Within the confines of the alchemical workshop, Ravenna was gazing at the lifeless puppet, her lips sealed in silence.
She was about to fulfill the price of having Ansel act as her shield. Although she was uncertain of what tricks he might play, surprisingly, there was no sense of anxiety in Ravenna's heart.
Once her resistance and hostility towards Ansel were put aside, this seemed quite normal.
Boom —
The heavy door of the alchemical workshop was slowly opened. On this night, there was only one person who could be here.
Looking at the smiling young nobleman at the door, Ravenna, despite being unprepared, was surprisingly calm.
"Ansel," she suddenly spoke, "Thank you for today."
"... Thank me?" Ansel tilted his head, "For what?"
"Thank you for always standing by my side, for speaking up for... me and my grandfather."
As she spoke, Ravenna removed her glasses, set them aside, and with her captivating purple eyes, she stared at Ansel. At the same time, she took off her coat and began to unbutton the lining inside.
"As a token of gratitude, and as a price that needs to be paid... I think I'm ready."
"I've already empathized with this puppet. Whatever tricks you want to play, it's up to you."
The slightly petite woman stood in front of a puppet much taller than her, both performing the same actions. Her pale skin contrasted with the puppet's light silver body. Although her tone was steady, her indifferent face was tinged with a faint blush.
Ansel sat on the sofa in the alchemical workshop, propping his chin with his hand, smiling as he watched Ravenna for a long time. Then he said, "Then... let the puppet lift you up first."
"..."
Although a bit embarrassed, Ravenna did as he said.
"No, no, no, I didn't mean a princess carry. Do you remember how I carried Seraphina to you last time?"
Ravenna's gaze seemed to freeze.
"You..."
She took a deep breath, and in the end, chose to swallow the rest of her words that Ansel wouldn't listen to anyway.
The elegant scholar, her lower body clad in semi-transparent black tights, was held by her own puppet and step by step, brought before Ansel.
"It seems..." Ansel casually ran his hand over Ravenna's skin, "You are indeed ready."
"I'm not that bitch you put a collar on."
Even though her body had started to tremble, Ravenna still maintained her cool and dignity: "I won't... be... out of control..ugh!"
The woman's small, soft foot was held in Ansel's hand. It was obviously too cute and small, yet it was wrapped in such mature black tights.
But this time, Ansel didn't take advantage of the situation. He simply stroked Ravenna's body and asked, "Are you sure you want to thank me?"
Ravenna, who had already started to pant, looked at him coldly: "What... do you want to say?"
"Don't look at me like that. I just think that if I hadn't said anything then... you might have had the chance to reconcile with your parents... I mean, Mr. Leiden and Ms. Eleanor, at some point in the future."
"... I don't need it."
"Are you sure?" Ansel raised his eyebrows slightly, "Or is it because of my interruption that caused you—"
His mouth was covered by Ravenna's small, tender foot, of course, just for a moment.
Ansel caressed Ravenna's waist and hips, and after a while, he couldn't help but chuckle softly, "You indeed complement me well, Venna. I've reconsidered... Perhaps reconciling you with your parents before compelling you to sacrifice would be a prudent choice?"
"... You are truly repugnant," she retorted.
"It's merely a thought. As for whether it will come to pass, who can say? Or do you, in your heart, indeed harbor feelings for them—"
"Enough!"
Ravenna abruptly interrupted Ansel.
Her delicate, fair hands cradled Ansel's cheeks, forcing him to lower his gaze to hers, to that petite visage that, despite its cuteness, exuded a sinful allure under her indifferent expression and mature demeanor.
A rare... restlessness flickered across her features.
"Do you insist on... speaking such words at this moment?"
She questioned, lowering her head to bite Ansel's shoulder.
Ansel of Hydral.
Her former friend.
The devil seeking her ruin...
Now stood by her side, and at this moment... he showed concern for her and her parents, for her life.
Was this concern a facade? It should be, Ravenna knew well.
But she needed it.
Even if this concern was false, Ravenna Ziegler, called a monster by her father, no longer bound by rationality, needed it.
For no one else could reach into her heart like Ansel, voicing her unspoken thoughts, understanding her deepest needs.
The dual sensations of touch ignited desire, the instincts no longer repressed by reason, and ... beneath it all, an indescribable fervor.
And then... there were her parents, whom she had forsaken and who had forsaken her in turn.
All this made Ravenna feel that she should indulge herself, if only this once, lest these tumultuous thoughts hinder her efficiency at work the following day.
"Let's not dwell on those matters anymore, Ansel."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered into his ear, "Just this once."
"Ruin me."
Hydral tenderly supported the back of her head, drawing the puppet closer to himself, "A troublesome request, but I shall oblige, my dear Venna."
As he spoke, he was acutely aware of the restlessness within his embrace and the turmoil within Ravenna's heart.
At last, he saw fate's countermove.
The same trick I had used on Seraphina, did you plan to employ it once more? Fate, you are indeed a thorough pragmatist, yet—
While kissing her slender neck and feeling his own neck caressed, Ansel's actions were fervent, but his eyes betrayed only coldness.
Ravenna, who placed ideals above all else, could never fall for me, and moreover...
Have you underestimated, my cruelty?
*