Lissy walked ahead of me, humming a soft tune with a light and carefree voice. However, my focus was elsewhere.
My eyes were locked on her ass in the tight navy-blue skirt that moved in rhythm with her tune.
Every step she took sent one cheek rising gracefully while the other dipped, creating a hypnotic, side-to-side wiggle that was almost too perfect. It was like watching art in motion, and I couldn't help but wonder if she was doing it on purpose because, honestly, nobody's ass should move like that naturally.
Nevertheless, ever since I got here, it seemed like the universe was conspiring to keep me on edge. Between Rafaella and now Lissy, neither gave me a moment's peace. They were competing to see who could make my life harder, literally and figuratively.
We walked for about two hundred meters from the house before Lissy came to a sudden stop. I barely had time to drag my gaze away from her ass before she turned, throwing me a knowing smile.
I cleared my throat and forced myself to look past her.
The pond stretched before us, nestled in a secluded lower plot of land. It was like a hidden oasis surrounded by tall, dried grass reaching my shoulders, creating a natural veil of privacy.
Its surface was still and undisturbed, roughly six meters long and four meters wide. Polished black stone slabs formed a neat retaining wall around the water, descending in smooth layers. A narrow pipe protruded out on one side, supplying a steady stream of fresh water, while a skimmer-like device on the opposite end diligently collected debris. The water was pristine and so clear that I could see the smooth pebbled bottom.
It was quiet. Private. Perfect for a relaxing bath… or something far less innocent.
"Nice, isn't it?" Lissy's voice was soft, almost playful, as she turned to me.
"Yeah," I said, my voice coming out lower than I intended. "It's… perfect."
She chuckled, stepping closer to the edge. "Rumor has it, the first noble priests who used to live here had this pond constructed. They made the villagers construct a water channel from the river to keep it full. Quite fancy, don't you think?"
"Very," I agreed, though my attention wasn't entirely on the pond.
Her smile deepened. "Well, go on then. The water's cool and clean. You'll feel like a new man once you're in."
I took a step forward, pausing on the second stone slab. "You don't have to wait, Mrs. Lissy. You probably have work to do."
I checked to see if she'd stick around or leave me to it.
She shook her head with a playful grin and sat on the topmost slab, casually crossing her legs. "Nah, I'm done for the day. Cleaning the herd, collecting hay and milking is pretty much what I have to do usually," she said, clarifying she had no intention of leaving.
I hesitated only momentarily before leaving my clothes and towel on the edge. Then, without another word, I plunged into the pond.
The initial chill made me suck in a sharp breath, but as I adjusted, the coolness felt soothing. The pond was deeper than I'd expected; the water coming up to my neck when I stood at the center. I let myself float momentarily, the day's weight easing from my muscles.
At first, bathing in front of Lissy felt awkward. The thought of being so exposed to a stranger had my nerves buzzing. But her easygoing manner, full of jokes, laughing freely, and tossing playful comments my way, quickly calmed my nerves.
"Nero," she mused, laughing after one of my stupid jokes, "you're quite the charmer, aren't you? I bet you're popular with the ladies back home."
"Only with the good-looking ones like you," I quipped, grinning. Her laugh in response was genuine and warm, making me feel like I'd struck gold.
"So, is it just you and your husband at home?" I asked, rinsing my hair. "Or do more people get to enjoy your company every day?"
"It's me, Hugo, his mother, Mrs. Timber, and my little jewel, Dory." Her expression softened, and she said fondly.
"Must be tough managing a little one and the farmwork," I replied.
She shook her head with a wider smile. "Not at all. I love taking care of my family. And for Dory, I'd do it all twice over."
"What does Mr. Hugo do, Mrs. Lissy?" I asked, switching the topic slightly.
She rolled her eyes. "Drop the 'Mrs.' will you? Just Lissy is fine. Hugo works at Mrs. Tsubaki's woodwork. They handle everything from furniture to ship hulls. It's a big deal around here. They are only second to the village head. He and his buddies worked on our cattle shed."
I rose from the water and stepped onto one of the polished stone slabs, to soap myself.
"Must be tough with the trading caravans in town. He's probably too busy to give his beautiful wife the attention she deserves." I said in a suggestive tone that hinted at something we both knew.
When no reply came, I thought I crossed the line and stealthily raised my head to check whether I should apologize.
However, what I saw made me thrilled.
Lissy's honey-brown eyes were locked onto my body with an intensity that sent a jolt through me. There wasn't even a sign of her hearing me. Her gaze dragged over my chest, down my arms, lingering low before darting back up. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips unconsciously.
She was drinking me in with barely any restraint.
The realization hit me like lightning and my ego shot through the roof. A deep desire to make this married woman want me even more surged inside me.
I pretended not to notice and resumed scrubbing more deliberately, running my hands over my chiseled chest, shoulders, and abs in slow, thorough motions. Each movement was calculated to highlight the definition of my muscles, almost as if I were putting on a private show.
When I stole another glance at her, her reaction was even better than I'd hoped.
Her lips were slightly parted, her teeth pressing into her bottom lip as though to stifle something. Her thighs shifted, pressing together subtly, and her fists clenched at her sides, knuckles turning white.
Holy hell. She's picturing it. Right here, right now.
Fueled by her reaction, I took it up a notch. My soapy hands slid down, brushing over my boxers, showing my obvious hardness. I made it look casual like I was just scrubbing, but there was no mistaking what I was highlighting.
Her breathing hitched audibly, and I had to fight the urge to smirk. She seemed completely mesmerized, with every ounce of her attention on me.
"D-Do… Do you always bathe like this?" she finally managed, her voice shaky but laced with playful curiosity.
I raised my head, feigning confusion. "Hmm? What do you mean?"
"I mean," she said, her composure returning just slightly, "if you bathe like this every time, we'll need a lot more soap in stock." Her smile was sweet, and I could see the teasing glint in her eyes.
I matched her smile with a bright one of my own.
"Only because I've been dealing with beasts and dung all day. Gotta be thorough, right?"
"True," she replied, her voice softening again. "I love being thorough, too. There's nothing like the feeling of being completely clean after a good bath." Her words carried a subtle edge that told me her interest had only grown.
I rinsed the soap from my skin, letting the cool water run down my body. "It's getting colder," I noted. "I should probably wrap up before I freeze."
"Wait."
Her voice stopped me mid-motion.
Lissy stood up, brushing dust off her skirt. "You didn't scrub your back properly," she said matter-of-factly. "After working in the shed, you should clean thoroughly, or that tedious smell will stick to you. Stay still. I'll do it for you."
I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden offer. "Uh…"
Before I could object, she hiked up her skirt to her knees, tucking the fabric around her hips, and stepped down to the stone slab behind me. The sight of her toned legs sent blood rushing to my lower head.
Damn.
But before I could enjoy the view too much, she turned me around, forcing me to face forward.
She grabbed the soap and spread it across my back, her hands moving slowly. Her touch was firm but gentle, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.
"Sheesh, lean forward a little, Nero. My hands are tiring," she complained in that honey-sweet voice.
One hand pressed against my shoulder, while the other slid down to rest against my abdomen, gently urging me to bend forward.
I obeyed, bending slightly forward.
Now, she was only using one hand on my back. The other lingered on my stomach. Its presence there driving me nuts. Every fiber of my being screamed for her to slide it down, to touch my hardened dick.
"Now, because of you, I have to heat water to bathe," she huffed and playfully knocked on my shoulder.
"Huh? Why?" I furrowed my brows and asked in confusion.
"I usually bathe here," she said, running her fingers down my spine in slow, deliberate strokes. "Bathing indoors just isn't the same. But now you've taken my spot, and the water's getting too cold for me to go in next. So yes, you've officially ruined my bath, Nero."
Her voice had a playful, exaggerated lilt, punctuated by a giggle.
"If that's the case, you should've told me earlier," I quipped, turning slightly toward her. "We could've bathed together."
I was throwing the idea out there, testing the waters. If she took the bait, I would gladly pull her in.
Lissy gasped, dramatically raising her tone. "By the goddess Aphaia! If Raff saw that—" She shuddered theatrically. "I can't even imagine! I'd rather heat water than risk both of us being sent to the afterlife."
We both chuckled, but my mind latched onto her words.
If I took them differently… didn't they imply she had no issue with bathing together as long as we didn't get caught?
Just as I was mulling over those words, her hand resting on my abdomen moved.
She brazenly began feeling my body. While one hand continued lathering soap across my back, the other was busy tracing the faint lines of my abs. The soft, teasing sensation of her finger running circles over my chest quickened my pulse.
What the hell is this woman up to?
Every muscle in my body tensed. A primal urge burned inside me to turn around and pin her against the stone slab to teach the woman who was toying with me a lesson.
But I didn't.
Because every time I even thought of making a move, Rafaella's voice rang in my head. Her sharp, scolding tone. That disgusted glare.
I hated to admit it, but she had chipped away the confidence I had built over the past few months.
And at the end of the day, Lissy was still a stranger I'd met today. I wasn't sure if her teasing was an invitation or her usual way of having harmless fun. The last thing I needed was to misread the situation and turn it into a disaster.
I needed to push her just a little further. To see if she'd finally give me that green light.
"You'll only be bothered for a few days, Lissy," I muttered, struggling to maintain my composure as her hand continued its sweet torture. "Once I'm gone, you'll have your spot back."
This was my last attempt to push past the teasing and make her give in. I wanted her to feel the urgency, to believe that if she didn't take me right here, right now, she'd lose me forever.
I hoped she would pounce on me like a woman would when she spotted a limited-edition designer bag on sale at her favorite boutique.
That's right, lady. I'm a rare find, and after tonight, I won't be around anymore.
So please… just pounce on my dick.
She stilled. "Go? Go where? Back home? You're joking, right?"
I glanced at her, catching the flicker of disbelief in her eyes. It seemed she thought I was bluffing.
"Why not?" I said simply. "Even if Rafaella and Alvin refuse to give me a ride, I doubt the traders would turn me away if I emptied my pockets. And if not them, I could go to your village head. Considering my connection to the priestess in Agroville, I doubt he'd dismiss me. The only one who could stop me is Alvin, but he can't keep tabs on me forever. Doesn't he need to leave Crafts Wood to patrol other villages? He organized the Ascension ceremony early in Agroville, so if I am not wrong, he likely needed to leave for Blossom Peak and Moon River Village within three days. When he leaves, I leave too. Hell, I could take off tomorrow and be counting stars from Agroville by the time he returns."
Silence stretched between us as I carefully observed her.
Then she bit her lip, and her fingers twitched slightly against my skin.
Gotcha.
"So, you've planned everything out, huh?" she said, her voice quieter this time.
I shrugged. "I didn't come here by choice, Lissy. I was dragged in. And I'm not exactly thrilled about it. It's been one day, and I've already been reduced to the guy scraping dung off the floor."
She sighed, the playful glimmer in her eyes dimming slightly. "If you hate cleaning the shed, I'll do it from tomorrow onward." She hesitated and added softer, "But don't leave, Nero. Raff will be really sad if you do."
I scoffed internally. Raff will be sad? Still won't open up your heart, huh?
Time to up the sad-man act.
I exhaled dramatically. "Let me be honest, Lissy. Rafaella is a pain in the ass. She disses me all day and treats me like a servant who was brought here to do her bidding. I wasn't even given a proper bed for the darn cold here. But worst of all?" I sighed. "I feel like an outsider. I don't even have anyone to talk to."
When I said it out loud, I realized my situation was pathetic.
Both of us turned quiet.
Suddenly, a warm breath tickled my ear as she leaned in. "If it's company you need…" she whispered, "am I enough?"
I felt a bolt of electricity shot through me.
I swallowed hard.
Fuck. I am losing control.
Without thinking, I plunged into the pond, submerging myself in the freezing water. The cold bit into my skin, shocking the heat out of me.
When I surfaced, gasping, Lissy stood at the edge, watching me with a mischievous smile.
She washed her hands in the water and stretched, glancing lazily at the sky. "It's getting late. Dory might wake up soon. I should head home."
She climbed the stone steps, fixing her skirt back into place before turning to me one last time.
Then she turned, flashing a bright, knowing smile. "Don't run away in the morning. Stay here for me."
And just like that, she was gone.
I stayed in the cold water, watching her disappear into the tall grass, her hips swaying with that same deliberate tease.
Despite my dick throbbing for release, I resisted the temptation and forced myself to ignore it. Instead, I sank deeper into the icy water, welcoming the chill as it numbed the heat raging inside me.
Gradually, my mind cleared, and I began reflecting on everything that had happened since yesterday.
If I continued training in combat with Alvin like today, my combat techniques would see a noticeable improvement by the end of the month. Aside from getting more hands-on experience at the clinic, there wasn't much room to grow in guided healing, but that would come in time.
However, Rafaella's talent in concoction is a surprise. I didn't expect her to have the expertise to create a pill, let alone be willing to teach me. If her intentions were genuine, then sticking around wouldn't be a complete waste.
Then there was my vessel and the question of why I possessed unusually high proficiency in transmutation magic.
Right now, I have no way of fully understanding their peculiarities.
It seems like increasing my affinity to bypass the restrictions of the vessel is the best course of action. It is good to know I should focus on vessel enhancement in Barron of corruption rather than focusing solely on spells until I have a high affinity for the technique.
Either way, advancing my Charm Demon bloodline and earning SP remained my number one priority.
Lissy seems like a doable option. My instincts and her responses seemed favorable enough, but Rafaella stood in our way.
Thinking of Rafaella actions, my face twisted in irritation, and an unwelcome heat simmered in my chest.
I couldn't recall a single person who had talked down to me or humiliated me as much as she had all in the span of 24 hours. Her nerve still makes my fists clench.
And yet…
As much as it pissed me off, I couldn't even argue.
She had every reason to react the way she did. If our roles were reversed, I probably would've done worse. But knowing that didn't make me hate her any less.
Still, if things didn't improve soon, I needed to be realistic.
I should just leave.
I'd be better off going back to Sharron and grinding for the SP in Agroville. Pills, potions, combat training, all of those could be acquired later. But time wasted chasing distant success is time I'd never get back.
With my thoughts organized, I released a slow breath as I floated on the water's surface. I allowed myself to drift until the cold water washed away my frustrations before finally departing from the pond.
Once back in my room, I changed into fresh clothes and wandered through the house, but there was no sign of anyone. Rafaella was probably out making deliveries, but Alvin still hadn't returned from patrolling, and even the kids were missing.
With nothing urgent needing my attention, I collapsed onto the couch, planning to rest momentarily.
But the exhaustion hit me harder than I expected.
Before I knew it, I drifted off to sleep.
#####
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