NOVEL NEXT Chapter 171: Respite with Greed!
Mel's feet tapped lightly on the ground, her hand covering her teasing, mischievous grin.
"Rosana... I didn't expect you to be that sort of person..."
Mel shook her head, then sighed exaggeratedly.
"To think you're so frustrated over a loss... how unexpected of you."
Rosana raised a brow; her questioning look burrowed into Mel despite the distance.
Then, her lips curled up. "Frustrated? What could you be talking about?"
Oh. Playing into my trick intentionally, I see?
"That hum just now."
Mel loosely pointed at Rosana, her index finger sneakily twirling.
"What could you be thinking otherwise? It can't be pettiness over a loss, right?"
Just as Rosana processed a witty retort, a refreshing echo coursed through Rosana's veins.
Her raised brows lowered to a slight frown, a little perturbed at her body being invaded by a strange sense.
Yet as she glanced at Mel's twirling index finger again, they rose back to a flat line of ease.
Her nose tingled at the faint mana trace, reminiscent of Mel casting her <Echo Magic>.
"Heh heh." Mel chuckled. "Better?"
Rosana tried, gripping and loosening her fist.
Her hasty breaths that she pushed down gradually faded to dust; the melted, lingering frost at her hands and body gradually faded to a refreshing coolness.
Her veteran sense identified it; her injuries were not healed, but her body was strengthened with returning stamina and vigor to combat her wounds instead.
"Better." Rosana softly smiled at Mel. "What a strange Magic. I wouldn't have normally allowed it, but... thanks."
Receiving the 'thanks' from the always humble Dragoness, a bubbly, mischievous giggle escaped from Mel.
"Then, as a thanks, tell me what you're humming earlier!"
"That I would deny."
"Hey! No fair!"
Mel pouted a little before loosening her teasing smirk.
She had planned to lure out the Heiress's annoyance with an 'obviously wrong and rude assumption', then bait her out to admit she was jealous of them.
But watching Rosana's smirking, albeit softening expression, a tenderness soon melted into Mel's smile.
Awkwardness lingered in the air, as Mel's heart drummed slightly into her chest.
Her steps then moved, carefully drawing their distance closer.
A weird sense of timidness drummed her heart; yet Mel also recognised the sootheness of this silence between them.
And with a crack, her boot stepped onto the ice.
She stopped and glanced up; the Heiress's red gaze towered over her with a cheerful glee.
Mel merely hugged Rosana on instinct; her chin tugging just below Rosana's shoulder.
She yelped happily as Rosana reciprocated. How unfair. Now her mood to joke completely flew away.
Mel hugged tighter, squirming comfortably as Rosana's palms settled on her back.
"We could use this more often."
Clinging to Rosana's skin, Mel paused before loosening her strength, remembering Rosana's injury.
Yet as if disagreeing, Rosana sank further into her body; the sensuality jolting Mel's senses.
"I agree." Rosana nuzzled her chin onto Mel's shoulder. "The teasing back-and-forth will not tire me, but it's nice to feel..."
Another hesitation. Yet Mel caught onto the word with another chuckle as well.
"Equal."
Mel muttered the word. "Maybe if you don't prey this and prey that, we could both feel much more fulfilled, don't you think?"
Rosana's lips gaped, sorting out her words before curving again for a small smile.
"I never lower you to a mere snack, my prey."
Rosana then drew back; her doting gaze locked onto Mel's, whose golden eyes bore the same attachment.
"You are my possession."
Rosana declared. "If you're owned by others, I merely have to steal you from them, as the will of the North dictated."
"Oh?" Mel's smirk widened to a foxy grin. "You were jealous back then, huh?"
A breath hitched in Rosana's throat before her lips broke away into a resigned smile.
"I am."
[ Greed's unbeating heart was almost pierced through by your tease! Keep it up, Mel! ]
[ Greed favourability: 58 -> 59 ]
Rosana took a deep breath. "My my. It seems my composure needed a slight... improvement as well."
"Oh, please don't."
Mel whined, her waist swaying with a complaining pout.
"You're cuter this way. I like things cute, especially when a person is normally restrained or mannered."
Remembering a certain Saintess who refused to budge, her pout almost threatened to bloat, but she immediately puffed the frustration out.
Tonight! Everything would come clean tonight!
[ ... ]
Ignoring a certain system panel's threatening '...' again, Mel locked gaze with Rosana's.
The ruby eyes were straight, unquivering, yet bore only curiosity with a hint of affection.
Mel's lips parted; her honesty almost claiming her.
Then she shook her head. No no no, she shouldn't be seduced by her own target! Maria must have planted something weird in her for her to submit like this easily.
"Ah, right!"
Then, Mel took out a bento from her <Inventory>.
The bento was carved rectangular; the firm lid could not cover the steam from within.
"Ta-da!"
Mel's hand clutched the bento right before her lips, her eyes curving above the wooden lid.
"Something I cook today. It's my first try cooking properly for someone as well!"
Then she mumbled out. "All thanks to my Lila. Isn't she incredible?"
To this, Rosana merely sent a flat gaze.
Mel briefly froze; ah, she screwed up.
As Rosana's hand neared her pink head, her shoulders hunched in fear despite knowing that Rosana wouldn't harm her.
Yet as she was petted, Mel froze a little; the Dragoness's mischievousness unmistakable, as if mimicking her earlier.
"Is it for me?"
Despite Mel's hazy mind, she nodded.
"Thank you."
With a whisper from Rosana, she then pulled Mel by the hand.
Their steps were in sync, their heartbeat drumming with the same rhythm as their shadows finally escaping the 'ice wasteland' that Lila created.
"Shall we eat now?"
Rosana plopped down casually. "You don't have plans to attend today's lecture, right?"
Mel's cheek flushed at this comment, not at the content but at Rosana's knowing tease reminiscent of Maria's.
"Su-sure!"
As she sat down, Mel made a silent resolve to herself.
To never, ever let Rosana and Maria meet properly.
Or she was definitely going to have a bad time! Really, really bad time!