Bonus Short Stories
A Conversation between Princess Sophia and Her Goddess
◇ Princess Sophia’s Perspective ◇
“Look! I’m much better at swimming now, wouldn’t you say?”
For the past few evenings, I had been swimming in the night sea with Hero Makoto.
“Yeah, definitely,” he answered with a soft smile. Makoto was standing atop the water using his magic. The gentle look in his eyes made my body heat up, but...
You don’t seem interested in me...
He was wearing his usual adventuring gear, an entirely ash-gray outfit. I glanced at the rest of his equipment on the beach.
He’s going to try and make it to the temple again tonight...
Just then, I saw that Hero Makoto was staring at the water. His eyes were pointed toward where the Seafloor Temple lay beneath the waves...rather than at me. From what he’d told me, I knew that he dove down there each night and tried to progress through the trench called Deep Scar.
It was a perilous place full of monsters, and he went back every day.
I wish he wouldn’t put himself in so much danger... But, if I had said as much out loud, I’m sure he would have given me an exasperated look.
Suddenly, I recalled a conversation I’d had with the Goddess of Water, Lady Eir.
◇
“Heyyy, Sophieeee☆ You good?”
“L-Lady Eir?!”
While I was offering my daily prayers, the goddess spoke to me. Though she was normally very relaxed with her speech, she was still the goddess that watched over all of Roses—it was no trifling matter for her to converse with a mortal priestess.
“Is something the matter?” I asked hesitantly.
“Yup! It’s an emergency, a real one.”
“A-An emergency?” What sort of disaster would a goddess consider an emergency? Anxious nerves suffused my body.
“So, Sophie,” she began.
“Y-Yes...?” I replied, waiting for what she’d say next.
“You’re in love!”
“Wha...?” Despite my Coldhearted skill, I could only manage a half-witted noise. “Um...Lady Eir, what...?” As I struggled to respond, I thought back on my behavior over the past few days...and immediately broke out into a cold sweat.
“Come on, don’t be coy,” Lady Eir teased. “You’re always so serious when you pray, always thinking of your citizens. But! Your head’s been all full of a certain ‘hero’ lately. Of course I’d notice,” she told me with a giggle.
“I-I’m so sorry!” I blurted, lowering my head to the floor before the statue that bore her likeness. “I’ve neglected my position!”
“Oh, no, no, I’m delighted!” she exclaimed, and I could feel the joy in her words. “You’re so serious! You haven’t ever had feelings for anyone like this before, have you? Of course I’m happy that someone’s finally caught your eye. I know it’ll be a revelation. Sophie, you need to have your man fall for you.”
“L-Lady Eir?!”
I couldn’t do that! I had no idea how to even begin!
“It’s okay! I’ll teach you.”
Well...that was very kind of her, but I could feel the mischievous goddess getting into it...
◇
“I’ll see you later then,” Hero Makoto told me. We’d finished up at the beach, and he had escorted me back to my room. This was usually where we’d part ways.
“Um...be careful,” I said. In a departure from my usual behavior, I held onto him with both hands and peered up into his eyes. Lady Eir had said that this technique was effective on men, but I wasn’t so sure.
I did, however, get to see the rare sight of a flustered Hero Makoto with reddened cheeks.
“R-Right. I will be,” he stammered. Then, he left with hurried steps.
Nicely done, said a voice in my mind. It’s working.
Lady Eir was watching?!
Wanna try hugging him next time?
I-I couldn’t do that! It was dirty. Oh, but...he looked so cute with flushed cheeks. I wanted to see that sight again. As far as my emotions went, it was probably too late for me...
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