Chapter 49 - Nova's will to resist

It didn't take long for Nova to regain her senses and remember everything that happened earlier as she felt soft hands apply a salve to her buttocks.

However, she remained draped over the back of the couch, burning in embarrassment over what happened.

Not realising Ivar's pheromones had messed with her mind a little, she was unsure why she had fallen prey to her desires so easily.

Did she actually enjoy such a scenario to this extent?

Eventually, Molly was done applying the salve and looked unsure about what to do next until Ivar beckoned, "Come, sit next to me, Molly. We'll wait a little until Nova has found the courage to get up."

He snickered at the end as Nova's face burned even brighter when she realised Ivar knew she had regained her senses.

Molly took a somewhat hesitant seat next to Ivar, still unsure how she should feel about him after what happened. 

Meanwhile, Nova worked on calming herself and eventually got up after regaining her composure and cold face.

Alita simply looked at her sister with a sly smile. Molly, however, felt the need to speak up, "Nova, I…"

But Nova stuck up her hand and shook her head, "It's fine, Nova. We both agreed to this. We can talk more later if you like."

Molly nodded and sighed in relief, but inwardly, she knew their relationship would never really be the same. Especially not if she decided to accept Ivar's proposal.

At the same time, Ivar quickly noticed that, while Nova had somewhat regained her composure, there was a certain meekness in her movements that wasn't there before.

Seeing that everyone was waiting for her reaction to recent events, Nova sighed, walked up to Ivar, and kneeled beside Alita, avoiding Ivar's gaze and saying, "If you're satisfied with my punishment, let's move on to the second part of the deal."

Ivar chuckled, bent over and grabbed Nova's chin, forcing her to look into his piercing amber eyes, causing Nova to tremble fiercely for some reason, as she found it impossible to look away or even close her eyes.

"I don't think I was the only one satisfied with that, Nova. Tell me, how is that itch of yours? Would you like to submit to me now?"

He had quickly checked Nova's resistance level, and it now stood at eleven, meaning she had gone down a whole nine points during this session.

Since the threshold between 11 and 10 signified the difference between submission and continued resistance, he figured she had to be on the edge.

Ivar continued to hold her chin as he waited for a response, but Nova just kept trembling and not saying anything. Eventually, Ivar raised an eyebrow, "Are you… not saying anything because you are trying to resist submitting to me?"

He immediately saw the truth of his words in her eyes, and so did Molly, who jabbed Ivar with her elbow as she whispered in a threatening tone, "Let her go."

Ivar chuckled before he let go of her chin. He preferred willing over forced submission anyway.

Nova's body immediately seemed to slump a little due to a loss of tension as she mumbled, "T- Thank you."

The memories of her punishment were a little hazy for Nova, but whatever had happened exactly, her desire to submit to Ivar had grown nearly overwhelmingly powerful.

She probably would have given in sooner or later if he forced her to keep looking into his fierce eyes while she kneeled. But she couldn't allow herself that. Not yet!

Ivar chuckled again, "Don't mention it. I respect a willpower such as yours. But you realise this is not sustainable, right? You can still flee from here with Molly, after all, but if you keep sticking around me, you will eventually submit."

Meanwhile, Molly also felt grateful that Ivar didn't force the issue. She suddenly felt the urge to shuffle a little closer to Ivar and grab his arm as she sat next to him and looked down at the two sisters.

This position made her feel like the wife of a powerful conqueror who was currently disciplining their servants—a feeling she enjoyed but tried not to let show on her face, as she still wasn't sure whether or not she wanted to take his offer.

At this point, Nova had recovered and was kneeling upright again but was still avoiding Ivar's gaze as she started talking, "From the age of sixteen, I've only ever cared about two things: protecting Alita and taking revenge for my parent's death.

You have already relieved me of the need to protect Alita, as she seems perfectly happy and safe. If you also help me take revenge, I will have nothing else to live for and will gladly devote my life to you. But until then… please… don't force me."

Ivar, Molly, and Alita were a little surprised by her words since she hadn't mentioned Sanctuary even once. So Ivar asked, "You say you have nothing else to live for after getting this revenge, but what about Sanctuary?"

Nova closed her eyes, "Sanctuary has always been a means to an end and nothing more. I didn't even want to start it in the beginning. I do enjoy helping people, but I've never wanted to be in charge of anything.

These last ten years have been nothing but exhaustion and stress. To be honest, I… I'm looking forward to the moment I can relax and submit, finally letting someone else make all the decisions.

Although I would have preferred to get to know you a little more first…"

At this point, Alita clapped her hands and smiled cheerily, "Yeah, big sis! I knew it! I knew you would love this!"

Nova opened her eyes again and rolled them at her sister, "Yeah, yeah. But we still need to talk about your blatant disregard for consent!"

Alita just stuck out her tongue and giggled.

Nova then refocussed on Ivar, "Anyway, although I want to submit." Her eyes started burning with rage as her body trembled with fury, "I won't allow myself to do that before I've ripped that bastard apart with my own two hands."

Alita suddenly gained a confused look as she said, "You sound like you know who killed our parents, big sis. But you always told me you didn't!"

Nova looked a little uncomfortable, "Yeah, I… I lied about that. You were always so kind and cheery, and I didn't want to ruin that with revenge." 

She chuckled, "Of course, now I know I shouldn't have bothered. You probably would have joined me in slaughter with that same cheery smile on your face."

Alita giggled, "Of course I would have!" Then she got a little more serious, "But big sis, you know that secrets like those were part of the reason we drifted apart over the past few years, right?"

Nova nodded a little sadly, ''I know, Alita. I'm sorry."

But Alita regained her cheery smile and lightly bumped Nova's shoulder, "It's fine, big sis! Look how things worked out in the end. Not badly, I think! We'll kill those bastards together; it will be easy with Master at our side!"

Meanwhile, Molly looked dumbfounded at this information, and Ivar smiled curiously. Molly sighed and said, "Let's hope none of the women downstairs hear you say those things; Sanctuary would break down before dinner."

At this point, Ivar clapped his hands, "Alright, let's refocus. Nova, I will give you revenge before you submit, but I want complete devotion afterwards. Is that understood? 

You are a good person, and I admire that. But I am not. And in service to me, you will occasionally need to do evil things; are you prepared for that?."

Nova nodded, "Yes. If you give me revenge and a promise to take care of me and Alita, my body, heart, soul, and mind will be yours to do with as you please."

Ivar grinned, "Good girl. So tell me, who killed your parents? I'm guessing it's not just some nobody, or you would have taken care of it already."

Nova nodded, "His name is Jack, and he leads a rival gang called the Damned."

Alita nearly jumped up, "I knew it! That's why you reacted so violently when I said those guys were members of the Damned!"

Ivar looked curious and asked, "Are you talking about the six professional air-breathers I killed when we first met?"

Alita looked confused, "Six? I thought there were three?"

Ivar shrugged, "Three more showed up while you were unconscious; don't worry about it."

Alita nodded, content with his explanation.

Nova continued, "Anyway, yes. According to Alita's recollection, the gang signs on them belonged to the damned. And since Andra was also after you while apparently serving some mistress, there's a good chance Jack would know more about who this mistress is as well."

Ivar smiled inwardly, as this was good news. After all, he and Selene wanted to know more about that mistress, and now he could combine that with revenge for Nova and Alita.