4.1

Larisa and Pavel’s relationship had now reached its sixth month.  

People whispered, wondering if that Larisa had finally settled down with one man. Wherever they went, the two were always together, and somehow, it was becoming increasingly natural.  

Some criticized the Duke of Ainsley, claiming he was neglecting his duties because of his infatuation with a woman. However, since he continued to flawlessly manage both the Kingdom’s Knights and the Ainsley Ducal House, such rumors eventually died down.  

Their relationship seemed to be progressing as smoothly as a ship sailing with the wind at its back.  

* * *  

“Ugh… uh…”  

Pavel let out a groan as Larisa, dressed in only a slip and a gown, smiled faintly. She drained the remaining wine in her glass in one gulp and set it down on the bedside table. Then, with a leisurely smile, she spoke to her “lover.”  

“Make it more visible, will you? Hmm?”  

At her words, Pavel nodded in response instead of speaking. He had no choice; the hem of his shirt was between his teeth, making it impossible to reply.  

Straightening his back, Pavel looked at Larisa. He tightened his grip on his manhood and began stroking it. His member was swollen to the point of pain, yet there wasn’t even the slightest sign of release.  

If only Larisa would touch him, even just once—if she stroked the tip with her small hands or teased the slit with her nails—he might finish instantly.  

But that wasn’t what Larisa wanted. She had said she wanted to see him reach climax on his own.  

As his hand moved over his length, his chiseled abdominal muscles twitched. His hips jerked slightly, as if he were thrusting into something. He squinted one eye, letting out a low groan, 

“Mm…”  

Larisa watched Pavel’s actions with an air of amusement and curiosity. Although she had made him do this several times before, she found it enjoyable every time. She liked seeing the face of a man consumed by lust and arousal, and she found it entertaining how he struggled to reach his peak without her help, eventually begging her in desperation.  

A man strong enough to overpower her with one hand, panting and calling her name—his helplessness was simply…  

Larisa suddenly paused at the word that came to mind. Without realizing it, she bit her lip.  

Did I just think he was endearing?  

That was a lie. It couldn’t be true. For someone like her, who didn’t even know what it meant to be loved, finding him endearing was a contradiction. Such emotions were nothing more than a mirage.  

For no reason, irritation began to bubble up inside her. Pavel hadn’t done anything wrong—not even a little—but she still felt angry at him.  

Larisa moved closer and sat directly in front of Pavel, who was panting heavily as he grasped and stroked himself. He looked at her with eyes filled with both ecstasy and confusion.  

She reached out to stroke his dark hair, then suddenly clenched it tightly in her fist. Despite the sudden roughness, Pavel didn’t flinch. He simply submitted to her grip without resistance.  

A mocking tone dripped from Larisa’s lips.  

“Can’t even finish on your own? Hmm?”  

“Ugh… uh…”  

“Oh, you’re trying to say you can’t even climax without me, is that it? Honestly, you’re such a pervert.”  

Pavel’s cheeks flushed red. Rather than feeling humiliated by her harsh words, he seemed to grow even more aroused. It was all because it was Larisa—but she viewed everything about him with disdain.  

“Do you want to come? Hmm?”  

Pavel’s chest heaved heavily. Larisa smirked and placed a kiss on his forehead.  

Then, she sat down in front of him and rested her foot on his member. Slowly moving her foot, she said,  

“I’ll lend it to you.”  

“…”  

“Use this to pleasure yourself.”  

Pavel’s hand seemed to tremble slightly. However, he did not refuse. Instead, he held her foot with care and pressed it firmly against his aroused manhood. Pressing down, he began rubbing it with her sole and toes. The flesh that slipped between her big and second toes twitched as he spread them apart. Pavel tilted his head back, groaning.  

“Mm… ah…”  

The veins on his neck bulged. Larisa leaned back, supporting herself with her arms, and watched as he drove himself toward climax.  

The way his muscles quivered as if in anger was beautiful. Larisa extended her other foot and began rubbing Pavel’s stomach with her toes. Her foot moved slowly, stroking his thigh before slipping between his legs. When the tip of her foot pressed against his t*sticles, Pavel tightly shut his eyes and shook his head.  

“What’s wrong? Don’t like it?”  

“Ugh… ah… uh…”  

“Or is it… too much stimulation?”  

At her teasing, Pavel nodded his head. Amused, Larisa pressed her toes more firmly against him. The shirt hem in Pavel’s mouth fell to the floor. Gasping with flushed lips, he managed to speak.  

“P-please… don’t.”  

“Why not?”  

“It’s… too much. Larisa… ah…”  

At his words, Larisa tilted her head briefly before obliging and withdrawing her foot. But then, she brought her other foot to his manhood. With his length sandwiched between her feet, Larisa began moving them slowly.  

“Ah… mm…!”  

Larisa had barely rubbed him a few times with her feet when Pavel clasped both her feet and his own length with his hands, his hips jerking. His body convulsed like a fish struck by a harpoon. Soon, Larisa felt a warm sensation splatter against her feet.  

“Ha… ah… ugh.”  

“You came the moment my foot touched you? Really?”  

Too sensitive, she teased, her words mocking. Pavel’s face turned red as he raised his head and spoke.  

“But, Larisa… holding myself back around you… is too difficult.”  

Larisa was momentarily at a loss for words.  

Hiding her flustered feelings, she tried to withdraw her foot. However, Pavel’s hands did not release her.  

“Why?”  

“It’s dirty, isn’t it?”  

“Dirty? What’s—ah!”  

In an instant, she was pushed down onto her back. Pavel, now looming over her, held her foot still stained with his release and began licking it clean. There wasn’t even time to protest.  

Before she realized it, she was once again beneath him, letting out moans of pleasure.  

* * *  

Even as their private time together increased, responsibilities did not disappear.  

Larisa stood before Pavel with her arms crossed, her lips pursed in a pout. Pavel, looking at her, gave her an awkward smile and opened his mouth to speak.  

“I forgot to tell you sooner.”  

“Even so, who tells someone they’re leaving just a week before they go?”  

“My apologies.”  

Pavel had informed her that in just one week, he would be leaving for his regular border inspection. It was an annual duty, and he had simply forgotten to mention it earlier.  

In truth, it wasn’t even that late of a notice. He was merely fulfilling his obligations, so there was no real reason for her to be upset. Yet, Larisa couldn’t help but feel anger bubbling up.  

The man who had been faithfully by her side was suddenly going to disappear for over two months. How could she believe this? What was she supposed to do in the meantime?  

Pavel carefully took hold of Larisa’s fingertips and spoke.  

“I’ll finish as quickly as possible and return.”  

“And what am I supposed to do alone in the meantime?”  

“That’s…”  

“Can I play with someone else?”  

Her teasing words made Pavel’s brow twitch. For the first time, he responded with a sulky tone.  

“Please don’t get close to other men.”  

“Hm.”  

“Anyone but me… you won’t, will you?”  

“But if I get too bored…”  

“I beg you.”  

Like a large puppy whining, Pavel pleaded with her.  

“If you do, I don’t know what I’ll do.”  

“What do you think you’d do?”  

“I’d throw everything away, come back, and hunt down every man who dared to approach you…”  

Pavel, who seemed on the verge of uttering harsher words, tightly shut his mouth. In the end, he could only plead with her once more.  

“Please, Larisa. Wait for me until I return.”  

Larisa burst into laughter.  

“I have a lover, I’m not so shameless as to play around with other men.”  

“…I know. But you’re so beautiful, so captivating, that men keep flocking around you, and I…”  

“I’m telling you not to worry.”  

Larisa chuckled softly and tapped her lips with her finger. Pavel obediently followed her cue and pressed his lips against hers. The two kissed like children, smacking their lips together, and before long, they both smiled gently without prompting.  

“Take care of yourself while you’re away.”  

“I’ll finish quickly and return. Ah…”  

Unable to hold back, Pavel pulled Larisa into a tight embrace. A heavy sigh escaped him, falling onto the crown of her head.  

“I don’t want to leave you here and go.”  

“Then take me with you.”  

“If I could, I would. But it’s too dangerous…”  

“You know I’m not seriously asking you to take me, right?”  

Larisa chuckled, then suddenly pulled away as if remembering something. Looking directly at Pavel, she spoke.  

“If you fool around with another woman during the border inspection, I won’t let it slide.”  

“There’s no such thing as another woman. Truly.”  

“And the female knights under your command? Are they not women?”  

“They’re just knights… I understand. I won’t even speak to them personally.”  

The way they exchanged promises over and over was no different from any other couple. Larisa suddenly became aware of this and felt awkward. She had resolved not to trust too much, not to give her heart too freely, and yet her current actions were far from those intentions.  

Beside her, Pavel fiddled with the chest pocket of his jacket. Several times, he seemed about to take something out of the inner pocket but ultimately refrained.  

He thought to himself that he would definitely give it to her when he returned.