Lilia suddenly started asking rapid-fire questions about nobility while they rested after the boss battle.
"So, if we get married, what am I expected to do? Would I have to attend balls or learn to dance? Are we still going to dive in dungeons? How many children will we have? Does se-sex hurt? Giving birth would hurt more, RIGHT!?"
She grew more flustered with each question until she started shouting just to get it all out.
Bastion waited for her to calm down before answering.
"There are no expectations other than being our personal wizard," he said calmly. "Remember, I'm marrying you to add you to our future adventuring party."
"Only the main wife is required to attend social gatherings," Bastion explained. "You're safe, unless you want to participate. In that case, yes, you may take lessons from Elyra."
"Yes, we'll still level up, although it might not always be in dungeons."
"As for sex, it only hurts the first time, when your virginity is taken and the hymen breaks. After that, it's generally a pleasurable experience, unless… you prefer pain with your sex."
He gave her a pointed look.
"Giving birth will definitely hurt more, though. I'd ask your mother about that, if I were you," Bastion said before giving her a more scientific answer. "Although studies have shown that women are flooded with oxytocin during and after childbirth, which strengthens bonding with the child, this hormone also plays a role in reducing the intensity of painful memories, helping to lessen the emotional impact of the experience and increasing the likelihood of choosing to go through childbirth again."
"Anything else?"
"…No," Lilia answered quietly.
"Would you mind telling me why you're suddenly interested?"
"When I went home to visit my parents," she began, pausing slightly, "there was another woman with them."
Bastion raised an eyebrow but let her continue.
"I may have… caught all three of them enjoying themselves in bed when I walked in."
She exhaled hard, visibly flustered.
"They sat me down afterward and explained that they've been wanting to open their relationship for a long time, but were too focused on their adventures. When I was born, they put everything aside to raise me. Now that I've moved out, they wanted to enjoy life again… so they started seeing other people."
"That actually sounds nice. Good for them," Bastion said, then added gently, "Although I'm sorry your image of their steady, monogamous relationship got shattered."
"It's fine. I'm not a child anymore. I don't need to be coddled."
"That's the thing about relationships," Bastion said as he moved closer, putting an arm around her waist. "We're allowed to coddle each other, as much as the other allows."
"…Okay. Just a little," she murmured, leaning in and letting herself get comfortable beside him.
"Now, I can't give you what you truly want," Bastion said honestly. "Between Elyra and Seraphina, I'm already committed beyond a monogamous life. But I can give you alone time with me when I'm free. It won't be all the time, and sometimes it may have to wait… but I'll do my best."
He gave her a small smirk.
"So long as you complain properly. Otherwise, I might just forget. Indefinitely."
"As an example," Bastion said, "Elyra wants regular pampering, head pats, skinship, and, when she's in heat, intense, continuous, non-stop lovemaking."
Lilia's face flushed.
"Seraphina… well, she's been busy, so we haven't built a proper dynamic yet. But you can start thinking about how you'd like to spend our time together."
"Like what?" she asked, curiosity sparking through the blush.
"Like going on dates by ourselves and pretending we're exclusive. Just the two of us."
She narrowed her eyes, suspicious. "How would you know what that's like?"
"I'll tell you after we graduate. I promise."
"Fine. Keep your secrets," she huffed, then paused in thought. "Alright. Dates are fine. I'll try it."
"Excellent. Meet me after classes tomorrow, and I'll take you out."
"What should I wear?"
"Casual is fine."
With that settled, the group wrapped up their break and dove into the dungeon two more times. Each dive was faster and smoother than the last.
"This really is more efficient than the orc dungeon," Lilia said after their third and final run of the day.
"We should hit level 50 by the end of the term," Bastion added confidently.
The next day, classes went by as usual, until the final bell. By then, Lilia was a fidgeting mess.
"You don't have to be so nervous," Bastion said, trying to calm her with a soft smile. "It's just going to be us."
"That's precisely why I'm nervous," she replied, adjusting her sleeves for the fifth time.
"Well, relax. We're not going to be doing anything wild."
"What exactly do you consider wild?" Lilia asked, giving him a skeptical look.
"Wild would be twenty-four hours of continuous sex," Bastion answered smoothly. "Mundane would be... well, that's a secret for now."
"You can't just hint that 'mundane' includes mild sex and then say it's a secret!"
"Don't worry," Bastion said, taking her hand and gently leading her out of the academy castle. "There won't be any sex."
"Where are we going?" she asked, curious but still wary.
"To the Beast Warren."
Her eyes widened. "We're not about to have sex with the animals watching, are we?"
"That would definitely fall under wild," Bastion replied with a chuckle.
They made their way to the Beast Warren, where a student stood waiting at a discreet side entrance.
"My lord," the student greeted, bowing politely before gesturing them in.
"Relax, Casian. We're just here for a date, nothing suspicious."
"Of course, my lord."
Casian led them around the main housing unit and through a series of secured passages until they arrived at the nursery, where young beasts were kept for early bonding and taming. It was a high-security area due to the risk of scent imprinting, which could accidentally mark visitors as parental figures and disqualify them from distribution.
Deeper in was the adolescent section, where already-bonded or tamed beasts were housed temporarily before being delivered to their owners. It was less restricted, but still not open to the general student body.
"You have one hour, my lord," Casian said.
"Thank you, Casian. I'll put in a good word with your father," Bastion replied, slipping him a platinum coin.
Casian took the coin, bowed again, and said, "You have my utmost thanks, my lord," before retreating.
"Come," Bastion said, holding Lilia's hand as he led her inside.
They stepped into the kennel, and Lilia's eyes lit up instantly at the sight of dozens of young animals bounding about. Playful creatures filled the spacious enclosure, their small bodies brimming with energy as they eagerly pounced on the newcomers.
The kennel specialized in furred animals of all kinds, each one well cared for and eager for attention. There were moon foxes, ember hares, duskfang cubs, star-furred marmots, and mist lynxes.
Within moments, Lilia was surrounded by a lively swarm, her delighted laughter echoing through the space. She buried her hands in their soft fur, gathering them into her arms as they squirmed and nuzzled closer, all vying for her affection.
They spent a joyful hour together before Casian arrived to pick them up.
"So, how is the date so far?" Bastion asked.
"It was so much fun. I had no idea they had this here," she replied excitedly, clinging to Bastion's arm.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, but we aren't done yet."
Their next stop was the stables, where the beasts used for riding were kept.
"Are we going riding next? I don't know how to ride."
"Don't worry. I'll teach you."
Their date continued with basic horse riding lessons, Bastion taking personal care in teaching her. Then they rented two horses and took a scenic tour around the Beast Warren as the sun set over the mountain range.
Afterwards, they shared a lavish dinner in Bastion's room, courtesy of Elyra.
"Thank you, Bastion. I had more fun than I thought."
"I'm glad."
"Was that really all a date was?"
"Yes. You spend time with the person you're interested in until you fall in love and then proceed from there."
"I had so much fun, but really, we didn't do much."
"That's how dating works. You could even dive into a dungeon and call it dating. What matters is that you're with someone you're interested in and have fun along the way."
"Does it also include this fancy meal with too many utensils?"
"Yes. This is just a small glimpse into nobility. You use the utensils from the outside in, following the order of the courses served. Sit up straight and avoid leaning over your plate. Bring the food to your mouth, not your mouth to the food. Never slurp; take small, quiet bites and chew with your mouth closed. And no matter what, never show the inside of your mouth, even when laughing," Bastion explained, outlining the basics of proper table etiquette.
"This is hard and complicated," Lilia said, doing her best not to spill her soup.
"And incredibly annoying, but it's the bare minimum of noble etiquette," Bastion added.
"So, tell me about your childhood," Bastion said, trying to distract Lilia from the overwhelming rules.
"Nothing much to tell. I was raised by my adventurer parents and personally educated from a young age to cast spells," she began. "I earned the Mystic Water Mage class at eighteen and got accepted into the academy after my parents applied for me."
"No boys?"
"They were terrified ever since they tried bullying me and I fought back. I had no friends growing up because of it, but at least no one messed with me, unlike the other boy my age who was bullied constantly."
"Sounds like it could have been a love story."
"Except we never talked."
"You didn't fulfill your role as the knight in shining armor?"
"That was supposed to be what the boy should do."
"Hence your love story never blossomed."
"I'm here now, right?"
"Yes. To my absolute pleasure."
The conversation continued until dinner was finished, and Bastion escorted her back to her dorm.
"Thank you for the lovely night, Bastion," Lilia said, fidgeting nervously.
"We don't have to kiss yet, you know."
"I want to," she replied in a small voice.
"Then just close your eyes."
She obliged, closing her eyes and looking up expectantly.
Bastion bent down, placed a finger under her chin, and kissed her for a few seconds before pulling away.
"Good night, Lilia," Bastion said as he walked away.
"Good nai~" she murmured, then mindlessly closed the door with herself still outside.
"Kyaa!" she squealed, realizing her mistake.
She hurriedly opened the door again and rushed inside, face flushed with embarrassment.
Bastion chuckled softly before returning to his room, where a needy Elyra was sprawled naked on the couch.
"Does my little puppy want some affection as well?"
"Yes, Master."
"Come," he commanded.
Elyra pounced eagerly, and they enjoyed a long night of lovemaking until morning.
-----
Support me on Patreon
patreon/babywrath