Chapter 73 : Secret (8)

Of course, Ayla had no intention of ‘pouncing’ on Luna in this situation.

She just wanted to do this.

She wasn’t sure yet. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Luna completely, but rather, she wasn’t sure if she could take responsibility for this, or if Luna truly wanted something like this.

Wouldn’t it be better to talk?

No, if she did that, Luna might end up hating her.

Then again, wouldn’t Luna already find these actions repulsive?

At the very least, the Luna in front of her did not look at Ayla with hatred. She was just extremely flustered, her body trembling slightly.

Ayla’s hands were tightly interlocked with Luna’s.

“Don’t move. You understand, right? I don’t want to lose my personal maid just because of some basic sex education.”

Luna didn’t respond.

But she didn’t reject her either. She merely swallowed dryly once.

Her expression was surprisingly neutral. Though her pupils trembled slightly, her face was damp with sweat, her breathing was ragged, and her cheeks were flushed as if they were melting.

Slowly, Ayla loosened her grip. Luna’s hands, spread out on either side of her face, remained still.

“Good.”

Ayla said this habitually and took a small step back.

Luna’s skin was barely exposed. She was still wearing her usual, conservative maid uniform. But somehow, Ayla found the outfit strangely provocative. Was it because of the situation?

She decided not to undo any buttons.

Ayla sat beside Luna. Not diagonally on the sofa, not lying down, but deliberately scooting closer, gazing intently at Luna’s profile.

Luna’s breath became a little more ragged.

“It’s just as you said, Luna. Even without formal bridal lessons, one can learn the basics. I know how to engage in intercourse. But that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about something more detailed.”

Luna’s throat moved slightly.

Ayla brought her fingers to Luna’s neck. Pressing lightly, she slowly traced downward. Luna’s body shivered. The pulse beneath her fingers was vividly distinct.

Her choker was completely soaked with sweat.

“Most noble marriages happen between people who don’t truly desire each other, right? And that applies to men as well. If they aren’t aroused, the act itself becomes impossible.”

That’s what the book had said.

At least that part seemed reasonable. Maybe it wasn’t always the case, but right now, that detail didn’t matter.

“So, what I learned was about foreplay. Just explaining it with words isn’t enough, is it? You have to feel it with your hands, touch it to understand.”

Her fingers traced back up along Luna’s neck and gently grasped her chin.

Ayla placed her hand on Luna’s cheek and turned her face toward her.

They were so close their noses almost touched, and Luna blinked several times in succession.

“Ayla-nim.”

“Luna, it wouldn’t hurt for you to know. One day, you might have to be in another man’s arms. Noble marriages are often just part of a business arrangement, but if the marriage itself is miserable, won’t the rest of your life be too pitiful? You should know how to enjoy it.”

“Ayla-nim, you…”

There’s something oddly obsessive about this.

Ayla noted Luna’s reaction.

Luna seemed curious about whether Ayla had been involved with someone before.

Why?

Well, some feelings did come to mind. But Luna, who barely knew Ayla, had no reason to feel that way toward her.

She didn’t want to ask. Somehow, her pride wouldn’t allow it.

Not her pride as a noble, but her pride as Ayla.

So instead of answering, Ayla simply turned Luna’s face back to its original position.

Luna, even if she wanted to look this way, couldn’t easily do so anymore.

She let her breath reach Luna’s ears. That was something she had read in a book.

She wasn’t entirely convinced that ears were truly an “erogenous zone,” but she did agree that breath alone could sound sensual.

She deliberately didn’t touch Luna’s chest.

That would be too obvious for a lesson, and besides… she wasn’t entirely sure about going that far just yet.

Instead, Ayla placed her fingers just below the sternum, right where it almost but didn’t quite touch the chest.

Even through the relatively thick fabric, Luna’s body flinched as if her bare skin had been touched.

What Ayla felt was the texture of the cloth, but she could tell there was warm flesh beneath it, even with her eyes closed.

However, humans are creatures that rely on visual information.

Knowing that the person before her was Luna, Ayla wasn’t sure whether to feel at ease or aroused.

Even though she wasn’t tied up, Luna kept her arms spread wide, unable to do anything.

If that fact excited her, she would truly be an uncontrollable pervert.

Slowly, Ayla traced her hand to the side, following the shape of Luna’s ribs and down toward her waist.

Luna’s waist trembled slightly—was she ticklish?

The book had mentioned that ticklish sensations were also linked to sexual sensitivity.

At this point, it seemed ridiculous, but given the atmosphere, it was surprisingly effective.

Perhaps Luna was a pervert too.

Someone who enjoyed feeling helpless, unable to do anything.

Maybe that was why she had asked for the choker around her neck?

If so, that was rather sly.

“Ah-hng!?”

When Ayla lightly tickled Luna’s side, her waist jerked slightly.

So she’s sensitive to tickling?

Ah, right.

He was like that too.

Sometimes, when Ayla playfully tickled his side, he would collapse in laughter.

It wasn’t a technique she could use in duels, but whenever she was feeling particularly petty, she would tease him this way.

And when he got worked up about it, Ayla would simply raise her arms and say:

“Fair’s fair, you can do it to me too.”

But he couldn’t do it.

He just fidgeted with his hands and trembled.

Ayla saw him like that and laughed.

And whenever Ayla smiled, he would also end up smiling.

When they laughed together, all the feelings of resentment and anger disappeared.

But now, he is no longer here.

Ayla left first, so there’s nothing he can say.

Sometimes, he still regrets it.

Would it have been okay to risk his life?

Even if it meant forcing that choice upon him as well.

Luna’s breathing grew rough.

She bit her lower lip and twisted her waist and hips, trying to escape Ayla’s hand.

Seeing her like that, it really seemed as if she were actually tied up.

Ayla slowly moved her hand again.

This time, to the pelvis.

She placed her fingers on the firm pelvic bone beneath Luna’s waist and traced along its ridge.

By the time Ayla’s hand moved back up to her stomach, Luna gasped in surprise.

But, as Ayla had said, she had no intention of going that far.

She was simply trying to teach Luna about “foreplay” as described in books.

Her hand did not go between Luna’s legs.

Instead, it moved just above—to the area where her womb would be.

Slowly, she pressed down on that spot.

“!?”

As if feeling such a sensation for the first time, Luna let out a sharp breath.

Ayla had never experienced such a feeling herself.

Even if she pressed with her own hand, she probably wouldn’t feel anything.

Because having someone else do it is a completely different sensation.

She moved her hand slowly.

Like a mother soothing a child with a stomachache.

“Haah….”

From between Luna’s slightly parted lips, a breath escaped.

It was hard to tell whether it was relief or something more feverish.

Luna’s chest rose and fell.

Even through thick clothing, the movement was clearly visible.

If she felt some kind of excitement from watching that, then perhaps there was something seriously wrong with Ayla.

That would be… a little strange.

Even if she saw Luna as similar to him.

Because he was a man.

“How is it?”

Ayla asked, trying to push the thought away.

“How does it feel? Do you think you’re getting ready?”

Luna didn’t answer.

But the way she bit her lower lip and looked at Ayla with a face drenched in sweat was somewhat satisfying.

Ayla shrugged and said,

“You can move now.”

“Haa…”

Luna took a deep breath and moved her hands.

She slumped onto the sofa.

Normally, she would have quickly gotten up and fixed her posture.

Watching her like that, Ayla stood up—

And then, she suddenly felt something off.

There was a slight discomfort inside her skirt.

She knew exactly what it was.

But still…

“…My clothes are wet. How about changing into something dry?”

“Ah, understood, Lady Ayla.”

Luna sprang up from the sofa.

Yet she still didn’t forget her manners.

She turned to Ayla and deeply bowed, even though her disheveled state made it difficult.

Then, she backed away toward the door, reaching for it—

Only to realize too late that it was locked.

After two attempts, she finally managed to open it and left the room.

“…Oh my god.”

Only then did Ayla realize what she had done.

Regret hit her all at once.

Oh my god.

And in a house with guests, no less.

She clutched her head, then ran her hands over her face.

Then she remembered that she needed to change her own clothes too, and let out a deep sigh.