Rebirth: Childhood friend of the heroine

*Knock*

Hearing the knock, Celestria opened the door and was surprised to see the maids holding several dresses in their hands.

"Your Highness, the dresses you ordered were delivered. Where can I put them?"

The maid asked, which reminded Celestria that she, indeed, had asked for several dresses of a similar kind a few days ago.

"Ah, put them on the bed. I will arrange them later." She told them before giving the maids some space to enter.

Back then, when she went on a date with Alex, he complimented her attire. That's why Celestria ordered more than a dozen similar dresses.

'You don't need to change your preference because of me…' He said, but how can she tell him that anything she wears or does is to get his attention and make him happy?

She doesn't actually have much of a preference in clothing, but after Alex complimented it, her new favorite is a floral blouse with a knee-length skirt.

Although Amanda suggested that a girl should have a few things in their arsenal to surprise their partner and excite them even, until now, Celestria couldn't muster up the strength to wear something sexy or provocative.

'This is bad…if I keep hesitating that bitch of a Saintess would hog all his attention….' Celestria bit the nail of her thumb in nervousness.

Talking about the Saintess, Celestria was reminded of that day, when Alex introduced them to each other.

Particularly, that conversation she had with Sarah,

°°°°°

"You betrayed him," was the first thing Sarah said once Alex left them alone in the cafe.

"You were standing along with others, while Alex was getting blamed." She added, making Celestria's heart tremble.

It was not surprising for Sarah to be aware of the situation since the matter of Soulless's appearance reached the church as well. And someone who has taken an interest in Alex, Sarah must have surely dug up information about him.

She clenched her fist under the table, as she muttered, "And I repent myself for that until this date."

The other one leaned back in her seat, looking at Celestria with a judging look, as she asked, "But with those emotions, can you still look him in the eye? Do you not feel guilty?"

"I do, as I said, I still feel guilty about what I did back then. I trusted the wrong people and got influenced by what my eyes saw. I completely sealed the voice of my heart and blamed Alex for what he never did."

Celestria couldn't forget that night when she went to meet Alex in the prison. She remembers each and every detail of what she spoke that night…how she behaved. And also how Alex reacted to her blame.

…maybe, that was the day when Alex completely changed. And Celestria knows that those changes were a result of how much she hurt him.

"Tell me, Celestria, are you willing to sacrifice your status, wealth, and luxury to be with him?" When Sarah asked that, Celestria faintly saw her eyes radiating a peculiar energy.

However, nothing could have stopped the girl from uttering, "Yes, I can."

Sarah hummed, before asking again, "Even if it takes your life?"

"Yes…under any circumstances, I want to be with him."

There was no doubt but just conviction. The moment Celestria realized her feelings for Alex, she knew the direction of her life.

Sarah heaved a sigh. Resting her elbow on the table and cupping her cheek, she said, "You are naive, Celestria. To think you would follow the motto of 'I love him so I must serve him' is laughable."

Celestria was taken aback, "Why would you say something like that? Don't you think the same?"

Sarah shook her head, "If my intentions had been to serve him, I would have reached Alex sooner than you, believe it or not. And trust me, Alex would also not like the fact that you have made your life goal so narrow."

Celestria frowned, "What do you want to say?"

Sarah explained, "If you want to walk alongside him then first stop seeing yourself as an object which has only purpose to serve him. You are a person, Celestria. A person with self-respect and ambition. Surely, your direction should be the same as Alex's if you are looking to be with him, but remember, as his partner, you need to walk beside him, not behind him."

Sarah's words took Celestria completely by surprise.

She has been believing that loving someone meant to be always useful to them. That's why she decided to become Alex's support and follow him wherever he goes.

And she was expecting to hear the same from Sarah, considering she was also in love with Alex.

But now….

"Will that make him happy?" Celestria asked, still sounding unsure.

Sarah nodded, "As much as I know him he would rather prefer a partner rather than a server."

Celestria was rendered speechless for a few moments.

For some reason, she wasn't able to refute what Sarah suggested. The way she sounded so certain about Alex's preference that Celestria couldn't say anything against her.

After another minute of pause, Celestria asked, "What about you? Are you willing to be in a relationship with him, when I am already his girlfriend?"

Sarah chuckled, "Are you? Last I remembered, he didn't reciprocate your feelings."

Celestria groaned, "He told you…"

Sarah laughed, "No, I just guessed it. But I know that you aren't his girlfriend."

Celestria clenched her fist; this damn woman is playing tricks now!

"So what?! It's just a matter of time before he also says those magical words."

Sarah's smile never faded, "Well, best of luck with that," As much as Sarah knows, Ceaser would never say 'I love you' or anything around that, from the front.

His actions show how much he cares for someone.

Since it was already getting late, Sarah decided to end this conversation, "You have somehow gained his trust and respect. Don't ever do something foolish that will make him doubt you."

With her eyes turning serious, the Saintess added, "Since once you lose his trust, nothing in the world can grant you his forgiveness."

°°°°°

Celestria jolted out of her reverie as she remembered those serious eyes of Sarah.

Truth be told when Celestria decided to follow Alex to Swortine, she was nervous. She was going against his words and was putting herself in danger.

However, as Sarah suggested, Celestria made a decision for herself and didn't hesitate to follow her decision.

And in the end, Alex was not displeased with what she did.

Not only that but since that day, she had been training regularly since Celestria wanted to stand on equal footing with Alex.

*Knock*

Hearing the knock, Celestria called out, "Who?"

"It's me. Amanda."

Celestria told her to come in as the Princess continued to arrange all the new dresses.

"Woah…are you planning to run away or something?" The green-haired girl asked as she saw so many dresses resting on the bed.

Celestria smilingly shook her head, "Bought a few new dresses. You can take a few if you like them."

Amanda hummed, as she slowly went through the apparel, as she said, "Cela…I need your advice on something."

Celestria was slightly surprised since usually it's her who takes Amanda's advice.

"Yeah, sure."

Amanda looked unusually hesitant, that's why Celestria didn't usher her to talk and allowed the girl to first collect her thoughts.

Finally, after another moment of pause, she asked, "Did you have sex with Alex?"

"...!!" Celestria's body jolted, as she was completely stunned upon being asked such an unexpected and absurd question.

Turning towards her, she asked, "W-What with this bizarre question?"

Amanda looked apologetic, "I know it sounds rude to ask about your private life, but I need to know…"

"Exactly what you want to know?" Celestria couldn't understand what she was getting at.

Amanda explained, "We have been taught several rules which we must follow until we get married. Surely you must have been taught by your mother, as well, no?"

Celestria heaved a sigh. She finally understood where she was going with this.

Holding her shoulder, Celestria asked, "Amy, tell me something. Have you decided with whom you are going to spend your life with?"

"It's Edric, no doubt. Unless he abandons me, which I won't let him, I will always be with him."

"Then why are you being hesitant about it? If you are so sure about your partner, then you can go ahead and take the final step in your relationship."

Amanda bit her lip, "Will that really be okay?"

Celestria nodded, "The only reason we are told to protect our chastity is because after marriage it becomes a problem with our married partner. There have been cases when women were divorced just after the first night. But I don't think Edric is that kind of guy ... .and in the first place, you are giving your future husband your first time."

Amanda nodded, "I guess you are right…"
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Amanda had been uncertain about it, but somehow hearing those words from Celestria helped her build the confidence.

Okay, then. No pushing away, anymore.

—-----**-------

A/N:- Was unsure how to end the chapter, but then I decided to end it with Edric's happy ending.