Chapter 114 – Master (3)

Clang.

“Hngh…Mmmph…!”

While the world outside echoed with violent crashes, the only sounds within our room were the heated gasps for air.

“Hah…Nnngh…Hah…Hnng…Ahn.”

Rubia’s tongue slipped between my parted lips as I gasped for breath.

Below, her hand trailed down my chest, tracing the curve of my thigh, inching closer…

One more inch…

My body instinctively recoiled, sensing imminent disaster.

“Rubia…Hahk…! Please…Stop…!”

I finally managed to break the kiss, gasping for air.

“Wh-what are you doing…?! Why…so suddenly?!”

“Suddenly?” Rubia’s voice was a low growl, almost predatory, as she gripped my chin.

“Suddenly?” she repeated, her grip tightening.

“Urk…”

“You’re the one practically naked, batting your eyelashes, begging me to put a dog collar on you…and you’re asking me why I’m acting suddenly?”

“It’s not a dog collar…it’s a symbol…of our bond… And I wasn’t…begging…”

“Not a ring. Not a bracelet. Not even a normal necklace. A leather choker…with a name tag…is a symbol of our bond?”

“Well…”

I had considered a ring. Something for the ring finger, connected to the heart.

But rings symbolized romantic love, and that didn’t quite fit the path I’d chosen.

A bracelet was out, I already wore two. I didn’t have pierced ears, and an anklet felt…wrong.

So, a necklace. Something simple and close-fitting, that wouldn’t interfere with combat. Made from Tylant’s hide, for extra durability.

But the real reason for the…dog collar design…

…was because it felt…fitting. Like my role. A loyal, protective…pet. Big dogs protect their owners, follow them without question…

And…they often die before their owners.

Anyway…I wasn’t trying to…seduce her…

“I…I wasn’t thinking…”

“It’s always like this.”

“Rubia…please, calm—”

“The drunken kiss…the way you curl up against me in your sleep…the shy requests for baths…seeking me out before your greatsword every morning…promising to protect me forever…fighting to the brink of death to keep that promise…and then…smiling at me like everything’s fine, even when you’re exhausted and hurting…”

Rubia took a deep, shuddering breath.

“And all of that…was without a single thought?”

“…Yeah.”

…Wait.

Hearing it all like that…it did sound a little…seductive.

“Did you think I wouldn’t react? Just because I’m a woman? Or that because it’s your body, your actions have no consequences?”

“…Well…”

How did she know?

She was…scarily accurate.

“Do you really think…I’m attracted to you just because I’m a woman? Truly?”

“That’s…not it.”

“Which makes it even more infuriating. So, tell me, Noah. When someone you care for acts like this, looking like this…”

Clang.

Rubia cut herself off, pulling me closer and pressing the greatsword into my free hand.

The room snapped into focus.

The blanket lay discarded on the floor. The bandages that had covered my chest were undone, barely concealing my lower half.

And…my ears and tail, shrunken in mortification…

Carpeng, are you kidding me?! Of all the times…

Wait…could I use the blood energy to break these cuffs?

It seemed…possible.

Why wasn’t Carpeng helping? Just watching…? Hey, it’s not too late—

“What do you think they’d feel? You’re an adult, Noah. You know what I’m talking about.” Rubia’s voice was tight, strained.

“Um…well…”

Best to let her cool down…right?

“What? Not an adult now? Go on, tell me. I dare you.”

“I…I’m sorry…”

Overwhelmed by shame, I curled into a ball, burying my face in my knees.

One arm was still cuffed, the other clutching the greatsword—an awkward position, but preferable to being completely exposed.

“…Haah.”

Rubia sighed, releasing the remaining handcuff.

Strength flowed back into my limbs as my wrist fell free. Like ropes had been cut, releasing me from captivity.

I hugged my knees tighter.

BOOM!

Another explosion rocked the room.

“…Shouldn’t you…check that out?”

“That was the last of them.”

…I already knew. I’d expanded my senses.

About ten enemies. Sirin had made short work of them. They hadn’t been particularly strong.

Thank goodness.

“Oh…I see…”

A suffocating silence descended. The only sound was the faint scratching of my fingernail against the greatsword’s hilt.

Should I have let Rubia go?

No. What if she’d gotten hurt? This was better. Much better.

Still…the tension was thick, heavy.

I sat there, curled up, fiddling with my fingers, trying to find the right words…

“…I’m sorry. I…lost control.”

Rubia’s voice was quiet, almost a whisper.

“I…startled you, didn’t I…?”

“No…it’s…fine.”

Startled wasn’t the word. Her tongue…her hands…it was…intense. Overwhelmingly so.

“Noah?”

“Y-yes?”

“Are you…alright? I’m sorry…you just woke up…and I…”

Rubia’s voice was thick with regret. Her emotions were all over the place. She fidgeted, avoiding my gaze. Her breath hitched in her throat.

It was unlike her. This…anxiety…it was heartbreaking.

Was it because she’d seen me die? Repeatedly? Or was she afraid I’d be disgusted by her outburst?

If it was the latter…

If she was this distraught…because of me…

…it was…strangely gratifying. It meant I was precious to her.

Of course, forcing herself on me wasn’t right.

But I wanted to understand. And if I couldn’t understand, I wanted to accept.

With this flawed, imperfect body of mine. If it could ease her anxiety, even a little…

If it could bring back her smile…

I would offer it again. And again.

And…

…a small, selfish part of me…wanted it too.

But first…

There was something I needed to hear. Even though I already knew the answer.

I just…needed to hear it.

“Rubia…”

She flinched at the low tone of my voice, finally meeting my gaze.

“Do you…like me?”

“Yes.”

The answer was instant, without hesitation. A soft laugh escaped my lips.

I wanted to ask how much, in what way, why…but I swallowed the questions.

I didn’t want to dissect her feelings. Analyze them. Weigh them.

I didn’t need reasons. Or conditions.

This simple, unwavering affirmation was enough.

“I like you too, Rubia.”

Because I knew, deep down, that what we felt transcended words.

“So…um…”

I sat up, leaning closer.

“Tonight…Rubia…do…whatever you want.”

My breath ghosted over her lips as I whispered,

“Just…be gentle. Please.”

A brief, soft kiss.

Clink.

I fastened the remaining handcuff around my own wrist.

“…It’s my first time. I’m…scared.”

My weakened hand lost its grip on the greatsword, but I no longer cared.

Not being able to see…would be a mercy.

I took a shaky breath, then climbed onto Rubia’s lap, wrapping my arms around her neck.

Even though I couldn’t see, the warmth of her breath against my skin, the frantic beating of her heart, her intoxicating scent…

…it all told me how close we were.

Closer still. I wrapped my legs around her waist, pressing my face against hers.

We stayed like that for a long moment…an eternity…

…but Rubia didn’t move.

Did she…not want to?

Seriously? After all this…? Really?

What should I do? Actually…try to seduce her?

That line Charlotte told me…?

No, that was…too much. Too…degrading.

But if I just…stopped…

It would be incredibly awkward. Mortifying. I’d probably die of shame.

Ugh…

Fine. I’d come this far…

Nothing left to lose…

Alright, Carpeng! Do your thing!

My tail and ears twitched in response, the heat in my body intensifying.

“Ahem… phew…”

I raised my clenched fists to my cheeks.

“Master…please…treat this impudent pet…like the dog I am…”

Leaning forward, I let out a small, playful growl.

“Woof…!”