I didn't quite understand what was happening when I woke up. The fog of sleep and the confusion it caused hadn't gone away yet, my vision was blurry, adjusting to my surroundings, there was a weight on my chest, and for some reason, my hip ached.
I looked to the side, wanting to know what that weight was, and seeing a sea of blonde hair, everything that had happened earlier hit me like a truck.
For a second, I was taken aback by surprise and disbelief, but I quickly calmed down, letting out a light laugh. I observed One's sleeping face, smiling at how cute she was. If it weren't for what we did, she could be mistaken for someone too pure for that.
Hm… How much time had passed?
The curtains were closed, but I could see that it was almost night through the door leading to the balcony. One told her sisters that she wouldn't be long in coming back to help with the paperwork. They must be furious now.
"One, it's time to wake up."
I whispered, poking her cheek. She frowned, muttering something and trying to push my finger away.
"Just five more minutes…"
She snuggled even closer to my chest, making me smile.
"Aren't you forgetting something? Something you and your sisters were doing?"
Her eyes snapped open immediately, wide with horror as her face filled with fear.
"They're going to kill me!"
She jumped up as fast as lightning, sitting on the edge of the bed, only to almost fall when she stood.
"Damn it! This is your fault!"
She pointed an accusing finger at me as her legs trembled like leaves trying to stay upright.
"My fault? Who rode me like their life depended on it and almost suffocated me? I should be the one complaining."
I stood up too, letting out a painful hiss through my teeth as I realized I wasn't in the best shape.
One had the decency to blush with embarrassment before retrieving her clothes. I did the same, putting on mine, but despite our attempts to tidy ourselves up, it would be obvious to anyone that something had happened between us.
Wrinkled clothes, messy hair, and the smell. It only took someone paying attention to the details.
"So… We're a couple now, right?"
The Intoner asked in a shy tone, almost a whisper. I pulled her close, planting a quick kiss on her lips. Unfortunately, that would have to be enough for now, no matter how much we wanted more, otherwise we wouldn't leave here today.
"But of course we are, unless you don't want to be."
Seriousness replaced her previous expression, and with steel in her gaze, she replied.
"I would never dream that."
She intertwined her fingers with mine and then pulled me out of her room, beginning our walk through the cathedral.
The servants along the way stared at us with surprise and curiosity, bowing as we passed. Eventually, we reached the room where the paperwork was kept, finding the place empty except for the mountain of paper that now lay before One's chair.
Opposite the pile, on the part of the desk facing the entrance, was a note.
"We went to sleep, you will finish the work."
One looked at the piece of paper as if she were receiving news that someone had died. A subdued sigh escaped her lips, and I couldn't help but feel bad for her.
"Hey, if you want, I can lend you a hand."
The smile she gave me was radiant and the hug overwhelming, but first of all, a shower and something to eat would be welcome. Then, orders were given to the servants to have the bathhouse and food prepared for us.
-XXXXXX-
"HA~"
I sighed in relief as I sank into the hot water, sitting on a step while leaning against the edge of the pool. The candlelight illuminated the place, shining faintly through the clouds of steam. With a bath brush, bucket, and soap, I began to wash myself.
I stopped when I heard the sound of something moving in the water. Looking at its source, I saw One sitting beside me, her long hair floating in the water and her skin glistening with moisture.
No matter how many times I saw her naked, it was always as if it were the first time. She was beautiful, anywhere and anytime. My surprise was short-lived, as she used her hands to lift herself and sat between my legs, pressing her body against mine.
"One…"
She turned and gave me a mischievous smile with her eyes half-closed, giving me an idea of what she wanted.
"I think we have time for another round."
A shiver ran through my body. That was all I needed to hear.
-XXXXXX-
We started working on the paperwork after making a mess in the bath house. I feel sorry for the poor souls who will have to clean that. The food arrived on a cart pushed by a maid, its delicious smell capturing our attention.
Our plates were served, and with that, we took a short break.
"Hey, Alan?"
"Hm…"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For everything you've done for us. My sisters and I, we couldn't be happier."
My heart pounded when I heard those words. I admit, I was taken aback.
"You don't need to thank me. I just did what was right."
I chuckled, but my mood shifted when I saw One's intense gaze.
"Alan, you had no reason to help us. We broke into your house, attacked you, and although we weren't direct, we dragged you into a journey motivated by our naiveté. You warned us about the dangers of the Gate and almost died several times; now, you're going to shut your mouth and accept my thanks."
Our relationship had barely begun, and she was already acting like a girlfriend reprimanding a boyfriend who messed up. And no matter how much I denied it, she was terrifying when serious.
"I understand. I'm sorry about that."
"I'm glad for it. Now, I need you to promise me something…"
All that intensity vanished, giving way to a more fragile appearance. Her expression fell, and her voice became softer, almost pleading, as she spoke.
"…Please, don't die. I can't lose you."
I didn't answer immediately; I put down my spoon and looked at the table. Reviewing everything that had happened to me up to that point. The Intoners could regenerate, and the only thing that could kill them so far was dragon magic. I, on the other hand, hadn't been so lucky. If I wanted to maintain this relationship, then it was time to stop living as if I were invincible.
"I… I promise. I'll be more careful from now on."
It broke my heart to see her like that, but despite everything, One smiled, a beautiful and sad image. It motivated me to keep living.
Our work continued, although without the same humor as before. Night had fallen, and One invited me to sleep at the Cathedral before I returned home.
I didn't dare refuse; we returned to her room, but no sex this time. We just rested, enjoying each other's company. She was wearing a white nightgown, and I, a brown shirt and my underwear. However, I couldn't sleep, not without saying something first.
"One?"
"Yes."
"I love you."
"I love you too."
I felt something in the corner of my eyes. I fought back tears, because I never imagined I would hear those words. This happiness, this is what I wanted. The emptiness I felt was slowly disappearing. Things were finally changing for the better.
-XXXXXX-
I couldn't have been more wrong!
"FIVE, TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF MY BOYFRIEND!"
"Don't say that. We're sisters, we should share things."
It was the morning of the next day, and our breakfast was anything but peaceful. First, there was the strangeness of everyone knowing what One and I did yesterday.
We didn't say anything, but it wasn't hard to guess. We were sitting at a table with four women staring at us silently, their faces flushed and disbelieving, not making eye contact except for Five and Three.
The first had a smile so big it threatened to split her face, and the second held a notepad and pencil, ready to write something. Initially, it seemed like we'd get away with it without any problems, until the blonde in the scandalous outfit opened her mouth.
"So, does that mean it's my turn now?"
One thing led to another, and I found myself running away from Five, circling the table with One after her.
"Girls, don't just stand there! Help me!"
Four turned as red as a tomato, covering her face but peeking out from between her eyes.
"Five, when you're done, it'll be my turn!"
Three yelled, making me shout an insult and run faster when Five responded.
"And why don't you join us? It'll be more interesting."
To my horror, Three put a hand to her chin and thought deeply. Only Two remained, who, like Four, blushed, in a weaker tone, averting her gaze while shifting in her seat.
I believe that of all the sisters, she is the one I was least close to. I think we never talked this much because she never gave me any trouble, so I found it strange how interested she seemed.
"Noir, Rubrum, don't just stand there!"
The books in question merely observed, both laughing, the first restrained and the second with all its might.
"Come on, you don't want to [CENSORED], my [CENSORED] and spread your [CENSORED] on my [CENSORED]!"
END OF CHAPTER