Ch.63Monopoly (2)

*

Sylvia had developed a new habit.

When she woke up in the morning, before even opening her eyes, she would reach out to feel the space beside her.

It was because having Ash next to her felt so overwhelmingly unbelievable that every day seemed like a dream.

After their blissful first night together, Ash no longer used the temporary bed in the living room.

Not only during that week when they lost control and craved each other like beasts, but even after they had stopped having sex so Ash could carve the tombstone with a reverent heart, he still came to Sylvia’s bed every night.

Although they weren’t having sex, falling asleep in each other’s arms, feeling each other’s breath on their skin, was more happiness than Sylvia, who had been consumed by loneliness, felt she deserved.

No, it should have been happy days.

It should certainly be happiness…

So what was this empty feeling?

This morning too, Sylvia reached out across the bed while half-asleep.

Ash wasn’t there.

He must have gone out early to carve the tombstone.

Sylvia slowly opened her eyes and stared at the cold, empty space beside her.

It felt familiar.

It was a sight she had seen every day before Ash appeared.

But now, the cool texture emanating from the empty mattress terrified her.

Every space devoid of Ash’s warmth tightened around Sylvia’s heart.

From outside the window came the faint sound of tapping.

Two weeks had passed since he began carving the tombstone.

At first, Sylvia had agreed with Ash’s suggestion to stop their intimate relations.

His determination to properly honor his sister’s funeral seemed so admirable, and Sylvia could fully empathize with his desire to atone for those who died because of the curse.

Honestly, the fact that she now felt some peace of mind was also one of the reasons she could readily agree to Ash’s proposal.

After all, Ash and Sylvia had already become deeply involved.

Though no one else’s gaze would ever enter their lives, they were clearly lovers now, no matter who might see or what anyone might say.

She had been confident that she had made him hers, so postponing that ecstatic sex for a while seemed like no big deal.

But lately, something felt off.

This situation wasn’t just about stopping sex.

Sylvia sensed that her judgment had been wrong.

About four days ago, Ash had clearly begun avoiding her.

While they had only forbidden sex, kisses and embraces had continued—but Ash gradually started reducing even those.

Could he be tired of my body?

Was the sex actually not good for him, but he hid it?

Are my muscular arms and abdomen too firm, making it uncomfortable for him?

Am I the only woman around, so he slept with me a few times but doesn’t actually find me attractive?

Though she knew these thoughts were unlikely, the anxiety and doubt blooming in her heart were gradually filling Sylvia’s mind.

Of course, in reality, Ash still desperately wanted Sylvia.

In fact, he was restraining himself because even light physical contact like hugs or kisses made him fear he wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to take her. But Sylvia had no way of knowing this.

Perhaps it was because Ash was so kind and gentle.

Sylvia had fallen into the vague misconception that while she might want him more, Ash probably wasn’t as starved for sex.

Of course, Sylvia’s thoughts weren’t entirely wrong.

Certainly, Ash desired Sylvia’s body and was waiting for the day when they could spend another passionate night together.

But not as much as Sylvia.

More than Ash wanted, Sylvia desperately craved Ash’s body, and it was true that she was insanely hungry for the heat of those ecstatic nights and the lewd desire that crawled across her skin.

Ash’s lower body would harden involuntarily whenever he thought of Sylvia.

But when Sylvia thought of Ash, her entire body would rapidly heat up and tingle, with that heat and itching gathering between her legs and groin, until all those sensations would pour hot liquid between her thighs, making her entire body go limp as if melting.

Ah, even now…

Sylvia made a pained expression as one hand tightly gripped the sheet where Ash had lain.

And her other hand slowly slipped inside her nightgown.

Her hand moved past her stomach to her pelvis, then slowly pushed between her inner thighs.

Masturbation.

Until meeting Ash, Sylvia had never done it even once.

During her academy days, she didn’t even know such an act existed, and when she first heard about it from playful companions’ lewd talk during adventures, she showed no particular interest.

Should I try it?

Should I just do it?

If I put my fingers inside myself to the rhythm of Ash tapping on the stone, could I feel him somewhat?

If I rub this burning crevice mercilessly, would it somewhat quench this thirst?

Sylvia lightly bit her lip as hot breaths escaped.

“No… this is woefully inadequate.”

Sylvia quietly muttered to herself as she obediently withdrew her hand.

It was insufficient.

Woefully insufficient.

Her hand wasn’t as soft as Ash’s embrace, nor as large as his.

Above all, it lacked that fragrant scent of flesh that drove Sylvia crazy, and that calm warmth that embraced her anxious mind.

Trying to comfort herself this way would only leave an empty hollowness that couldn’t reach satisfaction.

“Hic…ugh,”

Sylvia suddenly felt so miserable that tears welled up in her eyes.

Despite being a hero, she now felt like a pitiful housewife found in every village.

She who had overcome countless crises and sacrifices to even behead the Demon Lord was now tearing up because of a man who was neglecting her.

A woman.

So I’m just a woman after all.

Sylvia found Ash, who had made her like this, both vexing and lovable for turning her into a woman in love.

Both Ash and Sylvia had actually awakened to sexuality relatively late compared to ordinary people.

However, that desire, blooming late, was exploding all the more powerfully and intensely.

Ash, who had spent his peaceful life in the beautiful Goldfield estate.

And Sylvia, who had mastered self-discipline through lifelong harsh training.

Both of these people, faced with belated love, a beautiful partner to share affectionate love with, and the satisfaction and sense of conquest from knowing their partner desired them.

Before the burning sexual desire that melted away all reason, they could only salivate like beasts before meat.

Sylvia got up from the bed.

At the height of her arousal, she had practiced abstinence for two whole weeks.

For the past four days, he hadn’t even kissed or hugged her.

She couldn’t bear it anymore.

No matter if it was for a tombstone, no matter if it was for Laila, no matter if it was to honor the souls of innocent victims.

Sylvia couldn’t endure it anymore.

No, she didn’t want to endure it.

“I love Ash.”

And Ash loves me too.

Sylvia knew that fact clearly.

So he shouldn’t make me this desperate.

He shouldn’t make me this anxious.

That can’t be how you treat someone you love.

Sylvia strode toward the backyard of the cabin in her nightgown.

Her steps were somewhat hurried.

Although Sylvia had already reached the limit of her patience, she didn’t want to mock Ash’s feelings for his sister or the deceased.

So, just one hug, and one kiss will do.

I’ll let it go with that.

I’ll endure with just that for now.

Okay?

Sylvia arrived at the backyard with that resolve.

Ash was resting, staring blankly at the sky, perhaps because his hands hurt from carving the stone.

She could hear him muttering something.

Just seeing Ash’s face made the sense of loss that had filled her heart earlier dissipate like sand dissolving in water.

But at the same time, the itching between her legs was intensifying.

Because of her lower body becoming wet as if suddenly flooded, Sylvia muffled her footsteps, blushing and pressing her legs together.

Quickly, right now…

Even if not sex, that’s fine… just hold me tight once…

A hug, once, a kiss… just once.

Just once…

Sylvia carefully approached Ash, who was muttering, with that resolve.

Ash was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice Sylvia approaching.

His gentle voice floated into Sylvia’s ears.

“I hope sister is doing well.”

Ash murmured that while looking up at the distant sky with a somewhat nostalgic gaze.

It was clearly an expression Sylvia had never seen before.

‘I hope she’s doing well.’

A sentence that seemed awkward if directed at a live-in partner.

Her feminine instinct screamed.

This wasn’t meant for her.

Probably… that fiancée.

She felt the itching between her legs and the heat warming her entire body vanish instantly.

Sylvia pressed her trembling cheeks and forced a smile as she spoke.

“…Who are you talking about?”

Ash… what’s this?

What’s with that expression?

Why are you so surprised?

Like someone caught doing something wrong.

Sylvia’s voice sank lower, even lower.

It was a low, heavy voice like that pitch-black desire sinking into the deep sea.

“Who were you thinking about?”

.