Inside the darkness enveloping Aven's mind, which appeared like a cold and empty void that seemed to swallow even his thoughts, his mind spun with confusion—a haze of disorientation tightening its grip.
Gradually, sensations seeped into his consciousness: a faint pressure on his chest against something warm and soft, like the comforting embrace of a blanket on a winter morning, but breathing and sweaty.
A rhythmic movement stirred the murky depths of his awareness, akin to the gentle sway of branches in a breeze—a soothing experience indeed.
Amidst the fading haze of consciousness, he became aware of a soft yet insistent pressure enveloping his private part.
It was a delicate touch, appearing to wrap around his shaft with a pressure coming from all directions simultaneously—tight and inviting, urging involuntary movements of his lower body—back and forth.
At times, a sensation of being drawn in prompted him to arch his back in attempts to withdraw, only to encounter a resistant tightness that encouraged him to press forward and penetrate the hurdle—a rhythmic, involuntary dance that pulsed through him, each stroke sending electrifying feeling.
Though his mind seemed hazy, the subtle, tight pressure exerted on his shaft from something warm, soft, and wet was slowly bringing his senses back to consciousness, though not enough to awaken him fully.
"Ahh... Ahn... Ungh..."
Finally, lost in that sensation, his ears seemed to catch a soft, soothing, melodious rhythmic voice—something familiar yet instinctively causing his body to respond even more, hoping to hear the voice more clearly.
"Mmph?!....Eeek~! AhhHh~!"
A subtle increase in sound, as if working as a stimulus, sent a jolt through his already hazy mind, prompting him to retaliate with even more force as he felt the resistant tightening on his lower body with increased pace—everything was happening while he seemed to be in the least control.
Squelch Squelch
"..NNH~! AHNG~! HNGGGH~!"
'?!'
Suddenly, that cry tore through the thick veil of sleep, wrenching Avendial's eyes open. His breath came in ragged gasps, mingling with the dimly lit room's pungent aroma—a mix of sweat and lingering passion.
"Haah...Haah.." His widened blue pupils reflected a beautiful face with amethyst eyes framed by tousled purple hair, sprawled across the rumpled white bedsheets.
"...R-Rivia?" Despite his lower body twitching involuntarily, he ignored it and focused on the familiar figure lying beneath him. Her flushed face met his gaze, and they shared a moment of realization—she slightly bewildered, he perplexed.
They were entangled in a thin, silky white bedsheet, barely covering their bare bodies, the fabric serving more as a reminder of their intimacy than modesty.
His own breath was erratic, contrasting sharply with her controlled composure. The air around them seemed charged with unspoken words and the aftermath of physical exertion.
"Damn it!" In a fleeting moment of clarity, Avendial realized the gravity of the situation.
Instead of succumbing to impulse, he pushed his body away with desperate urgency, his legs betraying him as he stumbled towards the edge of the bed.
In that moment of fall, his eyes captured the sight of the room he was in—a grand chamber adorned with towering columns intricately carved with floral patterns, their marble surfaces polished to a gleaming shine.
Interior of deep crimson and gold draped the walls, catching the flickering light of brass candelabras that hung from the vaulted ceiling.
A large fireplace dominated one side, still burning to provide warmth in this cold weather.
The air was heavy with the scent of sandalwood and beeswax, but a slightly pungent smell also filled the entire room.
These details served as a reminder to Avendial that he was currently inside one of the rooms in the main palace of the Arniphiam Empire.
"...Young Master!" Upon seeing the man fall, the woman, despite still feeling pain in her pelvic area, reacted instantly, her body blurring and hurling towards him.
"Let's leave, Maste...r," Rivia said, biting her lips, trying to keep herself composed despite feeling fatigued from using up all her Synergy. She turned towards Avendial, whose narrowed gaze was fixed on the door. This caused Rivia to also notice the sound of footsteps approaching from the hallway.
tap tap
The footsteps grew louder and more distinct, turning into a rapid clatter as several individuals ran towards the room.
Within moments, the entire hallway was filled with the sound of their approach before the door burst open.
Boom!
"You are declared guilty of treason, Marquess Croceas!" a bulky man wearing a set of armor and holding a sword shrouded in a white translucent aura declared as he entered the room with a swift kick, breaking the door open.
His speed was so great that he moved faster than the door's fall.
'?!'
'No, it's impossible,' the man instantly broke into a sweat the moment his eyes saw the door he had kicked. Before it fell to the floor, it had turned into dust—most specifically, finely cut dust at the atomic level.
Not only the door, but the entire room was reduced to flying dust, stirred by the air currents created by his speed.
Clank
His trembling hands let the sword fall to the floor as he realized the punishment he would face for failing this mission.
Seeing how finely cut everything was and noticing no one present, his voice shook as he remembered the individual with the prowess to cut at the atomic level, "D-Dominic Rivia Aurelia."
"Where are they?" an old man in a butler's attire asked as he stepped forward, observing that the only thing left in the room were the white walls, with even the burning fire having been sliced into pieces until it extinguished.
"S-sorry, Sebas, th-this..." The man in front stammered, his horrified eyes turning towards the old man.
Schlkt!
"Kughh?!" The man's eyes widened as a sharp pain surged through his chest. His trembling hands lifted to grasp at the arm piercing through his chest, shattering his armor.
Holding the arm, the man's trembling head lifted to meet the cold gaze of the old man. Moonlight cast a shadow on his face as the butler's claws clenched firmly inside his body. In a firm tone, the butler declared, "For lying about the future husband of Princess Katheria Arniphiam, you are executed."
Thud
The moment the butler withdrew his arm, the man's body collapsed to the floor. His cold eyes then turned toward the soldiers accompanying him, declaring once again,"You all should redeem for your commander."
"Aghhh!"
"S-sir Butler—Ugh?!"
"Kugh!"
"Pl-lease, I have children to fee—"
Several cries echoed in the room, which was soon bathed in blood.
The butler stood alone near the door, surrounded by the bodies of the fallen soldiers. Clad in a pristine butler uniform, his white beard and mustache were immaculate, with not a single bloodstain on him except for his sharp, clawed hand, which he quickly cleaned with a cloth.
His eyes turned toward the open window, now devoid of doors since they had turned to dust. A cold glint passed through his eyes as he prepared to leave the room before adjusting his tie. His chilling words resonated in the silence, "It seems Master will have to use some other methods to get rid of you, Sir Avendial."