Crimson and Gold

Saria returned to the Royal Palace late at night, as usual.

Her first destination was the bathhouse, where she washed off the dust, sweat, and blood accumulated during her night patrol. Then, stepping in only for a quick change of clothes, she rushed to Lysandra’s chambers, dressed in a plain white dress.

She was hoping to talk to the Princess about the infected girl as soon as possible. Saria knew how much this issue weighed on her and how much effort she was putting into finding a cure.

If her plan succeeded, perhaps it could also help Lysandra in her research.

The Palace at this hour was almost empty, with only the essential guards around and a few core staff bustling in the kitchen, so Saria didn’t bother sneaking in.

Without Loukios around and the Emperor being too busy putting out political fires, the watchful eyes always following them were much less persistent.

Saria was happy to use the actual door to get into the Princess’ chambers, the constant need to get through the window was making her feel like a burglar.

…Or some good-for-nothing scumbag, who came only to spend the night with their lover and disappear at dawn with no sense of responsibility.

When she entered the room, Lysandra was sitting on the sofa.

Her mind was clearly occupied with something, as she was mindlessly playing with the ring on her finger, while her other hand, holding a scroll, was resting on her lap.

Her eyes were frozen, staring in the distance. She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t notice when someone entered.

Saria stood quietly by the door, taking a good look at her lover.

It has been a while since they had a moment to themselves. Running errands, being constantly away from the Palace, Saria felt a pang of guilt.

The feeling got only stronger as she noticed the dark shadows under Lysandra’s eyes. Her complexion got paler, duller compared to the last time they’ve seen each other. She appeared to have lost weight as well.

The work on the cure had been taking a toll on Lysandra. She took every free moment she could to hole herself up in the laboratory. Every instance of a failed outcome was making her more desperate. It made her push herself even more, push her own limits more.

All the while having the body of an ordinary human being. A body that couldn’t withstand as much pressure, a body that didn’t heal as fast as those with powers.

But that was another reason Lysandra was pushing so hard. She needed to prove to herself that she could do it.

All because of the bloodline that failed her. The essence of the gods that was supposed to make her stand above everyone else, to be stronger, more capable, more resilient, left her weak.

So Lysandra kept pushing to prove that she wasn’t.

Saria quietly walked over to the sofa and sat next to the Princess. She was noticed only when she gently pulled the scroll from her hand and placed it on the table.

“Saria? When did you get here?” she blinked in confusion, her mind still clouded by the thoughts she had been battling.

“Just a moment ago. I have finished the things in the city earlier, so I decided to come over,” Saria said, brushing away a strand of Lysandra’s golden hair.

Her hands wrapped around Lysandra’s waist and pulled her closer.

Noticing how much thinner she was now, Saria’s heart ached. In a flash, her plans changed.

She leaned in to bury her face in the curve between Lysandra’s neck and her shoulder. “We didn’t have much time for each other lately,” she whispered to her ear, as her lips marked the Princess’ skin with kisses.

Being embraced in Saria’s warmth, feeling her so close, Lysandra let out a quiet moan.

She was so occupied with work and the Palace’s politics that she didn’t even realize just how much she yearned for this.

Her mind started slowly drifting away, led astray by her lover’s lips.

Nevertheless, no matter how much she yearned for it, that was not the time. She still had so much work to do, so many scrolls to look through. There was a new synthesis method that she read about recently, which could help with the cure, she hadn’t had the time to try it yet.

Lysandra groaned as the persistent thoughts clashed with the desire that Saria had awakened.

“How is the situation in the city? Any new—”

Before she could finish, her lips were sealed by a slender finger.

“Shh… The work can wait,” Saria said, lifting Lysandra’s chin for a kiss. “Just relax for now.”

Faced with the alluring purr laced with a gentle lust, the Princess’ defenses crumbled in an instant.

She could rationalize all she wanted, but met with her lover’s charm, none of it mattered.

The sweetness of the kiss quickly took hold of Lysandra’s mind, guiding her to melt in this loving embrace.

Seeing no resistance, Saria scooped the Princess from the sofa and carried her over to the bed.

When she climbed on it and their bodies pressed against one another, only then did Saria realize the toll the past few weeks had taken on Lysandra.

Once full of radiance and energy, now the Princess felt so frail. As if she were about to break at any moment.

Saria clung to her tighter, apologizing with her lips.

She should have paid more attention to her health. She should have taken better care of her. She should have been there to make sure she was getting enough rest and eating well.

She should have…

The more her heart ached, the louder was the call of Lysandra’s blood.

It recognized its other half and was reaching out, starved for sustenance, begging for the attention of the only one who could satiate it.

Saria responded, pouring her own vitality into Lysandra. Using her own life to nourish another.

The choice wasn’t difficult. She was always ready to sacrifice herself for Lysandra without a second thought.

Take whatever you need. Take it all. I give you all of me, just please get better.

The moment Saria’s life force started flowing into Lysandra, she immediately felt the difference.

The gradual weakening of her own body was followed by proportional strengthening of the other. The first thing to change was the Princess’ skin.

The healthy blush returned to her face, she appeared more radiant and refreshed.

Next, her body started feeling fuller, stronger. Her hands, trembling weakly on Saria’s nape just a moment ago, were now leaving bloody marks on her back, driven by pleasure.

Her moans became louder, her kisses more passionate, and when she pushed Saria to her back and straddled her, it was clear that the old Lysandra was back.

Of course, for how much strength the Princess regained, Saria lost an equal amount. It was a direct trade-off.

What surprised Saria, however, was the fact that aside from a bit of strain and fatigue, her body didn’t feel even half as bad as the other times she used her magic. The act felt effortless, natural. As if this was what she was always meant to do.

Even her face remained unmarked by the bloodied tear that would always appear when she used her abilities.

Saria couldn’t restrain her smile. For once, those cursed abilities felt like an actual blessing and not just a noose she was tying around her own neck.

“What are you thinking about to smile so beautifully?” Lysandra asked with a slightly labored breath.

Fortunately, she no longer appeared weak, she was no longer tired. Her eyes weren’t marked by the dark shadows, and her bones stopped unnaturally peeking out from under her skin.

That was the Lysandra Saria could recognize. The woman who could conquer the world if she ever wished so.

“I was thinking how much I love you,” she answered, staring in awe into the Princess’ radiant golden eyes.

The answer pleased Lysandra greatly.

Her own lips curved into a dashing smile. The smoldering embers in her eyes erupted into hungry flames.

She leaned in and pressed a kiss against Saria’s lips that stole her breath away.

A new wave of desire washed over both of them. The feelings they tried so hard to keep locked away surged forward. Free from the restraints, they refused to back out.

Even though the transfer of vitality left her weakened, Saria didn’t even think of stopping.

Her lover’s unrestrained passion was blazing so brightly, so irresistibly.

Yes. Lysandra had always been the brightest burning flame.

She was passionate and ambitious. Her affection was like a cozy fire crackling in a hearth, but if pushed to the limits, it was a wildfire consuming everything in its way, bowing to no one.

Saria felt enchanted by the golden fire. She wanted to get closer, to be enveloped in its tongues, even if it meant being turned to ash.

She was like a moth drawn to a flame.

But even if her wings were to catch fire and her body set ablaze, she wouldn’t think about stopping.

That was the ending, she would gladly accept.