After the evening banquet ended, I was about to head to the guest room the Count had prepared for me. As I slowly walked down the corridor-
"Marquis-nim."
At the voice that carefully echoed from behind, I stopped walking and turned around.
"Ah, Cielin-yang. Is something the matter?"
Cielin hesitated for a moment, then shyly said, with her hands clasped together.
"Well... if you happen to have time tomorrow... would it be alright if I personally guided you around the city?"
Slightly trembling eyes, cheeks flushed red.
I looked at her for a moment, then smiled.
"For the young lady to personally guide me around the city, it would be an honor. I gladly accept your offer."
"Really?"
Instantly, Cielin's eyes widened and sparkled. A light mixed with anticipation and excitement spread across her face.
"Yes, this is a prosperous city even within the Kingdom of Siberne, so I was curious about it myself."
"Then, before lunch tomorrow... shall we meet?"
"Let's do that. Well then, Cielin-yang. I'll see you tomorrow morning."
I stepped closer to her, gently took her hand. And lightly kissed the back of her hand.
"Hee...!"
Cielin gasped, her eyes wide, and the tips of her ears instantly turned red.
I turned away, her trembling gaze being the last thing I saw.
'I might end up screwing her much sooner than I thought.'
She must surely be dreaming of a romance with me. Marriage into a noble family, the position of a Marquis's wife, a splendid future.
'Still, her looks are top-tier, so she might be decent as a trophy.'
As I entered the VIP room provided by Count Darden, Biyeon, who was lying on the bed, turned her head slightly to look at me.
"Did you eat?"
"...Uh-huh."
It was a somewhat listless voice.
"What's wrong? Why are you reacting like that?"
"...What?"
Biyeon vaguely mumbled, avoiding my gaze. I closed the door and quietly entered the room.
"Are you perhaps still angry?"
"No, I'm not! Who said I was angry?"
"Then why are you like this?"
"Just... because I'm sleepy."
"If you're going to lie, at least make it believable."
I sat on the edge of the bed and looked down at her. Biyeon was still avoiding my gaze, idly fiddling with the edge of the blanket.
"...That kiss, I mean."
At her softly mumbled voice, I let out a chuckle.
"Are you still sulking over just that?"
When I asked playfully, Biyeon glared at me with fierce eyes and burst out.
"Eui-ik! That was my first kiss! And what? 'Just'?! 'Just'?!"
"Come on, I just lightly touched your lips. Why are you making such a fuss over that?"
"Just that much?!"
Biyeon suddenly got up and lunged at me.
"Eo-heo, you're doing this again. Can't you see I'm in trouble with all these bruises because of you?!"
"Trouble, my ass! You're thinking it's cool on the inside! Don't dodge, just take your beating quietly!"
"Hehe, too slow."
"Eui-ik...!"
This time, I wasn't caught off guard like earlier today. Skillfully dodging Biyeon's punches and kicks, I subtly looked for an opening.
"I'll give you bruises on the other side too!"
In a fit of pique, Biyeon leaped into the air and attempted a kick.
At that moment, I dodged and simultaneously grabbed her waist precisely, throwing her straight onto the bed.
Her teal hair fanned out on the pillow, and her hands were placed on my chest as if pressing down.
"Eut... Let go...!"
Biyeon struggled, her face flushed red, but no matter how you looked at her current position-
"Anyone who sees this might misunderstand, you know?"
As I chuckled and mumbled, Biyeon's eyes twitched and wavered.
"Th-that kind of thing doesn't matter! Get off me right now!"
"Don't want to? You look even prettier when I see you this close."
"......You crazy bastard, really...!"
Biyeon gritted her teeth and tried to push me away, but I smiled and leaned down again.
"Hey. Want me to show you what a real kiss is?"
"Uh? Uh-uh... Don't. Hey, don't! Eup...!"
In an instant, I covered her soft lips. I expected her to push me away strongly, but contrary to my expectation, Biyeon didn't resist at all.
When I subtly checked her expression, she had her eyes tightly closed, her cheeks flushed, and was quietly accepting the kiss.
'She was acting coy about hating it just now.'
With my lips pressed tightly against hers, I slowly moved the tip of my tongue. As I gently tapped her tightly closed lips-
"Eut...!"
With a short breath, a small gap appeared between her lips. I didn't miss that opening and slipped my tongue in.
"Jjok... Chyuup... Ha-eut...♡"
I cupped her chin and pushed my tongue in deeper. The tip of my tongue wrapped around hers, intertwining.
A deep kiss continued like that for a while.
I pulled my lips away and whispered close to her ear.
"How was it?"
"......Eueut... Y-you crazy bastard... really...!"
Even while cursing with her mouth, she couldn't meet my eyes and turned her head away. Even then, my saliva was still moist on her lips.
I laughed.
"Can I keep going? Your reaction just now was really cute."
"I don't know...!"
"If you don't like it, push me away. Even now."
Even after hearing that, Biyeon didn't raise her hands. Instead, she closed her eyes and was breathing heavily, completely tense.
Seeing her like that, I slowly leaned down again.
"Then... I'll taste you one more time."
"Eueut...! Heueup..."
Again, our lips overlapped, tongues intertwined, and saliva mingled.
***
Unfortunately, I failed to screw Biyeon, and instead, only gained more injuries.
'She scratched my face just because I touched her pussy?'
During the kiss, the atmosphere was slowly ripening, so I tried to warm up her pussy to naturally transition to sex. But the moment my hand went down, she clawed at my face like a cat, scratching it.
"Marquis-nim, your face... why is it like that again...?"
Mary approached with a surprised look. I shrugged as if it were nothing.
"It's... a long story. Bring me some tea."
"Yes, just a moment."
Mary brought tea and medicine and carefully began to apply it to my face.
"Surely... it's not Biyeon-nim again, is it?"
"Yeah. We were kissing, and the atmosphere was right to move to sex... but she scratched me right away just because I touched her pussy."
Mary was speechless for a moment, then carefully whispered.
"It seems she wasn't mentally ready yet..."
I chuckled and nodded.
"The atmosphere wasn't bad, though."
"Still, shouldn't you approach her more carefully? We are merely commoners, and it's already a great honor to receive favor from someone as high-ranking as Marquis-nim, but..."
Mary hesitated slightly, then continued.
"Biyeon-nim is a noble spirit... so shouldn't you treat her a little more carefully?"
Mary carefully trailed off her words, gauging my reaction.
"Hmm, should I?"
I rested my chin on my hand and fell into thought for a moment.
"Try doing that once. Approach her slowly, like a normal couple."
Her words were cautious yet sincere. I smiled and placed my hand on Mary's head.
"Alright. Thanks for the advice."
***
At the appointed time, I made my way to the Darden Count's family garden. The quiet garden was adorned with well-tended flowerbeds and a luxurious fountain.
From a distance, I saw someone standing with their hands carefully clasped together.
"Cielin-yang."
When I called out, she looked up as if startled.
"Ah! Marquis-nim!"
Cielin approached me with a bright smile. Today, she was wearing a light pink dress, which shone even more beautifully under the morning sunlight.
"You came out early and were waiting."
"Yes, Marquis-nim, did you sleep comfortably?"
"Thanks to the Count's consideration, I slept soundly."
"Then, shall we depart? First, we can lightly tour our Darden Castle... and then I was thinking of guiding you through the city, what do you think?"
"Sounds good. I will accept Cielin-yang's guidance."
I took a step closer to her and extended my hand. Cielin's eyes widened for a moment as if flustered, then she shyly smiled and carefully took my hand. The tension was fully conveyed through her small, soft fingertips.
After that, I walked around various parts of Darden Castle, following Cielin. She began to passionately explain its history and traditions.
"Our Darden family has governed this land since the kingdom was founded. At first, it was a very small and remote territory, but through generations of diligent refinement, it has taken on its current form."
Cielin continued her explanation, pointing to each of the castle's buildings. Before I knew it, her hand was naturally resting on my arm. The subtle distance between us had crumbled, and she gazed at the castle's tall tower with sparkling eyes, seemingly unaware of me.
"That tower was personally designed by the first Count Darden. They say the first Count, who was a mage, built it for research purposes."
"Do you also use magic, Cielin-yang?"
When I asked, she nodded proudly. And as she slightly concentrated mana at her fingertips, a small, warm light bloomed on her palm. It was basic light magic.
"I can only do this much. Actually... I don't have much magical talent. No matter how hard I try, it's difficult to go beyond this level."
Cielin slightly bowed her head and smiled regretfully. I took her fingertips and said,
"Talent aside, the hand that produces that light is quite pretty."
"Ah... M-Marquis-nim...!"
Cielin's face flushed red as she was startled, and she awkwardly avoided my gaze by looking down. But she didn't immediately pull her hand away.
"You're too mischievous...."
Cielin protested softly, her face flushed. I playfully shrugged.
"Where will you show me next?"
"This time, we'll go to the city center. There's a market, and many pretty workshops. There's also a teahouse I like... Would you like to stop by?"
"Anywhere Cielin-yang recommends is welcome."
"Then, this way!"
Led by her hand, I wandered around the city, and now we were walking together inside the Darden Count's private garden. On the surface, I strolled with a relaxed smile, but inwardly, I was so bored I could yawn.
'When will she finally react?'
The effect of the 'sex skill' felt slower than expected. If it were a normal woman, she would have reacted immediately, perhaps even convulsing by now.
'Hmm, is it because she's a mage, even if her level is low?'
That didn't seem to be it. It was a 'sex skill' that even worked on Hwagyung Realm masters. If so, it might be a constitutional issue.
'First, I'll observe, and if there's still no reaction, I'll just have to screw her.'
I waited patiently. And from a certain point, Cielin's steps slowed, and a subtle tremor was visible in her eyes.
"Ah...."
With a small gasp, Cielin unconsciously twisted her legs. She fidgeted, idly clutching and releasing the hem of her skirt with her fingertips.
'Finally, the effect has appeared.'
It seemed the effect of the 'sex skill' had finally appeared.
I pretended not to know anything, looking at her with a worried expression.
"Cielin-yang, are you feeling unwell?"
When I asked softly, she flinched and turned her head. Even her earlobes were flushed bright red.
"Aah... Well...."
Cielin didn't know what to do, gauging my reaction, and with a flushed face, she avoided my gaze, constantly closing and rubbing her legs together. Her movements visibly became more unstable.
"If you're feeling uncomfortable, just tell me. I'll-"
Before I could finish speaking, she suddenly lifted her head and exclaimed, her face bright red.
"Ah, no...!"
"You need to tell me what's wrong for me to help you."
She whimpered, twisting her fingertips, and quietly mumbled.
"...Huljjeok... Th-that is... I, I suddenly really need to use the restroom... If I move even a little more... it feels like it'll come out..."
Cielin's voice trembled, and her eyes showed signs of tears welling up at any moment.
I slowly shifted my gaze to the lush bushes at the edge of the garden. It was a place where the view from outside was blocked, a concealed spot where no one could see.
"...But you can't keep standing here. If it's really urgent, then even over there...."
As I trailed off my words and directed my gaze towards the spot I had just looked at, Cielin also looked in that direction with an anxious expression.