Perfect Butler’s Touch, Lady’s Weakness

Ethan stood in front of Rhea's bookshelf, running his fingers along the spines of her favorite novels, a slight smile tugging at his lips.

Her affinity was at 75 now. A number that looked strong on the stats panel, but he knew,there was still a barrier between them.

Not a wall of distrust. Not anymore. But the invisible veil between affection and intimacy. Between trust… and surrender.

He sighed inwardly.

"We're close, but not close enough. I need her to feel me,not just as a friend or savior,but as someone who can reach her body and heart."

She sat on the edge of her bed in a casual off-shoulder blouse and soft lounge shorts, towel-dried hair still damp.

She rubbed her forehead with an annoyed pout.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. "You alright?"

"Just… a headache," she said, rubbing her forehead. "It was light earlier, but now it's kinda worse. Maybe because of you barging in."

Just then 

Ding!

A familiar chime echoed in Ethan's mind.

[SYSTEM TIP - Direct Insight from the Author/Goddess]

"You have 'Perfect Butler Etiquette' for a reason. A perfect butler is perfect at everything—including massage.**"

Ethan blinked. Then smirked internally.

"Heh… thank you, Author-sama. You really do want me to live a perfect life."

His eyes twinkled as he leaned a little closer.

"Alright then," he said smoothly. "Let me give you a massage. I'll fix that headache of yours."

Rhea raised an eyebrow. "You… know how to give massages?"

"Trust me," Ethan said, voice lower, richer, "I'm very good with my hands."

Her eyes widened a bit, the heat rising to her cheeks. She looked away, clearly weighing the idea.

"…Fine. Just my head," she said, sitting upright on her bed and folding her legs beneath her. "If it feels weird, I'm kicking you."

"Noted." He cracked his knuckles lightly, then moved behind her.

Ethan sat on the bed, right behind her back, close enough to smell the faint traces of lavender from her damp hair.

He gently placed his fingertips on her scalp.

Soft.

Precise.

Circular motions began, slow and soothing. His fingers glided through her dark hair, applying just the right pressure. Not too firm, not too light.

Rhea closed her eyes almost instantly.

"Mmm…"

A soft hum escaped her lips before she could stop it.

Ethan smiled to himself.

He continued, working through her scalp like a professional, no, better than professional. His touch traced her hairline, gliding around her head in rhythmic motion.

"God, that… feels incredible," she murmured.

His fingers found her temples next. He moved in soft, focused circles, pressing gently into the pressure points on either side.

Rhea sighed,deep, relaxed, vulnerable.

She leaned back a little. Not enough to fall, just enough that her shoulder lightly touched his chest.

Ethan stayed quiet, his heart calm but aware of her every tiny movement.

He let his hands drift lower.

To the base of her skull.

Then the nape of her neck.

His fingers pressed gently into the soft muscle there, kneading with expert rhythm. Her skin was warm, silky beneath his fingertips.

A small, involuntary breath escaped her.

Then came the ears.

He didn't even hesitate. His thumbs trailed up gently behind her ears, the pads of his fingers brushing her earlobes.

His breath ghosted near her ear—warm, faintly teasing.

Rhea flinched slightly, biting her lip.

"That tickles," she whispered.

"Sorry," Ethan murmured, not sorry at all.

He continued. Slow. Methodical. Intimate.

Her breathing was growing softer, deeper.

The way her shoulders slowly relaxed.

The way her head tilted slightly to one side, eyes still closed.

Ethan's hands dipped lower.

From the nape of her neck, he let them glide across her shoulders. Thumb strokes over the tender muscles, rolling out tension she didn't even realize she held.

Rhea leaned into his touch, as if her body had decided this was too good to resist.

He took his time.

One shoulder.

Then the other.

At some point, one of her hands clutched the bed sheet, knuckles gently tightening.

He lowered his hands again, just slightly—his fingers now brushing the top of her collarbone.

There was the barest edge of exposed skin where her off-shoulder blouse had slipped just a little. Not indecent. But enough to spark a forbidden thrill.

His fingertips grazed that line—one slow, drawn-out stroke along the curve of her collarbone.

Rhea shivered.

Her breath caught for a second. She said nothing. But she didn't pull away either.

Ethan paused, giving her a chance to stop him.

She didn't.

He leaned forward a bit, his chest closer to her back.

"Feeling better?" he asked, his voice softer than before, laced with something just slightly more dangerous.

"…Yeah," she whispered, almost dazed. "I didn't expect you to be this good at it."

Ethan smirked.

"That's only the beginning."

He wanted more.

Ethan's fingers moved again from the nape of Rhea's neck down to her collarbone with slow, calculated grace.

Her breath hitched.

He felt the heat of her skin pulse beneath his touch. Her collarbone was warm, delicate, and held a subtle tension, as if her body didn't know whether to resist or surrender.

"This part feels a little stiff, I need to do it again " Ethan murmured.

Rhea didn't reply, only let out a soft breath, eyes fluttering. Her fingers curled slightly into the bedsheet as his thumbs pressed into her shoulders, then worked downward in a gentle motion, easing the tension as if his hands had been trained for this moment alone.

Her scent was distracting,something sweet like jasmine and warmth mixed together. And when his fingers brushed just a little further,along the upper curve above her chest, not too far, but enough he felt the shiver that ran through her.

"E-Ethan…" Rhea's voice came out weakly, soft and breathless.

He paused.

"You want me to stop?" he asked, whispering near her ear.

She didn't say anything for a moment. She bit her lower lip, her brows gently furrowed, like someone stuck between pride and pleasure.

"…Just hurry up," she finally muttered, looking away.

He smirked slightly.

"As you wish, milady."

His hands continued thumbs gliding over her shoulders, fingers gently pressing into her collarbone, working slowly with precision. Every motion is deliberate. He shifted closer, his knee brushing hers lightly, not enough to be inappropriate,but enough to be felt.

She was trembling now.

Not in fear.

In reaction.

Then, without fanfare, his fingers drifted just a bit lower, right at the edge of where skin met fabric. The upper curve of her chest. A bold touch,firm, slow, confident,but not vulgar.

Her back arched slightly as she gasped, the sound slipping from her lips before she could stop it.

"Aah—!"

And just like that, her balance gave way.

Rhea toppled off the bed with a thump, landing awkwardly on the floor, her arms catching her halfway down.

Ethan blinked, stunned.Then stood and stepped around the bed quickly.

"Perfect Butler skill really is busted."

"Are you okay?"

But before he could reach her—

Click.

The door swung open.

"Rhea—!"

Julia's voice rang out, light and amused.

Right behind her, Augustine stepped in with a more dramatic energy, only to freeze at the sight before him.

From their angle, Rhea was on her knees, clutching Ethan's leg as she tried to push herself up,hair slightly messy, face flushed, and her breath shallow. Ethan's hand was reaching toward her shoulder.

A moment of silence.

Then—

"Oh my," Julia smiled slowly, eyes sparkling. "What a… scene."

Augustine's jaw dropped. "YOU SCOUNDREL!"

Ethan blinked. "Wait—what?!"

"You saved our life, I understand!" Augustine thundered, storming forward. "I was even considering you as a future son-in-law! But this! This is not the time nor place for such passionate—!"

"NO—DAD!!" Rhea cried out, face turning crimson. "It's not what it looks like!"

Ethan looked between them all, realizing what it must seem like.

"I swear," Ethan said, lifting both hands. "She had a headache. I was just giving her a massage. That's all."

Julia raised a brow. "A massage, hmm?"

Rhea stood quickly, hiding slightly behind Ethan. "I-It really was just a massage! That's all. I… I slipped…"

Augustine stopped in front of them, his frown easing slightly.

Then he coughed into his hand and looked away. "…Right. Sorry. I jumped to conclusions."

Julia sighed, placing a hand on her husband's arm. "Maybe next time… knock?"

"R-Right," Augustine muttered, clearly embarrassed by his own outburst.

Ethan chuckled, trying to ease the awkwardness. "I'll be more careful. I didn't expect it to… escalate like that."

As the parents left, still whispering to each other, Rhea was left red-faced.

"You're the worst," she muttered to Ethan, smacking him lightly on the arm.

"I helped, didn't I?" he replied, flashing a smile.

Ding!

[System Notification]

Affinity with Rhea Marclaire: +10

New Affinity Level: 85

Ethan's grin widened slightly.

He is definitely heading in the right direction.