Chapter 744: Feed Me
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 744: Feed Me
A faint mist, source unknown, permeated the air. Combined with a sudden, eerie wind, the temperature had plummeted, leaving patches of frost clinging to the dirt and rocks.
Yet, Ariel didn't feel the least bit cold.
In fact, she felt quite warm.
It wasn't just because of the flickering orange campfire before her, but because she was wearing a coat that didn't belong to her over her tightly wrapped bandages.
This must be Miss Muse’s clothes. Mmm, it smells so good.
The coat was new, looking as though it had barely been worn. It was a bit oversized for Ariel, but she still felt an indescribable sensation of being enveloped—protected.
Of course, it wasn't just her body that was warm; it was her heart.
"Miss Muse... did you treat my wounds?"
Ariel’s cheeks flushed a faint pink as she shifted shyly.
She had always prided herself on being fierce, domineering, brave, and resilient. She rarely acted this coy, but the thought that Miss Muse had seen her... everything... and then done this and that to her...
Ariel couldn't help but feel a surge of bashfulness.
Her "offensive" hadn't even officially begun yet, so how had they skipped straight to the "bare-honest" stage? This was moving way too fast.
But she liked it.
"..."
"Miss Muse?"
After Ariel asked her question, a sudden silence fell over the clearing.
This made Ariel feel a bit anxious. Was Miss Muse unwilling to answer? Or had she said something wrong?
She peeked up cautiously through the flames, stealing a glance at Miss Muse’s stunning face.
The firelight illuminated her profile, making her smooth, radiant skin look even softer. However, Miss Muse’s expression seemed a bit... off.
She was scratching her cheek, her eyes darting around with a look of awkwardness and guilt. After what seemed like a long internal struggle, she finally squeezed out a few words:
"I... I’m sorry. I... I didn't do it on purpose."
"Huh? Why are you apologizing?"
Ariel was completely bewildered. She instinctively waved her hands in protest. "Miss Muse, you’re the one who saved me!"
"Well... it’s true that it was a matter of necessity at the time..."
Miss Muse cleared her throat, looking even more embarrassed. "But in the end, it was an accident... Don't worry, I didn't see anything. Actually, I kept my eyes closed the whole time..."
"It’s fine!"
Ariel suddenly puffed out her chest, offering comfort. "Miss Muse did it to save me, so there’s nothing wrong with it. Besides, we’re both beautiful girls. There’s no need to worry about such small things!"
Exactly. They were both girls. Wasn't it perfectly normal for girls to be "bare-honest" with each other?
Besides, there was a valid reason for it. There was no need to tell a lie like "I kept my eyes closed."
How could she have treated and bandaged her with her eyes closed anyway? By fumbling around? Wouldn't that be even more... suggestive?
Did Miss Muse think she, Ariel, was the kind of narrow-minded person who would fly into a rage just because someone saw her body?
Hardly! No one was more broad-minded than Ariel Bugard!
No, she couldn't let her misunderstand!
"Like I said, you don't need to care about that. In fact, if Miss Muse still wants to look, I can even..."
Blushing harder, Ariel rubbed her bandage-wrapped thighs, her hands moving toward the buttons of the coat...
"Wait! That’s even less necessary!"
A flash of inexplicable terror crossed Miss Muse’s eyes as she hurriedly called a halt. "You... you don't need to prove anything like that to me. I just need to know that you won't... you know... try to teach me a lesson because of this."
"How could I ever raise a hand against Miss Muse!"
Ariel tilted her head, confused. "I can't thank you enough."
"Is that so... Well, that’s good then. That’s good. I just hope you’ll keep those words in mind. As for anything else, it’s fine."
For some reason, Miss Muse looked visibly relieved.
"Anyway... do you want to eat?"
"Eat?"
Only then did Ariel notice a small pot bubbling away over the campfire. Miss Muse was so beautiful that Ariel hadn't even noticed something so obvious.
"Recovering from external injuries that quickly consumes a lot of stamina, right? I stewed a little something. It’s some decent quality meat. It’s definitely not as good as specialized medicinal herbs, but it should hold you over for now."
As Miss Muse spoke, she stirred the small pot with practiced, efficient movements.
She’s the perfect image of a "virtuous wife and mother"...
A smile played on Ariel’s lips. She could already imagine it: a sun-drenched morning where she opened her eyes to find Miss Muse standing at the stove in a cute apron, turning back to smile at her while making breakfast.
"Do you want to eat?"
She would ask gently, just like she was doing now.
Except back then... there should be a second option.
For example: Do you want to eat breakfast, or do you want to eat... me?
No, no, this was bad. The scene was too perfect; she was going to get lost in it if she wasn't careful!
"Meat... Is it okay if I have some?"
"Of course. I can't finish all this by myself."
Gurgle~
The traitorous sound from her stomach made Ariel, who had intended to act a bit more reserved, blush again. Fortunately, Miss Muse was looking down, ladling food into a small bowl, and didn't notice her embarrassment.
Curse this pathetic stomach. I just ate black bread not that long ago.
It must be because Miss Muse’s cooking smelled too good!
"The meat is good quality, but since it’s just a hodgepodge stew, you won't really be able to taste the nuances. Just make do with it. Here."
Miss Muse handed the small bowl to Ariel.
"Thank you."
Ariel took it with joy, ready to savor the meal with a sense of unparalleled happiness... but then she froze.
She noticed that Miss Muse’s hands were not only covered in messy scars but were also trembling slightly. Her palms and fingers, in particular, were wrapped in amateurish bandages, and Ariel could tell that the skin beneath was raw and mangled.
"Miss Muse, your hands..."
"Ah, it’s nothing. Just a little side effect of rock climbing."
Miss Muse glanced at her hands and quickly pulled them back, offering a nonchalant smile.
"Rock climbing?"
Ariel’s gaze moved past Miss Muse. Her eyes shimmered as her vision pierced the darkness, revealing a towering, sheer cliff face.
It looked as if it had been sliced by a blade—incredibly steep.
Did Miss Muse... carry her down from a place that high?
"This is the downside of not knowing magic..."
Miss Muse sighed wistfully and picked up the spoon in her bowl. Then...
Clang.
Before she could even lift it halfway, the spoon slipped from her fingers and fell back into the bowl.
Miss Muse fell silent.
The trembling in her hands was uncontrollable. She could manage clumsy tasks, but... she couldn't even hold a spoon?
Ariel’s eyes widened as she watched. She should have been worried, but a distinct spark of joy flickered in her gaze.
Because...
This was an opportunity.
"I guess there’s no choice. It might be a bit crude, but Ariel shouldn't be able to figure it out just from this..."
Miss Muse muttered something under her breath and moved to pick up the bowl with both hands, intending to drink directly from it...
Suddenly, a small silver spoon appeared in front of her face.
In the spoon was a mouthful of food, carefully blown cool and smelling delicious.
"Eh?"
Miss Muse froze visibly. Her lips twitched as her gaze followed the spoon back to Ariel, who had somehow circled around the campfire.
"Ariel, what are you..."
"Let me feed you, Miss Muse."
Ariel was once again overcome with bashfulness.
She felt like she had never been this shy in her entire life. Even when facing an ambush by dozens of enemies, her heart wouldn't waver in the slightest, yet now she could hardly suppress her racing pulse.
It was strange. She and Miss Muse hadn't actually spent much time together, and they didn't even know that much about each other, yet they were already able to do such intimate things so naturally?
As expected, supporting each other through a life-and-death crisis was the best way to close the distance.
But she couldn't let her guard down. After all, even a "frog" she had been slow-boiling for ten years could be snatched away by someone else. When it came to feelings, anything could happen.
Therefore, she had to work harder and launch a more aggressive offensive! She couldn't let this golden opportunity slip through her fingers!
"Come on, Miss Muse. Open up..."
Ariel gripped the spoon and squeezed half a body-width closer. Her shoulder was now touching Miss Muse’s arm. If she didn't know she lacked "assets" in certain areas, Ariel might have even tried a classic "fanservice" maneuver from a romance novel.
"No, no, no... I mean, this isn't really appropriate."
Miss Muse seemed to finally snap out of it. She shook her head hurriedly and leaned back instinctively, a look of panic appearing on her face.
Is she shy?
Hehe, Miss Muse really is pure.
It was the same when she apologized for seeing Ariel earlier, and now with the panic and shock from Ariel’s sudden advance. She probably hadn't had such intimate contact with another girl before.
It might sound a bit like a scumbag's logic, but the more pure and innocent a beautiful girl was, the easier she was to conquer!
Keep charging, Ariel Bugard!
"Don't be shy, Miss Muse. I mean... didn't you just help me? You saved my life. This is just a tiny bit of repayment."
Ariel flashed an absolutely harmless smile and moved the spoon even closer.
"It’s just feeding you some food. It’s not a big deal, right?"
"No... I feel like, in a certain sense, this is a very big deal..."
"How is it a big deal? This is perfectly normal between girls. Don't be so shy. Come on, say 'ah'—"
"I’m not being shy, I’m just..."
Miss Muse hesitated, her expression complicated. "For the sake of our shared future, I think we should skip this."
"Oh? Miss Muse is already thinking about our future? Don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities like this in the future."
Ariel was relentless.
"Come on. Miss Muse already did that kind of thing to me, and now you won't even let me feed you?"
"..."
Faced with Ariel’s persistent encroachment, Miss Muse fell silent again.
It seemed she went through a very complex calculation, or perhaps an indescribable psychological conflict. Finally, wearing an expression like a soldier marching toward certain death...
Miss Muse chose to submit to Ariel and slowly opened her mouth.
"Ah..."