The Power of Imagination
Imagination is a wonderful thing. Simply hugging a pillow warmed by my own body heat can make me feel as if I am tangled up with a real person. Besides, in my imagination, I can do absolutely anything. I can indulge in things I usually avoid to keep up appearances, or things that are entirely impossible in reality.
It wasn't difficult to imagine at all. I was already so familiar with Carmel's body. I could trace its every curve even with my eyes closed.
"Mother..."
The Carmel lying before me in my imagination was incredibly docile. She wore a sheer pink negligee—something the real Carmel would never dream of wearing. Her naked body, visible through the translucent fabric, was utterly erotic. It seemed this was how I wanted to see her right now: completely broken, submissively obeying my every command. Eyes moist with shame, lips slightly parted, a soft, yielding body...
Every time I rubbed my lower belly and thighs against her, the fantasy Carmel reacted honestly to the pleasure. In my sweet, hazy consciousness, I lightly rubbed the entrance of my clit. The fully drenched petals parted without any resistance.
"Yes, I love you too, Mother... Ah...!"
A sweet pleasure spread through my mind. I slid my fingers inside, burying them up to the second knuckle. Ah, mm... it feels so good... I must have been quite pent up. I was slightly surprised by how sensitive my pussy was.
As I did, I recalled the times I had thrust into Carmel. Did she feel this good back then? No, her pleasure must have been far greater. I had shown her no mercy, thrusting into her relentlessly without letting her rest. And when it came to sheer, unadulterated lewdness, Carmel's body was far more responsive than mine.
Just trying to gauge the sheer scale of the pleasure she must have felt made my own wetness ache with sensitivity. In my mind, I used my other hand to insert my index and middle fingers into Carmel's pussy. At the same time, I added a second finger to my own. Mirroring the movements exactly, I began to roughly gouge both the imaginary folds and my own flesh.
"Ah, nnh, ahh... mmm... haah..."
Before my eyes was Carmel's face, melting with pleasure as she surrendered herself entirely to my fingers. Imagining her sensations, I welcomed the electric jolts of pleasure vibrating through my entire body. It's coming... almost there... ah... when I climax, I have to be kissing her...
Catching my ragged breath, I slowed the tempo of my fingers. Instead of thrusting violently, I continuously stimulated my most sensitive spot with gentle, teasing strokes.
"Open your mouth, Carmel..."
Just imagining myself commanding her like this sent a delicious shiver down my spine. The Carmel in my mind obediently parted her lips, her face filled with anticipation. I immediately claimed her mouth. Unlike the brief kiss we shared today, this was a deep, filthy kiss, our tongues thoroughly exploring each other. The imaginary Carmel actively coaxed me with her tongue, eager to please.
The tight knot of tension in my lower belly grew tighter and tighter. It was coming. It was here...! Sensing the impending climax, I quickened the movement of my fingers to a frantic pace. Soon, with a flash of blinding white light, I came.
"Ah, haah... mmmph...!"
At the moment of release, I squeezed Carmel with all my might. The object in my arms, returning from Carmel back to a pillow, squished softly against my chest.
"Phew... haah..."
Having a proper release certainly cleared my head. The heat in my body had cooled down nicely. Now, I felt like I could fall into a deep sleep. I settled into a comfortable position and closed my eyes.
The next day, I set off for Orbin Monastery, where Saintess Rielia resided, carrying a massive carriage load of cookies, candies, jams, and fruits. The thought of meeting that Saintess two days in a row felt a bit daunting. However, thanks to a refreshing night's sleep, I was fully prepared to face the challenge.
It was an unannounced visit. When the Mother Superior realized that the princess herself had arrived with such an extraordinary procession, her eyes grew as wide as saucers.
"It is a pleasure to meet you. I apologize if my sudden visit has startled you. I have come to see my friend, Rielia."
"P-P-Princess?"
Rielia came running out from among the gathered monastics who had come to watch the commotion. Perhaps because she had dressed up to visit the royal palace yesterday, her attire today was far more modest.
"Y-You were serious...? About wanting to be friends..."
Rielia's sky-blue eyes were just as wide as the Mother Superior's. In fact, everyone at the monastery looked utterly flabbergasted.
"Did you think it was mere politeness? How disappointing. I am always sincere."
"O-Oh, no! It's not that I doubted your words, Princess... I just didn't expect you to come so soon. Wow..."
Every eye in the vicinity was glued to the two of us. It was hardly an environment conducive to quiet, friendly conversation. I offered a gentle smile. "Shall we go inside and speak?"
I sat opposite Rielia in a quiet room deep inside the monastery. Normally, a visit from a princess would require the head of the institution to host and entertain. However, I had already asked the Mother Superior for her understanding, requesting to speak with Rielia in private.
On the table sat black tea and a single slice of each type of cake and pastry I had brought. While this would have been more than enough for any ordinary lady, it was far too little considering Rielia's monstrous appetite. Yet, Rielia only sipped her tea, barely touching the cakes. I couldn't help but wonder why.
"Do the cakes not suit your palate? They were baked by my most skilled maids, just like yesterday, and I made sure they were transported and preserved with the utmost care..."
"O-Oh, no, not at all! I can tell they taste heavenly without even trying them. It's just..."
Rielia fidgeted with her hands, hesitating before finally speaking up.
"There are many hungry children in this monastery. I wanted to share them with those kids... I am so sorry, Princess! Taking the food you brought and doing as I pleased with it..."
Watching Rielia bow her head repeatedly in genuine apology, I recalled the way she had looked when we parted yesterday. Her face had lit up with a brilliant smile as she accepted the packaged desserts. I had assumed her joy came from the prospect of eating them back home. But that hadn't been the case. Those treats had likely gone straight to the young children of this monastery.
To share the happiness she had experienced with the children—that was the source of her radiant smile. Perhaps the reason Rielia had been so ecstatic yesterday was proof that she rarely, if ever, got to eat such delicacies.
"There is no need to apologize, Rielia. I brought plenty so that everyone in the monastery could have some."
The sheer volume of pastries and cakes I had brought was enough to feed a giant. Of course, I had intended for her to eat her fill before sharing, but I hadn't expected her to give them away first.
"Besides, aren't we friends?"
Rielia's apologetic expression instantly dissolved into a bright, beaming smile.
"Princess...! No, Sera...!"
"Please keep using my title, at least."
"Ah, right. Princess Sera...! Thank you!"
She feels quite different from yesterday. Watching her, I could be absolutely certain of one thing: Saintess Rielia's greatest weakness was this monastery. For better or for worse.
It didn't matter if Rielia was actually a fool or merely playing one. Her devotion to Orbin Monastery was undeniably genuine. She was like a thick fog, but in that directionless, formless mist, I had finally found a landmark to guide me.
My plan to win Rielia over would begin here. I would secretly sponsor this dirt-poor monastery, ensuring everyone here was well-fed and warm. And I would keep this a secret from everyone else, revealing it only to Rielia. I would make her view me as her savior, someone she could rely on. She would gladly grant any request I made and guard my secrets with her life.
As these thoughts crossed my mind, a question arose. Rielia's divine power—her ability to purify curses—was peerless. With such an extraordinary gift, why did the monastery remain so impoverished?
"Rielia, may I ask you something?"
"Yes? What is it?"
"Have you ever thought about using your purification powers to earn money?"
"Ah... of course, I accept donations. But only within what the person can afford. Sometimes people give me valuable items, but most of the time, I do it for free."
Come to think of it, Moot had mentioned something about funding. But even a cursory glance showed that there were far too many mouths to feed here. A normal income wouldn't be enough to cover their expenses. That was undoubtedly why they were so poor.
"Couldn't you set a fixed price? Anyone afflicted by a powerful curse would gladly pay a fortune..."
"Exploiting the desperate goes against the Goddess's will."
A Saintess through and through. Her answer made me think exactly that.