Taming The Villainesses novel Chapter 380

Ayra changed into armor and made a round of the fortress, as if patrolling it.

It was, supposedly, to show everyone that she was still in good shape and to raise their morale.

I had to accompany her all across the fortress until the sun went down. That was the favor I was supposed to repay Ayra with.

"Everyone, bow your heads to Her Majesty the Queen...!"

Pushing a recovering body through such a forced march was quite a strain, so by the time the sun was setting, every one of my joints—from my ankles and knees—were aching all over.

"It was a meaningful time."

After finishing dinner, Ayra returned to her room and took off her armor. Though she had accompanied me to many places, she didn’t even show a drop of sweat. She remained graceful.

"You look very tired."

Just as I was hanging Ayra’s armor neatly on the rack, I heard those words behind me. I’d tried not to show it, but had she picked up on my poor condition with those sharp eyes?

"I’m fine. I’ll recover with some rest."

That’s what I said, but I couldn’t help wondering if I’d really get a chance to rest tonight.

Because at dinner, everyone had gotten worked up over the possibility of "another night raid."

If the monster horde came charging at this fortress again tonight, we’d have to rush outside with torches and fight a war without even a moment to sleep.

Then rest would be impossible.

"Come here."

That’s when Ayra, sitting on the bed, patted the space next to her with her palm. When I went over and sat beside her, Ayra lightly took hold of my hand and furrowed her brow.

"Your bandages are worn out. It’s time to change them."

"You're right. I’ll go back and switch them out right away."

Just as I was about to stand up, Ayra grabbed my arm.

"Wait. I’ll change them for you."

"You’ll change my bandages, Lady Ayra?"

"It’s an easy enough task. Not like I can’t do it."

Srrrt.

As she said that, Ayra’s hand began untying the knot around my hand and rolled off the bandage. She was unexpectedly skilled. Could Ayra actually be good with her hands?

Before I knew it, I’d ended up stark naked. I’d had my share of experiences being naked in front of women. But in those cases, the other party was often undressed too.

"......."

So being completely stripped in front of a clothed woman—it was hard to describe, but a deep sense of humiliation filled me. I just wanted her to hurry and wrap a new bandage on me already.

Ayra’s hands, which had been moving so deftly a moment ago, suddenly stopped. Just as I was about to reflexively cover myself down below out of embarrassment—

"Don’t cover yourself."

"...Um, what is this about?"

"I’m reading the flow of magical power in your body. Now that I see it, you're in worse shape than I thought. Just bandaging and applying medicine won’t fix this."

"Is that really true?"

"Yes. But I know a very effective method in this kind of case."

Skk.

Ayra’s finger poked me in the side. My body trembled—the muscle pain there was severe.

"...Ugh!?"

Maybe she found that reaction amusing, because Ayra began pressing all over my side and thigh with her palm. It was absolute torture for me.

"Uugh."

"Does it hurt?"

To Ayra’s question, I decided to answer honestly.

"It hurts."

I figured maybe if I was honest, she’d stop.

"Still, endure it."

"But seriously, it hurts a lot."

To press the body of someone with severe muscle pain without mercy using just her fingers—that was extremely brutal. It was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

But Ayra remained firm.

"Hold still."

I had no idea why she was doing this. Without even asking for my opinion, Ayra pushed me down onto the bed.

It was only then that I started to wonder—could this be Ayra’s version of physical intimacy? Maybe this was her own way of expressing that she wanted to consummate our marriage?

It wasn’t an unreasonable thought.

Skk.

Ayra climbed on top of me.

Her hair spilled down over my bare body as she looked down at me. Even from that overhead angle, her beauty didn’t falter. I was just thinking how amazing that was—

Ayra slowly leaned in toward me.

Was she going to kiss me?

I prepared myself. But her lips didn’t go for mine—they went lower. Not the neck, but even further down, toward my chest. _{ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com}

She was going there right away?

I was startled by the speed of it. When Ayra’s lips touched my chest, I felt a sharp pressure, as if something small but strong was biting down hard on my not-so-wide chest.

Chomp.

"...Hiiieek!"

That’s when I realized—she bit me. Ayra bit my chest! It hurt so much I couldn’t hold in my scream.

But being bitten wasn’t even the worst of it. Through that spot on my chest, I felt like something was being drawn out through Ayra’s lips.

It felt like my essence—what one might call my core or soul—was being pulled from me. My vision blurred.

In that fading view, I saw Ayra turn her head and spit something black and sticky out onto the floor.

"What... what are you doing...?"

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