Chapter 32: Esme’s Character Growth

"So, what did you need?"

Vritra asked the question very casually.

Meanwhile, Esmeralda was still lying on the bed and catching her breath... she was feeling a bit of pain in her nipples from how hard Vritra had squeezed them, and her breasts were sore as well.

『Lately, I've been feeling like my body is a waste to God Vritra. It's just not built for the kind of strength and energy he has. Sigh~ it almost makes me sad. I'm sure if I were 10 years younger, I'd be the one teaching him a few tricks in bed.』

She sighed deeply and placed a hand on her chest.

"God Vritra, maybe next time, you could go a bit easier on me. Unlike you, I'm quite old, so my body can't always handle your... youthful energy."

Vritra glanced at the head maid with a sideways look and chuckled before adding some sugar to his red tea.

"Oh, really? Are you saying you don't like it when I touch you? Is it getting tiring for you?"

"N-, No, that's not it at all..."

Unlike Luciana, who would get anxious when the young lord started making assumptions, Esmeralda stayed much calmer.

In fact, rather than panicking, she felt quite embarrassed, which made her cheeks turn red.

『Honestly, why does he do this...?』

As a mature woman, she disliked blushing, especially in front of a man who was physically younger than her. Not wanting God Vritra to see her oddly cute facial expression, she lightly adjusted her glasses and looked away.

"P-, Please, God Vritra... don't tease me like that."

She tucked some of her bangs behind her ear.

Naturally, Prince Vritra simply shook his head and focused back on his red tea.

"Well, back to business. I know why you're here, but I don't understand why you're still here. You know I did it, so why do you still bother?"

He took a sip of his tea and walked over to enjoy the view from his large windows.

Esmeralda suddenly got up from the bed and took two brisk steps forward.

"NO! I refuse to believe it was you, God Vritra. I've thought about it so many times, and it just doesn't make sense!"

She paused for a second to lower her tone.

"I know my mortal mind can't fully grasp the actions of an ancient god like you, but this is one of the rare times I'm setting aside all logic to question you."

She spoke with bravery, but her voice carried a heavy concern, sounding like a worried mother.

Or, in Vritra's case... a concerned wife.

... Huu-hu-hu!

Prince Vritra looked back at her.

"Question me?"

No, there was no hint of offense in his voice...

None whatsoever.

Esmeralda wasn't exaggerating or being overly optimistic when she thought that the young lord was genuinely intrigued by what she said and the way she said it.

[Your bedmate, Esmeralda Kirkwood, has developed her character even further. Because of this, her Fate Value has experienced an increase by 25!]

The young Asura nodded.

"N... No, I wasn't jeal──"

"What's that? You weren't jealous?"

Vritra lightly pulled her by the chin, drawing her closer.

Esmeralda felt even more embarrassed and looked away to avoid Prince Vritra's intense and alluring gaze. In moments like this, she wished her glasses had shades built in.

"Y-, No, that's not right. I was really jealous when I saw you and Her Highness on a date. I tried to tell myself it was just a formal thing, but I couldn't convince myself. I kept thinking about you the whole time..."

Vritra applied a little pressure on her chin. "Interesting... is that all you did?" he asked.

"I..."

Esmeralda stared down in shame as she fiddled with her fingers.

"I felt a little alone while you and Her Highness was gone, so I snuck into your room and I..."

She swallowed hard and breathed harder.

"... I touched myself to your sheets."

When Vritra heard this he stepped back a bit to laugh.

"You what? pfft──HAHAHA!"

He held his stomach as his bellyaching laughter persisted.

[Esmeralda doesn't like that you embarrassed for fun, but she's glad she can be herself around you. Because of this, her affection for you has increased by 15 points!]

Vritra turned away to relax his chest while Esmeralda pouted slightly, watching him recover from his loud laughter.

Finally, the young Asura spoke again.

"I don't see why you should be jealous, Esme. You're the one hiding our relationship, not me. I gave you a black diamond necklace, but you don't wear it because you're worried about how Luciana will react. You were never just an object of pleasure to me; you saw yourself that way."

He looked back at her and smiled.

"Isn't that right, Esme?"

Esmeralda, looking like she might cry, nodded like a child.

"I'm sorry, God Vritra..."

Her voice was choked with suppressed tears.

Vritra chuckled and took a sip of his tea.

"You've shown faith in me without any evidence that I didn't harm someone close to you. I'll be be merciful and forgive your misunderstanding this time."

The young lord gave a mild smile.

Esmeralda removed her glasses and wiped off some of her spilling tears.

"Oh, and Esme?"

"Yes, God Vritra?"

"Next time you have serious urge to pleasure yourself. Just say my name three times and I'll appear."

"R-, Really?"

"No, of course not."