“I’m just… Petra, listen…” Shyness was not her trait (right?) and it wasn’t something she usually felt when being next to someone. All those people looked at her like she was a rose in the garden or heaven, they wanted to touch her and be touched by her. It was disgusting in many ways, but Dorothea didn’t feel that way when she was next to Petra. The young warrior princess was someone to admire and adore. The way she struggled sometimes with expressing herself but always moved forward, the way she smiled shyly when she was finally nailing a task that she couldn’t do before, the way she frowned slightly at the sight of a confusing problem that professor was telling them about. All those small notes were something Arnault found adorable. No, she found them meaningful. She loved all those little things that Petra was doing without her understanding.
However, the days had gone by and then it turned into months and then into a year or two. This feeling never disappeared. It never did. The way she was looking at Petra didn’t change over the years. At first, Dorothea felt scared that she would someday be tossed away. No, that she would be dragged away from the Princess of Brigid whose smile alone was making her day better. Her one smile was making Dorothea feel like it was alright and it will be alright. The songstress could sing odas of love to her, but she had never really had the chance to actually confess them. The way she pressed her lips together, Dorothea understood exactly when nervousness was taking part. Right now.
“Listen, I’m…” Dorothea immediately shut her mouth as she started. She didn’t know how to tell her it. She was scared. Terrified. Confused. Concerned. But there was also another emotion that didn’t let her step back. It was too late to run away. And that’s why she looked down, fearing the rejection that might come up seconds later. Petra could find anyone better. Anyone would be better than an orphan who had to do so many shitty things to get where she was today. The dirt on her hands will never wash off. The blood tainting her dress will never disappear, but still… was there any possible scenario where these feelings would blossom? It was so funny. She didn’t notice how the princess stepped closer, taking her hands into hers and then asking Arnault to look at her. And when she did…
The time had stopped along with her heart for that one second. The lips pressed against hers were soft and warm, and so sweet. Dorothea forgot how to breathe that very moment, feeling how her heart did a jump up only to settle down with a loud thud in her mind. She had never thought that Petra would be the one to steal a kiss like this. It was a second thing as the other stepped back with a smile of her own.
“Petra…” Dorothea felt how - for the first time in years - her cheeks were burning and the feeling of undying happiness felt so much warmer than ever. Was that really ok? Was she really alright for this lady who had stolen her heart? Was she enough for the warrior who was so much stronger than many who she’d known? Dorothea didn’t know if she was enough, but, gods, did she want to be enough and more for her.
