Pounding Heart
"Hmm..."
I lifted my heavy eyelids, and the familiar ceiling came into view. It was my room. Staring blankly out the window with my foggy mind, I saw that the sun had already set, leaving the sky pitch black.
What...? It's already night?
In that instant, memories of the day flooded back. The inn's first-floor hall. Me shaking my hips wildly on that hard table like a beast, howling as Sian pounded into me. It replayed vividly.
"Haa..."
Twice? No, three times? Bent over the table, I lost consciousness only after he'd ravaged me like an animal over and over. Overwhelmed by pleasure and domination I'd never known in my life, I'd abandoned reason, screamed, and blacked out.
"This is insane..."
I clutched my flushed face in shame.
Not like this.
I kicked off the blankets and scrambled to get up, but a dull ache shot through my waist and inner thighs, nearly making me cry out.
"Hnght!"
Only then did I take stock of my body. Instead of being sticky with sweat and semen, I was clean and dry. Neat underwear covered me, and cozy blankets enveloped me.
Did Sian... carry me up here after I passed out, wipe me down, and dress me?
Standing before the mirror with that thought, shame washed over me alongside a sharp tingle low in my belly. The man who'd thoroughly broken and claimed me had tenderly cleaned up after. My body heated up on its own.
But thinking of the inn snapped me back. I slapped my cheeks hard enough to sting, forcing myself to focus. I threw on my usual dress and tied my apron tight. My legs still wobbled, but I carefully descended the wooden stairs to the first floor.
Squeak, squeak.
Each step echoed the sounds from the table earlier, tugging sharply at my core.
The sign by the door read "Open," and a few guests ate in the hall. Sian lounged casually on a stool at the counter.
"..."
The moment I saw his broad back and calm profile, my heart pounded wildly. Thump, thump-thump. Like a schoolgirl facing her first crush, it felt like it might burst.
"Ah, you're up?"
Not the cold, rough tone from earlier, but his usual gentle voice.
"Auntie. Come here for a sec."
"Yes."
Not my usual What's up? or casual Sure. It slipped out obediently, like a dutiful wife answering her husband. Or a female tamed by his touch.
*
- Did that auntie just say "Yes"? I heard it right, yeah?
No matter how good our compatibility is, that sounded just like talking to her husband.
Hey, this resonance energy got some side effect or what?
- Uh... never seen this before. Usually heroes return the Holy Sword just fine.
Hey, be real—you said before that teaching those previous awkward heroes was a pain, right? None ever filled it to 100%!
- Er... yeah, past heroes mostly stuck to one woman they loved... never topped 50%.
Fuck. Figures.
From the moment I first gripped it, the Holy Sword felt worn. Turns out it was chronically unrestored junk from the start.
"Sian?"
I was about to grill Ria hard when Sis approached quietly and called my name from the counter.
We'll talk later.
I silenced Ria inwardly and turned to Sis. Side effect or not, my possessiveness toward her was mine to control.
"Sit here."
I pulled out an empty stool inside the counter. She sat demurely beside me, and I slipped a hand under to grasp her soft one.
"Sleep well?"
At my low murmur, she bowed her head and whispered softly.
"Yes..."
Again. Not her usual big-sis Yeah, slept great, but like a subordinate yielding to me.
It turned me on, but guests were eating. I stroked the back of her hand gently and whispered in her ear.
"Formal talk's awkward from you, Sis. Just do it when I want."
"Okay... got it."
Right then—
"Great meal!"
I released her hand and stood.
"Yes, 15 coppers."
"Aigoo, the inn's got a sturdy young lad helping out. Good work."
The guest left coins and headed out. Ding-a-ling.
Now just Sis and me in the hall. I tossed the coins in the drawer, then yanked her waist, seating her on my lap.
"Sis."
"Yeah.."
"Sell this inn and come to the capital with me?"
She jolted in my arms at the sudden proposal, then stiffened.
"No... what're you saying all of a sudden."
She gently pushed at my chest, avoiding my eyes.
"This place... it's what my late husband left me. And above all, it's Mari's home to return to after adventuring." Her trailing voice dripped guilt and confusion.
No rush, though. I leisurely stroked her bare thigh under her dress hem. Smooth, smooth.
Nothing clouds rational judgment like touch.
"Mari's an adventurer now. You know that, Sis. How long you think adventurers stick around a rural village like this?"
"Hng...!"
Her breath hitched at my touch.
"At best, six times a year. You gonna spend your life cleaning empty rooms, waiting endlessly for a daughter who might never show?"
"St-still..."
My hand left her thigh, kneading her full breasts over her apron.
"Hng...! Haa-ng..."
As I massaged pleasure into her, her eyes glazed helplessly. I nibbled her earlobe and pressed on.
"You've raised your daughter alone for ten years since your husband died. That's enough. You've done your part."
"Hnght... S-Sian... still... haa-ng...!"
"Now you can live easy by my side as a woman, Sis."
"Hnght... S-Sian... but how... Mari's dad's legacy... eek! Hng!"
I gripped harder, and she shuddered, twisting her hips. Melting under pleasure, she still shook her head stubbornly.
"Haa... no, Sian. Selling the inn... haat... right now is too... too sudden. J-just... eek, gimme time... to think... okay?"
Her pleading was adorable. I didn't push. Instead, I released her breasts and stroked her hair.
"Got it. Not forcing you to sell today. Take your time."
She sighed in relief, burying her face in my chest.
Of course she wouldn't agree right away.
A home she'd lived in over ten years, her dead husband's legacy. Agreeing with one word would be brainwashing, not persuasion.
Whatever. Doesn't matter.
She'd chosen me anyway. Any lingering guilt? I'd melt it away slowly, thickly, with pleasure.
A few days passed since Mari left the inn. Outwardly, life went on peacefully. But out of sight, it was different.
Sis was the prim, friendly innkeeper around guests. But under the counter, in the kitchen, storeroom, bathroom—every corner, she spread her legs and tongue for me.
That day too, after lunch rush emptied the hall, she sucked me off under the counter.
Slurp, slurp, schluuup... "Sian, feels good?"
"Feels great, Sis."
Ding-a-ling—
A local kid who ran errands often entered. He scanned the room, spotted me at the counter stool, and approached.
"Um... are you the mercenary Sian?"
"Yeah. What's up?"
Unlike his nervous face, he recited perfectly.
"Village chief said to tell you! Bandits who used to extort tolls on the forest path outside are back, blocking the road!"
"Bandits?"
"Yeah! Merchants are coming tomorrow. If the road's blocked, it'll hurt village trade. Chief begs you to teach 'em a lesson!"
"Huh. Chief's personal request, eh."
I rubbed my chin and nodded lightly. Merchants needed to arrive on time for inn business, and an official ask meant decent pay. Plus, good chance to stretch my legs.
I stood, straightened my clothes.
"Got it. Tell the chief I'll handle it quick."
I slipped a copper into the kid's hand. He bowed and dashed out.
"Sian, you heading out...?"
Sis emerged from under the counter, fixing her hair, eyes worried.
"Yeah, some punks blocking the road outside. Gotta clear 'em."
"But they're bandits. Be careful."
"Don't worry. Chasing off local thugs is nothing."
I pinched her cheek with a grin. She relaxed, smiling faintly and nodding.
"Yeah. Be safe. I'll make dinner tasty and wait."
"Looking forward to after dinner too."
Her face lit with mischievous anticipation at my tease. Adorable—I chuckled, then headed out without delay.
Hurry back and fill Sis up good.