Chapter 27.5: No Time For Romance Part 2

Drenched in sweat and Poppie’s unwashed pee from this morning I leave the smithy, heading for our dining area. Emily is sitting on one of our chairs, served with some tea and biscuits—probably the doing of my most reliable apprentice—her straight purple flowing all the way down to her waist. She’s wearing a summer turn collar collar dress patch with pink laces that, for some reason, makes her look so damn young.

“Hello,” I greet her and take the chair in front. “Sorry, we don’t have time to prepare for guests.”

She blinks a few times, fluttering eyelashes. “I can see you’re busy.”

“Yeah. So, what brings Miss Emily back to our humble home?”

She starts to pout. “You promised you’d show me to the orphanage today.”

When did I even say that? But, because I’m tolerant, I disregard it. It’s not like it’s a bad idea to visit the orphanage before I leave the city tomorrow. I don’t know how long my trip to Mercantile will take after all.

I sigh. “Allow me to apologize for not remembering then.”

“Not to worry, you’re forgiven,” she says.

“Why thank you, Miss Emily,” I say, trying to sound sarcastic.

“You’re welcome, Sir Reimuz,” she finishes with a smile. Slipping her index finger around the handle of the teacup, she picks up her tea and put it against her lips.

“Well let me change into something presentable at least.”

I stand on my feet and drag myself upstairs inside this small room right beside the old man’s. Inside are two tubs, big enough for me to soak in, filled of cold water. Seems like the water’s been changed already. Damn August works fast. I’m ashamed to be the mentor of such a hard-working guy.

Emily POV

“Miss Emily,” I hear someone murmur my name. I tilt my head, and I see a young boy smiling from ear to ear. “Pardon my rudeness, but Grandmaster would be welcoming an important client any moment now. Would it be possible for you to wait for Master inside his room?”

“Of course.”

I’m amazed. He sounds so respectful, like a true gentleman. It makes me wonder to myself. If this is his apprentice, then perhaps this means he has this side too?

“Then if you would, Master’s room is on the second floor, the very last one.”

“Ah,” I flush a little. “Thank you.”

I stand from my chair, and the brown-haired boy ushers me upstairs. He glances at me for a moment, his eyes unreadable, and then he moves his stare at the tight hallway ahead of me.

“It’s just at the end of this corridor,” he says.

I nod and continue. Stepping past three other doors, I reach his supposed room. There’s nothing wrong with this. Just circumstances. Curious to see what his room looks like, I push my way inside. My eyes darted around the area. Reimuz has quite the humble room, with a single bed, and a small dresser on its right, and adorning his warm hues is an exquisite looking sword.

My growing interest, I trace my fingertips along the edges of the sword’s blade. It feels like I’ve seen these markings somewhere, although I can’t point my finger as to where.

“What are you doing in my room?”

My mouth falls open. I turn around, smiling, hoping that he’ll at least let me explain. Reimuz stands on his doorway, his black trousers hanging off his hips. He’s bare chested as well, and the sights of it makes me flush. His dark eyes doesn’t leave mine. It seems like he’s waiting for me to speak, but words refuses to come out of my mouth.

“You’re apprentice… He told me to wait here,” I murmur. My throat is so tight it’s hard to speak.

He sighs, and I feel like one of the knots in my chest loosens.

“Him again, huh?”

“You mean?”

He clears his throats and suddenly, in a single step, he confides me in his arms. Eh… What is this development?

“Emily, I should probably tell you this, but… I do not want us to get involve any more than friends. You’re a good person. A pretty girl. A smart woman. You deserve so much better,” he murmurs, breathing against my lips, his hands trailing all over my waist to hips.

Burning cheeks I breath back, and he accepts the air that exited my lips so willingly. His right hand moves up to my face, pushing my hair slightly.

“So let’s stop this game, Emily,” he breaths again, as if he wants to kiss me, yet the hesitation gleaming in his dark eyes tells me he lacks the courage to do so.

“But you gripping my behind like this doesn’t sound so convincing,” I clutch to his shoulders and squeeze. Like I heard his unspoken thoughts, his hot rod straining from his trousers suddenly nudges my thighs. He’s excited, and he wants me. Bad.

“Don’t... Anymore and I wouldn’t be able to hold myself.”

“A single kiss. Is that too much to ask?”

Oh, what is the world coming into! I can’t believe that just came out of my mouth. But, he’s right indeed. This is what I want. Ever since I was trapped inside that cave, alone and confused, when I thought everything would end, he’s the first person to shed light in that darkness.

“No, but you don’t have an idea what you’re getting into,” he murmurs, using mysterious words to envelop himself in an aura that is so fascinating. Like a moth drawn to an intense flame, his words enthralls me. I want to know him. Everything about him.

“Then enlighten me,” I whisper, my breath scorching his lips.

I wrap a single arm on his neck and bring his mouth down to mine. He accepts, kissing me, forcing my lips apart, enslaving me in a way that hasn’t been done before. My free hand moves to map his chest, and his hand goes to my back, pushing me against his body. I tilt my head and match his rhythm, closing my eyes to enjoy this sensational feeling. I can’t believe that kissing can taste this good. I want more.

Noticing my desire, he grabs my hips and levers me up. I clutch to his neck and snake my legs around his waist, returning his passionate kiss. He leans over to kiss my neck warmly, very thoroughly, and I squirm.

While I’m lost into a series of sensations, he presses me down the bed and reveals my cleavage slightly, proceeding to kiss that exposed area.

“Ahhhh,” I moan, uncontrollable desires coursing through me.

He moves his hands to the side of my breast, under my armpits, and fondle them so delicately. He cups them slowly over my dress, as if to give me a gentle tease.

“You have such beautiful skin,” he murmurs like a child, trailing his lips up to my throat. Savoring his tentative lips tasting my neck, I squirm and moan some more. I clasp his hair with one hand, rocking my body in accordance to his kisses.

Then, all of a sudden, he stops kissing me. I blink in bewilderment. Reimuz gets off me without saying a single word. Even in my innocence, I know he’s not done making love to me. So why did he stop? Am I not good enough as a partner?

“Come, I believe you want to see the orphanage, right?” he says, reaching a hand to me, acting as if nothing happened just now. I take his hand, and he pulls me to sit upright on the bed. I pull the straps of my dress back up and comb my hair with my fingers, totally fixing my messed up appearance.

“Reimuz, I don’t understand.”

“What is?”

I can feel it—my heart’s still pounding. That wasn’t an illusion just now. We kissed, I’m sure of it.

He kneels to his dresser and grabs a plain shirt. Putting that shirt overhead, he straps his sword around his waist and reaches out a hand to me again.

“Stop daydreaming,” he murmurs, smiling a warm and gentle smile.

I flush and take his hand, and he tugs me with him downstairs.