The Crystal Garden
I looked at her for a moment and let out a soft chuckle.
“Yeah. For our sake.”
I spoke lightly, but my mind was already racing in a completely different direction.
Good. We’re almost there.
I brushed my hands together and met her eyes.
“Hey, but when you receive a woman’s oath like this.”
The corner of my mouth curved upward.
“In my world, there’s something you have to do in return.”
Riona’s eyes widened.
“What is it…?”
I let out a short laugh.
“Come on. It wouldn’t be any fun if I told you beforehand.”
I pointed at her with a light flick of my finger.
“Close your eyes.”
Riona hesitated, staring at me quietly for a moment.
“...”
Suspicion and reluctance flickered across her face before sinking away. She slowly closed her eyes.
“They’re closed…”
Her breathing had steadied a little.
“What are you going to do?”
I took one step closer, stopping close enough for our breaths to mingle, and lowered my gaze to her lips.
Then I kissed her.
It was barely a brush of contact—light, yet the warmth lingered clearly.
Wow. Fuck… It’s so damn soft.
Riona’s body stiffened instantly.
“…!”
Her eyes flew open, pupils trembling violently as her chest rose with a tiny shudder. Her fingertips froze in mid-air, unable to find where to go.
A few seconds later, Riona stood there with a completely dazed expression.
“This is…”
She slowly raised her hand and touched her trembling fingers to her own lips. Her face flushed crimson in an instant.
“Th-this…?”
She couldn’t finish the sentence.
“It feels strange…”
Her voice was barely a whisper.
“This kind of contact… it’s my first time.”
Her eyes lifted to mine. Confusion and an emotion she couldn’t hide swirled together.
After a brief hesitation, she spoke again.
“But… I don’t dislike it…”
Perfect. Right on track.
Only one thing left.
A place to claim her.
I swallowed my grin.
“Oh, that?”
I touched my own lips with a fingertip.
“It’s called a kiss.”
I kept my gaze locked on her as I added, “It’s what a man does when he wants to express his feelings to a woman.”
Riona’s hand hovered near her lips again.
“Kiss…”
She murmured the word softly, pausing as if turning it over in her mind.
“Is it different from the oath ceremony?”
I brushed my hands again.
“Completely different.”
“Anyway, it felt good, right?”
Still blushing, Riona nodded.
“Yes…”
A short but certain answer.
“Then we’re good.”
I turned my body lightly.
“Weren’t we headed somewhere?”
Riona steadied her breathing before replying.
“That’s right. There’s a place I want to show you.”
Her voice had grown calmer.
“Where?”
Riona’s eyes sparkled again.
“A truly beautiful place. The Crystal Garden at sunset. I really want to show it to you.”
Hahaha.
Yeah, let’s go. To the perfect spot to fuck you senseless.
Ah, shit. I’m already horny as hell.
“The Crystal Garden?”
I smiled and nodded.
“Just the name sounds beautiful.”
I brushed my hands off and took a step forward.
“Let’s go.”
Riona’s face lit up with a radiant smile.
“You won’t regret it.”
She naturally took my hand. Our fingers interlaced, and her thumb slowly brushed across the back of my hand as we walked along the gravel path.
She’s getting comfortable with touching already. Fast. Really fast.
A light chuckle slipped out of me.
“The Crystal Garden is one of Elaris’s most iconic landmarks,” Riona said, eyes fixed ahead. “Legend says the crystals here were born from the tears of a goddess lost in sorrow.”
I let out a soft breath.
“How romantic…”
Before long the view opened up, revealing a massive structure that sparkled as it caught the light.
Wow… fuck…
My eyes widened on their own.
“Whoa. What the hell is that?”
I pointed without thinking.
“What is that? Are those all crystals?”
Riona nodded.
“Yes. That is the Crystal Garden.”
As we drew closer, a gigantic gate made of silver came into view. Intricate patterns of vines and flowers were woven across it, sparkling delicately whenever light touched the surface.
I stared at the gate and suddenly spoke.
“It’s strange, though.”
Riona turned her head.
“What is?”
I scratched my chin lightly.
“The fact that we can understand each other so easily. We call a castle a castle, crystals crystals… everything feels way too natural.”
Riona’s expression grew slightly serious as she fell into thought.
“You’re right… I thought it was strange from the very beginning too.”
Her hand rose toward her chin.
“It’s almost as if… the two worlds are connected somewhere.”
Her gaze drifted into the distance, then returned as she gave a small smile.
“Perhaps it’s the will of the gods. That you came here.”
Riona placed her hand on the gate. A soft metallic ring echoed as the doors slowly swung open.
“But,” she said with a gentle smile, “for now, shouldn’t we simply enjoy this moment?”
Yeah… I should enjoy it.
I smirked.
“Yeah.”
I started to step through the gate but paused again.
“Ah, one more thing.”
Riona stopped.
“Wouldn’t it be better to report to Her Majesty first? You might get in trouble later.”
Riona’s expression tightened slightly. Her gaze wavered for a moment before settling.
“That is possible.”
She gave a small nod.
“His Majesty has already judged your existence and the danger you pose, but current status and range of activity are supposed to be reported regularly.”
Her grip on my hand tightened.
“You don’t need to worry. External activities like this fall within the permitted range.”
Her blue eyes remained steady, unwavering.
“As long as I am accompanying you, I will take full responsibility.”
I let out a small laugh.
“Reassuring.”
Good. Not complete freedom, but protected status with a watcher attached. Actually, that’s pretty convenient.
I nodded and stepped inside.
And then, after a single step, I stopped dead.
An unbelievable sight spread out before me.
Countless towering crystal pillars caught the fading sunlight, flowing with overlapping shades of blue and violet. The light shattered and scattered like glittering mist.
Wow… This is actually insane…
Riona had every right to say I wouldn’t regret it.
“Fuck… It’s gorgeous.”
“Feels like I’ve stepped into another world.”
Oh right… I did fall into another world.
Riona spoke beside me, her voice quiet but laced with pride.
“Didn’t I tell you? You wouldn’t regret it.”
Haha…
I began walking slowly. Light flowed down between the crystals, softly dyeing even the ground beneath our feet. It felt like walking through a colossal glass forest.
“Wow…”
I shook my head slightly. Mysteriously glowing flowers. It didn’t feel real.
Deeper into the garden, the path opened into a wide circular clearing. At its center stood a gigantic crystal formation.
Riona stopped me in front of it. The light pouring from the crystal gently wrapped around my face and the surrounding air.
“This is the heart of the garden,” she said, looking at me.
A breeze swept past.
Hummmm—
The crystals resonated in response. A clear, pure vibration. Dozens of crystals exchanged echoes, filling the entire garden like a colossal instrument being played. It was a sound both beautiful and majestic, something I had never seen or heard on Earth. There were no words to describe it.
I looked around.
“By the way… there’s no one else here?”
Riona nodded.
“Yes. It’s not a place people visit unless it’s a special occasion.”
She paused, then added in a softer voice.
“Today… I came because I wanted to show it to you.”
Whoa. She’s basically begging me to devour her.
Hahahaha. Now, how should I cook this?
I scanned the surroundings once more—light, crystals, and Riona. Then I fixed my gaze on her.
“A beautiful place. Beautiful sounds.”
I took a step closer.
“And on top of that, the beautiful Riona.”
Riona’s face slowly turned red.
“Jun…”
She smiled faintly as her hand rose to touch my cheek. Softly. Carefully.
“Hearing you say that… makes me a little embarrassed…”
She took another step forward. The distance between us nearly vanished. Her blue eyes dropped to my lips, then rose to meet mine again.
“Jun, I—”
I cut her off with a kiss.
Riona’s body froze as if her breath had stopped. But soon the tension melted away. Her hand clutched my clothes—clumsy, yet careful not to let go.
One second.
Two seconds.
Three seconds.
Only quiet breathing filled the garden.
When I pulled away, Riona stared at me with a dazed face. Her cheeks were burning red and her breathing had grown ragged. Her mouth opened and closed before a tiny voice escaped.
“As expected… I don’t dislike it.”
Good. We’re good.
Her forehead rested against my shoulder. Her breathing still hadn’t calmed.
“Jun, when I’m with you…”
Riona trailed off, tugging my clothes tighter.
“It’s because it’s my first time. It’s a natural reaction. The worlds may be different, but we’re both human.”
Riona lifted her head. Flushed cheeks. Trembling eyes.
I smirked.
“Come here. Let’s kiss one more time.”
This time she didn’t hesitate. She closed her eyes and offered her lips.
Wow, fuck… These lips are insanely sexy. I’m the one who gets to kiss them?
I kissed her again, deeper this time, gently pushing my tongue inside. She tensed slightly but didn’t pull away. Instead she clutched my clothes even more carefully.
Oh… Fuck. This is perfect.
When our lips finally parted, Riona’s face was completely flushed.
“Jun…”
Her chest rose and fell with ragged breaths.
“You’re truly beautiful, Riona.”
Unable to speak, she pulled me into a tight embrace.
“It’s strange…” she murmured softly. “My heart… is beating so fast.”
Heh…
A little later, Riona lifted her still-red face.
“You really are a dangerous man.”
The corner of her mouth lifted playfully.
“Shall I become even more dangerous?”
Riona’s breath caught for a second.
“Jun…”
She glanced around.
“A place where people rarely come. Somewhere completely hidden from view.”
Riona hesitated briefly, then quietly took my hand.
“Follow me…”
We ventured deeper into the crystal forest. The light grew dimmer, the path narrower. After some time, between enormous amethyst pillars, a small space appeared where only faint light flowed. It was completely invisible from outside.
This is it. The place where you’ll get fucked.
I glanced down.
I’m already rock hard.
Riona stopped, slowly turning to face me with her gaze slightly lowered.
“No one will come here…”
Her voice was small.
The atmosphere between us slowly began to burn.
I stepped closer and placed my hand on her armor.
“Riona…”
She closed her eyes. Her hand trembled ever so slightly.