The Madwoman's Invitation (14)
"I like you. I want to do it with you too."
"Do what?"
I asked in bewilderment. I knew exactly what she meant. But the fact that Francois was the one saying it left me utterly flustered.
While I hesitated, Francois drew closer. As she approached, a heavy wave of rich rose perfume washed over me.
"Ever since coming to the inn, I've been happy. Just being able to cook. Just living with you and the others. But... wouldn't it be fine to be a little more happy?"
"Sure. But that's..."
"I want to be even happier. Until now, I've just been quietly enduring it, like those five years in the lord's castle. But after hearing what you said, I made up my mind. I have to seize what I want myself."
Francois gazed at me as she slowly undid the front buttons of the black dress she still wore.
"The inn's empty except for us. The kids won't be back for hours. So..."
"Doing it with me will make you happy?"
"Yes. I think so. I've passed my prime... and if the man I give myself to is you... I'll be happy."
The dress, now fully unbuttoned, slipped down the delicate lines of Francois's shoulders. The noble body of an aristocrat I'd never seen before was laid bare before my eyes. Long limbs stretched from her tall frame, full breasts, hips curving out in gentle swells. Francois's form was dignified, elegant, and pure.
"You... were a noble from birth, weren't you..."
Enraptured by those beautiful lines, I reached out without thinking and wrapped my arms around her shoulders.
"Bertrand. If it's a burden, we don't have to. I won't be hurt if you refuse. I won't try to possess you."
"No. Why would I refuse? Come closer."
Francois let me pull her in, her arms wrapping around my waist.
"Bertrand. My master. I like you. So much."
Looking up at me, Francois stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips to mine. That brief touch ignited us both; our lips and tongues mashed and tangled fiercely.
In the temple of Rosens, Ukun jolted awake from his doze, using Celereja the saintess's low, slow prayer chant as a lullaby. He'd dreamed of slipping in the mine and falling into the furnace.
"Damn it... still not done?"
Marim shot him a glare and whispered harshly.
"Be quiet. You're snoring through the prayer. What's wrong with you, old man?"
"Fuck. Hours of just praying—how's anyone supposed to stay awake? That damn king has nothing to do with me."
"Sigh."
Marim clicked her tongue, clasped her hands, closed her eyes, and soon nodded off with her head drooping.
"Look at that... pointy-eared bitch bosses me around but..."
Ukun glanced around. The black mage with the massive tits was drooling in her sleep, the pretty blonde was diligently praying. The horned demon... was sitting cross-legged, picking her ear. The chair was uncomfortable, and lunch had been just one dry hunk of bread from the temple. For a hot-tempered dwarf, holding out this long was a miracle.
"Fuck this. Need a beer."
Finally, Ukun jumped down from his chair, kicked open the temple door, and stormed out.
Ukun hustled back to the inn on his short legs, rain pelting him. He paused in the yard to play with Kali a bit. Kali was a massive hunting dog; standing on hind legs, his front paws reached Ukun's crown. The strong dwarf hoisted Kali overhead like swinging a hammer and spun him around.
"Hahaha! Fun, right?!"
"Woof..."
Set down, Kali staggered dizzily, then slunk away from Ukun toward the house.
"Looks like Balder and the head chef ain't back yet."
Muttering as he crossed the dark inn hall, Ukun dragged a chair over, climbed up, and pulled a small keg from behind the bar.
"Heh... throat was killin' me..."
Tucking the keg under his arm, Ukun grinned and climbed the stairs. Heading to his room on this floor, he suddenly froze, ears perking.
His hand went to his hammer at the sounds from the third floor.
"Thieves?!"
Dwarves had sharp ears, so Ukun quickly figured it out.
"Kyaa! Master! Face-to-face is embarrassing..!"
"Gonna keep doing it doggy-style then? Thought you were a noble—turns out you're a total beast."
"Yes! I'm a beast! Abuse this lowly slut!"
Ukun's hand paused on his hammer head. He scratched his neatly trimmed beard with thick fingers, deep in thought.
Sounds like bitches gettin' it on... but who's with who?
The intense noises kept coming.
"Hya! Hyaaa!"
"Whoa. Floor's a puddle. Don't go tellin' anyone you're a noble. Gonna make the others clean this up."
"Ahh... no... I'll... clean it... I'll scrub it spotless right now..."
"Then hurry."
"Y-yes... wait! If you do it like this...! Kyaaa!"
Ukun stopped scratching his chin and opened his room door. Balder and the head chef, huh. No big deal. Young folks are full of vigor. He chuckled and slammed the door shut.
When the wall clock's bird chimed seven, I opened my eyes. I was alone in bed. No sign of Francois.
Memorial prayer should be wrapping up soon... Better head down and cook somethin' for the kids. They'll be starving after just dry bread for lunch.
I picked up the neatly folded clothes from the desk—probably Francois's doing—and dressed.
Down on the first floor, light spilling from the kitchen faintly lit the dark hall.
Francois?
I entered the kitchen. Francois, apron-clad, stood pondering a pile of ingredients.
"Francois. What's up?"
"Awake? I was prepping dinner early, but without Pele, I can't cook."
"Ah... yeah. Guess we wait then... Huh?!"
I blinked in shock. No mistake. Francois wore nothing but the apron, her bare body exposed.
"Weird...? I tried it on to show you when you woke..."
She mumbled, lacking confidence. I strode toward her silently.
"Bertrand... if it looks off, I'll go put clothes on..."
I grabbed her shoulders and turned her around. She braced her hands on the counter, head whipping back in panic.
"Th-this is the kitchen... kids'll be back soon...!"
"Got an hour left."
"Hng..."
The clock chimed eight.
"Master... kids are really coming soon..."
Francois gasped out, forehead pressed to the counter, body rocking.
"Just a bit more."
"Masteeer..."
Suddenly, the inn door burst open amid a clamor.
"Ugh! Finally over! My back's killing me!"
"Hehe... you slept the whole time..."
"Idi sis, you were drooling all over your tits? Look, saliva stains everywhere."
"Eek... don't poke..."
At the employees' voices, Francois and I froze. Cold sweat beaded on her smooth back, making it glisten.
"Pull out... quick...!"
I withdrew; she straightened, twisting awkwardly. The apron barely covered her—anyone would see something was off.
"Kitchen light's on. Boss and Francois must be back."
Della's footsteps approached. Before I could act, Francois dashed to hide by the door, peeking out.
"You're back. Prayer done?"
"Francois. When'd you get here? Where's master?"
"Uh... Balder's out briefly... prepping dinner, so go wash up first."
Ass to me, head out, she chatted with the staff. Staring at that pale, glossy ass made it hard to stay still.
"I'll release the preservation ritual."
"Eh...? No! Wash hands first? Temple was crowded... Hyah?!"
Unable to hold back, my sudden move made her clap a hand over her mouth. Her moan drew worried calls from the hall.
"You okay?"
"N-no... it's nothing... Hup...! Go wash...!"
"Preservation first..."
"Later!!"
Pele froze at Francois's uncharacteristic snap.
"S-sorry... hng... wash first... then... uk...! Do it..."
Stunned by her reactions, the staff headed upstairs speechless.
Once gone, Francois gripped the doorframe, biting her lip to stifle moans.
"Hup... eep..."
Soon, I peaked and finished. Francois trembled, head bowed, clinging to the frame.
She whispered softly.
"Bertrand..."