[+1000 AP]
[+1000 AP]
[+1000 AP]
…
….
Helena’s heart raced as she clung to Aether, her embrace lingering with a mixture of hesitation and…. yearning.
The softness of her body pressed against his, the warmth of his presence enveloping her—it was a heady combination that made her senses spin. She could feel the subtle tremor in his muscles, the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. The scent of him, a blend of earth and something uniquely his, filled her nostrils, making her head swim.
Aether remained silent, savouring the moment. The feel of Helena’s slender frame against him, the softness of her curves, and the faint floral scent that surrounded her…. it was intoxicating.
He felt a surge of protectiveness and something deeper, something that stirred in his core, making his pulse quicken. His fingers itched to caress her, to pull her even closer, but he held back, He knew it was not the time, ‘Damn, she is really slender and cute~’ he thought.
Helena, meanwhile, was caught in a whirlpool of emotions. She tightened her grip on his shirt, her legs trembling as a strange weakness washed over her, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed.
She couldn’t understand why her body was reacting this way.
Was their shared sickness so potent that it was draining her strength?
The thought sent a shiver of fear through her, mingled with a desperate hope that they could find a cure soon.
But beneath her anxiety was another feeling, a soft, insistent yearning that she didn’t fully comprehend.
Aether, sensing her trembling, reluctantly pulled back.
His face flushed a deeper red, and his breath quickened. He looked at Helena with a mix of concern and curiosity, noting the way her eyes widened in surprise.
“I-It’s exactly like me!!” Helena exclaimed, her voice filled with shock and a hint of awe. She couldn’t believe how perfectly their symptoms mirrored each other.
Aether, still catching his breath, nodded slowly, “Y-You too?” His voice was soft, almost a whisper.
Helena nodded, her expression mirroring his shock. The realization that they shared the same symptoms deepened her curiosity. What kind of sickness could affect them both so identically? And despite the seriousness of their situation, a small part of her felt a strange comfort in knowing she wasn’t alone in this.
‘What am I thinking? I shouldn’t be happy about someone else suffering,’ she berated herself silently. The thought of enjoying their shared pain felt wrong, sinful even.
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She knew she needed to confess her feelings to the Archpriestess and seek forgiveness for her inappropriate thoughts!!
Aether, noticing her inner turmoil, spoke up hesitantly, “C-Can you hear my heart?” His voice was gentle, tinged with an innocent curiosity.
Helena blinked, pulled from her thoughts by his unexpected question. “Huh?” She looked at him, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Hear his heart?
What did he mean?
Aether smiled, a soft, reassuring curve of his lips, and pointed to his chest, “Just listen to my heartbeat. You’ll understand what I’m trying to do.”
“Oh!” Helena’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she realized his intent. Her heart fluttered in her chest with embarrassment. Steeling herself, she slowly lowered her head, hesitating for a moment before leaning in close to his chest. Her breath hitched as she neared, her ear hovering just above his heart.
But she heard nothing. Frowning, she pulled back slightly, puzzled. “I don’t hear anything,” she murmured, a note of confusion in her voice. Was something wrong with him?
Aether’s lips twitched in amusement. He stepped closer, closing the small gap between them, and gently pressed her ear to his chest.
‘Ba-Dump,Ba-Dump,Ba-Dump,Ba-Dump,Ba-Dump,Ba-Dump….. ‘
[+2000 AP]
Helena’s eyes widened in shock as the steady, rapid beat of his heart filled her ears. It was racing, pounding like a drum in a fast-paced rhythm. The sound was so intense, so alive, that it seemed to vibrate through her entire body. Her heart responded in kind, quickening in sympathy, a soft blush spreading across her cheeks.
‘I-It’s faster than mine…’ Helena thought, her curiosity piqued. The sound of his heartbeat was oddly soothing, yet it stirred something deep within her…. a warm, comforting feeling that she couldn’t quite place.
In truth, Aether’s heart was racing not just from the proximity of Helena, but because he was using his arcane energy to artificially elevate his heart rate.
His forehead was drenched in sweat, and he currently putting everything into running his heart faster than F1 cars.
It was really mircale that he was alive doing that!
[+2000 AP]
[+2000 AP]
Aether watched as Helena listened intently, her expression softening with each heartbeat, ‘I suppose it is worth it,’ he thought, though the strain was starting to take its toll.
A metallic taste filled his mouth, and he knew he had pushed himself too far. Before he could falter, he gently touched her chin, lifting her face to meet his gaze, “I can feel shy, you know~” he teased, his voice a soft, breathless murmur.
[+2000 AP]
Helena’s reaction was immediate. She stepped back, her face a deep crimson, eyes wide with embarrassment, “S-Sorry!” she stammered, flustered by the sudden intimacy of the moment. She hadn’t realized how close they had been, and the realization made her heart race even faster.
Aether chuckled softly then His gaze drifted down… to her chest!
Helena instinctively brought her hands to cover her chest, her blush deepening. She already knew what he was thinking and quickly interjected, “Y-Yes, my heart also beats like that… There’s no need for you to listen!”
She clearly didn’t want Aether to listen to her heartbeat.
Aether’s face fell slightly, a pout forming on his lips. “Is that so…” he murmured, his disappointment evident.
Helena noticed his expression and felt a twinge of guilt. She didn’t want to hurt him, but she also couldn’t allow him to touch her in such a personal way….. It felt wrong!
It was a Sin!! Unforgivable sin!!
Sensing her inner conflict, Aether quickly changed his approach. “I think I’ve figured out what this sickness is,” he announced, his tone taking on a more serious, thoughtful.
“Oh! Really?” Helena’s eyes lit up with hope and curiosity. The possibility of understanding what was happening to them brought a surge of relief and excitement. “What is it?” she asked eagerly, leaning in closer, her curiosity piqued.
Aether nodded, his expression grave. “However, I need to check one last thing.”
“Why? If you know–”
“We need to be 100%… No, 1000% sure before informing the Archpriestess, right?” Aether interrupted, his voice firm and serious.
Helena nodded vigorously, her determination matching his. “Yes, we need to be 1000% sure!!” she agreed. They needed to be absolutely certain of their findings before presenting them to the Archpriestess.
As Aether stepped closer, Helena instinctively moved back, but her retreat was halted when her back pressed against the wall.
She looked up at Aether, her mind racing with confusion. His intense gaze locked onto hers, and he spoke with a soft, yet resolute tone, “I’m going to kiss you.”
Helena’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. Her breath hitched, words caught in her throat as she struggled to process what he had just said. But before she could voice her protest, he leaned in.
~chu~
A gentle kiss landed on her forehead, warm and soft, sending a shiver through her. “W-What are you—”
~chu~
Another kiss, this time on her forehead, the sensation lingering, making her heart flutter. “W-Wait!”
~chu~
He kissed her left eye, tenderly, and Helena felt her breath catch, “J-Just let—”
~chu~
Another kiss on her right eye, light and fleeting, yet so intimate. Her protests faltered, turning into soft, disbelieving murmurs, “One se—”
~chu~
A kiss on her left cheek, the warmth of his lips spreading through her skin. “I nee—”
~chu~
A kiss on her right cheek.
“….”
[+3000 AP]
~chu~
Aether’s lips brushed her chin, the touch feather-light but electric, sending a jolt down her spine.
[+3000 AP]
~chu~
A kiss on her nose, playful and sweet, made her blink in surprise.
[+3000 AP]
Finally, Aether paused, his gaze dropping to her trembling lips. His eyes, filled with a mix of tenderness and desire, met hers, “Why didn’t you push me away?” he asked, his voice a soft whisper.
Helena snapped out of her daze, blinking rapidly as she tried to comprehend her own actions, “I-I don’t know…” she stammered, shock and disbelief colouring her voice. Why hadn’t she stopped him? Her mind was a tangled mess of emotions she couldn’t untangle.
Aether smiled, a knowing look in his eyes, “I found out what kind of sickness we have,” he said, his voice gentle yet assured.
“R-Really?” Helena’s voice was barely a whisper, her heart beating wildly.
Aether nodded, then turned his cheek towards her, invitingly. “Kiss me, just like I kissed you. We need to confirm it,” he said, his tone coaxing and soft, “This is the last test, Helena. If we succeed, the Archpriestess will be so proud of you!” whispered like a demon that showing the ice cream to the innocent girl.
His words were like a spell, weaving through her defences. Helena hesitated, her heart caught in a whirlwind of fear and desire. This was her last chance to turn back, to escape whatever this was. Yet, her feet felt rooted to the ground, an inexplicable urge pushing her forward.
‘F-Forgive me, Archpriestess!! But it’s for the greater good… I am sure you will be proud of me!’ She thought before
~Chu~
[+4000 AP]
She pulled back slightly, expecting the moment to end, but Aether’s voice coaxed her further, “More… Just like how I did,” he urged, his voice soft and alluring.
Helena nodded, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. She leaned in again, her lips finding his left cheek, planting another kiss, then moving back to his right cheek.
~Chu~
Then Right cheek.
[+4000 AP]
~Chu~
Left cheek.
[+4000 AP]
~Chu~
Right cheek
[+4000 AP]
~Chu~
Left cheek.
[+4000 AP]
~Chu~
Right cheek
[+4000 AP]
~Chu~
Left cheek.
[+4000 AP]
~Chu~
Her kisses grew more assured, each touch of her lips bringing a strange mix of sensations—nervousness, excitement, a growing heat that spread through her body. Her breaths came faster, her heart raced, and her hands gripped his shirt tightly as if for support.
As the kisses continued, Helena felt herself losing grip on reality. Her mind was hazy, her thoughts slipping away as a warm, intoxicating sensation enveloped her. Her eyes became teary, her vision blurred, but she couldn’t stop. It was as if she was caught in a trance, her body moving on its own accord, driven by a desire she didn’t fully understand.
~Chu~
Left cheek.
[+4000 AP]
~Chu~
Lips
[+4000 AP]
Then, amidst the series of kisses, her lips brushed against something softer.
~Chu~
Left cheek.
[+4000 AP]
~Chu~
Right cheek
[+4000 AP]
~Chu~
Lips
Her eyes snapped open, as she saw Aether staring at her blankly, hander eyes travelled down …. The realization sent a shock through her, breaking the trance-like state she had been in. She pulled back, eyes wide, breath hitching in her throat.
Aether looked down at her, his eyes soft but intense, a small smile playing on his lips.
“I found it,” he said before letting her question him. ƒrēewebnovel.com
“The sickness is called love… We are in love, Helena.”
Hearing that Helena had a shocking expression as if she couldn’t believe what Aether just said.
Aether gently kissed her forehead and whispered like a sly demon, “I think…. I love you~ Helena Sunfire” he murmured, his voice tender and sincere.
‘Ba-Dump’
Her mind went blank as her entire world was paused before….
!~Ding~!
[+50—]
‘Tsk’
“NNNNOOOOOO!!!!!”