Rayish
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Chapter 42
🕑 Added 2024-09-18 06:45:06 +0000 UTCRiveria stepped out of the library, her mind still filled with the image of Aiz and Shirou dancing together. The feeling she had while watching them was strange—a mixture of happiness for seeing her student, Aiz, so joyful, and a jealousy she couldn't shake. Riveria rarely experienced emotions like this, and it made her uneasy.
As one of the leaders of the Loki Familia, Riveria always felt the heavy weight of responsibility on her shoulders. She was a respected figure, a mentor to many Familia members, and a wise leader. Yet, when it came to Shirou, her feelings were hard to control. Sometimes, she felt her status as a mentor and leader prevented her from getting closer to Shirou than just a colleague or teacher. How could someone like her, who always prioritized duty above all else, let personal feelings interfere with her responsibilities?
With a calm step, Riveria walked through the halls of Twilight Manor. On the way, she ran into Loki, who was as cheerful as usual.
"Hey, Riveria! What are you doing here? Spying on your students dancing, huh?" Loki teased, winking playfully and grinning widely.
Riveria let out a small sigh, brushing off her awkwardness. "I was just making sure they were preparing properly," she answered flatly, though deep down she knew Loki could probably sense her unease.
Loki chuckled but then her expression turned more serious. "Speaking of tonight's party… You know Shirou isn't coming, right? It's just Aiz who's going with me. Shirou decided to stay back at the manor," Loki explained.
Riveria felt a bit surprised to hear that, although she tried to hide her emotional reaction in front of Loki. Shirou wasn't going to the party? Why wasn't he going? Riveria began to feel a mix of emotions stirring again. On one hand, she felt relieved that Shirou wouldn't be there, so she wouldn't have to see him attract the attention of other goddesses. But on the other hand, she also felt anxious. What was Shirou's reason for not attending?
"Oh, I see," Riveria replied briefly, trying not to reveal her true feelings.
Loki, known for her sharp sense of others' emotions, simply gave a sly smile. "Don't worry too much, Riveria. He probably has his own reasons. Besides, this could be a good opportunity for Aiz. Let her enjoy her night," Loki added in a teasing tone before continuing on her way.
Riveria watched Loki's figure disappear down the hall, her thoughts drifting back to Shirou. The mixed emotions she felt only made her more confused. It was as though there was a wall preventing her from getting closer to Shirou, a wall she had built herself—her duties as a mentor and leader. But deep in her heart, Riveria knew that these feelings were becoming harder to ignore.
With a heavier step, Riveria continued walking, hoping to calm the storm inside her heart.
Riveria slowly made her way to her room, her mind still swirling with a blend of emotions. Once inside, she walked over to the desk where the training board Shirou had given her rested. Riveria gently held the board, her fingers tracing the engraved words Shirou had written: "I'm grateful to have met you."
Those words always warmed her heart. Shirou wasn't just someone guiding her—there was something deeper she now felt. Every time Shirou taught her Magecraft, there was a closeness she had never experienced before, a comfort that was hard to explain. In every moment with Shirou, Riveria felt like she could be a young girl again, far from the weight of her responsibilities as one of Loki Familia's leaders.
Smiling softly, Riveria let her thoughts drift to all the fond memories she shared with Shirou. How Shirou patiently showed her the ways of Magecraft, always supporting her when she struggled, and how he made her feel special, even though Riveria often hid her true feelings.
Riveria sighed deeply, and in her heart, she finally made a decision. All this time, she had kept her distance. In public, she had to maintain her image as a strict leader, not allowing her personal feelings to interfere with her duties. But in the warehouse, in the place where it was just her and Shirou, she could let herself be more free. There, she didn't need to think about her status as a mentor or leader. She could simply be herself, a woman enjoying her time with Shirou.
With her resolve firm, Riveria sat at her desk, took out a piece of paper, and began writing a short message. The message was simple but clear: "Meet me at the warehouse tonight." She knew Shirou would understand its meaning. In that warehouse, they could continue their Magecraft lessons, but more importantly, Riveria knew that in that space, she could feel free from the constraints of formality.
After writing the letter, Riveria carefully folded it and placed it into an envelope. With a calm demeanor, she left her room and walked toward Shirou's quarters. When she arrived at his door, Riveria gently slid the letter underneath, hoping Shirou would find it.
Riveria stood for a moment in front of the door, feeling a small flutter in her chest. Despite being a wise and strong leader, in moments like this, she felt like an ordinary woman waiting for a response from someone she cared about. After a few seconds, Riveria smiled softly, then turned and walked back to her room, anticipating their meeting that night in the warehouse.
Riveria stood in front of her mirror, her hands gently smoothing her long green hair. Her thoughts couldn't escape the image of Aiz and Shirou dancing together in the library earlier. Aiz, in her light green dress and emerald necklace, had looked so perfect with Shirou in his black tuxedo. Even though Riveria tried to suppress her jealousy, it still lingered in her heart.
"Aiz always looks beautiful," she murmured softly, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
But there was a feeling inside her she couldn't ignore. Riveria knew that she, too, could appear beautiful and graceful, though she usually preferred a simpler, more formal look. This time, she didn't want to just be the respected leader or the student learning from Shirou. Tonight, in the secret place they shared, she wanted Shirou to see her as a woman.
Not wanting to be outdone by Aiz, Riveria opened her wardrobe and selected her best dress. The emerald green gown, matching her hair and eyes, was perfect. Its cut was graceful yet simple, highlighting her natural elegance without being over the top. She added a few sparkling accessories—a simple necklace that accentuated the purity of her look, and silver earrings that dangled elegantly.
Once she finished getting ready, Riveria looked in the mirror again, ensuring everything was perfect. Her usually stern face now appeared softer, with a slight touch of makeup enhancing her beauty. The dress fit perfectly on her slender figure, giving off an aura of grace and strength at the same time.
Riveria smiled slightly at herself. She could already imagine Shirou's surprised expression when he met her at the warehouse later. Shirou likely wouldn't expect the woman he usually taught Magecraft to appear so different like this.
In her heart, Riveria hoped that tonight could become something more than just another Magecraft lesson. Although she wouldn't express her feelings outright, she wanted Shirou to start seeing her from a different perspective—not just as a respected leader or as a student being taught, but as a woman trying to catch his attention.
Taking a deep breath, Riveria felt ready. She took a light coat to wear over her gown and calmly stepped out of her room. Tonight, she would let Shirou see a side of herself that she had always kept hidden—a side she reserved for someone special.
Riveria arrived at the warehouse early, well before the time she had arranged with Shirou. Carefully, she glanced around to make sure no one was watching. The warehouse was their usual spot for Magecraft training, but tonight, she wanted the atmosphere to feel different. Here, she wouldn't just be a student learning but also a woman trying to captivate the man she liked.
Once inside, Riveria began tidying up the room. She moved some equipment into the corners to make more space and create a cozier environment. The moonlight streaming through a small window above added a soft, natural glow, but it wasn't enough. She reached for some candles from a nearby shelf and lit them, placing them in the corners to create a warmer, more romantic atmosphere. The gentle fragrance of the floral perfume she brought filled the room, adding to the serene yet intimate ambiance.
After all the preparations were complete, Riveria stood for a moment, taking in her surroundings. The warehouse, usually filled with equipment and books, now felt more intimate. The air, filled with the scent of flowers and the soft glow of candlelight, gave off the romantic mood she wanted. But as everything was set, her earlier resolve began to waver.
Riveria took a deep breath. Nervousness suddenly crept in. "What am I doing?" she thought. "I'm not a young girl anymore. Why am I doing this?" Even though she was an Elf with a long life, love and romantic feelings were not something she often experienced. This was the first time she had truly fallen in love, and she couldn't avoid the nervousness that came with it.
Various thoughts started swirling in her mind. What if Shirou didn't see her the way she hoped? What if Shirou only saw her as a leader, a respected mentor, but nothing more? What if Shirou still felt tied to people from his past?
Riveria bit her lower lip, starting to overthink. "I've never done anything like this before," she whispered quietly. "What will Shirou think when he sees me like this? Am I pushing myself too much?" Her face flushed a bit as she considered all the possibilities. She was someone who was always calm and in control of every situation, but tonight, everything felt different.
Yet, in the midst of her nervousness, Riveria tried to calm herself. Shirou was always patient and kind, someone who had never treated her with anything less than respect. She was sure that whatever happened tonight, Shirou would still respect her feelings. Even so, this newfound love brought an odd sense of uncertainty—a feeling she rarely experienced in her long life.
While waiting for Shirou to arrive, Riveria sat in the corner of the room, trying to steady her breathing and calm the nervousness that still lingered in her mind. Tonight, even though her heart was full of doubt and anxiety, she was determined to show a side of herself she had kept hidden for so long. And even though this love was new, Riveria knew this was her chance to open her heart to Shirou.
Shirou stepped into the warehouse, his eyes immediately falling on Riveria, who stood gracefully in the center of the room. The dim candlelight reflected softly off the emerald green gown that hugged her figure perfectly, while the scent of floral perfume filled the room, enhancing her mature charm. For a few seconds, Shirou could only stand there, mesmerized by the elegance of Riveria, so different from how he usually saw her.
"Riveria...?" he said softly, his eyes still locked on her. "Why are you dressed so beautifully?"
Riveria, who had initially been pleased to see Shirou's reaction, suddenly felt her heart race faster. Inside, she panicked. Shirou looked so surprised, and she didn't want him to know the real reason she had dressed like this. Riveria didn't want Shirou to know that she was jealous of seeing Aiz dressed beautifully, capturing his attention earlier. She also didn't want to seem vulnerable in front of Shirou—the man she had admired and respected for so long.
Shirou, confused by Riveria's reaction, tried to read her expression. Riveria was usually so calm and composed, but this time, something was different. She seemed to pause, as if thinking about what to say.
Quickly, Riveria cleared her throat to calm herself. An idea suddenly crossed her mind, and with a soft smile on her face, she said, "I felt bad seeing you miss the party. So, I thought… why don't we have a little party here? Just the two of us."
Shirou smiled at Riveria's response, amused by her attempt to make up for the party he missed. However, as he realized that he was only dressed casually, he felt a bit out of place. Standing in front of Riveria, who looked so elegant and beautiful, he seemed mismatched. But then, a thought crossed his mind.
"Wait a moment," Shirou said with a smile. In an instant, using his Magecraft, Shirou projected the tuxedo he had tried on in Loki's room earlier. The outfit appeared on him perfectly, making him look far more suited to stand beside Riveria.
Riveria gazed at Shirou in admiration. How could a man who was usually so humble and simple suddenly transform into someone so elegant, wearing a tuxedo that fit him perfectly? Though she still felt a bit nervous inside, Riveria couldn't hold back her smile. Now, they looked well-matched, like a couple ready to attend a grand ball together.
Shirou stepped closer to Riveria and said softly, "If this is our party, then I'd be honored to dance with you, Lady Riveria."
Riveria smiled, blushing slightly at the title. Tonight, even though they were just in a simple warehouse, it felt special. And for the first time, Riveria sensed that this wasn't just about lessons or her status as a leader and student but about two hearts sharing a beautiful moment together.
Shirou smiled, and with a simple hand gesture, he projected an old gramophone before them. The vintage music player looked antique but perfect in its details, and in an instant, soft music began to fill the room. Riveria, used to the world of magic, was surprised and asked as she approached the gramophone, "Is this a magical device?"
Shirou shook his head gently, still smiling. "No, it's not magic. Although I projected it using Magecraft, this gramophone is just technology from the world I came from." He stepped closer to the gramophone, showing how the needle spun over the record, producing music from the black disc mounted on it.
Riveria stared in awe, trying to understand how such a device could create music without magic. To her, it seemed like a different kind of magic, but still held its own kind of wonder. "The world you once lived in… it's truly remarkable. Technology like this, without magic, feels like something magical to me."
Shirou simply smiled at her comment. To Riveria, a world without magic might seem strange and unimaginable, but to Shirou, technology was how humans dealt with their world without mystical forces. "I'm glad you like it," he said softly.
The soft music continued to flow from the gramophone, filling the room with a peaceful, romantic atmosphere. Seeing Riveria enchanted by the music, Shirou then looked at her more seriously and extended his hand toward her. "Then, may I have the pleasure of dancing with you again?"
Riveria looked up from the gramophone, and for a moment, her heart fluttered. Seeing Shirou, hand outstretched toward her, dressed in a tuxedo, made him appear more mature and charismatic. Without hesitation, Riveria placed her hand in Shirou's, then smiled gently, "Of course. I'd love to."
They began to dance to the flowing music from the gramophone. This time, their steps were much smoother than before, thanks to Riveria having taught them the proper techniques. But here, the atmosphere was different. There was no Aiz to accompany them, no pressure or need to perform perfectly in front of others. It was just the two of them, dancing in soft silence, with the music as the only witness to the moment.
Shirou felt how gracefully Riveria moved in his arms. Though she was taller and carried an air of authority, Riveria seemed so gentle and delicate in this moment. Every movement they made felt as if it was guided by the wind, accompanied by the calming notes of the classical music.
In her heart, Riveria knew that tonight was special. She had never imagined that she, a noble High Elf princess and one of the leaders of the Loki Familia, would experience a moment like this with a young man from another world. Yet at the same time, she felt fortunate to have opened her heart to this man. With Shirou, she felt she could let go of all burdens, all expectations, and just be a woman.
As they continued to dance, Shirou and Riveria allowed themselves to be swept away by the moment. Every step they took, every touch of their hands, only deepened the connection that had grown between them.
Riveria continued to enjoy her closeness to Shirou as they danced, her eyes never leaving the face of the man who moved so softly with her. Inside, warm feelings mixed with affection stirred, something she rarely experienced. Her green eyes occasionally met Shirou's, and each time they did, her heart beat faster.
With her heart racing, Riveria finally gathered the courage to ask, though she hesitated, "Shirou, do you enjoy dancing with me… or with Aiz more?" Her voice was soft, but the subtle tension in her tone was impossible to hide.
Upon hearing the question, Shirou paused for a moment, his movements while dancing becoming slightly stiff. The question confused him, and he didn't know how to respond. He pondered his answer, but in that brief moment, Riveria could sense the stiffness in Shirou's body. That reaction alone was enough to make her heart ache.
Riveria held her breath. Deep down, she knew that Shirou might not choose her. After all, Aiz was a young, beautiful girl, full of energy, and without realizing it, Riveria began to feel inferior. Her desire to hear a reassuring answer had now turned into a fear that the answer wouldn't be her.
Before Shirou could open his mouth to respond, Riveria quickly forced herself to laugh softly, though her heart was aching. "Ah, I was just joking," she said quickly, as if brushing off her own question. "No need to answer. You can enjoy dancing with anyone, there's no need for comparisons." The soft smile on her face appeared calm, but behind that smile, a sense of regret slowly crept into her heart.
Shirou, unaware of Riveria's internal struggle, assumed the woman before him was playfully teasing him, displaying her usual mature charm. He smiled slightly, feeling no need to dwell on the question any further. "Of course, dancing with you is also very enjoyable," he finally replied, unaware that Riveria had hoped for more than just a polite response.
They continued dancing in silence. Though their steps remained graceful, Riveria now felt slightly uneasy inside. She didn't want to appear weak, especially not in front of Shirou, but the feelings she had long suppressed were now beginning to take over her thoughts. However, she chose to hide it all, maintaining her mature and elegant demeanor in front of Shirou.
Although Shirou didn't notice the subtle shift in Riveria's mood, the moment felt heavier for her. On one hand, she longed to grow closer to Shirou, but on the other, she felt she couldn't compete with the feelings Shirou might have for Aiz.
In that instant, however, Riveria realized that, despite the difficulty, she would continue to cherish her relationship with Shirou without forcing anything. Deep down, Riveria preferred to keep Shirou close by her side, even if only as a friend and student, rather than jeopardize everything with feelings she wasn't sure would be reciprocated.
After they finished dancing, Riveria seemed reluctant for their time together to end. With a gentle motion, she spread out a carpet in the middle of the room, creating a more intimate and comfortable atmosphere. Shirou watched her with mild confusion but, without much thought, followed Riveria's lead and sat down on the carpet.
As Riveria sat close to him, Shirou sensed something different. Usually, Riveria exuded an aura of grace and authority, but this time, she felt warmer, more familiar. Her demeanor was more relaxed, and there was a subtle warmth that Shirou hadn't felt from her before. It made him slightly uneasy, but he smiled, appreciating the closeness of the moment.
In her heart, Riveria had made a decision. She realized that her feelings for Shirou might not be fully returned yet, but she wasn't ready to give up. For her, if she couldn't win Shirou's heart through status or power, she would try by becoming closer, more intimate. She didn't want to miss this opportunity, especially after seeing how Aiz and Shirou were growing closer. In her mind, Riveria knew she had to act before her feelings slipped too far out of reach.
Riveria gazed at Shirou gently, and after a comfortable silence, she began speaking softly. "Shirou, I want to know more about you," she said. "You've told me about the world you come from, but... I want to know more deeply. About your past, about what you experienced before coming here."
The question surprised Shirou for a moment. Rarely did anyone ask him about his past in such depth. Riveria's face showed sincerity, and Shirou knew she wasn't just asking for a simple story. There was something deeper behind her request—a desire to truly understand him.
"Well, I was nobody in my world," Shirou said humbly. "I was just an orphan saved by someone named Kiritsugu Emiya after a great tragedy. He taught me many things, and that was the beginning of my journey."
Riveria listened attentively. Every word Shirou spoke, she absorbed, as if trying to understand his entire life through his story. "Kiritsugu?" Riveria repeated. "Was he the one who taught you how to fight?"
Shirou smiled softly, recalling his childhood. "Not how to fight. Kiritsugu taught me about life, about ideals, about how to become a 'hero.' But he carried a heavy burden in his own life. I wanted to continue his dream, even though I know... it's not easy."
Riveria looked at Shirou more deeply, her feelings for the man in front of her growing stronger. "A hero, huh?" she murmured, absorbing Shirou's words. "It seems you've already become a hero here too, Shirou. Many of us rely on you."
"Ah, I don't think I'm worthy of being called that yet," Shirou replied modestly. "But I'll keep doing my best."
Seeing Shirou's sincerity and humility, Riveria felt even closer to him. In the midst of their conversation, she became more certain that her heart had fallen for Shirou. However, Riveria maintained her composure, hiding the emotions swelling within her heart.
"Even so," Riveria continued softly, "You've done incredible things, even in the short time you've been here. Everyone sees you as someone they can depend on."
Shirou could only smile awkwardly at the compliment, but his heart was touched. He knew Riveria didn't often express her feelings, and hearing such words from her meant a lot.
"Maybe you can become the hero you speak of," Riveria added with a quiet smile. "But I know that even heroes need someone by their side. You don't have to face everything alone, Shirou."
Riveria's words left Shirou momentarily speechless. He knew that behind her gentle words, there was a deeper meaning. A feeling Riveria was trying to convey, even though she hadn't said it outright.
"I understand, Riveria," Shirou replied softly. "Thank you, I appreciate everything you've said. Sometimes I do feel alone with all these burdens, but knowing there are people like you I can rely on... it makes me stronger."
Riveria gave a small, satisfied smile at his response, though deep down she hoped to be more than just a friend. But for now, being close to Shirou, sharing moments like these, was more than enough for her.
Their conversation flowed quietly, and that night, on the simple carpet in the middle of the quiet warehouse, two connected hearts gradually grew closer. Though Riveria hadn't fully revealed her feelings, she felt that this step was the beginning of something bigger. And she was ready to embark on that journey with Shirou, even if it was slow.
