Chapter 68: Trapped with a Dirty Player

The basement was cold and eerily silent, the dim glow of their lanterns flickering against the rotting walls. Dust floated in the air as they came across a door, heavily boarded up with thick wooden planks.

"Well, looks like we need a crowbar," Heizou noted, inspecting the obstruction. "Let's split up and look for one."

"Great idea!" Furina agreed before she paused, eyeing Scaramouche and Lumine with a mischievous glint. "But perhaps we should let them stay here and guard the door, hmm? After all, Scaramouche seems quite invested in keeping Lumine occupied."

Lumine froze. "Wha-"

"Good idea," Aether cut in immediately, sending a warning glare to Scaramouche before stomping off. "If you try anything, I'm breaking your ribs, Scaramouche."

"Yeah, yeah," Scaramouche waved him off dismissively, watching as everyone dispersed in different directions.

And then-

Silence.

It was just the two of them now.

Lumine let out a deep breath, stepping away from the door. "Okay, we just have to wait here until they- eep!"

She was suddenly pushed back, her spine hitting the cold stone wall as Scaramouche caged her in, one arm pressed beside her head while the other rested casually on his hip.

"S-Scaramouche?!" Lumine sputtered, her heart racing.

He grinned down at her, his face way too close, his dark indigo eyes glinting with pure mischief. "So, princess~" he purred, tilting his head. "You kicked me, then punched me, and yet..." He traced a slow circle on the stone beside her, "You still can't get me out of your head, can you?"

Lumine blushed furiously, pushing at his chest. "Get off me, you perverted gremlin!"

"Perverted?" His smirk widened. "Now, now, is that really what you think of me?"

"YES."

"Mmm, I don't think so~" He leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. "If I were perverted, I'd be saying something like..."

He paused.

Then, in the most smug, cocky voice imaginable-

"You wanna ride me, princess? Make out right now-"

Lumine's soul left her body.

"SCARAMOUCHE-!"

Her entire face burned as she violently shoved him back, her mind short-circuiting. "What the HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"

Scaramouche stumbled a bit but laughed, absolutely delighted by her reaction. "Ahahaha-Archons, your face is priceless!"

"I-YOU-SHUT UP!!!" She turned away, covering her burning face.

"What? I was just asking! You do complain about being tired all the time, so I thought I'd be helpful~." He winked, knowing exactly what he was doing.

"I HATE YOU-"

"No, you don't~."

"I SWEAR TO-"

A voice called out from the hall. "Hey! We found the crowbar!"

Lumine whipped around, marching toward the others immediately. "THANK THE ARCHONS-"

But before she could get far, Scaramouche grabbed her wrist one last time, tugging her back just enough to whisper-

"Let's pick up where we left off later, princess~."

Lumine nearly collapsed on the spot.