Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: Escape
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Luna was straddling me, nestled in my arms.
She rubbed her face against my chest, wearing a blissful smile.
In the end... I got done in again.
Well, if there was any silver lining, it was that we'd only gone twice.
I'd heard that women's libidos peak in their thirties...
If she's already this insatiable, can I even survive until then?
Maybe I should start hunting down some stamina-boosting tonics.
"Hehe, what're you thinking about, Aiden?"
"Just... that I should eat something good for my body."
-Slap.
Luna smacked my chest lightly, her face flushed red.
"We didn't do it that much today."
She had a point.
"Yeah, less than usual."
Since the development started, it's been three or four times a day— all night on days off.
Definitely less.
"But this isn't bad either."
"What isn't?"
She smiled innocently.
"Talking like this afterward."
"Right? We usually just pass out right after."
Other people chat after sex, or so I've heard...
Not us.
She's up before dawn for work, and I'm barely falling asleep at dawn...
We're both wiped.
"Mmm... you smell so good."
Luna nuzzled my chest, tickling me.
-Nuzzle...
"That tickles."
"But it's so warm. Like being wrapped in fresh blankets—my heart feels all cozy."
"Ticklish is ticklish."
"Hehe... I'm gonna rub even more."
As she pressed her face harder against my chest, I sat up...
"Then I'll tickle you back!"
I went for Luna's sides.
"Eek! N-No fair! Tickling's cheating! Kyaa! A-Aiden?!"
I relentlessly targeted her ample breasts and sides.
"Ugh! Take this!"
Luna grabbed both my wrists roughly.
"Ugh..."
She let out a heavy breath through her nose.
"You're messing around."
"Haha..."
Luna lay back on top of me and said,
"Whatever. I'm gonna rest now."
A brief silence fell between us, and I asked about her crying earlier.
"Earlier... you were crying, right? You okay now?"
Luna crying was just unbelievable.
She'd kept a stone-cold face even surrounded by dozens of enemies, covered in wounds, through any hardship—and she cried from my caresses? Shocking.
-Flinch.
She flinched hard at my words.
"That... actually."
Her embarrassed voice trailed off, so I urged her on with my eyes.
Did my nail scratch her inside? But that shouldn't have made her cry...
I waited patiently for her to continue.
Finally...
What she said was enough to stun me.
"It felt... so good that tears just came out without me realizing..."
I could only gape like an idiot at her sheepish words.
"Huh?"
Tears from it feeling too good?
Her ears looked a bit red—she was embarrassed too.
Do women really tear up when it feels that amazing?
"Do women always cry when it feels too good?"
"I... I don't know. First time for me."
Her shy voice was so cute and lovable—I pulled her waist tight against me.
"Ugh..."
"I love you."
Luna flinched at my words.
I whispered in her ear again.
"I love you."
"I... me too..."
Her voice crept out bashfully.
Luna peeked up at me with a flushed face and a beaming smile.
"I love you."
-Smack!
I smiled back as she kissed my lips.
"But really, you don't have to head back tonight?"
Luna nodded slightly.
"Yeah. I told them already. It's fine."
"Then I can finally get a good night's sleep?"
She always left the bedroom before sunrise.
Every morning felt so empty.
"Right?"
I hugged her tight and whispered in her ear.
"Then tonight, I'm holding you and not letting go."
Luna snuggled into me like my personal body pillow...
"Mmm... me too?"
She rubbed her head against my chest with a little hum.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ A few weeks later.
I was summoned to Luna's office upon hearing a letter had arrived from the imperial palace.
"A letter from the Emperor?"
Luna nodded slightly at my question.
"Haven't opened it yet. Probably about the Yin-Yang Brew, though."
"Likely."
She nodded, carefully breaking the seal and scanning the contents.
Luna smiled faintly and waved the letter.
"Just like you said. Wants more if we have it—or to procure some if not."
"It's a big deal for guys."
She made a face like she couldn't understand.
"But would he really change the Grand Duchy's contract over something like that?"
"Of course. It's huge for the Emperor."
"I'd be fine even if you couldn't... perform."
I shot back teasingly.
"What're you saying, the one squeezing me dry every night?"
"That's... because you do. If not, I'd be happy just cuddling."
I eyed her suspiciously, half-lidded.
"Then tonight, just cuddling it is."
She chuckled.
"Sure! I love cuddling too. No joke—dead serious."
"Anyway, back to business. If the Emperor won't revise the Grand Duchy contract, peace talks with the other races are off, right? Use this as bait—demand regular shipments in exchange for a standard vassal contract."
The Grand Duchy pays very little tax to the Emperor.
Instead, we're obligated to maintain a certain troop level and pioneer the north every few years.
Best to ditch that duty now and just pay taxes.
Luna seemed to agree, propping her chin on her hand thoughtfully.
"Probably doable. Not many care about northern pioneering."
I sighed in relief.
"Phew, good."
"But... guess we'll have to go to the palace to negotiate."
-Tap tap...
She drummed her fingers on the desk, lost in thought.
Then she looked at me.
"Hmm, when should we go?"
"Talks with the other races are almost wrapped. Soon?"
She nodded.
"Let's depart next month then."
"Could go earlier."
Luna shook her head slightly.
"No. Troops from the fortress haven't returned yet. Wait till they're all back."
Not all forces had come home.
Made sense.
"Got it. We'll go then."
"Speaking of, how's the Yin-Yang Brew?"
I held up two fingers.
"Sold for a fortune. Covered maybe 30% of development costs—not all, but close."
Luna sighed, looking pained.
"Still... 70% left."
"Could dump it all with the exclusive deal, but better not to lock in."
I got her anxiety—if we couldn't repay by mid-next year, creditors would come knocking.
"Fine. Later. We have time."
"Yeah?"
"First, finalize with the other races. Make sure everything they sell to humans goes through us."
I nodded.
"Don't worry. Almost done."
Other races honor promises, I'd heard.
Elves stake their lives on them.
Once deals are sealed, the Grand Duchy will be filthy rich.
"Hehe, I trust you, Aiden."
Luna stood, approached me...
-Smack!
And kissed my cheek.
"Because you're the man I love."
She beamed.
I grabbed her shoulders, met her widening red eyes, and kissed her lips.
-Smooch...
Heh, bet that surprised her.
Internet said surprise attacks keep romance spicy.
-Grab.
Suddenly, she hugged my neck...
"Mmm!"
And moaned.
Was just gonna be a light kiss...
Her lips wrapped my tongue, not letting go.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
I tapped her shoulders to stop, but...
She hugged tighter.
Cr-crap. Again?
Meant to tease, but now I'm the one caught—panic rising.
Luna finally released me, wiping her lips.
"Haa... haa... Aiden?"
Her face flushed hot, I said,
"Calm down. Getting worked up from just a kiss?"
Her sensitivity was off the charts...
"But... you feel too good? I... I'm wet already."
"No! We're working!"
She nodded, face still pink.
"I know... but tomorrow off?"
"Huh? Why?"
She grinned wickedly.
"Brace yourself tonight."
I could only smile awkwardly.
"Haha..."
As she licked her lips with those red eyes, wondering how to survive...
"Wait? We said just cuddling tonight?"
But she frowned accusingly.
"Then don't get me all riled up. You think you can tease and bail?"
Oh... no? Did I walk into the fire myself?
Desperate to rest tonight, I racked my brain...
But her predatory gaze said no dice.
"We just confirmed our love with cuddles, right?"
I tried soothing, but she crossed her arms, eyeing me up and down.
"Know I went easy last time 'cause of our deal? Weekdays for cuddles."
Recently, we'd agreed: once or twice on weekdays, all she wants the night before days off.
Kept me in decent shape.
No helping it. Flee to my house tonight.
Can't just show up unannounced without flipping the palace upside down.
As I plotted inwardly...
"Look forward to it."
-Smack!
She kissed my cheek again. I thought,
Good thing I didn't sell the house.