62 A Vivid Imagination-- (For one that is usually staid internally))

In an instant, I had pounced on her, unable to wait distancing myself from her any longer.

Rubbing my face into her shoulder and inhaling her familiar scent set me into a warm euphoria, and I couldn't bear for the moment to end, hoping that it would stay this way forever.

And it SHOULD always be this way. After all, in no time, Asura will be mine, and all of this would just be the start of our intimacy!

That's right! As I thought of this, I tightened my grip, and perhaps because I was squeezing her a little too hard, Asura, who had initially been passively receiving my embrace, spoke up.

"Princess Lancera, please refrain from touching me so casually."

She wiggled out of my arms and shoved me away, throwing a stony glare my way.

Slow to react, I felt my arms and legs weakening as I was pushed back.

Hmm?

I blinked, my expression of joy freezing on my face before slowly disappearing.

What did she mean?

This isn't right.

This isn't the scene I had planned in my head.

I- Is she unhappy to see me?

Her reaction to my intimacy… does she not like it?

Her expression… why does it look more distant than when she spoke to Caroline Baske?

…Enactment Start…

"AASSUUUUU!" As I embrace her, I can feel her body heat, and in the cool spring wind, it hardened my resolve to never let her go.

Asura, startled by my hug, relaxes her body and wraps her arms around me, turning and burrowing her head into my shoulder. "LANCERAAAAAAA!"

Her voice is filled with grief but also has hints of joy and relief. "I missed you so much…"

"Oh, Asu! Why are you crying? Your eyes… they look prettier when you are happy. If you are upset about something, you must tell me! Tell me, and I'll chase those troubles away! I'll beat them up so that you will never be bothered by them. I'll protect you and make sure no one will ever hurt you again! Trust me!"

"Oh, Lancera… I was so afraid… I thought you were going to abandon me! But I know now that you will never leave my side." Asura looks into my eyes, her azure orbs sparkling in the sun. There are still traces of tears on her face, but she no longer looks so sad.

"The thing is…" she starts, her face nearing mine. "Through this experience, I found out my true feelings. Actually, I-I… I lo—"

… Enactment end…

Where is the joy?!

Where is the returned hug?!

Where are the sparkling eyes?!

WHERE IS THE LOVE?!

In truth, I understood how low the likelihood of the above scene happening… but still… Asura… why do you look so cold?

I… Was it me? Did I do something to make you upset? Is it because I didn't walk you to your classes the entire morning? Or that I prevented Cassian Hall from confessing?

I'm ready to repent for all of my sins… except the last one.

As I gazed lifelessly at her, my logical thinking—which had been against my actions these entire time—suddenly gave me a piece of advice.

With it, I immediately berated myself for my useless dawdling, and with my sword drawn, I charged into battle, confident* of my chances.

*VA note: (semi) confident—something I thought readers should know, cuz Lancera didn't input that due to not wanting to sound not confident. :p