“You’re going to be even later…….”

Ariel rested her chin on the table while looking at the letter from her mother that had arrived in the morning. It was a good thing. With the absence of her mother, she would be free to go to the annex at night. No, now she no longer needed to go to the annex. Ariel recalled what had happened last night.

Naked bodies, without even a single thread of yarn, were intertwined with one another.  Arsion’s giant member was placed between her legs, moving quickly back and forth on top of her vagina. Arsion unconsciously groaned lowly as he squeezed both her legs tightly together.

Then, unable to resist the rushing pleasure, she called out Arsion’s name, and white liquid sprayed over Ariel’s stomach.

“Hah….”

Just imagining what happened last night again made her body feel hot. Ariel fanned her face with her hands. That was not the end though. Ariel approached the mirror. Even though it was a little hot, she was wearing a button up blouse. As she unbuttoned the blouse down to the clavicle area, the skin underneath revealed several red marks.

“Oh my God …..”

One would think that they were prey to the animals. Not only did the kisses by Arsion leave marks behind, they were all over the place. It should have hurt, but she didn’t remember any pain, because he bit her when she was groaning as she peaked.

Ariel sighed as she undid another button.

Arsion was doing things she couldn’t have imagined a few days ago. The obscene acts that she questioned whether they could really do it at the beginning are now natural to them. It was as if they were playing together, just like when they were children.

So Ariel could now touch and covet Arsion without hesitation. Arsion, of course, could do the same.

‘There’s only one last lesson left.’

So far, she steadily taught Arsion and made him desire her body. But Arsion and she have not completely crossed the line yet.

Ariel once again recalled what the goddess’ demand was for those who were planning to dedicate themselves to her. It was the purity of the flesh. Purity of the flesh was defined by the temple as whether the body was a virgin or not.

Because she didn’t miss or skip a single section of the book, Ariel knew that the obscene things she had done so far hadn’t crossed the line for the definition of purity yet. Arsion was still pure, no matter how much he rubbed, bit, licked, and spilled it. Ariel felt Arsion’s release on her stomach.

‘Tonight is…….’

Now that I’ve done everything I can. Finally, today will be the day he and I will clearly join our bodies. When I imagined his big, thick pillar coming under me and stabbing me, my legs seemed to feel like jelly again.

‘It was sore.’

Everything so far has been so beautiful and enchanting just like in the book’s description. However, when it comes to one’s first time, it was written that penetration could cause severe pain depending on the differences between both parties. Of course, the book mentioned the most important things are the man’s skill and the size of his genitals.

‘Arsion has done everything well so far…… Will he be good at this?’

Then there wouldn’t be much of a problem. Everything she had shared with him so far was ecstatic and enjoyable, so she was sure he would do well till the end.

As she put her mother’s letter back in its envelope, Ariel found another letter in her pile of mail.

“It’s from Aunt Lucy, isn’t it?”

It was just a letter from another relative. Everyone referred to her as Aunt Lucy, because she was a relative of a distant cousin. Ariel opened the letter, curious to know what was going on. Ariel, who had been reading the letter for a long time, muttered.

“Come visit me once…….”

It was Aunt Lucy who lived in the same village as when Ariel was a child. Aunt Lucy, who wanted to accommodate people who want to buy a villa near the capital and take a rest, said that she would soon take over a quiet and beautiful villa, and she hoped Ariel’s family would visit before she started her business.

Ariel put the letter back in its envelope as well and put it on the table. She thought it would be good to talk to her parents about it when they came back.

Ariel tidied up the living room and went up to her room to reread <Things To Do at Night>.

“Let’s see…… The last one is….”

Ariel opened the final chapter. She started reading about what she had to do today. In fact, it was the section of the book that she most frequently visited and focused on ever since she first got her hands on it.

When she was young, whenever she peeked at a pornographic novel that her sister was reading, the main female and male characters would kiss, then caress and lie on the bed. From there, there was an unclear description of what they were doing.

A pillar of fire? Honey jar? Petals? Repeated forward and backward movements? After a little bit of digging, she found out more about it, but she only got a vague outline, everything was still foggy. It wasn’t clearly drawn out in her head on what those words meant.

But now with this book, she knew everything. Ariel looked intently at the picture that read <Missionary Position>.

‘This is usually the basics…….’

Ariel, who was looking hard at the explanation written for the picture, flipped to the next page. There was a picture that said <Doggy Style>. Ariel glanced at the painting, widening her eyes open as if she couldn’t bear to continue to look straight.

(QC/N: 후배위; Google Translate gave ‘Dominion’ instead of ‘Doggy Style’ but I made the decision after clicking on the images tab… RIP to my eyes.)

‘Can we actually do this?’

She had a problem imagining it and wondered if Arsion could do it. She was afraid she couldn’t imagine doing anything like this…….

The painting should be very similar to what she imagined. Ariel was in serious agony, but she heard a carriage stop from outside the window.

‘Who is it?’

Her father went on a business trip to a local estate, and her mother contacted her that she was going to stay at her sister’s house for a few more days. That meant that there shouldn’t be any reason why anyone would come to visit the house, so why the heck was someone here?

Ariel approached the window while pondering who it could be. When she looked down, her face became pale.

“…The Holy Knights?”

In front of Ariel’s house stood a pure white carriage pulled by a white horse. The carriage was studded with the words ‘Holy Knights’ on it.

***

“Um, I apologize as-, as this is all I have.”

Ariel liked that her mother was away on a trip, but at the same time, she cursed herself for eating all the cookies that were left. She didn’t know if there was any food left at home to entertain guests other than the old tea leaves.

It didn’t seem like she hadn’t eaten in the meantime, but when she thought about it again, it was all because she went to play at Arsion’s annex and ate it.

The man answered Ariel while bowing his head.

“No, thank you for meeting me despite my sudden rudeness, Lady Ariel.”

Ariel put down the teacup in front of the knight with trembling hands. Anyone could tell how nervous Ariel was at that moment by the clattering cup.

I can’t help but to be nervous. Who wouldn’t be surprised if the holy knights’ carriage suddenly stopped in front of the house?

‘In addition …’

Ariel looked at the chest of the man who sat across from her on the sofa. To be exact, she was staring at the swords embroidered on his chest.

‘The number of swords represent one’s position in the Holy Order. In apprenticeship, even a single sword cannot be attached to the chest, but once you officially become a holy knight, as the meritorious achievement goes up, the number of swords goes up…….’

Ariel’s eyes counted the number of swords. One, two, three, four…… five.

Hiccup.

The moment Ariel counted the five swords, she couldn’t breathe and hiccuped. Five swords. That number of swords could only be used by one individual in the Holy Order. Only the knight commander, the pinnacle of the Holy Knights, could have five swords on his chest.

“Kn-Knight Commander…… No, Your Highness the Third Prince……?”

Ariel was perplexed as to how to address him as she remembered that the current commander of the knights was also the crown princess’s brother, the third prince. As if he understood her predicament, he only replied with a smile.

“Just call me Aiden. I am no longer a prince, because the title of knighthood is the only valid title among the members of the Holy Order. And I had abandoned all worldly status when I entered in the name of the goddess.”

“Uh, how am I supposed to …….”

“Please, Lady Ariel.”

“W-Well, then Sir Aiden ……?”

Aiden nodded as if he couldn’t help it, knowing that Ariel couldn’t just call his name easily.

“Ah… What brings you to my house…….”

“It’s nothing special. I just really wanted to see what Arsion’s fiancé was like.”

“……!”

“When Arsion was in the Knight’s Order, he would often talk about Lady Ariel. Maybe everyone in the Holy Knights, not just me, is curious about Lady Ariel.”

With her mouth opened in shock, Aiden continued.

“You might be wondering why everyone is so interested in our apprentice’s fiancé. You see, Arsion is not an ordinary apprentice. Although it is currently concealed to those in the capital city, the number of monsters he cut down in the polluted land is several times higher than that of any regular holy knight.”

“Arsion took on monsters?”

This was the first time she had heard of it. She didn’t even know where Arsion was, because the Holy Knights’ Order was closed off to outsiders, and inside information was hard to get from the Duke of Hastings.

Therefore, it was even more difficult to know what achievements he had made in the Holy Knights’ Order. She was just thinking it’s a good thing he was all grown up and safe, but now she realized that he had been dealing with monsters? How many times more than other holy knights?

At first, she was surprised, but then, there came anger. Ariel looked Aiden straight in the eyes and asked.

“Was it a place where the Holy Knights were short-handed enough to put apprentices at the forefront?”

At Ariel’s sharp gaze, Aiden replied as if he knew why she suddenly raised the blade.

“No way. Apprentices are apprentices. Even if we’re short-handed, we wouldn’t have used an apprentice to deal with the monster.”

“Then why did Arsion…….”

“He charged out.”

“What?”

“No matter how much danger your colleagues are in, you cannot move to help them without the leader’s permission in order to prevent more people from falling and creating a greater danger. However, Arsion did not listen to my orders and approached the injured knight and protected him. He didn’t even back down when the great evil came.”

Aiden’s eyes looked distanced, recalling that time.

“Arsion did the same in the next battle, even if he was severely scolded, so I ordered him to keep a low profile, but instead of listening, he sneaked out of the temple and dealt with the monsters alone. In the end, I had no choice but to leave him with the knights so that he wouldn’t be in more danger.”

“Why on earth…….”

Ariel did not understand. Why are you trying to deal with the devilish monsters even though the leader told you to leave the battle, even to the point where he had to order you to keep a low profile?

Then, suddenly Ariel’s thoughts went crazy.

‘Arsion wanted to be a holy knight…….’

Most of the people who wanted to become a holy knight usually started their apprenticeship at a young age. Arsion, who had not entered until he was eighteen, would have been remarkably less experienced than the others, so if he wanted to become a holy knight sooner, he dealt with multiple monsters…….

At that time, Aiden said.

“You’d better ask Arsion why yourself.”

Aiden said so and picked up his teacup. He could have hardened his face at her questioning attitude, but he drank the tea that Ariel had given him in a very polite manner, so polite that it was as if he had accidentally received holy water from her.

A long time later, Aiden, who had finished his tea, stood up. There was a brief conversation in between, but Ariel couldn’t even remember what was said.

Before leaving through the door, Aiden turned and looked at Ariel.

“Please keep it a secret from Arsion that I came here today.”

Ariel didn’t ask why. Instead, she asked something else.

“……What’s the real reason Sir Aiden came here today?”

Aiden did not answer. Instead, he bowed his head to Ariel in a very polite manner and climbed into the carriage. However, Aiden wasn’t the only one bowing to Ariel. The other knights that were waiting for him outside also bowed to Ariel.

At that sight, Ariel immediately turned around and closed the front door violently. A moment later, the sound of the holy knights leaving was heard. Ariel carefully approached the window and watched them leave, as they sometimes glanced over at her house repeatedly, as if they had lingering feelings.

‘They’re all here for Arsion.’

She guessed their purpose was this ever since she laid her eyes on Aiden. As the head of the Holy Knights’ Order and a prince of this country, he really would not have come to visit an apprentice’s fiancée just out of curiosity. Furthermore, he came and kept talking about what contribution Arsion had made. Contrary to his words, when he talked about how Arsion didn’t listen to his orders, his face was showing signs of pride for Arsion’s achievements.

He was right to come to her, but he didn’t come here merely out of curiosity. It was clear that he came here to ask me to break our engagement, which would allow Arsion to become a holy knight in an instant.

Ariel went up to her room.

Over and over again, what Aiden said lingered in her mind. How valiant Arsion was, how talented he is as a knight, and how much he had cared for other fellow knights. Then it occurred to her that whenever he went into battle, he muttered the name of the goddess. Perhaps he was trying to express his sincere beliefs.

Ariel approached her desk. Before Aiden came, she had laid open the book, <Things To Do at Night>. Ariel, who saw this, bit her lip. An unbearable shame weighed down on Ariel’s body.

Aiden’s face looked very proud when he talked about Arsion. Maybe it wasn’t just Aiden. She also remembered the other holy knights bending themselves over to bow to her before they went back. They all came here wishing, with all their heart, for Arsion to become a holy knight.

All of them had given up their rights to the secular world and returned to the goddess with a clean heart. How hard and painful it must be. But they chose that path to follow the goddess’ will and risked their lives for the people, dealing with the monsters. They are the people who have no choice but to stay noble. And Arsion is also trying to walk that path…….

Ariel closed her eyes. Until a moment ago, she was ashamed of her lewd, disorderly thoughts that she had created in order to corrupt Arsion today.

‘I was the only one thinking about it.’

She didn’t want to miss Arsion, so she thought she’d just have to get her hands on him no matter what.

After that, she didn’t think about the finger pointing Arsion would receive. No, that’s not the only thing. Will Arsion still smile if he one day finds out that he could not take the path he wanted while being kept in the dark? No matter how kind Arsion is, will he ever forgive her after he knows everything?

Ariel’s face turned white. Now she realized the consequences of what she was going to do. What she said was good for someone could completely destroy a person’s future.

He belongs to her first since he is her fiancée, so she thought he was going to be hers forever. She whispered to herself that she loved him while trying to do such a thing.

Ariel picked up <Things To Do at Night> and threw it away as hard as she could. The book that hit the wall rolled on to the floor with a thud. Turning her head, she saw Arsion’s annex in the distance.

Tonight, he’ll blink the lamp again. And tonight…….

“……!”

Ariel picked up her bag from the floor with a blue face and ran down to the first floor. She had to get away from here. No, to be exact, she had to get away from wherever Arsion was.

Ariel offered a prayer of thanks to the goddess for the first time in a long time. Apparently, because She cared for Arsion, She must have sent the captain of the knights to her home before night came so that he could become a knight. So that she, herself, can realize what a terrible thing she was about to do and let Arsion go.

(QC/N: ‘She’ with the capital ‘S’ refers to the goddess.)

‘I have to leave.’

She didn’t have the courage to tell him everything she was going to do. Given the duke’s movements and Arsion’s more frequent visits to the royal palaces and temples, it was clear that his ordination as a holy knight was imminent. It’ll be within a week at most.

‘You just have to leave for the meantime.’

All she wanted now was for Arsion to be quiet about what went on between them. Then, without any scandal, Arsion would be able to become a holy knight and leave the capital.

If Arsion does not return, she has no reason to be here. She would get people’s sympathies anyway.

‘So where do I go?’

Where should I go to get out of the capital right now? She didn’t have the confidence to go somewhere she didn’t know anything at all. Besides, she was sure her parents would be worried. For the time being, she wanted to leave and go to a place where there were no people.

Then Ariel saw the letter she had put on the table.

“Yes, Aunt Lucy!”

It was Aunt Lucy’s letter asking them to visit her new villa. The letter mentioned that Aunt Lucy was a little grumpy since it was hard for her to find a good housekeeper.

Ariel is going away for a while. Don’t worry about me. I’m going on a trip to clear my mind.

Ariel wrote a letter addressed to her parents and left home, looking at the address in Aunt Lucy’s letter.