Faking Illness to Dodge the Places You Hate
Thanks to passing out at the prayer meeting, I got to spend the whole day resting. Sure, I like lounging in bed, but being forced to stay there, tied up and unable to escape? That was a bit much. Honestly, though... it wasn't all bad. Laila fed me, and I didn't have to do a thing—it was pretty comfortable. The only downside was not being able to soak in warm water.
Still, my pride stung at just enjoying it. I'm not some pet; I'm a person, damn it. Feeling like livestock, I made a point of sulking whenever someone was watching. Not too prickly, though, or they'd get upset—I'd pout at their warnings not to get up, things like that. The faces I'd learned from Hanbyeol had them all stifling laughs. Was it that weird? In the end, though, I never set foot off that bed.
Laila, who'd fed me a late breakfast, headed to the guild to harvest the vital energy I hadn't provided in two days. After she'd pulled her weight in the raid, no one would suspect her anymore, and without the mana restraint, she could go see Daesik alone. The way she'd licked her lips at me before leaving? She was starving. Man or woman, whoever she met today was probably getting drained dry... Well, Laila's no fool; she won't kill anyone with exhaustion.
Honestly, with Hanbyeol and Iris both at work, I'd been hoping Laila might pounce on me once. The moment I'd sat down perfectly on that vibrating device at the prayer meeting, the pleasure had slammed into my head, knocking me out cold. I'd already been sleep-deprived and exhausted, and apparently, everyone felt bad later, saying I'd pushed myself too hard despite not feeling well. It was my own greed for money and extra thrills that made me do it, so I had no idea why they were apologizing—but fainting like that seemed to get me off the hook.
Instead, the unsatisfied lust lingered as a side effect, carrying over even after I woke from my nap. Every brush of the sheets against my hypersensitive skin raised goosebumps and made my breath hitch. My legs were bound to the bedposts, arms tied behind my back, buried between my back and the soft mattress—I couldn't do a thing. They could've at least left my body free and just leashed my neck. I'm not going anywhere anyway... With no way to cool my heating body, I let out quiet whimpers laced with moans.
By wriggling a little, rubbing against the sheets, the soft fabric caressed my skin. Thanks to Hanbyeol's habit of stripping me before bed, there were no clothes in the way. It felt good, but it was nowhere near enough to sate the boiling desire. Still, if I focused carefully on my nipples, slowly teasing... maybe I'd soak my panties, and the holy relic would take over? I was twisting my body to stimulate myself like that when the faint tingles started building. My body was heating up, sending signals, and my panties—drinking in the juices from below—responded with their ridges.
"Hngh... haaah..."
To think I could indulge in pleasure just lying there, hands-free. Bound under the covers, unable to move much, I could only wiggle my toes as sweet moans escaped me. It was building. If nothing interrupted, I could reach climax without lifting a finger.
But something did.
Noise stirred outside the house. I paused my self-pleasure to listen, but the activated holy relic wouldn't stop on command.
"Lady Ivy? You there? Hanbyeol gave permission! Coming in!"
"Hngh, ah, no..."
The locked door clicked open. How long until they reached the bedroom? Waiting for my arousal to fade wasn't an option—better to finish quick and shut it down. I gave up holding back the pleasure. My mind raced, making it harder, but my sensitive body and pathetic pussy were primed; relax, and orgasm would hit.
Thank goodness? I barely regained my senses before the door opened, greeting them with unfocused eyes and a drowsy voice. My breathing was still ragged, though.
"Hello, everyone. Feeling better, I hope?"
"We're fine. Hanbyeol told us you're not well, so we came as representatives to avoid overwhelming you... but you look rough. Eaten yet?"
They weren't strangers. Davin, eyeing me worriedly; the holy knight who'd shielded me from a flying rock shard mid-raid yesterday; and the priest, the only one looking intimidated. At a glance, it seemed like a sick visit, but social life isn't that simple. Davin was probably here on guild alliance orders—to check if I was really too sick to be the festival's star. If it was just faking, this was pressure.
"Laila fed me before leaving. Please understand I can't get up like this."
"Stay put. Hanbyeol mentioned tying you down so you wouldn't wander... Wasn't a joke, huh."
"Ahaha. Could you maybe untie me a bit...?"
"Hanbyeol said absolutely not. Guess this is why."
Word's spreading everywhere: the priest tied up even at home. What would people think? Kinky family into bondage play? Or others treating me like livestock? They all pitied me, but as long as my reputation held, Hanbyeol's and Iris's would be trashed. How to play this...
"I get Hanbyeol's feelings. Remembering when you grabbed aggro as raid leader—clothes burning, orders flying, rock incoming, but you wouldn't budge to cast heals. I'd have been badly hurt if I hadn't blocked it."
Orders are orders, and I hadn't dodged the rock because I missed it—too focused elsewhere.
"Hanbyeol tying you like this? Probably to stop you dragging your sick body out to meet guild leaders' demands. I understand her. Folks who've died and revived need rest too—no need to force a festival..."
My conscience pricked, but if they misunderstood like this, Hanbyeol, Iris, and I could dodge reputation ruin.
"You fought so hard while we fled... Shameful. But we heard you spoke up for us at the raid report, so no harsh punishments. How can we repay you..."
The timid priest—one of the deserters, apparently—lifted a fruit basket and set it on the table.
"It's modest—we pooled money for a get-well gift. Fruit's pricey here. No raid payout yet, so cash is tight; this was our limit. Payout's excluded from shares anyway, but once we earn, we'll thank you properly..."
"It's fine. I didn't do much. What punishments did you get...?"
"They considered guild expulsion. Ended up excluded from payouts and banned from guild raids. We figured we're no good at real combat anyway—unlike the game—so switching to life skills. We all have jobs back home."
"I see."
No executions was good, but expulsion meant no livelihood—daunting all the same. They could scrape by if forced, but for world-newbies, losing their foothold? Pitch black ahead. "Punishment" was really preventing more incidents. Best outcome for guild and them.
"Eat this and rest. Everyone's worried."
"Ah, the blanket..."
Whether to feed me fruit or not, the holy knight plunged a hand under the covers to prop up my back. Gloves on—couldn't tell bare skin from clothes? As he sat me up, the blanket slipped from my shoulders. Naturally, my bound arms and the rope knotted between my breasts were exposed to all three.
Arms behind, no way to cover— I drew up my knees, hunching to hide my nipples at least.
Silence hung. Holy knight and priest stiffened, then bowed heads hastily. Only Davin grinned at my chest, burning my face.
"Sorry! Didn't expect you naked..."
The holy knight bowed repeatedly, flustered.
"It's fine. I sleep without clothes... Just drape the blanket, please?"
"Yes."
Not intentional, so no anger. Nude in bed? Not just me. Should be okay. Davin's intrigued gaze prickled, but the blanket to my neck helped. Back felt chilly sitting up, but whatever—they weren't checking there.
My messy hair settled with a shake. Bangs tried veiling my face, but Davin tucked them behind my ear.
"Feverish? Face still red."
Fine after fixing hair, but she pressed her palm to my forehead, "checking temp." If she realized it was blush, not fever—faking illness exposed. I pulled back slightly.
"Rest will fix it. Thanks for worrying."
But Davin smiled deeper, pressing on.
"Lady Ivy's sweat smells so sweet. But this damp? Definitely feverish..."
Just that touch, and she knew I was faking. Sensing retreat would spoil fun, I froze under her hand. She caressed my cheeks and ears softly, voice pitying.
"High fever. Paris, OksooHealSlayer—looks like we're disturbing her rest. I stay to nurse; you two go. Crowds aren't good for the sick."
"Makes sense, but you?"
"I'll handle caregiving."
Using my "not sick" as excuse to demand something, staying. What? Tension spiked, but showing nerves to others would blow it. I smiled weakly.
"Thanks for visiting. Safe travels."
"Rest well, Lady Ivy."
Room quieted. Face flushed, Davin slowly pulled down the blanket, gripped my shoulders, laid me back. Still hot from earlier, but no desire to tumble with just anyone—I refused in a trembling voice.
"Davin... you can't..."
"Heh, why? We had fun last time. What were you doing before we came?"
"...Just lying here."
"Sniiff, haa. With a scent this thick?"
"..."
Terror crept as she buried her nose in my nape, inhaling deeply. Going to pounce? We'd rolled briefly when Laila harvested her energy before, but no real interest now. Not dating, and this time? No excuses.
Body shivered at the thought. This slutty flesh—I made it, but resented it now. Trembling faintly, I asked in a quivering voice.
"What do you want...?"
"Haha, wasn't gonna tease, but you're too cute. No shame—everyone masturbates. Curious how you did it tied up, though. Body all hot, can't finish, frustrated... then we show?"
"..."
Her cheery words surged shame; tears welled unbidden. Even my sniffling didn't wipe her grin.
"Aw, crying. Mmm, truth is, I came as rep 'cause I have a request."
"...What?"
"Laila? That succubus—arrange a fuck day? Too good last time; can't satisfy with my girlfriend now."
Relief she didn't want me, mixed with odd disappointment. Shoulders slumped in ease; she added,
"If she's busy, fine—just pass it on. Hard to meet. Rotation's once a week, but raids like yesterday or other stuff push it. So enjoy early when possible. Fantasy world's got that romance."
"...Got it. I'll ask."
"Thanks. Hehe, then I'll forget today's cute Ivy..."
Grinning, she raised a hand, curling middle and ring fingers halfway.
"Too bad you didn't cum? I could help. Girlfriend's adapting my body—used to this now. Could handle a succubus."
I had cum, holy relic's help. But her healthy beauty... honestly tempted. Hesitating, not refusing outright, she grinned, flipping the blanket.
"Just lie back and leave it to me."
"...Be gentle."
Eyes blinded by lust, I looked down shyly and whispered.