The Ninth Wonder-Chapter 34: The seer (3)

Harley’s breath caught the moment he opened his eyes.

Rachel’s eyes were breathtaking—large, luminous, and flecked with the same crystalline shimmer as the ceiling above them. They seemed to hold the light of the underground cavern itself, glowing with an inner radiance that made her entire face come alive.

Without the blindfold, her beauty was stark and undeniable: an oval-shaped face and full cheeks gave her a childlike charm, full lips slightly parted, and skin that looked almost luminous under the crystal light. Long lashes framed those striking eyes, and a faint flush colored her cheeks as she met his gaze directly for the first time.

"You’re even more beautiful than I imagined," she said softly, her voice warm and trembling with quiet vulnerability. Her luminous eyes searched his face, drinking him in as if she had waited years to see him clearly.

For a long moment, the only sound was the gentle trickle of the underground stream and the faint pulse of light from the crystals overhead.

Harley tilted his head. He was reading her body posture. Her arms trembled slightly and she seemed on edge, as if she wanted to tell him something and was scared of something.

Of course it was not him.

"You fear the war?" Harley asked, and Rachel raised her head, looking at him with a tired expression before looking back down.

"I know that I act like I’m used to it, keeping my calm, instructing people. But what I see at the end of this war we would win. But the casualties..." Her hands trembled slightly, and then a strong hand grabbed hers, and she flinched.

Looking to the side, she saw Harley looking at her with a calm smile.

"It’s okay. I knew nothing about how to hold a sword a week ago. Earlier today I fought and killed monsters capable of killing humans." Harley spoke with a sad smile on his face.

"I’m not used to it. The princess and I used to be friends before we turned 10. We used to run around the castle. She always wanted to play warrior siege, which I found boring. Hehehe..." She chuckled.

"After that we were taken apart. She learned to be a warrior, and I became a messenger of the god the people serve. Ever since then, it has been very lonely." She spoke, turning to look at Harley again.

Looking into her eyes, he could imagine life turning from greener pastures to a deserted field for her. He came from a deserted field, so the hardship was all he knew. Still, the sounds of living and doing whatever he loved doing—if he lost it, he would indeed miss it.

"I fear this war will take everything," she whispered, her fingers tightening slightly in the fabric of her gown. "Not just our homes... but the chance to ever be close to anyone again. I’m tired of being kept at a distance. Tired of being nothing more than a vessel for the gods’ will."

She shook her head.

"All the soldiers look at me like a god in the flesh. They wouldn’t even attempt to get too close to avoid the ’Wrath of the gods’. Except you." She turned to him with the same smile she had when she first met him.

That cute, inviting smile that made him want to let his guard down around her. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

Her hands moved once more, grabbing the sides of Harley’s face. And then she pulled him closer, looking into his eyes.

Harley didn’t resist. He could tell that this woman was one who had been hurt by being given a life she never wanted.

"I want you to share your burdens with me." She spoke, looking into his eyes.

Then, her voice went below a whisper.

"Just for tonight, treat me like a real woman."

Before Harley could even say anything, her lips locked with his. It almost felt needy, as if she was having a delicacy she might never have again.

Harley’s hands moved to wrap around her, and soon his hands found a zip behind her gown and he pulled it down.

...

Harley woke up, feeling very energetic. He looked up to see a cream-coloured fabric over him in a certain circular pattern.

That was when he sat up, looking around. He was in Rachel’s room. He then looked around and saw his wool shirt on the ground beside the singular bed.

"You’re awake already. It’s almost time for the war meeting." A soft voice reached his ears, and he turned to see Rachel back in her priestess attire.

She flashed him a smile before walking out of the tent, and that was when Harley face-palmed.

’What the hell? I did that with a girl inside of a trial bruh...’ He let out a sigh, standing up and walking out of the tent.

Checking his world record, he could see the details of the trial, and also the time remaining.

[2 days, 18 hours remaining]

’The day is just starting.’ Harley stretched, yawning widely.

It was then that he noticed the red tent beside the seer’s. It was the tent of the princess and it was slightly bigger.

The curtain suddenly stirred and a person emerged from it, making Harley’s jaw drop.

Vernox was the one who came out of the princess’s tent, shirtless. He had no time to even approve of the man’s well-built slim physique. His mind immediately went to: what the hell was he doing there?

Vernox soon locked eyes with him and the bastard smirked.

"Ha..." Harley smirked too.

A while later Harley was standing in front of a mirror as tall as him.

The white undergarment was visible at the gaps — at his neck, along the sides of the torso, and at the joints — creating a striking contrast against the dark charcoal leather and the shining silver metallic accents. The armor pieces were strategic rather than full-plate: the embellished chest guard, shoulder pauldrons, gauntlets, and boots gave him a battle-ready, warrior-priest look without weighing him down.

Harley stared at himself for a long moment, his jaw tight, eyes narrowed in quiet resolve. He rolled his shoulders, testing the fit and mobility. The leather creaked softly, and the metal pieces shifted with a faint metallic sound.

He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the armor and the heavier weight of what was to come.

"It looks good on you." Rachel’s soft voice came to him and he turned, only to see her already closing in.

She quietly adjusted the pauldrons on his shoulders and a few back pieces.

"Thank you." Rachel spoke softly.

Harley couldn’t see her face in the mirror because he was taller than her, but he knew what that was for.

"I enjoyed myself as well. You’re a remarkable woman." He smirked.

"Head on out for the war meeting." Rachel rushed out.

However, Harley caught a smile on her lips along with red cheeks.

’Argh, she’s so cute... Too bad for her though.’