The obsidian corridors of the Rotschy estate shimmered with faint reflections of the torchlight sconces, casting golden veins across the polished black stone. From the southern wing, where the natural hot springs whispered and steamed in hidden elegance, Sion made her way back through the grand halls — her heels clicking with deliberate grace, each step echoing softly like a teasing metronome.
Her outfit was as daring as her personality — a short black leather skirt hugging her thighs, which gleamed with pale perfection under the corridor lights. Her white shirt was unbuttoned enough to reveal a pink bra beneath, the fabric tied at the waist to expose her toned midriff and the delicate dip of her navel. A soft sheen coated her skin from the warmth of the springs, and her auburn hair — still damp — clung playfully to her flushed cheeks.
"Maybe I should become a masochist," she muttered with a wicked smirk, her voice husky with amusement.
Then she laughed. Loud, unapologetic, and slightly unhinged. The few maids still cleaning nearby quickly stepped aside, eyes averted, pretending not to hear. Sion licked her lips slowly, her reddish-brown eyes gleaming with mischief as she strutted toward the main lounge, hips swaying.
She entered the grand obsidian hall where Naoko and Jin were already seated.
Naoko, regal and terrifying in her black royal gown, sat with the stillness of a moon goddess. Her long silver hair cascaded like liquid starlight down her back, her silver eyes emotionless as frost. Jin, slouched comfortably beside her, glanced up as Sion approached and plopped herself on the couch beside him with a grin.
"You're late," Jin said, raising a brow. "What about Lady Amelia? Weren't you supposed to assist her?"
Sion let out an airy, careless laugh. "I've decided I don't care anymore," she purred, her voice dripping with amusement. Then, more playfully, she added, "I might just steal her underwear for fun."
Jin choked on his drink, stifling a laugh. Naoko, meanwhile, remained silent — her expression unreadable, gaze fixed distantly on the chandelier above.
They sat in a line — Naoko on the right, Jin in the middle, Sion on the left.
Jin smirked and tilted his head toward her. "You look... disturbingly beautiful tonight. It's a shame I didn't bring a camera. Imagine filming you and Amelia in the hot springs. A little yuri moment for my archives."
Naoko's silver eyes blinked once. Slowly.
Sion leaned closer, eyes gleaming. "Sorry, my prince, I'm no longer interested in that fantasy." Her fingers traced a slow circle across her bare stomach. "But I haven't forgiven you yet… for kissing that fiery princess of yours. Rina, wasn't it?"
She poked her finger into her cheek, pouting. "I want my kiss too."
Jin rolled his eyes, laughing mockingly. "Oh, come on—"
"Nope. Come here and kiss my cheek, now," she demanded, tapping her soft white cheek again with her finger.
Naoko, still utterly unaffected, lifted her teacup with a delicate motion and took a slow sip. Her voice, when it came, was soft, cold, and as calm as the sea beneath a winter moon.
"Children," she murmured. "Always fighting over lips."
From the shadows behind the couch, the tall form of Shizana padded silently into view — the massive white wolf, her fur immaculate, her sapphire-blue eyes calm and clear. Unlike other wolves, she spoke with a distinct, melodic voice that seemed to drift through the air like a song.
"My lady," Shizana said gently, her muzzle dipping in polite acknowledgment. "Young Master Jin seems to be... enthusiastic tonight."
Naoko nodded once, eyes still on the two beside her. "Yes, as usual ."
Suddenly, Jin stood, grabbed Sion by the waist, and planted a firm kiss on her cheek — the sound loud and exaggerated.
"There," he said smugly. "Happy now?"
Sion froze.
Then she burst into hysterical laughter — unfiltered, chaotic, uncontrollable. In a flash, she lunged at him, tackling him sideways on the couch, pinning him down. "Not good enough!" she shouted with glee.
A chaos storm erupted in the obsidian lounge.
Books fell from the nearby table. A vase shattered as Jin kicked it during the struggle. Sion bit his shoulder, hard enough to leave a red mark. Jin yelped and retaliated by grabbing her wrist and biting down on the base of her thumb — not enough to break skin, but just enough to sting.
Their laughter rang out like children drunk on mischief.
Naoko watched the mess unfold with a glacial calm, setting her teacup down with a faint click.
"They're destroying the lounge," Shizana commented gently.
"Let them," Naoko replied. "The silence after will be more beautiful."
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