Lunaria instinctively reached for her burning hip. But a large, veiny hand grabbed both her wrists and pinned them firmly against the small of her back, stopping her from moving.

“Ca—Cassion….”

She turned her head slightly to look up at him, and their eyes met immediately. His blue gaze felt especially cold. It was the same look he gave her when he was instructing her.

For some reason, it made her chest tighten.

Usually, she would have accepted that expression as normal, as part of his teaching method. But now, it stung.

“Hush. I haven’t taught you to move so indecently yet.”

“…S-sorry.”

“It’s all right. The first time is difficult for anyone. I will teach you patiently. Do you understand, Luna?”

“…Yes….”

She nodded obediently as he gently rubbed the place where he had hit her. When had he ever hurt her before? He had shaped almost everything that made her who she was. Surely he would guide her through this, too?

She lifted her eyes to his, silently pleading with him to ease the burning heat coiling low in her abdomen.

His hand, which had been resting on her hip, slowly peeled away the damp undergarment clinging to her skin. It came off with a soft, wet sound. For a moment, cool air brushed against her bare flesh—

— but the heat surged back, fiercer than before.

The discarded fabric fell heavily and wetly onto the bed. A thin strand of moisture stretched between it and her body before breaking.

Cassion watched without a word.

Then his hand traced the glistening path upwards.

His fingers brushed gently along the parted seam.

“Ah—!”

“How long were you left like this, for even here to become so inflamed…?”

Releasing her wrists, he lifted his hand to her reddened eyes instead, brushing away the tears with his thumb.

“Was it very difficult?”

At his gentle tone and touch, Lunaria answered through trembling breaths.

“It was… it was so hard….”

“Oh, Luna.”

He cupped her tear-dampened cheek, stroking it with quiet tenderness. She leaned instinctively into the coolness of his palm.

At that same moment, his fingers slipped between her parted thighs.

They pressed inward steadily and deliberately, as though exploring unfamiliar ground. He moved slowly and cautiously, guiding rather than forcing.

Her breath caught sharply in her throat.

His touch eased the tight knot that had coiled inside her throughout the endless night, shifting and adjusting as it did so. The overwhelming heat that had once consumed her began to change — it was no longer wild and aimless, but centered and bearable.

“Relax. This is how you calm it.”

Her body trembled under his steady touch, overwhelmed by the sensations and by the fact that it was him.

Somewhere between the lingering sting on her skin and the warmth of his voice, the fear that had gripped her all night began to slowly dissipate.

“Remember this place. It’s where a woman feels.”

“Yes… ah….”

Her reply dissolved into a breathless sound, half answer, half moan. Lunaria squeezed her eyes shut and bit her lower lip, yet each time he pressed lightly, a broken sound escaped her.

“Mm… ngh….”

“I was concerned it might not swell properly, but there’s no issue. Now, press here with your hand.”

He took one of her hands, which was lying limply on the bed, and drew it towards him. Gently holding the back of her hand, he carefully guided her fingers, showing her where to touch and how to move them.

“Do you feel it growing more sensitive? When you press here…”

His words trailed off as he adjusted her hand once more. Lunaria was forced to focus on the unfamiliar sensations unfolding within her body. She panted softly, clinging to both the feeling and the steady sound of his voice.

When he guided her touch again, his tone dropped lower.

“When you touch here, you’ll feel the moisture gathering. Use your fingertips and spread it gently. That way, you can continue.”

His deep, composed voice made her thoughts blur further still. Overwhelmed, she lowered her tear-stung lashes and surrendered to his guidance.

“When it’s hot enough, try pressing a finger inside.”

Awkwardly following his instructions, she explored a part of herself that felt entirely unfamiliar, even though it was her own body. It was soft, layered and warm to the touch.

“Ah…”

“Even touching near the entrance feels good, doesn’t it?”

“Yes…”

“You’ve endured all night. I’ll guide you from here. So relax.”

He gently released her hand.

Immediately, her strength left her and her damp fingers slipped carelessly against the sheets. Her upper body sagged forward, though her hips remained slightly lifted, and she tried to calm her breathing.

Cassion moved behind her.

Kneeling on the bed, he steadied her trembling body. His hand settled on her waist, guiding her gently as though he were adjusting her posture rather than taking possession of her.

Her flushed, sensitive body reacted to even the slightest touch. When he moved with quiet deliberation, she trembled — not from fear, but from the overwhelming unfamiliarity of it all.

He paused, watching her in silence.

He already knew how unprepared she was. If her suffering had been so severe that she could not come to him, then she must have endured it alone, not knowing how to ease it.

The thought unsettled him.

His touch remained steady — patient and instructive, never hurried. Although he knew there were quicker ways to provide relief, he continued at a measured pace, gently guiding and teaching her what she should have learned long ago.

She had simply endured it.

He could not bear the thought of her suffering like that again.

He moved slowly, maintaining a careful rhythm, adjusting his touch with quiet precision as he guided her through the unfamiliar sensations.

“Ah—!”

With one final thrust, her inner walls tightened and stretched around him. He rolled his fingers deliberately, pressing deeper and testing the space with careful control.

The more he moved, the louder her broken breaths became.

Each time his touch brushed a certain spot inside her, her hips tensed instinctively. When he lightly stroked the base of her spine, a shiver ran through her and her whole body trembled.

“Ah… it feels strange!”

“Strange where? Here?”

He angled his fingers and pressed firmly against the inner wall toward her lower abdomen.

“Ah!”

“So that’s where it feels good.”

As the newly appointed Grand Duke, he had inevitably received an education in matters of intimacy. Although this was the first time he had put his knowledge into practice, he was well versed in it.

“Is it better when I move lightly… or when I press like this?”

“Hngh…”

“You must answer, so I remember.”

He pressed again, coaxing a reply.

“Bo—both… ah… both are good!”

A faint curve touched his lips. He adjusted his grip once more, intensifying the motion. His movements were steady and controlled rather than reckless.

Her breathing became ragged. She could not remain still; her body reacted involuntarily and her hips shifted in response to the rhythm he had set.

Overwhelmed by sensation, she twisted slightly to look back at him, her eyes pleading.

“Deeper… please…”

Before she could say more, he withdrew his hand abruptly.

“Ah—!”

And once more, a sharp smack landed against her heated skin.

A crisp sound echoed in the room.