It was already morning, but the sky outside was still dark like an eternal twilight, sunlight struggling to penetrate the dark clouds blanketing the earth. The world seemed still asleep in a blanket of sorrow.
"Mhm..."
Kei's eyelashes fluttered, then slowly opened. Her clear blue eyes tried to adjust to the dim light coming through the window.
"Ouch..."
As soon as her consciousness returned, she immediately felt extraordinary exhaustion throughout her body. Her muscles felt sore, and there was a strange sensation between her thighs that reminded her of last night's events.
"So it wasn't all a dream? I really did it..." She whispered to herself, her voice hoarse from just waking up.
A few moments later, her drowsiness completely disappeared. Seeing Charlie still asleep beside her, his face peaceful in sleep, Kei's euphoria subsided and was replaced by a wave of embarrassment.
"Oh my, that was so embarrassing! That wasn't like me at all!" Her cheeks flushed bright red as she hid her face with her hands. "Charlie-san doesn't think I'm a lewd woman, does he?"
Remembering all the bold words that came out of her mouth last night, Kei, whose rationality had come back online, felt like disappearing into the earth.
"Huff... What's done is done, everything has happened." She sighed deeply, trying to calm her chaotic emotions.
But when her eyes caught the hickey marks clearly visible on her breasts, her embarrassment peaked again.
"Even on my neck too." She complained while touching her neck decorated with 'strawberry marks'. "There's no way to hide it from Aishia-san."
"Then there's no need to hide it."
"Charlie-san?!"
Kei was startled, finding Charlie already awake and watching her with an amused expression.
"Since when were you awake?"
"Guess."
Actually, Charlie had woken up one second after Kei woke up. A Level 6 adventurer's senses couldn't be dull even while sleeping. He just pretended to still be asleep because he was curious to see Kei's reaction after the effects of dopamine and endorphins from last night wore off.
"Charlie-san is so mischievous!" Kei puffed out her cheeks with a sweet pout, then lightly hit Charlie's chest. "If you were already awake, just say so!"
"Sorry, sorry." Charlie chuckled softly, kissing her forehead. "I was just enjoying the view."
His laughter subsided, replaced by an anxious expression. Kei held his hand that was wrapped around her waist.
"Charlie-san... about Aishia-san and Est-chan... How should we... I mean, should we hide our relationship from them?"
"From any woman's point of view, what we did is like having an affair. Aishia-san has always been so kind to me, and now I feel like... like a vixen seducing her boyfriend."
"I don't want to ruin your relationship, and I also can't pretend last night didn't happen."
Hearing all her concerns, Charlie gently flicked the girl's forehead.
"There's a saying that intelligent people tend to overthink. Didn't I already tell you I'm in relationships with other women? Aishia knows about that, and she doesn't care."
Charlie paused for a moment, his large hand stroking Kei's soft white hair, which was now messy because he had pulled it during their hot moments last night.
"So, there's no need to keep anything secret. You're not a mistress, Kei. To Aishia, adding one more woman to mine makes no difference whatsoever."
Kei frowned, still doubtful. "Really? Charlie-san isn't lying to me to put me at ease, right?"
Her eyes were probing, trying to find signs of lies on Charlie's face.
"It's hard to believe there's a woman generous enough to let her man play around with other women. If it were me finding out my boyfriend was cheating, I'd break up with him immediately!"
Charlie chuckled, pulling Kei closer. "Listen, Kei. Aishia isn't an ordinary woman. She's not even human, she's a Spirit. Her way of thinking is different from humans."
His fingers traced Kei's back in circular motions.
"She doesn't mind me being in relationships with many women. On the contrary, she strongly supports me having a harem so I have more emotional bonds."
That wasn't a lie. He had indeed seriously discussed that topic with Aishia. Surprisingly, the spirit girl not only didn't oppose it, but actually gave the green light.
Kei's face gradually brightened.
"Thank goodness, I'm relieved to hear that. I also don't want to lie to Aishia-san and Est-chan."
The worry that had been disturbing her heart since waking up finally disappeared. Kei leaned her head on Charlie's chest, listening to the man's steady heartbeat.
"So... we don't need to hide? I can hold your hand in front of them? Can kiss you when I want?"
"Sure." Charlie answered lightly without burden.
"I understand! That's the polite thing to do." A smile bloomed on her face, Kei was different from her anxious expression a few minutes earlier.
"I'm happy... so happy I don't have to hide my feelings."
She looked at Charlie with sparkling eyes, all her doubts and guilt had disappeared. Now all that remained was happiness because her love was acknowledged, and relief because she didn't have to live in lies.
"But..." Suddenly Charlie spoke again in a teasing tone, "Before we face Aishia... Maybe we have time for another 'practice session'?"
Kei blushed but nodded shyly. It seemed this morning would be a long morning for both of them.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Kei's idea to hide their affair from Aishia was indeed too naive.
Except for Est who was innocent and didn't understand, anyone could tell something was wrong with Kei from the way she walked that morning—her steps were slightly stiff, and she tried to hide her hips.
Moreover, in front of Aishia, Charlie had no secrets whatsoever. In fact, Aishia already knew about the couple's intimacy last night. With her perception as a High-Ranking Spirit, mere walls didn't prevent her from hearing the intense and passionate revelry in the next room.
However, that morning, Aishia acted as usual. She prepared breakfast calmly, her flat face showing no emotion whatsoever.
After everyone finished breakfast, Kei, with her heart pounding fast, dared to reveal last night's activities to Aishia, driven by the honesty she had just promised Charlie.
Kei pulled Aishia to a corner somewhat far from Est and Charlie.
"Aishia-san, there's something I want to tell you..."
"About what?"
"About... my relationship with Charlie-san. We... we already..."
"I know. Last night, right?"
Aishia looked at Kei with her calm eyes.
Kei gasped, her cheeks reddening.
"You... aren't angry?"
"Why should I be angry? Charlie needs more emotional bonds. You make him happy. That's good."
Aishia's reaction was exactly as Charlie said. She didn't mind at all.
Aishia then looked at her with concern.
"On the contrary, I'm worried about you, Kei. It was your first time. Is your body okay? You seemed to walk a bit strangely this morning."
Seeing Aishia's attitude, which showed not the slightest jealousy or anger, Kei was truly moved. The guilt that had been haunting her conscience was completely erased.
"I... I'm fine. Thank you, Aishia-san. You're truly an extraordinary woman."
While Aishia and Kei had a heart-to-heart chat, the innocent Est sat on Charlie's lap, who was listening to the women's conversation.
"Does Onii-chan want to breed with the human woman named Shirogane Kei too? Like what you do with Aishia?"
"Cough cough..." Charlie choked on his saliva. "Est, it's too early for you to discuss adult topics like that. You're still... very young. That's not something you should worry about now."
Quickly he diverted her attention, he took out a chocolate bar from his Space-Time Cache.
"Look! I have special chocolate! Want some?"
Est accepted the chocolate happily, immediately forgetting her question that embarrassed Charlie.
The atmosphere in the room was so harmonious. No jealousy, no competition, not like what often happened in Chinese Emperor's harem palaces full of intrigue.