“Why are you here? If you lost your way, I can escort you back.”
“I came to see you, Sir Knight.”
I widened my eyes and smiled as brightly as I could, and Heliod paused, caught off guard. He quickly turned his head to the side, covering his mouth with his hand to hide the redness creeping up his face.
“…Please refrain from such casual remarks.”
“But it’s true. I just wanted to see how splendidly you were dressed today.”
I took a step back to get a good look at him.
His long, white hair was neatly tied back, and his cloak, adorned with the Seisior Paladins’ emblem, gleamed with the rich fabric that complemented him perfectly. Chains and silver buttons lined his chest, a blue sash around his waist accentuating his slender, elegant form. He truly looked like a sculpture brought to life. As expected, his waist was unmatched.
‘I’d regret it forever if I couldn’t admire that waist.’
Yes, maybe the curse was a blessing in disguise. I nodded to myself, thoroughly pleased. My expression must have betrayed my thoughts because Heliod flinched, shifting uncomfortably.
“Please don’t get any strange ideas.”
“Who, me? I wasn’t thinking anything strange… well, maybe just that I’d like to devour you?”
“Isn’t that exactly what I mean?!”
Heliod shouted, his cheeks turning crimson. A few passing attendants glanced our way, and he quickly fell silent, breathing heavily as he tried to calm himself. Covering his mouth, he closed his eyes, as if struggling not to react further.
“Sir Knight, are you alright?”
I stepped closer, resting a hand on his shoulder, but he shook his head, still unable to look up. Frowning slightly, I led him behind a large tree where we wouldn’t be seen.
“Here, rest a bit in the shade. You’ll feel better.”
“…Thank you.”
“Shall I fan you as well?”
“No, please, I couldn’t possibly ask that of you, Lady Arpen—”
“Oh, being a lady isn’t that big of a deal.”
I opened my fan, gently fanning his flushed cheeks. He startled, grabbing my wrist with enough pressure to halt the fan.
“I’m fine, really. It’s not the heat.”
“Is that so?”
Noticing his warm fingers on my wrist, I gave him a mischievous smile.
“But your hand is hot, Sir Knight.”
“…Apologies.”
Heliod quickly released his grip, looking deeply troubled as he continued taking slow, steady breaths. I studied him for a moment, then asked softly.
“Is it because people were watching you?”
“…”
“And was that why you didn’t respond to my letter? Was this ordeal especially difficult for you?”
Heliod’s face grew tense, his expression hardening.
“I apologize for not replying…”
He opened his mouth as if to say more, but then, as if in frustration, he glared at me.
“But you were the one who sent me those strange words in the first place.”
“What’s strange about them? They were things I was genuinely curious about.”
Pouting, I leaned closer, resting my chin on his shoulder. Heliod froze as if struck by lightning, his eyes widening in disbelief.
“L-Lady Arpen…?”
“So, tell me. Sir Knight, do you truly feel with your chest?”
“Please, don’t speak of such things here!”
“Then where should I? Shall we go somewhere more private?”
“Lady Arpen!”
Heliod’s face turned a deep red, almost like an apple. I giggled and stepped back from his shoulder, giving him space, and only then did his breathing seem to return to normal.
“I was only joking. But really, was this ordeal particularly hard on you?”
Heliod’s behavior was different today. He kept glancing around to see if others were nearby, and each time I touched him, a hint of guilt would cross his face. Though he tried to hide it, it was clear this ordeal had been a struggle for him.
Just as I suspected, he said nothing, his lips pressed tight as his downcast eyes seemed to confirm my guess.
“That demon really is terrible. Even I didn’t expect it would make you do such things for the victory parade.”
“You enjoyed it, though.”
“Well… I won’t deny it,” I admitted, scratching my cheek.
“Didn’t you enjoy it, too, Sir Knight? Or… does feeling pleasure mean you’re falling to corruption?”
Heliod said nothing, instead biting his lip as he sighed, rubbing at his weary eyes.
“I… am a servant of the temple. I’m not supposed to feel such sensations, let alone… desire.”
“Oh, come now. It’s only natural! Even knights these days are known to visit certain establishments, you know.”
“Where did you hear that?” Heliod’s eyes gleamed with a sudden sharpness as he looked at me, displaying for the first time the intimidating presence of a captain of the knights. I froze, instinctively leaning back.
“Uh… just here and there, in passing.”
“Those who dishonor the knights’ name should be reported. Tell me who they are.”
“It was just something I heard, really! I don’t know who they are.”
“…Very well.”
Heliod let out a sigh. Relieved, I decided to steer the conversation in a different direction.
“Do you really believe that? That you shouldn’t feel desire?”
His face flushed, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded slightly.
“But how can a person not have any desires? Sure, some might be less inclined that way, but suppressing it completely isn’t healthy.”
“I know that, but…”
Heliod’s lips parted as if he wanted to say something, only to hesitate again. With a sigh, he brushed his disheveled bangs away from his forehead.
“I’m starting to feel like I can’t control myself.”
“When does that happen?”
“…When you touch me…” he admitted, biting his lip as his cheeks burned red.
“It’s as if I’ve been drugged, my body reacting far too quickly.”
“…Oh.”
This was unexpected. I knew Heliod’s body was unusually sensitive, but I hadn’t realized it was because of me. Curiously, I reached out and lightly brushed my fingers along the back of his neck.
“So, if I do this, you react?”
“Please…”
Heliod’s blue eyes quivered intensely. I continued, trailing my fingers from his neck to his collarbone, lingering a moment before cupping his cheek. His shoulders twitched, and he closed his eyes tightly.
“Stop… please.”
“Even this little touch affects you?”
Heliod didn’t answer, avoiding my gaze as he turned his head. Observing the slight flush on his face, I glanced downward, and—oh. There it was, an undeniable sign in his trousers, straining beneath the fabric.
‘No way. He’s aroused?’
From just this? I hadn’t even done much. Staring in astonishment, I must have made my realization too obvious, for Heliod quickly drew his cloak over himself, his face turning crimson.
“Please don’t look!”
“Sir Knight, are you… aroused?”
“It’s… it’s not fully… only halfway…”
Oh, halfway, is it?
He fell silent, realizing how absurd his words sounded, his gaze growing distant as he grappled with embarrassment. His eyes shimmered faintly with a trace of moisture, and he turned away, visibly distressed.
“It must be the curse. I wasn’t like this before.”
“Hmm, I see.”
“Truly. Until I met you, Lady Arpen…”
Heliod clenched his jaw, lowering his gaze in frustration, before letting out a heavy sigh. I watched him, then slowly moved my hand lower, asking quietly.
“And when people were watching you… how did that feel?”
“…People?”
“In the dream. You know, when you… continued in front of everyone, Sir Knight.”
My hand moved to Heliod’s chest, pressing down just as I had in the dream. Although the chains and buttons made it a bit awkward, I grasped firmly, recreating the sensation as best as I could. Heliod shuddered, a soft groan escaping him.
“Mm…”
“Did you feel it then, too? Not just shame—did you actually feel pleasure?”
“N-no… I didn’t.”
“Don’t lie. You’re struggling with this because you enjoyed the dream too much, aren’t you?”
I knew that look all too well, that reluctance blended with desire. Smirking, I traced over his chest, finding one of his nipples and giving it a gentle nudge. Heliod’s back arched immediately.
“Hngh!”
“Sir Knight, pleasure isn’t a bad thing. Uncontrolled desire can be dangerous, of course…”
Pressing firmly through his jacket, I pinched, ignoring his pleas.
“P-please, enough! Lady Arpen, I beg you…”
“Handled properly, there’s nothing more enjoyable, wouldn’t you agree?”
Pausing briefly, I softened my touch, drawing slow circles over his chest before letting my hand drift lower. Heliod’s gaze met mine, his eyes shining with tears, as he anxiously anticipated my next move, his hands moving to stop me.
“No… we can’t. The victory parade is starting soon. If we go any further…”
“You plan on going to the parade like this?”
“Ah!”
My hand brushed over his firm stomach, then teasingly traced along the bulge beneath his trousers. Even this light touch had him gasping, his lashes fluttering as he struggled to breathe steadily.
“If you leave it alone… it will subside on its own. Please… stop.”
“Hm.”
Admittedly, it was a shame to crumple his finely tailored uniform, and forcing him to finish here didn’t seem fair, especially given his inexperience with this sort of pleasure. With a sigh of disappointment, I pulled my hand back—only for a familiar voice to break the silence.
