"Groaning in Satisfaction"

Ivory and Sigmund spent their afternoon sightseeing in Valios City. They were told to trek atop the cliff to get the most beautiful view of the sunset, and so they did. Both of them sat on the grassy part of the land and were amused by how beautiful the fiery sun kissed the blue ocean. And just after that, they were able to climb the white Valios Lighthouse despite the long line. They were glad that they had followed Preston's recommendations.

Later on, they indulged themselves with seafood dinner at the nearby eatery, and when the two of them had finished eating, they started walking back to the inn. The beautiful moon shone upon the whole city, and it seemed like Valios was glowing because of its white painted exterior.

"Ah, I'm so tired," Ivory uttered while walking slower than Sigmund.

"Should I carry you?" Sigmund stopped his tracks and glanced at his Master.

"No way, it's embarrassing," Ivory shook her head. She sluggishly walked towards him, "I can still walk. Besides, we're near the inn."

As soon as they entered their room, Ivory jumped on the bed. "I am so tired," she lied on her stomach and buried her head on the pillow.

Sigmund sat beside her and touched the back of her leg. While massaging her, he said, "You can go to sleep if you want. I will wake you up tomorrow morning."

"But… how about your mana replenishment?" Ivory quickly turned around, then sat back up. She put her wrist in front of his mouth, "Here. Go on, bite."

But Sigmund only laughed and grabbed her wrist only to put it down, "You're funny, Ivory. Do you want to get bitten that badly? Hmm?"

Ivory turned beet red, "It's just that… I don't want you to think that I am neglecting my duties as a Master!"

"That excuse again," he pushed her onto the bed.

Ivory was shocked by her Servant's sudden action, "Sigmund!? What are you doing?"

He stared at her for a while and grinned, then uttered, "Turn around. I'll massage you."

Ivory followed him and she turned her body facing the bed. Sigmund crawled up on the bed and positioned her body in between his legs, "Don't move. I'll make sure to make you feel better."

With the right amount of force, Sigmund massaged her entire back, starting from her lower head, her shoulders, and down to her upper back and lower back.

"Mmmm…" Ivory groaned in satisfaction as she felt her Servant's pleasurable massage. She felt that all the spasms on her back were being eliminated one by one.

The Vampire smiled upon seeing her reaction. He also massaged her arms, hands, and fingertips, which made his Master giggle.

"I said... don't move. What's funny?" Sigmund asked.

Ivory tried her best not to giggle before speaking, "But… but it's getting ticklish!"

"Alright then," he let go of her hand and pressed his thumbs on her lower back, just above her buttocks. "How does this feel, Ivory?"

"It's…" Ivory couldn't continue what she wanted to say and just buried her face on the pillow, her cheeks were burning red. She started groaning on the pillow, her hips raising with every press of his fingers.

Sigmund's skillful hands really knew where to touch her. Feeling her slight movements in between his legs and hearing her groans, a bugle formed under his crotch. He gazed at her back, wanting to rip off his Master's clothes even more and massage her while she's naked, but he figured that Ivory was already too tired to move. After a while, her breathing changed, an indication that she had fallen asleep.

"What should I do with you, Ivory…" Sigmund muttered as he played with her long, silky silver hair. "You should be careful when you're with me… When I see you this vulnerable, I try hard to control myself."

The Vampire already knew there was something wrong with him having feelings for his very own Master. But what could he do? He couldn't avoid her, nor confess to her.

…

The next morning, Ivory and Sigmund went back to Preston's house to meet the city guard chief. Mermaine served fried eggs and loaves of bread, and they ate as they discussed the details of how they would conduct the search.

They went out two hours later, and the city guard chief dispatched some of his men, bringing with them a sketch of Euphorie's face. Sigmund and Ivory went together with one of the guard groups and proceeded to their assigned area.

They passed by an eatery and asked the owner about her, showing the sketch of Euphorie's face.

"She seems familiar, I am just not sure…" the man said. "I feel like I have seen her somewhere…"

He had a long pause, as if thinking hard about it.

Ivory, thinking that they're already wasting their time, said, "If you can't remember, it's alright-"

"I KNOW!" he told them. "I remember now!"

"Really? Where can we find her?" asked Ivory, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

"I saw her in the Sanctuary of the Goddess. She was at the entrance."

"Sanctuary of the Goddess…?" she and Sigmund looked at each other, having no idea where it was.

The city guard then explained, "The Sanctuary of Goddess Destinia is located in the middlemost part of the city. It is where Her disciples serve Her for the rest of their lives. Not anyone can become a disciple, though. Regardless of having the birthmark of Destinia or not, one should have a pure heart in order to serve her."

"And how will you know if a person has a pure heart?" asked Sigmund, raising his brow.

"That is… I don't know, but someone from inside the Sanctuary can answer. The security's tight, but you may ask the knights guarding the entrance to let you see the disciple by the arc."

"If Euphorie was in the Sanctuary, in which only those with pure hearts can enter, how did she become wicked, then?" Ivory wondered.

Sigmund agreed with his Master, then faced the owner of the eatery, "Mister, when did you see the woman in the sketch?"

"Just a while ago..."