Chapter 29: Confessions
Right now, Lily was all over him, furiously licking his lips and sometimes even kissing other parts of his face. She seemed to have completely lost herself as she mumbled between her kisses, breaths and soft murmurs.
"Leo… uhm… I love you… very much."
This is dangerous! I cannot let her lead this. If this happens, she will be in control of the relationship. I shouldn't let it happen, not when she is a yandere.
It isn't an entirely bad thing in my book… but I DON'T WANT TO BE LOCKED UP IN A BASEMENT FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!
With a quick motion, he shifted their positions, turning her beneath him. Now he was on top of her, meeting her gaze directly. Lily's chest rose and fell, her breath uneven after all the intense kisses she had just given him.
"Leo, more…" she said with a rebellious, almost pouty expression, akin to a child who had been snatched of their treat.
So cute…!!!
Leo thought, his resolve wavering for a second as he looked at her face
I want to do her right now… but we need to take it slow. It's going to be the first time for both of us.
"Lily," he said softly, his voice steady, "I love you very much. Please… be mine."
There was no hesitation in his confession, no room for any vague boundary or misunderstanding.
She blinked, as if the words had pulled her back to herself. Her hand tightened around the back of his tunic.
Then she lightly punched Leo on the chest.
"Idiot…" she muttered, her cheeks flushed red. "You should've said that earlier."
He chuckled. "I was waiting for the right moment."
She turned her face away but didn't try to pull back. After a moment, their eyes found each other again.
This time, without saying anything, Leo leaned in, and she rose midway to meet him. Their lips collided in a kiss that burned hotter than before and with sudden intensity.
This kiss was fiercer, more urgent than before.
Leo's tongue grazed her lips and parted them open.
"Mfmm—!" Lily was entirely unaware that even this was a thing, but Leo continued guiding her.
He didn't stop and continued his movement; their tongues met, warm and slick, moving together in a way that sent a rush through them both. At first, Lily responded slowly, but soon she got used to it and matched his rhythm with the same intensity.
Is she inherently adapting to it? It's very quick… I can't help but wonder if it's related to her talent.
He tasted her—a faint sweetness mixed with the heat of the moment.
His hand slid to her waist, pulling her closer.
Their bodies pressed together, her large curves smashing against his frame, and he could feel her pulse quickening and heat building between them.
Raising her shirt, he slipped his hand under to touch her skin directly. She flinched at the sudden touch for a moment, then relaxed, wrapping herself tighter around him.
Her hips shifted slightly, brushing against him, which sent a sharp jolt of desire through him.
They finally broke apart, both breathing heavily. Their foreheads rested together; a thin strand of saliva stretched between their lips as they separated.
Lily spoke again, her voice breathless but tinged with need.
"Don't stop, mor—"
"James! Come out! We have a legal notice for you!"
A sharp, authoritative voice rang from outside of the restaurant, shattering their moment.
Lily's words were cut off when the metallic clinks of boots echoed below as people were being hurried out of the restaurant.
Lily's expression darkened instantly, and she clenched her teeth, her eyes glowing with murderous intent.
Leo sighed inwardly. He could tell that she was very unhappy that their moment was ruined and she was furious enough to kill.
"Hey… calm down, Lily," he said gently, pressing a light kiss over her forehead and giving her a playful wink. "Let's see what this is about. We will continue this later."
That small gesture dissipated her anger almost immediately.
"Mmm."
_____
If they had been paying closer attention, they would have recognised the voice—it belonged to Zolton.
But his voice had changed drastically after he awakened. With his father's backup and his own newfound confidence growing due to his awakening, he had grown more arrogant almost overnight.
The day before had been nothing but filled with frustration. He didn't get what he wanted from the restaurant; the goons he sent never returned, and when he ordered Arnold to bring Lily, he too had disappeared somewhere. Everything had slipped through his fingers.
Fueled by his bruised ego, he went to the Baron to get an excuse to get rid of James, who, according to him, was the main culprit behind all of this.
The Baron, who had his own reasons for wanting to get rid of James, saw this as the perfect opportunity.
And so, with a legal notice and far more confidence than he probably deserved, Zolton was sent here.
Now that all the customers had been sent away, the only ones that remained were James, Sera, a few waiters and Zolton with his men.
Zolton's fox-like face tightened, his slitted eyes narrowing until they were almost shut.
He slowly scanned the surroundings before his gaze settled on Sera and his tongue ran across his lips.
James caught the look. His eyes darkened, and he was about to step forward when Sera grabbed his arm, stopping him.
Zolton let out a soft huff and began.
"Listen carefully. A notice has been issued stating that this place is to be demolished in two weeks to make way for a new trade route, so vacate this place by then—"
A vein throbbed on James' forehead as he snapped, his voice rising.
"There's already a trade route just three blocks away—"
Zolton ignored his words completely and continued.
"The town will provide the owner with a compensation of 10 silver coins. Additionally, it has been observed that Beast Master James has not been providing services befitting his title, despite receiving a monthly stipend that he gets from Beast Hall. Therefore, it's decided that his stipend will be reduced to 50 bronze coins from the previous 15 silver coins."
James was practically seething with rage as his forehead turned red. His fists clenched, trembling, but he only held back because Sera was holding his arms tightly. Even through her grip, he could feel the anger she was suppressing within herself.
Zolton just sneered at their reaction and continued further.
"Furthermore, if James fails to complete a quest assigned by the Beast Hall within a week, he will be demoted from a Grand Knight… to a mere knight."
Sera froze.
Her anger turned into dread, and her hands began to tremble, her gaze unsteady. She could, without a doubt, tell that this was another scheme by Baron to get her husband killed.
James, on the other hand, couldn't hold back anymore and smashed a table beside him with his fist, shattering it.