Chapter 32

“Now I believe in your feelings for me.”

“……”

“You’ve proven it so earnestly; I ought to reward you.”

“…A reward? No, I don’t want it.”

Ariena recoiled, and Karil laughed softly. When he lifted her wrist, Ariena flinched. But his hand brought hers to his own cheek, guiding her to caress it.

“Is this… a reward?”

“Of course. What better reward than touching the one you care for?”

Karil smiled with his eyes. Ariena started to protest, then closed her mouth. With his eyes gently closed, his cheek nuzzling her hand, Karil looked like a huge puppy.

Ria, unable to resist, let him guide her hand. Her fingers traced his firm jaw and covered his lips. Karil inhaled deeply with his eyes closed. As he spoke, his soft lips tickled her palm.

“Your hand smells of your folds.”

“Ugh.”

“Just wait a moment. I’ll add the scent of my seed.”

Was he really intent on covering her in his scent? Suddenly, the musky smell of s*men on her lower belly stung her nose. The animalistic marking made her shudder, yet the feeling of being completely claimed aroused her.

Her hand slid from his jaw to his neck, then settled on his chest. The muscles beneath the fabric were unexpectedly large. How could a man’s chest be so big? Yet compared to her soft br*asts, his chest felt like firm rubber.

“Do you like my chest?”

“…No.”

“I’m obsessed with your br*asts, so you needn’t be embarrassed.”

“Obsessed? That’s—”

“All of me belongs to you, so use it as you please. Bite me if you want.”

“I don’t need to!”

At her refusal, Karil’s lips drooped in a disappointed, puppy-like expression, but his hand kept moving downward. Ria’s hand traced down his abdomen.

It was the same person, but the feel of his belly was completely different. Beneath the skin, his body felt armored, firm and hard. Even through his shirt, she could feel the ridges of muscle. The difference from her own body filled her with curiosity and tension.

“Isn’t it frustrating to touch over clothes?”

“It’s fine, ah—”

Before she could finish, her hand was drawn beneath his shirt. The feel of his abdomen was strange. For a human body, it was excessively taut, almost like stroking a beast. His thin skin covered rock-hard abs. As her hand traced over the fabric, the navy cloth rippled with the movement.

“…Wait a moment.”

But something was off. His skin was rough, like plowed earth. With her experience treating many patients, Ariena realized the cause. His flesh had been brutally torn and healed poorly. With her free hand, she lifted his uniform shirt.

“What happened…?”

Ariena swallowed hard at the sight of his ravaged body. It looked more like a slave’s than the prince of the Empire. Countless scars tore across his torso, leaving no unmarked skin. Worst of all, most wounds had healed unevenly, misaligned.

“Did you get these hunting monsters? That’s impossible. Even on the battlefield, there must have been Priests. How could this happen…?”

“For a knight, injuries are expected.”

“Do you take me for a fool? I’m not upset that you were hurt, but that you didn’t even get basic treatment.”

As Ria trembled with anger, Karil laughed softly. While she boiled with rage, he alone remained calm, causing Ariena to raise her brows. Karil cupped her cheeks, now bristling with indignation.

“Ariena. How do you never change?”

“It’s better than changing completely like you did.”

“Changing? There’s plenty in me that hasn’t changed.”

“Please, stop dodging like a slippery eel and just tell me what happened.”

Karil silently drew his hands together on Ariena’s cheeks. Her flushed cheeks squished, lips poking out like a fish. When she glared in annoyance, Karil kissed her fish lips.

“I thought you were dead.”

His gentle tone carried a heavy meaning. Ariena gradually understood. With her face still squished, she frowned seriously, and Karil smiled faintly.

“A knight can’t take his own life. But a commander gives up treatment for his soldiers.”

“……”

“Maybe it’s the wolf’s blood, but my life is stubbornly resilient. I used to resent it, but now I thank my ancestors.”

“……”

“I nearly died before seeing you, my adorable lady.”

Karil released her cheeks, then gently nipped her heated, Lucdia-colored cheek. Regardless, Ariena could only think about his battered body. If she still had her holy power, maybe she could heal him. She missed her lost power acutely for the first time in a while.

“Why are you so glum?”

“…Don’t ever do that again.”

“As long as you stay by my side. That’s all I need.”

“Even if I’m not?”

“I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep.”

At his stubborn reply, Ariena pressed her lips into a thin line. Karil showered her closed lips with kisses. As she stubbornly refused to open her mouth, Ariena finally yielded.

“So please, stay by my side.”

Karil whispered softly, then slowly pressed his lips to hers. Their lips met gently, sharing the sensation, then he turned his head to kiss her from a different angle.

His tongue, licking her lower lip, slipped between her lips. Feeling shy, she pressed her own tongue behind her lower teeth, letting his tongue gently tease her mouth.

As his tongue caressed her mouth like a courtship, Ariena slowly responded. Their soft flesh tangled gently, slowly, as if spring melted into summer. Even after all they had done, her heart fluttered anew.

The sound of their lips echoed like a slow song. Each time their tongues met, a tingling current ran through her mouth. Thump. Thump. Her heart beat in a rhythm different from passion.

It wasn’t forced—it felt like something was sprouting and blooming from within. Ariena took a blissful breath. Even the air tasted sweet, like sugar.

After the feather-light kiss ended, Karil hugged Ria tightly. His large hand stroked the back of her head. In a dreamy voice, he whispered,

“This is strange.”

“……”

“It hasn’t been so long since I held you, but it feels like our first kiss.”

Ariena felt the same. If previous kisses were mere means to force pleasure, this kiss was a language they shared. Treated with care, and treating each other with care. It wasn’t hot like passion, but filled her with a lasting warmth.

Karil gently lifted Ria’s chin. His blue eyes, shadowed by golden lashes, gazed at her tenderly. Their eyes met and mingled. The longer the silence, the more urgent emotion pooled in his clear eyes. Karil stroked Ria’s cheek, pleading softly.

“Ariena. I want to hold you.”

“…”

“Let me hold you.”

His hand, cold at each knuckle, slowly traced up her belly. He gathered her br*ast from below, gripping it in his palm. His fingers, gently squeezing, pressed into the skin marked with bites.

Gradually, his touch grew firmer, until he squeezed her br*ast so roughly it ached. Ariena let out a soft m*an at the sweet pain.

“I want to grab these lovely br*asts until they burst, and thr*st inside until your walls overflow.”

“Ah, hmm…”

“Let me have you.”

His blue eyes, deep beneath his lashes, stared at Ria like a hungry predator. Despite the wildness and desire in his gaze, his clenched jaw declared he would restrain himself as she wished.

His barely controlled greed melted another of Ariena’s defenses. She nodded faintly. His clear eyes flared instantly.

“Do you permit me?”

“…Yes.”

“Then lie down.”

“What?”

In a flash, Karil settled onto the altar. Irresistible strength guided Ria’s body, turning her over and pressing her down by the belly. When she came to her senses, she was kneeling and bent over.

“Wait, wait, Sir…”

Ariena tried to rise, but he pressed her nape, stopping her. The force bent her elbow, planting her cheek on the table. Earlier, she’d at least stretched her arms to keep her dignity, but now with her bottom raised, it felt even more vulgar.

This was the posture of an animal mating.

But before she could protest, the hot tip pressed to her entrance. As if to coat himself in her juices, he ground his shaft against her wet folds. The gentle kiss to her swollen cl*t made her breathe heavier.

Her heavy br*asts slid across the cold marble surface, and his hand caressed her slender waist, admiring its curve.

“I’ve never seen such a seductive line. Any man would spill himself just from looking.”

“Huh, such… ah—”

“And your bottom is so tempting. It’s as if your body was made to draw out a man’s seed.”

“Hmm…”

“This position is new. I wonder how you’ll squeeze me…”

His words trailed off in burning anticipation. Karil pressed the head into her tight entrance. The loosened opening stretched taut, her slick inner walls welcoming the intruder.

“Hoo… You’re tight.”

“Ah, hmm—”

Even with just the tip inside, she could feel the difference. The angle was reversed, scraping the flesh on her back wall. It felt as if she were receiving a stranger’s shaft.

His thick shaft slowly crawled inside, stretching her walls to their limit as it advanced. As Ariena gasped for breath, she instinctively widened herself as much as possible. Karil smiled, slapping her bottom.

“Good. Spread a little wider.”

He spoke in a tone as if handling a foal. Being commanded in an animal’s posture brought humiliation, but excitement surged to match it. The Saintess bumped her forehead against the altar, doing her best to widen her lower entrance for the man’s shaft.