"Alright, lie down." Kaede pointed to the ordinary hard bed on the side and said with a calm expression.
"Eh?" Esdeath narrowed her eyes. "Do I need to take off my clothes?"
"It doesn't matter if you take them off or not." Kaede said.
"Eh, it seems your tastes are quite broad~" Esdeath raised an eyebrow and said.
"What do you mean by broad tastes?" Kaede clearly didn't understand, and looking at Esdeath, who was standing on the side without moving, she was a bit dissatisfied and said, "Hurry up, I don't want to waste time."
"..." Listening to Kaede's words, Esdeath felt that things didn't seem to be what she thought, and then she lay down. She wanted to see what kind of tricks Kaede could come up with.
Then, Esdeath felt Kaede's hands placed on her back. Well, it was just a massage.
However, what surprised Esdeath a little was that Kaede's technique was actually quite good.
But thinking about it, it makes sense. If it were that easy to reach that stage, perhaps Esdeath would have found it boring.
"Is that really all?" Even though she understood, Esdeath still couldn't help but ask.
"What else did you want? By the way, didn't you misunderstand what you just said?" Kaede didn't understand the meaning of Esdeath's words earlier, but she always felt something was off.
"No. By the way, do you often do this for your sister?" Esdeath said, sounding a bit satisfied. This technique was indeed very effective at relieving fatigue, and it was just right, as she had been rushing back to the Imperial Capital and felt a lingering exhaustion throughout her body.
"I haven't had the chance yet." Kaede shook her head. She had only learned it from Koujo Shizuka at the frontier. She originally intended to use it on Kurome first, then possibly Akame, and only then return to use it on her sister, Asuna... However, she hadn't expected to use it on Esdeath...
"Does that mean I'm the first one!" There was a hint of joy in Esdeath's voice.
"Not really, after all, when I was learning from Shizuka, I must have done it for her too." Kaede thought for a moment and shook her head.
"Shizuka? You mean that maid? She doesn't count. How can the person who taught you be included?" A smile appeared on Esdeath's face, as if she were pleased.
"If you say so, then so be it." Kaede clearly had no intention of arguing with Esdeath.
"Stop for a moment," Esdeath suddenly said.
"Hmm?"
Then, Esdeath took off her clothes in front of Kaede and set them aside, completely unconcerned about exposing her body to Kaede, before lying down once more.
"You may continue."
Kaede looked at the snow-white skin before her, feeling a bit speechless. She didn't have much of a reaction, but rather, looking at the massive size of Esdeath's chest, Kaede was a bit puzzled—wouldn't something that big hanging on one's chest affect combat?
Then Kaede continued to press down. When Kaede's fingers touched Esdeath's skin, she felt only coldness and smoothness, as if it were a piece of ice jade, making one want to keep playing with it and finding it hard to let go.
"I didn't expect your hands to be so cold." Kaede didn't say anything, but Esdeath sounded a bit surprised.
"You have no right to say that." Kaede knew her own situation; her body was never warm throughout the four seasons, but it was still much better than Esdeath, who was like ice.
"I'm different. I was fine originally, but only became like this after obtaining my Teigu." Esdeath didn't say much more, simply enjoying the feeling of Kaede's small hands kneading her back.
...
After sending off the satisfied Esdeath, a helpless expression appeared on Kaede's face. Esdeath had agreed to the matter, but the condition was that she must serve her in the future.
Kaede felt as if she had sold herself out, and the key point was that she felt she didn't have much resistance to it. Could she actually have this kind of personality?
In an instant, Kaede shook her head. How could that be! It must be an illusion! Yes, that's right, just an illusion!
"General." At this moment, Nahash spoke to Kaede.
"Hmm? Is something the matter?"
"Yes, the Great General seems to have something to discuss with you," Nahash said.
"..." Kaede was silent for a moment, then couldn't help but complain, "I just sent away one of the empires strongest, and now another one of the empires strongest wants to see me. Truly... troubled times."
However, Kaede also felt that with Esdeath's return to the Imperial Capital, the situation in the capital had begun to become increasingly murky. No wonder the Great General wanted to see her; indeed, the current situation could be described as a storm about to break!
However, the people nearby couldn't help but retort upon hearing Kaede's words—don't forget that you yourself are also one of the empires strongest!
Kaede didn't care about what the people nearby were thinking and soon sat down next to Great General Budo.
"Is there something you need?"
Seeing that Kaede did not behave like a general, the Great General frowned, but ultimately said nothing, only stating: "The former minister is coming back."
"At this time?" Kaede knew who the former minister the Great General was referring to, and she also knew he was a minister with very upright conduct, but why return at this time?
"That's why it's troublesome." The Great General also sighed. The former minister returning now—isn't that asking for death? And he might not even make it back to the Imperial Capital.
"So, what do you want me to do?" Kaede now understood why Budo had called her over.
"Yes, I hope you can go and protect the former minister, and escort him to me. I imagine that here with me, no one would dare to touch him!" Budo also wanted to go protect the former minister personally, but unfortunately, it was impossible; he couldn't leave the Imperial Capital at all.
"Fine, but I'll state this beforehand: if I find out he will affect our 'plan', then I will let him die." Kaede, as if she didn't know how to write the word 'politeness', said this directly to Budo.
"I know, he won't be allowed to affect the plan," Budo nodded and said, "And his return is also a good thing, at least it will count for something later on."
"That might not be my business by then." Kaede had a feeling that once their plan was completely finished, she would very likely return.
Budo clearly didn't understand the meaning of Kaede's words, but he couldn't be bothered to think about it too carefully.
"What do you think of Esdeath?" Budo asked.
"Very strong," Kaede said.
"It's a pity she stands on the Minister's side." A look of regret appeared on Budo's face. Come to think of it, it was also his mistake for not keeping Esdeath. After all, Esdeath's position was that of a General, and logically, she should have had contact with him earlier.
"Leave her to me," Kaede suddenly said.
"Huh?" Budo was clearly taken aback by Kaede's words. Finally, he looked at Kaede carefully and still nodded.
"So, is that all?" Kaede asked.
"Yes."
"Then, goodbye." Without saying much more, and without any attempts to keep her, Kaede had this kind of personality, and Budo was the same.
"What exactly was I thinking?" After saying that, Kaede felt a bit puzzled. Why say such a problematic thing? Facing Esdeath, she didn't have the confidence to win for sure, but Kaede felt that if things continued like this, Esdeath's ending might be very bad.
Then, thinking of her time with Esdeath, Kaede couldn't help but say that sentence—a sentence she didn't even have time to regret saying.
Perhaps it was because she was afraid of regretting it that she left so quickly.
"Sigh! I must be crazy!" Kaede sighed. She only cared about her two sisters; why did she have to do such an unnecessary thing?
"Damn you, Esdeath!"
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