Two People's Consolation (2)
Two People's Consolation (2)
"...Excuse me."
I carefully laid my body down on Madam's bed.
The soft, cozy sheet touched my skin.
A fragrant scent of roses wafted from the pillow and blanket.
It felt somewhat unreal.
I never imagined I'd end up sharing a bed with Madam Rosalia like this.
Even more so since we were both in our underwear, which made me feel a bit shy.
"It's not too cramped, is it?"
"I-I'm fine..."
For some reason, I felt embarrassed and stumbled over my words like a fool.
Rosalia, lying facing me, simply looked at me as if she found me cute.
"Have sweet dreams, Rene."
A white hand reached out and warmly stroked my cheek.
A touch like a mother putting a child to sleep.
My eyes naturally closed softly from the cozy warmth.
"Madam too... sweet dreams..."
Perhaps due to the alcohol, sleepiness washed over me.
My consciousness faded to black with my mumbling voice as the last thing I heard.
* * *
"Mmm..."
When I opened my eyes, sunlight was streaming through the curtains.
It was already morning.
It felt like I had just closed my eyes for a moment, yet the night had passed in an instant.
Turning my head to the side, a beautiful woman with red hair was sleeping soundly, oblivious to the world.
Madam Rosalia.
A woman who exudes a bewitching and stunning aura, yet in reality possesses a kind and warm nature.
I quietly observed her outstanding beauty for a moment.
Her long eyelashes and plump, cherry-like lips were impressive. Her skin seemed almost as smooth as mine.
I knew she was in her mid-thirties, but somehow she didn't even have the slightest wrinkle.
It couldn't just be from skincare; she must have been born beautifully by nature.
After observing Madam's beauty for a while, my gaze suddenly drifted downward.
I saw full, milky-white breasts similar in size to mine.
However, that wasn't the only thing capturing my attention.
One of those secret parts that shouldn't be seen by others.
Her pink nipple was adorably peeking out from her red negligee.
Sometimes that happens when you toss and turn in your sleep.
It was something I often experienced myself when sleeping in a negligee.
For women, it's literally an everyday occurrence. It really shouldn't be a big deal.
Yet, my crotch was already hopelessly wet.
The fact that it was Madam's nipple, of all people, was exciting me.
The woman who seemed like the personification of a rose, Rosalia.
Putting Rubyia aside, she was among the most beautiful people I had met in this world.
It was only natural that I'd find her attractive.
I looked again, observing Rosalia's flawlessly smooth breast.
At the center of the mound was that same small, adorable pink nipple.
"Ngh..."
The rising lust caused a pull in my lower abdomen.
Come to think of it, it had already been about three or four days since I last had sex.
I wasn't to the point of losing my reason, but I realized my judgment was getting blurry.
Was I being bewitched by Madam's incredibly stimulating appearance?
That modest little pink nipple, peeking out as if to tempt.
The impulse to put it in my mouth, even just once, strongly dominated my thoughts.
Maybe this was how all the men who looked at me felt.
"......"
I tore my eyes from her chest and carefully observed Rosalia's condition.
It was morning and the sun was up, but she was still deeply asleep.
She must still be far from waking up.
Maybe it would be okay to just press my lips against it lightly.
Ultimately unable to overcome my desire, I brought my face closer to her breast.
The pink protrusion was now right before my nose. A perfectly pretty nipple.
Even the shallow groove meant for milk flow looked utterly adorable.
Watching Madam for any reaction, I gently took that nipple between my lips.
A soft, pliable, yet slightly firm texture was vividly transmitted.
It felt better than I had expected.
Taking a small breath through my nose, I could also smell a faint scent of roses from her skin.
At this point, it was practically her scent.
I continued to move my mouth.
Madam's soft pink nipple, covered by the folds of my lips, squishing malleably.
This wasn't enough to satisfy me.
Desiring to suck on it, even weakly, I pursed my lips tighter.
The moment I was about to suck on it lightly, as if giving a kiss. A chilling sensation suddenly ran down the back of my neck.
Surely not.
I pulled my mouth from the nipple and slightly twisted my head to look up.
"...!"
Our eyes met.
Madam Rosalia was looking down at me with a flushed face and an expression that seemed troubled.
Feeling my head instantly grow hot, I floundered and opened my mouth.
"M-Madam! This is, well, you see...!"
I had opened my mouth, but my words got stuck.
I had no idea what excuse to even make for this.
No, rather than making a lame lie, it was better to just bow my head and be honest.
"I'm sorry... I just, I couldn't help myself..."
I apologized in a fading voice.
Even with ten mouths, I'd have nothing to say.
It was a situation where I wouldn't be surprised if I was kicked out of the establishment for sexual harassment.
"...It's alright."
But with a caring consolation, Madam gently hugged me.
An unexpectedly lenient attitude.
Buried in her soft, ample breasts, I listened to her continue.
"The job you took on this time was very hard, wasn't it? I was already worried about you."
"Madam..."
Not just Daygan, but Madam had also seen through my gloom.
It seems you really can't hide anything from experienced adults.
Rosalia, who had slightly separated from me, looked me firmly in the eyes.
Then, she suddenly slid the shoulder strap of her negligee down and offered one of her breasts to me.
"If you want to lean on it, lean as much as you want. You can act spoiled like a baby. Here, don't be shy."
"Huh? Wh-what...!"
I was so bewildered by her unreserved attitude of offering her breast that I could only blink.
Is this really okay? This still seems a bit abnormal, doesn't it?
But my internal struggle ended quickly.
As if bewitched, my face was irresistibly drawn toward the voluptuous breast offered to me.
"That's right, our Rene. Ah, good girl."
Encouraged by her coaxing words, I finally took the nipple and areola into my mouth together.
The soft nipple, trapped so it couldn't move within my lips, was slowly sucked in.
"Sslurp... Schllp..."
Despite my careful sucking, embarrassing sounds kept coming out.
I had gone along with the mood without thinking, but the sight was indeed a bit strange.
Embarrassment and awkwardness made my face burn hot anew, and my ears turned red.
"You don't need to be embarrassed. I also used to act spoiled like a child with my mother when I was feeling troubled. When you're held in a warm, cozy embrace, it feels like all the worries and concerns of the world just disappear."
Even so, letting me suck on her nipple seemed like a slightly different issue.
I tried hard to push the question forming in my head away.
It was a bit risqué for two grown women to be doing this, but it was true that my body and mind felt more at ease.
With Madam gently stroking my head, I really did feel like I had become a baby.
I guess this is what maternal love is.
Having been an orphan in both my previous life and this one, it was an emotion I was experiencing for the first time.
Somehow, my nose felt sore and my eyes seemed to be getting moist.
At the same time, I felt a hatred for Lilith's Scent and this cursed body.
Despite Rosalia's warm affection, my crotch was already soaked with arousal fluids.
Perhaps because I was indulging in her breast, my sexual desire was rising endlessly.
My careful mouthing, matching that excitement, gradually became rougher and more voracious.
Before I knew it, I was sucking hard on Madam's now firmly erect nipple.
I even teased the indented milk duct as if trying to pry my tongue into it.
"Mmm, ahh..."
An act closer to caressing than nursing.
Rosalia, who had been pressing her lips together tightly, finally couldn't hold back and let out a moan.
A heated, somewhat erotic atmosphere was forming in the room.
It would be dangerous to go any further.
Regaining my senses, I detached my mouth from Rosalia's nipple.
The stiff, pink nipple glistened wetly with my saliva.
The unbearably lewd sight made my impulse surge again, but I barely managed to suppress it.
No matter how lenient Madam was, a line had to be drawn.
This was a world where homosexuality was taboo.
If I made Madam uncomfortable for no reason, I'd be too ashamed to show my face.
I had already caused enough trouble.
"...Thank you for indulging my selfishness."
"Are you feeling better now?"
Yesterday from Daygan, today from Madam—I had received more consolation than I deserved.
If I didn't perk up after this, I'd feel sorry for both of them.
I deliberately raised my voice and answered cheerfully.
"Yes! Ma-ma, I mean, Madam! I'm all energized now!"
"Hehe, that's a relief. If you feel down again, feel free to come find me anytime, our Rene."
"I, I will..."
Was she saying she'd let me suck her breast again?
Even if it was just skin-ship between women, she was being remarkably unreserved.
I'd felt it before, but Madam seemed to have quite a unique side to her.
"Well, shall we start the day now?"
Rosalia, who had gotten out of bed, stretched and spoke.
I also got up and gathered my clothes from the chair to put them on.
"By the way, how is Jenna doing?"
"Ah, Jenna? She's bright and good at her work. The kitchen staff all seem to like her."
"...That's a relief."
I was reassured to hear she had blended in well.
I could probably stop worrying about Jenna now.
I was fully dressed and just needed to leave.
But there was still something I wanted to ask Madam.
The problem was that it wasn't an easy question to ask.
After pondering repeatedly, I finally broached the subject with her.
"Um, Madam. Would it be alright if I asked you a few things about Sir Balcan?"
"Huh? You mean my uncle? Feel free to ask."
The retired old knight, Sir Balcan Crossoff.
I'd heard in passing that he, Madam's fifth cousin, was spending his old age in leisurely retirement.
Namely, right here in the cottage in the backyard of Grace of the Rose.
"...Um, if I were to ask Sir Balcan for instruction, would that be too presumptuous?"
Even though he was old and retired, he was a knight.
A nobleman and a warrior who had reached the realm of an Aura Knight.
The difference in level was such that a mere mercenary prostitute like me couldn't possibly associate with him.
That's why even broaching the subject felt extremely cautious.
The weight of the title 'Knight' was a big reason I hadn't shown interest until now.
This was a strict class-based society, even if he was Madam's relative.
Just because Madam Rosalia was kind to me didn't mean Sir Balcan would necessarily show kindness.
In the worst case, I could be called disrespectful and impudent and lose my head.
"Instruction, you mean like swordsmanship?"
"Yes. That's right."
Aside from the abilities I received from the demons, there were largely two ways left for me to become stronger.
Namely, Aura and swordsmanship.
But Aura seemed like a power that was premature for me.
Aura was something you might not obtain even after training for years, or even a lifetime.
Moreover, since I poured Recovery into myself daily, reverting my body to its previous state, there was almost no chance for Aura to accumulate in my body.
In the end, devoting myself to swordsmanship was the only method available to me now.
"Lately, I've been feeling doubtful about my skills... I've developed a desire to improve more than I am now."
"So you want to take my uncle as your master, is that it?"
"I-I don't dare hope for such an exalted relationship. I just want to receive proper instruction, even if it's only a small lesson."
With Ashekh's death, the matter of training at the swordsmanship guild had become impossible.
Asking Daygan to find a teacher was also something that could take who knows how long.
To learn swordsmanship even a day sooner, I ultimately had to put in the legwork myself.
Of course, it was highly unlikely such a great figure as a knight would teach me, but still, you never know.
At the very least, I could request to learn the sword from him.
"Hmm. Well, I think it might be okay? He's not the type to discriminate based on status or occupation. If he were, he wouldn't be staying here. The chance he'll find it bothersome is high, but... Ah, right. Wait a moment."
The liquor display case that took up more than half of one wall.
Rosalia took a bottle of wine from there and handed it to me.
"He likes alcohol. If you give him this as a gift, he'll at least hear you out."
Wine bottled in glass, not a leather pouch or wooden cask.
Just looking at the ornately decorated label told me.
It was undoubtedly a very expensive wine.
"Thank you, Madam. How much do I owe you for it?"
"Oh my, why are you doing this? I'm the Madam of Grace of the Rose."
"Huh? I can't possibly..."
Rosalia, smiling slyly, gave me a gentle push on the back.
I was flustered, but there was no way I could possibly defy her.
"If he takes the wine and just clams up, come find me. I'll take it back from him!"
"Yes, yes..."
With that conversation, she closed the door.
Left alone in the hallway, I stood there dazed for a moment.
The favor I had received from Madam was too great.
I'd only feel at ease if I repaid her for this wine several times over later.
For now, meeting Sir Balcan was the top priority.
I returned to my room, grabbed my bastard sword, and headed toward the backyard of Grace of the Rose.
A wide, open space spread out like a training ground.
In one corner of the yard, a small wooden cottage was visible.
It was an unbelievably humble appearance for the residence of a knight.
No particular presence could be felt around.
Sir Balcan seemed to be inside the cottage.
I swallowed hard and approached the door.
The moment I was about to knock lightly a couple of times.
A voice came not from inside the cottage, but from right behind me.
"What is it."
A voice that felt stern just hearing it. It was definitely Sir Balcan.
I immediately turned around and saw the figure of a white-haired old man.
He had a not-so-large build, about the same height as me.
But his sharp gaze and the destructive muscles I could feel even through his clothes suggested he was no ordinary person.
The aura emanating from him was also overwhelmingly powerful, enough to make one's blood run cold.
So this was an Aura Knight. The energy of a knight said to crumple iron bare-handed.
"I greet Sir Balcan. My name is Rene, I work at Grace of the Rose."
I bowed respectfully, bending at the waist.
My body grew unbearably tense from his intense presence.
Perhaps due to a primal fear as a living being, my legs trembled uncontrollably.
I finished the greeting and handed him the wine I was holding.
"Here, wine sent by the Madam."
"Hmm..."
Sir Balcan stared intently at the wine he had received.
His expression was utterly unreadable and impassive.
He then raised his head and stared at me.
"What's this gift for? Did Rosalia send you with some troublesome request?"
"No. The Madam only asked me to deliver the wine. Actually, I came to see you because I have business with you, Sir."
Sir Balcan's eyebrow twitched for a moment.
Had I already offended his sensibilities?
It couldn't be helped. The deed was done; I had to see it through, even if the result was bad.
"Speak."
"If it is not too presumptuous, I wish to learn the sword from the renowned Sir Balcan."
Silence fell.
Sir Balcan just looked at me with an expressionless face.
After what felt like an endlessly long silence, he finally spoke.
"...I see. I do recall hearing about it in passing. You're that mercenary from the rumors? The one who single-handedly repelled the dire wolf."
"Yes. That's correct."
"Then this wine is a bribe for the request."
His gaze returned to the wine.
The red wine sloshing inside the dark glass bottle.
I wondered if it was really to Sir Balcan's taste.
"Riverwood, 195 year vintage. It seems Rosalia cares for you a great deal. To so readily give you something this hard to obtain."
I had guessed it was expensive, but it was that rare of a wine?
Sir Balcan, who had placed the wine on a table by the door, suddenly turned and walked toward the open space.
As I was wondering if I should follow, he spoke.
"Draw your sword."