In Preparation (1)

With heavy eyes, I awoke disoriented, as if my mind had gone through a washing machine in the future and back. It felt different from mere heaviness. My body felt sore, and I didn't feel like moving..

Shifting my body to the side, I looked over to the direction of.. Noel?

With both hands cushioning his head as he slept sitting on the floor. I couldn't help but wonder why he would be here..

Last night..

"Uh.." I gasped.

Last night I.. I..

I bit my lip and quickly turned to the opposite side to face the wall.

I almost broke the promise..

My body felt sticky, hair a mess..

I believe what I experienced last night were those so-called wet dreams..

No. I can't let these thoughts corrupt me.. not now.. not..

"Looks like someone is awake."

I felt my being shaken at the core.

"How are you feeling?" I heard him yawn.

I remained silent. I didn't know what to say.. oh heaven. Heavens? It's been a while since I had called mercy in such a 'chuni' way.

"Hm.. maybe she's still sleeping. Well.." I felt his presence behind me-- his stare-- then his footsteps in the direction of the door.

"S-sorry.." I whispered.

He paused, "It's alright. But you're feeling better right?"

I nodded, the sounds of my hair rubbing against the pillow-- I heard his relief exhale.

"Liliath," he came closer.

I shivered. Heat spread through my body-- why?

He grabbed my shoulders and rolled my body over to face him. Oh no, I'm done for. A hand was placed against my forehead.

"No fever. Okay."

"G-Good morning.." I blurted. His face was so arousing-- this feeling isn't right. It's frustrating, really..

"Good morning Liliath. Can you stand?"

"I-I don't know.."

He supported my arms and propped me up.

"We have work we need to do today, or do you want to rest?"

"N-no.. it's alright. I'll be there to help," today we would be assisting Margrett-san with the flowers. I can't possibly excuse myself because of this mere blunder.. I shouldn't have drank the whole thing. I didn't expect the aphrodisiac to be that potent..

What a disappointment. I expected Noel to push me down and that we'd have a child together..

"Liliath?"

"A-ahah?! N-nothing.." before I knew it, my hands were clutching the base of my hair-- and that my horns appeared. I shivered. My body wasn't obeying me.

"There there.." Noel held me in his arms and stroked my back. I shuddered, tears started to form. I didn't understand why, it was comfortable to be with him like this, his warmth, his smell.

Yet I couldn't seem to calm down. My body was itchy. I have to let go, he has to let go..

He pulled away.

"Okay, let me help you go to the bathroom. You need to clean up."

"Y-Yes.."

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I don't really understand what was happening to Liliath but I guess she feels threatened? Her horns appeared, and the only reason that would happen is if the person feels that he or she is in danger.

I experienced it first hand the last time when Prune got kidnapped-- couldn't put it away for the entire day afterwards.

Um.. well. I did have this other theory but whatever. I'll let your imagination answer that for yourself.

Anyways, while Liliath is currently washing up in the bathroom, I took off the bed sheets and pillow cover from Prune's bed. These need to be washed. As for the mattress itself, I'll ask Liliath if she has any sort of life magic to clean this sort of thing. Then we'll air it in the sun.

With the balled up linen in hand, I walked to the washing machine.

Hahh.. it smells like Liliath and Prune, as perverted as that may sound. They've been sleeping on this since weeks ago after all.

"Have you told Liliath about it?" Nine who had already washed up, bounced over and asked-- Nine, as a girl.

I dunno why he became a she this morning. I thought she had period cramps?

"Not yet," I dropped the linen into the machine's tub. We'll have to wait for the other clothes before I start it up, "Prune still has a fever doesn't she? Well.. we still have some elixir in the inventory so it should be alright."

"She's alright, I think," Nine yawned, "We're skipping our morning routine right?"

"I guess.. I'm not in the mood really. Plus, this is a holiday so.." plus, I barely slept last night on the off chance Liliath would wake up with the aphrodisiac pumping in her veins.

I can't possibly be sleeping with something so dangerous around.. oh, I slept didn't I?

"Holiday arc," Nine shrugged.

"Wouldn't a wedding arc suit it more?"

"Or R18 arc?"

"Whatever man.."

"I'm a girl yo~"

Girl..

Rinalanashina. Her name popped into my mind again.

A demon lord. And by some ridiculous plot line, was involved in our failed assassination. Like seriously, if assassins are a thing, aren't they supposed to be like.. anti-assassins to protect the integrity of the wedding? No idea..

What should we do about this.. or should we just let things progress?

'Noel, can you help get my clothes..' Liliath's message popped up.

"See, R18 arc," Nine said.

"I don't see how bringing clothes to your girlfriend is R18."

"I don't see how that isn't either."

Ending the conversation there, I went to Prune's room to pick out Liliath's clothes. I had the help of the system function to serve as the medium of communication between Liliath and I. She picked out a simple blouse, loose pants and.. I'm not going into detail about the undergarments.

I passed the clothes to Liliath. I swear I didn't try to peek or see anything alright?

"Morning.." Prune said, scratching her ears.

"Morning, you feeling alright?"

"How's Liliath?"

"She's okay, you?"

"Slightly feverish and tired. Hopefully it doesn't get worse."

"There's elixir in the inventory if you need it, just a heads up," I said.

"Here," Nine passed a glass of water to Prune.

"Thank you."

In a little while, Liliath finally came out of the bathroom, her hair falling loosely over her shoulders, rosy cheeks, glossy skin-- I wonder if this aphrodisiac had the effect to make someone look more attractive?

"You're not horny anymore right Liliath?" Nine asked.

"I-I'm not sure," Liliath replied, averting our gaze.

Well.. hot damn.

"Noel," Prune called out.

"Hm? Yes?' It took me a while to discern what she was implying. When I caught onto it, I replied, "Later."