While Alex was punishing Saeko, who had spied on him and the girls when they were having sex, Kuina was called, and her mother wanted to talk with her.
''I wonder what mother wanted to talk about; I'm busy thinking of how to be the next; I'm tired of waiting and seeing them enjoying themselves,'' Kuina complained as she went toward one of her mother's normal houses located near the commercial district.
From the outside, this house looks lavish. It had been built with walnut wood and had white brick decorations. Small, half-rounded windows allow enough light to enter the home and have been added to the house in a very symmetric way.
The house has a huge kitchen and one small bathroom; it has a relatively small living room, five bedrooms, a cozy dining area, and a grand storage room.
The building is shaped like an L. The extension extends into wooden sunscreens structures, reaching the end of that side of the house.
The second floor is the same size as the first, which has been built exactly on top of the floor below it. This floor has a very different style than the floor below.
The roof is low and rounded and is covered with red roof tiles. One large chimney sits at the side of the house. Several small windows let in just enough light to the rooms below the roof.
The house itself is surrounded by paved ground, with a small pond at one side and various potted plants all around the house.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThis house has a garden; Kuina entered the house, and the maids welcomed her.
''Welcome, Holy maiden; your mother is waiting for you in the garden.'' One of the maids stepped forward and said those words, and Kuina nodded.
It was only when coming here that she was reminded that she was the Holy maiden of this empire; this status is like the Saintess status in the former Holy Crux empire.
'Since how many years have I got this title? Like my mother, I've inherited it. They said I'm more talented and could achieve our ancestors' long cherished wish.'
While immersed in her thoughts, thinking about the past, Kuina headed to the garden and soon arrived at her destination.
Tall hedges and bushes surrounded a luscious plot of grass. A pagoda stands in the back right of the garden, complete with an outdoor kitchen. The flower beds are a pride and joy within this garden, as they're very well cared for; they're a pit stop for bees. The hedges and bushes reach 1.5m/5ft high, but they tend to grow far bigger in the wild. A path of stone twists around the garden, beckoning people to explore the garden, and showing them the best sights simultaneously. Grass and roots playfully creep and crawl their way through the gardens, eager to expand their foothold beyond the locations given to them.
The pagoda claimed this land first, as the garden was designed around it. The flower beds make sure they're paid attention to as well, and the hedges and bushes are eye-catching in their own right, but nothing can challenge the pagoda.
And sitting in the middle of this garden, leisurely sipping coffee, was a woman of otherworldly beauty; she was the mature version of Kuina with nine golden tails, and the tip of her tail was white as snow.
Kuina stood frozen for a second in front of her mother's beauty; no matter how many times she had seen it, she would always be in awe facing her mother's true form; she was one hell of a beauty. She felt proud to be her daughter, to have inherited this beautiful gene, and proud that one day she would become more beautiful than her.
''Come join me, my sweet daughter.'' The empress beckoned her daughter to join her.
Kuina nodded before joining her; she went and sat on her mother's tight, nuzzling her nose into her hair, taking in some of her scents.
''I miss you, mother,'' Kuina said, acting like a spoiled kid.
Her mother smiled and gently caressed her golden hair; she let her indulge in whatever she wanted, like feeding her, combing her hair, and when she felt she had spoiled her daughter enough. She began to speak with her.
''You know, as the Holy Maiden, as the one stated, to achieve our ancestor's long cherished dream, you must not stay passive, right?"
Kuina's body flinched upon hearing her mother's question; she understood well what she was hinting at. She could only sigh.
''Don't worry, the rice will be cooked soon. I will stop hesitating; I'll stay no more passive; tomorrow it is.'' She declared confidently, and her mother nodded with a smile in acknowledgment.
''As expected of my daughter, the future ten-tailed fox. My pride, my joy, go for it; you have my support. I would have competed with you girls if I was a bit younger.'' Kuina's mother declared, making Kuina jump on her feet, ready to defend what was hers.
''You won't dare, right?"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm''Ufufu! Maybe I shall join the fray.'' Her mother declared while taking a fighting posture, she released her strength, and Kuina was shocked to see she had progressed once again.
The two started playing around, until late in the night.
°°°°°°
The city of Silent Hill was built atop quiet and serene hills and is truly a historic trade center. Its beauty is matched by the backdrop of several waterfalls, which have helped shape the city into what it is today.
The resources these waterfalls brought were of great importance. Still, they were also influential when it came to architectural designs as the vast majority of buildings not only use water from those waterfalls, they often incorporate some form of falling water as part of their architecture.
The skyline is littered with soaring skyscrapers, and their beauty is only matched by each other. Culture is rising in Silent Hill, and it has attracted a lot of attention. A few new cultures have left their mark not just on business but also on the city's identity. What historically was a city of few differences has grown into an amalgamation of differences, which unites half a million people today.
It's this multicultural identity that has truly left its mark. Hundreds of cafés, ethnic restaurants, and sandwich bars offer many culinary choices. Those who feel hungry for something else can enjoy adventure sports, photography, aerobics, or one of the many other recreational venues.
After observing everything from the sky, Alex holding Kuina's hand, said.
''Let's go, my lady.''
Kuina beamed with a smile; this marked the beginning of their date, the prelude to what they would do today. She was excited about what would happen today. She wants this man, and she would have him; she got everyone benediction before coming here, even the reluctant Maria had acknowledged her and gave her ok, so what could go wrong?
Nothing.