Private Finished Living an Honest Student Life

"Ah, I see. I have also never had sex." She said simply, nodding. She took Bel's admission in stride, she had no reason to think of it as embarrassing or unusual. After all, she thought being a virgin was normal.

She did, however, notice the change, looking slightly confused at Bel's uncomfortable reaction.

"Oh, is this perhaps a sensitive subject?" She frowned a little at herself. "My apologies, I thought if you talked about this with Agnes often then it would be ok..."

Euphemia's confused expression remained, even after Bel had explained her reasoning. It seemed like such an odd thing to be worried about. Though as she listened to her go on, she started to wrap her head around it.

"So...if I understand correctly," She eventually said. "You feel that, in order to perform your duty, you require experience in areas of love and sex?"

Euphemia knew even less about love then she did about sex. The church would always speak of love, love for God, love for each other, but love was not something she was taught she deserved. Nor was it something she was capable of giving.

She had that one time, but that was different, those feelings were fake, not hers.

"While I admit these are things I understand very little, I do know the importance of having adequate knowledge of one's purpose. However, I believe there is no need for you to worry. If there is no urgent need, one should not be expected to take their role before they are ready. I am sure you will have the time you need to learn."

She of course, had no idea of the nuances of what Bel was expected to do, but for her it seemed simple, and she stated it like it was.

"Of course, if there is any way I could assist you in this, I would be more then willing to offer what I can."

If anyone else had said that, it might have sounded like an innuendo. Euphemia however seemed to completely miss the implication.

"I was afraid as much." She frowned, before nodding. "If I happen upon something that may assist you, however, I will be sure to let you know."

Euphemia felt stumped herself. Issues like these, feeling like a fraud, these were things she had never experienced before. All she could tell is that it bothered Bel greatly, that it was important to her. She felt obligated to help her but had no idea how.

She tilted her head to the side. "Bel, do people often come to you for advice?" She asked.

"No." Euphemia shook her head. "Nothing I would wish to trouble you with currently. I was just considering your duties as..."

She still hesitated to actually call her a goddess, her own religious beliefs only allowed for one, and to acknowledge a deity that was not Him still felt wrong, sinful. She tried to rationalise it, thinking of it as a simply a phrase rather than something that was literal. That should be ok, shouldn't it?

"As a goddess, as one who others would look to for guidance." She continued, "I am sure you must advise others on more matters than just romance. Such responsibility must require you to be knowledgeable on many things."

She wondered if Bel could help her, if she could identify what it was Euphemia needed to find. But as she said, something like that was not something she wanted to trouble her with, it felt like a lot to ask.

"It must be quite a burden, especially as it bothers you so." She concluded. "I was simply curious if that was the case..."

She frowned to herself, an uncertain, almost uncomfortable expression painting her face.

"Very well. As you are aware, I am...very uncertain of where my time here shall lead." She explained. "For all my life, my path had been predetermined, I was well aware of what I was to do, what purpose I was to serve. Now, I have none of that. I have no idea where my life should take me."

She sits up straight, hands folded on her lap, meeting her eyes.

"Would you be...okay with me coming to you for advice? In the future?" She asked, slowly. "I am unsure of what I will do for now, but I may have questions eventually, and you appear to be knowledgeable, capable. I would be very grateful if you did me this favour."

She punctuated her request with a bow of her head, still showing deference even to someone who should be a peer.