Chapter 424

After our treasure hunt across the Blackwood estate, Ethan and I kept going for a while longer.

“Here, Ed. I got you a gift.”

“Hm? Just like that?”

“I noticed it while browsing in the general store and thought it would suit you. You've been using a pen more often lately, so I thought it would be nice if you wrote with one I gave you.”

“…Thank you, Lily. I’ll treasure it.”@@novelbin@@

“It’s not meant to be treasured but used often.”

The ‘Philosopher’s Fountain Pen’ was tucked away in a corner of the Blackwood general store. It helps the user write beautifully and gives a small boost to their charisma, so I figured it would be perfect for Ethan.

Ethan’s been doing a lot of pen work lately, so it wouldn’t hurt to have an extra one. Plus, as a charisma-boosting item, it suited Ethan more than it did me.

“I’d like to buy this, please.”

“Oh, sorry, miss. That’s not for sale—it’s just for display. But we have daggers over here if you’re interested…”

“It’s two gold coins, right? I came prepared, so don’t worry.”

“Oh, you knew? I thought you looked like an innocent young lady, but I guess not. Alright, take it.”

Next, we stopped by a shop disguised as an ordinary weapon store to get a ‘Silent Dagger,’ which enhances stealth and improves assassination skills.

Out of everything, I particularly wanted to get this dagger. You never know when you’ll need to throw a blade, so having just three never felt like enough.

Since the hero hadn’t visited Blackwood, Luke hadn’t gotten his hands on this dagger. And if it wasn’t going to be given to the hero’s party, there was no harm in me taking it for myself.

Of course, we didn’t spend all our time treasure hunting; we did plenty of date-like things too. We strolled hand-in-hand, shared snacks from street vendors, and even stopped to watch a street performance by a passing bard.

After eating, playing, and collecting all the items we could, evening crept up on us, and it was time to find a place to stay.

“Dietmeier said he’d come for us tomorrow morning, so I guess it’s time we found somewhere to settle in.”

“Yes, Ed. It would be nice if the place had a private bath.”

“…Yeah, I’d prefer that too.”

After all, our purpose wasn’t just the date. While that was important, it was merely a prelude to tonight’s main event.

“Could we get a room for two, with a bed and a private bath, for one night?”

“Up the stairs, the room at the end on the right.”

We found a quaint inn and secured a clean-looking room with a private bath. As we entered the room, I felt a familiar fluttering excitement rising in my chest.

“…”

“…”

-Thump, thump, thump.

The thumping in my chest was so loud, I could almost hear it in my ears.

It had been nearly three months since we’d had a proper night together. Taking a deep breath to steady my excitement, I sat on the edge of the bed next to Ethan.

“…Ed.”

“Yes, Lily?”

“Like I mentioned before, tonight, I’ll be taking my ‘reward’ for winning our duel. Usually, you’re the one who wins against your father and gets rewards from me, but tonight, it’s my turn.”

“I know, Lily.”

“So… tonight, you’ll have to follow my lead, alright? No sudden moves or watching me with that smug look of yours like you usually do when you make me lose control.”

“…Understood.”

Ethan’s flushed face and the way he fidgeted showed he was just as nervous as I was, given our reversed roles tonight.

Taking a deep breath, I moved my hands toward the buttons of his suit, undoing them one by one.

-Slip, slide, slip.

“Hah… ha…”

I slowly removed his suit jacket, then his dress shirt, revealing his well-defined chest.

Seeing his broad pectoral muscles and toned abs, sculpted by training, I couldn’t help but reach out and touch.

-Stroke.

“Hah… ha…”

-Stroke, stroke.

“Hah… ha…”

…I wasn’t excited by his body because it was a man’s body; I was excited because it was Ethan.

Usually, when he gets his rewards, he doesn’t bother hiding how much it excites him to strip me down, so I felt no need to hold back either.

As I ran my hands over his bare torso, I recalled how he’d often started by undressing me and then moved on to touch my chest until I reached my climax.

‘In that case, now it’s my turn to do the same…’

Of course, I knew it wouldn’t have the same effect on him as it does on me. But I leaned forward, trailing my tongue along the lines of his muscles.

-Lick, lick.

“Lily…?”

“Mm, yeah… Mm…”

Just a little tease, to make him feel the same embarrassment I always do when he does this to me.

-Lick, lick.

“Hah, ha… ha…”

“Lily? Shouldn’t we… wash up first? I won’t stop you, but we have been out all day, so…”

“It’s fine.”

“…”

“To me, there’s nothing dirty about Ed’s body. Isn’t that what you always say to me?”

“…You’re right.”

“And besides, I like it this way.”

“…Pardon?”

“It’s better like this. It’s your scent, and it’s more intense this way.”

“…Okay.”

Satisfied with my answer, Ethan relaxed and let me continue my caresses.

I wasn’t doing much more than teasing him, but it was enough. I wanted him to understand how much restraint I’d always shown when dealing with his desire.

-Gently, gently.

“Hah…? Lily?!”

-Rub, rub.

“Hold on… Could you not touch there…?”

“Oh? Now you’re getting shy?”

“…”

“Well, if you’re really against it, I won’t. But remember, if you say no now, I get to say no the next time you ask for a reward.”

“Lily?”

“When you win, you do all sorts of things to my chest—rubbing, pinching, biting, sucking… But now that it’s my turn, you’re going to refuse?”

…In truth, I actually enjoyed it when Ethan touched me, and I’d be disappointed if he accepted my bluff, but I knew I had to stand firm. Negotiation was all about maintaining a strong front.

Tonight, this was my rightful reward, and I wasn’t about to let it go.

“Alright, Lily. Do whatever you want.”

“You’re giving me permission?”

“Yes. Tonight is your reward, after all. …Next time, it’ll be my turn, though.”

Ethan hinted that he’d pay me back when he next won a duel against Harold. But that was a problem for the future me to handle.

Tonight was my reward, so I focused on touching him, my fingers dancing over his sensitive spots, watching as he flushed with embarrassment.

-Stroke, stroke.

“…Mm… ha…”

Not satisfied with just my fingers, I leaned down and let my lips and tongue explore, kissing and licking him as he struggled to contain himself.

Feeling the thrill of our reversed roles, I finally slid off his pants and left him completely exposed.

“…”

“Well, Ed? How does it feel to be the only one undressed in front of me?”

“…A bit embarrassing. I guess I have a better idea of how you feel when it’s my turn to strip you.”

“I’m glad you finally understand how much restraint I always have to show.”

Smiling, I reached down, taking hold of him with my hands. Holding the upper hand in our intimacy was exhilarating, yet…

‘…It feels like something’s missing.’

Somehow, it wasn’t as fulfilling as when Ethan would take the lead.