A Wolf's Howl, A Fairy's Wing

Chapter 488 - Grandmotherly wisdom

A little while later, the old woman, Fatima, sat by a stone table. Her arms rested on the surface of it, and her right hand was still clutching her walking stick. Her old eyes were twinkling with gentle curiosity as they were pointed at a young woman standing by an improvised tea station.

Her face was turned away, but one could see long, shapely legs with beautiful bronze skin, leading up to wide hips, narrow waist, and silky-black hair that fell to her knees.

Despite the fact this city had several sigils built into it, the people of Enkare Nkai actually had no idea how to create them. They merely discovered them. Thus, eight years after its appearance, the best they could do was activate or deactivate them.

Now, because they couldn't create any sigils themselves, they had to cook their meals the old fashioned way, despite the city's marvels.

At least, such was the case for those without a fire-type affinity.

Fortunately, Naeku possessed the desert affinity, which was a combination of sand and scorch. This allowed her to warm the teapot in her hands, under the scrutinizing gaze of her grandmother.

Fatima was fully aware that Naeku was being purposefully slow, but she didn't care. As an old woman who had no chance to advance any further as a Runebound, there was no where else she'd rather be than watching her beloved granddaughter living her life while dealing with the problems of youth. Stay tuned for updates on empire

Thus, she could only smile gently as she watched the nervous young woman slowly prepare some tea.

Unfortunately for Naeku, there came a moment where she couldn't delay any longer, and turned around to face the music with a wry expression, and tea in hand.

As soon as she did, she revealed an angelic, diamond shaped face. Defined by high cheekbones, a straight, slender nose, full lips, and prominent, almond-shaped eyes, anyone who saw her for the first time would agree it was a shame she adhered to a tradition that didn't allow her to show this face to the outside world.

She still wore the same outfit as earlier, complete with a crown possessing slender, cat-like ears. Her beautiful, yellow eyes were accentuated with a layer of dark eyeliner.

All in all, it was surprising how closely her aesthetic remained true to ancient Egyptian culture. Yet, perhaps that was to be expected, since their exposure to the outside world had always been limited.

Nervously, she walked over to her grandmother, forcing Fatima to admire the beauty of her granddaughter. Her breasts were on the smaller side, but her shoulders were wide, so she still possessed an elegant hourglass figure.

After Naeku had taken a seat and they were both clutching their sea, the older woman eyed the younger one playfully. Naeku was avoiding Fatima's gaze, and quickly sipping her tea while otherwise remaining quiet.

Fatima, on the other hand, sipped slowly, as she prodded a little, "You know we're not leaving here until you tell me what happened, even if you wait until we finish our tea."

Her words were said with a kind of finality that Naeku found hard to refuse, despite the immense difference in strength. After Naeku's mother died during childbirth, it was Fatima who took up the role of mother figure in her life.

Oh, sure, Amina and Nadia, Ankhur's other wives, did their best to care for her, and Naeku loved them for it, but in the end, they were a vampire and a human, while she was a shapeshifter. It was far easier for her to connect to someone of her own kind, and that person turned out to be Fatima.

Plus, neither of them had particularly strong motherly instincts, with Amina being a little too cold in general demeanour, and Nadia being a little too forceful, even if they both cared deeply for Naeku.

Naeku's mother had always been the more gentle of Ankhur's three wives, and Fatima had much of that same temperament.

Thus, rather than think of escaping, Naeku could only pout unwillingly. There was no way she'd disrespect the care and love Fatima had shown her over the years by refusing to talk when her grandmother was clearly trying to help.

For a moment, Fatima continued looking at her granddaughter with piercing, amused eyes. Every moment under that gaze, Naeku slowly began to tremble harder, with closed eyes, until eventually, Naeku finally had enough.

With a frustrated groan she put the tea down and hid her blushing face behind her hands, "Alright, Teta, I'll talk! Stop looking at me like that!"

A gentle smile spread across the old woman's lips, and she sipped her tea even as her eyes twinkled with innocence and satisfaction, "Like what, little Naeku? I'm not sure what you're talking about, but please, do tell me what's on your mind."

Once again, Naeku groaned, but then she began to tell what she encountered when she entered Erik's room. There was a lot of stuttering and embarrassment involved, but eventually, Fatima got the gist of it.

The younger woman looked at the older one with trepidation, wondering what she'd say, or how she'd react, but nothing could have prepared her for what happened next.

While Naeku talked, she'd been able to keep herself calm, but now that it was over, she couldn't help but began to chuckle, "Ah, the exuberance of youth."

"Y— You…!" Naeku cried out with wide eyes. "It's not funny! He was treating them like slaves!"

"Hehehe, is that truly what got you so flustered, my dear?" Fatima smiled mischievously. "Or is it that you were finally confronted with the sexuality of your crush?"

If possible, Naeku's eyes widened even more, while her mouth began to open and close like a goldfish. "T— Teta! You…!" Then, she quickly looked away, "I— I don't know what your talking about… He shouldn't treat his wives like that!"

"Hehehe, because you don't want to be treated like that, right?" Fatima continued with a wink and wiggling eyebrows.

Instantly, Naeku blushed even heavier. Not necessarily because her Teta was right, but because she simply didn't want to talk about this with her. Or anyone. She had some female acquaintances on the outside, like Aster, but no one she could call a close friend. No one who had even seen her real face.

Regardless, by now, Naeku felt her charitability towards Fatima had been used up.

"I— If you don't want to talk about this seriously, then I'll just leave," she began while standing up, but Fatima quickly stopped her.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry," she chuckled in an old voice, while throwing up her wrinkled arms. "Forgive an old woman her quirks, why don't you! Please sit back down!"

Grumbling a little, but unwilling to disobey, she sat back down on her chair.

"Now, listen, according to your description, those girls didn't seem unwilling, right?" Fatima said gently, now finally trying to help Naeku through her turmoil.

"I— I guess not…" she mumbled unwillingly, but then quickly narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "But they didn't say much either! T— They could have been coerced!"

"Is that the impression you got from them during your time together? Both before coming here and after? You spend a lot of time with them while they cared for their husband, didn't you?" Fatima smiled softly, knowing Naeku knew all this perfectly well, but simply needed to realize it.

"….no….it's not…" Naeku pouted unwillingly. Before sagging helplessly, "But then why—"

"People are complicated, Naeku," Fatima said while reaching out and placing her hand over that of her granddaughter in a comforting gesture. "Some people like that sort of thing in bed."

Suddenly, without warning, Fatima's smile became a little more perverted, which was quite the sight on her wrinkled face.

"In fact," she purred mischievously. "Your grandfather and I used to get up to all sorts of things! Like this one time, I took a wiffleball bat, and—"

But before she could finish, Naeku was already out the door, leaving behind a giggling grandmother.