The Art of Satisfaction (1)

Ethan and my treasure hunt in the Blackwood territory continued a bit longer after that.

“Here, Ed. A gift for you.”

“Huh? All of a sudden?”

“I spotted something that would suit you perfectly while browsing the general store earlier. You’ve been using pens a lot lately, so I thought you might like to use this writing instrument I’m giving you.”

“…Thanks, Lily. I’ll treasure it.”

“It’s not meant to be treasured-it’s a gift for you to use often!”

The hidden item tucked away in a corner of the Blackwood general store-the ‘Philosopher’s Fountain Pen.’

An item that helps improve handwriting and slightly boosts the owner’s charm, so I gave it to Ethan as a gift.

Since Ethan had been doing more pen-based work lately, having an extra writing tool would be helpful. And since it was a charm-related item, it would be more efficient for him to have it than me.

“I’ll take this.”

“Ah, sorry, miss. That’s just for display-we don’t sell it. But we do have daggers over here…”

“Two gold coins, right? I know what I’m looking for, so don’t worry.”

“…So you’re one of those customers. Thought you were just an innocent young lady, but I guess not. Fine, take it.”

Next, I acquired the ‘Silent Dagger’ from a weapons shop that doubled as a black-market store-an item that boosts the user’s stealth ability and increases proficiency in assassination-type skills.

Out of everything, this was the one dagger I absolutely wanted to retrieve. Given that I’d need to throw one away in various crisis situations, having only three felt a bit lacking.

Since that Gyeotmwa guy had no reason to visit Blackwood territory, this dagger wouldn’t end up as Luke’s equipment anyway. And if it wasn’t meant for the Hero’s party, then there was no issue with me finding and using it.

Of course, it wasn’t just about the treasure hunt-we also wandered around doing plenty of date-like activities. Holding hands while walking, sharing snacks from street vendors, or briefly watching a passing minstrel’s performance.

After eating, playing, and retrieving as many items as possible, the late hour eventually caught up with us. With the sun beginning to set, it was time to find somewhere to stay for the night.

“Dietmeyer said he’d pick us up tomorrow morning, so we should probably find somewhere to stay soon.”

“Right, Ed. Preferably somewhere with a private bath rather than a shared one.”

“…Yeah, I was thinking the same.”

After all, the purpose of Ethan and I coming out today wasn’t just for a simple date.

The date wasn’t unimportant, but it was merely the prelude to tonight’s main event-the real time to satisfy our desires.

“Do you have a double room with a bed and private bath for one night?”

“Go up the stairs and take the room at the far right.”

After entering a decent-looking inn and securing a double room with a bath, Ethan and I stepped inside.

The clean bedroom, matching its exterior, made my heart race from deep within my chest-a feeling I had forgotten for a moment.

“……”

“……”

-Thump, thump, thump.

The sound of my pounding heart, so loud it felt like I could hear it in my ears.

Trying to steady my excitement over finally having proper sex for the first time in nearly three months, I sat down beside him on the bed.

“…Ed.”

“Yeah, Lily.”

“Like I mentioned before, today I’ll be taking the ‘reward’ for winning our sparring match. The opposite of when you defeat Father and receive a reward from me.”

“I know, Lily.”

“S-so today, you’ll do as I say quietly…? I-I won’t let you suddenly touch me like usual or keep making me do all the work while you watch with that smug look.”

“…I know already.”

Perhaps because our usual roles were reversed, Ethan also seemed nervous, his face flushed.

And seeing him like that made my heart race even more, so I carefully placed my hands on his suit jacket.

-Click, clack, click.

“……”

-Swoosh.

“Haa, ha… Hahh…”

One by one, I undid the buttons of Ethan’s suit and slid off his thin jacket.

Being in the complete opposite position from when he undressed me, even this small act alone was strangely exciting.

After removing his suit and dress shirt, Ethan’s upper body was revealed.

His broad pectorals, developed through rigorous training, and well-defined abs made my hands move on their own.

-Rub.

“Hah, haa…?”

-Rub, rub.

“Haa, ha, haa…”

…Not that I was particularly aroused by a man’s body or anything. It was just because it was Ethan.

And since Ethan never hid his excitement when receiving rewards from me, I didn’t need to hold back my emotions either.

First, I ran my hands over Ethan’s now-bare upper body, recalling how he usually took his rewards from me.

‘Normally, after undressing me like this, the basic routine is to play with my breasts until I climax. Which means…’

It was now my turn to make Ethan climax by touching his chest-but I knew better than anyone that this was practically impossible.

After all, I had memories from my time as a man. Unlike a woman’s erogenous zones, which are spread throughout the body, a man’s are mostly concentrated around the penis.

-Lick.

“Hah, L-Lily…?”

“Hahh, hah… Hyahh…”

…So, this time, I’d just lightly mimic the act.

To make Ethan feel the same embarrassment I usually did, I stuck out my tongue and licked between his muscles.

-Lick, lick.

“Hahh, hah… Hyahh…”

…And then, as if kissing, I gently licked his nipples while sucking on them.

With each action, Ethan endured my foreplay, exhaling heated breaths-perhaps from the rising shame.

Enjoying our completely reversed positions, I stripped off his lower half, leaving him fully naked.

“……”

“How does it feel, Ed? Being the only one naked in front of me?”

“…A little embarrassing. Enough to get a rough idea of how you usually feel.”

“At least now you understand how hard I try to endure the embarrassment in front of you.”

With those words, I reached for his erect lower half and slowly began stroking.

Having clearly taken the upper hand in bed with Ethan for once, I should have felt exhilarated and excited-but…

‘…Somehow, it feels a little unsatisfying.’

For some reason, compared to when Ethan took me, this didn’t feel as fulfilling.