Being a Champion Duelist was no easy job.
It wasn't about the workload. For Clorinde, the only person who could defeat her in the Court of Judgment now was Luna.
The Champion Duelist's duty was simply to defeat opponents in the Duel Arena.
More often than not, however, the Duels were more like performances.
Performances meant to prove one's reputation and innocence.
Only those who could still cry out defiantly when facing the unbreakable blade of the strongest Champion Duelist would earn the audience's admiration and respect.
In a sense, the Champion Duelist was both a wall and a mirror.
What truly made Clorinde sigh wasn't the opponents before her, but the countless gazes and whispers that came with the title of "strongest Champion Duelist."
But after joining Luna's Troupe, those noisy rumors and gossip had quieted down.
Luna must have done something.
Luna... Clorinde remembered she had plans with Luna today. She glanced casually at the clock, watching the hands tick closer and closer to quitting time.
She wanted to see Luna. Being with her always made Clorinde feel relaxed and at ease.
And since they'd become lovers, that feeling had grown even stronger.
"What are you smiling about, Miss Clorinde?"
"Hm?"
The Melusine tilted her head. "It seems like you're looking forward to something."
"You could say that."
Quitting time arrived.
Clorinde stood up immediately. "See you tomorrow."
Unless it was an emergency, she never worked overtime.
She wouldn't be like the Marechaussee Hunter her Master spoke of, turning "the purpose of battle" into "battle itself."
"And life, too, is a battle."
Clorinde mused aloud, leaving the Melusine staring after her in confusion as she made a stylish exit.
She and Luna had arranged to meet at her place.
Luna already had a key, and even if she didn't, a mere lock was nothing to the Phantom Thief White Cat.
As for what they'd do, Clorinde hadn't decided yet.
Perhaps they'd just spend a relaxing evening together after work, like they always did.
When she arrived home, Clorinde found Luna lounging on the sofa.
"You're late, Clorindey."
Luna was wearing a sleep mask, seemingly resting.
"I left the moment quitting time hit. But I did get delayed on the way."
Luna lifted her sleep mask and grinned. "Let me guess—you got me a gift?"
Clorinde looked surprised. "How did you know?"
"I know now."
"..."
Clorinde took off her cloak and hung it on the rack. "I was going to tell you at the right moment, but you tricked it out of me. A miscalculation on my part."
"I didn't actually think that was it," Luna admitted. "I figured you just got delayed helping someone on the way."
Clorinde considered this seriously. "Then should I give you the gift now? The surprise might be gone, but my feelings haven't changed. I hope you'll like it—"
"Shh."
Luna stepped forward and pressed her fingers against Clorinde's lips, gently tracing them.
"The surprise is still there. I don't know what's inside the box yet, do I?"
"You can still give it to me whenever you want. For me, as long as it's a gift from you, I'll be happy no matter when or where you give it. It's all up to you."
A faint smile touched Clorinde's lips. Though the curve was slight, she was definitely smiling.
"You'll be satisfied."
"Mhm. Anyway, back to the point. What do you want to do tonight, Clorinde?"
Luna leaned against the wall, watching her with keen interest.
"I haven't decided. Maybe we can just spend a relaxing evening together, like we always do."
At the mention of "relaxing," an idea sparked in Luna's mind.
She held out her hand, and Clorinde instinctively placed her own on top of it. Perhaps they'd played the "pet game" too often; seeing Luna's gesture, Clorinde reacted automatically.
To be honest, this 'pet game' is actually quite interesting, Clorinde thought.
Perhaps because, at its core, it's still a form of flirting and playful teasing.
"Since you want to relax, Clorinde, why don't I give you a massage?"
"A massage? What kind of massage?"
Luna whispered, "Which kind does my Miss Clorinde desire?"
"...All of them."
Luna's voice was light and cheerful. "You actually want all of them? Well, that's fine. Even if you hadn't chosen, I would have just picked whatever I felt like anyway."
And Clorinde would never have been able to refuse her.
Leading Clorinde by the hand into the bedroom, Luna gestured. "Please, sit."
Clorinde removed her hat and sat down. Luna knelt, cupped Clorinde's shoes, and gently slipped them off. A blush flashed across Clorinde's cheeks, and her gaze drifted away.
"Starting with my feet?" she asked.
"Not quite. You can't lie down properly with your shoes on, can you?"
Luna sat behind Clorinde, leaning against the headboard, and gently pulled her back to rest against her chest.
Feeling the soft warmth pillowing her head, Clorinde was about to speak when Luna gently pushed at the small of her back, sliding her hand upward. This made Clorinde tilt her head back slightly, preventing her from sinking completely into the embrace.
"Stick it out."
Luna lowered her head, her voice soft.
Clorinde obediently opened her mouth.
Luna's breath was sweet as she murmured, "It seems you're in good health, Clorinde. Since that's the case, let's begin. The first massage isn't for your feet, of course. It's for—"
She cupped Clorinde's face with both hands and lowered her head completely.
A faint sting pricked Clorinde's tongue, but she tasted no blood. The slight pain quickly gave way to an enveloping warmth, like sweetness blooming from bitterness.
Luna gently stroked Clorinde's hair, her movements tender. This was indeed a kind of massage; Clorinde felt as if she were soaking in warm water, everything wonderfully blissful and serene.
She raised a hand and twined her fingers in Luna's golden hair, silently expressing her delight.
Luna lightly bit her fingertip. "Now, turn over. We'll move on to the second step of the massage. Remember to relax completely, or the effect will be greatly diminished."
"Alright."
After changing her clothes, Clorinde lay face down on the bed. Luna pressed close behind her, whispering softly in her ear as she continued the massage until Clorinde was utterly relaxed.
...and had no strength left.
After a while, Clorinde opened her eyes to find herself nestled in Luna's arms. Luna was stroking her hair, planting soft kisses on her brow, the corners of her eyes, her cheeks... The moment their gazes met, Clorinde saw the warmth and amusement in Luna's eyes and couldn't help but smile in return.
"This is a gift for you. Please accept it."
Clorinde retrieved a small box from her clothes. Inside lay a pair of small, beautiful earrings.
"I've named them 'Paired Blades.' They're similar in style to mine, just a different color, and I carved the patterns on them myself."
[Twilight Paired Blades] [Info: Earrings commissioned and meticulously crafted, with patterns hand-carved by Clorinde. They are an embodiment of her deepest feelings and a guidepost leading her to peace and tranquility. To her, the future owner of this gift is her only sanctuary and lover.] [Rarity: S]
Luna picked up the earrings. "They're beautiful."
"They'll look even better on you."
"My, Clorinde, you've learned to say such things. But I don't have my ears pierced. How about this—"
Luna swept back her hair, revealing a delicate earlobe.
She chuckled. "Care to help me?"
Clorinde's expression softened. "Mm."
Even though Luna couldn't wear them right away, just the thought of her carrying the gift gave Clorinde a sense of belonging, as if her heart had found a warm, comfortable harbor.
"But there's no rush," Clorinde added.
She lay back down.
"Want to come rub my belly?"