Knights of The Dauntless Princess

Chapter 19: Woman Talks

When Amara heard what Dravis said, she was momentarily stunned. She understood what the young man meant, and there was something in her heart that she couldn't explain. It was as if the young lady felt a mix of shame and hesitation, but she couldn't hide from herself that she was delighted to hear it. She didn't know that she had such an effect on him.

"Can't you feel it? You're making me hard down there, my princess," Dravis said, gently caressing Amara's flushed face.

D-Down there? Did he mean the hard, long, and protruding thing I'm sitting on? T-That is his— oh dear!

Amara covered her mouth when she realized it.

"Don't tell me you just realized it now?" Dravis chuckled and pressed his forehead against Amara's, "You're still so innocent!"

"A-Are you mocking me?" Amara pouted, and the young man laughed softly.

"No! That's a compliment," the young man said, still smiling modestly, but his eyes turned serious. "You're so fragile, and I don't want to do something that might break you."

Amara slightly lowered her head and pressed her lips together. She could still taste the sweet kisses Dravis had given her, and it seemed like those kisses weren't enough for her, but she didn't know how to say that she wanted more.

"Tell me," Dravis called out, making her raise her gaze to meet his again. "Do you want me to continue?"

Am I saying it out loud? Or am I just that obvious that I'm addicted to his lips?

Amara's lips trembled as she stared at the young man. Her face was still flushed, and in Dravis's eyes, she looked enticing in that state; he just couldn't say it because he thought Amara might cover her face, and he wouldn't be able to see it anymore.

The former princess didn't speak, but in agreement, she nodded.

Dravis grinned, "I really wished that would be your answer. Don't worry; I'll try to control myself."

Amara swallowed slightly as if nervous and wanted to retract her response.

"Just a moment, Dravis—"

Dravis quickly brought his lips closer to hers, surprising her. Still, before he could fully press them together, he spoke again:

"No take-backs! I won't let you take back your answer," Dravis said, kissing Amara's lips again.

And that hypnotized her again. Amara simply closed her eyes, and once more, passionate kisses were bestowed upon her by the young man. His tongue entered her mouth and twirled around. Each kiss added to the heat of their bodies. Dravis couldn't resist holding her at her hips and gently squeezing her. Amara could clearly feel that the young man below was growing even harder and more extensive, yet she couldn't understand why she wanted to press herself against it.

Dravis's kisses traveled down Amara's neck, causing a delightful current to flow through her entire body. It felt so good that every hair on her body was standing on end.

"Uhmmn," Amara couldn't help but moan when she felt the young man's tongue against her skin.

Sh*t! Why do those moans come out of my mouth!? How embarrassing!

She covered her mouth to suppress the voice that threatened to escape.

"I like your moaning," Dravis said, "That sounds very arousing."

"D-Dravis... ahh," the soft voice of the princess trembled, and she moaned again when the young man brushed one of her breasts.

"I'm sorry, I can't help but touch you," the young man said, kissing Amara's lips again.

The princess didn't refuse. She felt embarrassed, but every squeeze and massage Dravis gave her breasts also brought a different sensation to her body.

After a while, amidst their kissing, they heard voices approaching their room from outside the door. Due to Amara's anxiety, she quickly stood up from sitting on Dravis's lap and separated their lips.

"Someone's coming—" Amara said as she got up, but Dravis grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Wait, just one more," he said, bringing their foreheads together and tasting her lips for one last moment.

After the final kiss, Amara pursed her lips, and the flush on her face still hadn't faded. Suddenly, the door opened, and Cyrus entered with two more of Ranz's men, carrying blankets.

"I'm here— hmm? Are you okay, princess?" Cyrus asked, surprised when he noticed the redness on her face.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine," the young woman replied, forcing a smile. "U-Uh, I'll just take a bath."

"Eh? Didn't you take a bath earlier?" Cyrus asked.

"Ahm y-yeah, but I kinda like to do it again. I-It's so hot," Amara made an excuse, and she left the room.

Cyrus watched her leave, puzzled. Ranz's men also left after placing the blankets on the bed. Cyrus then turned his gaze to Dravis.

"Is the princess feeling unwell?" he asked.

Dravis felt a rotation in his head. Cyruz returned quickly and was so disappointed because what he and the princess did was still not enough for him.

"She said she's fine, didn't she? Why are you still asking me? Idi0t!" Dravis replied, sighing in dismay. "Why don't you just treat my wounds!?"

Meanwhile, Amara breathed a sigh of relief as she left their room. She sat on a large rock for a moment to calm herself down.

What am I doing? W-What are we doing? It started with a simple and quick kiss, but now it's more than that. He touched my body, and I almost lost control. I-I'm so embarrassed!

"What are you doing here at this hour? Shouldn't you be resting?" a voice spoke, catching Amara's attention.

"N-Nina," Amara mumbled when she saw the bandit lady approaching her.

Nina sat beside her. She furrowed her brow when she noticed the slight blush on Amara's face.

"Are you not feeling well? Do you want some medicine?" Nina asked.

Amara quickly waved her hands in the air, "No! I'm fine!"

Nina nodded and didn't insist further. They sat there for a while, gazing at the stars in the dimly lit night. The sky was beautiful, but their hearts and minds were floating.

They both sighed almost simultaneously, causing them to look at each other with curiosity. After a moment, they burst into laughter.

"It seems like we both have things bothering our minds, huh?" Nina said.

"I think so too," Amara replied, and they laughed softly again.

"Are you the only woman in Ranz's group?" Amara asked.

Nina shook her head, "There are also many women among us, but most of them are cooks and caretakers who attend to our needs. Since they don't know how to fight, that's their role in our group."

Amara was amazed by what Nina said.

"They joined us even though they didn't know how to fight because they needed protection. They're tired of being slaves to the wealthy people who exploit and harm them. Ranz wholeheartedly accepted them and ensured that people like them would not be neglected," Nina added.

"Is that so? But aren't you... bandits? Isn't it your job to steal and kill people?" Amara asked.

"Yes, we are bandits! Yes, we steal and kill people when necessary, but there's a reason for everything!" Nina exclaimed. "Priya used to be prosperous, and no poor person went hungry. But after the last war, many died and lost their homes and livelihoods. The wealthy enslaved the poor; instead of helping them, they also took away their possessions! That's why Ranz's father established this group to help the people of Priya reclaim what was taken from them. We are their protectors!"

Upon hearing what she said, Amara felt a pang in her heart. She thought it should have been the kingdom's responsibility, not theirs. She wondered what the domain was doing now to help the people. If they can't see that they are suffering. Her questions only fueled Amara's desire to reclaim leadership.

"Initially, Ranz's grandfather opposed what his father did. The former general, General Emery, also fought against them. But when he saw our intentions, he let us be. He even admitted back then that there were many corrupt people in the governance of this land. Still, due to a lack of evidence, they couldn't arrest them," Nina continued.

Corruption in governance? Did that exist even during my father's reign?

"The people lost trust in justice and entrusted their judgment to us," Nina said, looking at the princess. "So, to be honest, I'm annoyed that Ranz probably agreed to help you even though you were the former princess."

"N-Nina," Amara muttered, but she had no argument because she genuinely didn't know about the events at that time. "Please forgive me if I can't say anything to comfort you. What I learned is difficult for me, and if there's anything I can do, I will try to fix these things. I will strive to do what's best for the people!"

Seeing the sadness in Amara's eyes, Nina felt the sincerity in her words. Nina grinned and lightly bumped her elbow against Amara's arm.

"You're not to blame. You weren't the one who oppressed us, so don't ask for forgiveness," Nina said, smiling at her. "But I want you to promise me something. Promise me that if the time comes when you succeed in reclaiming the kingdom, I hope... you fulfill those words you said, can you?"

Amara turned to look at Nina, and she felt a weight lifted from her heart. "N-Nina."

"I want you to fulfill that," Nina said, looking back at the stars in the sky, "Because that's Ranz's dream too."

Amara gazed at Nina and noticed the sorrow in her brown eyes.

"Ranz? Hmm? You know what? It's only now that I realized you're the only one who calls your leader by his name," Amara stated.

"Oh, yeah. That's because we've been together since we were kids, and..." Nina paused and took a deep breath. "And he's my fiancé."

Amara's eyes widened upon hearing Nina's words. She couldn't believe that this young woman was the betrothed of the young man.

"I-Is that true? But why he—"

"Why did he invite you to marry him?" Nina continued, and a bitter smile appeared on her lips. "It's simple because... he doesn't really love me."

"N-Nina?"

For Amara, Nina was a perfect definition of beauty. Her face was small and radiant. She was charming, and her figure was much more curvaceous than Amara's own figure. She couldn't fathom why Ranz wouldn't be attracted to her.

"We were just arranged by our parents when I was eighteen. That was five years ago, and I was so happy back then. Even when we were still kids, I really liked him, and it wasn't a secret to him. So whenever a beautiful woman came to our place, he would quickly offer her marriage to show me... that he didn't like me," Nina said, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I... I don't understand. I couldn't see any reason for him to dislike you!"

Nina shrugged and forced a smile, "I don't know. I don't know why he doesn't like me. If only I knew, I would have changed myself long ago to fill that void."

Amara's heart went out to Nina, and she embraced her. Although she had never experienced such a situation herself, she could feel the pain in Nina's eyes.

Despite the emotional burden on Nina, she couldn't help but smile because she had found a new friend in the former princess. They broke apart from the embrace and smiled at each other. Nina wiped her tears and remembered Amara's sigh earlier.

"Well, what about you? What were you worried about earlier?" Nina asked, playfully nudging Amara from her seat. "Come on, spill it out! I promise not to tell anyone!"

Amara hesitated to voice her thoughts. She was embarrassed because she knew nothing about such matters, but she wanted someone to confide in.

"Um, well... I'm just thinking... how do you know if you like someone?" Amara asked, her face blushing again.

Nina stared at her for a moment and seemed to understand immediately. "What the hell, princess! Are you—"

Amara quickly covered Nina's mouth, gesturing for her to be quiet. Nina immediately closed her mouth and nodded her head.

"I thought you said you wouldn't tell anyone," Amara sighed.

"Sorry! I got excited!" Nina chuckled softly. "Wait, who among them are you referring to? Cyrus or Dravis? They're both handsome, although Cyrus is a bit noisy, and Dravis is intimidating and scary when he looks at you! Gosh! Why are men can't be just charming!?"

"E-Excuse me!?" Amara chuckled. "H-How did you know it was one of them?"

"Well, they're the only ones around you!" Nina replied, rolling her eyes. "So, which one is it?"

Well, yeah! That's right, but still!

"I-It's... It's Dravis," Amara whispered.

"I-It's Drav—"

"Shhh!!! Quiet!" Amara restrained her again.

"Oh, yeah! I'm sorry!" Nina said, lowering her voice.

Amara sighed again, "I-I don't really know what I'm feeling."

Nina raised an eyebrow. She sat down, crossed her legs, and rested her chin on her hand. She looked at Amara and smiled, "Why? What do you feel when you're with him? Or even just see him?"

"Um, it's weird, you know. There are times when I just want to look at him, but when he catches me staring, I feel uncomfortable. We used to argue a lot, but... whenever he's beside me, I feel safe from any danger. Sometimes his words can be hurtful, but even so, it's okay... as long as I know he's with me—sh*t! W-What am I saying!"

Nina laughed at her, "I think you already know the answer to your question. You're just acting blind to it."

"H-Huh? W-What do you mean?"

"That you like him... but you just don't want to admit it," Nina smiled.