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They said timing was everything—better to arrive at the right moment than just to arrive early. And after dinner, a little exercise was supposed to help with digestion.
No point wasting time. Straight to cardio.
The scene shifted to the castle's second floor, inside the grand bath.
Soft, golden light spilled down from overhead. Steam rose from the surface in drifting veils, fragrant water warming the cavernous space.
Bokue Keikain sat back against the steps along the pool's edge, the hot water lapping just below his chest.
Straddling his lap was a long-haired beauty, her noble gown discarded, her pale arms wrapped firmly around his neck. Each shift of her hips sent layered ripples rolling outward, scattering rose petals across the surface of the water.
"Mmm... it really has been several days since we last saw each other. Ever since you returned from the Northern Territories, you immediately went back to the Human World. So why suddenly come back today? And does Rias know?"
"Rias doesn't know I came."
Bokue's hands rested on her waist as he shook his head.
"You know how it is, Lady Venelana. This morning Rias and the others came to help me sort out the arrangements for the new house on Itogami. Then over dinner, Kuroka reminded me I'd left the TV and game console here back when summer vacation started. I figured I might as well stop by and pick them up."
"Ah... those."
Venelana let out a knowing little sound. She adjusted her rhythm, each motion sending larger waves through the bath.
"If I'm not mistaken, they should still be in your room. You can grab them after. But more importantly—how's the new home coming along?"
"In terms of moving, we're basically done."
Bokue thought for a moment.
"There are still one or two households left to move in, then we'll rearrange everything and finish the decorating."
"Then it's nearly ready."
Venelana gave a pleased hum and leaned forward, pressing her lips to his.
When the kiss broke, Bokue licked his lips.
"To be honest, I'd originally planned to build everything new from scratch, not just transplant the existing houses. But Rias said it was your suggestion, Lady Venelana, so I went along with it. The only problem is—it makes giving you a separate room a little trickier."
"Is that so?"
Venelana kept her body moving, waves lapping against the edges of the pool. Tilting her head thoughtfully, she smiled.
"Hm... when you put it that way, it is inconvenient. After all, every house has its owner. I can't just keep squeezing in with Rias and the others. And if I did... well, it would make it difficult to enjoy our time without being noticed. What to do... maybe I should just come clean with Rias directly?"
"..."
Bokue almost choked. He had expected Venelana to plan ahead for her "happiness," but this? Coming right out and proposing to confess?
But the woman spoke as if she half-believed it herself, voice warming as she continued.
"Well, as the saying goes—'secrets never stay buried.' Better to admit it openly than be caught later. That way, there's no awkward fallout. Hehehe... oh, don't mind me, I'm only teasing."
She covered her smile with delicate fingers, laughing softly.
"Don't worry. I've already made preparations. Once the new house is fully settled, I'll have Grayfia move in as well. We'll say she's there to look after all of you. It's only natural—she's a maid in our household. And with the new home being in the city, she'll enjoy all the conveniences too. Isn't that right, Grayfia?"
Venelana turned to the silver-haired maid sitting at the pool's edge. Wrapped in a bath towel since entering, Grayfia kept her head down, cheeks crimson.
"I... will, of course, follow your arrangements, Lady Venelana."
When she felt Bokue's gaze shift toward her, the flush on her face deepened even further. For once, the usually composed maid looked flustered, turning away with a stammer.
"Hehehe... Grayfia really is shy."
Venelana chuckled, watching her maid's reaction.
"But it's your fault, Bokue. You disappeared for so long. Just when Grayfia was starting to open her heart, the 'cooldown' reset her again."
Open her heart? You mean open the gates of the palace...
Bokue thought dryly, biting back his comment.
And then Venelana suddenly stilled. Her pale neck arched back, breath held tight for five, six seconds—until she let out a sharp gasp and slowly exhaled, lips parting like she was blowing a bubble.
"...?"
Bokue blinked. That was... odd.
It looked like she had finished, but in his experience, Venelana had never been so quiet about it. Usually it was champagne fountains.
"I... I should rest a bit. Let Grayfia take over now..."
Venelana loosened her arms from around his neck, her hands pushing against his shoulders as if to rise.
But Bokue's grip on her waist didn't budge. Like the safety bar of a rollercoaster, his hands held her firmly in place.
"What's this? Done already?"
"N-no... I just thought I'd rest for a moment."
Her blush spread as she tried to explain.
"Since Grayfia was too shy, I went first as a demonstration. Now that the example's set, it should be her turn..."
Her excuse rang hollow—even to her own ears. After nearly a month apart, even this "light taste" was almost too much for her. If she admitted she'd already lost control while supposedly "demonstrating," it would be far too embarrassing.
"Seems even you can't quite let go, Lady Venelana."
Bokue shifted his hands from her waist up to her shoulders, leaning in.
"In that case, let's make this a real warm-up."
"Wait—that would mean... I can't—"
Her protest cut off as his hands pressed firmly down, power surging through the bath. A sudden current rushed deep below the waterline—
And the game began again.
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