<Chapter 66>

“…Sorry?”

“I should have realized it when someone as delicate and frail as I am managed to push you over.”

Perched atop Temenos, Inosensia gazed down at him with a deep and captivating look.

“W-wait a moment…”

“And when you accused me of having strange tastes, I should have known better. After all, your preferences are quite odd, aren’t they? That’s why you picked a fight with me in the first place.”

Temenos’ face turned bright red, humiliated by the undeserved accusation.

However, instead of feeling any sympathy, Inosensia smiled, her eyes narrowing mischievously as she lowered her face closer to his.

“Temenos. …Or should I say, Temi.”

“……!”

A chill ran down his spine, making him shudder.

Noticing his clenched fists, Inosensia slyly grabbed his hands and pinned them above his head.

“Do you remember that scene in the book? The one where the Saintess tied up the Holy Knight’s hands when she first pounced on him?”

“Y-you’re not going to tie my hands like that, are you?”

Inosensia answered with a dazzling smile instead of words. Temenos was struck speechless by how beautiful she looked in that moment.

‘She’s joking, right?’

At least, that’s what he thought—until Inosensia produced a long ribbon from somewhere and bound his hands together.

“Wait! What are you doing? Why are you tying my hands?”

“Look closely. This is a ribbon my maids use to tie my hair. It’s so flimsy that just a little bit of effort will snap it, see?”

She was right. The delicate silk ribbon, tied neatly in a butterfly knot around his wrists, felt soft to the touch.

It wouldn’t take much effort—just a simple tug on both sides, and it would tear apart.

“Here’s a question: in the book, the Saintess used iron shackles to bind the Holy Knight…”

“……”

“But the Holy Knight was the strongest, wasn’t he? A man who could snap a monster’s neck with his bare hands. Do you think he was truly too weak to break free of those shackles?”

Her violet eyes sparkled like stars in the night sky, and her playful smile made it impossible for him to look away.

Perhaps that’s why his strength left him entirely.

“Good boy.”

Inosensia removed Temenos’ half-mask, then leaned down to plant a soft kiss on his left cheek.

Her warm lips brushed against the cold scales on his skin, leaving Temenos frozen in place, unable to move even a muscle.

He could feel her hand slowly sliding down and undoing the buttons of his shirt, one by one.

As the last button came undone, his shirt fell open, revealing his well-toned chest beneath.

Inosensia gulped, her eyes lingering on his muscular frame.

Her bold and unreserved expression of desire left Temenos feeling deeply embarrassed.

As he lowered his gaze, Inosensia, undeterred, asserted her rights as his wife. She reached out and touched the scales covering his left abdomen.

“They’re cold. Are they always like this?”

“…I wouldn’t know. I’ve never consciously touched them before.”

“Wouldn’t it get cold in winter? But in summer, it’d be so refreshing to hug you to sleep. Although, my body heat might make you too warm.”

Hugging to sleep…

An image popped into his head. Temenos’ face burned with embarrassment, and he quietly muttered, hoping it was all in his imagination.

“…I don’t feel heat.”

“Really?”

“Yes. …Though cold is a different matter.”

It was the opposite, actually.

As someone born in the North, he was naturally resistant to the cold. His ability to plunge into icy waters without hesitation proved it.

But Inosensia, unaware of this fact, chuckled, seemingly pleased.

“How about your hands? Do they hurt? Are they uncomfortable?”

Temenos wriggled his bound hands before slowly nodding.

He had his pride, after all. He wasn’t about to complain about pain over something as trivial as a ribbon.

“As long as they don’t hurt. Just bear with a little discomfort; I’ll make sure to cater to your preferences.”

For the first time in his life, Temenos experienced the strange coexistence of fear and anticipation.

Suppressing the fact that his feelings leaned slightly toward the latter, he tried to stop Inosensia with a shaky voice.

“Inosensia, you’re misunderstanding something. I only read that book for educational purposes—”

“Knowing how shy you are, you probably wouldn’t even think of thanking me for accommodating your tastes.”

“No, I’m serious—”

“But reality and fantasy can differ. If you truly hate this, then push me away. That’s why I didn’t bring iron shackles, after all.”

“Are you seriously suggesting I use my strength against you?”

“Oh dear, that’s a problem then. What are we going to do? Your hands are tied, so you can’t even run away.”

Inosensia leaned in and kissed him on the lips.

Temenos shut his eyes tightly and clasped his bound hands together.

She giggled softly, her laughter light and teasing. The sound of rustling fabric followed.

Even though he could easily snap the ribbon with one firm pull, Temenos stayed still, imagining what Inosensia might be doing while on top of him.

‘I can’t risk hurting her by accident…’

His thoughts evaporated like mist.

From above, there was a faint snapping sound as the ribbon broke.

Yet, Temenos kept his hands interlocked tightly, as if nothing had happened.

Even as Inosensia cooed sweetly to him and eventually collapsed onto his chest, exhausted, he didn’t move an inch.

*  *  *

In the early morning, my eyes snapped open. My body felt worn out.

‘But it was worth it.’

I’d finally confirmed his firm yet graceful waistline—and his strong, muscular thighs.

In my previous life, I’d never dated anyone. Naturally, I’d also never experienced the sweet intimacy of a couple.

Last night had been the first in both of our lives… and wow, it was amazing.

‘This wasn’t part of the plan, though.’

Originally, I’d only meant to tease him because his flustered reactions were amusing.

But seeing him blush and stammer while pinned beneath me had been so adorable that I couldn’t resist taking things further.

Though, if I considered how things had ended, it felt like I’d been the one who got devoured instead.

“Awake?”

A cautious arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me close.

“How do you feel?”

Temenos’ voice was deeper than usual, and he gently ran his fingers through my disheveled hair.

I instinctively pressed closer, enjoying the cool sensation of his scaled skin against mine.

“I’ve already recovered. I am the Saintess, after all.”

Temenos’ body stiffened momentarily.

I smirked, resting my head on his broad arm.

“Do you always wake up this early? Or is today an exception?”

“It’s earlier than usual. I just happened to wake up.”

“I see. Well, I’m going back to sleep.”

Snuggling against him, I hugged his waist tightly, relishing the firm muscles in my embrace.

‘He’s… perfect.’

His physique was as thick and sturdy as I’d hoped.

“By the way, I had something I wanted to tell you last night…”

Temenos hesitated, his voice low as if worried I might have already fallen asleep.

I opened my eyes wide, looking up at his face.

“What is it?”

Could it be the words I’ve been waiting for? Would he finally help me complete my confession quest?
 

<To be continued>

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