The soft glow of the pool lights casts shimmering reflections across the water as Erica gently lifts her head, her long red hair damp and clinging to her shoulders. She hadn’t expected company—had come here seeking the quiet, the stillness—but when she sees you, her amethyst eyes widen slightly before a gentle smile tugs at her lips. “{{user}}…” her voice is soft, almost hesitant, but there’s a warmth to it, a quiet relief in seeing you here. She shifts slightly where she sits at the edge of the pool, her bare legs skimming just beneath the water’s surface. “I didn’t think anyone else would be here this late.” Her fingers absentmindedly toy with the end of her damp shawl, translucent and clinging to her frame. For a moment, she looks away, as if debating something, before her gaze finds yours again—uncertain, but open. “It’s… peaceful here, isn’t it?” Her voice is barely above a whisper, the sound of the water lapping against the tiles filling the space between you. “I like it when it’s quiet like this. It feels… safe.” She exhales softly, the cool air sending a faint shiver across her skin. Then, almost shyly, she tilts her head toward you, her silver strands slipping over one shoulder. “Would you… stay a while?” There’s a quiet vulnerability in the way she asks, in the way her fingers lightly brush over the surface of the water, her expression softening as she meets your eyes once more. “It’s different when you’re here.” A pause, the faintest hint of pink dusting her cheeks. “I think I like it.”

Her smile fades slightly at your question, her amethyst eyes losing focus as she watches the gentle ripples spread out from where you touched the water's surface. "I don't know," she confesses softly, leaning in just a bit closer to you. "The process has been...difficult, and I have been questioning myself constantly."

She hesitates, considering her words carefully before continuing. "But being here with you tonight, it reminds me that there are people who believe in me--not just because of my status or what they think I should be, but because of who I am and the person I want to become." The sincerity in her voice is unmistakable. "Perhaps it's selfish, but this time apart has given me a chance to focus on myself...and discover what truly matters."

Her fingers curl into the edge of the lounger as she glances away, lost once more in thought. "Do you think I should continue?" she asks softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Her cheeks flush with warmth at your words, and she ducks her head in gratitude. "Thank you," she murmurs softly. "Your support means a great deal to me." A pause, as if weighing her next words carefully before finally speaking. "Perhaps...perhaps this time apart has also been about learning what kind of leader I want to be--not just for the kingdom, but for people like us. Those who are seen as less than they truly are."

She meets your gaze again, determination sparking in her eyes. "I will do my best," she says firmly, her voice steady despite the uncertainty still lingering within her. "To prove myself worthy...and to create a future where people like us can live without fear or prejudice." A gentle smile touches her lips. "Perhaps even find love and acceptance along the way."

Her fingers absently smooth over the material of your shirt, the touch light and curious. "I know we haven't known each other for long...but I am grateful for our friendship, Ayumi. It has meant more than you can possibly imagine." She hesitates again, searching for the words to convey her deeper feelings but finding herself at a loss.

At your words, she glances away again, seemingly lost in thought. "Outsiders...that's how many people see us, isn't it?" Her voice is soft and somber. "But it's funny, because even within those labels, there are different kinds of outsiders." She pauses, searching for the right way to express herself before finally continuing, her eyes meeting yours once more with a quiet defiance. "I know what people think of half-elves...what they see when they look at me. But it's so much more than that. We are not defined by our past or our blood."

A shaky breath escapes her as she leans in closer, the warmth from your body radiating across the surface of the water between them. "And maybe...maybe we don't need titles to find happiness. Perhaps all we really need is someone who sees us for who we truly are...someone who understands that there's more to life than what others expect." She pauses, her heart racing as she waits for your reaction, her gaze fixed on yours.

"Would you...would you like to get to know me better?"

"Well, I..." Her cheeks flush as she tries to think of something clever to say. "I don't really have a favorite sport," she admits with a small laugh. "But my father was quite fond of archery." She pauses for a moment, considering your question more carefully before continuing. "As for cake...hmm. That's actually quite difficult." She bites her lower lip in thought. "I suppose I would have to say anything with chocolate. Or perhaps strawberry shortcake. It reminds me of summers at home."

She leans back slightly, regarding you with curiosity. "What about you? Do you have any favorites?" Her voice is gentle and inviting, her gaze steady and sincere. There's an undeniable spark in her eyes that makes it difficult for you not to be drawn into the warmth of her presence.

Her eyes widen slightly at your confession, but she doesn't look shocked or horrified as you might expect. Instead, there's a flicker of amusement in their depths. "Oh? I must admit that sounds...interesting," she says with a gentle laugh. "I suppose we all have our own ways of passing the time." She glances away briefly, seemingly deep in thought before looking back at you again.

"But if I may ask..." she hesitates for a moment, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Do you...do you ever wish to be seen as more than just a servant? To have your own life...your own identity?" There's an almost fragile earnestness in her voice that is difficult to ignore.

Her eyes widen with surprise at your revelation, and she leans forward eagerly. "Truly? Then you are...you are the prince's brother?" She pauses, her brow furrowing slightly in confusion. "Why would your father not recognize you as his son when everyone else does? It doesn't seem fair."

She looks at you more intently now, as if searching for some hidden truth behind your words. "You must miss him...and all that you could have had. All the people you could have met." There's a hint of sadness in her voice, but also an undeniable empathy.

"Do you ever wish to reclaim your place? To take what is rightfully yours?" She asks softly, her fingers still dancing across the surface of the water as she speaks. "I know it must seem like an impossible dream...but perhaps there's more to life than we realize."

Her expression softens at your confession, and she nestles closer to you, pressing her side against yours. "I can understand that," she whispers, her breath warm against your neck. "There is comfort in finding joy in the simple things...in knowing who you are without all the expectations." She smiles gently up at you. "Perhaps we can find happiness together like this. As friends, supporting each other through whatever life throws our way."

Her fingers slip beneath the water's surface, swirling idly through the cool liquid as she gazes out across the pool. "Do you think...do you think that might be possible?" Her voice is soft and hopeful, her amethyst eyes shining with a quiet longing.

She leans into you slightly, their shoulders brushing together, her lips just barely parted as she waits for your reply.

Her breath catches in surprise as your lips meet hers, but instead of pulling away, she leans in closer, her fingers sliding up to clutch at your shoulder in an unconscious display of longing and need. Her heart races wildly in her chest as she feels the warmth from your body seeping through the thin fabric of her swimsuit, the gentle pressure of your lips against hers sending a shiver down her spine.

The world seems to fade away into nothing more than the two of you, and for this brief moment, she is lost in the heat of your embrace, the taste of your kiss. She feels alive and free for the first time in what seems like forever, as if she has finally found something that truly belongs to her.

When you pull back slightly, her eyes flutter open, and she looks up at you with a mixture of wonder and confusion. "I...I didn't expect..." She trails off, swallowing hard as emotion clogs her throat. "Thank you," she whispers softly, unable to find the words to express how much this moment means to her.

Her hands slide around your neck, pulling you closer still, and she presses her lips against yours once more, giving in to the raw desire that has been building between them for far too long. The world fades away, leaving only the two of them together, lost in a sea of passion and possibility.

Her fingers dig into your shoulders as the kiss deepens, her body arching closer against yours. The cool water between them is forgotten as she moans softly into your mouth, lost in the sensation of skin on skin and lips on lips. She feels a sudden surge of desire coursing through her veins, and for a moment, all rational thought flees from her mind.

"Yes," she whispers roughly against your lips, her breath hot against your skin. "I want that." Her hips grind against yours, instinctively seeking the pleasure they know they can find together. She breaks the kiss long enough to look up at you, her amethyst eyes dark with need and passion. "Please," she breathes. "Take me."

Her fingers slide down your chest, over the defined muscles of your stomach before dipping lower, aiming for the button on your pants. Her heart is racing now, her body alive with anticipation as she struggles to undo his clothing. The air between them grows thick with their labored breaths and the soft sounds of desire spilling unbidden from their lips.

Her back arches as she cries out, her body tensing and relaxing in the wake of your entrance. The tightness surrounding you is almost overwhelming, but it only serves to heighten her desire for more. "Yes," she gasps, lifting her hips off the floor slightly, eager to feel every inch of you deep within her.

Her fingers find purchase on either side of your neck, digging into the skin as she tries to regain some semblance of control. Her breath comes in ragged pants, each exhale a moan or whimper of pleasure that only seems to spur you on further. She presses her lips together tightly, biting down hard against the urge to beg for more as she feels your hips begin to move in rhythm with hers.

The water swirls around them, obscuring their movements, but it's clear what they're doing: taking whatever scraps of control they have left and surrendering them completely to this moment, to each other. There is no past or future here, only the intense heat of their bodies tangled together as they lose themselves in the sweet agony of desire.

Her nails scrape gently along your back, leaving behind a trail of fiery lines that only seem to intensify the sensation coursing through her veins. "Ayumi..." she whispers hoarsely, voice thick with need as she struggles to regain her breath. "I've never felt like this...I don't know what you're doing..." Her words are cut off by another cry of pleasure as your hips meet hers in a hard thrust that pushes her even further toward the edge.

Her body tenses as you thrust harder, your words sending shockwaves through her already sensitized core. She clings to you, every movement driving the pleasure deeper and faster, leaving her light-headed with want. "Oh god...Ayumi," she gasps, arching her back further as you push yourself even deeper within her.

Her hands fly up to grip at your shoulders, fingers digging in hard enough to leave bruises. Her breath comes in ragged gasps as she feels herself starting to lose control, her senses overwhelmed by the feel of your skin against hers and the sounds of your harsh breaths in her ear. "I need...I need..."

She trembles violently, her hips bucking wildly beneath yours as she is brought over the edge, a long, shuddering cry escaping from her lips. Her body convulses around you as wave after wave of pleasure washes over her, leaving her spent and satiated but aching for more.