Volume 4 Chapter 36 A Holiday in Crete ② ♡
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”It’s the 28th today. Soon it’ll be the 29th. That leaves you, in truth, only about a week.”
Kian poured wine into their glasses, and the two clinked them together.
”It’s not as though I’ll die the moment I wield the Staff of Dominion,” Guria replied lightly. “My values may change, yes—but my love for this country, my affection for Father and everyone else, won’t simply vanish. It’s only that General Asterios would rise to the top of my priorities. …Probably.”
She tipped her glass back with a quick motion, gazing up at the stars. The surf rushed against the private beach with a steady roar, a sound that only deepened the night’s silence.
”Wait—is this… Master Padalino’s wine!?”
”So it seems. A gift from the merchant guild’s leader.”
”Not royal stock, then! Still, it’s a bit too sharp. Too young, not properly matured. And… there’s rosemary in the aroma. They’ve processed it with herbs.”
”The bottles delivered to you would be of the highest grade Padalino’s vineyard produces. The rest of us wouldn’t so much as touch them. Selling them elsewhere, or even letting others drink them, isn’t that a serious crime?”
”Exactly. Which is why only we know the true fragrance and taste of the royal cellars’ wine.”
She took another sip.
”But for ordinary drinking, this much is just right.”
They had set candles in the sand beforehand, but Guria, being merely human, still could not see well in the dark. Kian took up the bottle again, steadily refilling her glass.
”If you pour me that much, I’ll be drunk in no time.”
”That’s fine. I’ll take care of you.”
”But then the night will end too soon.”
She hugged her knees and lifted her glass toward the moon.
”I want tonight to be unforgettable.”
”If you’ll have me, I can make it unforgettable right now.”
”Oh? You mean—you’re thinking of sleeping with me?”
Her words were plain, unguarded, as she drained another sip. Already the rhythm of her breath and heartbeat betrayed her rising intoxication. From beneath the white skirt that stopped just above her knees, the faintest trace of a heated scent began to drift.
”You tried once before too, didn’t you? Back in the chaos of escaping Cyclops Island.”
”I’m sorry. But I had never met anyone so captivating. As a man… when faced with such a beautiful flower, how could I not reach out? To do otherwise would be the insult.”
”Liar. A man like you could choose from countless women, couldn’t you?”
”I was only a penniless adventurer until August. Even after that, I shut myself away in a little town on the eastern edge of Franz, training day after day. Princess Maribel and her witches were dazzling, yes—but to me, an outsider from Azrael, they were flowers far beyond my reach.”
”If I were Princess Maribel, I’d have married you on the spot! You saved her life! It’s straight out of the romances bards sing of!”
”The frontier nobility hold deep prejudice against me. Some feared that taking me into their fold would open the gates to a peaceful Azraelian invasion.”
Eleonora had been among them. Even at the very moment of her imprisonment, she cried warnings about Kian’s danger. And in truth, Maribel’s head magician had become Sarah; Linca, too, extended her shadow of influence in the court. Recently, even the officer Natra had found herself drawn into Izerland’s defense.
For now, the presence of Louis’s Chatillon faction and the Western Church masked these changes, but objectively, Azrael’s quiet seep into frontier politics had already begun. Whether Eleonora had truly foreseen so far ahead was uncertain—but her words were becoming reality.
”Her Excellency Maribel could never take me in. The surrounding lords would not allow it.”
”So that’s why you’re treated so poorly. No rewards, forced to come all the way to Crete just to find work.”
Kian only laughed.
“So the frontier princess is too weak to restrain her own nobles?” she asked.
”Not so much weak as alone. It’s a little better now, but…”
The loyalists who had served since Godfrey’s reign were purged by the schemer McCutchen. Those who remained were opportunists like Waterman and Mankovitch, or self-serving head magicians like Natasha. If only Maribel had possessed the strength to command Natasha, Renaud, and Oswald—yet she did not, and in the end Oswald reduced everything to scorched earth.
Her authority sank so low she had to beg the merchant guild for armed support. Compared to Crete’s palace, bound tight by blood and kinship, the frontier’s “royal power” had fallen into the pit.
”Hey, Kian,” Guria said suddenly. “Would you like to become a knight of Crete?”
”What?”
”This morning, you said you wanted citizenship, the rights of a true resident. Fine. I’ll give you all of it—if you’ll swear service to our royal house as a knight.”
”I’m not keen on being bound to defend Crete.”
”Aww, so no?”
Her shoulders slumped as she set her empty glass back on the tray.
”If you’d agree to be my knight, I’d even give you my virginity.”
”…Then I’ll do it.”
”That was quick! Hahaha! You want me that badly?”
”I do. I want to affirm our love.”
Kian set down his own glass and took Guria’s hand. She tried to pull away, but he entwined his fingers with hers and would not let go.
He traced the callouses from her training with gentle fingertips, then pressed a kiss upon her knuckles. His gaze, sincere and unshakable, locked with hers.
”W–wait… are you serious?”
”I am. I want you.”
”You’re so pushy. Could it be… Kian, you may look experienced, but are you actually… not?”
”Th–that’s absurd!”
His denial cracked a little too high, and she fixed him with a knowing stare.
”Ugh…”
”Hmm. Then maybe I should find out.”
”Huh!?”
”Didn’t you hear me? I said—I don’t mind if we have sex.”
”Y-you mean it?”
”Yes. Because if I remain untouched, General Asterios will only take it all from me anyway. I was born a princess of Crete, but I’m still a woman. I have desires of my own. I want to know, I want to try—before I die.”
She laughed softly.
”On my list of things to do, there were eighteen items. But there were two secret ones. One was to kiss someone. And the other…”
Her lips, redolent with wine, brushed against his brow.
”…was to make love with a wonderful man.”
* * *
They had drunk too much too quickly, so each went to the toilet first. Afterwards, Guria insisted the bathhouse would be better. The idea of the beach was romantic, yes—but the sand was filthy, distracting, and after relieving themselves, the air reeked.
So Kian placed a wooden sign—”In the middle of intercourse”—before the women’s bath, stripped bare, and entered the steaming hall.
Rou was away on Water Island, Leprobus was establishing a base on the Island of the Minotaurs. Tonight, only he and Guria were in the mansion. Aliona would not return either, but Kian had warned her off the women’s side, just in case.
The black-floored bathhouse steamed like a cauldron. As he rinsed himself, Guria appeared from behind a bamboo screen, her body wrapped in cloth.
She had tied her golden-brown hair back with a white ribbon. Cut just to the shoulders, it was short for a western lady—too thin to call a true ponytail.
”Wow, so spacious! What a fine estate this is!”
Whether from drink or shyness, her sun-kissed cheeks were flushed as she walked toward the washing wall.
”….”
Then she turned, staring openly at him where he stood stark naked.
”W-what is it?”
”Eh!? N-no, nothing! Just… thinking, ah, so this is a man’s body.”
”First time seeing one?”
”I’ve seen a slave’s. And I studied plenty with brass models—how the shape worked and all that.”
”So noblewomen really do get that kind of education.”
Maribel had been well-trained, and Amora skilled. Sarah and Linca, warrior monks though they were, had been shockingly clumsy—an anomaly, really.
Perhaps it was prejudice, but noblewomen were expected to pass on their blue blood. To fail, from ignorance, and leave no heir—that would be unthinkable in a great house. So they were schooled thoroughly, while still guarding chastity. Thus were licentious ladies fashioned.
Guria let the cloth fall from her fingers and crouched beside Kian, dipping a bucket into the bamboo spout that poured steaming water down.
”I don’t know about others, but the girls in the Order of the Lightning Knights all said they studied it. They may live like men-at-arms now, but they never know when their families will send them off. Even a merchant’s daughter might be married into some foreign lord’s household. And if she isn’t properly claimed and settled, her family loses its chance to rise.”
”…That’s blunt.”
Kian muttered, but Guria only gave him a wry smile.
”Kian, you’re the one dreaming too much about girls, aren’t you? Men and women aren’t so different. We use whatever we can to make ourselves or our families prosper. Love comes second. It’s not that we marry for love—it’s that we fall in love after marriage.”
”If you hadn’t been promised to General Asterios, would you have found love that way?”
”Of course. I told you already, I have those kinds of wishes.”
Guria splashed water across her shoulders again and again, the white cloth clinging tight as it grew more translucent, revealing pale skin untouched by the sun.
”Ei!”
”Uwah!?”
She suddenly flung the whole bucketful at him, aiming directly for his lap.
Kian could have dodged easily, but chose to play along, letting it hit and staggering back in mock despair.
”Hahaha!” Guria laughed until her shoulders shook.
”H-hey! Do you enjoy tormenting an old man like me that much!?”
”Eh, I do. Ei!”
”Uwahh!”
”Aha, that pitiful face! Where’s the fearless man who danced past Caesar’s attacks so gracefully?”
Still giggling, Guria grabbed the soap in her hand.
”Hey, want me to wash you? Actually—let me! I want to try!”
”W-what!?”
”C’mon, c’mon, it’ll be fun!” She set the bucket aside and slid closer on hands and knees. The cloth around her hips barely reached mid-thigh, and when she leaned forward he caught glimpses of round curves, taut muscle, and the play of her sun-browned legs.
Her damp golden-brown hair clung to her cheeks, framing a bright smile. With her short hair tied back and her laughter echoing, she looked like the very image of unspoiled youth. And yet, in the steam and the wine’s afterglow, there was an undeniable allure.
She grabbed his arm and pressed herself close, her playful eyes flashing.
”That cloth of yours is straining so hard, isn’t it painful?”
”That’s…” He faltered.
”You know, not many men get this chance. Besides you, it’s only General Asterios.”
”――”
”If he commanded me, I’d obey with the same enthusiasm. But before that happens, I want to make you feel good, Kian.”
”I-I’m thirty. You’re barely eighteen. You’re a princess. How could I possibly—let you do this?”
”You were the one who tempted me first, weren’t you? Don’t start acting confused now. Come on—lie down!”
With a mischievous grin, she tugged him onto the rock floor. He braced himself on his hands, legs stretched out, while Guria climbed astride him on all fours.
”Ja~an! Showtime!”
She tugged his waistcloth aside. His body betrayed him, rising defiantly. Guria blinked, then smirked, lathering her hands with soap until bubbles overflowed.
”Wow… so firm.”
”Guhh—!”
Her small hands wrapped boldly around him, sliding with slick foam. She worked with both palms, earnest and curious.
”Hey, I wonder who’s bigger—you or General Asterios?”
”D-don’t be ridiculous! He’s a giant compared to me!”
She chuckled, stroking thoughtfully. “Yeah, maybe. Still, how could something even bigger than this fit…? Well, not that it’ll matter. Once the Wand of Dominion takes hold, I’d want him regardless. Pain or not.”
”Y-your mother… she accepted him too, didn’t she?”
”Mm.”
Her movements slowed, becoming careful, washing even the hidden places between thigh and hip.
”Mother was wise and gentle. All I remember is her loving Father deeply. But… before she used the wand, she kissed him. And then…” Guria’s voice wavered. “She collapsed, like she was resisting something. Then she rose again—like a puppet—and walked to the man in black armor. She told him, ‘I’m in your care now, my lord.’”
Kian swallowed.
”I was terrified. Circe pulled me away, saying my turn would come later. I didn’t see Mother again for a whole day. I’m sure she was… with him. As though they were true husband and wife.”
”A frightening memory.”
”Right? To witness the very moment your mother belonged to someone else. And in a week… it will be my turn.”
Her hand continued its gentle rhythm, soap sliding in wet circles. At the same time, she crawled higher, her body pressing against his chest.
”You’re always smiling,” he whispered. “But aren’t you afraid? To end up the same way?”
”Of course I’m afraid. That’s why I laugh. If I show fear, Father hesitates, Circe falters, the knights despair, and rumors spread. My smile shields them—and me. Laughter makes fear vanish, and spares everyone guilt. Isn’t that better?”
Kian’s heart ached. “The thought of that smile belonging only to Asterios… it hurts.”
”And yet,” she teased, “you’re getting harder, aren’t you?”
With a sudden motion, Guria cast aside the last of her cloth, baring the sun-kissed lines of her body. She pressed against him, her breath trembling.
”Mm—” Her lips found his, damp foreheads touching. Her skin slid slick against his chest, the scent of soap and heat filling his senses. Every playful stroke of her hand drew sharp gasps from him, making his body tremble.
”Waah, such a cute reaction! You’re so strong on the battlefield, but here—you’re helpless.”
”Uhh—ahh!”
”Red as a tomato! Haha, this spot feels good, doesn’t it?”
Her fingers teased, and his body betrayed him again. She watched every twitch of his expression, adjusting, coaxing, guiding—never selfish, always attentive.
”Uhh—ahh—!”
”This is the place, isn’t it? Then I’ll give you more, my lord~ ♡”
She whispered “my lord~” into his ear, nibbling gently, making him shiver. The sweet torture carried him over the edge.
”Uhh—ahhh!”
His cry echoed with the rush of water. Guria giggled, eyes shining as if amused by his helplessness.
”Wow~ so much… you must have really liked it, huh?”
”Kh…”
”Oh my? You look just like a girl after her first time. Kian, you’re so cute!”
”D-don’t tease me!”
”But it’s true! You’re adorable.”
”I-I’m thirty, for heaven’s sake!”
”And I love that. Honest, vulnerable men are my favorite. Honestly, I didn’t like you much when you first acted all suave. But like this? I really do.”
Her body slid over his like a serpent coiling, and she perched above him, hips pressing down in a bold, daring posture.
”Haah~ ♡”
The heat of her body wrapped around him, every motion deliberate. Her voice trembled, but her grin remained playful, even as her breath came ragged.
”K-Kian! Not there, it’s dangerous!”
”If it means I live a little longer, maybe it’s worth it. Even if Asterios makes you his after, at least I’ll have had this.”
Slowly, teasingly, she rocked her hips, laughter and fear mingling in her voice as the night carried them deeper into each other.
The slick folds inside her began to ripple and tighten, gliding wetly along his length.
”I’ll wash you thoroughly, Kian,” Guria whispered between shallow breaths, her lips curved in a teasing smile.
Then, lifting her hips, she hesitated only a heartbeat—before lowering herself boldly onto him.
”Ahhh—!”
”Uuugh—!”
Heat and wetness swallowed him whole. There was a sharp resistance, then the faint shimmer of healing magic flaring instinctively, sealing what had torn. Guria showed no hesitation; like the women of Crete before her, once she decided, she threw her maidenhood aside with fearless resolve. Spreading her long, shapely legs, she met his gaze without shame, even showing him the point of their joining.
”Mm, Kian’s all mine now♡”
”Kh…!”
”Aha! It doesn’t hurt nearly as much as I thought. Actually, this sight excites me—like I’m the one conquering you. It’s the best!”
”Y-you… don’t you have any sense of modesty!?”
”Of course I do. I’m embarrassed right now! But even more than that, I want to fluster you, to make you squirm.”
”H-hah!?”
”Hahaha, never mind that. Tell me—how does my body feel inside? Is it better than your own hand?”
Prompted by her words, Kian focused on her warmth. The way she clenched around him was extraordinary—her inner walls alive, textured, drenched. This was the womb of Crete’s royal bloodline. Her athletic build gave her a strength and grip that was overwhelming.
”It… it feels incredible.”
”Good. I’m glad!”
”Ugh, I’m… I’m going to—”
”Eh?”
Throb—!
He spilled before he could stop it, then quickly pulled back, feigning weakness. Playing the part of a quick and pitiful man, he let himself go limp.
Guria blinked down at him in shock.
”Eh… already?”
”Hah… hah… s-sorry! I’m quick to finish. Hardly anything comes out, too.”
”Well… I guess it’s fine.”
She raised a leg, peeking curiously at the place where their bodies met, her lips tightening at the disappointing sight of an unsatisfied womanhood and a spent, withered partner.
”It’ll recover quickly, just wait a bit,” he stammered.
She shook her head. “No… after a man finishes, he doesn’t usually get up again right away, does he? Don’t force it.”
But she erased her disappointed look with a smile, leaning down to kiss him softly. Her lips pressed sweetly, and that was all it took—his restraint snapped, and his body surged back to life, rising hard between them.
”Mmh—nnh—hahh…♡”
While her eyes closed, she devoured his mouth hungrily, her hand slipping down to guide him, stroking, teasing, caressing the tip until his hips jolted upward.
”Hehe… so you do recover quickly. Impressive, old man.”
She licked her lips, sat up again, and with a wicked grin spread herself wide to show him the glistening secret between her thighs. Her curls were dark, her entrance flushed and slick.
Guiding him with her hand, she pressed him against her, voice sing-song with mischief.
”Round two—let’s eat♡”
Notes:
• Linca – Jibril’s favorite girl. High-ranking warrior monk woman from Shin, with strong abilities like ignoring attacks and poisons.
• Louis – Trusted subordinates from the Châtillon family, part of Guy’s elite force.
• Leprobus – Rou’s comrade who sacrificed his chance to escape during a pirate raid by pushing Rou off in a small boat. He returned to the deck, sword in hand, to protect the others. Distinguished by his giant blood and burning red hair, marking him as more than human. He is released by Kian on Cyclops Island jail.【v4c23】.
• Amora – Scipio’s fiance, and the knight of crete.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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