Truth Can't Be Deceived (3)

After offering herself with such embarrassing words, Ashley looked at Theorad and tried to ignore the pounding of her heart.

She had expected him to seize upon her invitation at once. Instead, he remained remarkably calm. Her desperate attempt at seduction seemed to have failed.

As she hesitated, flustered and sweating, Theorad's mouth curved into a smile.

“You little fool. What are you saying?”

“Are you trying to make me say it aloud?”

“Say what?”

“…It would be improper to ask a lady such a question.”

“You misunderstand. I'm asking my future wife.”

Ashley's attempted retort died on her lips. If she objected, she would seem to deny that she was his fiancée; if she agreed, she would have to explain what she had been offering.

Wasn't there a saying about being caught whichever way one turned?

She bit her lower lip and complained curtly.

“That's unfair…”

Her accusation made Theorad laugh. He stopped when Ashley slipped down from her chair and knelt before him.

“Ashley?”

He received no answer. She reached for the fastening of his trousers and began to open it.

So she was serious.

After a moment's hesitation, Theorad decided to let her take the lead. Ashley was a daughter of the powerful Pelgaroin house, accustomed to the respect due her rank. Kneeling before her future husband and trying to please him could not have been easy for her.

“I'll… do it this time…” she murmured.

She lowered his trousers and underclothes, revealing his arousal. The sight left her breathless. She had seen him like this once before, but she was no less shy now.

She had been determined to seduce him; having begun, she suddenly had no idea what came next.

“Th-Theorad… I…”

She was about to ask permission to touch him, then checked herself. She feared that her uncertainty would make her look ridiculous.

I have to remain calm.

If she acted rashly, surely he would be disappointed. Having invited him to be uninhibited, she could hardly behave like a frightened child herself.

She resolved to seem as though she knew exactly what she was doing. Then she reached out and carefully closed her hand around him.

He twitched beneath her touch; her fingers trembled in answer. She had never held him this way before, and the sensation was unfamiliar.

Her jealousy of the elf had once driven her to seek Theorad's attention through her body. This time she had chosen to touch him herself, with no comfortable excuse to hide behind.

“…”

She stared at what she held with the expression of a novice hunter who had caught something unexpectedly and had no idea what to do with it.

It was rather painful to watch. After a moment, Theorad spoke as kindly as he could.

“Ashley. You don't have to do anything you're unfamiliar with.”

“N-no, I can…!”

Whether out of defiance or a sincere desire to please him, she hurriedly began to move her hand. Her touch was clumsy, the rhythm uncertain, and sometimes she stopped in surprise.

Still, her efforts affected him. A little moisture appeared, and when it touched her fingers, Ashley brightened.

“Do you think… I have a talent for this?”

Theorad laughed softly at her hopeful question. Somehow, her wide blue eyes and earnest voice stirred him more than her fumbling caresses.

He was not convinced that she possessed a natural talent, but he had no wish to discourage her.

“I think you do.”

Color spread across her cheeks. Encouraged, she redoubled her efforts, though he did not reach a climax.

Instead, Ashley found herself growing more aroused. She was touching the man she loved, watching his responses, and finding it harder and harder to ignore her own desire.

She tried to restrain herself, but longing overpowered her resolve. Finally she let go, stood, caught her breath, and lifted her skirt.

Her pale thighs and white ruffled underclothes came into view. The fabric was damp enough to reveal how strongly she wanted him.

“I'm sorry…”

Her apology was almost a whisper. Holding her skirt up against her chest, she looked away.

Theorad understood that she could hardly bear to wait. He reached forward and carefully lowered her underclothes. She stepped out of them, leaving herself exposed before him.

For a moment, neither spoke. The sudden intimacy had made them both painfully self-conscious.

“…”

As Ashley struggled to steady her breathing, she remembered lessons from her head maid.

During the month Theorad had been away from home, she had hurried through a course of instruction about married life.

My lady, a woman who only waits for her husband to act is not very appealing. Sometimes you must take the initiative yourself.

Perhaps this was just such a moment.

Remembering her attendant's advice, Ashley climbed onto Theorad's lap. The position left her legs spread around him, which only deepened her embarrassment. It was another of the things her head maid had described; she made herself endure it.

“Wait a moment…”

Theorad was thoroughly bewildered. Ashley rarely acted with such boldness. Their bodies pressed together, and he hardly knew where to direct his eyes.

She was breathing hard, still holding herself close. Her exposed chest was directly before him. He cleared his throat and tried to reason with her.

“Um… this may not be the best idea. There's a bed right over there…”

“…Don't you like it?”

The disappointment in her eyes hurt to see. She was trying so hard; naturally she would feel wounded if he rejected her efforts.

And it was not as if he disliked the position. He considered admitting as much.

“I don't dislike it.”

“Then… do you like it?”

“I wouldn't go quite that far…”

Her expression fell even further. He could no longer bring himself to deny her.

“…All right. I do like it.”

Theorad had surrendered. Ashley smiled faintly and slowly lifted herself into position above him.

Their bodies met intimately. He wanted to draw her down at once, but she hesitated.

It was neither a calculated show of power nor an attempt to test his patience. She remembered the pain of their first time together and could not bring herself to rush.

Theorad understood her reluctance and did not urge her on. Whatever they chose to do, it would be better when she felt ready.

“Ah… I'll…”

With a shy breath, Ashley lowered herself carefully onto him. She winced at the initial discomfort but continued at her own pace.

“Ah… sorry…”

The strain was evident, yet she made no complaint. It seemed to Theorad that something beyond simple desire was driving her.

“Hah… ah…”

When she had settled onto his lap, Ashley began to move cautiously. Theorad watched her endure the discomfort and felt a growing unease. He caught her by the shoulders.

“Ashley. Staying like this could be dangerous…!”

He was worried about losing control while she remained above him. If he could not pull away in time, she might become pregnant.

“I know…”

Ashley was fully aware of that possibility. She had chosen this position despite it. Her jealousy of the elf was never far from her thoughts.

Again and again, she felt that the elf had taken things from her. Ashley might have given Theorad his first kiss, but other moments of intimacy had been claimed by the elf before her.

She desperately wanted one first that would belong to her and no one else.

“I know. I'm doing this because I want to.”

Others might call her foolish or improper. She was ashamed of how recklessly she was acting, but she could not bear to yield. Her lapis-blue eyes trembled as she met his gaze.

Then she lowered her eyes and murmured,

“So… please don't pull away.”