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Part 23

As the day progressed, both girls were in prep mode for the challenge later that evening. Raya was practicing her different sword fighting techniques. She's been training for hours. She was seriously offended by what Namaari said. She took it a bit personal instead of just a little tease. Namaari realized that she sorta hurt her feelings but was unsure if she actually did. What convinced her was when Raya trained non stop and hardly spoke to her after breakfast. She on the other hand hardly trained. 

Near midday when Raya was exhausted and resting on a chair, she thought of approaching her.
"maybe she's not all that serious... I'll just go talk to her and--- nevermind..." thought Namaari. Her mind changed when she saw Sisu in her human form approach Raya.

"What's the occasion?" Asked Sisu heartily.

"Nothing serious..." replied Raya in the midst of her panting. 

"Nothing serious and you're killing yourself?" 

"Just a little challenge...that's all..."

"With who?"

"Namaari"

"Wait wait wait wait wait...Why on earth are you going to fight her?" asked Sisu, trying to piece everything together. "Isn't she your smoochie boo?"

Raya slightly blushed then said, "I-it's a challenge...not a fight."

"It's still a fight. But why?"

Raya's eyebrows got straight as her blush metamorphosed to a frown. "I was offended this morning..."

Namaari was eavesdropping not far off and gasped. She felt hurt and just walked away, headed to the lobby area of the palace.

"What did she say?"

"That I am not an effective fighter with long hair."

Sisu tried to hold it in but couldn't after a few seconds. She laughed so loud that she felt weak. "Y-you mean to tell me you two wanna fight bec- because of --"

Sisu couldn't stop laughing and Raya just walked away. She didn't know Namaari was in the lobby area and when she saw her, she immediately looked away. Chief Benja was walking by and when he saw her, he said, "Hello dew drop. You look exhausted like you've been running a marathon."

"Was just training Ba." 

"Don't be so hard on yourself. It is just a challenge."

"It's not about it being a challenge. It's about me proving her wrong." said Raya in an aggressive tone.

"Calm down. Dew drop, do not tire yourself. Oh also, Fang supporters are on the way. They'll be staying with us, along with chief Virana for today and tomorrow. I've made arrangements."

"W-WHAT?! But Ba... you just said it's 'just a challenge' but you invited the chief?"

"Yes. It's not just for this challenge. Didn't you both have something you wanna confess to her too?"

"Well..."

"She has to know soon. It's in a few months she'll be searching for the best males to be Namaari's partner and I'm sure you both want otherwise." explained Benja.

"Yeah..." replied Raya.

She looked over at Namaari and said, "Did you tell her Ba?"

"I'm about to."

"Alright I...I'm going to be in my room." said Raya as she slowly walked away.

The chief explained what she told Raya to Namaari. Namaari felt pressured at the thought of her mother forcing her to be with a male and also the fact that Benja made arrangements without her knowing, but it's best to tell her mother sooner rather than later.

After her afternoon shower, Raya sat on her bed just thinking about everything that's going on.

She then heard a knock and the door and in a frustrated tone she said, "Enter..."

It was Sisu. 

"Hey Raya...look I'm sorry about hurting your feelings earlier. I'm really sorry..."

"It's alright, I forgive you." whispered Raya as Sisu sat beside her. 

"Is there more on your mind? You look really worried." 

"Yeah. chief Virana might not approve of Namaari and I being together and may want to force Namaari to be with...a male."

Sisu sighed loudly and said, "That's crazy. You are both in love and I'm quite sure there are no formal laws that goes against two people of the same gender being in love and ruling side to side."

"But she can enforce it if it's not there." said Raya as she went into the fetal position.

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Do you think that tradition matters when it comes on to love?🤔 Anyways, more soon! Will Virana see it fit for her daughter and Raya to be together? Stick around to find out and don't forget to leave a vote <3