Chapter 547: A Day In Sara’s Life: A Thing for Freedom
Very well. If it is only my mother, I can find it in my heart to share the doll.
She was a formidable woman in her own right, a queen who had earned her throne.
I mean, if she wanted a doll of Benjamin, who was I to deny her?
We could share this small comfort, this tiny piece of him that Deva had so generously crafted.
Despite this, I truly have to regulate the matter, lest it becomes a trend in Verdant Spire—
[Hello?] Tamar suddenly connected telepathically. Her tone was hesitant and apologetic, which was unusual for her—Tamar was rarely hesitant about anything. [You see, when you were away three days ago, I was lonely and wanted to feel Benjamin’s presence. So I went into your chamber].
A confession to the violation of my personal space, I see.
[My chambers, I have stressed many times, is out of bounds] I calmly answered, withholding the anger beneath.
But beneath the surface, I could feel the heat rising, the familiar prickle of irritation that came whenever someone overstepped their boundaries.
[Yes. So I went into your chambers and I found your doll. It soothed my aching heart, and I could smile properly again. Therefore, I wanted to ask if I could get one as we—]
I cut the connection swiftly.
The telepathic link snapped like a thread pulled too tight, leaving me alone with my thoughts and my simmering frustration.
I do not want to think about it, but my wonderful days of being the only one possessing a Benjamin doll would soon be utterly over.
Word might reach Shishi-no-su and Fairylynch as well; Deva might make a fortune from selling it.
Perhaps it’s not all that tragic…
If Deva was going to mass-produce the dolls anyway, then at least I could take comfort in knowing that others would experience the same joy I did when I held mine.
“…”
Alright, I am fine now.
I pushed the irritation aside, burying it deep beneath layers of composure.
There was no point in dwelling on things I couldn’t change. I had duties to attend to, and responsibilities that demanded my full attention.
***
I was currently with the patrol members and soldiers of the tribe, alongside two silver-haired captains—Vesper and Aria.
The training grounds were alive with the sounds of exertion, the rhythmic thud of feet on packed earth, the sharp calls of commanders directing their squads.
The morning air was cool to the skin, with the metallic tang of sweat.
As we have always done, before the breaking of the day, we assemble and train together, become well fit for the rest of the day.
The routine was sacred, a tradition that had been passed down through generations, a reminder that strength was not merely given but earned through discipline and effort.
They were all on dark and grey fitted outfits, made by our jack-of-all-trade inventor, which allows us to move freely and it’s almost like a second skin.
The fabric was lightweight and breathable, hugging the contours of each woman’s body with an almost lewd precision.
For some reason, it gets Benjamin—and most men who sees it, generally—aroused if they stare too much.
Was it because of the way it hugged our bodies so tightly?
It usually is amusing, in a way, to see such a powerful being reduced to flustered embarrassment by nothing more than a well-fitted female outfit.
I was wearing some Amazonian wrappings across my chest, leaving the rest of my upper body bare.
The wrappings were simple but effective, providing just enough support while allowing for maximum freedom of movement.
And also a dark, short brief on my lower half, held by two golden clasps at the sides.
The brief was practical, designed for mobility, the golden clasps catching the early morning light and throwing it back in small, bright glints.
It was very easy to wear, and I was never one to stress about clothing in the first place—having spent a long time stark naked when I was little.
I have a thing for freedom.
The feeling of open air against my skin, the absence of constricting fabric, the ability to move without restriction—it was a luxury I’d never take for granted.
All fallen into formations, the women started their work out, as I occasionally encourage them and inspire them.
I walked among the ranks, my voice steady and clear over the rhythm of their movements.
“Push through the burn! That fire in your muscles is the same fire that will keep this tribe standing when the forest tests us. We do not train for praise. We train so that when the day comes, no one—man, beast, or god—can break our line! Breathe together, and move as one. Every drop of sweat is a promise to the sisters beside you.”
The women answered with sharper strides and deeper breaths, the formation tightening under her words.
Their bodies moved in unison, a symphony of coordinated motion, muscles bunching and relaxing beneath sweat-slicked skin.
“Good morning, Sara,” the silver-streaked, short-haired, 9-feet-tall second daughter of Lotus walked towards me.
Her presence was impossible to miss—towering above the other women, her silver-streaked hair catching the light, her movements fluid and powerful.
“Good morning, Aria. How was the night?” I asked, turning to face her and her sister, Vesper.
The two of them were a study in contrasts—Aria tall and imposing, Vesper shorter and more energetic, but both equally formidable in their own ways.
“Fine, fine!” Vesper chirped, as bubbly as always, her silver braids bouncing with each movement. “I heard that diplomats would be coming from Shishi-no-su?”
Her eyes were bright with curiosity, her voice sounding a note of excitement.
“That is today, yes.” I nodded, watching as one Amazon tried to slack, but saw my fiery glare and quickly straightened up.
The woman’s face flushed with embarrassment as she redoubled her efforts, her movements becoming sharper and more precise under my watchful eye. “I am expected to receive them from the entrance.”
“Since Elowen went there several days ago,” Vesper pouted, throwing her silver braids to her back with a dramatic toss of her head. “she has been silent. I just know she is having a great time in the Beast Kingdom. So unfair.”
Her voice was tinged with envy, her lower lip jutting out in a pout that was quite childish.
“Yes, she was put in charge of the diplomats going to Shishi-no-su, so her only job IS to enjoy herself and oversee them properly,” I began to move around, my arms folded, to see if the women are training properly.
My eyes scanned the mass of bodies, noting the slight imperfections, the moments of hesitation, the small signs of fatigue that could be exploited in battle. “She’s fortunate to have such a position. But she also earned it through her dedication and skill. If you want to be sent on similar missions, you need to prove yourself worthy.”
The two sisters followed me, their eyes also scanning the mass for slackers, as they also sometimes gave instructions as well.
Their voices rang out across the training ground, sharp and commanding, correcting postures and urging the women to push harder.