The Night Deepens
Tonight, once again, I shared a bed with Carmel. The Queen's bed, far too spacious for a single occupant, was more than large enough to accommodate two people comfortably. Though, it was likely designed with purposes other than sleep in mind.
In that vast bed, Carmel and I lay side by side, each claiming opposite edges. From beside me, I could hear her breathing. It wasn't the rhythmic, steady breath of someone fast asleep. Did this mean she was still awake, or was her breathing merely erratic from the alcohol?
I whispered in a voice barely audible. "Mother... are you asleep?"
There was no answer. Only the same irregular breathing drifted over. Her breaths didn't sound as though she were conscious of my presence. In that case, she had to be asleep, right?
Bathed in the moonlight, Carmel's profile as she lay with her eyes closed, facing the ceiling, was so beautiful it felt almost illusory. If she just kept her mouth shut, she'd look exactly like a saint. I felt an involuntary urge to reach out and touch her.
And yet, Carmel lay there sleeping, entirely unaware of my gaze. It had been the same yesterday, and the days before that, but starting tonight, there was one crucial difference. In accordance with my command, she was wearing no underwear.
Perhaps to ensure a comfortable night's rest, her sash was loosely tied, and the collar of her gown gaped slightly open at her chest. The pale, flawless skin peeking through the gap constantly dragged my mind back to the events of this afternoon. Carmel's breasts, which I had savored to my heart's content with both mouth and hands... I could still vividly recall their exquisite texture and taste.
Ugh... I shouldn't. I have to hold back...
The commotion from today—well, technically yesterday now—was likely caused by this nightly test of my patience. Next time, things probably wouldn't blow over so easily. An unidentified, mysterious illness striking the first-in-line to the throne... it might even be treated as a national crisis.
I didn't want that to happen. If I were officially treated as a patient, my movements would be severely restricted, and Pehart or Filgret might completely lose their minds. Thinking about that, I knew I should turn over and try to sleep... but it was easier said than done. After all, Carmel, a literal embodiment of pure sensuality, was sleeping completely defenseless right beside me. I wanted to touch her. Beyond any schemes or plots, a fierce impulse surged from the deepest, most primal corner of my heart—an instinctive craving to knead and fondle that soft, pillowy body to my heart's content.
Struggling to suppress it, I rubbed my thighs together repeatedly. It didn't do much good since the fire had already been lit, but still. Yes, suppressing an urge this intense was bound to make anyone sick. If anything, releasing just a little bit of it might actually be better...
Just a little bit should be fine... Like an accidental brush in my sleep...
I quietly rolled over, pressing myself closer to Carmel. Even with her eyes closed, she surely would have felt it, yet there was no reaction. Was she truly fast asleep? Perhaps the exhaustion and stress of everything she went through today had taken their toll.
But Carmel knew very well that I desired her body. For her to sleep so defenselessly like this, without even wearing underwear... wasn't it practically an invitation? Of course, if Carmel heard me say that, she would probably leap up in sheer, indignant outrage.
Taking a deep breath, I inhaled the sweet scent hanging in the air around her, and then, as naturally as possible, draped my arm over her body. The moment we made contact, Carmel's breasts gently yielded against my arm, enveloping it in their soft warmth.
She still wasn't waking up? At this point, her lack of reaction was bordering on suspicious. Had Carmel, who was naturally cautious to a fault, ever slept this deeply before? Ah, right, she had been drinking. Judging by her bizarre drunken behavior earlier, her alcohol tolerance might be surprisingly low.
Once more, I whispered in a barely audible murmur. "Mother, if you don't answer, I'm going to ravish you all night long."
Though my volume was low, my tone carried the same firm, commanding edge I used during her training. If she had even a shred of consciousness, she would have reacted. Yet, Carmel didn't budge. At this point, I could safely assume she was completely out.
I slowly began to slide the arm resting on her chest. My target, of course, was the valley of her breasts, which lay invitingly open. It wasn't anything strange. Seeking comfort by fondling one's mother's breasts was a perfectly natural thing to do.
Just as I was basking in my quiet delight, Carmel shifted, turning her body toward me.
Ah...!
Caught completely off guard, I watched as Carmel's face suddenly drew incredibly close—so close our lips were nearly touching. What's more, she grabbed my arm herself and hugged it tightly against her cleavage.
M-my entire arm is buried in softness... No, wait, more importantly, was she actually awake this whole time?
Because she wasn't wearing any underwear, my arm was wedged directly between her bare breasts. The sensation, combined with the sight of Carmel's face filling my vision, made it difficult to think straight. Carmel's current action was flustering me far more than any counterattack she had ever attempted before.
To make matters worse, Carmel's lips parted, and she began to murmur my name.
"Sera..."
My heart pounded so loudly I could hear it echoing in my own ears. My mind was in utter chaos, struggling to process the visual of Carmel's face and the overwhelming sensation of the plush softness enveloping my arm. I no longer had the mental capacity to properly assess the situation and react.
"Y-yes? M-Mother...?"
Drawing in a soft, quiet breath, Carmel spoke in a voice entirely devoid of malice.
"I'm going to kill you..."
And with that, she fell silent. No other words followed. W-was that a sleep-talk? Slowly, my cognitive faculties began to return. Come to think of it, there was no reason to panic. Recalling my foolishly flustered voice from a moment ago made me feel a bit embarrassed. Well, if it was just sleep-talking, it's not like anyone else was around to hear it anyway.
My wildly racing heart gradually settled back to a steady rhythm. When I thought about it, this situation was actually incredibly satisfying. Right before my eyes was Carmel's face, so close we were practically sharing the same breath. Furthermore, my arm was firmly wedged between her breasts, treated to a blissful smear of sensations every time she shifted.
While the stimulation was a bit more intense than I had originally intended, I certainly had no complaints. Perhaps because my mental energy had been momentarily diverted, the overwhelming urge that had threatened to paralyze my brain had finally subsided. Now, I felt like I could fall asleep perfectly content—provided I enjoyed this blissful state for just a little while longer.
In the end, I had to admit once again that Carmel's greatest weapon was neither her schemes nor her magic, but her sheer beauty. Wait, though... what on earth is she doing in her dream?
Carmel's expression was incredibly peaceful. It was hard to tell in the darkness, but the corners of her mouth seemed to be curved into a very faint smile. Was she perhaps dreaming of getting her revenge on me for everything that had happened? Judging by her sleep-talking, that seemed highly likely. So she was wearing such a serene expression while killing me, or doing something equivalent, in her dream?
Oh... is that how it is...?
Even as I vigorously kneaded both of Carmel's breasts several times out of spite, she didn't wake up. Though she did let out a few rather lewd, quiet groans.
"U-um, Your Majesty... are you feeling unwell anywhere...?"
The next day, a maid asked cautiously, keeping a close eye on Carmel as she helped her dress. It was likely because Carmel was grimacing far more than usual today, especially whenever her bodice was tightened around her chest.
Carmel glared fiercely at the poor maid for a moment before speaking.
"...My chest is throbbing."
"I-I am terribly sorry! Shall I loosen it further? O-or should I call for a physician?"
"No... there is no need for that."
Normally, she would have taken all her frustration out on the helpless maid, but she refrained this time. Carmel herself likely had a faint inkling of what was causing the pain. Which was undoubtedly why she was shooting such suspicious, glaring looks at me instead of the maid.
Wearing an angelic smile as if I knew absolutely nothing, I spoke up.
"Perhaps it simply means your new health regimen is working? Fret not, you looked incredibly peaceful while you slept."
Carmel looked down at her own chest as if searching for some kind of evidence. Of course, there wouldn't be any handprints left behind—even though I had fondled them relentlessly.
"...Just you wait..."
In the end, Carmel could only mutter a resentful threat under her breath.
The morning flew by in an instant as I lost myself in a novel. Not long after a light lunch, a maid entered and addressed me.
"Um, Princess. Her Majesty the Queen intends to host a tea party here shortly."
"A tea party?"
"Yes. It seems to have been decided on a whim... and other young noble ladies are expected to attend as well."
No matter how leniently Pehart was treating me, I was still technically undergoing punishment. I was strictly forbidden from meeting anyone from the outside. Carmel couldn't possibly be ignorant of that fact... but regardless, dealing with the consequences was her responsibility. She must have secured permission or persuaded him on her own. For my part, there was no reason to pass up such a rare opportunity.
Well, I couldn't leave this room anyway. To put it another way, she had deliberately chosen to host the tea party in her own quarters to force my participation.
"Of course I will attend. Provided Mother permits it."
I conveyed my intent to the maid with a smile. Bowing her head, the maid quickly scurried out of the room.
A sudden tea party. Just who was Carmel planning to introduce to me? Feeling a strange, thrilling anticipation right before a battle, I shivered slightly.