Volume 8 Chapter 44 Crossed Hearts with Cianie ① ◇
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Klock stood alone in the bustling town square, the clamor of the crowd ringing in his ears. His brow furrowed as he scanned the passersby, occasionally shooting a glare at those who dared meet his gaze. With a lazy yawn, he slouched, but his eyes nearly betrayed him, drawn to the sway of a woman’s hips passing by. Then, a presence stirred beside him.
”Sorry to keep you waiting,” Cianie said, her voice light. “What were you staring at?”
Klock jolted. “Whoa, you’re late—huh?” His words caught in his throat.
Cianie tilted her head. “What’s wrong?”
She had arrived at their meeting spot, and Klock’s jaw dropped. This wasn’t just a casual rendezvous outside their lodging—it felt like a date, deliberate and charged. But her outfit stole his breath. His eyes raked over her, from top to bottom, lingering on her chest.
”Hold up,” he muttered, “what’s with that getup?”
Cianie wore a black corset-armor, the kind that hugged her chest tightly, crafted from sleek leather. Paired with a dark jacket, it screamed adventurer—bold, practical, yet striking.
But there was no blouse beneath. Her bare skin spilled over the armor’s cups, stark white against the black, drawing attention to her curves. The Hero of legend was flaunting her assets, radiating an enchanting allure that shattered her usual pristine demeanor.
”It’s just adventurer gear, right?” she asked, unfazed.
”No way,” Klock shot back. “You’ve never worn anything like that before!”
This wasn’t hunting-monster gear. It was man-hunting fashion. And that skirt—ridiculously short, threatening to reveal everything with the slightest breeze.
”It’s normal,” Cianie said, shrugging. “This is standard.”
”Standard? Hell no!” Klock growled. “You trying to rile up every guy who walks by?”
She blinked. “What are you talking about?”
Her outfit screamed danger—defenseless in all the wrong ways. No woman with a lover should be dressed like that, he thought. Yet, thanks to Sunfall (T/N: A mystical phenomenon shielding visibility), no one seemed to notice Cianie’s display. Klock tried to argue, but she brushed it off. “No one’s looking, so it doesn’t matter,” she said. He had no comeback for that.
So, despite his protests, they ventured into the town together. Klock wanted to demand she cover up, to drag her back to change, but he held his tongue.
He wasn’t exactly faithful himself, always flirting with other women. Cianie, though, kept her boundaries firm, which only made his frustration burn deeper.
”We’re heading to the employment market, right?” she asked.
”Yeah,” Klock mumbled.
She glanced at him. “What’s with you?”
”Nothing,” he said, avoiding her gaze.
They walked side by side down the main street, the crowd swirling around them. Every time someone passed, Klock’s eyes darted to Cianie’s chest, half-expecting leering stares. His attention, his thoughts, kept snapping back to her, like a magnet.
What’s her deal? She’s never worn anything like this before. What’s she playing at?
Cianie’s provocative look grated on him, stirring an unfamiliar possessiveness. Normally, he’d shrug and say she could wear whatever she wanted. But today, he couldn’t shake the irritation.
”The employment market’s where people looking for work or workers gather,” Klock explained, trying to focus. “We’re hunting for someone who needs mercenaries.”
”Right,” Cianie said. “And we’re looking for people dressed like butlers or maids, since they might serve Nobility houses.”
”Exactly. Our goal’s to find Nobility who’ll hire us. Maybe recruit a decent warrior for the Brigante crew while we’re at it.”
Employment markets were common in most towns, though their timing and frequency varied by city or kingdom. Conro’s market was in full swing, and they’d gotten rough directions from a local the day before.
They cut through the main street, curving into a darker alley, until they reached a wider space where the noise hit them like a wave.
This was it—the employment market. A packed plaza, teeming with people.
”It’s… not what I expected,” Cianie murmured.
The crowd was denser than they’d imagined, the air thick with a faint sweat-stink. Klock grimaced at the chaotic sight.
Job-seekers held tools to signal their trade: weapons for mercenaries or bodyguards, shovels for farmers, mops or aprons for maids. Hence the nickname, “Mop Fair.”
”Mostly women here,” Cianie noted.
”Yeah,” Klock agreed. “And the men are all old.”
Normally, men dominated these markets, but today women outnumbered them. It felt like a scene from the Beast Continent, strange and out of place. Maids and servants seemed to dominate, likely aiming for rare, high-paying jobs. Manual laborers were scarce.
”Guess the men got drafted,” Klock said grimly.
War was the only explanation. Young men must’ve been conscripted, leaving the market skewed. Holding it now, out of season, felt suspicious—like the city was scraping together every able-bodied man for the front lines.
”So, what now?” Cianie asked.
Klock hesitated. “Not much point sticking around, but we got nothing else to do.”
They decided to stay, despite the slim odds. Going back empty-handed would only earn them a scolding from Suzette, their diligent maid. They found an open spot in the plaza and claimed it, sitting on a low step by the roadside to observe. At least they’d have an excuse for Suzette.
”It’s lively,” Cianie said, watching the bustling crowd.
Women’s voices carried over the noise, high and chattering, as they leaned on mops or gossiped in clusters. Older men lounged, joking without much intent to work.
The prime working-age men were gone, but the crowd was diverse—young women standing alone, groups chatting in corners, even a boy sitting empty-handed, too vague to attract employers.
”Getting a job’s tough,” Cianie murmured, her voice soft.
Klock glanced at her. In her past life, she was Nobility; now, an adventurer. She’d never known the struggle of scraping by. Dangerous or undesirable jobs, like adventuring or prostitution, were easy to land because they were always short-staffed. But regular work? That was a different beast.
”Klock,” Cianie said, her tone sharp. “Your eyes are getting pervy again. Staring at my chest just ’cause you’re bored?”
”It ain’t like that,” he protested, though his gaze had wandered to her cleavage again.
Sunfall kept others from noticing her, but Klock couldn’t let it go. Her outfit—too revealing, too bold—gnawed at him, stirring an unease he couldn’t name.
”Look,” he said, voice low. “That getup’s too damn sexy. It’s driving me nuts.”
Cianie rolled her eyes. “You’re just thinking dirty thoughts, as usual.”
He’d tried hinting that her outfit was a problem, but she wasn’t budging. Normally, he’d be blunt—tell her to change, no debate. But saying, “What if other guys see you?” would backfire. She’d throw his own wandering eyes back in his face, and he’d have no defense.
He wanted her to cover up, but he couldn’t demand it—not with his track record. So, he’d have to make her want to change. “You sure Sunfall’s hiding you? No guy’s gonna use your chest as their evening fantasy, right?”
”It’s fine,” she said, brushing him off. “No one’s looking. Why do you care so much?”
Because those are mine, he thought, biting back a retort. Instead, he reached out, slipping his hand into her corset-armor and grabbing her breast.
”Klock?!” Cianie gasped, startled.
”What?” he said, smirking. “If no one’s watching, what’s the problem? You said it’s fine.”
She froze, her eyes locking onto his. For a moment, she resisted, but then her arms dropped, and she let him continue.
In the middle of the crowded plaza, he kneaded her breast, bold and unapologetic. No one noticed—not a single glance from the passersby. Sunfall’s magic held.
”Something wrong?” he teased.
”Nothing,” she replied, her voice steady, though her eyes flicked away.
Cianie was playing it cool, clinging to her logic: if no one could see, it didn’t matter. But Klock wasn’t done. He wanted her to admit it was too much, to crack her stubborn facade. If she said it was embarrassing, he’d win—she’d have to change.
”Thanks to Sunfall, I can do this anytime,” he said, grinning. “No one sees, so it’s all good, right?”
She didn’t respond, her silence a challenge.
Cianie stayed silent, her lips pressed tight. Klock was determined to break her excuse, to make her admit her outfit was too much. He’d force her to ditch the provocative look.
”Cianie,” he said, leaning closer, “let me kiss you.”
They sat side by side, so pulling her in was easy. Without waiting for her reply, he hooked a hand behind her neck and drew her close. Her soft lips met his, her breath warm against his face. He pushed his tongue in, teasing hers with a quick flick.
”Mmph!” she gasped, startled, but didn’t pull away.
She accepted it calmly, letting him take the lead. They’d done this before, but doing it in public—tainting the Hero like this—sent a thrill through him. While satisfying his possessiveness, he kneaded her breast with his palm, feeling its softness.
Cianie pulled back slightly. “What’s with you all of a sudden? Feeling frisky?”
”When you’re dressed like that,” Klock growled, “it’s driving me up the wall.”
She knew what he was up to, yet she played dumb, her eyes glinting with defiance. It was her fault, Klock thought—her outfit, her refusal to dress modestly. She was the problem.
To make his point, he grabbed her hand and guided it to the bulge in his trousers. Cianie gripped it gently, her eyes flicking away. “You’re just being a perv,” she muttered, still dodging blame.
”Come here,” Klock said, his voice low.
The game wasn’t over. He chose to keep fighting. Taking her hand, he led her out of the plaza and into a nearby alley.
It was a busy street, people passing by, but he found a stone wall—the back of some stranger’s house—and pulled her behind it. With a quick motion, he freed himself, pressing his erection into her hand. Her slender fingers wrapped around him, gentle yet firm.
”Really?” Cianie sighed.
”What?” Klock smirked. “Feeling shy in public?”
”No,” she shot back, her tone flat but her expression hinting at irritation.
He had to be careful not to push her too far—she might sulk. Still, he pulled her close again, kissing her softly, savoring her lips like a dessert saved for last.
Her arm slid around his back, and she kissed him back, her lips brushing his with small, eager sounds. Unlike before, she was more assertive, her hand starting to stroke him rhythmically.
Normally, they’d escalate from here, but Klock held back. He kept the kiss brief, tapping her shoulder lightly. Pulling away, he met her eyes, his gaze a silent command: go further.
”Pervert,” she muttered.
”Your fault,” Klock said. “That outfit’s screwing with my head.”
”You’re the weird one,” she replied, still sounding annoyed.
Yet, she knelt before him, the Hero dropping to her knees in front of a man in broad daylight. Glancing up briefly, she leaned in.
With the casual ease of biting into street food, she took him into her mouth. The Hero, meant to champion justice, was now using her lips for something far less noble.
”Mmm… slurp,” she worked, her lips and tongue moving with practiced skill.
Her mouth enveloped him, her tongue gliding along his length. She gripped the base with her hand, cheeks hollowing as she sucked the tip.
The wet sounds echoed as she drew back, only to take him deeper, guiding him to the back of her throat. It was a masterclass in technique, right from the start.
”Good girl, Cianie,” Klock said, smirking.
Her mouth’s warmth wrapped around him completely. She took him to the hilt without hesitation, her skill far surpassing any ordinary woman’s.
He’d never say it aloud—comparing her to others—but the difference was stark. Stroking her hair, he praised her, his fingers grazing her neck in a teasing caress. Her arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer. She was getting into it, her pace quickening with a deep, relentless rhythm.
”Cianie,” he said, tapping her shoulder, “slow down a bit.”
She glanced up but didn’t stop, her movements unrelenting. She was already pushing him to the edge, the wet sounds of her work filling the air. Was she trying to finish him off quickly?
Her breath tickled his skin, carrying the faint scent of soap—a fragrance so distinctly Cianie that it alone could summon her image in his mind. Her long hair brushed against him, a reminder of how completely she held him in her grasp. The sensation built fast, a wave threatening to crash.
He was in a safe spot—no need to hold back. The dam he’d tried to maintain broke easily, overwhelmed by her relentless technique.
”Mmph!” Cianie’s muffled sound came as he released.
A torrent flooded her mouth, his body shuddering with each pulse. The force of it hit her throat directly, yet she didn’t flinch, holding him firmly with her lips. His struggles were futile against her; even his strength was tamed by her mouth. All he could do was tremble as he spilled into her, her warmth enveloping him completely.
Cianie clung to his waist until the spasms subsided. As the intensity faded, her lips slid along him, sucking gently, prolonging the moment with a teasing afterplay. Klock, despite himself, let out a low groan, caught off guard by her ferocity. This was the Hero, meant to save the world, yet here she was, relentless in her technique. Normally, she was gentler, but today she held nothing back.
”Alright, enough!” Klock said, voice strained. “Cianie, grab the wall.”
”No way,” she replied, standing firm.
Instead, she gripped him again, stroking steadily. It was like she was saying, This is enough—no further. Klock almost argued that if no one could see, it shouldn’t matter, but he stopped himself. That logic was for making her change her outfit, not this. His goal had shifted.
In truth, stripping her in public, even behind a wall, felt wrong. Sunfall or not, if it failed, he’d be exposing his future wife—the Hero—in a way he couldn’t justify.
”Let’s hit the tavern,” he said, taking her hand.
The employment market, their original purpose, was forgotten. He’d deal with her outfit later—after they’d settled this. Glancing around for the tavern, he paused. Cianie leaned in, kissing his neck with soft, playful nips. He hadn’t expected her to initiate, but she was clearly caught up in the moment. He pulled her close, fingers weaving through her hair, teasing her back.
They found the tavern quickly. It wasn’t for drinking—not at this hour. Taverns often doubled as inns, with rooms upstairs.
”Any rooms open?” Klock asked the innkeeper. “How about one by the window?”
”Forget that,” he added, tossing a gold coin onto the counter. “Book the whole floor.”
The innkeeper’s eyes widened at the extravagance, but Klock didn’t care. Military funds be damned—he was here for her. Leading Cianie upstairs, they entered the middle room of the three.
”Skipping work for this?” Cianie said, sitting on the bed, her tone teasing but edged with disapproval.
Klock pointed his still-hard erection at her, unapologetic. She sighed, as if exasperated by his desire, though her own revealing armor—exposing her cleavage to the world—hardly gave her room to judge.
As a jab, he pressed himself against her chest, sliding between the soft mounds spilling over her leather armor. The corset’s design made it impossible to envelop him fully without removing it, but the sensation was electric. Cianie glanced down, then up at him.
”Really that distracting?” she asked, smirking.
”Without Sunfall,” Klock said, “every guy passing by would be drooling.”
She tried to press her chest around him, but the armor wouldn’t allow it. Giving up, she grabbed him instead, taking him into her mouth again. The warm, slick sensation sent a shiver up his spine as her lips played with him, teasing him back to full readiness.
Her tongue circled the tip, drawing wet sounds as she sucked. She was about to dive in again, but Klock stopped her.
”Cianie,” he said, his voice firm.
She glanced up, pausing. Without a word, she released him, planting a soft kiss on the tip before standing. Turning away, she climbed onto the bed on her knees, presenting her backside. Her short skirt rode up, barely covering her. She glanced back, her pose submissive yet defiant, waiting for him to act.
That skirt—far too short for a Hero—revealed smooth, white skin with the slightest lift. Her underwear, a thin lace that bit into her hips, screamed expense and intent.
”What the hell?” Klock blurted, stunned. “You’re wearing that? Under that tiny skirt? You planned this, didn’t you?”
The fabric was so sheer he could almost see through it. She’d been walking around like this, barely covered. It was too much—too deliberate.
His restraint snapped.
Notes:
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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