17. Locked in the Necromancer Lord's Castle
During my time locked up in the necromancer lord's castle, I unfortunately had zero freedom of movement. Regina stuck to me like glue no matter where I went—meals, bathroom breaks, even that one time they let me shower. She shadowed me like parents sending their three-year-old on an errand, watching my every move. And it was a real hassle... My limbs weren't bound or anything, but even basic hygiene was a nightmare with her constant surveillance. Washing up under someone's unblinking stare? Ugh.
Sure, I'd showered with Bella or Cheong-ah plenty of times, but this was different. A stranger—a woman I barely knew—eyeing every inch of my body like she was scanning it. It wasn't exciting or arousing. If anything, it felt creepy, sending chills down my spine alongside a vague unease. Regina didn't seem particularly interested or anything; it was just the fact of her staring that made it weird.
Tap, tap.
"...Uu."
On the bed, Regina patted the spot next to her, gesturing for me to lie down. Across from her, Jubi lay neatly with her hands folded, fast asleep. That little one didn't seem fully adjusted either. We hadn't really talked much since the introduction earlier. Or rather, we couldn't talk properly. I'd respond to her words just fine, but when I tried to speak, she'd reply in fits and starts, like a buffering video. It was frustrating enough that I gave up trying.
I'm not the impatient type, but buffering tests anyone's patience. Probably some genetic Korean trait etched into my DNA.
I stayed still, and Regina patted the bed again. Tap, tap, tap.
"Auu?"
"Can't I at least sleep alone?"
"Uu, ah, aua."
"Look, I'm a guy, you're a girl. Sharing a bed is kinda... you know."
Not like we're lovers or anything. Regina shook her head firmly at my words. Then, Jubi—who I'd thought was asleep—spoke up.
"Once Regina unnie gets stubborn, it's best to just go along with it."
It was the exact same line, word for word, from lunchtime when Regina tried to feed me tomato stew and I refused. Huh, she sure can say that clearly. Regina tapped the bed again. Tap—no, thwack!
"Euaau!"
At her outburst, I sighed in defeat and plopped down on the edge of the bed.
"Fine, fine, I get it."
I couldn't win a fight against her anyway... No choice but to play along. What a night to miss Bella and Cheong-ah. As I lay down, Regina looked satisfied, gazing down at me before settling in herself—back turned to me. She was clearly trying to keep an eye on me even in sleep to stop any funny business, but turning her back like that? What was the point of making me lie here?
It puzzled me for a second, but then I remembered Cheong-ah and Bella often sensing if I stirred even briefly while they slept. Unless I'd worn them out with all-night sex and knocked them unconscious, of course. They usually noticed if I was just sleeping normally. Not that we had many normal nights.
"...Mm."
Lying there quietly, worries started creeping in. What were Bella, Cheong-ah, and Dina doing now that they knew I'd been kidnapped? Dina probably felt guilty and was blaming herself unnecessarily. I hoped Bella wasn't giving her a hard time... Cheong-ah would mediate, at least. Thoughts like that swirled as my vision blurred with drowsiness.
As sleep finally tugged at me, I felt arms pulling my head close, followed by a soft, yielding squish. Regina had hugged my head to her chest.
"Grrrolong..."
Didn't seem intentional; she was probably asleep. But it chased away any hope of rest. Hmm, smaller than Bella's, but firmer, bouncier. Bella's were more about overflowing resilience. Someone might say it's the same thing, but no—subtle difference. Like a taut rubber ball versus a slightly deflated soccer ball.
Made me wanna grope them... Wait, what the hell kind of stupid thought is that? I'm kidnapped in enemy territory, and here I am thinking this crap.
Regina's the enemy. This girl's the enemy, I repeated in my head, but the sad beast called man inevitably wanders into dumb territory. Face buried in the plush chest of a familiar-yet-unfamiliar woman, the monster between my legs stirred, pushing up against my pants.
...Not now, you idiot. Calm the fuck down.
I spent ages wrestling between instinct and reason as the night deepened.
...
Tap.
Tap, tap, tap.
"Ugh, mm..."
Something prodding my back jolted me awake. I'd just barely dozed off—what now? Normally, a little rustle wouldn't wake me, but after drilling into my head pre-sleep that this was enemy territory, surrounded by foes, my body stayed tense. Any tiny noise or presence set my nerves on edge.
...Though I was still cradled in Regina's arms. Why the hell was she hugging me?
I recalled what she'd—and Jubi—told me before bed. Jubi, the beastkin girl probably sleeping behind Regina now. Simple explanation: Regina was here to protect her. Beastkin instincts at work, nothing more. Oh, right—Jubi was the count's slave. I was a stranger, an enemy, so why explain all that? And why lock me in here with them? They'd answered that too.
Anyway... Still tapping at my back. What the hell? No words, just prods. Trying to wake me? Play with me? I cracked my eyes open—right in front of me, Regina's breasts. Gulp, stirring again. I'd just calmed down and dozed off...
I twisted my head slightly to see who was poking me. ...A tail. Her tail. A long, black furry bundle—clearly Regina's—patting my back rhythmically. What the—tails move freely even in sleep? Ridiculous. Screw sleeping; no chance now.
Especially with that delightful breast against my face, her soft feminine skin scent teasing my nose endlessly. Scents adapt quickly when you're tired, right? Bullshit—it kept assaulting me, numbing my reason. Plus that steady tail-tap on my back.
My dick, fully erect in my pants, throbbed painfully against the fabric. Perfect recipe for insomnia. Maybe slip to the bathroom, relieve it, and come back. Damn, how'd I end up like this? Normally, I'd just roll over and take care of it with a sleeping Cheong-ah or Bella...
I eased up from the bed slowly. That's when—grab.
A slender hand clamped my wrist. Rough texture, but iron grip.
"Uu."
"Gasp...?!"
Regina was awake, her pumpkin-colored feline eyes gleaming like glow-in-the-dark in the dark. Even scarier at night.
"Uua?"
She tilted her head, as if asking where I was going. I stammered like a kid caught wetting the bed and trying to clean up.
"B-bathroom."
"Uu."
"T-together?!"
"Ah."
Shit. I was gonna jerk off. What now? Eyes darting, no ideas.
"...F-fine."
Reluctantly, I nodded. She took my hand and led the way to the bathroom.
We arrived. I went to drop my pants...
"R-Regina. Could you wait outside?"
Why was she staring right there? She never came in before.
"Uuaau, ah."
"Huh? What?"
Couldn't understand, so she added gestures.
"Uua, auu."
"Oh, 'cause I might run? Gotta watch me?"
Nod.
"Then why not earlier?"
"Ua."
"Daytime? Other people around?"
Nod.
...Talking to her is a goddamn chore. Anyway, not the point.
"I-I won't run, promise. Can you just step out?"
Cautious plea, but firm head-shake.
"Haa..."
What to do? I'm here now; can't just stand around—raises suspicion. But dropping trou with her watching? Mortifying. Wasn't even peeing; needed to calm my boner. This was bad.
As I hesitated, her eyes bored into me. Doubt creeping in...
Fuck it. Eyes squeezed shut, I yanked down my pants.
Boing! My massive erection sprang free.
Suddenly, a low feline growl from beside me cut off abruptly. Hot breath on my dick.
"W-what?!"
I snapped my eyes open, looking down. Regina's face was right there, inches from my cock. Eyes wide as saucers, mouth agape. A dumbstruck expression.
...Talk about awkward. Utterly mortifying.