Early that morning, Selene left the palace, her heart lighter than it had been in days. Zarpha's towering walls had begun to feel suffocating, making her feel uneasy.

She had always been a woman of nature, a priestess bound to the earth, and the fields outside the city called to her like a distant melody.

As she made her way toward the outskirts of Zarpha, the bustle of the city faded behind her, replaced by the quieter hum of rural life. Farmers worked in their fields, their hands rough from tending the land.

The scent of fresh soil filled the air, along with the soft rustle of crops swaying in the breeze.

It was peaceful here.

Selene breathed deeply, letting the tranquillity of the fields wash over her. It reminded her of her home, of the village she had grown up in before becoming a priestess of Adonitology.

The memories stirred in her—a simpler time when the only thing that mattered was the beauty of the divine form and the worship of its presence. She missed the temple, the sacred rites, and the quiet moments of reflection among the priestesses.

Her thoughts wandered to the other women in the field. She couldn't help but notice them. Selene's eyes were drawn, almost magnetically, to their curves—round and full asses.

As a follower of the Church of Adonitology, which saw women as a sign of divine grace, her appreciation was natural. The fullness of the women's hips, the generous swell of their asses, was something to be admired.

She felt a pang of nostalgia for the days when her admiration was open and encouraged in the temple.

Back in the village, it had been different.

There, she could marvel freely, touch those asses, appreciate without hesitation.

The temple's teachings honored the curves of the body as sacred, as reflections of the gods themselves. She could almost hear the chants again, the soft hymns sung to the beauty of the human form, the celebrations that had filled the temple halls.

But here, in Zarpha, she had to keep her admiration to herself.

These women weren't aware of their divinity in the same way. Selene clenched her hands in her lap, forcing herself to look away before anyone noticed her lingering gaze.

She missed her life before Lord Adrian had entered it, before she had been swept away from the temple and onto a path filled with danger and uncertainty.

Yet, even as the yearning for her old life tugged at her heart, she felt no regret. Travelling with Lord Adrian had given her purpose beyond the sacred rites.

She was no longer confined to a temple but had become a part of something larger—serving and satisfying him.

She was lost in her thoughts when a voice interrupted her. "Are you lost, dear?"

Selene blinked, her attention snapping to a woman standing nearby. She was tall, with broad shoulders and dark skin bronzed by years under the sun.

Her eyes were warm but curious, studying Selene with a mixture of confusion and friendliness.

"Oh, no, I'm not lost," Selene replied quickly, shaking her head. "I was just… admiring the fields."

The woman raised an eyebrow, her gaze flicking over Selene's attire—clean, well-kept, not the type to belong to someone used to hard labor. "Admiring, huh? You don't look like someone who spends much time out here in the dirt."

Selene laughed softly, glancing down at herself. It was true; she was dressed more like a traveler than a field worker. But her heart yearned for the earth beneath her fingers, for the grounding that came from physical work. She wasn't afraid of getting her hands dirty.

"I'd like to join," she said, surprising herself with the firmness of her voice. "In the fields. If you'll have me."

The woman's brow furrowed slightly, but then she smiled, a grin that seemed to radiate warmth. "You want to help? Well, that's a first. Most visitors from the city keep their distance. But sure, we could always use an extra pair of hands."

She extended her hand toward Selene. "I'm Tahlia, by the way."

"Selene," she replied, shaking Tahlia's hand with a firm grip.

Tahlia gave a nod and gestured for Selene to follow her deeper into the fields, where rows of crops stretched out in neat lines, their green leaves vibrant under the morning sun.

"So," Tahlia began as they walked, "what brings someone like you out here? Don't see many like you working the fields."

Selene hesitated for a moment, unsure of how much to reveal. "I… felt like I needed a change of pace. Life in the city can be stifling, and I've always found peace in places like this."

Tahlia nodded in understanding. "I get that. Life out here's simpler, but it's honest work. Nothing like those fancy halls back in Zarpha."

They reached an open patch of soil where a group of women worked, their hands pulling weeds and tending to the crops.

Tahlia handed Selene a small gardening tool and gestured to a section where she could start. "Here, you can help with this row. Just follow what the others are doing."

Selene knelt down in the dirt, the cool earth sinking beneath her knees as she began to work. Her hands moved instinctively, remembering the days she had spent in the temple's gardens, tending to the sacred herbs and flowers.

There was a rhythm to it, a soothing calm that settled over her as she worked alongside the other women.

As they toiled under the rising sun, Tahlia chatted with Selene, asking about her life in the city, but also offering insights into the lives of the farmers in Zarpha. The struggles they faced, the small victories they celebrated each season.

Selene listened, soaking it all in, feeling a sense of connection she hadn't realized she had been missing.

"You're a fast learner," Tahlia remarked, watching Selene move through the row. "Ever thought of becoming a farmer?"

Selene smiled, wiping a bead of sweat from her brow. "I've always been more of a priestess, but there's something sacred about working the land, isn't there?"

Tahlia tilted her head, giving Selene a thoughtful look. "A priestess, huh? Never would've guessed that. But you're right—there's something holy about the earth. Feeds us, keeps us grounded."

Selene's heart swelled at the simple truth in Tahlia's words. It reminded her of her teachings at the temple—the belief that the body and the earth were intertwined, that the divine could be found in the soil just as easily as in the heavens.

The hours passed quickly, and by midday, Selene found herself lost in the rhythm of the work. She hadn't felt this kind of peace in a long time, not since she had left the temple behind.

As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Tahlia called for a break, and the women gathered under a shaded tree near the edge of the field, sharing water and bread.

Selene sat with them, her body aching pleasantly from the physical exertion. She felt at ease, surrounded by women who, though strangers, welcomed her into their world without question.

"You did good today," Tahlia said, handing her a piece of bread. "You sure you're not a farmer at heart?"

Selene chuckled, breaking the bread in her hands. "Maybe. But I think my path lies elsewhere."

Tahlia nodded, her eyes warm with understanding. "Well, whatever path you're on, you're always welcome here."

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