Chapter 121: The Growing Guard (11)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 121: The Growing Guard (11)
Rainie’s day began earlier than most. It was a habit forged during her time performing her duties as Vice Commander, when she couldn't find time to train during the day.
That ingrained lifestyle pattern forced her awake early even while on vacation. Today, she felt particularly refreshed, knowing she had to teach a disciple who had finally awakened his Aura.
“Hum~ hum-hum~”
Feeling lighthearted, she hummed a little tune. It was a hobby she was too embarrassed to show anyone else.
As she started her shower, her humming grew louder. Lost in a moment of self-absorption, Rainie glanced in the mirror and caught sight of her own lush breasts.
No matter how many times she saw them, they made her feel shy. Their shape was magnificent, but weren't the tips just too unusual? The way her nipples had changed since the onset of puberty had nearly become a trauma for her.
If not for her childhood friend and the world’s most reliable maid, Rebecca, telling her it was fine, the insecurity would have left an unhealable scar on her heart.
‘And yet, he called them pretty...’
Thinking about it again, he really was a cheeky disciple. He had been arrogant enough to dare touch his master’s breasts, but to look at those loathsome nipples and lie about them being pretty?
She had even fallen for his sweet talk and surrendered her lips. Rainie unconsciously traced her fingers over her mouth. The lips of a man, which she had experienced for the first time in her life, were thick and softer than she had expected.
His technique was also superb. Every time he rubbed his lips against hers, her mind went blank, leaving her unable to resist. It was a sensation Rainie—who never shrank back even when facing the most powerful foes—was experiencing for the very first time.
‘It wasn't supposed to feel like this...’
Rainie tried to recreate the sensation of the kiss before snapping back to her senses. She splashed her face with cold water, but the woman in the mirror was wearing an expression far too embarrassing to show anyone else.
Even her nipples had made an appearance. If they were always like this, she wouldn't have been so ashamed; she wondered why they were acting up only now.
This was all that cheeky disciple’s fault. Because he had introduced her to a pleasure incomparable to the occasional masturbation she indulged in, her body had turned strange.
‘It didn't feel like that when I touched myself.’
How did he do it? Rainie lifted one breast with one hand and teased the nipple with the other. She pinched it between her fingers and rolled it, then poked it with her nail, but something was missing.
It was likely because it wasn't a man’s broad, firm hand. Eventually, Rainie gave up on trying to recreate the sensation of his touch. As she ended the brief act, a sense of self-loathing washed over her.
‘To waste precious training time doing something like this. What on earth am I doing?’
Still, what if she tried just one more time? Rainie immediately fought off the temptation that flickered through her mind. It was truly a display of knightly self-control.
When she finished washing and stepped out, she saw Rebecca.
“Rebecca? I didn't call for you, so why are you in here?”
“You usually finish your bath by this time, but since you were late, I came in. You didn't dry your hair properly again.”
“You’re going to dry it for me anyway, aren't you? This works out. I couldn't pay much attention to it yesterday since you weren't around. Please make it look pretty today.”
“Make it look pretty? You always ask me to tie it back comfortably, so I’m not sure what’s gotten into you to ask for it to be pretty today.”
Rainie jumped in surprise and tapped her own mouth.
‘I must be crazy. Why am I saying unnecessary things?’
This, too, was the cheeky disciple’s fault.
“If I show any weakness, won't my disciple look down on me? It is to maintain my dignity as a master.”
Rainie brushed it off with a vague excuse and sat before the vanity. Not wanting to hear Rebecca’s teasing, she squeezed her eyes shut and ignored her.
Because of that, she failed to notice that Rebecca’s gait was strange. Rebecca tottered like someone with injured legs as she picked up the hair dryer.
“Your hair is as wonderful as ever. It makes the effort of maintaining it worthwhile.”
“Yes. It is all thanks to you.”
She’s not teasing me. As expected of the paragon of maids. Relieved, Rainie opened her eyes and noticed that Rebecca’s face in the mirror looked different than usual.
The faint dark circles under her eyes made her look tired, but paradoxically, her eyes were full of life. Her skin also had a glow that was hard to believe for someone who was exhausted.
“Did you eat something good?”
“My condition has improved a lot thanks to resting yesterday.”
“I see. That’s good. Didn't I always tell you it would be better to rest? Now that you know the importance of rest, make sure to take a break every now and then.”
She said it knowing Rebecca would refuse. Rebecca was stubborn in strange ways and never listened to orders to rest.
However, today’s Rebecca was different.
“Perhaps once in a while would be fine.”
“??? Are you the Rebecca I know?”
“Is something the matter?”
Her tone was stiff, so it seemed to be her. Rainie decided to test her.
“No. Isn't it good that you’ve had a change of heart? While we’re at it, would you like to speak comfortably with me like we used to?”
“Please withdraw that request. It is a favor I dare not accept.”
It was definitely Rebecca. Relieved, Rainie entrusted her body to the maid’s hands. Unlike usual, Rebecca didn't stop at drying her hair but even applied light makeup, yet Rainie didn't feel like stopping her.
It was a good thing to become prettier. She didn't know why it was good, but she felt that way. As Rainie continued to deceive her own heart, Rebecca spoke.
“Oh, by the way. Lord Sma is waiting at the door.”
“Wha-wha-wha, what? Why are you only telling me that now!”
“Because the most important person to me is my mistress.”
That mistress had told her not to say anything because he wanted to see Rainie in a disheveled state. Having forgotten her duties as a maid to writhe beneath him, Rebecca followed her master’s orders even more thoroughly than usual.
“That’s enough makeup! My clothes! Bring me my clothes!”
“The makeup isn't finished yet, is that alright?”
“It’s fi—”
Thinking it over, a master could afford to keep a disciple waiting a little. Showing a half-finished face would diminish her dignity, but wouldn't it enhance her prestige if she walked out calmly and said, ‘To wait for your master... how truly commendable of you’?
“It would be rude to keep him waiting too long, so finish up quickly.”
“Understood.”
Rebecca finished the makeup in ten minutes and even managed to find the best set of training clothes for her to wear. As the prepared Rainie was about to head out, Rebecca spoke to her.
“Lady Rainie. About that favor you mentioned yesterday.”
“Ah, yes. I do want to use it. I didn't expect to use it so soon. Tell me whatever it is.”
“Do you plan on making a bet with Lord Sma today as well?”
Rainie tilted her head. Why was her maid asking such a question? Could it be that she had found out about her allowing the disciple to touch her breasts and even steal her first kiss yesterday?
Was she going to scold her for being loose with her body? Rainie swallowed hard.
“Why do you ask?”
“When you made a bet with Lord Sma, and when Lord Sma awakened his Aura, you seemed happier than usual, Lady Rainie. Haven't you been under a lot of stress lately due to the war preparations? It would be a good thing if you could relieve that stress through a light bet with your disciple. If possible, I would like you to do so today as well.”
“Even if I have to grant a favor like that?”
“A favor? What do you mean?”
Rainie realized her slip-up. Since it happened when only she and Sma were present, Rebecca didn't know. It was a thoughtful idea, but she was afraid of what might happen if she lost the bet again.
Yes. Her heart was pounding because she was afraid. It was absolutely not a feeling like excitement.
“I understand. Then I shall head to the training ground with my disciple, so please prepare things there.”
“Understood.”
Rainie took a deep breath and grabbed the doorknob. Her disciple was just beyond this door. When she opened it, the disciple, looking more handsome than usual, greeted her.
“Good morning, Master.”
“Kh...!”
Rainie reflexively averted her gaze. The disciple’s smile was so dazzling she couldn't bear to look at it. Thinking about how this man had touched her breasts made it difficult to maintain her composure.
‘Get a grip. Sma is Rena’s boyfriend.’
Rainie desperately tried to steady her heart and look at Sma.
“Master?”
But the moment she met his worried gaze, her resolve crumbled. His low baritone voice seemed to melt her eardrums. If she stayed like this, the cheeky disciple would become overconfident.
“Quiet!”
“Pardon?”
“It’s already late. Hurry up and get to the training ground.”
Rainie walked out briskly, afraid of what her disciple might say.
“I mean... Master was the one who was late...”
The disciple grumbled but followed her well. As they passed the room where the disciple was staying, a strange scent wafted out.
‘I should tell Rebecca to manage the maids better.’
To be so negligent with the cleaning. Surely a new recruit had been slacking off. The dawn training proceeded without a hitch. Rainie stared intently at her disciple’s face as he circulated his Aura Cultivation Method.
‘The more I look at him, the more handsome he is. He wasn't like this until yesterday. Is it because he awakened his Aura? Aura maintains a person’s body in its peak condition.’
Thanks to Rena skipping the dawn training due to feeling unwell, there was plenty of time to admire him. Normally, she would have scolded her and dragged her out, but she didn't.
It stemmed from a desire to spend time alone with him, but Rainie desperately ignored her true feelings.
After breakfast, during the next session of instruction, Rainie recalled the head maid’s words. Had she asked if she would make a bet today as well?
‘It is a request from a maid who worries for her mistress, so I should grant it.’
It was absolutely not because she had other intentions. Rainie spoke to her disciple, who was holding a live blade.
“Since this is your first sparring match after awakening your Aura, how about we make a bet? I will give it my all, so you must also use your Aura to the fullest to... leave a mark on me.”
“Is the reward a Wish Ticket like yesterday?”
Just hearing the word 'wish' made her chest tighten. Rainie replied while trying her best not to let it show.
“If that is what it takes to increase your motivation... then so be it.”
"Great. I'll have to make sure I win, then."
Rainie’s heart began to race like crazy.