I feel like I ought to put a warning here that this chapter is mostly Smut and Fluff. ❤️
"Shield Hero Naofumi Iwatani. Will you marry me, Malty S Melromarc, the First Princess of Melromarc?"
Naofumi blinked, gaping, staring up at Malty. He'd imagined that, hadn't he? Was he dreaming? The whole situation seemed so bizarre. Yet so perfect. Pointing her sword at his neck, she was looking down at him with a wide smile and hopeful eyes, looking perfect. Crimson hair and striking green eyes seemed to almost shine in the dim room, the candlelight accentuating her perfect figure, naked up from the waist aside from her bracers, purple panties with a clearly soaked spot covering her crotch, her legs and feet covered in armor.
So perfect it nearly hurts. Is this real? Had he really climbed the castle walls, sneaked across the courtyard, and climbed into her room through the open window? Had she really called him my Naofumi after commanding him to stop feeling guilty about their first night together? Had he really been about to make love to her in her personal chambers, only to be interrupted by that guard, who they've then turned around and who was now standing outside, guarding the room?
He must have decided to take a nap at their room at the Slave Trader's tent and would, no doubt, wake up in a moment with Raphtalia asking him why he'd said Yes over and over in his sleep.
Naofumi blinked. Malty's smile fell, and she seemed to deflate, averting her eyes, lowering the sword.
A pang of panic shot through him. He grabbed the sword's blade with both hands and yanked, not feeling any pain, pulling himself upward. Malty yelped, tumbled toward him, and let go of the sword. It clattered onto the carpet. He caught her in his arms, smiling at her. One hand was immediately fisted in her hair, and the next moment, he was kissing her animatedly.
After a moment of hesitation, she hummed and returned the kiss with passion, throwing her arms around his shoulders. Naofumi drew her close against him, making her squeal into the kiss when her naked breasts were pressed against the cool metal of his armor. She seemed so small now in comparison to when she'd pointed her sword at him in the Dragon Hourglass's room. So real. Touchable.
I'm getting married! Wow. He hoped she could feel the gigantic smile that was on his face. What a perfect turn of events. He wasn't really sure what had prompted her to do it so suddenly, but he sure as hell wouldn't complain. All the hard work had paid off, and now, he really wasn't just the Fail-Safe anymore. They were in it together now. It was official now. And he never wanted to let go of her perfect body again.
They separated, putting their foreheads together much like they'd done back in that alley last week, panting heavily, staring into each others' green eyes.
"Wow," she breathed.
"That was a 'Yes' if you couldn't tell."
Malty giggled.
"I'm sorry for leaving you hanging there for a moment. I just thought I'd been imagining it."
"Why would you think that, my Naofumi?"
"Because it was so perfect."
She smiled brightly, then pressed a firm kiss onto his mouth.
He groaned. "I love it when you do that."
"Do what?"
"Call me yours."
"But you are mine," she said innocently. "My fiancé. My future husband. My future King. My Naofumi."
The most beautiful, happy feeling spread through him. "Yes, my future Queen."
Malty squealed and kissed him with more passion than ever before. Though he loved it, Naofumi was a little worried and almost lost balance when she attempted to practically climb him.
"Malty." He separated them, chuckling when she immediately tried to kiss him again.
She pouted. Then she removed his arms from her person and grabbed one of his hands, intertwining their fingers, smiling coyly. "Come." She led him toward and through a double door. Heart racing, Naofumi followed along.
The adjacent room was less tall but also quite spacious, lit by candles. Her bedroom, Naofumi immediately realized when his gaze landed on the gigantic, four-poster bed. Lofty. Wider and taller than any bed he'd ever seen. The canopy was framed by a short, red fabric, along with longer curtains that were tied to the ornate, wooden bedposts.
Malty unfastened his cloak and hung it across an ornate chair that stood in front of a dressing table, then returned to him, putting her arms around his neck, kissing him and humming briefly. "Get naked, and get on the bed, my future husband," she ordered with a teasing grin.
He nodded, swallowing.
She retreated, swaying her hips and smirking at him over her shoulder as she walked through the room, then vanished behind another door.
He shook his head and began working with the fastenings of his armor, then realized that he didn't really know where to put it. He spotted a big, ornate chest, and when it proved to be locked, he simply placed his armor and clothes on top, putting his boots on the ground before it.
Naofumi felt oddly self-conscious as he walked toward the bed, completely naked. He fought with the instinct to cover himself but resisted, secure in the knowledge that Malty wouldn't like any insecurity. And really, was there a reason to feel this way? It wasn't like the portrait of Malty hanging on the wall opposite the bed was sentient or anything...
He climbed onto the tall mattress and crawled into the middle. The bedding was soft and pleasant to touch. Of course, it was red, and it was adorned by golden embroideries. It smelled fresh but also distinctively of Malty. There were probably servants making sure it was in pristine condition every day.
Will this be my home soon? Naofumi thought, steadying himself on one arm, tracing the spot beside him with his free hand—the spot he imagined belonged to Malty, his soon to be wife.
He smiled, shaking his head in disbelief.
The door opened again, and Naofumi turned around to see Malty walking in. She was wrapped in some green cloak, her feet bare, hair falling freely across her shoulders, arm's hidden beneath the fabric as if hugging herself, holding the cloak closed. The material looked quite expensive and practically screamed, regal! It reminded him of the robes of the King. It had a very fluffy-looking white lining that thickened around her throat.
"Naofumi," Malty called sweetly, stepping in front of the bed.
Swallowing, he faced her.
A self-satisfied smirk on her face, she shot his erection an appreciative glance before meeting his eyes again. Then she abruptly spread her arms, holding the hems of the cloak in her hands, revealing herself to be completely naked, her full breasts bouncing as she puffed out her chest during the movement.
Naofumi sucked in a breath, his gaze automatically roving across her form. It'd been so long since he'd seen her completely naked. Such perfection. From her stunning face and her delicate neck to her wonderfully shaped shoulders, arms, and breasts. To her flat stomach, wide hips, and crown-shaped, crimson pubic hair. To her long, enticing legs and petite feet.
"Come here, my Naofumi, and collect your engagement present."
He shook himself out of his lust-induced stupor and stood, wetting his lips. He had to fight the urge to fidget under her scrutiny as he approached. How could he compare to the perfection standing in front of him? His body was rather average. He'd never been insecure about it, but at the same time, he'd not been proud either.
Malty licked her lips, staring at him with hunger. Naofumi grinned. He took a last big step toward her and encircled her waist with his arms, drawing her against him, loving the feeling of her naked body against his. She stood on tiptoes and hugged him, wrapping them both in the cloak. They kissed, humming. He smirked into the kiss.
What was there to be insecure about? She'd asked him to marry her. He'd done it. The leap of faith he'd taken on that day some weeks ago had paid off. More than he could have ever imagined. His previous, pathetic self that sometimes infested his thoughts could stay the fuck away. He was different now. Better. Smarter. Stronger. Sexy. Desired by his soon to be wife. Capable of captivating and wooing the most perfect woman he'd ever known or laid eyes on. And soon, he would destroy their enemies and publicly take his rightful place beside her.
Malty broke the kiss and stepped out of the embrace. She took off the cloak and fastened it around his shoulders instead, nodding in satisfaction after inspecting her handiwork, running her hands across the fabric on his shoulders and chest. "You look as beautiful in it as I've imagined."
"Thank you." He covered her hands with his, staring into her eyes. The fabric felt even more comfortable than he'd anticipated. "It's perfect. I love it."
"I'm glad. I bought it some time ago..."
"Oh? When?"
"Well..." She seemed suddenly nervous—an odd expression on her face—averting her eyes, a beautiful blush covering her cheeks. "On the day after the trial."
Malty squealed as he abruptly pulled her against him, hugging her close and kissing her passionately. She reciprocated in kind, smiling. It'd felt oddly vulnerable admitting that she'd bought the cloak almost immediately after they'd teamed up and—regrettably—parted ways. But it only showed her love and dedication, didn't it?
And it only confirmed what she already knew. That she'd made the right decision. That he was the right one for her. That they were meant for each other. She'd known that since their night at the inn, but she hadn't been able to fully accept that fact until now.
Malty put one hand against his naked chest, lowering the other one and grasping his hard, hot erection. Now that he was officially hers, she desperately wanted him. All of him.
She pushed against him with a smirk. "Get on the bed, my Naofumi."
Chuckling, he did as told. Still wearing the cloak, he climbed backward into the bed and positioned himself in the middle. Malty hopped on top the mattress, then slowly crawled toward him, loving his hungry gaze upon her.
Mine. Malty paused and stared at him. He was sitting with legs stretched out in front of him, slightly splayed, his upper body leaning backward, steadying himself with his hands against the mattress. The cloak was mostly below him, only covering part of his shoulders and where it was fastened around his neck. And his cock stood proudly. He just looked so relaxed yet regal and...fuckable. Just for her.
"Like what you see, my future wife?" Naofumi asked with a smirk.
"I definitely do." Malty licked her lips. "This is a scene of perfection that ought to be immortalized on a canvas."
He chuckled, and she watched how his stomach muscles contracted, transfixed by the sight. While calling him overly muscular or having a defined form would be inaccurate, he had lost some of his boyish fat since she'd last seen him naked, and if her eyes weren't deceiving her, she would also say that he'd gained some muscles. Perhaps it was the candlelight and his body position that allowed all the right spots to be accentuated.
Nevertheless, he looked beautiful. Powerful. Mature. Royal. Adequate to be her equal.
"Stay like that, my Naofumi," she breathed, then crawled on top of him, straddling him. She took his cock in one hand, steadying herself on his shoulder with the other.
He groaned.
"No touching," Malty teased, grinning.
He looked like he could barely hold himself back from doing so anyway. Would he ignore her order and simply took what was his? She wasn't sure what she preferred. While she loved how he did as told, she also loved it when he was demanding and dominant.
Finding the right position, Malty took a few moments to rub his cock against her pussy. Then she slowly slid herself onto it. She let her head fall backward, eyes closed, sighing in bliss at the feeling of slowly being penetrated. Of her insides being stretched. Of being completed.
Finally! She'd denied herself this pleasure for way too long. Opening her eyes, Malty leaned forward, took his head in her hands, and kissed him passionately. Then she started to move, moaning against his lips as pleasure flooded her.
"Malty," he gasped, meeting her slow movements with his own.
"Naofumi. Relax. Lean back." When he did as told, Malty, fucking him with slow movements, started kissing his throat, then his neck. She undid the cloak and let it fall off him, fully exposing his naked glory to her. She kissed his neck, his collarbone, then his shoulders. She ran her hands across his pecs, rips, and abdomen, feeling his warm flesh—his muscles and bones.
"So beautiful," she moaned. "And it's all mine."
"Yes."
She picked up speed, losing herself in the pleasure, making sure her Naofumi knew just how much she loved it.
"Naofumi?" she asked, stilling. "What's the matter?"
He snapped his eyes open and tilted his head upward, looking at her questionably.
"Don't... don't you like it?" This was supposed to be perfect, and the thought that he didn't like it made that wonderful warmness in her chest dwindle.
"What? Of course, I like it. It's perfect. You're perfect. I love it."
Malty smiled, then squinted her eyes at him. "Then why don't you let me hear your pleasure?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, why do you act as if you're in pain?" she demanded. Really, with the way he was grimacing—head thrown back, eyes closed, and taking gasping breaths—he looked more as if she was torturing him than him spending the night celebrating their engagement. Almost as if he was only putting up with her...
"Malty, hey." He ignored her earlier order and put a hand against her cheek, running his thumb across her skin.
She felt the pricking of tears in her eyes and blinked rapidly, hoping that it wouldn't show. Damn emotions!
Naofumi shifted his hand onto her neck and brought their lips together, kissing her—demanding and intense. He hummed loudly.
Her sadness vanished as fast as it'd appeared, arousal burning hotly as they made out, eyes closed. She surrounded his upper body with her arms, hugging him, and he removed the hand from her neck to steady himself, lest they fall.
"I'm sorry, Malty," he mumbled. "I hadn't realized I was doing it. Just an old habit, I suppose."
Malty started moving against him again, and Naofumi moaned loudly into the kiss, the sound making a wave of pleasure wash over her. She moaned right back. "Yes! That's better."
They picked up speed, breaking the kiss to gasp for breath. Malty broke the hug and put her hands on his shoulders so that she could properly fuck him. He stared up at her, moaning and groaning loudly.
"Hmm! Moan for me, my Naofumi!" She threw her head back, arching her back and closing her eyes.
"You're so beautiful," he gasped. "Perfect."
"Yes, tell me more!"
"I want to marry you so badly." He groaned loudly. "To let everyone know that... that this perfect woman belongs to me. And I want you to fuck me like this every day, my future Queen."
"Yesss!" Moaning, Malty let herself fall forward, then abruptly shoved him so that he fell onto the bed. "Give me your hands." She grasped his hands, intertwined their fingers, and pushed them against the mattress, loving the tightness of his grip—as if he never wanted to let go again.
Practically lying on top of him, she slid up and down. Pleasure flooded her, the new position better than anticipated. Intimate. She hovered her head above his, staring into his eyes, and he was staring back at her, no less intense. Could he see the love in her gaze?
She was smiling widely. "My Naofumi."
"Malty," he gasped, his breath brushing against her face.
She leaned down as if to kiss him—he closed his eyes—but stopped before their lips touched and retreated, smirking at him when he snapped his eyes open and looked at her.
He chuckled.
She kept going like that, never quite kissing him, teasing him, staring into his eyes. "Moan for me, my Naofumi."
He did.
"Louder. The castle walls are thick. No one can hear us. Louder!"
"Yes, Malty!"
"Naofumi!"
"So...close."
"A little more! Yes!"
"Malty!" He groaned loudly, and his face shifted into a grimace, his hands squeezing hers tightly.
Malty kissed him, closing her eyes. She hummed loudly, feeling complete. Pleasure erupted inside her body. Her muscles started to spasm. Her body shook in bliss, and his hips were jerking upward against hers, his cock still inside of her.
It was perfect. A dream come true.
They were both groaning and gasping for breath, lips still pressed together but minds too addled to actively kiss, hands linked.
Slowly, her orgasm was subsiding. She opened her eyes, smiling brightly at him. "Naofumi?" She removed her hands from his grasp and placed them onto his face, lovingly brushing some hair off his forehead and caressing his cheeks.
He released a pleased hum, blinking his eyes open. "Wow. That... that was unbelievable."
Malty giggled. With a little squeal, she kissed him. Her heart was palpitating in joy in her chest. She felt like she was about to burst from the intense happiness that was permeating her whole body.
Her Naofumi chuckled into the kiss, hugging her, caressing her back.
She sighed in bliss, completely relaxing into him, and slowed her kissing to a more sensual pace, which, judging by his pleased hum, he also liked.
Finally, things were going her way. She'd never been so happy as she was now. It was wonderful, having someone else to love her back. To truly love her, for who she was. Just she and her Naofumi. She had him now, and she wasn't going to let go again, wasn't going to let anybody take him away, least of all that little brat—
No, she wasn't going to let anyone ruin this perfect moment for her. She simply focused on that wonderful feeling of being held. Of his warm, solid body beneath hers. Of how he was making her heart race. Of his taste, smell, and touch. Of the way they were kissing. Slowly. Lovingly. She could continue like this and never tire of it.
Well, she was actually quite tired now, wonderful contentedness and exhaustion spreading through her body. She broke the kiss and, after sharing a last, loving smile, she lowered her face onto his chest. She closed her eyes, breathing deeply, loving the feeling of his arms around her.
"Malty," he murmured, caressing her back.
She hummed, then reached onto her back with her right arm, trying to somehow grasp his. Picking up on what she was doing, he grabbed her hand with his. She intertwined their fingers, laying their joined hands beside them on the mattress, and caressed his hand with her thumb, which he reciprocated.
"Good night, my soon to be husband."
"Good night, my very soon to be wife."
Malty smiled against him, sighing. She never wanted to fall asleep in any other way again.
"You may now kiss the bridegroom."
Naofumi watched Malty's face approach as if in slow motion. She had her eyes closed, her full lips stretched into a wide smile, ready for the kiss. Her hair done in her usual way, there was a magnificent crown on her head, the rubies and emeralds that were set in the golden frame shimmering brightly. She was clad in a fiery red wedding gown that was displaying her sizable cleavage.
"My king," she breathed, then her lips were onto his.
He hummed and closed his eyes, sweetness flooding him. He felt her hands on his hair, suddenly aware of the crown he was wearing.
With a last, loud smooch, Malty retreated, sighing happily, smiling. "My Naofumi." She grasped him by the shoulders and pushed him backward.
His legs connected with something and he fell onto what he realized was a throne. He found himself sitting down, shifting into a relaxed posture, legs spread. Malty kneeled in front of him and worked with the fastening of his trousers, aiming a devious smirk up at him.
"Malty," he gasped when she freed his hard cock, grasping it with cool, smooth fingers. Then she took it into her mouth, and he moaned at the wonderful, encompassing warmness, letting his head fall back against his throne. "Hmmm..."
"Fiend!"
Naofumi frowned and turned in the direction of the voice. It was Aultcray, white hair disheveled, clad in ragged robes, hands and feet shackled. And he was kneeling, glaring.
Naofumi smirked, looking down at the former King. He put a hand on Malty's cheek, caressing her as her head bobbed up and down. She hummed in delight. Aultrcray shook in silent rage.
From his position on the throne up on the elevated platform, Naofumi let his gaze swipe across the throne room, looking down at his subjects; they looked so small. Insignificant. Next to Aultcray were Mirellia and Melty, both in equal conditions, nothing about them portraying their royal heritage. Naofumi locked eyes with the former Queen, and she lowered her head in defeat.
Raphtalia was suddenly standing behind her. She grasped Mirellia by the hair and pulled her head back so that her face was once again facing the throne. "Look at King Naofumi and Queen Malty," she commanded, a dagger held onto Mirellia's throat.
"Thank you, Raphtalia." He smiled.
She smiled up at him.
Naofumi gasped when Malty grazed his cock with her teeth.
She retreated, then ripped her gown off her chest. She took her gigantic breasts and put them around his cock, starting to move up and down.
"Hmmm. My Queen."
Malty smirked.
"Heretic! Devil!" someone shouted.
Naofumi looked to the side where a bunch of shackled, robed figures stood.
"Kuro," Raphtalia said.
"Yes, sister," a booming voice sounded.
The man who had spoken was suddenly cast in shadows. He looked up, and behind him stood Kuro, easily as tall as the room. The gigantic Filolial abruptly bent down. His beak hit the floor, and the next second, the man was gone, swallowed whole.
Naofumi laughed and tossed Kuro a treat.
Malty giggled. She stopped her titjob and stood, then completely ripped off her clothing, leaving her body bare except for the crown on her head. She faced him with her back and sat down in his lap, sliding onto his cock.
With a pleased hum, she leaned back, relaxing into him, and Naofumi surrounded her waist with his arms.
"Myne! Why..."
Naofumi looked over his Queen's shoulders, spotting Motoyasu kneeling on the ground, staring up at them in despair.
"Are you jealous, Motoyasu?" Malty giggled and repositioned Naofumi's hands so that one was on her breasts and the other in-between her legs. "The only one allowed to do this to me is my Naofumi."
The Spear Idiot grunted and fell forward. Knights were standing behind him, and the Captain was grounding Motoyasu's face to the ground with an armored boot. The three girls of his party stepped next to him and started to kick his prone form.
"Pervert!"
"Stop staring at my butt!"
"Pig!"
"Well done girls." Malty's resounding laughter echoed through the room.
Ren, Legendary Sword on his back and clad in a knight's armor, stared down at Motoyasu's body with dispassionate eyes. "Useless Spear Hero."
Standing next to him, Itsuki snickered. "Only a fool like him would have been unable to see King Naofumi's greatness. We're honored to have such a competent and just ruler." He put a hand on his knight's armor's breastplate and bowed deeply, Ren emulating him.
Naofumi chuckled.
"Mother," Malty called sweetly. "Are you quite well?"
Mirellia, a bright red in the face, glared. "You're not my daughter!" Her eyes widened, and she suddenly started to cough, blood spewing out of her mouth and running down her chin. There was a blade sticking out of her throat.
"I don't like it when people lie," Raphtalia said. "So I cut their vocal cords."
"Thank you, Raphtalia dear." Malty cackled.
"We've raised her well," Naofumi said.
Malty hummed.
"Mother!" Melty cried. She tried to get to Mirellia's body, but Raphtalia grabbed her by the hair.
"Why aren't you smiling?" Raphtalia asked in confusion. "You should be happy for your sister. Let me help you." She set her dagger on Melty's mouth and made two precise cuts, creating a bloody smile on the girl's face. "That's better. Smile. Always smile."
Naofumi looked out of the tall windows. Outside, two giant, green orbs hung in the sky. Suddenly, they vanished, casting the world into darkness. When they reappeared, he realized that they were, in fact, two iris—giant eyes hoving right in front of the windows, staring straight at him.
A booming chuckle sounded.
Malty awoke with a giant smile on her face.
My Naofumi.
He was lying in front of her; she was spooning him, her arms hugging his torso, their legs intertwined. They laid atop the blanket, bare. She kissed him on the shoulder, then closed her eyes, breathing in deeply.
"Naofumi?"
He sighed in his sleep, moving faintly.
She hummed, loving the feeling of his body against hers. She laid her hands flat on his chest and abdomen, feeling his skin. He felt so solid and warm. Indestructible. Mine.
"Malty," he murmured.
She giggled happily, letting her hands wander across his body. She brushed against his cock; it was hard. "Having a nice dream, my future husband?" She grasped his erection and gently ran her fingers along, humming. It was so warm and hard...yet soft. She loved touching it.
Naofumi groaned, his hips twitching.
"Is that good, my Naofumi?" Malty pressed herself into him, kissing his neck.
"Hmm... My Queen."
"Yes!" She was already so wet, trying to find some friction against him.
Naofumi groaned. Then he suddenly started—as if waking from a dream where you'd just fallen down or stumbled.
"Naofumi?"
He released a few shaky breaths, then groaned when she continued stroking his dick. "Malty?"
"I'm here, my Naofumi."
He relaxed into her, humming and moaning. Her Naofumi was always such a fast learner. So smart.
"What did you dream about?" Malty asked sweetly.
"Our wedding. Or was it our coronation? Hmm... I think...both."
"How wonderful. Tell me more."
"Well." He gasped. "We were in the throne room. And I th-think that we were having sex on top of the throne... in, in front of everybody."
How bold. Enticing. She giggled.
"And then your mother...died."
Malty pressed a smacking kiss onto his throat. Was there ever any doubt that he was the right one for her? They were destined to rule Melromarc together. Even in his dreams, her Naofumi knew that.
"Fuck," he gasped, "Malty."
"Are you close?"
He nodded, moaning.
"Then come for me, my Naofumi."
He groaned, and his cock started to twitch in her hand. She kept stroking him until he groaned loudly and stopped her with a hand on her wrist. Snickering, she wiped her hand on the blanket. "Good morning, my future husband."
Naofumi hummed. "The best morning of my life."
She pressed a kiss onto his shoulder, then retreated.
"Malty?"
She repositioned her pillows, then leaned against them. "Come here." She patted the spot between her spread legs.
He crawled toward her with a grin.
"Naofumi?" she asked when he zoned in on her crotch.
He halted, looking at her with a frown.
It was a lovely thought but not what she'd had in mind. She was quite horny, but he'd have time for that later on. "Come here." She stretched out her arms. "And turn around."
He sat down in-between her legs with his back facing him. Malty grasped his torso and lowered him onto her so that his head was between her breasts, his shoulders beneath. She took a moment to simply hold him against her, hugging him. Mine.
"Just like that," Malty said. "Do you like that? Comfortable?"
"Yes."
She put one hand on his abdomen, caressing him, feeling his fine hair, and smiled when he covered her hand with one of his. Her other hand she put on his head, idly combing his wild hair, loving the feeling.
He hummed contentedly. "Perfect. Like you."
She pressed a kiss onto his head, then leaned her head backward, closing her eyes, humming when he began caressing her legs with his free hand.
"You haven't been lying, have you? On our first night together, when you said that you liked how I was caressing you and how you like to cuddle."
"No." Had she ever lied to him after their confrontation? She couldn't tell if she had. "Surprised?"
"A little. Though, I think it's rather cute."
"I'm not cute!" she protested. "Perhaps Myne is cute. But I am not."
"Doesn't matter." He chuckled. "You're both cute."
"Am not!"
"You are."
"Am not!"
"You are cute to me."
"Am—" She thought for a moment, then hummed. "Okay...my Naofumi."
They remained silent for a while, simply basking in each other's presence after being separated for so long.
"Say, my Naofumi, you've never told me how you managed to see through Myne."
"Your eyes."
"My eyes?"
He hummed. "Yes, they're beautiful and I love staring at them."
She briefly retreated her hand from his hair to give him a little slap on the cheek.
"Hey!" He laughed.
"What about my eyes?"
"Well, as I was saying, I love staring at them because they're beautiful and very expressive. I feel like I can see right into your soul."
Malty hummed. That was rather romantic. She felt the same way, of course. But... "And what did you see then? During our dinner?"
"Intelligence. Cunning. Hunger."
"How sloppy of me."
He chuckled. "To be fair, it was only a brief moment, and I'd have simply forgotten all about it if you hadn't later accused me of swapping our glasses. Though I'm glad that you did." He raised his hand off hers and traced the gouges in-between her fingers.
She raised her hand and intertwined their fingers. "Me too. Hmm... Though now that you bring up the glasses. How did you manage that?"
"Wouldn't you like to know, my future wife?"
"I would very much like to know, my future husband."
"Do you really not know?"
"No." It was a mystery that had plagued her for some time. "I just assumed some kind of magic or power of the Shield."
He snorted. "No. I just swapped the glasses."
She gave him another slap.
He laughed. "What? It's the truth."
"Right. I think I would have noticed that."
"To be honest, I was kind of surprised you didn't."
"Yeah, well, I didn't," she snapped. "Now tell me how you did it."
He laughed again.
The bastard! If she didn't love it so much how he was vibrating against her when he did that and if he weren't so handsome, she would have thrown him out of the bed.
"Remember when I accidentally threw my plate to the ground?"
"Yes?"
"That's when I did it."
"What? Oh..." Now that he'd said it, it was rather obvious. She'd never even considered that. She'd been too busy being startled, cursing him in her mind for his clumsiness, and trying very hard to not let the scowl show on her face. "I-I knew that, of course!" She felt her face burning in mortification.
He barked out a laugh. "Liar." He turned his head upward. Malty slapped her hand in front of his eyes before he could see her blush. He chuckled, his mouth stretched into a wide smirk.
"Of course I knew that! I only played along to give you a false sense of security!"
"Lies~" He laughed. "You're blushing, aren't you?"
"Am not!"
"Come on, let me see." He struggled with his head, trying to shake off her hand.
"No."
"I want to see your blush. You always look so cute when you do that."
"I don't look cute!"
"So you admit that you're blushing?"
"I admitted to nothing!"
"Yes, you did."
Malty scowled, not removing her hand from his eyes. She was tempted to throw him out of the bed, after all. But she also desperately wanted to kiss those grinning lips... "Remind me why I proposed to you again."
"Because I'm the Shield Devil and you're helplessly under the control of my devilish powers?"
"That must be it. I can't see any other reason why I would want to marry an uncouth bastard like you otherwise."
"Ouch. Harsh words. Is it too late to decline that proposal, after all?"
"Yes."
"Oh? It is?"
"Yes, you're mine now. Forever. And as your future wife and Queen, you have to listen to me. So you'll stop this now."
"Hmm, fine. You win." He relaxed into her, and Malty removed the hand from his eyes, caressing his cheek instead. "But just for the record," he said, "You look very cute with a blush. Like during the trial when you've seen your...bite mark."
"Ungh." Just thinking about that made her blush return tenfold. But it also made a warm feeling spread through her. She'd quite liked that. How she'd marked him—as hers, right in front of everyone. "Perhaps I should give you another one?"
"You're welcome to try, but I doubt you could pierce my defense. I'm not level 1 anymore."
"I'll take my chances," she said. "What level are you, anyway?"
"I'll tell you when you tell me yours."
"No, you first."
"No."
"Didn't you just agree to listen to your future wife?"
"Guess I did. Well, how about you tell me what level Motoyasu is, instead?"
Malty looked at her Status Magic. "He's level 35."
Naofumi hummed. "Good. That's good. I'm only a little behind."
She couldn't suppress disappointment spreading through her.
"No worries, I'll surpass him soon enough. But anyway, it's not all about levels. I'd bet that my slaves could kick Motoyasu's ass without breaking a sweat." He laughed.
"A lovely thought." She sighed. "I can't wait to finally leave his party and officially join yours."
"Me neither." He lightly ran his fingers up and down her thigh, making her shiver.
"Sometimes I wish that I'd never left your party. Just you and me."
"Do you mean like... as Myne? Like if you never revealed yourself?"
"Yes... The thought has crossed my mind."
"And then what?" he asked. "Keep at your deception? Trying to manipulate me? Not that I'm saying that it wouldn't work."
She smiled.
"But, why bother?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, you'd be Myne and I'd be...the naive idiot I was before meeting you. It'd be fake. And we would, technically, be enemies." He chuckled. "I can just imagine it: You, talking my ear off in your sweet voice, filling me with all kinds of useless information until my head spins. And me, being a moral-bound fool trying to do "the right thing" and probably trying and failing to figure out what your real motives are. It'd be awful."
Malty giggled. "Yes, it'd be quite...dissatisfactory."
"That too." He firmly ran his hand across her thigh, humming. "And rather boring. I find the real Malty to be much more interesting. Perfect, in fact."
She released a shaky breath, heart beating in joy. "Yes. I find the real Naofumi to be much more interesting as well. My Naofumi."
He turned his head upward, grinning at her.
Malty couldn't resist any longer. She grabbed him, and, after a few moments of awkwardly maneuvering, they somehow found a position where they could kiss. She was hungry, practically growling into the kiss. He nipped her lips, and she moaned.
"Let's freshen up and have breakfast," she gasped after separating.
"Okay."
Malty shoved him off her with a giggle and practically jumped out of the bed. She didn't need to look back to know that he was staring at her while she stalked out of the room. She felt fantastic. Naked and a smile on her face, she traversed her living quarters and made for the doors.
"Aldo?" She called after opening and sticking her head outside.
"P-princess?"
Malty smirked when the knight's marginally sagged posture suddenly straightened. He must be tired. "Aldo, please be a dear and order some breakfast for me."
"Oh, naturally, Princes. J-just for you or..."
She grinned widely. "Just for me. Although... I'm not quite sure what could satisfy my culinary cravings today, so make sure to arrange a wide selection. I feel like I could eat for two people..." She winked.
"C-certainly, Princess."
"Thank you, Aldo." Malty retreated and returned to her bedroom.
"Hmmmm..." Malty closed her eyes and let her head fall backward as pleasure flooded her. "Yes. Just like that, my Naofumi."
He chuckled against her as he kept doing wonders with his tongue. Such a fast learner, her Naofumi. He knew just the right ways to make her writhe in pleasure, her hips jerking against him. She loved the way he was spreading her legs with his hands, holding them firmly in place.
A knock sounded.
Naofumi stilled.
"Yes?" Malty called, then put a hand on his head and commanded, "Don't stop, my Naofumi."
He hummed and obeyed. Such a good future husband. She combed her fingers through his hair, caressing him.
"Breakfast, Princess," a female voice sounded faintly from outside.
"Come in!" Malty felt excitement coursing through her as the door creaked open and footsteps sounded as servants entered the room. She'd hidden Naofumi's things away and the curtains of her four-poster bed were drawn, making it impossible to see inside the bed. The dim light shining in on them cast their naked bodies in a red hue. They hadn't bothered to dress after freshening up and were now in a rather...compromising...position.
Malty gasped, arching her back when his tongue grazed a sensitive spot. "Hmmm." She pressed his head more firmly against her pussy.
"Princess?"
"I'm not...decent," Malty called in a breathless voice. "Just...just set up breakfast on...on my table." She slapped a hand across her mouth to muffle the desperate moan escaping her, though it was still pretty audible.
Yes, the servants had definitely heard that one, judging by the little bang and rattling of cutlery as a tray was set down a little too abruptly. Malty released a barely suppressed giggle. She locked eyes with Naofumi, loving the desire reflected in them. Then she stared at his ass. "Hmm. Yes," she whisper-moaned.
"Faster. Put that over there," one of the servants ordered.
Naofumi brought a hand to her clit, gently playing with it. His expression seemed to ask whether she liked it. Malty nodded frantically. She bit down on her fist, trying and failing to keep her moans silent. Her hips rocked quite harshly against him, making the bed creak.
"Your breakfast is ready, Princess."
Malty could clearly hear the awkwardness in the maid's voice.
"Do you need anything else, Princess?"
"No. Th-thank you. You may... l-leave."
Footsteps retreated, and the moment the doors to her bedroom fell shut, Malty released an urgent moan. Naofumi chuckled.
"Yesss..."
Naofumi watched Malty's face shift into a blissful expression, loving that he was doing this to her. He kept licking her gently until her body stopped spasming and she relaxed against the pillows put behind her back, eyes closed.
He took the spot next to her and drew her into his arms. "You taste so good," he murmured.
Malty sighed and her smile brightened. She reached out with a hand—seemingly aimless—toward him. Eventually, the hand arrived on his neck, and she drew him against her, angling her head up. Naofumi kissed her.
She hummed, licking her lips. "I really taste good."
He chuckled. "Do you want to eat in bed?"
She nodded.
"I'll set up breakfast, then. Don't move." He gave her a peck on the cheek, made sure her position was comfortable, then exited the bed through the red curtains and tied them to the bedposts again.
The breakfast consisted of a variety of things, ranging from sweet to savory. There was bread, pastries, and even some meat, as well as various fruits...and other things he couldn't place. It sure was a royal breakfast. He didn't waste time to reposition it all onto the bed, then retook his spot next to Malty, trays of food arranged around them.
"What do you like?" Naofumi asked.
"Pick something, my Naofumi."
Would he ever tire of being called that? He doubted it. He loved it way too much. Loved the thought that he was hers.
Smiling, Naofumi picked a slice of a delicious-looking tart and placed a piece into her expecting mouth. She held his gaze as she chewed deliberately, staring intensely.
Fuck. So hot. He gasped, the urge to kiss her and to remove the little tart-smudge he'd left behind on her mouth almost irresistible. A little moan escaped him when she flicked her tongue out to lick it off herself.
Malty swallowed, then let her gaze roam across the assortment of food. She picked some round, red fruit and placed it in his mouth, then took a spoonful of some white, creamy substance—yogurt?—and fed it to him as well.
It was sweeter than expected. Refreshing. "Hmmm..."
She refilled the spoon, but before reaching his mouth, she tipped it over, making Naofumi gasp as the cool yogurt landed on his chest.
"Oh, I'm so clumsy." She snickered. "Let me fix that for you." Grinning, she bent down and licked it off his pecs.
"Oh fuck." He groaned when her tongue grazed his nipples. "Malty..."
She looked up with a devious smirk on her face.
Fuck, he loved it so much when she did that. Smirking back at her, he dipped his forefinger in the yogurt and put it into her mouth. She closed her eyes, sighing as she sucked on his finger. He moaned.
They continued like that: taking turns to feed each other, getting steadily bolder...and more lustful. It didn't take long until they disregarded the food completely and simply started to make out.
Humming, moaning, and sighing, they kissed animatedly, though with a little more reserve then during their previous clandestine meetings, taking their time, relishing it. She was practically in his lap, his unbelievably hard erection pressing into her soft flesh, grazing her crown. They were hugging, hands exploring the other's body to their heart's content.
So perfect. Their relationship wasn't exactly developing in a conventional way, but it didn't really matter. They were going to marry...soon. And he'd relish every second they could spend together.
Naofumi made a sound in-between a moan and a squeal when she suddenly grasped his ass cheeks with her hands. She was so bold and shameless, taking what was hers. He loved that about her.
Malty broke the kiss, resting their foreheads together. "I want you inside of me, my Naofumi," she breathed. "Now."
"I thought you'd never ask." Chuckling, he laid her onto the mattress, then briefly cleared away the remains of their breakfast before rejoining his beautiful fiancée.
Breathing heavily, Naofumi stared at the bed's canopy as he relaxed into the mattress. "Wow."
Next to him, Malty giggled, equally out of breath.
He shifted onto his side, watching her naked form. She looked peaceful, eyes closed, chest rising and falling.
With a smile, she faced him. They simply laid like that, heads resting against the pillow, staring into each other's eyes. He raised a hand to her face, tracing her perfect features, and she mirrored him.
She giggled, leaning into his touch. She seemed so...happy. Was he really going to marry this perfect beauty? It still seemed hard to believe.
Was this love? How he could stare forever into her eyes and never tire of it? How his heart was beating rapidly and how his chest was filled with warmth? It was probably a little early to know for sure, and it was definitely too early to say it.
"What now?" he asked.
"Another round?" she suggested with a coy smile.
Naofumi chuckled, shaking his head against the pillow. "You're insatiable, my future wife. But no, that's not what I meant. I mean, about us. We can't just marry all out of a sudden, can we?"
She averted her eyes, and her face fell. "No. We can't."
He swallowed. "Then... what's the plan?"
She didn't respond.
Naofumi grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. "Malty, what's the plan? What do we do?"
"I... I don't know," she said slowly, then looked at him. She seemed oddly...vulnerable. He guessed that she wasn't used to showing weakness to anyone, and it warmed his heart to know that she felt comfortable enough to open up to him.
Naofumi smiled. "We'll figure something out."
She brightened. "I'm sorry if you expected some great master plan, but I hadn't exactly planned to suddenly propose to you."
He was a little disappointed, but in the end, it didn't really matter. What mattered was that she was now completely on his side. Everything else could come later. Even if everything failed, as long as they had each other, they would somehow come out on top. He knew that.
"You hadn't?" Naofumi asked.
"No, I..."
"Then why did you?"
She looked at their joined hands. Naofumi waited, caressing her skin with his thumb, smiling at her when her eyes briefly flickered up.
"I couldn't wait any longer," she eventually admitted, almost whispering.
He grabbed her and pulled her toward him, making her squeal as he maneuvered her into his arms. "I love it when you do that."
"Do what?"
"Tell me the truth even though you want to lie."
She grinned widely. "You know me so well, my Naofumi."
They kissed.
"I'd like to think so too, my future wife," he mumbled. "You know what I also love?"
"No," she gasped. "What?"
"The way you're blushing when you do that."
She glared. "Don't you dare say—"
"You look very cute."
Malty groaned, her blush increasing in intensity. She struggled against his hold, squirming when he pressed kiss after kiss onto her face—especially her flushed cheeks. "S-stop. I... I hate you," she whined.
He chuckled darkly, not even thinking about letting her escape. Eventually, she stopped struggling, relaxing into him, and they resumed their kissing.
"Don't get any wrong ideas," she mumbled, "I only gave in because of your devilish powers."
He hummed. "You mean my devilishly handsome looks?"
"Yes, those are the ones. And your devilishly good kissing skills."
"I learned from the best."
She sighed happily.
"I should go."
"No." Malty tightened her hold and kept kissing him.
Naofumi snorted. "I really should." It was probably approaching midday now, and he didn't want to leave Raphtalia and Kuro waiting for much longer. "I'd love nothing more than to stay like this, but I really need to go."
She sighed in dismay. "I know..." After a few more demanding kisses, she let go of him.
They briefly freshened up—Malty trying to seduce him into another round while doing so, which he managed to resist, barely—then began dressing.
"Have you seen my shirt, Malty?" Naofumi called.
"No."
He searched the chest she'd stored his clothing in again, not finding it. When he looked toward Malty, she had a little grin on her face, which she immediately tried to hide. "You have!" he accused.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
He could tell that she was lying. "Where is it?"
She shrugged.
Naofumi walked over toward her and took her into his arms. They were both only clad in underwear. "Malty..."
"Yes, my Naofumi?" Hands put against his bare chest, she smiled up innocently.
"My shirt, where is it?"
"What do you mean? Your shirt? Do you mean my new shirt?"
"What?"
Malty hummed. "As your future Queen, I have claimed your shirt as mine."
"Already abusing your position, I see. How bold of you." How lovely.
"Quite. You can have one of my shirts, if you'd like?"
Chuckling, he kissed the teasing grin off her lips. She immediately threw her arms around him, deepening the kiss.
"Malty," he warned, separating.
She pouted.
He went back to dress himself—without a shirt. Then came his armor; he halted. "Malty, how am I going to get out of here without anyone noticing?"
"You could just stay until nightfall?" she suggested with a smirk.
Seeing that hopeful look in her eyes, Naofumi was inclined to give in. But no, he couldn't risk losing any more time. The Wave waited for no one, newly engaged or not.
"Don't worry, I've already thought about that. Come here, my Naofumi, and help me into my armor."
He immediately obliged. After they'd collected her breast and hip piece from her main living quarters and fastened that around her body, Malty instructed him to wait in her bedroom while she made some arrangements.
Naofumi watched Malty's armored form slip out of the double door that led outside. Then he did as told, retreating into her bedroom, waiting on the bed. After some time, curiosity got the better out of him, and he started to explore her room, looking if he could find some money. He didn't. And he also didn't find the shirt she had annexed.
The door clicked open and Malty entered. "What are you doing?" she demanded.
Naofumi, currently in the process of rifling through some drawer, faced his fiancée, probably looking quite guilty. He grinned. "Searching for my shirt."
She smirked. "Haven't found it yet, have you?"
"No."
She stepped behind him and hugged him, pressing a kiss onto his neck, humming.
Naofumi gasped as the cold metal of her armor pressed against his skin.
"Hmmm... I like this. I feel like I could crush you."
"C-crush me?"
She nodded against him. humming in affirmation. "Yes, a petty thief like you needs to be punished, don't you think?"
Naofumi remained still, holding his breath.
"You weren't really searching for my new shirt, were you?"
"N-no."
She sighed in disappointment. "Engaged for only a single day and already stealing from me. How are we going to make this marriage work?"
He grabbed her arms and lessened her grip, then turned around to face her and hugged her, shivering as her breastplate pressed into his skin. "Stealing?" He grinned. "I don't know what you're talking about. Half of this belongs to me."
"Oh? Is that so?"
"Yes." He kissed her.
Malty didn't waste any time to reciprocate. Then she bit down harshly onto his lip.
Faint pain flooding him, Naofumi groaned.
When she finally released him, she stared up at him with a devious smirk. "It seems you've forgotten that Melromarc is a matriarchy. 30 percent, at best."
"45 percent."
"35 percent"
"60 percent."
"What?" Malty giggled. "You can't just raise it!"
"No?"
"No." She stared with narrowed eyes. "Zero percent. You're mine."
"Okay—"
She abruptly shoved him, making him stumble against the ornate cupboard he'd just rummaged. Then she pressed herself against him, grabbed his head, and kissed him demandingly.
"Have I ever...told you...that you look so...unbelievable in that...armor."
"No." She smiled. "And you should do it more often."
"You look very beautiful in that armor. Every time I see you like that, I want to rip it off you."
Malty slipped a hand into his pants and grasped his hard cock. "Then why don't you?" she whispered.
"Malty," he gasped. "We... we shouldn't. I s-should go."
Humming, she seemed to think it over, already stroking him. "No. Let me take care of that for you really quick, my Naofumi. I believe it's my turn."
He didn't protest when she grabbed and dragged him toward the bed, loving it too much when she was commanding like that.
"Get out of your pants," she ordered. "Then sit down on the bed."
As he did as told, he had a sense of déjà vu, remembering his dream.
Malty spread his legs and kneeled in front of him. A devious smirk on her face, she grasped his cock and gave it a firm lick, making him gasp, then wasted no time and took it into her mouth.
"Fuck." Naofumi moaned. She was so good with her tongue. It was incredible.
She seemed to love it as well, humming and moaning as she sucked his dick with passion, looking into his eyes.
Naofumi reached toward her and grasped the two strands of crimson hair framing her face, making sure they didn't get in the way. He held them onto her head, keeping his hand there as she bobbed up and down.
"Malty... Hmmm..."
She ran her hands across his naked thighs and abdomen.
"Ah... I'm coming," he gasped. It couldn't have been more than a minute, but it was just so hot—the way she was staring up at him with those stunning emerald eyes, her kneeling form in that armor, and her unbelievable skills with her mouth and tongue.
He couldn't hold the position any longer as pleasure flooded him, his hips jerking without his control. Eyes closed, he removed the hand from her head and let himself fall backward onto the mattress.
The wonderful warmness around his pulsing cock didn't recede. She kept sucking, swallowing, humming in delight as she did so, making him twitch.
"M-Malty. Wow..."
She chuckled, gave him a few more unbelievably stimulating licks, then retreated.
Naofumi simply laid there, mind addled, sighing. He vaguely noticed Malty moving around the room. Then something impacted the bed next to him, a jingle sounding. He blinked his eyes open, sat up, and grasped what she'd thrown at him, identifying it as a money pouch. He opened it...and didn't need to count to know that it was a lot of money. At least 30 gold coins.
"Thank you." He smiled.
"That's all I could find. Do you need more?"
"I... No, that's... that's more than enough. Thank you, my future wife."
A pleased smile on her face, Malty leaned down and pressed a kiss onto his mouth. "You're welcome, my Naofumi. Now, stand up and get dressed."
He slipped into his pants, then followed along as she grabbed his hand and led him out of the bedroom.
"That's how we'll get you out of the castle," Malty announced proudly, gesturing toward the settees standing around a low table. "We'll walk straight out of the front gates. Right in front of everybody."
On the settees laid what Naofumi identified as a set of armor. A knight's armor, to be specific. In addition to the parts consisting of plate and mail, there was also some padding and undergarment.
Naofumi grinned and gave his fiancée a smacking kiss on the cheek, making her giggle.