Are Kisses Supposed to Be This Sweet?
Knock knock. Nimeli rapped on the bedroom door.
"Just leave it outside," I shouted toward the door.
Knock knock. Nimeli ignored me and knocked again.
That suspicious old man. He's definitely worried we'll try something. Must be driving him crazy.
The door burst open.
"I said leave it at the door, mister."
"I simply wished to confirm that Lady Serina was well… Here, I've prepared more than enough."
The thick stack of towels Nimeli handed over weren't the cheap kind. He'd clearly taken special care because they were for Serina.
Nimeli poked his head through the gap in the door and peered at her.
"Mister. You can leave now."
"Ah… yes. Lady Serina, I shall take my leave."
The old man made a point of bowing directly to her. Serina, clearly annoyed, didn't even acknowledge him.
"Allen. I will be standing right outside, so you understand what will happen if you try any funny business with Lady Serina, yes?"
"What funny business? Just go already."
Nimeli hissed the threat in a low voice. Hmph. As if it mattered after everything we'd already done while making that child by grinding together. I slammed the door shut and walked over to Serina.
"Um… I'll dry your hair first."
"Hurry up and dry it. I'm cold."
Serina whined at me cutely. I unfolded the towel and gently cradled her hair. From the crown of her head all the way to the tips, I pressed firmly to soak up the moisture. Every motion was full of care.
"Allen. Do that thing you did last time."
"The massage?"
"Yes."
"You liked it?"
"Yes. It made my whole body melt."
"Got it. Lie down."
Serina buried her face in the pillow. After wringing most of the water from her hair, I began the massage at the top of her head.
"Haaang… right there…"
I followed the line of her scalp down to the curve of her neck. The moment my thumb reached her nape, Serina let out a sweet moan. Her reaction was so good that I moved on to the next area, spreading my hands from her neck across her shoulders and kneading deeply.
"Huu… ngh… so… so refreshing!"
"You like it here?"
"Y-yes! I feel like I could fall asleep."
"Then sleep."
Next I massaged near her shoulder blades. Serina's eyes squeezed shut, and her mouth fell open naturally.
"Ooh… haa… haa… huu…"
Her eyes were trembling—she had reached the peak. I sent her over the edge with my fingertips.
Just then, another knock came from outside.
Lady Serina! What are those sounds? Are you in pain?
Ah, that damn old man. He never left?
"Mister, it's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Truly nothing at all?"
"Yes. You can go."
"No. I must stand guard."
This is ridiculous. Was he seriously afraid we'd do something? I let out an irritated sigh and focused on the massage again.
Was she asleep? At some point Serina had gone completely still. When I looked at her face, she was out cold, exhausted. Seeing her like this, she looked like the world's most innocent baby. How could she be so different from the way she acted in battle?
I propped my head on one arm and lay beside her, simply watching her face. Then, on impulse, I lifted the tip of her nose with my finger to make a little pig snout.
Serina with a pig nose was adorable. How could she still look beautiful even like that?
Playfulness took over and I slipped a finger between her parted lips.
Sook.
Her lips closed around it instantly. Chuu… chuu… The wet sounds filled the quiet room. Even in her sleep, Serina sucked on my finger like a baby. Her lips pursed tightly while her tongue curled around it.
Slurp…
"Huk… Serina!"
She kept sucking like an infant for a long while before I finally managed to pull my finger free. That was too close. If she'd kept going, I wouldn't have been able to hold back.
My finger was glistening with her saliva. I brought it to my nose and sniffed. There was no scent at all.
A reward, maybe? I stared at the wet finger, mesmerized.
…No, Allen. Stop. Please stop.
I barely managed to suppress the urge to put it in my own mouth. Sighing, I stroked her hair and watched her sleep. I wasn't tired at all. I tucked the strands behind her ear. Her ears really were pretty. I admired them, then her eyebrows, then her closed eyes—until they slowly opened and met mine.
"Uh… you're awake?"
"Mmm…"
"Sleep more."
"I will."
"Want me to stroke your hair?"
"No."
"Then…?"
The witch reached out, grabbed the back of my neck, and pulled me in. I tumbled straight into her arms. Chu. Out of nowhere, Serina kissed my forehead. She pulled her lips away and whispered.
"Let's sleep like this."
"Uh… okay."
Serina hugged me with surprising strength, squeezing until it was hard to breathe. The moment I settled against her, sleep crashed over me like a wave. My eyelids grew impossibly heavy. I rested my head on her chest like it was the world's softest pillow.
Morning.
"Did you sleep well?"
She leaned close to my face in greeting. We were lying face-to-face, the witch and I. I blinked over and over, wondering if it was a dream. But the way she glowed in the light confirmed it was real.
"Did you sleep well too?"
"Yes."
Chu.
Without thinking, I boldly kissed her on the lips. Serina's eyes flew wide, then she blinked slowly, dramatically.
"Wh-what was that?"
"You were too pretty."
"You can't just kiss me because I'm pretty."
Her voice was laced with adorable aegyo. It didn't sound like her at all.
"Then stop being so pretty."
"But I can't help it."
"Exactly. Being this pretty is a crime. Serina, come here. I want to sleep more."
This time I pulled her close and wrapped my arms around her. She stayed perfectly still.
"Why aren't you saying anything?"
"What should I say?"
"I thought you'd get mad about the kiss…"
"Why would I get mad?"
"Then… can I kiss you again?"
"I don't know. Next time ask permission first."
"Okay. So can I do it again right now?"
"Tsk… fine, you can."
She turned her eyes away, embarrassed. My lips found her plump ones. I savored how soft and moist they felt. It wasn't enough. I wanted more.
"But Allen. Nimeli says we should come down for lunch."
Right when things were heating up, Serina whispered in my ear. The tickle made me laugh despite myself.
"Lunch… or maybe I'd rather eat you, Serina…"
"Hmm?"
"Nothing. What's on the menu…?"
"You said something weird just now."
"No I didn't. What did he say we're eating?"
Serina leaned in and whispered again.
"Frog. Side. Dishes."
I couldn't stand the tickling anymore and twisted away, laughing. Serina thought it was hilarious and kept trying to whisper in my ear.
The door flew open.
What in the world are you two doing?! Allen! Why are you clinging to Lady Serina like that!
"Ni-Nimeli? Why did you barge in?"
God, I really want to punch him… We'd been having such a sweet moment and he completely ruined it.
"I heard strange noises so I came to check! Lady Serina! You mustn't do this! People will gossip!"
"Hmph. Let them gossip. I'll rip out all their tongues anyway."
"Lady Serina! Men and women must never cling together like that!"
"Why not?"
"Ahem… that is… never mind. Please come down for the meal. Allen, remember that I am watching you!"
Nimeli shot me one last dramatic warning before heading downstairs. I kicked off the blanket and stood up, only to notice Serina's outfit. She wore a white dress trimmed with delicate lace. The pure white made her look like an angel.
"Whoa… where did you get that dress?"
"Nimeli gave it to me."
"And the necklace too?"
"Yes. He said it would suit me and gave it as a present."
"Nimeli actually has decent fashion sense?"
I couldn't figure out how he'd chosen clothes that matched her so perfectly. She looked elegant, like a queen.
We went downstairs for breakfast. Nimeli spoke up as we ate.
"In just one day, Lady Serina has become a celebrity."
"Me?"
"Yes. There isn't a single person on the street who isn't talking about her."
"They must have fallen for my beauty."
"It certainly seems so."
Nimeli smiled brightly, looking proud as if being her number-one representative was the greatest achievement in the world. For some reason, the way he gazed at Serina with such satisfaction bothered me. He'd been a decent old man before, but now it felt strange.
After the meal, Serina headed off to keep her promise and learn cooking from Sylvia.
"Think you can handle it?"
"Of course."
"And don't kill anyone just because you get frustrated."
"I won't."
Her expression was deadly serious, like she was heading into a major battle. She didn't need to look that dignified. It was actually a little scary.
I left Nimeli's mansion with Serina. The moment we stepped outside, she naturally slipped her arm through mine. I wasn't even surprised anymore.
As we passed through the market, crowds of people flocked to see her.
In a single day Serina had become a celebrity. Everywhere we went, the only topic was her.
At Sylvia's shop.
"Sylvia."
"Hello! Allen, Lady Serina."
"I thought I was going to die fighting through that crowd."
"I heard everything! Lady Serina, you're incredible! They say you saved the lord!"
"It was nothing."
"Nothing? The whole village is calling you a guardian deity. They say you'll bring prosperity to us all."
"Hmph. Not interested."
"Hehe. Lady Serina, do you realize how cute you are when you say things like that?"
Even while pretending not to care, the smile never left Serina's lips.
"Sylvia, could you teach Serina how to cook? Even simple dishes would be fine."
"Cooking? Of course I can teach her! But… Maria is actually better at it than I am. Would you like to learn from her instead?"
"That's perfect. I'll learn from anyone who'll teach me!"
"Who's Maria?"
"You know, the girl who taught you how to act cute."
"That girl. I like her."
"Maria loves teaching, so you'll probably learn even faster from her."
"Thank you. When can I start?"
"She's probably home right now. Just go whenever it's convenient!"
"I want to start immediately."
With the same intensity she showed in battle, Serina devoured every pudding in the shop while waiting. If she learned to cook like this, I really would have no more wishes left.
"You'll do well, right?"
"Of course. I'm good at everything."
"My my, of course you are!"
"Once I learn to cook, will you do all those things for me?"
"Yes. A million times over."
"A million times? I don't know how much that is."
"I'll make you so happy you'll die from it."
"Then I'll die happy."
"Alright. Let's go!"
Serina headed off to learn cooking from Maria. I wondered if she'd manage… As long as nothing went wrong, that would be enough.