I Treasure You

Dear Miss Clo:

In the blink of an eye, it has been several months since we last met. Affairs at the East Academy are tedious, but I have diligently fulfilled my duties. I have heard a bit about the events in the Western Continent; fortunately, by the time I was ready to set out to assist, the difficulties had been completely resolved.

As I sit down to write this letter, summer has completely passed. I originally grew a few Monthly Orchids to show you when you returned to the Academy for a chat. Like the color of your hair, they are a beautiful deep blue. I did not expect you to bypass us and head straight for the Royal Court, which is why I am writing this letter. I hope my flower preservation techniques have not worsened due to the rush of time, and that they are still vibrant when they reach your hands.

I heard that you have a friend traveling with you. I have also enclosed a Wind Whistle Flower in the stationery; its flower language is peace, joy, health, and longevity. I hope it brings her blessings. (The handwriting here seemed much neater.)

Wishing you a pleasant journey. If possible, I look forward to hearing about your travels.

Your friend, Ishtar.

Clo looked at this letter, which carried the fresh scent of a plantation, by the candlelight. It was already late at night; she was wearing a nightgown, sitting on the bed reading the words in the letter, with a few blue and light red flowers placed in the vase beside her.

“Who is this?” Li Yue leaned against Clo’s shoulder, her body seemingly lacking strength. Her eyes were half closed, looking quite exhausted. The wine Movella gave her could perk her up for a short time, but she didn’t plan on drinking it every day; she forced herself to endure those intense hunger pains.

“My friend from the East Academy. She is the Five Staves member with eyes of different colors whose magic represents Withering and Prosperity.” Clo rubbed her head against Li Yue’s. “She is a lady who enjoys gardening and has a very large garden. When she was free, she basically spent every day tending to the plants and would occasionally invite me to admire them.”

“She sounds like a lady of refined taste.” Li Yue yawned, searching her memory, but she couldn’t recall Clo mentioning such a beautiful lady. However, from Clo’s description, she seemed like a lady of good character. Once the wedding day came, she would invite her to witness the ceremony.

“Among the Cecilia flowers I gave you, a few were picked from her garden. She grows them very well; the flowers are full and lustrous.” Clo reminisced, trying to spark some other memories in Li Yue, or at least ensure her impression of Ishtar wasn’t too bad.

“Longevity is the enemy of a god of death, but I’ll accept the blessing for my health.” Li Yue coughed softly, patted Clo’s head, and slipped into the blankets. “My impression of Withering and Prosperity isn’t bad. My tier is one level higher than that god’s, though they also hold Prosperity, which isn’t under my jurisdiction. It seems we had a bit of cooperation during the ancient Golden Age.”

“Golden Age?” Clo also slipped into the blankets, her face very close to Li Yue’s.

“Gods don’t just have a Twilight where they fight to the death; we once had a Golden Age.” Li Yue’s eyes dimmed slightly. “I can hardly remember it anymore. After whatever happened next, all my memories are bloodstained. I have to go back and recall them again...”

“I only remember that I had a few friends a long time ago, and then I was alone again...”

Li Yue turned her back, but she felt something warm press against her, and a pair of hands wrapped around her waist. She knew it was Clo holding her. She didn’t resist, nor would she ever, even if Clo’s embrace was digging into her a bit.

Strength isn’t meant for this.

Li Yue closed her eyes. She heard the sound of the candlelight going out; it was time for sleep.

Hmm?

She frowned. The hands at her waist seemed to start wandering restlessly. As the exploration area deepened, her body’s reactions seemed to grow stronger due to the increased sensitivity.

“Wait... what are you doing...” Li Yue opened her eyes. In the darkness, her eyes turned into vertical pupils. She could see the dim room clearly, but Clo seemed to be ambushing her from behind; all the little movements were outside her field of vision.

Strength really should be used at a time like this, but it seemed her own strength was not enough to struggle free.

“I’m sorry... A Yue... I’ve been holding back for so many days. I held back during the day, and at night... I just couldn’t hold back anymore...” Clo’s voice was intermittent, swirling around Li Yue’s ear. “If it hurts... it’s okay to scream loudly... I already... set up the soundproofing formation.”

“So that’s what you were doing just now... ah... damn it...” Li Yue struggled slightly, as if trying to salvage the last bit of her dignity. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes, but she forced herself not to make a sound.

“You don’t have to hold it in...” Clo’s body was now completely pressed against her. “Restraining... restraining yourself is useless!”

...

Time passed in a flash, yet it also seemed to move quite slowly. For Clo, the pleasure of the wonderful experience was brief, but for Li Yue, after fainting several times, it seemed to suddenly be morning.

Clo suddenly remembered that today was the second day of the Open Day activities. Amidst Li Yue’s whimpering last night, she had intermittently mentioned needing to attend some event today, however, it seemed I interpreted it as part of the play and selectively ignored it, followed by the thrill of conquest...

Feigning resistance, and then taking her by force... it was the best...

Clo pressed her finger against the corner of her mouth to keep her expression from being too exaggerated, making sure she only wore a slight, just a slight, wicked smile.

“My body hurts so much...” Li Yue murmured, forced to let Clo help her get dressed. Her cheeks puffed out in dissatisfaction, but that dissatisfaction quickly deflated as Clo poked them flat.

“I told you to be gentler... I clearly said there was something to do today. Now look at this... my neck is covered in hickeys... how can I face anyone...” Li Yue was fuming, forced to wear some accessories on her neck under Clo’s joyful and mischievous gaze, while choosing a high collared garment.

This outfit’s design was a bit strange, yet it seemed to have a unique sense of cuteness and sexiness; the sides of her chest and her underarms were completely exposed, while the sleeves were long sleeves trimmed with lace.

She didn’t know with what kind of mood Clo had bought this outfit for her...

Forget it... none of that is important... although my body hurts... I still have to confirm today... what exactly is going on with that corpse.