The Lord's Wife, Renata Flask (2)
The moment I stopped in front of the house, Lumina dropped from the roof like a thunderbolt and landed right beside me. She was seriously fast. We were both Runner Late now, but her movements still carried a real threat. She flashed me a smile and twitched her ears. Cute.
"You didn't get caught, right?"
"Nope, don't worry! Think we can just play regular travelers from here on?"
Then she struck a pose like a fitness model. She'd be better off not pulling random crap like that.
"Do whatever you want. This is my house. Mom's probably got food waiting."
"Ooh, is your mom strong?"
"Uh, dunno. Not sure."
I opened the door and went in. All I could do was hope Mom would understand the existence known as Lumina.
I drew in a long breath. The second I stepped inside, a delicious smell washed over me. My already starving stomach screamed even louder, wailing like a heavy metal riff. I gathered my breath and called out with everything I had.
"I'm home!"
"Welcome home! Come eat, dinner's—oh my, and who is this?"
Mom greeted me with that same sunny smile as always. Then she spotted Lumina standing beside me and seemed to startle.
"Uh... she's my partner! My partner!"
I wasn't lying. Lumina grinned brightly and waved.
"Heheh, nice to meetcha! You're Lashu's mom, right?"
Lumina sidled a step forward and started rolling out her wrists.
"How strong are you, anyway?"
Why is she so aggressive? Beastkin were warlike by nature, sure. The setting was that they went all-in whether it was a fight or sex. But still — this was too much!
Mom looked awkward, then managed a laugh.
"Oh ho ho. Your friend is quite energetic, isn't she?"
"Hey, Lumina. Cool it!"
Lumina, however, had no intention of cooling anything. She looked ready to charge even if a dog started barking at her.
"How 'bout it? Your son's mine for life. You got a problem with that?"
She hadn't even asked me before throwing out a provocation like that. Why the hell would you do that?! Stop iiiit — I'm gonna die like this!
For the first time, a shadow crossed the face that always wore a smile. Mom, that's just trash talk! She's making it upppp!
"Oh my. I don't believe I can let that remark slide."
"What? You got a problem? Then... prove it!"
A burst of footsteps. A rush of air.
Lumina exploded forward. She dropped into a fighting stance, dipped her upper body, and fired a rear-hand straight. The entire sequence unfolded in less than a second. In front of that punch, Mom looked like she was just standing there, completely exposed.
"M-Mom! Dodge!"
My heart hammered like it was about to explode. And in that sliver of an instant, I saw it.
A flick.
Mom tossed the ladle she'd been holding straight up. A smile still crinkled the corners of her eyes as she watched Lumina come in. She slipped the incoming straight aside with a light parry, then drove a hook with her left hand — a hand I hadn't even seen extend.
CRACK!
A meaty impact rang out. Lumina's head snapped sideways and her body locked up.
Beastkin didn't go down from a single hit. Not even a counter.
And yet.
The ladle began to fall, just shy of grazing the ceiling. In that window, Mom chained a left hook into a right straight and sent Lumina flying. Hook. Crack. A soft catch. Then she plucked the ladle out of the air and beamed a loving smile.
"Fufu. Lashu is my son. Always will be! Challenges are always welcome♥"
I just stood there with my mouth hanging open, looking back and forth between Mom and the crumpled Lumina. What the hell had just happened? It really had been nothing more than a blink — and Lumina had just gone down?
"Now then, everyone eat up! I made plenty of delicious things!"
Mom headed for the kitchen as if nothing had happened. I checked on Lumina first. She was touching her cheek, stunned, both eyes gone perfectly round like a rabbit's.
"Hey, did I just lose? What the hell...!"
"Let's just eat, please. Don't do that again."
I sighed and helped Lumina up, half-carrying her to the kitchen and sitting her down. Plenty of good food today, as usual.
An awkward stretch of time passed. I snuck a question at Mom, asking what on earth that had been. She covered her mouth with one hand, her face going pink.
"Oh my, oh my, son. Did you forget? Mom used to be an adventurer too!"
That explained everything. The way she'd trained the original Lashu so skillfully all this time. The reverence the people of the fief showed whenever her name came up.
If she was good enough to marry a legendary hero, of course she'd be in that class herself. Obvious, when you think about it.
Still. I never imagined it would be this much.
Runner Late was basically the last step before becoming an official Hero. She'd be at the bottom of the official Hero rankings, sure — but she'd just handled a fighter of that caliber like a child.
Older women really are the best! Mom's the best! Strong women you can actually rely on are the beeeest!
I howled that little hymn of madness on the inside and ate with gusto. Whew. At least I'd lucked out with Mom.
Seeing her like this, I was curious about Dad's skill too. If he'd still been alive, I would've asked him for a spar.
The three of us shared a warm meal. Lumina was the sociable type, apparently — she hit it off with Mom in no time. She still couldn't quite meet her eyes, though.
"We've decided she'll stay here for a while."
At that, a mischievous glint crept back into Lumina's face and she grinned.
"In Lashu's room, that is. Kyaha!"
Mom kept smiling as she closed a fist.
"There's a spare room. You can rest there. Understood...?"
The killing intent was no joke. I could feel it, so Lumina had to be getting it ten times worse. She just nodded.
So tease her in moderation, you idiot.
After the meal, Mom came over.
"You should wash up and rest, shouldn't you? You worked so hard today, son!"
"No, I still have to report to the Lord Deputy. About what I investigated today, and the mission I was given — I finished it."
"Then off you go! Don't stay out too late."
"Yes ma'am, heading out! Lumina, stay put. Please."
I was already worried about what kind of mess she'd cause next. Lumina nodded, fussing with her drooping ears. She actually looked a little pitiful like that.
"That's right, son!"
"Yes?"
I was about to leave when Mom caught my arm. Her face flushed as she whispered.
"When you have time later, come see Mom. I prepared a... present for you."
"Yes, I will."
"Thank you for coming home safe, my son♥"
A present, huh. Now I was getting my hopes up for no reason!
I headed outside. All right then — time to go eat today's real main dish.
I made for the lord's manor, absently fixing my hair as I walked.
Today's the day. The final battle. Talk a good game, stay cool, fuck her good. Okay. Let's go.
The guards at the manor were dozing off when I arrived. Even better for me. I went inside and headed for the office. I looked around — there really was no one. Probably because of the hour. I still had a report to deliver, so I kept going.
"Hello? Anyone here?"
No answer. Not even a presence. There should have been a butler at the very least. Someone had to take the report, right?
I sighed and went into the office where Renata would be. I checked just in case, and there was a presence inside. I eased the door open and knocked.
"Ah, Lord Deputy. You were in?"
"Who is it?"
A sunken, sorrowful voice. Just hearing it, you could feel exactly what kind of state she was in.
"It's Lashu Leonhart."
"...What is it? At this hour."
"I came to report the information I obtained today, and that I've resolved the Black Ghost incident."
Renata let out a long sigh, as if trying to empty everything piled up in her chest. It didn't come easily. Her voice stayed heavy. I snuck a look at her face.
Yeah, she's wasted as hell. Of course it's hard. That was the husband she loved so much.
Even a bastard like that got married. Ah, never mind.
Renata stared down at her glass, shaking her head. Then she seemed to make up her mind, and beckoned me in.
"Come in."
"Pardon?"
"Just have a drink with me. You're an adult, aren't you?"
"Ah — yes. Thank you."
I ended up sitting with her before I knew it, settling naturally at her side. Renata glanced at me and poured a glass. The liquor sloshed in a long, amber stream. I took it and drank, and the second it hit my tongue I was honestly stunned.
Oh, whiskey. This stuff would run you hundreds of bucks at a club, and I'm drinking it here for free?
The depth was insane. I finally understood why people sang whiskey's praises. I took another sip. A pleasant buzz settled in, and my body started to warm.
Hell yes, medieval fantasy.
A smile came on its own. I stayed quiet on purpose, and Renata started talking — about how hard things had been lately, about how difficult it was to hold on after losing the Lord.
"Things have been so hard lately. I shouldn't be showing you this weakness..."
So she's exhausted and lonely. Right on schedule.
Exactly as I'd predicted. I laughed silently, then thought of the aphrodisiac.
If I slip this in now...?
I started to pull the aphrodisiac from my ring, then changed my mind. No. That would be too easy. No fun in it. It went against my aesthetics. I'd built this up properly, shown her my good side. If I was going to use an aphrodisiac, I never needed to do any of that.
The stage, the props, the audience eating it up, the lighting — all of it perfect. And the lead goes and ruins it himself? Nah. Can't stand that.
I let it go. There'd be a time to use the aphrodisiac eventually. I'd keep it in reserve.
Let's approach her for real. You only get one chance to show someone your true feelings. Don't wreck this opportunity yourself. Use it.
I nodded and comforted Renata — not the words she wanted to hear, but the ones she needed.
"I understand how you feel, but this isn't good for your health. The Lord would sigh if he saw you from heaven. Perhaps cut back a little."
"Haa... I want to die."
"If God had a purpose, it was because the Lord was needed in heaven, and so He called him early."
"I even hate that god."
I wet my lips and spoke carefully.
"The Lord is surely doing well. But if my lady lives in this much pain — how do you think his heart would feel? It might burn like the floor of hell."
"I don't even know anymore... All I wanted was to be loved as a woman. Haa."
Time to add some contact. I gently patted Renata's shoulder.
"You've done so well until now. You've never lost your dignity, and you've been a beautiful example to everyone."
"I have...?"
"Even among us hero candidates, you're known as someone truly magnificent. Have some confidence."
"Is that so..."
"I like my lady just the way you are!"
I finished with a smile. At that smile, Renata's face went red, and she slowly nodded.
A soft weight.
She rested her head on my shoulder. A mature, fragrant scent drifted from her — the kind of scent I could have breathed in all day. Pretending to support her, I touched her chest.
Those breasts, always trapped inside her clothes — didn't they suffer in there? They had that firmness unique to a grown woman, and a softness that matched her weakened heart. Supreme abundance. I wondered what those full breasts, those thick thighs, and that forbidden place between them would feel like. I wanted to unwrap her already.
"Lashu, you're truly a man. Just like the Lord was."
Comparing me to that human garbage. I smiled anyway. I knew what she meant.
"If it's hard, lean on me whenever you need. Anytime. I am yours, after all."
"Really? Then... is this all right?"
A sudden slide.
Renata shoved her hand into my pants and started stroking my cock. She was pretty drunk — but I'd led her here, so of course she could do this. Still, I was surprised. I never thought Renata would be the one to initiate.
Bolder than I expected. No holding back now.
I brought my mouth to hers as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and covered her lips. A soft, sweet sensation welcomed my tongue.