-- POV Luna --

"Yes ! I looked for you everywhere you know ? Every night *hic* yes every night I thought of you ! I dreamed of finding you and hugging you! N-*hic* now that you're here I'm not going to leave you hihi~..."

*Shit, she's drunk... I'm so stupid !*

Alayna had just said these words without any embarrassment and while I didn't know what to say she got up to sit next to me. She had only had one drink so the alcohol would wear off in time but for the moment I had no idea what to do.

*I...I feel like I've just made a terrible mistake...*

I was angry at myself for trying to play a little joke on her but I didn't expect the situation to turn out this way. I was in my thoughts but I felt Alayna's insistent gaze on me and as I turned I could see her eyes staring at my tail. She was looking at it with sparkling eyes that made me shiver for some unknown reason.

"I always wondered what it would be like to have a tail hihi~..."

"..."

"And beast ears !"

As Alayna said this, her hands grabbed my tail and caressed it sending a wave of shock through my body. She was acting without any embarrassment and at that moment, I bitterly regretted my joke that had sent me into a very complicated situation.

"Uaah Ally, this is..."

I couldn't finish my sentence as chills ran down my spine as my face turned red. She wasn't listening to me at all and was rubbing her cheek on my tail like it was a precious stuffed animal.

"Aww that's so sweet !"

*Uuurg*

The party was in full swing but my mind was totally elsewhere and even seemed to have partially shut down. No one had ever touched my tail and I wanted to get out of this situation

but my body was no longer obeying me.

*Mo..Move, you traitor !*historical

No matter how much I ordered it to move, I was frozen in place, unable to make even a single movement as Alayna continued.

"Luna, I think I'm getting addicted to your tail hihi~!"

Alayna had just said this in a seductive voice and suddenly her warm lips brushed the tip of my tail making me jump with surprise. This time again my body had reacted on its own and as I stood up, I stammered a few words.

"I...uh....Ally you're drunk,you need...I...I can get you some water if you want..."

The moment she had touched the tip of my tail, a new feeling had come over me. I didn't know how to describe it, but it felt like I had allowed something extremely intimate. I was hot and the more time passed, the more I felt the urge to get away from this place.

"No I'm not thirsty...buuuut I would like you to...show me the lake you told me about ! Pleeease, come on, will you ? It's no ?"

Alayna's eyes were almost pleading as she told me about the lake. A few days ago I had told her about the parks built in the Empire and the lakes there. Since then, we hadn't had time to go there because I had a lot of work to do and Alayna as a new soldier wasn't free either.

*Is this a good idea ? It might help her get her mind off the noise but...what if something happens to her ?*

In reality absolutely nothing could happen to her but for the first time I was afraid to be alone with her. Not because I didn't want to, but because I was afraid of doing something that might embarrass Ally later...or maybe the other way around.

"Please *hic* don't be mean, for once we have time and..."

Alayna had tried to step over the bench as she spoke to come towards me but her right foot had slammed against the wood causing her to stumble. With a quick movement I caught her before she hit the ground as our faces came within inches of each other.

'Hihi~ thank you my heroine !"

At that moment I had stopped breathing unconsciously as I felt my cheeks heat up dangerously. Ally was looking at me with sparkling eyes that were slightly tired from the effect of the alcohol. She had a big smile on her face, different from usual, which alerted all my senses as I quickly stood up on the verge of fainting.

"It's...it's okay I got it let's go !'

I had grabbed Alayna by the hand to take her away from the main square. I had acted very quickly, without thinking too much about it, to avoid anything embarrassing happening in the middle of all those people. Some of my soldiers were drinking and having fun not far from there and there was no way they would see me in such a situation.

*My heart might not hold out...*

We walked quickly through the crowd, making our way to a less crowded alleyway. I was still holding Ally's hand tightly so she wouldn't get lost, while glancing in her direction from time to time. Her blonde strands fell over her flushed face and she smiled radiantly like a little girl. The dark blue dress gave her an innocent look and enhanced the color of her pure and beautiful sky blue eyes.

*So beautiful... Okay, focus, damn it !*

We had finally managed to extricate ourselves from this tide of people and began to walk towards the nearest park. The alleys were still lit, but the festive and warm atmosphere had now become calm and gentle. As I walked more slowly, I enjoyed the quiet place, my mind at ease. The moon, still as white as Princess Shiro's hair, shone brightly and showed us the way.

"L-Luna wait ! You look like you're somewhere else haha~"

*Huh ?*

Without realizing it, I had let go of Alayna's hand and had just walked a few feet with my arm still back but no longer pulling anyone. She was holding her stomach and laughing, obviously still as uninhibited as before. Her laughter was soft and even though she was laughing, I was getting more and more embarrassed for some unknown reason.

"Don't...don't dawdle, we're almost there !"

"Yes yes ! I think about it but when we met that was one of the first things you said to me hihi~"

Her words made me smile as I saw the scene play out in my mind as I took her to my office. As we walked, those memories that were not at all old, I remembered them like it was yesterday. I thought that glass of cider would make Alayna more uncontrollable, but at that moment she was simply sincere.

*Here we go*

We had threaded our way between the houses through the beautiful paved streets and finally before us was the park. It was empty because everyone was in the centre and as the

music echoed in the distance on the wind, we were perfectly alone.

"Wow, this is beautiful !"

"Ally be careful !"

Alayna was now running through the silent park, lit by what were called lampposts adorned with a mana absorbing light stone. She wobbled a little, her long blonde hair flowing, her blue eyes twinkling, and her smile making my heart flutter without reason. As I caught up to her, I couldn't help but feel alone in the world with her.

"Don't run like that ! Are you feeling better ? Is your head spinning ?"

Every time Ally walked away, I was afraid she would hurt herself. She looked like a child who needed to be watched and even though she made me smile, I was worried.

"Yes Luna, don't worry like that ! No matter what happens you will protect me right ? hihi~"

"Y-yes"

*She's right, why am I acting like this ? Okay, maybe she's drunk, but we're the same age and it can happen, she's not going to die...uurg I don't get it !*

As I shook my head to clear the thoughts that were draining my mind, Alayna's arm wrapped around my left arm as we walked. The place was truly silent, I could even hear the breathing of the one beside me and the sound of shivering leaves.

Ahead lay the small lake that Alayna so wanted to see. The water was dark, unfathomable, but at the same time shone with a unique brilliance reflecting the moon and stars in the sky. I had never been here at night, and as we walked across the cool grass, our eyes took in the sight, leaving us speechless.

The sound of the water lulled our ears in this almost timeless atmosphere. Ally's arm still held me as she walked to a small wooden bench facing the lake. It was her turn to drag me impatiently before we sat down to enjoy this place that was at that moment only ours. As I leaned against the back of the bench, Alayna's soft voice came out.

"This place is beautiful.."

"The park ? Yes, I didn't think it would be this nice at night"

"No..I was talking about this Empire. I..I've never seen such a place before where so many people can live carefree and happy.."

Alayna's cheeks were still flushed and even though the effect of the alcohol hadn't completely worn off, somehow I liked her sincerity. Usually she was rather reserved and

discreet but tonight that was no longer the case. The glass of cider that Ally had taken seemed to increase her emotions, thoughts and desires tenfold while making her rather eccentric and much less shy.

Her eyes were closed and I couldn't help but look at her. Alayna stood still, almost as if asleep, and her hands held the medallion I had given her. As I watched her out of the corner of my eye, I answered her with the utmost sincerity.

"Yes...this place is a paradise for us but we must fight to preserve it. Her Highness has promised to protect us all but I as well as all the others have also sworn in our hearts to do so."

As Alayna turned her head towards me to answer, she became strangely tactile, moving closer to me before grabbing my hand. Hers were warm and even slightly sweaty as Ally spoke.

"Me..me too ! I want to protect this place that welcomed me and even if I'm not strong yet...I will become strong ! I...I want to protect you..."

Her blue eyes conveyed the passion and determination of her words and as her gaze bore into mine, I could not respond. Again my body stopped moving, my heart raced and my mind went blank...I was panicking. Before me was Alayna, like an angel in the moonlight, beautiful and breathtaking.

"Luna ?"

"Y-Yes ?"

"Can I...give you a hug ? I've been dreaming of this for a very long time and...last time I was crying in your office. Please...not..not for long I promise..."

Alayna was still red-faced so I didn't know if she was blushing or still drunk. Her request wasn't helping my already troubled heart and as I nervously nodded, Ally shyly moved closer to me. The glass of cider she had drunk had definitely made her braver and because of it or thanks to it, I could feel her arms wrap around my neck.

"I..."

"Shhh, let yourself go hihi~"

I didn't understand anything anymore. How had I gotten to this point ? Usually I was the one who flirted, who made people blush and who took the initiative but with Alayna I couldn't do it. I couldn't keep my cool, I couldn't act like I used to and the roles had even reversed. As she buried her face in her arms that were around my neck, after hesitating for a few seconds, I put mine around her waist.

We hugged in that empty park, on that bench facing the lake and the more time passed the more I felt good, at peace and despite my fast heart...very happy. As Ally looked up, I could see tears shining on her cheeks making me instantly panic.

"A-Ally, is everything all righ t? What did I do ? I... I shouldn't have put my hand there it's..."

"Aaah !"

I was so agitated that I had dropped Alayna causing her to lose her balance and as I tried to catch her, we both fell to the grass. I found myself on top of her and as she opened her eyes, she spoke.

"Aouch...it was unexpected, I am so clumsy haha~"

"Ex-excuse me I didn't mean to make you cry and on top of that hurt you, I'm such an idiot forgive me !"

I stood up in a panic as I held out my hand to help her up. I felt guilty and more than a little clumsy, which had never happened to me before.

*Idiot ! Why are you like this ?*

My hand was outstretched towards Ally and as she took it, instead of getting up she pulled me towards her making me fall back onto her chest.

"Wh..."

"You didn't do anything to me okay ? I couldn't be happier than here with you even if I fall once or twice..."

My heart had started to race again as my eyes locked with hers. Alayna had put her hands around my neck, keeping me from moving away and blocking my face inches from hers. I was hot and shivering and my brain had shut down. I couldn't even formulate a single sentence properly.

"I...with me ? I... why... no... uh..."

Never had so many feelings flashed through my mind as at that moment and I couldn't help but hide my red face with embarrassment. My tail was swaying back and forth in spite of me and as Ally giggled she pulled me closer to her to whisper.

"Idiot"

After saying this simple word, the young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, had placed her soft, smiling lips on mine. We were lying in the grass under the moonlight in a place

where we were alone and Alayna was kissing me.

*I...*

Once again she had surprised me and yet I wasn't pushing her away...I couldn't. As I closed my eyes enjoying this moment and these feelings, I lay on top of Ally to intensify this stolen kiss. Her lips tasted like cider.

____

FULL STATUS

Name : Freya

Age: 0 years / Mentally: 25 years

Gender: Female

Course : Ice Demon Wolf of chaos - Adult

Race : Imperial Demon

Titles: Blessed by Titania, Goddess of Endless Chaos and Eternal Frozen Hell.

Dragon tamer

Ruthless slayer

Level : 36/70

Exp required for next level: 16 600 / 37 000

HP : 120 000 / 120 000 MP : 60 000 / 60 000

Strength: 500

Defence: 500

Agility: 506

Endurance: 503

Speed: 502

Intelligence: 500

Charisma: 500 (imperial wolf)

Attribute points to allocate: 0

Married to : Gaya

Daughter : Shiro

Empire (menu)

Subordinated: 439 (+50)

Humans killed: 153

Souls: 2/3

Elements: Ice / Chaos

Skills (all):

Attack - Demon Claws (Lvl 5)

- Bite of Hell (Lvl 6)

- Infernal Ice Peaks (Lvl 6)

- Fighting techniques (lvl max)

- Katana mastery (lvl max)

- Demonic Empress aura (lvl 5)

Defense - Ice Demon Wall (Lvl 6)

- Demonic Cloak (lvl 5)

Pain resistance (lvl 4)

Attack/Defense - Ice Empress Domain "frozen wrath" (lvl 2) - (under condition)

Other - Humanoid form

- Ice creation (Lvl 6)

- Storage of chaos (Lvl 4)

- Devouring Chaos (Lvl 5)

- Analysis

- Second soul (lvl max) - unique

- Telepathy

Detection and control of mana (lvl 5)

Master of souls (lvl 1)

Passives - Commander (lvl max)

- Ice Empress's Natural Aura ]