Chapter 29 - No Retreat

Just sitting on a proper chair felt like a luxury. Mila eyed the bed, imagining the soft embrace of clean bedsheets on her skin. It had been too long since she had the pleasure of sleeping on a mattress.

A short knock on the doors announced Galtron’s return. “The bath is ready.” He did not wait and moved to her friends' rooms to repeat the action.

Mila got up from her seat and grabbed some of the last somewhat clean pieces of clothing. She exited her room and joined Galtron in waiting for her friends.

Andrew exited his room a moment later, but Isabel made them wait for almost a minute. Mila resisted the urge to tap her feet on the floor. She was understandably nervous.

The chance had presented itself, and she had jumped to grab it. It was too late to regret it now. All she could do was rely on her poker face and act normally.

No, no, that wasn’t the goal here. Mila chastised herself. The goal was to grow closer to Isabel by spending time together… naked.

Admittedly, this was not one of her brightest ideas.

Isabel’s room doors opened, and Mila tried to calm her beating heart. Her friend slowly walked out, already blushing. She stiffly moved her limbs, showing signs of nervousness.

Looking at Isabel again, maybe this was one of Mila’s brightest ideas. But she didn’t stare. It was best to act composed and sure of her actions as usual.

Nothing was different. Sure, Mila had changed the way she viewed Isabel. Sure, Tiff was absent for the first time. Sure, Mila had stated she likes girls. But these factors didn’t make this any different than the previous times they had washed together.

Yes. That’s what Mila chose to believe and marched ahead, leaving everyone behind.

“Uh, Miss, that’s the wrong way.” The housekeeper stopped her.

“Ah,” Mila came to a halt. “My mistake.” She turned around to see Andrew smirking nastily while Isabel, on the other hand, was studying the floor, not noticing the mistake.

Mila narrowed her eyes and challenged Andrew to say anything. He wisely schooled his expression.

With Galtron at the front, the trio started to follow him deeper into the building. As Mila caught up, Andrew leaned closer to her and whispered. “Very smooth.” He was taking pleasure in her mess up.

Choosing to graciously ignore the taunt, Mila instead concentrated on breathing. She was better than this. Wasn’t her head full of various experiences? She should just do the same as always and use them.

Just like back when Mila had taken those lives. She frowned. That brought her mood down to manageable levels. There was no doubt she had gotten carried away. With her newfound feelings taking the forefront, she had forgotten how messed up parts of her were.

But just a look at Isabel’s helpless visage and Mila found her heartbeat quicken once again. In the end, this was a meal she had made herself, and she would have to finish it.

Mila almost stumbled. Isabel wasn’t a meal. She was still a friend. Eating her was not in the books. Not unless- No, that had to wait. But what if-

Struggling to contain her imagination, Mila almost bumped into Galtron as he stopped in front of two doors.

“This side for the young man, this side for young ladies.” He pointed. “Everything needed is already prepared.” Galtron inclined his head.

“Thank you.” Mila decided to just rely on her guts and headed inside first.

As a great warrior once said - ‘Push through with your grit’ as he headed into a battle against his two wives meeting each other for the first time.

That was a bad example. The man had been dumped soon after and learned nothing from it. He didn’t even die gracefully being stomped on by a war beast.

There had to be a better one. Mila rummaged through her memories. There had to be something she could use.

Everything came to a halt when Isabel stopped next to Mila and shyly started to undress.

Mila didn’t stare at Isabel’s graceful fingers.

“Uh, Mila?” Isabel shuffled on her feet.

Mila didn’t stare at Isabel’s well-sculpted profile.

“Mila?”

Mila didn’t stare at Isabel as she timidly revealed her naked shoulder.

“Uh, say something?” Isabel’s beautiful brown eyes gazed back.

“Yes?” Mila tilted her head.

“I- I mean-” Isabel gulped. “A- Aren’t you going to undress?”

“I am.” Mila started to unfasten her belt.

“No, that’s not what I-” Isabel desperately started to look around. “I mean, you are staring.”

That, of course, was untrue. Mila didn’t look at Isabel’s red lips.

“I am.” Mila’s tongue betrayed her. She paused. There was still time to correct herself. “I find you fascinating.”

… That wasn’t it.

“Oh,” Isabel’s eyes widened. “Thank you?” She blushed furiously, then started to undress at a rapid pace while covering her private parts with a towel and vanished further inside where the bath was.

“Did she just run away?” Mila was left speechless. She hurried to undress herself and followed.

Maybe she had been too forward. But it wasn’t on purpose this time. Mila chose to not cover herself. She boldly walked inside the bathroom and sought out Isabel.

Mila’s figure had improved. Not in height, mind you. But she did sport more muscles and wanted to show off to someone who appreciated her small-sized body. She pushed out her modest but existing chest and took measured steps.

And it had an effect. In the corner of the single two-metre-long and two-metre-wide bath, Isabel released a yelp and pressed her eyes shut.

“Cute,” Mila muttered, then stepped over the edge of the bath and dipped her toes inside the hot water.

This time, Mila did rein in her instinct and didn’t stare… too much. Just a glimpse here and there. Isabel had done the same countless times. It was only fair.

Unfortunately, Isabel had mostly submerged herself in the water. That didn’t mean there was nothing to see. Mila appreciated her love interest's sizable breasts as they lightly floated in the hot water.

That was until Isabel realised she was open and slid further under the water, leaving only her head above it. She opened her eyes and looked up at the ceiling.

Mila stepped inside the bath and sat on the edge, soaking her legs. She released a satisfied moan, making Isabel tremble. “So~ Nice~” Mila sighed and stretched. She saw Isabel look.

“Mila, uh, you-” Isabel started. She averted her head, trying and failing not to peek.

“I what?” Mila finally slipped inside the water. There was enough space for the two of them. It didn’t mean she moved the emptier side of the bath.

Oh, no. Not at all. Mila slowly laid down next to Isabel, facing her. She let her foot momentarily touch Isabel’s knee as she submerged herself.

Mila felt Isabel twitch, and her friend’s foot brushed against her thigh.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to!” Isabel hurried to apologise. She pressed herself against the edge of the bath, leaving most of the tub for Mila.

“My, my. Why are you apologising, Isabel?” Mila purred. “It was just a touch. Or was there something on your mind you had to apologise for?” She wondered.

Isabel covered her face with her palms. “N- No!” She denied it and fell silent.

Judging from how stiff Isabel was, Mila had messed up. Had she been too eager? Too forward? She tried to think of what to do now.

“M- Mila?” Isabel spoke first.

“Hmm?”

“Um-” Isabel hesitated. “What are you doing?” She finally asked, her face still hidden.

“What do you mean?” Mila pulled a bit further away from Isabel, fearing that an accidental touch would lock up her friend again.

“I- I- I mean,” Isabel stuttered. “A-are you-” She was nervous to the point of shaking. “Are you flirting with me?” Isabel blurted out.

Mila was dumbfounded. “What?” She could not help but speak her mind. What was this girl saying? Was there any other way to understand Mila’s actions?

“Y- Y- You said you like girls, right?” Isabel’s voice was pleading. “Th- Then wh- then what about-.” She couldn’t finish. “What about-” Isabel tried again.

“Then what about you?” Mila helped.

Isabel did not answer and simply nodded. She was still refusing to look at Mila.

It was a tough question to answer. Not because Mila hesitated to profess her affection, no. It was because, in Mila’s mind, Isabel was taking the easy way out. Isabel was hoping for Mila to come forward and solve her insecurities.

And was her friend wrong for doing so? Mila did not know. It was clear Isabel had her demons she refused to face. But Isabel didn’t have to do it alone.

Furthermore, Mila had pushed the girl until she could take no more. Wasn’t this situation her fault to begin with?

Mila sighed. “Isabel, please look at me.” She let her voice carry the seriousness of the moment.

Isabel trembled again. She lowered her arms and revealed her face. She looked scared and ready to flee at a moment's notice.

Their gazes met, and Mila had to suppress the urge to hug Isabel. She looked so vulnerable. Mila smiled the sweetest smile she could muster. “I like you.” Mila simply stated

Isabel’s breath stopped. She blinked. Then looked around. “Huh?” She looked at Mila again in disbelief. “Y- y- you do?” Her voice was full of hope and yearning.

“Yes.” Mila nodded.

“Like like?” Isabel cupped her red cheeks and rubbed them.

“I think of you as a possible romantic partner, yes.” Mila made it clear.

“Me?”

“Yes, you, Isabel Montrock. I find you attractive, entertaining and pleasant to be with. Hence, I started to flirt with you.” Mila spelt it out.

“N- No way.” Isabel started to overheat. She was red as a lobster at this point. “This has to be a dream.”

“Not a dream.” Mila refuted. “But!” She raised her voice, startling Isabel, who suddenly looked very scared.

“B-But?” Isabel’s eyes filled with tears.

“Ah, no!” Mila suddenly fumbled. The expression on Isabel’s face filled her with sadness. “I, uh,” It was Mila’s turn to stammer. “That is, I just wanted to make it clear. You know, so that you understand. I mean so that my intentions are clear. Ah, dammit, I am rambling.” She took a deep breath.

“Okay, here is the thing.” Mila rose on her feet, standing in front of Isabel in all her glory. She wanted to make her words impactful. That is to say- Isabel was not the only one who had overheated. “I - Mila Kostel, declare that from now I am going to pursue you with the intention to start romantic relationships.”

Isabel looked up to Mila in awe, partly because Mila’s nakedness was distracting the girl.

It didn’t deter Mila, as she was currently running high on emotions. She puffed her chest and continued. “I wish to deepen our bond, I wish to pursue happiness together, and I wish to be simply with you.”

“But I do not want to rush into it.” Mila clarified as she started to run on fumes. “And uh, you know- I want us to talk more and go somewhere together.” Isabel had not actually said anything. Rush into what? Did Isabel say she wanted to date her? Isabel hadn’t even told Mila she was into girls. “You know, to get to know each other better. Before we commit.”

Mila wanted to find a hole and crawl into it. Did she just chastise herself for pushing too hard? What if Isabel said no? Mila suddenly felt very cold. She looked down at the girl.

Isabel looked back. Her mouth was slightly open as she ogled Mila’s body.

“Uh, Isabel?” Mila didn’t let her nerves show. Much. She didn’t let them show much. “Please say something.”

“Yesh,” Isabel swallowed. “I mean, yes!” She corrected herself.

“Yes?” Mila felt the blood start to flow in her veins once again.

“Okay!” Isabel nodded.

“Okay?”

“Uh, what you said,” Isabel wriggled. “I-” She finally averted her eyes, blushing even more. “I mean, I feel the same way.”

“Good!” Mila nodded. “Excellent.” She sat down, letting the water wash over her body. “Good!” She repeated and started to scrub the dirt off of her skin.

… She forgot to clean herself before the outburst. Mila wanted to scream. But instead, she released a relieved sigh. “Good.” She whispered. “Excellent.” She added.

Despite the rosy mood, both girls found it hard to look at each other. They silently spent their time together, their hearts matching the beat. The silence felt warm and electric. Mila felt her skin tingle with expectations for the future.