Chapter 37 - Maya Rosenwald P13

Chapter 37 - Maya Rosenwald P13

~37.13~

*****

"Why go so far? What do you get out of it?"

I shook my head. "I expect nothing out of it. Even I don't know why I feel so compelled. I look at you and her and I see two girls that I want to be friends with and help anyway I can."

"Just being friends with a royal has a lot of perks."

I sighed. "I'm not offering my help expecting you to be my friend. Like I said, I expect nothing in return. Seeing your happy smiles afterward would be enough for me."

She blushed and looked away. "You really mean that."

"Is that a question or a statement?"

"A statement. You don't strike me as the sort to make up grandiose lies. I question everything about what you're promising, but I also get the feeling that you're going to try harder than anyone else before."

"Yes. I will."

She turned back to me, her face still red. "Listen. I have to tell you something now."

"What is it? You've already told me something very confidential."

She shook her head. "This one is my private information to share."

"Only if you're comfortable sharing it."

"How are you so nice? I came here to give you hell, and you responded calmly and reinforced your intentions. You want to do things for others and get nothing out of it? You're unbelievable! Even the nicest nobles and royals want something in return. Yet, you're saying you expect nothing? Do you intend to ask for something in return at some point, even though you expect no for an answer?"

"No. I won't ask for anything."

"It makes no sense to me. You're so kind it's hard to believe somebody that kind exists, yet here you are right in front of me. And I don't sense an ounce of dishonesty from you. I'm very good at detecting lies. And…"

"And?"

"The thing I wanted to say is more an admission of guilt, but it's also an ability. When you took my hand, I tried to read your soul."

"Not my mind?"

She shook her head. "I'm no good at telepathy, but I have the ability to see into souls. Normally I can do that with just my eyes, but I couldn't read yours. When I can't do it with my eyes, I've never failed to do it with physical touch, but I still can't. All I can see is a bottomless pit of mana inside you. I've seen into Lady Mabel's soul and Lord Nacht's soul. I could clearly see how much mana they had, among other things. But with you, there's just mana as far as I can see. It's like… an endless ocean, and even the biggest fish in the sea are mere specks."

Then show knows I held back the other night when Maya tested me.

"Do you have anything to say about that?"

I shook my head. "Just as I encourage everyone else to only tell me what they're comfortable telling me, I have things I'm not comfortable talking about. Perhaps in the future, but I'm still working through my misgivings in my mind. Forgive me for holding my tongue on this, but I haven't come to terms with things yet."

She smiled. "I see. Then, I will tell nobody what I saw." She sighed. "Honestly, I came here to tell you off, but here I am wanting to protect you now."

"I-"

"May I ask something personal? Of course, you don't have to answer it, but if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you."

"I don't mind. If it's something I'm comfortable answering I'll answer it."

She nodded. "I wanted to come confront you right after Rhia told me about your conversation, which was shortly after the party on Tuesday. But part of me was really happy to hear somebody else wanting to help her, so I decided not to approach you right away. I wanted to think about it more. I came here tonight after deciding."

"Deciding?"

"May I ask your sexuality? Rumors are one thing, but I'd rather hear it from the source, if you're comfortable answering."

Why is she asking that? I wasn't sure what expression was on my face upon hearing that. "I'm comfortable answering that. I have a heavy preference for girls, but I am bisexual."

I saw a hint of a smile as she replied, "I'll be candid with myself, too. I'm just straight gay."

"Pfft." I couldn't hold it in.

"Hey! Don't laugh!"

"No, no, I'm sorry, I'm not laughing at your answer, it's your choice of words. Straight gay."

"Oh." She giggled. "I see. Perhaps I'm a bit flustered and got comfortable enough with you to stop minding how I say things." She giggled again. "Straight gay…"

"I take it you meant just gay? Girls only?"

"Yes." She cleared her throat, after giggling at the wording a bit longer. "Anyway. Reason I ask is I felt something when we met, and then again when Rhia talked to me about you. I apologize if I'm being too forward, but… Eli… no, Lady Elise Aindrea, as with customs in Serendell, I would like to date you." Her face was very red saying that, and I could feel my cheeks heating up hearing it.

"D-date me?" I stepped back, forgetting for a moment that we were speaking telepathically via touch. She was gripping my hand quite tightly, and I accidentally pulled her toward me when I stepped back. Her face fell just above my breasts, into the bare skin of my neck.

She just asked me out, and then I pulled her into me. I was so shocked I didn't know what to do.

"I apologize for startling you." Unlike me, she maintained her composure. "Please allow me to explain." She looked into my eyes, silently telling me there was more to it.

"And I apologize for the sudden physical contact."

She shook her head. "I don't mind that, and I'm not a prude anyway. So uhm. The way elves do things in Serendell is when we're interested we try dating before formally asking each other to be girlfriends. Please understand, I'm not asking to be girlfriends, but I feel something there. Our custom is to date to find out if there's more."

I giggled. "You came here to confront me not only about wanting to help Aria, but this as well?"

She nodded. "Yes."

"I see. Okay. I'll agree to go on dates with you."

*****

Revision: 2025-2-12