I Thank You Truly [M]

When Artie and Larkin had reached the latter's room, the day had already begun. They met the ducal knights just halfway the journey and had missed the morning graces wherein the chancellor had no other prayers but of their safety. Artie actually noticed that Callum and Dragen were not among the ducal knights that fetched them, but she didn't think much about it.

The door opened, and Artie quickly headed to the baths instead. All that sand stuck on her body was making her itch all over. It's just that she had forgotten about Larkin who ended up watching her strip off her sleeping gown and savoring the sight of her bare back and bottom before she could even step inside the shining water.

Artie didn't care about it as she waded around to remove the sand. After a few seconds, she seemed to have realized something. The shining water… it glowed the same way the Spring of Life did when they were standing in it. She then turned in Larkin's direction. "This water! It feels the same as the one in the Spring—!"

"They should as both are infused with magic." Larkin only hummed as if he was not caught tossing his clothes to the side. His eyes then slid to find Artie who froze on her spot, cheeks flaring red and head dizzy. However, she was still staring… at his bare skin. "Artie, courteousness meant looking me in the eyes now that we're speaking."

"...gosh, isn't it a little too early for a birthday-suit kind of thing?" Artie finally shied away and hid her face behind her hand as she listened to Larkin getting into the water. She turned to him again when he sat on the bottom of the bath, having the shiny water embrace him halfway through the chest. The future archduchess scooted a little closer. "I-Infused with magic, huh. Do you mean… magic from the demons?"

"Yes. A large demon vein is running underneath the plains, and it was enough to bless the waters stored in the aqueducts. However, I am the only one privileged to bathe in it… as I must recharge my magic as well." He turned to her and slipped his arm along the rim of the huge tub as if inviting her closer just like the first time. "Do you not feel it? Coursing through your body?"

Artie only stared at him. She was finding the scene familiar, and yes, it was indeed a core memory. 'Not feel it coursing through my body? Something else is coursing through my body, and it's making me fan myself to death.'

Larkin finally called her closer with obvious hand gestures, and so she had no choice but to scoot as close as she went before. Moreover, this time, no towel could come in between them… not that it helped the first time they shared a bath. Artie only looked away as she felt Larkin's arm behind her and wished for things to be quite slow compared to the last time.

However, Larkin didn't seem to be interested in such a tease today. He wrapped his arms around her in a hug and rested his face against her head. "I must say… you were true to your words. Thank you for letting me get to him in time. You had also opted to reveal yourself without waiting for Miel to be deeply implicated. You also forced yourself to face the Lady of the Land for the girl… I would have left to die.

"You have made Miel happy for not losing the severed part of his family. You have made me happy by doing so as well. I owe you, Artie."

[You have gained a chunk of trust! Active task completion: 90%. Veneration + 100. Total meter points: 281; Veneration 179, Apostasy 102.]

Artie would be shocked by the System, but she was more focused on how Larkin held her. He was relieved, and for the first time, he seemed to be completely unguarded around her. The angel then smiled and reached out to hold on to him as well. She then chuckled. "Larkin, don't forget. You don't need to owe things to your family. Now that you will soon be part of mine, I will do everything in my power and even outside it for you."

"I will remember so." Larkin chuckled in response.

It's just that… he then held onto Artie's with his hands and pulled her on his lap. The angel squeaked as she felt her body fly and be seated on a pair of firm thighs. It didn't help that underneath her crotch sat a hardening organ. Artie flushed cherry red again as she felt it throb against her part, the lips spreading as if reaching to bind it. She lowered her head as she tried to hide her face and smile from the archduke.

"Larkin, there are things to be reserved for a wedding night." She wanted to deescalate the scene, but Larkin pulled on her and pressed her against his heating body. On her ear, he whispered: "I understand, but do they include the warmth of your body… and the taste of your lips?"

"You just want a kiss, right?!"

He loosened his hold just in time for Artie to pull back a little in shock. However, it only gave him the closeness he needed for another passionate kiss. The archduchess was startled, but she was soon swept away by the feeling of being pulled almost out of her own body. Her weight leaned against his chest, making her hips slide a little further and pressing their connection closer.

…

Artie had exited her room in a daze. Up until now, she was still thinking of the strong teasing that Larkin had given her. Her entire body was still sensitive against the cool wind, and so she was rather grateful that her gowns would cover every inch of her body from the neck down. She had also worn a thicker snood to keep her ears from feeling the wind. If Larkin found her later and dared press a finger outside her face, her body would riot.

However, who found her after was not the archduke… but his rather excited-looking son. Miel just finished a portion of his workload, and so he took the time to come find Artie. Surely, he could find her lugging around the hallways. He then loudly called out 'Lady Shen!', only to cover his mouth out of embarrassment. He must have gotten too loud that he startled Artie.

Actually, whatever approach would have startled Artie. She then turned around when she realized that it was just Miel. She returned his enthusiasm with a flash of a grin. "Miel! You look happy! Did you process Jillian's release papers already?"

"Indeed." He then took both of her hands into his and held them over her chest. "Lady Shen! I thank you truly! I—!" He realized his hold and gently placed her hands down. "I am in your debt for saving Jillian and freely accepting her into the household. She might need a lot more patience to be an exemplary maid, but she will learn. Moreover… I… will you listen to me for a moment? There's so much happiness inside me that I wish to share it…

"Do you remember…? Lord Ellis… he… he called me 'son'."