Ch.73Rael’s Plan (2)

The clinking sound of spoons hitting bowls echoed through the dinner table.

I stared blankly at Riano sitting across from me.

I need to talk to her, but…

I have no idea how to bring it up.

Would she be happy if I asked her to go on a trip with me and my rival? It’s not like we’d be alone.

Of course, her hostility toward Lael, Elin, and Derin has decreased lately, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely friendly with each other.

I’m worried…

While I was thinking this, my eyes met Riano’s.

Oblivious to my thoughts, she flashed me a bright smile.

I tried to return her beautiful smile with one of my own, but…

“Are you feeling unwell? Or is the food not good today?”

She asked while carefully observing my expression.

I tried to act normal, but apparently my concern showed.

Her worried look was both cute and genuinely anxious, so I figured I should just tell her the truth.

I needed to say it anyway.

“Riano, there’s something I want to tell you.”

As I cautiously began speaking, she put down her spoon and gulped.

Her eyes trembled as she looked at me, and then she slowly opened her mouth.

“What is it…?”

Her voice was shaking, as if she was nervous.

But what I have to say isn’t that serious…

Or is it?

Anyway, it’s definitely not what she’s thinking.

“Lael suggested spending three days and four nights at a beach villa during the vacation.”

“Oh… you’re going, right?”

“Yes, I’m planning to. I did promise her before.”

“I see… it can’t be helped. Have a good time.”

Riano nodded and smiled. At first glance, she seemed to be sending me off willingly, but there was clear disappointment hidden in that smile. The truth was, she didn’t want me to go.

But that wasn’t what I wanted to say.

“Lael wants you, Elin, and Derin to join us from the second day.”

“Huh…? Me too?”

Riano’s eyes widened in surprise as she asked me again.

It must be that unbelievable to her.

To be honest, I can hardly believe it myself.

I expected to worry about Riano, but who would suggest bringing everyone along instead of pushing for time alone?

Of course, I wouldn’t have agreed even if she had insisted…

Anyway, Lael’s thinking is hard to understand.

Still, I don’t dislike the current situation.

I couldn’t have imagined all of us hanging out together, but if it actually happens, it would surely be fun.

And for that to happen, Riano is essential.

“You’ll come, right…?”

When I pressed for an answer, she emerged from her thoughts and nodded vigorously.

“I’ll go. Absolutely.”

“Great, good decision. It’ll definitely be fun.”

I hope they become closer through this opportunity.

Actually, I had one concern.

Riano doesn’t have any friends.

When I look at other women her age, they exchange childcare information with female friends and listen to each other’s complaints.

They seem to get a lot of help from friends in their daily lives.

But because she was affected by the Aging curse, she doesn’t have such friends. I hope this opportunity helps her become friends with Lael, Elin, and Derin, so they can support each other.

Of course, it won’t be easy…

But isn’t it worth hoping for?

* * * * *

Late at night.

Strangely unable to fall asleep, Riano stared blankly at the ceiling, recalling what he had said during dinner.

Beach, three days and four nights.

When she first heard about it, she didn’t feel good at all.

Spending three days and four nights together, just the two of them.

She thought it was completely absurd.

Of course, thinking that way while living together was inconsistent…

But she couldn’t help wanting him all to herself, even knowing it was impossible.

But then the situation suddenly became strange.

He wants to hang out together…?

Crow had mentioned several times before.

That he couldn’t openly meet with Lael because of their professor-student relationship, but if she came up with a reasonable plan, he would accommodate her as much as possible.

So if Lael had insisted on being alone with him until the end, Crow probably would have agreed.

She had already given up, but…

It seemed like Lael had lost her mind and kicked away the opportunity that had rolled right to her.

“Is she really in her right mind?”

Riano muttered quietly to herself, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.

Seeing the ocean for the first time in her life.

Going on a trip with someone for the first time in her life.

And.

Hanging out with women her own age for the first time in her life.

Having spent her childhood in solitude and pain while being educated as a Warlock, she was now looking forward to playing like normal girls her age.

Then, suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.

Does that mean Crow and Lael will spend one night together?

She was clearly invited from the second day onward.

If that was the case, there could only be one explanation.

Riano couldn’t stay still with that thought and got up from her bed.

Then she carefully headed to his room, making sure not to make any noise.

The door opened silently, and inside, he was sound asleep, unaware of anything.

Approaching him, Riano stared blankly at his face.

Her first thought was how handsome he was, and then what followed was…

If the mood is right, what would they do…?

Would they do it…?

Of course, since Lael was a duke’s daughter, there would be an uproar if such a thing happened.

But lately, she had been keenly feeling that love could overcome even such concerns.

Then what if she made the first move…?

As her imagination ran wild, Riano’s face flushed bright red.

The mood, yes, the mood is important.

No matter what, it would be her first experience, and it didn’t seem right to suddenly wake up the sleeping Crow and do it.

He’d think she was crazy.

Riano sighed deeply at her own pathetic impatience and was about to leave the room. But suddenly, a thought occurred to her, and she turned back to him.

She carefully took his hand, making sure not to wake him, and placed it on her chest.

If they actually got into that situation, she didn’t want to overreact and disappoint him.

She wanted to get used to it, even a little bit.

As time passed in that state.

Riano’s breathing became rougher.

Just from having his hand on her chest.

This practice was definitely the right decision…

* * * * *

What’s this…?

I woke up feeling something unusual in my hand.

Soft and warm.

As if someone was holding my hand and hugging it tightly.

Could it be Riano…?

She often gets anxious, so maybe this time too, it was because of what we discussed at dinner.

And that was spot on.

Opening my eyes slightly in case of any unexpected situation, I saw Riano in front of me.

With my hand buried in her chest.

This alone was making my head spin.

“Haa… haa…”

Her face was flushed red and her breathing was rough, which made me extremely flustered.

My brain was so overloaded I could barely think.

Yet I was gradually being drawn into this strangely sticky atmosphere.

Following my instincts, I carefully squeezed my hand.

Her soft, large breasts compressed between my fingers, creating small mounds between them.

“Huh?!”

Startled by my sudden action, Riano looked at me in shock. Then she tilted her head in confusion.

In the room where moonlight barely entered, with my eyes half-open, she probably couldn’t tell if I was asleep or awake.

Come to think of it…

What was she doing alone…?

With her crush’s hand on her chest, breathing heavily.

There was only one explanation for that.

She was doing something by herself…

Feeling sorry, I carefully closed my eyes and relaxed my arm.

As if I were asleep.

I doubted my rationality would hold, but if I opened my eyes now, she would definitely be deeply hurt.

As I mentally prepared myself, she returned my hand to the bed, then bent down and lightly kissed me.

Smooch—

In the quiet silence, the brief sound of lips meeting and parting echoed.

“I love you. Good night.”

With those words, she left the room.

Left alone, I opened my eyes wide and stared blankly at the ceiling. Then I lightly clenched and unclenched my hand in the air.

This is unbelievable…

So soft that it would squish if squeezed hard, yet with such amazing elasticity.

My fingers sank in, but I could feel the pushing back force.

The sensation was still vivid in my hand.

Late at night, this sudden incident drove sleep away from me.