65

The bright morning sunlight woke me up again today, just as usual.

Though, to say it "woke me" might be a bit misleading—I was already awake.

"Mom… are you okay?"

Marie, nestled in my arms, looked up at me with concern.

Did I look unwell?

Well, I did barely sleep last night.

My body, still hot and restless, hadn't cooled down easily.

Even after it settled somewhat, the lingering unease in my body kept me from resting well.

I ended up practically staying up all night because of it…

"Hmm… I just didn't sleep well, that's all…"

With a slight pout, Marie shot a sharp look at Athena.

"Why… are you here?"

This was a space just for me and Mom.

"Good morning, Hera."

Ignoring Marie's gaze completely, Athena leaned in and placed a light kiss on my lips.

"Uh… um… good morning."

I greeted her back, and Athena looked at me with a gentle smile.

I found myself staring blankly at her for a moment.

Thump-thump—

'What's happening to me?'

We've kissed like this before, so why does it feel so different today?

"Eek…!"

Marie, seemingly unsatisfied, held onto me even tighter, snuggling closer.

"Mom… me too…"

Rubbing her head against me, Marie looked up with big, eager eyes.

With a soft smile, I obliged her wish.

Smooch

I placed a light kiss on her cheek.

***

"Hera, you've got something on your lips."

Athena reached over, brushing a crumb from my mouth with her finger.

The memory of yesterday's sensations flashed through my mind, making my body shiver slightly.

"Th-thank you…"

"For what?"

She gave me a warm smile, and my heart began to beat quietly once again.

We were sitting in the garden, enjoying tea and snacks together.

Athena didn't have any work today, so she said we could spend the whole day together.

So, I followed her suggestion, and we came out to the garden.

"It's much more peaceful without that little one around."

"Little one…?"

After admiring the blooming flowers, Marie had darted off, saying she wanted to make a flower crown for me.

Leaving just the two of us at the table.

Athena took a sip of her tea, and I did the same, following her lead.

As the calm, pure taste of the tea flowed down my throat, I felt my thirst quenched, and my hand instinctively reached for the sweet pastries in front of me.

I wasn't particularly fond of this aristocratic lifestyle, but spending this special time with Athena was truly enjoyable.

"By the way, Hera, you seem really tired. Did you not sleep well?"

She looked at me with a curious expression.

Ah…

Seeing her innocent face, unaware of anything, stirred a hint of resentment in me.

"…Hmph…"

Whose fault did she think it was?

Did she even know that I hadn't been able to sleep at all last night because of her touch?

Probably not, which is why she was asking like that.

With a shallow sigh, I took another sip of tea.

'Am I… a pervert…?'

My body, tormented by Athena's teasing, still seemed to long for something, stirring within me little by little.

It was likely pleasure it wanted.

The immense pleasure Athena had given me before—I wanted it again.

…When had this started?

Until recently, I hadn't felt any particular desire for pleasure.

But ever since I started spending time with Athena, it felt like my body was slowly changing.

Before, all I wanted was to catch Athena's attention.

But now, I wish she would fiercely desire me.

I want her to press hard against my belly, so I can feel that pleasure once more.

So I can't think about anything at all… with her kissing me intensely on my lips.

Ooh—

Even I was horrified by the disturbing thoughts in my own mind.

'W-what's wrong with you, Hera?!'

I'm not a pervert. What am I even imagining?

Surely, these obscene thoughts are all because of this heated body that continues to torment me.

"What's wrong, Hera? Are you feeling unwell?"

Athena placed her hand on my forehead, a concerned expression on her face.

As her warm touch landed, a faint blush rose on my cheeks.

"Ugh…"

Thump-thump—

My heart began to race the moment I looked at her.

Something was wrong.

There was definitely something strange about me.

The way I wanted her to desire me…

Each time I looked at Athena, my heart pounded fiercely, almost as if—

Was I looking at her as a sexual object?

'Get a grip, Hera.'

The way she touches me like this—it's just a gesture of affection, a hobby of hers, not because she sees me as a romantic interest.

After all, in the world of 'The Indomitable Hero', only one character was designated as a lesbian—an esteemed saint.

Since it's a world lenient towards women's physical closeness, she's just spending time with me. There's no hidden meaning, right?

But of course, calling it "women's affection"—

We did share such a blissful, mind-numbing kiss…

She has caressed and massaged my whole body…

I even remember licking every inch of her skin with my tongue…

And other things as well…

"…"

It's fine, right… because we're both women?

After being taught all sorts of things by Lily, I never once doubted this notion.

But now that I think about it again…

The things Athena and I did seem far too sensual to be just friendly gestures between two women.

In South Korea, such flirtatious acts wouldn't even be possible for most actual couples.

Even though this world is different, it felt as if our "norms" diverged too greatly.

I glanced up at Athena with a quick look.

"What's wrong?"

She looked at me with an innocent expression.

Yes. I must be imagining things.

There was still much about this world's customs I didn't know.

Relying on the common sense I had in South Korea might not be a good idea here.

I shook off the swirling thoughts in my head, and together with Athena and the flower-crowned Mari who ran over, we spent the rest of our time together.

'Yes, it can't be…'

There's no way Athena would think of me as a romantic interest, right…?

***

'N-no… right?'

"Mmph… hah…"

Athena gently tickled my belly with her fingers.

Her touch, just like yesterday, subtly teased me here and there, and my body began to heat up once more like flames.

The sensation she gave me—

It wasn't unpleasant, but it left me feeling like something was deeply missing.

"Huh… ugh…"

Squeak-squeak—

The sound of her hands gliding over my skin echoed in the room repeatedly.

It was driving me…

Crazy.

It felt like I was going to go mad from her touch sweeping over my entire body like a feather.

I wanted her to press harder on my body, just a little more.

But as if she had no intention of doing so, she only continued to lightly graze over me.

"Ah… Athena… j-just a bit harder… please…"

Overcome by an unbearable sensation, I gathered the courage to ask her to touch me more firmly, despite the embarrassment that flared up to my face.

I felt utterly humiliated, but I feared I might truly lose my mind if this kept going.

Yet, despite my desperate request, Athena simply shook her head.

"No, Hera. You weren't feeling well today, remember?"

Her firm tone sparked a flare of irritation within me.

Like it's all your fault…!

I wanted to say that, but as she teased my thigh ever so gently, my words dissolved into moans, slipping out of my mouth.

"Hnngh… haah…"

"Let's stop here for today."

As she released me from my restraints, my hands were finally free again.

She seemed to have concluded her task, and she rose from the bed, heading toward the door.

"…What?"

I stared at her blankly.

"Let's go to sleep, Hera."

She beckoned for me to follow, but I couldn't bring myself to leave the bed.

Again…?

She's ending it like this again?

After leaving my body in this heated state…?

I was certain I wouldn't get a wink of sleep tonight, even more than last night.

My body felt hotter than before, and the desperate need to release this heat made me feel like I was losing my mind.

I didn't want to go back to my room like this.

I ran to Athena, grabbed her hand, and with a pleading expression, asked,

"C-couldn't you… do just a little more…?"

For a moment, I thought I saw a smile on her face as she turned away.

But when she looked back at me, her expression was filled only with fatigue.

"What is it you want me to do?"

I hesitated to answer her question. I couldn't even clearly define what my body desired.

After fumbling with my words for a while, I finally spoke.

"T-the thing you did last time…"

"What last time?"

"The… thing…"

Her persistent questions started to feel a bit annoying for some reason.

Surely, she wasn't asking this while fully knowing, right?

Lowering my red face, I mumbled in a small, crawling voice.

"Press… on my stomach…"

"I can't hear you, Hera."

"Press… on my stomach, like last time…"

Athena gazed at me in silence for a long moment after hearing my words.

"Is that how you ask your master for a favor?"

"Huh…?"

She lifted my chin with her finger, making me meet her eyes.

"Hera, I told you before. You don't give orders to me. All you can do is ask."

"Ah… Athena…"

"I'm tired right now. So, if you really want it, ask me politely enough to change my mind."

Her words, telling me to ask politely like a slave, left my mind in turmoil.

Words that could easily be taken as humiliating.

"J-Just like last time… press down hard on me…"

I was left speechless in front of her.

Silence settled between us for a moment.

"If you don't want to, let's just go to bed."

Athena turned her back to me and started to walk away.

"W-Wait…"

As she headed toward the door, I felt a surge of urgency.

I didn't want to spend another night like this.

I hurriedly grabbed her hand.

Then Athena turned to look back at me.

It was incredibly embarrassing, but—

Even so, I wanted to satisfy this desire.

After all, hadn't I already decided to be her slave?

This shouldn't be a problem at all.

I closed my eyes tightly for a moment.

Then, I lifted my shirt, exposing my stomach to her.

My cheeks turned red with shame, but—

I mustered the courage, opened my eyes, and delivered my earnest request to her.

"P-Please… Master…"