You can do this

"Head to the estate, I'll met you both there. I just want to make sure Vatarie is ok." You say to Ana and Asune. Asune looks a bit peeved that you aren't giving her an immediate reward so you add, "And that was incredibly impressive." You lean into to whisper in her ear letting your lips graze her as you do, "Tell Ana that she'll be entertaining you until I arrive." Asune mouth curled into a smile and she stalked to Ana's side. Ana looked from her to you and you gave her a wink. With how horny she is you've no doubt that Asune is about to be a bit of a pillow princess, whether she wants to or not. The pair hurry off with a proverbial skip to their step, you settle in to wait for Vatarie.

Stephanie had taken her out of the arena and while you could follow you got the impression the 'private' part of their chat mattered. You were however, confident that she would come back this way because one of Mary's retinue stayed behind, standing at attention. You waved at them thinking you could striking up a conversation but they didn't even acknowledge your presence.

When Vatarie arrived her aura was shaken and her eyes looked puffy. She hadn't cried but she was near it. The guard took a step towards her but you were there first, and frankly after seeing her like that Mary and wait for as long as it takes. "Are you ok?" You ask running a hand up her arm affectionately and combing some hair from her cheek with the other.

Vatarie's eyes turned to you and she smile softly before it feel from her face. "Am-" she cut off and swallowed, "am I like my dad?" Her eyes were shining with worry and you felt very out of your depth.

"I," the words 'don't know' died on your tongue. Vatarie was sad, and sacred and the idea of not being able to support her right now hurt. "I don't care." She blinked at you surprised. "You're you, I don't care about anything else, that is all that matters to me." You hugged her against you and after a moments hesitation she hugged back.

"But what if I can't stop myself?" It was barely a whisper in your ear.

You didn't answer because you didn't know how to answer. You could say that you'll stop her but wasn't a solution, it would just be you trying to placate, you'd be happy to be around her forever but you can't be. "What did Stephanie say?"

After a bit of silence she stiffened and pulled back. "Thanks Christopher, Harea." It was the first time she'd called you that and you couldn't shake the feeling it was more a grasping for stability than heartfelt.

"Anything you need, Harea." You responded to provide the stability and kissed her forehead. There was a cough behind you from Mary's guard.

Vatarie pulled away from you and wiped her eyes smiling at you. "I need to speak with Princess Mary." You were worried that, give how at odd Stephanie and Mary had been when it came to Vatarie fighting speaking to her now wasn't going to help the situation. She read the concern on your face and rubbed you cheek. "Thank you for worrying for me." She kissed your lips firmly then pulled away and nodded at the guard. "I'll see you later." She walked past you, her hand lingering to graze yours which reached out to try and grasp but found nothing but air.

You watched her leave with the guard then went looking for Stephanie. When you found her, you found her waiting for you. "You won't understand unless she wants you too. And even then you won't understand." She said looking at you flatly.

"Why?"

"Because you don't like fighting, she does." Stephanie shook her head gently. "Her family have more bloodlust than battlelust she just didn't realise how much." She walked over to you and gave you an appraising look. "Did you promise to stop her?"

"No."

"Good, if she needs someone else to stop her she'll always be too dangerous to trust." Stephanie was quiet for a moment and you felt things get awkward all of a sudden.

"I'm still looking for the sky steel sword." You said not sure what else to say and not liking the silence.

"You don't have much time to find it. I suggest asking the elf." The awkwardness melted away and a smirk spread across her face at the mention of the elf.

"Are you telling me that because you want to help me improve or because you want me to win?" You ask, taking her smirk to be a good indicator of one of those.

Stephanie raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything as she walked off. Though you did notice a bit more of a sway in her hips than usual. After getting a satisfactory look at her retreating ass you headed to Ana's estate. Vatarie said she'd meet you and you can't imagine Mary not walking there with her after their chat. Plus Ana is probably expecting you to be there before Mary so she can get you ready for her sister. Hopefully Asune hasn't gotten her too tied up, or vice-versa, just yet.