Lilia's Urgent Visit (1)
At that very moment, the door to the atelier swung open, and someone rushed in.
"Lord Yulian!!"
A golden-haired woman in a nun's habit. The empire's third princess, whose bountiful breasts swayed with every step she took.
Lilia hurried toward me.
"Princess Lilia. Please, come in."
As I rose to offer the proper courtesy due to royalty, she raised a hand to stop me. She must have run all the way here—her breathing was ragged.
"Eirin. Bring us two cups of tea."
"Yes, young master."
"Oh my. It's been a while, Eirin. I hope you've been well?"
"Yes, Princess Lilia. Of course."
Eirin replied with a radiant smile. Smiles were exchanged, but their eyes were sharp as daggers.
Pretending not to notice, I guided Lilia to her seat.
"You should sit first."
I gestured to the sofa across from mine in the reception area. But Lilia plopped down right beside me, pressing close.
"No need. It's been so long since I've seen you, Lord Yulian. I want to feel you as close as possible. That's why I rushed here like this!"
Lilia seized both my hands in hers. It wasn't an act—her face glistened with a light sheen of sweat from her haste.
And so, Lilia's usual fragrance of sweet flowers mingled with a faint, intoxicating feminine musk that wafted toward me.
"Oh dear. I worked up a sweat rushing over!"
Lilia quickly enveloped herself in divine power, evaporating the perspiration. I felt a pang of regret but didn't show it.
I asked her casually, "So, to what do I owe the pleasure, Princess Lilia?"
Still clutching my hands, Lilia pouted for a moment.
"What do you mean, 'to what do I owe'? Don't say such hurtful things. I'm your fiancée, Lord Yulian. I can visit whenever I want. Isn't that right?"
She glanced subtly at Eirin behind me. I soothed Lilia's mood first.
"You're absolutely right. You can come to me anytime you wish, Princess."
"Really? It's something I've always wanted to say. I held back, worried you might not like it... But you feel the same! That burning desire to see each other whenever we want!"
Lilia gripped my hands tighter, then began caressing them with a rapturous expression.
"Ahh... Lord Yulian's... such large, magnificent... strong hands..."
Her benevolent, puppy-like innocence flushed red in an instant.
Lilia's hand fetish. It had only been a week apart, but it seemed she'd struggled to endure it.
Thud.
Right then, Eirin set the tea down on the table in front of the sofa.
"Your tea."
Normally, Eirin would place it down so silently not even a whisper could be heard. But that distinct thud just now...
She must have found it hard to watch Lilia's brazen display of affection. Her face, though, wore an impeccably bright smile, betraying nothing.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Oh, Eirin, you can stay."
"No, I mustn't disturb your time together."
"Very well, then."
The sudden chill in their gazes sent a shiver down my spine.
I nodded to Eirin as our eyes met, and she headed for the door. Staying would only mean watching Lilia's deliberate provocations. A wise choice.
I turned to Lilia. "So, Princess Lilia, what did you wish to discuss?"
Her expression shifted to one of surprise.
"How did you know I had something to say?"
Of course, I'd known from Demon Lord Slayer that she'd visit at this exact moment. But I smiled calmly.
"I can read your heart from your face alone."
Lilia blushed deeply, unable to hide her delight.
"...So you'll really attend His Majesty's birthday banquet?"
"Yes."
"I'm so happy! It'll be our first official appearance together as fiancée and fiancé!"
"It should have happened sooner. I'm sorry for neglecting my duties as your betrothed."
"Not at all! Now we can dispel those silly rumors about us. It's the perfect opportunity!"
I chatted with Lilia for a bit. As expected, she'd come to discuss the major event next weekend.
The emperor's birthday. The grand banquet for her half-brother's special day.
Though called a princess, Lilia's official title was former imperial princess.
The current emperor had no heirs, and since Lilia was unmarried, custom kept her old title.
Of all people, that emperor.
Last year's year-end imperial ball. The body I'd inherited had committed a grave blunder against him. But the emperor's role in Demon Lord Slayer wasn't major.
A figurehead emperor in name only, a puppet dancing to Cardinal Grius's strings—the true power behind the empire.
And Lilia's half-brother, no less.
He'd perish amid the chaos of Demon Lord Slayer Part 2, his final moments glossed over in text rather than an illustration.
But this birthday banquet mattered. My actions here could sway future events dramatically.
The emperor still harbors a grudge against me.
Humiliating him before the nobles? Inevitable.
If I weren't the margrave's sole heir, I wouldn't stroll the capital so freely. And Lilia would have defended me fiercely.
Still, I could turn that grudge to my advantage. There were rewards only the emperor could grant.
"And Princess Lilia, I'll attend not just as your fiancé, but as an envoy for Essemont territory."
"Really? As Lord Wilhelm's sole heir, you more than qualify—His Majesty will be thrilled."
Lilia would be happier than the emperor. She'd witness her fiancé representing the grand duke.
Behind that benevolent facade lurked grand ambitions. Undeniable.
"We've prepared a fitting gift for His Majesty from Essemont. You can look forward to it."
"Of course. I trust you completely, Lord Yulian."
Lilia squeezed my hand again, her eyes sparkling. Then she noticed something on my cadet uniform and brushed it lightly.
"Oh my. This is..."
It was my insignia. Lilia was also a Golden Wings reserve squad member. Though on a different date, she'd undergone the combat evaluation too. She'd heard the rumors.
"The other representatives from the Golden order: Lady Chloe of House Aiterne, and the witch named Rozette? I heard you three made quite the splash."
Lilia gazed at me proudly, then absentmindedly stroked my hair.
"My pride and joy... my darling... no, my Lord Yulian. As expected, you're incredible."
Even I, hardened against women, nearly stopped breathing under that affectionate gaze. Then Lilia guided my hand to her solar plexus.
"And, embarrassingly... I received one too."
A rosario hung around Lilia's neck. Just as Golden Wings combatants received insignias, top support squad cadets got special rewards.
"I heard from squad HQ. You took first among support squad members, Princess Lilia..."
"I wasn't boasting, but yes. Hehe. That makes us the top couple, doesn't it?"
Lilia beamed with satisfaction. As expected, her healing skills were exceptional—on par with Rozette or Chloe.
No, as a saintess candidate, her potential outshone them as the greater heroine.
But compared to that...
Lucia came to mind. The combat order cadet who'd lead damage in the nest raid party.
Yet in Roia training, Lucia hadn't reached 3rd tier.
She was progressing fast since I recommended internal sword arts, though.
That's why the emperor's reward is key.
And Roia's trial, starting within 30 days—I'd bring Lucia. I'd use the reward to accelerate her growth.
"Lord Yulian? What's wrong?"
Lilia tilted her head at my silence.
"Nothing. Just lost in thought..."
"You weren't thinking of another woman with your fiancée right here, were you?"
Caught off guard, I saw her stern expression. Her words cut deep, so I smiled and denied it.
"Of course not."
I had been thinking of another woman—Lucia. A lie. As guilt pricked me, I nearly pulled my hand from her rosario-covered solar plexus.
But Lilia grabbed it tightly.
"Hmph. Suspicious. With your fiancée before you... what could you have been thinking?"
She pressed me.
"Swear on this rosario. That it wasn't another woman."
Lilia's clear blue eyes, usually so gentle, burned with seriousness.
Then, in a flash, her puppy-like face returned.
"Hehe. Just kidding. A joke. Whatever you're thinking, I, Lilia, can accept it all."
She slyly slid my hand from her solar plexus up to her breasts.
"But if possible... when you're with me, think only of me. I get greedy sometimes."
It was midday at the Pantheon, so Lilia wore her full nun's habit.
But even that couldn't hide the voluptuous swell of her breasts. Ignoring the softness under my palm, I replied.
"Naturally. You're my fiancée—that's no mere greed."
Just the expected words from a betrothed. But they stirred her more than anticipated.
"Really? Then Lilia is thrilled. Ahh..."
Her face lit up, that gentle expression gradually turning lewd. She subtly maneuvered my hand on her breast.
"Ahh... ha... Lord Yulian's hand... every time this hand touches me, I feel so good..."
She was using my hand as she pleased, not me touching her. I let it slide.
Savoring the sensation of my hand on her ample chest, Lilia suddenly quieted and gazed deeply at me.
"Hoo... ahh..."
She pressed even closer and closed her eyes. No eunuch could miss what she wanted.
She wants a kiss.
To spare her embarrassment, I brought my lips to hers first.
Sure enough, as my tongue tip parted her lips, hers darted out eagerly.
"Mmm... slurp... nngh..."
Our saliva-slick tongues tangled wetly in her mouth.
A week apart, and her desperation showed—this kiss brimmed with pent-up longing.
I steadied her frantic tongue with gentle pressure, slowing the pace to build deeper intensity.
And my left hand, already on her breast—I caressed it lightly.
"Nnghh..."
Her nipple hardened beneath the fabric, accompanied by a breathy moan laced with nasal whimpers.