Most Powerful of Fantasies [R]

'Aren't we a little too close?'

'Larkin, do you mind me asking… why are your eyes silver?'

'I don't like where this is going...'

Multiple lines of words actually appeared in her mind as if she wanted to say them, but she never really felt they were appropriate to be said at such a juncture. Before she could decide which one would be the most suitable, Larkin had already made a choice for her.

His soft thin lips pressed against hers, slowly sipping as if gauging her total reaction. At this point, Artie was nothing but frozen… frozen from all the multitude of movements that her body wanted to do. However, her brain seemed to decide that staying still was the best course of action.

It's just that… her decision was like a cue for him to continue whatever he wanted to do. His kisses started to be more forceful, and his tongue was already teasing her lips to open. His hand on her face moved to her further shoulder, seemingly about to pull her against him.

"…!" Artie finally snapped from her trance, and both of her hands held onto Larkin's shoulder with a slight push. Her refusal was a little too subtle, but she was very relieved that Larkin pulled back right after she decided to do so. Guess he was quite a good pet owner.

She then stared at him wide-eyed before whining in a squeal. Her hands went to cover her beet-red face as she hid behind them. "Kyaaa! I thought that, after all those otome games, I will be very ready and not fazed by real things! I'm so wrong! I'm so wrong! I'm not ready! Why am I not ready?!"

Larkin stifled his laughter before caressing her head. "You cry like a child. I cannot decide if it's adorable or unbecoming of you."

The angel shot her gaze up and puffed her cheeks as she lowered her hands. "I cry like a child? It's unbecoming of me? So what?!" She whined again, but she reached out her hands and flattened her palms on Larkin's face. "I don't know… should I? Should I? I need help!"

By 'should I', it was a question to her sanity. By 'I need help', she called out to the System. She had no idea if she had the luxury to wait for any of them as Larkin only laughed out and tried to pry her hands off of his face. If it persisted, he might get angry.

[Active task: Seducing the Archduke (1/??) Status: 50% completion]

[Mission help: Deploy every possible method to gain his favor. The archduke has no clear distinction between righteousness and pure cruelty. Making use of both routes will be recommended for the assignment. Showing distrust towards him and fondness of battle is discouraged.]

[Chances of success: 80%]

'Deploy every method?! Wait, I have this option?! I hate you! I hate you!' Artie cried inwardly as she whined like a baby who couldn't bawl out. She just discovered some new functions that should have been helping her from the beginning. 'Damn, wait… it might be recently unlocked though...'

Artie then moved her hands to the side, and she stared at Larkin's face again even if she didn't like her beet-red face. "Larkin baby… I'm very bad at this..."

Larkin's brows rose at the address, but she was seemingly giving consent now. He decided to ignore it and leaned down again, beginning to savor the taste of her lips. Even if her eyes were closed shut as she winced, her hands moved to the sides of his neck and seemingly held him close.

After a soft smack, Larkin pulled back and looked down at the dizzy angel. Her beet-red face of embarrassment never left, making her look like a tomato in his arms. He took a hold of her wrists and moved them away to her shoulders, pushing her gently to have her back against the wall of the bath.

"Ah, wait..." Artie gasped as he moved in front of her and leaned down to capture her lips again.

However, this time, it was hungrier than earlier. His tongue managed to gain entrance into her mouth while one of his legs was between hers. Just a few actions were enough to pin her under him, her arms held overhead with the wrists in one of his big hands.

The other hand had slipped at the slit of the towel, effectively tugging it off from its hold. The fabric slid down, and Artie's breath hitched as the warm glowing water kissed her bare chest with his hand sliding down her back. He then used his powerful arm to lift her up a little, letting his knee slide in-between her thighs.

"Mmff… hmmm…" A young mistress like Artie Shen was normally discouraged from engaging with any kinds of sensual activities outside of marriage. She was bound to be married, but she died before she could even fight for her right to choose. In short, she was very sensitive to touches like this…

Not to mention a very dominating kiss.

Larkin pulled back and smiled at the look Artie was giving him. He leaned down to kiss her face, his tongue trailing down to the side of her neck to kiss and suck on her snow skin. Her small moaning was generating too much fuel inside him… that he was beginning to forget that she was an angel.

"I fail to see the 'bad' in this, Artie," he whispered against her neck, his hot breath pressing against her already sensitive skin. "Should you allure me more, I will be in your mercy..."

Her arms were released, but she had no more energy to move them. The passion she's experiencing right now was too much for a first time, and it was draining her mind from her body. She couldn't really think all too much; might as well let her body move the way it wanted…

The way he wanted.

Both of his hands began to slide up and down her thighs, soon raising her knees to put himself between her legs. As she felt the movement, she couldn't help but suddenly wrap her arms around his neck in a surge of energy. He pulled back to kiss her down some more, slowly pulling her more towards his lap.

Perhaps this was some kind of perverted dream Artie was having during comatose. She was just a young mistress raised to support the family interests and married off to secure more wealth. For her to be a world as a beacon of light and be romanced by such a perfect creation, it was very impossible.

Even the most powerful of her fantasies wouldn't give her anything like this.

"Reporting to the archduke!"

Snap! Both of them broke off from their trance. Miel's voice was particularly loud that they could tell he was inside the chamber, just outside the private bath. For the seneschal to intrude the archduke's room at this time of the night…

Larkin audibly growled in annoyance, but he didn't quickly pull away from Artie. Before he could speak in response, Miel's voice resounded quite softly from the door that the seneschal opened with a crack.

"Your Grace, an entourage from the capital had arrived." Miel wasn't actually looking. He just didn't want to speak too loud, hence opening the door. "Emperor Albas wishes to see you."