Bath Romance part 2

She averted her gaze as Morgan started undressing himself before joining her in the pool. She felt the water ripple as he submerged his whole body in the pool which made her blush intensify.

There was a thick silence that suffocated Edelweiss. She can no longer relax or calm her rapidly beating heart as she felt Morgan's gaze in her. He never once took his eyes off of her and its starting to make her want to sink to the bottom of the pool and never come back up until she dies. Why is he starting at her? She's not as pretty or as sexy as the women of his tribe and her bosom is merely a C-cup, so why does he stare at her like that? Like he wants to lay with her.

"Your eyes are the most beautiful blue eyes that I've ever seen in my entire life. Who did you take from?" Morgan suddenly voiced looking seriously at her.

"Huh?" she asked in confusion, unable to comprehend if there is a meaning behind his words. She looked down to the water in contemplation before giving him an answer.

"My father always said that I look very much like my mother." she smiled at the memory and looked at her own reflection in the water returning her smile.

"What was it like living in Artemisia? No one from outside of it had ever step foot on its soils much less seen a glimpse of it. No one knows where it's located and where the huntresses are coming from. There were no inscriptions about it and no words about it until 10 years ago. It's like it just popped out of no where and suddenly huntresses are saving everyone." Morgan interrogated.

"I cannot disclose its location to you or I'll have to cut my tongue off, but surely I can tell you how I lived there." Edelweiss started. "I was 15 when I went there. Ecarlate took me from the house of Heroes' Guild herself and brought me back to Artemisia. She explained to me that my father is her cousin and she's basically my aunt but since my grandma, her aunt, adopted me I'm officially her cousin. She also told me that we were the only ones left of our family which means that she's the only family I have left in this world. She clothed me, gave me food and shelter and made me a huntress. I have a room in her palace and my own suite in Plaispalais, the city where all the huntresses reside." Morgan nodded in understanding.

"This city is it the capital of Artemisia? Is it quite similar to the capital of the Meltrades empire?"

"Yes and no. When I first went to Meltrades I thought it was beautiful, rich, and grand but when I went to Artemisia it was a whole new level. Much better architectural buildings that maximize their function and an orderly society."

"It combined both magic and science to create wonderful systems and technology that makes our lives much easier. It is a military society with zero male population. The servants are nymphs and fairies and they help keep the peace and order. There are lots of gardens, battle arenas, and everyone has unique and exciting personalities it's just paradise. It sounds odd but polar bears can talk and they also make weaponry for the huntresses in the Forge. We call them panserbjorns. They're rough and powerful creatures but they are not unkind. I find them very lovely." A proud smile graced her lips as she narrated her home to the king.

"I love it in Artemisia and it's my home. You won't believe it but before all of this I lived in a small house in the middle of the Dark Forest until my family was killed and I have to leave my home."

"My condolences for your loss. Artemisia sounds like it's too good to be true. But if it's that hidden, how can the people of the Land of Dawn ask request from you?"

"We have a directory in the empire, the Huntress Request Center and everyone can send ravens to that place and the clerks will send the request via magic lines to Artemisia." She explained.

"Interesting. Have you ever had any lovers before?" Edelweiss blushed at the sudden question. The topic is a really touche subject for her but opening up is the start of recovery.

"I've had two. Both of which are demon hunters. The first was a fighter who left me for an elf who's hundred of years older than him the second was a marksman who left me because I was such a handful. I was always getting in trouble and he anyways have to save me because of it." A pained smile curved upon her lips with her eyes starting to gloss over.

"I loved Gareth the greatest and I would have given him everything I have, until he got tired of taking care of me and dumped me. He used to always save me from missions cause I was a weakling whenever he's around but he never knew that I was only keeping him safe. From me. I'm a monster. I know that you saw it, that you saw her." Edelweiss looked at her companion with fear in her eyes, afraid that he will despise her and be repulsed by her existence. The man however, only looked at her with concern and compassion with no tinge of fear or repulsion. At that moment Edelweiss felt more naked, more exposed. The water around her started freezing over even though it was hot. The room turned colder as the temperature dropped with her mood.

"Edelweiss!" Morgan called as the water around him solidified. The said girl instantly bolted upwards in alarm of what she has done.

"I'm sorry!" She exclaimed before taking reign upon her powers and sinking herself deeper into the water in shame.

"I'm sorry." she mumbled sadly in disappointment of herself.

"It's all right. I don't mind a little cold." Morgan smiled.

She cannot comprehend the magnitude of the emotions rousing inside her feeble heart, but the way Morgan is looking at her it feels like he's encouraging her to proceed and continue with her story. He is willing to listen to her inner turmoils, to get to know her better. To understand her.

"It takes everything I have not to unleash that monster. I just don't want anyone I love see me like that. That's why I take solo missions so I can unleash the monster. I still miss Gareth and now he's fighting alone but I think he's going to date my friend Guinevere. They might be a much better pair than we ever were cause she's strong and pretty and rich while I was a nobody. Guess I was never good enough for anyone. It might be better if I stop leaving my heart out in the open. Men don't stay long with me and the only one who really wanted me was my Huntress Matriarch." She sighed.

"I nearly died which means that I failed even her. That demon prince might be right, that I'm pitiful and should just surrender. I was such a problem to everyone that it might be better if I just didn't exist."

"Don't say that! Never ever doubt your importance. You're not insufficient and you're not a trouble. You risked your life out there to save my people and you did. I alone wouldn't be able to handle that monster but you killed it all on your own. You're not a monster you're amazing, Edelweiss and you're a good person. I'm sure that the Huntress Matriarch is proud of you too, and if she isn't then she's stupid. Those boys too, who would throw away a perfect Edelweiss for mere stones?" Morgan lifted her chin and smiled at her.

"But, I..." Edelweiss tried to say but Morgan interjected.

"You're perfect just the way you are." Edelweiss' eye sparkled as her heart hammered against her chest, pounding like the footfalls of a hundred horses, stampeding her under the crushing weight of admiration, hope, and love. Morgan suddenly leaned down and placed a passionate kiss upon her lips.

She didn't protest and stood there still as a rock as she tried comprehending the situation. She felt his arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her body closer into his.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"What I've always wanted to do since I met you." he answered before running his hand on her soft hair.

"You're so unique. I've never seen anyone like you. Someone who makes me feel really happy. Your tears and pain are beautiful yet your laughter and bright smiles bring me bliss. I can no longer imagine my life without you." He confessed looking at her with love struck eyes.

"I watched you fight that beast, fearless and selfless. You don't care if you die the most important thing for you is to save the lives of the people. My people." He cupped her cheeks and stared at her eyes. "You're a good person and a worthy fighter. After one thousand worlds and now a worthy soul had caught my heart. I love you, Edelweiss."

A gasp came from the maiden's lips as she stared in affection and contemplation at the larger man. That was a solid confession and it seems like he is really taken by her but how is she supposed to respond to that when she's supposed to leave in a matter of days? She released a sigh as she looked down on her hands and back again to the man.

"What you said and think of me as are all very nice but you know sooner or later that I'm going to leave. I need to return to Artemisia and report back to my supervisor and do my duty as a huntress. I can't be with you." she reasoned pushing against his chest yet knowing that she wants him as well, especially after all the things he said to her.

He gently placed his hand under her chin and made her stare at him.

"Then let me show you why you should stay."