Sometimes the Truth is hard to believe.

„No, no, this place here in the Edgeregions is part of the Leiwand Kingdom and not of the Huelsn Empire. These two countries are the largest on the western side of the Erzstain Mountains.”, said Violet holding a map in front of Alex’s face.

She pointed out the two big countries and the big mountain range which nearly went across the whole middle part of the map. To the north and south there were only sea.

“I see… and they both have started to settle in the frontier of the Edgeregions. We are in the southern part, so this land belongs to the Leiwand Kingdom.”, said Alex ponderingly.

They both sat under the tree on top of the hill and Violet gave him some Geography lesson.

“That’s right! And to the west we have the Duestere Wasteland. A desolate place full of volcanoes, lava streams, sulfur pits, elemental monstrosities and who knows what else trying to kill you. Nobody that ventured far ever came back, so we don’t know anything about what lies behind those volcanoes or even if there is anything.”

Violet put the map aside and leaned back onto the trunk of the tree. Alex did the same.

“You are weird you know…”, said Violet playing with a leaf in her hand.

“I know… but can you give me an example of what you mean exactly?”, asked Alex relaxing in the shade.

“When I try to teach you something about monster, you seem to already know about them. Same with Weapons and you know some Magic fundamentals, even though you can’t cast a spell. Also, you know about general customs of dwarves and elves. Things that a normal human doesn’t have a clue about. But things that everybody knows, like simple geography, the name of the King, the main religion and customs of humans and so on… it seems like you hear about these things for the first time in your life…You still don’t even know where you come from… at least you don’t want to tell…”

“Well… what can I say… I must be well-red… selectively well-red…and a bit of mysterious…”

“Are you trying to make fun of me?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it!”

“Then why are you always trying to dodge this question?”

“Why are you always wearing pants?”

“Huh? What the fuck do you mean?”, said Violet confused about the question.

Alex looked at her for a few moments. She always wore the same kind of clothes. A linen shirt and pants. Always in bright but modest colors. Violet always wore leather boots that went two thirds up her lower leg. She always wore her hair put up in some way. Often in a simple Ponytail. Her clothes were modest and quite loose. She was definitely not an ugly woman but she tried not to accentuate her female charms and figure in any way. The past two month that Alex had now been living with Violet and her grandpas, he never saw her wearing make-up or frilly clothes like some of the woman in the village.

“You never wear a dress or a skirt. You’re completely different from the other woman in the village…”, said Alex slowly looking at her.

Violet eyes grew wide. She looked a bit confused and played with a loose strand of her reddish hair.

“Well, not all women have to be the same, right?”, she said and looked away.

“No, they don’t have to be, you’re right. I didn’t mean it in any kind of bad way. You’re fine with wearing anything you want. I was just wondering…”

“Do you want to see me in a dress so badly? I don’t look good in them…”, said Violet and turned with a faint smile to Alex.

She was surprised by the intense stare he was giving her. Alex looked her up and down.

“Hm… nah. I bet you would look stunning in a skirt.”, he said while scratching his beard, he had begun to braid.

Violet looked stunned for a moment. Then she followed his gaze. A wry smile appeared on her lips, and she tilted her head.

“Oh… you just want to see my naked legs, huh?”

“Yes.”

“No hesitation at all?”

“Hesitation is not needed when legs are involved.”

“Woah! Slow down dude!”

Violet threw some leaves at him, and they both started laughing.

“I’ll show them to you, if you tell me the truth about your selective knowledge and where you come from”, said Violet after the laughter had died down.

“Show me what?”, asked Alex, one of his eyebrows raised.

“My bare legs.”

“I come from another, different world, where Magic, Monsters, and other humanoid races are just found in made up stories. All the things I know I read in one of those fantasy stories. Some day I just woke up in the forest, where found you soon after. I was drinking heavily the day before, so I don’t remember much, but I think my goldfish, Bob, talked to me. I really don’t know how I got here! In the stories of my world this kind of thing happens often. It’s called Isekai. Sometimes it happens through reincarnation into the other world after death or through summoning. Since I’m still in the same physical shape as in my old world, I think I got summoned, but there was nobody…”

“Now you are just trying to fool me with your made-up story! Who would summon you?”

“It’s not made up, though… only hard to believe, I imagine. Also… ouch? That hurt!”

“Certainly… And I’m secretly the daughter to a noble family of the Huelsn Empire, who is on the run from assassins. I don’t wear dresses and skirts to not draw attention to my legendary beauty, because I don’t want to be recognized.”

“Well, now that’s made up! There is no way the legendary part is true. You are beautiful, I’ll give you that, but legendary? Nah…more like rare or epic max…”

Alex found himself surprised about his cheeky remarks, generally his ease of talking with Violet and lack of social anxiety. It was like he was talking to an old friend, even though they only knew each other for little over two months. Violet looked completely stunned. He grinned cheekily.

“You little shit… what did you say?”, said Violet.

Her head was even more tilted now and she glared at him with her malachite eyes. Violet stood up and untied her hair. With her hand she shook it a bit. Then she unfastened the ties of her shirt a bit and tucked the lower front part through the top opening, exposing the smooth skin of her belly. Her hair was now flowing wild and wavy over her shoulder. Slowly Violet kneeled down in front of Alex, extended her arm and grabbed his beard braids. She pulled him closer.

“I dare you to say that again.”, said Violet.

Or rather whispered with a really husky and sensual voice. Alex was captivated by the two malachites shining so brightly and close before him. The contrast of the reddish fiery hair made the greenish shine even more intensive. Nervously Alex swallowed with an audible gulp.

“Maybe… legendary… is right… after all…”, he stuttered.

“That’s right!”, exclaimed Violet triumphantly.

She let go of him, put her shirt back in order, and sat at his side. A few silent moments went past.

“Hm… maybe I’ll try another question I’m curious about… Who is Valerie?”, asked Violet after a while.

“What? How… How do you know that name?”

“You talk in your sleep… and you sleep often and everywhere…”

“Am I saying… anything else?”

“No… just the name…”

“Good.”

Alex went silent and stared into his hands. Violet looked at him interested.

“Now out with it! Who is she? Your Wife? Lover? Friend with certain benefits? Or…?”, asked Violet impatiently.

“Valerie is a… very good friend of mine…”

“A good friend? Nothing more?”

“Nothing more.”

“Boring. I had hoped for something spicier.”

“Me too…”

“Ah… I see…”

They went back to silence.

“Well, I guess I made it awkward enough for today! I’d better get going to my studies or Grandpa Yaeon will get angry. But don’t think you heard the last of this! I can be pretty stubborn, and I will get my answers, so be prepared!”, said Violet with a big smile while standing up.

“I’m looking forward to it.”, said Alex and smiled back.

He watched her run to the houses. Her hair was waving in the air, like a fiery tail she was pulling behind her. Alex smiled faintly, then got up and went to his evening training.