(Amanda’s POV)

Two days have lapsed since my dreamlike date with Ryujin-sama. Every moment replays in my mind like a cherished symphony, each note perfect and harmonious. The date was magical, a sequence of moments stitched together in a tapestry of perfection. Every detail about him was flawless, from his gaze to his smile, each element fueling the fire of my affection.

I meticulously planned everything, ensuring that each aspect of the date would align with his preferences. We had our secluded interlude in a breathtaking field, a tableau of nature’s splendor, just for us. Watching him showcase his strength, the raw power and grace with which he moved, left me in awe. It was like witnessing a deity in his element, both fearsome and magnificent.

Ah, Ryujin, my love for you intensifies with each passing day. It’s an obsession, a relentless desire that consumes me. You’re not just a part of my world; you are my world.

The date was perfect, like a scene from a romantic novel, until those two uninvited guests showed up, shattering the idyllic moment. Seriously, those two completely ruined what was supposed to be my perfect day with Ryujin-sama. The nerve of them!

And then there was that girl, boldly attempting to ensnare Ryujin right before me. Who does she think she is? The sheer audacity of it sends waves of anger coursing through me. Just the mere thought of losing Ryujin to someone else sets my heart racing, a mix of fear and fury bubbling inside me.

I remember lunging at her, filled with a burning desire to eliminate this threat to our love. But, despite my best efforts, she slipped away. I couldn’t kill her. It frustrates me to no end.

However, Ryujin, my beloved Ryujin, didn’t hesitate. With the might of his magic, he encased that other intruder in ice, ending him right there. His decisiveness and power are part of why I love him so deeply.

As for the girl who escaped, she’s now marked in my mind. She’s a lingering shadow on our love, a problem that needs to be addressed. And address it, I will. One day, when she least expects it, I’ll ensure she pays. No one threatens what’s mine and gets away with it. I’ll make sure of that.

After our date, reality hit us hard as we returned to the Blue Lotus Sect. Ryujin tried his best to keep us under the radar, but Alexia-sama noticed us with her formidable detection magic the moment we stepped inside. Her ability to perceive is frightening, almost like she has a sixth sense of these things.

The situation worsened when she decided to question me right in front of Ryujin-sama. Her aura was so intense it felt like being trapped in a storm of ice. There was no way I could have kept our secret under such pressure. Ryujin, seeing no way out, confessed everything. I felt as if our perfect date had crumbled to dust right there.

Alexia-sama’s response was swift and severe. Ryujin was confined to his room, a grounding that seemed to last for an eternity. And me? I was demoted to the role of a common maid. My duties as Ryujin’s maid were handed over to my sister, Lexia. Alexia-sama said I could regain my position only when I proved myself worthy again.

The situation is a nightmare. I’ve lost everything – my position, proximity to Ryujin, and possibly even his trust. I can almost hear his thoughts echoing with disappointment. “What a weak girl. She couldn’t handle the pressure and caved in so easily.” I should have been stronger, even in the face of someone as intimidating as Alexia-sama.

Now, not only am I no longer Ryujin’s personal maid, but I also feel the distance growing between us. This isn’t just about losing a job. It’s about losing my special connection with Ryujin. How can I make this right? How can I regain his trust and my former position? The answers seem as distant as the stars in the night sky.

◇

Two excruciating days have crawled by, each moment stretching into eternity without seeing or even interacting with Ryujin-sama. These days have been nothing short of hellish, each second ticking by like a slow, relentless drip of poison, sapping away at my sanity.

I feel like an arid desert, yearning for a single drop of rain – that rain being Ryujin-sama’s presence. My heart aches with a desperation akin to a flame deprived of oxygen, flickering wildly in the hope of his attention. The absence of Ryujin-sama gnaws at me like a ravenous beast clawing at the inside of my chest, its hunger unrelenting and all-consuming.

It’s as if I’m suffering from a withdrawal of the worst kind – a Ryujin withdrawal. His absence is a void, a black hole pulling me into its depths of despair. Every moment away from him feels like a rose being stripped of its petals, one by one, until nothing but thorns remain.

I’m losing myself in this abyss of longing. The need to see him, to be near him, is driving me to the brink of madness. It’s a thirst that no water can quench, a hunger that no food can satisfy. Only Ryujin-sama can fill this void. Only he can extinguish this burning obsession that consumes me from within.

It’s been days since I began completing my tasks with a swiftness that borders on frantic so I can spend the rest of my day holed up in my room, my only solace being the photos of Ryujin-sama. These photographs are one of the few connections I have left to him.

“Amanda Nee-sama!” 

I heard a voice calling me, snapping me back to reality. It was my sister, Lexia.

“Lexia, you’re the only one who can help me. I need it. I… I can’t take this any longer.” 

Lexia had become my lifeline, visiting me daily and occasionally bringing me personal items of Ryujin-sama. This secret indulgence helped me cope with our separation.

She couldn’t bring something every day. Too often, it would raise suspicions with Alexia-sama. But today, she got Ryujin-sama’s training shirt, still unwashed, carrying his scent and essence. It was a small piece of him, a treasure in my current state of deprivation.

(A|N: I only removed the A from Alexia’s name to make it Amanda’s sister’s. Sorry for being such a lazy author 😁.)

“Nee-sama, what can I do to help you?” 

“You need to talk to Alexia-sama. CONVINCE HER TO LET ME BE RYUJIN-SAMA’S PERSONAL MAID AGAIN. PLEASE!” 

“I’m sorry, Nee-sama. I’ve tried before, but she said you’ll only return to your position when she believes you’re worthy again…” 

Lexia’s words felt like a punch to my gut.

“…”

“Anyway, as an apology, I’ll try to bring something a bit more… personal from Ryujin-sama tomorrow.” 

Lexia offered with a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

“Yes, thank you, Lexia. You truly are an excellent sister.”

(Lexia POV)

A determined stride carried me toward Ryujin-sama’s quarters as I exited my sister’s room. The corridors of the Blue Lotus Sect seemed to stretch on endlessly, echoing with the silent drum of my heart. Ever since my arrival here, under the recommendation of my Nee-sama, my life had taken an unexpected turn.

Initially, my goal was simple – a source of income, nothing more. But then I saw him, Ryujin-sama. It was a moment etched in my memory, a lightning strike of emotion. It was love at first sight, a feeling so intense and overwhelming that it left me breathless.

Yet, to him, my Nee-sama, and everyone else, I was just the little sister, not a woman to be desired or loved in the way I yearned for. This perception of me ignited a fire within, a searing blend of frustration and longing. Why couldn’t they see me for who I really am?

My sister, unintentionally or not, had monopolized Ryujin-sama. She was always around him, leaving me with mere scraps of his attention. But fate seemed to have thrown me a lifeline when my sister’s recent actions led to her demotion.

Now, as his personal maid, I had the opportunity I’d always dreamed of. My heart raced with a mixture of excitement and dark intent. Fufufu. Sorry, Nee-sama, but I plan to use this chance to my fullest advantage. I’ll do whatever it takes to remain by Ryujin-sama’s side permanently.