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Although she wore a simpler dress than usual and her hair was loose, Dolcinaea was as beautiful as ever, and her face was shaded by a wide straw hat wrapped with a silk ribbon. She and Veronica walked along the sands of a secluded beach not far from Canalbrine, away from the prying eyes of others. The summer sun bore down on them, but Dolcinaea seemed unfazed as she tucked a strand of unbound hair behind her ear.
"When I was a child, I hated summer," Dolcinaea said unexpectedly. "The days would get so hot, but the night brought little relief."
Veronica listened carefully; Dolcinaea rarely spoke of her childhood in Sai, but after competing with Agnea at the Grand Gala, she seemed more willing to do so. Veronica was glad of that, and carefully she took Dolcinaea's hand into hers, and those slender fingers were cool against her skin.
"But once I was old enough to leave Sai and travel across the sea, summer days didn't seem so oppressive. The weather is so much milder in the Brightlands." Dolcinaea chuckled weakly. "Although by the time I reached New Delsta, Cuani Bristarni no longer performed on the eastern continent."
"If you had known she lived in Cropdale, would you have visited her?" Veronica asked, trying to keep her voice neutral.
Dolcinaea tapped her chin thoughtfully. "If I had, I might have seen darling Agnea as a small child! Cuani spoke so often of performing at the New Delsta Theater that I believed that she would return there once she left Sai." She suddenly clutched Veronica's arm and smiled like a mischievous girl. "But if not for that misconception, I would never have met you!"
Veronica could not stop the laugh that fell from her lips. "I'm grateful to have met you, my lady."
Dolcinaea also laughed, a quieter laugh than her usual. "I'm feeling a bit fatigued, so let us rest under that shade over there."
They headed toward a spot shaded by a large stone arch, and Veronica set a blanket on the ground before they sat down. Dolcinaea still held Veronica's arm tightly, resting her head against Veronica's shoulder. Veronica smiled as she stared down at Dolcinaea, taking in that beauty. Dolcinaea's dress was fairly low-cut, revealing ample cleavage, and upon realizing where Veronica was staring, her lips curled into a playful smirk. Once, Veronica might have been ashamed of feeling such desire, but Dolcinaea accepted her for who she was.
"Ah, what a beautiful day," Dolcinaea said, fanning her face with her hat. "Wouldn't you agree, my dear?"
Veronica nodded. "It's good to see you so relaxed."
Dolcinaea leaned closer, her large breasts pressing against Veronica's arm. "And what about you? Are you feeling relaxed?"
Heat rose in Veronica's cheeks; they had been a couple for nearly a decade, and still Dolcinaea knew just how to tease her. "Y-Yes, this is rather relaxing." She let out a deep breath. "Just being with you like this, and no one watching us. It's… peaceful."
"So you want me to yourself, hm?" Dolcinaea let out an alluring chuckle. "Well, I suppose I can indulge you right now." She laid a hand on Veronica's shoulder and lifted herself to press her lips to Veronica's.
Standing upon the stage, Dolcinaea shined brighter than anyone, but she was just as beautiful even when only Veronica watched her. Veronica put her arms around Dolcinaea to draw her closer, and what bloomed between was more than simply the summer heat.