Now You’re Obsessed - ✿ dusk blossoms ✿

Thus, on the day of the subjugation team’s departure.

“The romance novel by Lady Mo, you know. It’s now on the banned books list.”

“I heard the next manuscript, which was about to be published, was completely recalled and burned.”

“They say the already published manuscripts met the same fate.”

“Oh, what a waste. I was planning to binge-read it after this subjugation.”

“By the way, did you hear? In this subjugation team…”

Amidst the saintess candidates chatting about various topics, Ariel sought out the subjugation team to which she had been assigned. The atmosphere around was filled with a subtle excitement and liveliness ahead of the expedition.

Ariel found her assigned place but soon lost her words and looked around nervously.

“Welcome to the Second Subjugation Team, holy knights, priests, and saintess candidates.”

“……”

“This is Lionel Frenderick, who will be leading the Second Subjugation Team in my place as I take a leave starting today.”

It wasn’t surprising that her assigned subjugation team consisted mostly of beginners. But the fact that the leader of this team was none other than Lionel was completely unexpected.

‘How can this be?’

This was something no one could have anticipated. As expected, others assigned to the subjugation team were equally astonished.

“My goodness! Is it really ‘that’ Lionel Frenderick?”

“Is such a person really leading us?”

“…Yes. I believe I need experience as a leader now.”

When Lionel answered politely, the members, excluding Ariel, expressed their joy. Ariel couldn’t even look at his face properly and turned her gaze away.

‘How embarrassing.’

She felt like her face would heat up again. She never thought they would meet again so soon.

‘I planned to avoid him until I left for Veloto.’

Meanwhile, a few subjugation team members who knew both Ariel and Lionel well tilted their heads at her indifferent reaction. They found it strange that Ariel, who would usually rush to Lionel calling his name and clinging to him, was now so quiet.

“……”

After a brief greeting, Ariel deliberately turned her gaze away, feeling a prickling sensation on her cheek. Just then, Lionel passed by her side. Ariel rolled her eyes at that moment.

“I sent a letter.”

Lionel whispered to her. His words startled her, and she suddenly remembered.

‘That’s right. While I was bedridden, a letter arrived from the Frenderick Duke’s estate…’

‘Later.’

The maid had shown her the envelope, which she had put away like the other items she had cleared out. It had the cool scent Lionel always used and bore the seal of the Frenderick Ducal family.

‘Was he trying to tell me something important?’

Come to think of it, Lionel had visited the Tenia Marquisate several times but couldn’t meet Ariel. Initially, it was because of the Marquis’s collapse, and then because Ariel was ill. According to the maids, he waited for a long time before leaving on some occasions.

‘…Did he officially file a complaint?’

She regretted not reading the letter, but it was too late now. Ariel felt a cold sweat forming and fidgeted with her hands. She felt the need to offer some kind of explanation. To reassure Lionel, she needed to let him know she no longer had feelings for him.

“Um, after this subjugation… I’m getting married.”

Lionel’s eyes widened. Just as he was about to respond, Ariel quickly continued.

“To someone from the Republic of Veloto. I’m going there after this subjugation.”

Only after impulsively blurting it out did she remember that she hadn’t even seen the nobleman’s face yet, nor was the marriage confirmed.

But for the subjugation to end smoothly, Lionel shouldn’t feel uncomfortable around her. She needed to make it clear that she had no lingering feelings for him.

However, the next moment, Ariel was startled by the sudden chill in the air.

“……”

Lionel’s piercing gaze bore down on her, making her feel as if a sharp icicle was hanging above her, ready to drop at any moment.

“Married, you say?”

“…Yes.”

“To someone else?”

“Yes! To someone else!”

Ariel nodded vigorously as if to reassure him. Even then, she couldn’t muster the courage to look at Lionel directly.

“So, don’t… worry too much.”

Finishing that sentence was all she could manage.

Lionel stood silently in front of Ariel for what seemed like an eternity, long enough for others to find it suspicious. Only when the voice of the Holy Knight Order’s leader called from a distance did he move. He left without giving her any response.

“Haa.”

Ariel took a deep breath, praying for the subjugation to end safely.

* * *

The subjugation went smoothly as expected.

…Until they faced an unexpected ambush and got isolated. Until the inexperienced members couldn’t respond properly and scattered. Until Lionel got injured while protecting her, and monsters seeking a virgin gathered outside.

— Hand over the virgin!

There couldn’t have been a worse turn of events.

Ariel returned to reality and looked down at herself. The sight of his heated hand on her chest was dizzying. Her face grew hot without her realizing it. She felt embarrassed by the exposed skin where her clothes were torn.

“You liked me.”

“……”

“You liked me so much that you did those things.”

Recalling what ‘those things’ were, Ariel shut her eyes tightly.

She vividly remembered kissing him, lowering her face to his groin while he was defenseless and drunk, and sucking on him. The image of that large, grotesque, and fishy-tasting object she had tried to suck like candy was also clear.

‘Think good thoughts. Think good thoughts.’

But once those memories came up, it wouldn’t leave her mind easily. The object rubbing against Ariel’s thigh was as imposing as ever. The feel of it alone was enough to vividly picture its shape and the slightly curved tip in her mind.

“You did those things, and now you’re saying you don’t want it?”

“……”

“Now you’re saying you don’t want it?”

Even as Lionel whispered, he looked at her with eyes full of resentment. It felt like sitting on a cushion with thorns. She had no excuse.

“Well, that…”

Ariel turned her head and closed her eyes unconsciously. Her eyelashes fluttered in all directions.

“That, that time, it was a mistake…”

“…A mistake, you say.”

The atmosphere grew increasingly suffocating. Ariel whispered, feeling dizzy and unsure how to handle the situation. Her voice grew smaller, like an ant crawling.

“Yes. I’m sorry. At that time, I really don’t know what I was thinking.”

An indescribable shame washed over her again. Just as Ariel lowered her gaze, unable to meet Lionel’s eyes,

“Lies.”

“Aah!”

Her chest was squeezed harder with the whisper. The sensation of her round, soft flesh being kneaded in his rough hand was too vivid. Her n*pples, which had perked up, brushed against the lines of his palm.

But what embarrassed Ariel even more was what happened next.

“You got wet while sucking me.”

“…What?”

“Just like now.”

Something suddenly intruded between her defenselessly spread thighs. It was Lionel’s bare hand, which had somehow removed his thick leather gloves.

“Ah!”

Lionel slipped his hand through her torn clothes and pressed his fingers against her underwear, finding her cl*toris and pressing down on it. A white bolt of lightning struck inside her head. Ariel’s head tilted back involuntarily and then trembled back into place.

“Li, Lionel?”

“Your neck… was red like this.”

Lionel murmured as he slowly lowered his lips to Ariel’s delicate neck. Watching him follow the throbbing pulse with his lips, Ariel’s eyes grew hazy.

“Just like then…”

The next moment, a sharp sensation followed on her neck.

“Wanting to do this.”

His words came out muffled between his lips. Ariel, unable to understand, stammered until a wet, warm tongue touched her neck, making her flinch and touch her throat.

“Ah!”

Her neck was wet with saliva. She could feel the neat marks left by his teeth. Realizing that Lionel had left bite marks on her tender skin, Ariel’s legs trembled. She could feel her underwear growing sticky and wet.

“……”

Lionel, who had his fingers on her underwear, seemed to notice this as well. He slowly lowered his gaze. His fingers pressed into the fabric as if about to dig in.

Ariel’s throat moved slightly in excitement. Even then, a sense of crisis that things would become irreversible made her open her mouth.

“But, Lionel…”

“Are you still hesitating? Do you want to reject me now?”

“It’s just…”

“Or do you really plan to marry another man?”

“What?”

“Do you need to keep your purity for him?”

His words grew sharper. Lionel’s lips whispered between her collarbones.

“Purity is nothing compared to life.”

“Well, that’s true, but…”

“Especially if you’re giving it to another man.”

A grinding sound seemed to come from somewhere.