.
Viv finished wiping my face and while I was still in shock, walked me into the house, gave me a set of clothes to change to, and led me to the bathroom. I looked closer at my arm and couldn't find anything wrong with it. Could it have been the demon's power reverting it back? I don't understand what the demon's power does to begin with and now I have this eerie time lapse on my shoulder. I couldn't help but worry within the steamy shower.
After pondering for a while, Cera knocked on the door and came in, leaving me exposed and in shame.
"Wait, I'm not done!" I was about to turn off the shower when she came in and started inspecting me.
"Viv said you came in with a lot of blood. I need to make sure you're okay." Cera thoroughly inspected my body and left me gaspingly abashed.
"Okay, let's get you ready." She dragged me out and started drying me, dressing me, and then sitting me down to brush my dampish hair.
"We'll be going to the Kingdom of Rena to go look for what, exactly?" I leaned my head on her abdomen and looked a bit to side to rest my head.
"Eyes. I need a pair of witch's eyes that are prismatic and luminous. In other words, very shiny. I also need the body of a holy baby and the blood of a dragon. The stronger the better." I closed my eyes and wrapped her arms around myself before fully enjoying her warmth.
"Why do you need these things? A ritual?" Cera started caressing my face with her slim fingers and I let myself go into nirvana.
"Yeah, to summon the friend who brought us together." She kissed my forehead and I fell asleep in her arms.
After a short nap, Viv and Noire set everything up and we went on the carriage, ready to go on our short vacation.
As Viv was loading up the carriage with several cases filled with my clothes, I put a pastry in my mouth and continued watching Viv with wonder.
"Hey, Viv, do you know anything exciting about Rena Academy? I heard all of the students there are strong and that they're all overwhelmingly prestigious and elitist. Do you know if that's true?" I continued eating my pastry and secretly hoping they would be willing to fight me.
"From what I've heard, they're actually quite humble. They don't discriminate because Rena academy was founded with the idea to unite. The ancient witch Rena was known for her ability to coalesce, so that's where the idea to unite came from. However, I'm sure you'll be able to find someone to spar against in such a famous academy. There's bound to be some bad apples in the midst." Viv finished putting the luggage away and began to prepare the horses.
"Well, ideally we'll find the ancient witch and talk to her." Since Cera is with me I'm not too worried, but I would prefer to make a deal before killing her and causing a scene. If she's still there, that is. A pair of ancient witch eyes would take care of one requisite.
Noire and Viv were sat down in front and handled the horses while Cera and I were alone inside the carriage. I wanted to preemptively give her a kiss but she moved before I could do so. She quickly closed the blinds and pushed me down on the carriage seat, pinning me down and placing her warm hand on my cheek.
"Did you think I wasn't going to notice that you went out this morning and killed princess Rose? I let it slide earlier while you were in the shower because we were in a hurry, but now it's time for your punishment." She grabbed the hairpin I put on and used her Alm to destroy it, making it crumble as my hair cascaded alongside the small pieces of enhanced metal. It was a present from her, but she destroyed it and made my hair a mess, leaving me disheveled and unhappy. She then combed my hair back with her hand and pressed her nose against mine, her peachy shampoo and hot breath left me unable to speak as all I could think about was her lips.
"Next time you'll tell me where you're going, okay?" Her soft voice stridently threating me that there would be no second chance. Unable to voice my words, I simply let her break off another one of my hairpins, slowly pushing myself against her to let her know I understood. She continued to break things, from my necklace to my rings, leaving me with only my wedding ring.
I cuddled up next to her and she used a hairband she brought with her to put my hair in a pony tail and whispered a lovely hum in my ear, making me fall asleep inside the carriage.