—Anastasia POV—
Lucilla and Anastasia sat together in the spider woman's bedroom. The both of them didn't have anything urgent to do at the moment, mostly waiting for reports from others. Yuki was also dragged away by Judieth for training, giving the both of them a rare moment of peace. The doctor managed to convince her by mentioning the stronger she grows, the better she'll be at protecting Lucilla.
With no one to disturb them the spider woman couldn't help but feel triumphant. Anastasia was a greedy woman and can't stand letting go of anything that's hers or wants to make hers. It's why despite complaining about being treated as the leader of the Lost Country she still acted as one. This land and the people in it were hers, and she would never let it go.
Of course, she never felt the need to claim an individual only of objects, places and groups of people; till Lucilla that is. She was only mildly interested in Lucilla at first, finding the way she acted towards her refreshing. People found Arachne weird to be around for too long, and even other Arachne preferred to keep their distance. Then they parted ways, while sad, it wasn't unexpected.
A few days later she showed back up at her doorstep. Anastasia was both surprised and overjoyed. While Lucilla was terribly depressed, Anastasia made the spontaneous decision to comfort her, which made her grow fonder of the silver haired woman. By the weeks ended she was already considering Lucilla hers.
Then just as suddenly as she appeared, she was gone again. The Goddess Ovana stole her Lucilla away? The only consolation she had was that Lucilla would be back in a week. She'll wait until then, for now she can't afford to lose her temper, she still has the lost country, she can live without Lucilla for a little while.
Once Lucilla had returned, she came back stronger, older, and more confident. Her crimson eyes that were once both youthful and tired, now looked ancient and exhausted. Her presence was much more foreboding, demanding attention as she stood straight with regal. She moved with a wild grace, befitting a monster, as if she was always on the prowl, ready to attack anyone that dared to grow close.
Despite all of this she was still the same. Anastasia didn't know how her relationship with Yuki was before they met but based on how she never even batted an eye at her antics, she figured it was just how she saw it. She still treated everyone with the same indifference, with the exception of those close to her. Including Anastasia.
"Anna you, okay?" Lucilla asked, hearing the spider woman giggle to herself. She leaned against her side, the fluffy hair of the spider half of her body acting as cushioning. When she heard the Arachne queen chuckle, she had to lean her head back and look up.
"I'm fine Lucy, just thinking is all." Anna answered. "I'm just happy I have you all to myself is all."
"Oh." Lucilla said, turning away. Her expression didn't move, but if one looked closely, they could see a faint blush appearing on her face. "Glad to hear it."
"Mhm," Humming in acknowledgement, and secretly watching the smaller woman with her spider eyes, Anna continued speaking, "What do you say we go somewhere, sitting around all day isn't good for the body."
"I suppose not." Lucilla agreed. "Want to bake some sweets with me?"
"I would love to." She answered as she stood up, making sure Lucilla had already moved. "Let's head to the kitchen."
As they both of them made their way towards the kitchen Anastasia had already reverted to her humanoid form. The two of them continued to chat as they walked, mainly about mundane things. The spider woman was impressed by the vast knowledge Lucilla had accumulated during her time in the afterlife.
"With some time and effort and a bit more studying I might be able to even get this place working again." She said, a hint of pride in her voice.
"Oh my~ so confident despite having no experience." Anastasia teased.
"They gave me some stuff to tinker with while I was down there, I at least understand the difference between copper and silver circuitry."
"... What do you mean copper?"
Giving Anastasia a smug grin, or what she assumed was a smug grin since it just looked like a condescending smirk, Lucilla spoke as if guiding a lost soul to the light. "Very simple really, the difference is that one conducts electricity, that's the copper, and the other conducts mana, that's the silver."
"Oh? Interesting, what exactly is electricity?" Anastasia asked. She knew what silver circuits were, and how they were used in magical tools and machinery, but she never heard of copper.
"Apparently it's another way to power things like lights without the use of mana."
They continued discussing the differences between electrical and magical powered devices until they reached the kitchen. Anastasia watched with amusement as Lucilla explored the space. The silver haired woman's eyes lit up as she grabbed baking ingredients, especially when she found the sugar.
"You seem to know what you're doing." Anna pointed out as she watched Lucilla prepare the ingredients, carefully measuring everything out before setting it aside.
Lucilla paused for a few seconds, but quickly recovered before responding. "My Mother used to run a bakery when I was younger. I happen to remember how to make some desserts."
"She sounds lovely, I would love to meet her one day."
Lucilla stopped moving as she turned her gaze towards Anna. "That will be difficult… she passed away recently."
"... Lucy I-"
"Anyway, mind handing me the flower, it's time to mix the stuff together." Lucilla said with a little too much cheer in her voice.
"Alright, so what are you making?" Anna responded, taking the hint.
"Just a regular old sponge cake, with strawberry filling and icing."
Anna nodded along as she watched Lucilla work. Handing her a thing or two every once in a while. Lucilla was surprisingly proficient as she quickly produced enough batter for a double layer cake. Pouring the thick liquid into two cake molds, she proceeds to place them into the oven.
"While we wait for that, let's make the icing and filling." She said with a genuine smirk on her face.
"But of course." Anna said as she followed Lucilla back to the counter.
She watched the girl start on the icing first, watching as the white milk turned into pink cream, then into the distinct texture of smooth icing. The sweet pink colored food sat in the bowl Lucilla placed on the counter, the icing inviting Anna to take a quick little taste of its sweetness.
Noticing her gaze Lucilla smiled, picked up the spoon she used to stir the icing and handed it to the Arachne. "Here, try it and tell me what you think."
Anna grabbed the spoon with glee before she noticed some icing on the side of Lucilla's face. She looked at the spoon, then back at Lucilla a few times before a mischievous grin grew. Lucilla who was watching Anastasia suddenly looked nervous when she saw that smile.
"What are you doing Anna?" Lucilla asked with suspicion.
Instead of answering, Anna reached out her hand and cupped Lucilla's cheek. She used her thumb to wipe away the small amount of icing that was there. Lucilla stood frozen unsure of how to react to Anna's sudden actions.
"Uh, um, huh?" She spoke, flustered.
"Just saw some icing on your cheek." Anna said, showing her thumb, before licking the icing off it. "Mm~ you did an excellent job; it tastes sweeter than most icing I've had."
Lucilla stared at Anna's thumb and her red lips, her mind a jumbled mess as she tried to process what she just witnessed. She had a sudden feeling of jealousy well up inside her directed at the thumb that got licked clean.
"What's wrong?" Anna asked with a tilt of her head smiling. "You look shocked?"
"... Nothing, glad you like my icing." Lucilla said, coming back to her senses. "Would you like some more?"
She used her finger to scoop some of the pink substance from the mixing bowl and held it out towards Anna's face. Anna hesitated for a second, feeling a little embarrassed but too prideful to admit it. Before Lucilla could notice her hesitance, she leaned forward and stuck the other woman's finger into her mouth, before pulling back.
"Well how is it?"
"... It's delicious. Better the second time."
The two of them looked at each other in silence, for a few seconds before turning away. Lucilla quickly got busy with making the strawberry filling as Anna went to the sink to splash water on her face. When she turned around however she noticed Lucilla staring at her finger like she was in a trance.
"You okay?"
"Hm? Yeah, I'm fine."
Anna watched as Lucilla continued with her previous actions. Whenever they made eye contact however she would quickly turn her crimson eyes away. They continued in their comfortable, but embarrassed silence for the rest of their time baking together.
– – –
"Oh wow, you're really good at this Lucy." Anna marveled as Lucilla skillfully applied the icing to the cake. "Looks just like a professional."
"Of course I'm good at this." Lucilla said proudly. "My mother was the best baker I've ever known. Well she was the only one, but that doesn't matter."
"Should we eat a slice now or after lunch?"
"Hm, after lunch, I want to share this with Yuki later."
"... Oh yes, of course."
"Anyway, what should we do now?" Lucilla asked, putting the cake in the fridge, near the water and wind mana stones that powered it.
"Let's head back to my room until we're called for lunch."
"Sounds like a plan."
The two of them walked through the dark red halls with smiles on their faces as they chatted. Anna couldn't help but feel a great satisfaction settle deep within her chest. Lucilla was her's and the longer they spent together the more that became true.