RISE OF EROS

"That's a very cold welcome, dear wife," Andrew said, feigning hurt, but Carolina didn't buy his act and replied, "You only come to the lab to bother me or to ask for something. Drop the act."

Andrew laughed at Carolina's words but didn't take it too seriously, knowing she was only pretending to be annoyed. Without any shame, he got close, leaned in, and gave her a tender kiss.

It was clear she wasn't actually upset; she received the kiss calmly and even wrapped her arms around his neck. Andrew placed his hands between Carolina's lower back and the chair she was sitting on, lifting her.

He then took the seat and set her on his lap. Now they were close, looking at each other. Carolina smiled and said, "See? You just came to bother me," to which Andrew smiled and kissed her again.

After they pulled apart, Andrew said, "But you like it, don't you?" Carolina didn't respond, only kissed him back. They shared a few more kisses, and before things could get more heated, Carolina resumed the previous conversation, "So, what do you need?"

"I just wanted to see and kiss my wife," Andrew replied innocently, and Carolina gently tapped his nose, replying, "Stop playing around." Andrew smiled and stopped teasing her.

Then he started telling her the reason for his visit. Andrew leaned his head back against the chair, adopting a more serious expression, though the playful spark remained in his eyes.

"So," he finally said, "What do you think about using those healing potions you can make? I know there aren't many, but maybe we could use them to strengthen some alliances."

Carolina looked at him, analyzing the idea. She couldn't deny that crafting healing potions took her time and effort. Each drop of her brews required hard-to-find ingredients and complex processes that only she mastered.

It wasn't something she could make in large quantities. However, she knew they were highly valued, and perhaps, if used wisely, those few units could yield significant results. "Maybe," she replied, thinking out loud, "But we need to decide carefully who to give them to. We can't just sell them to anyone." Andrew nodded, fully agreeing.

"Exactly," he said, gently stroking Carolina's back, and continued, "I think it would be best to focus on those we want to keep a close and stable relationship with. For instance, the royal family of Dunnas. They've proven to be loyal allies and have always respected our work."

Carolina frowned, reflecting. "You're right," she said and added, "Also, the Pixoy family from the Duchy of Cannes could benefit. They've been on good terms with us and have helped us a lot, so it's a good way to return their support."

Andrew smiled, pleased to see they were on the same page. His fingers continued to slowly and reassuringly caress Carolina's back, a gesture she found comforting, though she knew Andrew was always seeking a closer approach.

"So," Andrew murmured softly, "Shall we split them between Dunnas and the Pixoys? We could give about 10 potions per month to each. I think that would be enough to keep a steady flow of support without straining your resources or energy."

Carolina nodded with a half-smile, "Yes, that sounds like a good plan," she replied and added, "I don't want to feel pressured to overproduce, but this would allow us to maintain a solid relationship with both families. Plus, it lets me focus on improving the formula and ensuring each potion is truly effective."

Andrew gave her an intense look, and Carolina noticed how her words captivated him. However, there was warmth in his gaze that transcended mere strategy; she could feel his admiration transforming into something deeper, more personal.

He took her hand, and with a loving gesture, pulled her toward him, "You know I admire the dedication you put into everything you do, right?" he whispered, leaning in to kiss her again.

Their lips met in a soft kiss, filled with a warmth Carolina felt vibrate within her. As their lips joined, they both seemed to lose themselves in the moment, setting aside any concerns or conversation.

Carolina, wrapped in Andrew's arms, felt him draw her closer, his hands holding her gently, as if afraid she might slip away at any moment. She clung to his shoulders, and he held her firmly as the heat between them intensified.

He lifted her and, carefully, carried her to the small table in the lab. Carolina felt her breathing hitch but also noticed the care with which Andrew ensured not to discomfort her. There was something special in the way he touched her, in how each kiss and caress seemed like a promise of eternal love.

The lab, usually a place for focus and work, had transformed into an intimate haven just for them. Amid kisses and whispers, the worries of the world faded away. Their whispers grew softer as they synchronized perfectly, sharing a moment where time seemed to stop.

After a while, Carolina lay against Andrew's chest, both breathing calmly in the warm silence that lingered after them. Andrew wrapped his arms around her, cradling her as if she were the most precious thing in his life.

"You know," he said, breaking the silence with a gentle voice, "I could get used to these moments with you in the lab. Maybe I should come to see you more often."

Carolina let out a soft, knowing laugh as she nestled a bit closer to him, "If you come every time you need an excuse to distract yourself," she replied, looking at him with a smile, "We'll end up producing more distractions than potions."

He chuckled and kissed her forehead tenderly. "Then I better work harder to come up with more convincing excuses to see you." Carolina smiled and closed her eyes, allowing herself to be carried away by the tranquility of that moment.

It wasn't as if they'd never had sex in the lab, since when Carolina didn't have control over her ability, she tended to get lost in her work, and Andrew would have to come and pull her out of that state, with sex being the best way to do it.

Still, that was a long time ago and in a different lab, so this time felt a bit different. Both felt comfortable and romantic, so they weren't wild, and afterward, they remained embraced like newlyweds.

Even so, a couple of hours had passed since Andrew arrived, so their activity couldn't exactly be defined as calm, and the sweat along with the obscene fluids covering them showed as much.

After cuddling for a while, they got up and dressed. They were messy and needed a bath, so they left the lab to go to the massive private bath they had to clean up.

What they didn't know, or were perhaps too occupied to notice, was that Aki had been watching them, and seeing them head to the bath, she went ahead and called the whole harem to join in.

By the time Andrew and Carolina entered, they saw Aki, Zany, Helena, Candice, and Victoria bathing in the enormous tub that looked more like a hot spring pool. "Were you spying on us, Aki?" Andrew immediately asked, realizing what was happening. Carolina, on the other hand, didn't react and shamelessly walked over to wash herself.
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She couldn't get into the tub like this, so she proceeded to clean herself first. She didn't mind that the girls knew she'd just had sex with Andrew, as it wasn't the first time. In fact, they all had sex together almost every night, so there was nothing to be ashamed of.

Andrew wasn't embarrassed either; he just wanted to tease Aki for being a peeper, but the petite girl played dumb and didn't respond, making everyone else laugh at the interaction.

In the end, Andrew could only shake his head and followed Carolina to clean up before joining everyone in the tub. Carolina, who had started earlier, was already ready and walked over to where her sister-wives were.

As soon as she entered, all the girls started teasing her for monopolizing Andrew, but she defended herself, saying that she was the one who'd been "attacked," and that she hadn't seduced him.

The girls laughed joyfully, only playfully teasing each other, and Andrew, watching from the side, felt an overwhelming happiness. He had just finished cleaning and was about to join them in the tub when he sensed that Carmen, along with his sons and daughters, was leaving the Palace of Cannes.

Andrew monitored everything inside the Heavenly Palaces, so he wouldn't miss his children leaving. This alarmed him a bit, as with the assassination attempts he had suffered, he didn't want to expose his children.

However, he soon saw that Castor, Oliver, and Sansa were following them, so he relaxed. While they weren't the most powerful experts in the world, they were the strongest guardians under Andrew, providing the best security possible.

Even though he still wasn't entirely comfortable letting his children go out, he couldn't keep them locked up all the time, and the kids had already grown tired of Dunnas' scenery, so the city of Cannes was appealing to them.