“So you weren’t the first?” A young boy asked while being carried in the arms of his mother. He wasn’t big but will soon be growing too old to be carried.  “No, of course not Anton.” She answered gently. “But is that it? Is that the end of the story?” he asked impatiently. “What else is there to say?” she smiled and stepped away from the window where the two had watched the sun set.

“What about the demi-goddess and warrior and when a bunch of warriors gathered together for an epic battle and-” “Well that’s a whole nother story now, isn’t it?” she interrupted with a small laugh. “Yeah but-” “Your majesty? There’s someone here to see you.” The boy was interrupted again, this time by one of the staff of their home. 

“Who is it?” His mother asked, turning to glance at which staff member came and interrupted their mother and son bonding moment.

“It’s Guenevere.” they answered and she quietly nodded and set Anton on his own feet. “I’ll be there in a minute.” she spoke over her shoulder then spoke down to her son. “Anton, go back to your room now, I have some important things to take care of.” She told him. 

“Can’t I say ‘hi’ too?” He pouted. “Not this time my little fire, this is important business.”

“Am I only just a business transaction to you now?” A voice asked from the doorway of the room, it was said with flamboyance in such a dramatic way that it was clearly not a question or assumption made seriously. 

Guenevere stood in the doorway, one arm resting on the door frame, their weight leaning into their forearm, with hip jutting out. Their head tilted slightly, causing their horns to tap against the wood but not dent the gold disc that adorned them. The disc reflected the golden light from the flames in the hair—just like Seraphina’s. However, Guenevere’s hair was wilder, untamed, brushed back from her face but burning like an inferno down her back, reaching the top of her hips.

Unlike Seraphina, Guenevere’s eyes were much darker, and her skin was sun-kissed, bronzed by her environment. Her hand, etched with dark crimson veins, was twisted and clawed, creeping up the length of her forearm, reflective of the deep red of her horns.

“You are, only when you forget how to knock” Said the Tsaritsa turning to face the intruder.

“Guenevere!” The boy ran off, full force, into them as they made another dramatic display as though the force was too much, but everyone knew they weren’t actually that hurt. “Hey scamp.” They patted his head “Hurry on up to your room like your mom said now.”

Stepping out the way the boy ran off as they were instructed to probably read another chapter of some other book. “What brings you back here?” his mom asked while folding her arms.

“What do you mean by “what brings me back?” With all that reminiscing, I thought you would have remembered. We have a special occasion to celebrate, Princess." Guenevere grinned wide with mischief.

“It’s your majesty.” she stated back bluntly. “How about just Seraphina?” “Fine.” she conceded.

Triumphant, Guenevere pulled her in closer with an arm around the waist and leaned in, pressing her nose into Seraphina’s cheek as she playfully refused to respond to the affections shown to her. “Well, the reservation at Arusifa is at 8.” they said and slipped away out of smacking distance. 

“Really? Reservation at 8? Do you ever get tired of being this cheeky?” Seraphina asked while rolling her eyes. “I’ll quit when i’m dead~” Vere chirped back “And i got 8 more lifes to go babe bbuuuutttt-” they turned back around from their quick and tactical retreat “you can make it only 7 by tomorrow” they said with a wink. “It’ll be 6 if you keep this up.” Seraphina shot back a cocky smirk, reaching for a shoe to throw.