Amu nestled against his chest, her hand tenderly caressing his body, until it eventually slid further down, continuing its gentle touches there. She placed tender kisses on his collarbone and his neck. "Are you really sure you don't want this...?" A soft sigh escaped her, feeling his body quiver under each of her touches. Her breath came quickly.
Ikuto bit his lip, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "You won't leave him and then regret it...", he urged with difficulty, as he forced out his words.
"How can you know that?" She pouted slightly offended and looked deeply into his eyes, after she had moved his arm away from his eyes.
"Because you're afraid of regretting it. You don't even know if you'll end up having more feelings for Nagi," he gasped, still breathing heavily as he sat up.
"I'm not afraid... I know I love both of you more than him... and maybe I just need to experience both of you to make a decision in the end," she said calmly, while she continued to stroke his member with her hand.
Ikuto reached for her hand and held it firmly. "Are you really so superficial and deciding only based on sex?" he asked with a amused, but not positive tone.
"Of course not..." Amu's gaze was almost pleading. Her desire for him burned hot within her, waiting to finally feel his touches.
"Don't look at me like that... I just want everything to be right in the end, and for you not to regret or be unhappy," his voice sounded somewhat broken faced with her gaze.
"I want you, Ikuto... I've never felt such a strong desire for someone else..."
"Then you can wait to respect my worries and fears." He smiled gently at her and stroked her head before getting up and offering her his hand.
"I'm probably already way too late today... Worst case scenario, we won't get another chance..." She took his hand but pulled him down again so his arms were now on either side of her, and he was over her.
He sighed and continued to look at her uncertainly and gloomily. "Does that mean I won't see you again?"
"Quite possible... I don't know how he'll react. I'll have to tell him the truth, and he already has doubts. I can hide Nagi from him, but not you. He'll smell you on me a second time." Her gaze was sincere, and it was clear that she really believed that could happen, and she wasn't just saying it to convince him.
"Then I'll just toss you in the pond," he grinned cheekily. "Why is this so important to you?" He sighed. She stroked his ears and neck again, and he let her.
"I want to be close to you..."
"I'll seriously toss you in the pond afterward," he shrugged, as much as he could in the current position, and his voice was serious.
"Go ahead..." She looked to the side and pursed her lips into a slight pout. She felt Ikuto begin to tremble more and more over her as she continued to stroke his sensitive spots. Ultimately, she considered whether she should stop for his sake. "I'm sorry, I was selfish. We can leave..." she murmured disappointedly and turned her gaze a little sadly away.
"Ah fuck... don't you dare regret this..." he said through heavy breaths, his lips barely moving. He was at the point where he couldn't fight it anymore, especially in the face of her sad eyes. He approached her neck and passionately caressed it, leaving marks from his bites and kisses that would mark her as his.
Amu was overwhelmed but immediately surrendered completely to it, eagerly receiving each of his touches. Her pulse quickened, her breath grew faster, and she let her hands roam over his body, eventually starting to unbutton his shirt. Every touch ignited a fireworks display within her like she had never felt before.
Ikuto kissed her passionately and impatiently on the mouth as his hands explored her curves, gently pulling her up to remove her dress. His eyes roamed over her flawless skin, and he eagerly bit his lip. Amu did the same and helped him discard his clothes as she looked at his upper body. She gently traced over his toned muscles, further igniting electricity within his body. "You're so incredibly beautiful..." he whispered in her ear, caressing it and letting her feel his hot breath on her skin.
Although they had come so far, he still paused and looked deeply into her eyes. "Are you really sure... you're cheating on Tadase with this," he brushed some strands gently from her face.
Amu nodded firmly. "Yes..."
"There's no turning back then, Amu." His breath was still heavy and fast, and his body longed so much for her, but still, he wanted to make sure she was fully aware of this decision.
"I don't care. I want this, with you." She kissed him on the forehead and then looked him squarely in the eyes.
Ikuto closed his eyes for a moment and inwardly prayed that he wouldn't regret it. Then he gently ran his hands over her breasts and down to her hips. Looking deep into her eyes, he carefully guided his member into her. As she threw her head back and let out a soft moan, her body felt an incredible relief to finally feel him, while at the same time, her desire soared to immeasurable heights. A soft, lustful moan also escaped his lips, and his body was caught in a frenzy of emotions.
"Everything okay?" he wanted to be sure. Only when he received confirmation did he begin to move his hips faster, and Amu moved her hips in the same rhythm, hungry to feel him as deeply as possible.
They merged in a dance of passion by the shore of the pond, their bodies framed by nature and ignited by their own desire. Every movement, every kiss, every touch ignited a fireworks display of lust between them, unstoppable and carrying them both away.
Ikuto's hip movements became more intense, more powerful, and Amu responded to each of his rhythmic thrusts with equal desire. Their moans mingled with the sounds of the forest as their lust plunged them into a frenzy of ecstasy.
Finally, they reached the peak of their passion together. Ikuto's seed shot into Amu as they held each other tightly, and waves of satisfaction flowed through their bodies.
Exhausted and fulfilled, they lay side by side on the shore of the pond, their fingers intertwined, while their breath slowly calmed, lost in the sweet exhaustion of love.
The girl eventually turned to lie on her lover's chest. "I love you, Ikuto.." she breathed happily, her lips adorned with a smile.
"I love you more than anything, Amu.." his breath gradually calmed down, and he gently stroked her head, his voice still uncertain. He still feared that she would regret it the next day, and that he would have made a mistake. But he simply couldn't hold back any longer.
"I won't regret this with you. I might only regret that we didn't do it earlier in the evening, without me coming home too late.." she sighed a bit at the thought of coming home. "It was already too late while we were just here before you now think it was a mistake" she stuck her tongue out at him and smiled gently at him.
"What if it has consequences..." He hoped she would understand what he was getting at. "Oh, Tadase has been trying for over a month and a half. I don't think I'm capable of it," she said, gently stroking his cheek.
"Maybe it's him, idiot.." he muttered, shaking his head.
"Then I'll love it, just like I love the father above all else," she kissed him on the mouth and gazed gently into his deep blue eyes.
"Have you forgotten that I'm evil?" he raised his eyebrows skeptically.
"Oh, shut up, idiot," she pouted and sighed, rolling her eyes.
"I'm pretty sure you still don't know who you love more," he finally sat up and gently pulled her up with him. They were already sitting by the pond, and he began to wash her with the water from the pond, as well as her clothes. Meanwhile, he kissed her back and shoulders from time to time.
"Could be... I just know that my feelings are very intense..." she sighed sadly. She didn't want to give him such an answer, especially not after this evening, but she also didn't want to lie.
"Then you'll probably end up in the same situation with him soon," his voice was calm. After all, he had had time to come to terms with this thought.
"I don't know..." she rubbed her arms, as it was slowly getting quite cold, without clothes and being wet. Ikuto hugged her from behind and tried to warm her with his body heat. After he found her odor-free, he made a campfire where her clothes could dry, and in the meantime, he gave her his shirt but kept holding her in his arms.
"Unfortunately, I can't get close to the castle... they would notice my magic with their sensors.." he sighed softly and rested his head on her shoulder.
"I hope we find a way... Nagi should still be able to come to me. He told you about our meeting, didn't he?" she yawned and snuggled more into him as fatigue suddenly overcame her.
Ikuto listened silently and sighed. How was he supposed to continue working on her memories when he couldn't even be near her anymore, and how was he supposed to stay on par with Nagi while he could still see her while it was denied to him.
"Why didn't you pay attention to the time..." his voice sounded fragile, and he hugged her tighter.
Amu laughed ironically. "How? You have no sense of time here at all, I have no idea how long we walked through the darkness." The blue-haired one looked down, and the two listened silently to the crackling of the fire. When her clothes were finally dry, the two left hand in hand from the forest, and when they were finally enveloped again by the normal nighttime light, the moon was already high in the sky. "I'll go as far as I can with you," he said softly, and at Amu's nod, they continued on their way.
At the end of the slums, they finally stood facing each other with sad looks, enveloped in crushed silence, before Ikuto gently pulled her into a hug and lovingly kissed her head. "We'll figure it out, Princess," he smiled gently at her, trying to appear positive, but his eyes betrayed him.
"Don't forget me, okay?" he joked weakly afterwards.
"You mean not again, yeah?" she laughed gently and pressed her lips softly against his. "I won't. No matter how long it takes.." she buried her face in his chest and stayed in his arms for a while longer before making her way back to the castle. She turned to look at him once more, her eyes filled with sorrow. The blue-haired one smiled confidently and sent her an air kiss with his hand. Only when she was no longer visible did he also, reluctantly, make his way home.
When she finally returned to her room, as expected, Tadase was there with his arms crossed. He looked at her judgmentally, especially since she climbed through the window. Amu considered for a moment if a good excuse would come to her, but then she thought of her words to Ikuto. She didn't want to have lied to him, so she had to end it.
"So, where were you?" his voice was surprisingly calm, he really was trying to improve.
"I got a job.. I needed some distraction a few weeks ago and also wanted to get in touch with the slums.." she confessed part of the truth. "It got late today.. sorry.." she continued to lie for now, because the possible consequences came to the forefront, and she didn't want to not be able to see Ikuto again.
"That's not appropriate. The Crown Princess working in the lower ranks." He shook his head. "Your disguise won't help either, your eyes are unique."
"But no one noticed.." she murmured and sighed. Except Nagi, but Tadase didn't need to know that.
"What are you working as? A prostitute?" he referred to the fact that he had already perceived strange scents on her.
"Of course not." her expression quickly turned to one of disbelief. "How can you think that?" she shook her head. Besides, it was completely irrational, then she would smell like men all the time, which she quickly dismissed the thought, as without her daily shower she would do that anyway, but only two specific ones.
"So, what then?" the blonde stood up and approached her, inspecting her closely. Her hair looked tousled, and her clothes seemed messy and wrinkled. He came even closer to her, but he wasn't sure if there was another scent there, if so, only very faintly.
"Waitressing at an inn.. so nothing bad.." She sighed and watched him.
"I find the idea that my fiancée works as a waitress quite unpleasant. But as a waitress, you should look neat, shouldn't you?" he continued to scrutinize her, observing her reaction.
She swallowed briefly. She had completely forgotten about her hair, and the dress wouldn't have been able to be improved after it was washed like that anyway. Finally, she took a deep breath and briefly looked down before facing his gaze again. "I... We can't do this anymore.." she finally admitted.
"What?" he looked at her a little puzzled.
"The engagement. I love you, but unfortunately not enough.." she became more nervous with each word.
"What do you mean, not enough? Your actions say otherwise." he referred to that one night and that things had actually started to improve between them since then.
"I know.. But.. It just happened.." the girl's gaze gradually became sad.
"What?" He took a sharp breath. "What just happened?" his gaze was serious and fixed on her.
"That I fell in love with someone else.." she thought it better to omit the plural form.
"That's all? You just won't see that person again." he raised his head a little and wrinkled his nose.
"You can't tell me who to see and who not.. Besides, that's not all." Tadase pressed her against the wall now and leaned one hand just above her head against the wall. She felt that he was upset and close to getting pretty angry. She closed her eyes and swallowed nervously again.
"You probably wouldn't want me anyway if I had slept with someone else. I cheated on you today.. I'm sorry I didn't end it earlier, but I just couldn't wait.." Now it was out, and she kept her gaze steady because she didn't regret it.
"You won't leave this room anymore, and certainly not unsupervised. The engagement remains in place. And by God, if I find out who it was, it's over for him." he took her chin and looked deeply into her yellow eyes. "He didn't even want it, keep him out of this. I wanted it. I pressured him for so long until there was no other way." She was glad that he probably wouldn't find out about Ikuto anyway, how could he.
Tadase snorted and laughed bitterly. "I would never have thought of you like that. It is what it is. We have to work with it now." he was surprisingly calm. "Why..?" she shook her head in disbelief.
"Even if I didn't want you anymore, I wouldn't have a choice anyway."
"You still want me..?" Amu was rather disappointed than pleased with this statement and sighed.
Tadase didn't respond, but continued with his own statements and questions. "But I don't understand, you seemed so attached to me and so loyal, even in bad times, why then, when things started to get better?" he sighed and couldn't hide anymore that he was hurt.
"Both events overlapped... I only realized late how strong my feelings are for him..." she muttered, turning her gaze away from him. "Anyway..." he walked away from her and focused for a moment, murmuring a few words until a green shimmering shield surrounded the castle. It would only prevent Amu from leaving the castle and became invisible after a few seconds. The window was also secured against any external entry. Unfortunately, his shield magic didn't extend very far, which is why the magic Amu was supposed to possess was much stronger.
"Can I at least have my cat with me...?" she looked sadly down before pointing to the window. Yoru hadn't come in on time and was still behind the shield. The blonde sighed and created a hole with a snap so the cat could come in. "Is there nothing I can do..." Tadase said dejectedly, pressing his lips together.
"I don't think so..." Amu sat on her bed and pulled her legs up to herself.
"You'll get over it eventually. At least you won't see him anymore." Eventually, he left the room and positioned guards outside the door. Even though she was already prepared for such a situation, she couldn't help but collapse to her knees in tears. "It'll be okay..." Yoru tried to comfort her, but she didn't even look up at him. "What even happened...?" he hadn't noticed anything from outside and only arrived later. She told him everything and looked at him at the end. "You knew who he was, didn't you?" she wiped away her tears and waited for an answer.
Yoru sighed and jumped off the bed to take on his normal form. "He's my master. I was supposed to report information about you to him and, above all, keep an eye on you." He bowed politely and introduced himself officially again. Amu couldn't believe her eyes and felt uneasy that he was always there. "Don't worry, I didn't see anything and left at inappropriate times anyway. Otherwise, he would have surely beheaded me," he tried to reassure her immediately.
"So that's why he knew things he shouldn't have known..." she thought back to the pond and their confrontation. What would the pond have shown that Ikuto didn't want to allow?
"He's not this evil demon lord, is he?"
"Of course not..." Yoru frowned displeased. That she would even question that.
"What really happened?"
"If he didn't tell you, it's not my place to interfere." Yoru shrugged. The princess crossed her arms and pouted. "It doesn't matter now anyway. It's over." she added and laid her head back on her knees. "Your ears are cute.." she remarked softly, as he had cat ears and a tail in his human form.
The brief moment of silence was interrupted when her three maids entered the room. Their gazes immediately landed on Yoru. "Is it your fault? How dare you hit on our mistress and put her in such a situation?" Ran scolded immediately and came closer to the man. Miki only inspected him silently and felt herself blushing a little. She found him very handsome. Su immediately sat next to Amu and tried to comfort her. "We're always here for you, okay? Everything will be fine."
Amu smiled gently at Su and then looked at Ran. "It's not him. Calm down."
"But who is he and why is he here?" Miki spoke now, also coming closer to the stranger.
"Do you remember the cat? Turns out, it's him." She informed the three about the evening and that Yoru was sent by Ikuto. "A servant of the evil lord...he shouldn't be staying here.." Miki wasn't very happy about this realization, as she certainly wouldn't want to gain any interest in someone evil.
Amu was about to open her mouth when Yoru immediately objected, insisting that neither he nor Ikuto were evil and that these lies and rumors made him very angry.
"It's late, I'd like to get some sleep..." Amu murmured softly, indicating for the three to leave. Her gaze, however, remained fixed on Yoru. "I can probably go out, but then I won't be able to come back in, in case you still want me here," he knew that Ikuto would want him to be with her right now more than anytime before.
She sighed. "It's okay, as long as you behave as before.." Yoru nodded and transformed back into a cat in the same breath, as it wouldn't be good if a man were standing in her room if Tadase were to come in unexpectedly.
"Can you communicate somehow? Can you ask him to let Nagi know that I can't come to work anymore?" she went to the bathroom to change her clothes and finally lay down in bed. Yoru nodded in confirmation and promptly conveyed her request to Ikuto, also reporting on the situation, although Ikuto was already aware of it, as they had already discussed it.
"She can't come?!" Nagi was thunderstruck by this information and shook his head. "What did you do? I shouldn't have left you alone.."
Ikuto swallowed and looked away. "What I did or didn't do wouldn't have changed anything..."
"So you did something.." Nagi was now absolutely convinced. However, Ikuto didn't provide any information about it. "I told you, that was my task, so I'm going back now... At least you still have ways to see her, unlike me.." his voice sounded broken, but before Nagihiko could react further, Ikuto had already left the inn again. The lilac-haired shook his head and felt overwhelmed with his thoughts at the moment.
A few days passed during which Nagi racked his brain on how to spend as much time with her as possible, especially since she would probably need it the most now, before he decided to apply as a maid, hoping that she wouldn't already have too many.
Arriving at the castle, of course as Nadeshiko, he explained his intention and was naturally first presented to Tadase. "You? Do you think it's good for your friendship if you have to serve her? Besides, she already has three maids," he remained neutral towards Nadeshiko.
"I can surely be of use." she smiled brightly and positively. "First, see if you pass at all," he sighed and walked away. With that, the first hurdle was overcome and, of course, Nadeshiko passed all the tests with flying colors.
She was introduced to Ran, Su, and Miki, and they were to accompany her to meet Amu to introduce herself and then to teach all the duties. However, the three didn't like that at all. They were managing their tasks well and felt another maid was unnecessary.
After gently knocking and waiting for a response, they finally entered the room. However, Amu just stared silently out the window and didn't bother to look towards the door. Su sighed. "She's been like this the whole time in the past few days. Normally, she's really sweet," the girl with light green hair explained.
Nadeshiko smiled. "I know." While the maids looked confused and tilted, Amu reacted immediately to this voice, turning her head sharply towards the door. Her eyes widened before filling with tears of joy, and she stood up. Nadeshiko approached her and hugged her.
"What are you doing here?" she sniffled and buried her face in his chest.
"Well, I'm your new maid. At least during the day, can't leave the old man hanging in the evening," Nadeshiko laughed a little and stroked Amu's head. "Tadase didn't mind?" She wiped away her tears and now looked into his eyes.
"He actually thought it was quite good for you to have a friend nearby," he had told her after she successfully passed, so it was actually the truth. The lilac-haired noticed something on Amu's neck and gently brushed her hair back. "What's this?" his first thought was concern that Tadase had been rough with her, but when Amu blushed, this thought immediately vanished. He sighed softly.
"So, he didn't spill the beans, now you spit it out." she held her shoulders gently and smiled kindly, even though she already expected Amu's answer to hurt her.
"It's not that important.."
"Okay, okay, if you're both making such a big secret out of it, I can guess. Let me guess, you absolutely imposed yourself on the poor guy," he laughed and played down the sting in his heart.
"What? Why do you think that?"
"Because Ikuto has honor unlike you," Nadeshiko stuck his tongue out and grinned cheekily.
Amu sulked and crossed her arms offendedly. "Maybe.. I knew exactly what I had to do.. and maybe I took advantage of that repeatedly until he had no choice.." she finally confessed with a deep sigh.
The maids continued to look at the two confusedly, waiting to be brought into the picture. After Amu noticed this, she finally explained everything about Nagihiko to them, whom she had mostly omitted from her stories before.
"TWO?! Amu, what's wrong with you?" Ran lost her composure and with it her politeness. "I... it's like I don't even know you anymore," she lamented afterward, wiping a few tears from her cheek.
"And are you sure you love them both more than Tadase?" Su asked gently.
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have told him." the girl with the bright yellow eyes replied.
"You did what?! He didn't even find out by himself, you told him?!" now Nagi was out of composure and sat on her bed, taking a deep breath.
"I... I promised him... I said I would end it with Tadase..." She played with her fingers, feeling a little uncomfortable.
Nagi rested his arm on his leg and his head on his arm as he continued to gaze at her. "Would you have done the same for me?" Primarily, he just wanted to know if she already knew whom she would choose, because if she wouldn't do the same for him, it was obvious.
"Yes. I would," her voice was determined and confident.
Miki now walked closer to Nadeshiko and scrutinized her skeptically, getting very close to her face in the process. "There's no way that's a guy. Are you into girls now too?" she looked at Amu with raised eyebrows.
The pink-haired girl made an annoyed face and went to Nagi to uncover his upper body. This was simply the most efficient way to prove it. He blushed and didn't like being exposed in front of three foreign women at all. "Hey, Amu, stop that!" it was only a brief moment before he pushed her away and got dressed again, but it was enough for the three to confirm with their own eyes that there were no breasts there.
"Besides, stop judging me! If two guys were constantly buzzing around you, flirting with you, hugging you, or kissing you without permission and then pushing you to your limits from both sides, you'd eventually give in too.." she crossed her arms and looked at the three poutingly. "Sounds like sexual harassment," Miki shrugged, and the other two agreed with an approving noise and nod.
"If I had minded, they would have stopped immediately.." Amu defended the two. "Do you think so?" Nagihiko interjected with a mischievous grin and a wink. "Idiot.." the pink-haired girl muttered, shaking her head. "Nagi, put your arm around me," he tilted his head questioningly, but got up and did as she asked. "Kiss me," he followed this instruction, confused. "Let me go!" she deliberately raised her voice a bit, making him flinch, but he immediately let go of her. "See," she raised her arms and shrugged.
"Wow," he sat back on her bed, sulking.
Su couldn't help but giggle. "Like a well-trained puppy."
"No, I just know that both of them love me so much that they would do anything for me. Even if it would make them unhappy. They definitely never harassed me.." she gave Nagi a kiss on the forehead and smiled gently at him.
"While I'm glad you can be with me every day now, I still miss Ikuto.." she now sat next to Nadeshiko on the bed and once again looked absent-mindedly out the window.
"We'll find a way, little one," he gently stroked her head before putting an arm around her. Nagihiko just didn't know who Ikuto really was and that it was absolutely impossible for him to approach unnoticed, which made Amu sigh dejectedly.
He noticed her downcast mood and tried to distract her somehow. "So, when is it my turn?" he made an upward nodding motion with his head and grinned mischievously.
"Seriously?!" Su exclaimed and shook her head. "He can't stay here!" Ran joined in, crossing her arms. Amu just chuckled at the reactions of her maids, who were already good friends to her.
"Maybe not at all," she stuck her tongue out at Nagi.
"Ahh, maybe, so there's a chance," he took her chin and looked deeply into her eyes, while Ran, Su, and Miki just shamefully looked away.
"That's always the case with them, get used to it," Yoru sighed and rolled his eyes. His voice prompted Nagi to let go of Amu and look around confusedly. "That was the cat. He can talk," Amu explained, pointing to the black cat.
"Oookay?" Nagi raised his eyebrows incredulously. Even though Yoru had called it normal in relation to Amu, talking animals were not impossible, but still rather rare and unusual, and it was not certain whether it was not just a myth.
The lilac-haired girl turned back to Amu. "Anyway, I'll annoy you every day now. And I'll come up with something for us to do, even if we're confined to your room," he winked and smiled cheerfully.
The days passed, and Nadeshiko was very enthusiastic about her work, pampering Amu from head to toe but also coming up with activities. She brought games like chess, checkers, shogi, and similar ones.
Occasionally, they also did a kind of treasure hunt. Nadeshiko hid small notes with riddles in Amu's room while she wore a blindfold. When Amu decoded one of the riddles, she found the location where there were always small gifts or her favorite sweets hidden. As her maid, she quickly learned the preferences of the pink-haired princess.
Additionally, they started experimenting with their own potions, which often resulted in black faces and laughter. Nadeshiko also always sought out new stories, and especially in the evenings when she didn't have to work, she would tell Amu the scariest stories, causing the pink-haired girl to always cling to her in the end. Unfortunately, in the evenings, Tadase would often interrupt, but since Nadeshiko was just a girl and he knew about the stories, he didn't think twice about finding Amu clinging to Nadeshiko. The lilac-haired girl always left the room reluctantly and sighed deeply each time, but no matter how much she wanted to, she couldn't do anything about it. Usually, she waited nearby and came back to Amu as soon as he left the room again, then comforted her by hugging her. Since it was usually very late by this point, it often ended with them falling asleep arm in arm, but sometimes Nadeshiko distracted Amu from her thoughts with stories from the inn or told her happy stories.
During these weeks, Nadeshiko also learned more about Yoru and found out that Ikuto was always up to date through him, which was practical because Nagihiko didn't have to try to find him somehow to give him updates from time to time. One thing led to another, and the conversation about Ikuto's identity finally came up for Nagihiko as well.
"Him? The Demon Lord?" Nagi paused briefly and struck a pensive pose. "Then the rumors and messages must be lies. But why?" he didn't doubt Ikuto for a second, which almost brought tears to Yoru's eyes because it was the first time someone didn't initially despise or see Ikuto as evil.
"It's sad that his love rival is the only one who believes in him," Yoru said aloud, sighing.
"So as long as the little princess doesn't decide, we're not rivals anyway. We've agreed on a compromise.. But why would I doubt him? He has a pure heart. He never killed his parents." But then what was the truth? Nagi was burning to know, but Yoru remained true to his opinion that Ikuto should tell it himself.
"What compromise, please?" Amu crossed her arms offended because she felt like decisions were being made over her head.
"It would be okay if you were with both of us.. It's just a bit tricky right now.. Especially with the new revelation," he now understood why Amu insisted it was impossible to infiltrate Ikuto.
"Excuse me..?" she couldn't believe her ears.
"Oh, don't act like you haven't mentioned it yourself, and we've already found out that you don't actually mind getting attention from both of us," he looked at her cheekily.
"Amu.. What?" Ran shook her head, unsure if she really wanted to hear more.
The princess just turned silently red and buried her face in her pillow.
"Oh Yoru, what came out of it?" Nagi had grabbed the cat boy in a quiet moment and instructed him to ask Ikuto for his opinion on a certain matter.
"If she wants it, it would only be fair, even if I don't quite like it..," Yoru said, pausing briefly. "Those were his words, with a deep sigh in his voice."
"Mhm.. okay.." the lilac-haired boy sighed as well and wasn't sure if he should really dare, should an opportunity ever arise. But deep down, he knew it was a race against time, should she remember him again. So he only had the opportunity as long as she didn't choose one of them.
"What does this mean now?" Amu sighed. As much as she liked having him around, he was sometimes exhausting with his secrecy.
"Oh.. Nothing.." he smiled a little embarrassed and scratched his head.
"Mhm.." Amu's voice was clearly skeptical, but she didn't ask further. Her maids were almost daily blushing in this room since this guy appeared.
"Are you okay? You look a bit pale." he gently took her chin and examined her face up close.
"I feel a bit nauseous," she mumbled and laid down in bed.
"I can bring you a calming tea. Or an elixir for nausea," Nagi, who always acted as Nadeshiko in her presence, suggested and covered her when she laid down.
"Not for now.. But somehow, I really crave smoked fish with honey and cinnamon. Do you think you can get that?" she asked shortly after sitting up again, feeling like she needed to go to the bathroom.
"That sounds pretty strange.. Are you sure?" he looked at her uncertainly and wasn't sure if she was serious.
"Yes, I am," she pouted for a moment, but then got up to hurry to the bathroom, where she had to throw up. Nagi followed her and held her hair back while gently stroking her back.
"Maybe we should call a doctor..," his voice and eyes were worried.
"Amu.. What about your period..?" Su asked as she stood in the doorway. She was sort of the mother of the group.
The princess cleaned her face and mouth at the sink before looking at Su. "Actually.. everything..," she faltered, because only now did she realize that her next one should have started about two weeks ago.
"It's two weeks late..," she finally murmured dejectedly. She didn't want a child from Tadase, and tears began to well up in her eyes.
"That's not possible..," Miki murmured softly, a little afraid to bring up the topic.
"Yeah.. It must be something else..," Ran agreed, exchanging worried looks with Miki.
"How can you be so sure?" she held her stomach and felt like she was about to throw up again.
"Because for months now, we've been mixing magical herbs into your tea.. They inhibit fertility. We didn't have a good feeling about the whole children thing..," Su confessed now fearfully before her mistress's reaction.
"You did what?! I had to do that for hours every day for months because of you guys?" Amu held her forehead and shook her head.
"They meant well.. They're right that a forced child with Tadase is not a good idea.." Nagi tried to calm her down.
"But what else could it be?.. All the symptoms match.." she sighed and didn't know what to make of this realization.
"Ikuto.." murmured the blue-haired girl, striking a thoughtful pose.
"Yes! The pond!" Ran continued her friend's train of thought.
"That's the only logical explanation. If you really were there, and it's not just a legend, its magic might have neutralized the herbs. It's said that it cleanses everything." explained the green-haired girl with a sigh.
Amu now consciously placed her hand on her stomach. "So it's from him? Seriously? Just that one time?" she sighed because as she distanced herself more and more from Tadase, she wasn't ready for children, and she was also afraid of the day of birth when Tadase would find out."
"Well, it could also be from Tadase, of course. You only got the herbs from us again the next day, but he did leave you alone on the affected night.. So Ikuto is more likely.." Su explained her train of thought further before Amu found herself over the toilet again.
"So I guess I'm looking for smoked fish with honey and cinnamon, right?" Nagihiko asked, as Amu had recovered a bit and was now back sitting on her bed.
"I understand if you don't want to be around me anymore.." she murmured, feeling down, because who would accept the child of their rival.
Nagi smiled gently and tousled her hair. "Silly. As long as you want me with you, I'll always stay. And even if you were to choose me in the end, I would raise it with you as if it were my own, and Ikuto can of course come by anytime." He didn't believe in this scenario at all, but he wanted to make it clear to her that it wouldn't make a difference to him.
A few tears rolled down Amu's cheeks, and she hugged Nagi.
"I have to procure absurd food combinations, so if your Highness would please excuse me," he grinned and broke away from her embrace. She wiped her tears and pouted a little before giggling.
Amu chatted with the others while waiting for Nagi. "Despite everything, Tadase was relatively nice, but my feelings for him are just diminishing more and more.. I really hope it's not his.. And I'm scared of childbirth.." this time she referred to the birth itself and not the consequences if it were Ikuto's child. "We're definitely here for you! And we'll look for all kinds of recipes and elixirs to make it as comfortable as possible for you!" Su said, taking Amu's hand with a gentle smile.
"Nadeshiko.. Uh.. Nagihiko.. oh, what do I know. That person will surely also take time off and stand by your side!" Ran was still confused about Nagihiko. They had seen the proof, but after such a long time, it seemed like a fleeting dream, and they had never seen him in his male form, let alone heard his male voice.
"I feel a bit sorry for Ikuto if it's really his. It's a shame he can't be there." Miki expressed with a troubled look.
"Can I tell him?" Yoru asked cautiously.
"If you can stop him from coming.." Amu murmured a little unsure.
"I hope he himself realizes that it wouldn't do any good... But he's intensively working on his abilities.. He'll come for you sooner or later." he explained, then contacted Ikuto through his thoughts.
\\Chances are high that you're going to be a father.\\ He dropped the bombshell without any warning. Ikuto, who was practicing his transformation and was a small black bird, lost control due to this shock and landed roughly on the ground in his human form.
\\Say, how about a hello or some kind of warning?\\ he complained as he rubbed his nose and forehead.
\\Say what now?\\ he sat up and crossed his legs on the floor.
Before Yoru could continue communicating, Ikuto took over the conversation himself. \\Even if she's pregnant…\\ he paused bitterly. \\Then it's from him. After all, he's at it every day.\\ Ikuto clenched his fist and frustratedly hit the stone floor. He didn't want her to carry this guy's child. If only he had become stronger faster.
\\Unlikely. The maids manipulated her fertility. They suspect the pond reversed it. The next day, she received the maids' magical herbs again, and on your evening, he didn't sleep with her.\\ Ikuto remained silent for a moment, overwhelmed by this info. Was he even ready to be a father? Did he even want to be a father? Nevertheless, he wanted to be with her now. \\Is there still no way I can get to her?\\ he sounded downcast, brushing his finger dejectedly back and forth on the floor.
\\No. And I only told you because I believe in your reasoning.\\
\\Yeah, yeah. I won't do anything stupid. Looks like I won't even be able to be with her on that day…\\ he decided to work even harder on his skills to possibly rescue her beforehand, but the likelihood wasn't very high, which was painfully obvious to him.
\\Well... She's looking at me expectantly. Should I lie? You don't seem pleased.\\
Ikuto sorted his feelings for a moment in silence. At the thought of a little version of Amu, regardless of boy or girl, he had to smile, and his chest grew warmer.
\\No... I'm happy... I hope it will be from us... Not from him…\\ Yoru nodded and bid farewell, after there was nothing more to say, to Ikuto and turned to the pink-haired one. In the meantime, Nagihiko had reappeared with their food and was informed by the others about what was happening.
"He didn't believe it at first, thought it was from Tadase. Was a bit taken aback, but he's happy, he really hopes it's from you guys. He won't do anything stupid either," he reported eventually, and Amu felt a weight lifted off her shoulders at this news, as she gently placed her hand on her belly with a soft smile. "I can't wait to meet you."
At that moment when she knew Ikuto didn't reject it, some of her worries were alleviated, and the fact that he was even excited made her heart beat faster.
Nagihiko was happy for Amu, but the worry that his time with her was soon coming to an end continued to grow. "Here. Have some," he filled the fork and held it to her mouth with a gentle smile.
She took the fork in her mouth. "It's not so bad, you should try it too," she grinned. "Naaah, I'll pass," he waved gratefully and chuckled a bit as he continued to feed her with that strange combination.
"Hey Yoru, what can Ikuto actually do?" he glanced briefly at the cat before looking back at Amu, still handing her the fork repeatedly. "I can eat by myself," she muttered. "But you don't have to," he stuck out his tongue at her and waited for Yoru's answer.
"Let's say 'if' he wanted to attack the kingdom, he would have all demons fighting for him. He can control many people with his blood magic, but I think it also depends on the strength of the individual. I wouldn't claim he can control everyone. Besides, he can also transform into creatures himself," explained the cat. "But I don't think he'll be able to master all of that again in time."
"Again?" the lilac-haired one queried.
"He's told you several times. He's not the Ikuto from this time. He's completely different from what my master used to be. He has to relearn his powers anew," Yoru shook his head a little annoyed.
"So it's really true if even you say he's different and he doesn't master his magic anymore," Nagihiko mused thoughtfully. He already believed Ikuto, but these pieces of information were once again a very strong confirmation for the whole thing he claimed. The ultimate proof was the statement about his magic, because if he still mastered all of that, there would probably be absolute chaos here.
"I'll try to be with you as often as possible, Little One. And even though I'm not Ikuto, I'll be there on the big day holding your hand," he turned back to Amu, as he had nothing more to say on the matter, and gently stroked her cheek. The pink-haired girl smiled softly and leaned towards his face until their lips touched and the butterflies in her stomach began to flutter. She giggled eventually. "He was right. Your lips are even softer than mine."
"Jealous?" he winked and grinned.
"Who knows," she stuck her tongue out at him.