Free Web NovelChapter 8: Three Is Enough... Right?
Even though she had told them her name, they still called her "Goddess Maeve." And every time she heard it, it felt wrong because she knew very well that she was anything but holy.
[You’re a virgin, Host,] Pinky suddenly said. [That’s a sign of holiness.]
Maeve scoffed and rolled her eyes. "A virgin, yes. But that doesn’t mean I’ve never seen anything unholy."
"What’s a virgin?"
Maeve jumped in surprise the moment Cerus’s face appeared through the window.
A while ago, after she failed to convince the people of the Azuryn Tribe that she was fine—and definitely not a goddess—they brought her to a hut near the sacred pond. The hut looked a little questionable, with a roof made of dry straw, but at least it was warmer than the cave.
The problem was... it was right in the middle of the settlement, and anyone who walked past could easily glance inside through the open window.
Yeah, that was one of the downsides of this place. There was no privacy since the window was always open, and now she couldn’t help but wonder how the inside of the hut was still warm even with the window open.
[Pinky’s information to the rescue!]
[The wood used for this hut absorbs heat very well, so the inside stays warm!]
[Besides, the window isn’t that big, Host!]
Well, yes, the window wasn’t that big, maybe just a little bigger than a person’s head. But the problem was, they were using their own head size as a reference, which was about twice as big as Maeve’s.
"It’s nothing," Maeve said at last. She took a small step back from the window, not wanting to be so close to Cerus’s face.
"You sounded serious when you said it," Cerus tilted his head. "Are you sure it’s nothing? Is it some kind of secret word used by heavenly beings?"
"No, it’s not!" Maeve said quickly. "It’s just a normal word for people who haven’t had sex yet."
Cerus blinked, and then his face lit up as if something clicked. "Oh! You mean unbloomed flowers!"
Unbloomed flowers? Even though it meant the same thing, it sounded much more beautiful.
"Exactly," Maeve said, trying to sound calm. "Do you look down on people who are still virgins here?"
"Look down?" Cerus frowned, clearly confused. "Why would we look down on unbloomed flowers?"
He spoke more seriously this time. "Sometimes it takes years to find your true mate, so it’s normal for some people to not bloom too early."
Maeve blinked a few times, a little surprised by his answer. "Wait... so your people don’t... make love with others before finding your true mate?"
Cerus blinked back at her, just as confused. "Why would we?" he said. "From the moment our souls are created, we are already tied to our true mate. If we mate with someone else, it means we are betraying them."
He looked at her firmly. "And I would never betray you, wife!"
Maeve pressed her lips together, not expecting that kind of answer at all.
"So... your people can’t cheat?" she asked again, trying to make sure he understood. "I mean, being with someone other than your mate?"
"No! Of course not!" Cerus replied without hesitation. "Azuryn people only stay with one person for their whole life."
Before Maeve could say anything, he continued, "Does a heavenly being need more than one mate? You already have three, but do you still need more?"
He stared at her without blinking, so still that Maeve even wondered if he was breathing.
"No," Maeve answered, and her simple reply made Cerus smile right away. "Three are enough."
Enough? Enough what?!
She already felt like three was more than enough! And who even agreed to be mated to all of them in the first place?!
"Did you say that because you pity us?!" Cerus asked, his eyes lighting up. "Goddess, you’re too kind!"
Maeve smacked her forehead without thinking. "How many times do I have to say this? Don’t call me that!"
"Why?" Cerus tilted his head. "Why can’t I call you Goddess? That’s who you are."
"But my name is Maeve." She let out a tired sigh. "Repeat after me... Ma."
"Ma."
"E."
"E."
"Ve."
"Ve."
"Maeve!" she said, clapping her hands once.
"Goddess Maeve!"
In the next second, she smacked her forehead again, maybe a little too hard because it stung. At this point, she was too tired to argue. If they wanted a goddess, then fine, let them have one!
"Do you hate your name?" Cerus asked, confused. "But it sounds beautiful. I like it."
Oh.
Maeve fell silent for a moment, and the frustration she had been holding onto slowly faded after hearing those words.
It had been a long time since she heard a genuine, pure compliment like that.
Most of the compliments she used to get from men were just meant to flirt with her or win her over, so she would be willing to warm their beds.
[Cerus would be happy if you wanted to warm his bed as well, Host.]
’Don’t...’ Maeve sighed in her mind. ’Don’t ruin this moment!’
When Pinky didn’t reply anymore, Maeve said softly, a little hesitant, "Thank you." freēwebnovel.com
She looked down for a moment before adding, "My mother was the one who gave me that name." ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
Cerus smiled gently and stepped closer to the window. "Then your mother chose well."
Without realizing it, Maeve also stepped closer. "Yes, she did."
She paused, her voice turning softer. "If only I could hear her call my name a little more."
"Your mother has withered away?" Cerus asked.
Maeve frowned. "Withered? Oh, you mean... died?" She took a deep breath, then said, "She has withered away, together with my father."
Cerus stared at her without blinking, then said, "Same. My parents have withered away as well."
"I’m sorry," she said softly.
"Why are you sorry?" Cerus asked, tilting his head. "They died because of sickness."
Maeve gave a small, awkward smile. "I mean... it’s just something people usually say."
Cerus blinked, still looking a little confused. "Why would people say that?"
Maeve let out a small breath. "Because... when someone loses their parents, it’s painful. Saying ’I’m sorry’ is just a way to show you care."
"So, Goddess, you care about me?!" Cerus smiled so widely that his small fangs were clearly visible. "Do you want to meet my parents as well?"
