Chapter 33: The Female Knight’s Counterattack (6)
Chapter 33: The Female Knight’s Counterattack (6)
Hmm... Grace was taking quite a while in the bath.
Having spent the last few days with her, I had naturally come to realize that she usually washed up rather quickly. Just as I was beginning to feel a bit restless...
Click.
I heard the door open behind me.
Grace emerged wearing a robe the same color as mine, her face slightly flushed. It seemed the heat of the bathroom had lingered on her skin. I tried my best not to stare, but...
I couldn't help but notice her captivating figure. Even wrapped in the robe, her ample breasts made their presence known, and the way they swayed with every step she took toward me was incredibly provocative.
Ugh... Get a grip.
Grace sat down demurely in the chair across the table from me. As she leaned forward to sit, the movement caused her breasts, hidden beneath the robe, to shift and bounce.
Wait, is she not wearing any underwear...?
I had been ignorant of the female anatomy until now, but after having sex with Yujin-noona early this morning, I had become somewhat accustomed to the sight of breasts in motion. No matter how I looked at it, it didn't seem like Grace was wearing a bra.
My mind became a whirlwind. As she sat so close to me, the fragrant scent of orchids wafted from her freshly washed skin.
"Han Shin-nim."
"O-oh! Ahem... Right. You said you had something to say? Go ahead, don't feel pressured."
I answered a bit too quickly, sounding like a man with a guilty conscience. Realizing I probably looked strange, I cleared my throat and looked at her. Grace didn't seem to notice my awkwardness; she simply stared at me with the same calm, steady gaze she always held.
"I believe it is time for a Level Up."
"Level Up? Ah..."
It was the one issue I had been intentionally pushing to the back of my mind. Hearing Grace bring it up left me speechless. My lips went dry, and I swallowed hard.
"I suppose we have to... but... Grace, are you okay with this?"
Grace had already explained how the Level Up process worked. It was a method involving the contact of mucous membranes to transfer bodily fluids. In short, I had to have sex with her.
To be honest, I had no reason to refuse. As a man, it would be strange to dislike the idea of having sex with a woman as beautiful as Grace.
But what weighed on me was...
The fact that after this morning, Yujin-noona and I were no longer just 'brother and sister'... and the fact that Grace might feel forced to have sex with someone like me just for the sake of a Level Up, regardless of her own feelings.
That was why I was being so cautious. Sensing my concern, Grace answered my question immediately.
"Yes, I am fine with it, Han Shin-nim."
Hmm... To be honest, it felt like she was only saying that because she was so dedicated to her duty of supporting me, regardless of her own will.
Though I had only been training under her and clearing dungeons with her for less than a week... I had felt firsthand just how incredible of a knight she was. I wondered if it was right for me to defile such a noble knight.
The words wouldn't come easily. Of course, the Level Up was essential for what lay ahead. Because of that, I was stuck in a state of indecision.
Sigh.
When I didn't answer and continued to hesitate, Grace spoke up again.
"Han Shin-nim. If I truly disliked the idea of having a relationship with you, I would not have brought it up first."
Was she saying that specifically to ease my mind? I felt ashamed. When I thought about it, how embarrassed must Grace be right now? She was the one who had effectively asked to have sex first...
By trying to act like a 'good guy' and avoiding the topic, I was actually being the pathetic one.
"I understand, Grace. I'm sorry. I should have been the one to say it first..."
"No, Han Shin-nim."
Since things had come to this, I decided to be more proactive. I stood up from my chair and approached her. Seeing this, Grace stood up as well.
"Grace, excuse me for a moment."
"Yes... Ah...!"
Asking for her permission, I slipped one hand under her thighs and supported her back, lifting her up. A week ago, such an action would have been a pipe dream—I would have been the one being carried—but now that my body was in better shape than most men, I lifted her easily.
It was a bit surprising. Grace was an incredibly powerful knight. Given her athletic abilities, I expected her to be heavy and muscular, but contrary to my preconceptions, her body felt incredibly soft. Whether it was because I had grown stronger or because she was naturally light, I was able to carry her to the bed without any effort at all.
The large circular bed Grace used in the Sanctuary was more than big enough for the two of us. As I gently laid her down, I finally noticed just how tense she was.
★ ★ ★
Just as Han Shin suspected, Grace was indeed feeling embarrassed deep down, even if her expression didn't change.
After secretly watching Han Shin and Kang Yujin have sex early that morning, she had resolved to find her own courage. That was why, when they finished clearing the dungeon today and their bodies were dirty, she had used the excuse of the room being messy to suggest they wash up at the Sanctuary.
When Han Shin accepted her proposal, a smile had naturally formed on her face, and her heart raced at the thought of her plan coming together.
Later, after clearing the final dungeon in the Goblin Village and returning to the Sanctuary, she had sent Han Shin into the bathroom first. While preparing a change of clothes for him, her face had flushed with the feeling of being like a wife to him.
Of course, Han Shin hadn't seen any of this. After leaving the clothes and towels for him, Grace had hidden herself and watched him in secret. She felt a strange mix of fear and anticipation, wondering if he would find it odd that she had only prepared a full-body robe and trunk underwear.
When Han Shin took the clothes and went inside without much of a reaction, she had pumped her fists and cheered silently.
And when it was her turn to wash up after he came out, she naturally took much longer than usual. Normally, she was the type to wash efficiently and quickly, much like a typical man. As a knight who had reached a state of physical perfection, her body didn't accumulate waste products and didn't age, so there was no reason for her to take long.
But this time was different. Grace never imagined a day would come when she would wash with such excitement and a pounding heart.
‘Is this how a bride feels before her wedding night?’
She washed with more care than ever before. Wanting to look beautiful for Han Shin, she even used orchid-scented bath salts and soaked in the tub for a long time.
Having finished all her preparations, Grace stepped outside. All she had to do now was tell him, but saying it directly was embarrassing. She hesitated for a moment, but since the Level Up was a necessity—and since Kang Yujin had already made the first move—she steeled her resolve, knowing she had to catch up.
Grace was afraid that Han Shin might reject her. She feared that since he had already had sex with Kang Yujin, she might not be attractive to him as a woman.
If Han Shin had known, he would have thought her worries were absurd. These fears were dispelled by the expression on Han Shin's face when he hesitated to answer. Grace realized that his shrinking, passive behavior wasn't because he disliked her, but because he was worried about her and didn't think highly enough of himself.
During their short time together, Grace had quickly noticed that Han Shin was the type whose emotions showed clearly on his face.
‘Because Han Shin-nim is worried about me...’
Knowing that the man she had feelings for was concerned for her made Grace feel inexplicably happy. She quickly told him that she didn't dislike the idea of having sex with him either.
She had said it that way because she couldn't bring herself to confess her love directly, but it was enough to make Han Shin take the lead.
When Han Shin stepped forward and lifted her up, Grace's heart thundered in her chest. She could feel her face burning. As she was held against his now-sturdy, muscular frame, she felt a sudden urge to lean on this man.
‘Can Han Shin-nim hear my heartbeat?’
In a strange state of mind where worry and anticipation coexisted, Grace unconsciously swallowed hard as she was carried in his arms and laid down upon her bed.