Chapter 268: Covering Fire(2)
Chapter 268: Covering Fire(2)
This story takes place quite a while before Adelia provided her night service—specifically, before the exhibition had officially begun.
"Um... why did you call for me...?"
Adelia sat there, looking somewhat diminished rather than her usual gallant and confident self.
Her sky-blue eyes darted restlessly from side to side, and her shoulders, which had broadened slightly through training, were hunched inward as much as possible.
It wasn't the paralyzing terror she felt when meeting her biological family, including Hiriya, but anyone could see she was walking on eggshells.
Furthermore, she sat stiffly with her fists resting on her thighs, looking for all the world like a dejected wallflower.
"Don't be so nervous, Big Sister. If anyone saw us, they'd think we were bullying you."
"She's right. You can just relax."
The two women sitting side-by-side across from Adelia, Marie and Cecily, spoke up one after the other.
Since the exhibition hadn't started yet, they were dressed in simple attire, yet they still radiated their unique charms.
Their contrasting hair—one a brilliant, shining silver and the other a deep black—highlighted their distinct personalities.
To Adelia, who felt inferior to them in both appearance and presence, it was only natural to shrink back.
In particular, while they were Isaac's official lovers, she was slated to enter the household as a concubine or an exclusive maid.
Though she was illegitimate, her time in the Ters Kingdom had allowed her to witness the reality of noble life with her own eyes.
Her biological father, King Friedrich, didn't keep concubines, so there was less conflict, but she was acutely aware of what it meant to be lower in the hierarchy.
Above all, having grown up facing harsh persecution simply for being a child of a concubine, Adelia couldn't help but feel anxious.
"But... the Young Lady and the Princess are Isaac's official lovers? Wives? Anyway, you're on that side. Whereas I..."
"I wonder. Do you really think Isaac cares about that sort of thing? Those are just titles; he'll treat everyone equally."
"At the very least, he won't discriminate. Isaac is surprisingly sensitive to people's feelings."
Having seen through Adelia's worries, the two women exchanged words to reassure her.
Through their time with Isaac, they had reached a point where they didn't just understand his psychology; they could practically read his innermost thoughts.
Isaac didn't care about status or birth, and he far preferred horizontal relationships over vertical ones.
Furthermore, he despised the act of suppressing others through power or rank; Lina and Leort had once faced his wrath for doing exactly that.
Fortunately, their relationship had improved since then, but Isaac remained consistent in his desire for equal footing.
"Even so... I..."
"Ugh, enough. Let's talk about something else instead. Okay?"
When Adelia continued to act meek despite their efforts, Marie brushed it off. As someone who, like Isaac, preferred horizontal relationships, she found this line of conversation frustrating.
Of course, she was aware of her status as the daughter of a Duke. She took it for granted that commoners would speak formally to her, but the situation changed if that person was one of Isaac's women.
Moreover, after learning about Adelia's tragic past, she sincerely hoped for her happiness. Adelia was a rare, trustworthy person in this world.
For these and several other reasons, she had been able to accept Adelia as one of Isaac's women. Considering it was Marie who had first suggested the maid role, one could roughly infer what she was thinking.
"...Yes. Then, what did you wish to speak with me about...?"
Adelia nodded hesitantly at Marie's blunt words and moved to the main point. She was still curled into herself, her confidence nowhere to be found.
Marie looked at her with a pitying gaze before turning to Cecily, who happened to turn her head at the same time.
Their blue and red eyes met, and both women broke into a grin simultaneously.
On the surface, it was a beautiful smile, but it carried a hint of deviousness, as if they were plotting a scheme.
Soon, both women looked forward again, and Marie spoke first, bringing up the real topic.
"Sister. When are you going to do it?"
"Pardon? What do you mean by that...?"
"I'm asking when you're going to have your first night with Isaac."
"......!"
It was a direct question, very much in character for Marie, and it caused Adelia's sky-blue eyes to go wide.
She was so flustered that her pupils shook as if an earthquake were occurring, and her cheeks began to flush a deep red.
"Why are you so surprised? Weren't you expecting this?"
"N-no. It's just... I had thought about it, but..."
Adelia stammered in response to Cecily's question, unable to finish her sentence.
Just as Cecily said, since she had become Isaac's lover, she expected they would eventually have a first night. It would be stranger if they didn't, considering they had already shared a deep, passionate kiss.
But she had only 'thought' about it. She had assumed there was no room for her to squeeze in while the two women before her were present.
She had been lucky enough to meet good people and be united with the man she loved, but she had intended to protect him from behind rather than stand by his side.
"...With both of you here, how could I think of intruding?"
She finally managed to steady her heart and speak her true feelings. Her dejected voice and lowered head spoke volumes about her state of mind.
How could I cut in when Marie and Cecily are here? The only reason I even became Isaac's woman was because of your mercy.
Marie and Cecily nodded as if they had expected this. This, too, was within their calculations.
"Then what if we stepped aside for you?"
"What?"
"If we yield the turn to you, what will you do, Sister?"
Cecily followed up on Marie's proposal.
"Surely you don't intend to refuse when we're going so far as to step aside?"
"..."
Whether she was speechless or simply found it hard to comprehend, Adelia blinked and looked back and forth between the two women.
Looking at their smiling faces, they seemed sincere rather than joking, which made it even harder to understand.
Why? Why were they being so kind to her, who was merely a concubine? These women lacked nothing and were superior to her in every way.
Perhaps her thoughts were written all over her face. Marie let out her characteristic bubbly laugh and spoke.
"Sister, you're really cute. How is it that everything you're thinking shows on your face? You're just like Isaac."
"Y-yes? No, I mean... um..."
"Enough. Don't argue and just do as we say. Got it?"
"You can be honest now, can't you?"
"..."
In the end, Adelia had no choice but to meekly accept the proposal. Though the situation had flowed along like a snake slithering over a wall, she had secretly been looking forward to it.
Human desire cannot be hidden forever. So, just a little... let me be just a little greedy.
With that thought, she shed some of her hesitation and looked them straight in the eye.
"Then... what should I do? I don't know anything..."
"Hmm... first of all..."
At Adelia's courageous question, Marie thought deeply for a moment before making a suggestion.
"Shall we start with the outfit?"
I stared blankly at Adelia, who had appeared to provide her night service. Since I was sitting on the bed, I was naturally looking up at her from below.
She was currently wearing a maid uniform—one that left her shoulders and collarbones completely exposed. Furthermore, the skirt was so short it barely covered half of her thighs.
As the finishing touch—whether it was Cecily's advice or her own wish—she was even wearing white garter belts. She was the very definition of a sexy maid.
Seeing the usually boyish Adelia in such provocative clothing was... well, it was striking. Striking in a different way than Cecily.
Not the gallant guard knight I had seen this morning, but a maid solely for the purpose of 'night service.' The contrast between the two roles made my heart race.
"..."
"..."
Adelia and I stared at each other in silence for a while. She shyly avoided my gaze, but a strange sense of anticipation lingered on her face.
I finally understood why Marie and Cecily had taken her away. It couldn't have been easy for them to step aside, but it seemed Adelia had made a firm resolution of her own.
Then I had to respond to that resolution. It wasn't like I was impotent, and I had already done this several times...
...But I can't help being nervous.
Unlike the lively Marie and Cecily, this was Adelia's first time. I wasn't some sex-crazed degenerate; it was only natural to feel tense.
Moreover, Adelia was preparing to soar again after overcoming her past pain. If I wasn't careful, I might accidentally break those wings.
So I had to handle her with care, but she had already entered my bedroom with sufficient resolve.
The fact that she came wearing a maid uniform I had designed—rather than ordinary clothes—made that clear.
...Though it was more revealing than my original design, likely due to whatever Cecily had done. My design hadn't been this extreme.
"...Sister."
"...Yes. Young Master."
"Would you like to sit next to me first?"
In the midst of the awkward atmosphere, I patted the spot beside me. Adelia swallowed hard and moved cautiously.
Her movements weren't the disciplined actions I'd seen this morning; she creaked like a rusted machine. That was how nervous she was.
Too much tension isn't good for the first time. I intended to ease that tension now. For a woman facing her first night, nothing was more important than the atmosphere.
Experience had taught me that the atmosphere was half the battle.
"Marie and Cecily stepped aside for you, didn't they?"
"...Yes."
Adelia nodded in affirmation. The light from a small lantern illuminated her face.
She sat with her thighs pressed together and her hands resting on top of them. She couldn't even lift her head, looking utterly bashful.
She was cute. The stark difference between her daytime and nighttime personas seemed to double her charm.
I slowly reached out and took her hand. When I did, Adelia flinched noticeably and trembled.
Then, instead of pulling away, she gripped my hand tightly. As if she never wanted to let go.
Ssh—
With my other hand, I gently stroked her hair. She flinched again, but soon settled down.
As I caressed her head, Adelia's face seemed to grow even redder than before. Every single one of her reactions radiated charm.
Since she was about to become my woman, I handled her like a fragile piece of art.
"Mmm. Hmmm."
After I stroked her hair for a while, Adelia made a pleasant sound and leaned her face against my shoulder.
The occasional tremors in her body were a sign that her tension was melting away.
I rested my cheek against her head, gradually sharing our warmth. I could feel her thumping heartbeat from here.
"Sister."
"Yes..."
"You don't have any lingering regrets anymore, right?"
She must have cast them all aside. Her coming to my bedroom late at night in such a bold outfit was proof enough.
But this was a question for her to answer for herself, not for me. Have you truly severed your ties with your blood relatives?
They were the family she had longed for, only to be discarded so easily. Furthermore, Hiriya was even trying to steal the man she loved.
It was enough to make any lingering affection vanish, and Adelia was no exception.
"Yes. I don't."
"Is that so?"
"The place where my family is... is here."
Adelia answered in a moist voice filled with longing. I smiled at her response.
Until recently, a massive spike had been driven through Adelia's heart. Even if the spike is removed, the hole remains.
I would fill that hole and paint over it with new colors so that even the scar could no longer be found.
"Sister."
"Yes. Please, speak."
"What kind of person do you want me to be? Do you want me to be an ordinary person? Or..."
I trailed off for a moment, then pulled my face away to look Adelia in the eye.
Adelia was also staring straight at me, her sky-blue eyes now hazy with emotion.
"Do you want me to be someone very famous? For example..."
The manuscript I had hidden away in my desk came to mind. The decisive evidence that could prove I was Xenon.
"Like Xenon?"
If she wanted it, I was willing to show her. If we were going to share our bodies, there was nothing I couldn't show her.
Perhaps Adelia had already suspected. She would realize in an instant why Cecily had become my lover based on the fact that I was Xenon.
Also, I had let several clues slip during the exhibition. Looking back, there were many suspicious circumstances.
To my question, Adelia...
"It doesn't matter."
"It doesn't matter?"
"Yes."
She gave a truly unexpected answer. I thought she would be shocked or show some similar reaction, but this was outside my predictions.
When I looked surprised, Adelia leaned her face against my chest.
Then, using my heartbeat as music, she spoke in a relaxed voice.
It wasn't her usual loud and confident voice, but one filled with love and affection.
"It doesn't matter if Young Master Isaac is Xenon or the hidden child of the Emperor. I only think of the way you've treated me until now."
"...The Ters Kingdom might cause trouble, you know?"
"It's fine. If you really are Xenon, even the Ters Kingdom won't be able to treat you lightly. And if you're not, I like you just the way you are. I just like you, Young Master."
"..."
"But if you are Xenon, I can get an autograph, right? I really love the Xenon Biography."
Was she immersed in her role? Even though she could speak informally, Adelia continued to use formal language.
Still, her sincerity was clearly conveyed. Just as Marie had, Adelia didn't care whether I was Xenon or not.
She simply loved me for who I was and craved my affection. Because of that, my feelings for her began to grow even more.
I would give her a beautiful memory she could never forget. With that firm vow, I gently pulled Adelia away from my chest.
Adelia looked up at me with a puzzled expression when I pushed her back. Her sky-blue eyes shone brightly even in the dim light.
"Sister."
"Yes."
"You're truly lovely."
"Ye... eh? Mmph!"
Adelia's confusion didn't last. I cut her off by launching a surprise kiss.
She thumped my chest once in surprise, but soon surrendered herself completely. I could clearly feel the strength leaving her body.
"Mmm. Chup. Chuup."
A sweet, lingering kiss followed, and the awkward atmosphere evaporated completely, replaced by heat.
Unlike me, who was quite experienced, Adelia was a bit clumsy. She tried her best to keep up with me, but she was still lacking.
That made it even more satisfying. It suited her habit of revealing unexpected charms, and she would become more skilled in time.
"Tzzup. Haah..."
After a long, deep kiss, Adelia and I pulled our lips apart at the same time.
A thin silver thread of saliva connected our mouths, doubling the eroticism of the moment.
"Haah... haah..."
I observed Adelia's reaction after the kiss. As expected, her eyes were nearly unfocused, and she was breathing heavily.
Part of me wanted to lay her down on the bed and get straight to the main event, but not yet.
She said she came to provide 'night service,' so shouldn't she act accordingly?
I gently stroked her cheek and spoke in a low voice.
"I'd like to receive that night service now... is that okay?"
"Ye-yes..."
At my question, Adelia stood up as if possessed. Her legs seemed to wobble, perhaps because they had gone weak during the kiss.
I placed my hand on the spot where she had been sitting. Sure enough.
It was just a little, but it was damp. It seemed she was as excited as she could be.
Slide—
While I ran my hand over the bedsheets, I heard a sound in front of me. The sound of clothes rubbing against each other as they are removed.
Hearing that, I looked forward, and a beauty that drew an involuntary gasp unfolded before me.
The strapless lingerie she wore to match the maid uniform and the white garter belts—this alone exuded a sexiness that rivaled Cecily's.
But the clearly defined abs on her stomach added a unique healthy beauty to the mix. Firm thighs tempered by exercise, solid hips, and finally, her rear.
Lacking nothing, she was the perfect example of what 'healthy beauty' meant.
"Th-then..."
Adelia looked shy, then slowly knelt down. Naturally, my gaze followed her downward.
She swallowed hard and reached out both hands. Her hands were moving exactly toward my waist.
I was currently wearing only a robe, and even that was untied and open, fully revealing my trained upper body.
However, I was still wearing underwear, so I could tell where her hands were headed.
"...Gulp."
Finally grasping my underwear, Adelia swallowed hard again. The way she peeked at me while doing so was truly adorable.
Seeing that, I nodded in permission. I even lifted my hips slightly to help her out.
"N-now..."
Adelia spoke with trembling lips at my 'consideration.'
"I shall... begin the night service."
Slowly, very slowly, she pulled her hands downward.
