"Oi. Stop daydreaming and follow me. We're already late" Aurora hurried to catch up with the guards, her mood instantly lifting at the thought of seeing her wife again.
Whatever blood Aurora had with the Quince, she'll settle it later and likely in private. She did not want to show the world what she could do.
Her feet did not feel like they touched the ground when she walked. Aurora could feel the glances she was getting through the corridor.
Being a goddess meant that she had a divine body. It drew unconscious looks her way without any effort. Unless Aurora learned to tone it down, she would be the recipient of such glances from all around her.
Aurora could feel the lustful thoughts aimed her way. While she did not mind being looked at, being a target and sexualized for no reason did make her uncomfortable. She wanted to kill off all the other filth who dared to look at Aurora like she was a piece of meat.
"We're here. I think you should cover yourself a little more. You know, so that you do not get stared at so much." the guard pointed to Aurora's burst that threatened to escape her garments.
Aurora did not care. The Abyss Tower was giving her the creeps.
The only thing keeping her going was the prospect of meeting her wife was so close at hand. Aurora could physically feel her wife inside the room.
But something seemed wrong. Clove's aura was far weaker than Aurora had ever felt before. It worried her.
No, not even that. Clove's aura felt as if there was only a fraction of her soul inside her. The feeling of emptiness was glaring clearly at Aurora's senses.
"Welcome to the registration process. Kindly fill out this form so that we can get you registered" Aurora stared into a pair of friendly brown eyes. The female in front of Aurora was attractive in all senses of the world.
But she was not Aurora's type.
Aurora was more than half sure it was because of her divine aura. It left everyone, even females, appreciative of her power. But also drove the fact home that Aurora needed to tone down her magic.
Already, people had started to eye her up and down. She could see many even debating whether to approach her or not. Even Quince looked at Aurora like she was a fine piece of meat he wanted to devour.
But Aurora did not see the one she really wanted to see there. Aurora could not spot Clove in the masses of students.
"Thank you for the form" Aurora turned her attention back to the female in front of her as she took the offered form. The guide looked flushed at having Aurora's attention focused on herself.
Aurora shifted her eyes in dismissal. The guide was heading toward forbidden territory with Aurora.
Her aura made it really difficult to keep attention off of her. Aurora could already spot people eying her up in interest.
Aurora chose a corner to sit down and fill out the useless form. She did not need to do all this, but Aurora wanted to do everything right for her wife. Who knew what changes could occur if she allowed her power to burst forth and change the start of everything.
For all she knew, her wife might never meet Aurora ever again.
"Hey, you know you're too bright. You should tone your aura down. Or, you'll attract unwanted attention. I can already see my childhood friend eyeing you up." And all of a sudden, the pen in Aurora's hand froze.
That familiar voice near her ear felt perfect and brought tears to Aurora's eyes. How long had it been since she had last heard that voice? It had been far too long for Aurora.
"H-Hey, are you crying? P-Please don't cry. I don't know what to do when I see a beautiful person cry" The honey-haired female stepped in front of Aurora, her eyes filled with worry. Aurora felt herself lose her bearing train of thoughts.
It was the first time she felt like abandoning her revenge plot and joining the Abyss Tower again.
It was Clove. And she looked just like she had so long ago, young and beautiful.
It made Aurora want to touch her and hold her. There was so much to talk about between the pair. But it all seemed so insignificant right now.
Clove's soul was a glaring dark hole to Aurora's senses. It knocked Aurora out of her thoughts and made her really take Clove's physical form.
Unlike her, Clove was still thirteen. It felt wrong to see her. Aurora found it impossible to look Clove in the eye. There was too much age difference between them.
"I..nothing is wrong. All these stares just make me uncomfortable. I feel like they are undressing me with their eyes." not that Aurora minded. She did not care about modesty, but she knew her Clove had a soft spot for these kinds of things.
Besides, as much as she could not make a move on Clove until Colve grew up, nothing stopped her from seeking the younger's attention.
And just as she had expected, Clove's eyes went soft. Her expression settled into that 'hard yet determined' mask. That was the same look her wife had when she had made up her mind.
Nothing could change Clove's mind once she had decided on something.
The next thing Aurora knew, she had a small hand tugging her arm. Aurora was being dragged around by the young princess. Aurora felt her face flush at the contact, her arms feeling hot and her body frozen.
Even more, eyes turned to the stunning pair, many people even trying to take a step forth. But with the addition of Clove in the mix, the guards jumped in as well.
"Oi Clove, where did you disappear? And who's this? A new servant?" that arrogant voice was one Aurora hated so much. It had been a thorn in her side. Quince had tried repeatedly to make her wife leave her side.
"Stop being mean, Quince. She needs our help. You know, I was thinking-"
"-if we can take her as a party member. You know we cannot. I cannot be counted on to protect two damsels in disaster. One is already enough of a burden. Even I'm not that skilled." the brat Quince replied with an almost sneer.
Aurora felt her annoyance rise at being underestimated.
The man, no, the child, gave her a glare that would have made even the strongest warriors step back but not Aurora. She had put up with his bullshit before. And she was not afraid of him now.
"I don't need you to protect me. I can wipe the floor with you any day" her declaration might not have the best timing, but it was something. She could no longer take it back. She would have to back her words with her actions now.
It was also the best time to test how her competition faired in skill level.