Chapter 40 – Part 2

Raniero thought so and stared at Angelica's face, whose eye level had become similar to his. After making eye contact with her for a long time, she rolled her eyes down as if to avoid her gaze. Even though he knew it meant she was obedient, he was not satisfied with it anymore.

'...Have I gotten used to it?'

The exact reason was not known.

He then grabbed Angelica's hand and made her wrap his own cheek. Slim, soft, and warm hands... Perhaps, it was a personal preference, the tips of her nails were rounded and neatly trimmed.

Now, he was used to this feeling.

As she ran her thumb across his lips, it was her subconscious habit.

Raniero did not miss that moment, biting her fingertips. When the wet touch grazed her, Angelica responded immediately. He then tucked her hair behind her ears and raised his eyes before gazing at Angelica.

Because her head was subtly lifted, he raised his eyes slightly.

When their eyes met, Raniero put a smile on his eyes. A look of trouble appeared on her face at his blatant seduction. Angelica bowed her head with her thumb between his lips. At the same time, her cheeks, ears, and even her neck were starting to flush pink.

Raniero's plans to get her to fret and beg first fell apart. His voice, which became sweet as if it was going to linger, whispered.

"Kiss me."

Meanwhile, his hand caressed her back, searching for the ribbon that tied her dress as his other hand slipped through the hem of the long dress. Angelica could not help but clasp his cheeks with her hands and press her lips onto him.

As she smeared her lips on his to the point where it felt almost rustily, she eventually opened her mouth breathlessly.

"It's still too bright..."

Leaping to his feet, Raniero supported her hips. Startled, Angelica made a sound—Euup—sound in surprise and clung onto him as though she were hanging on. Suddenly, his sharp fangs bit the nape of her neck the next moment.

A cry, as if in pain, rushed through Raniero's ear.

"It hurts..."

"Of course, it hurts."

Raniero made his way to the bedroom without hesitation.

"Because I bit you to hear that."

As if rebelling against his words, Angelica's lips abruptly bit his neck. However, it was only as far as what her boldness allowed. She could not even press her teeth, and Angelica just stiffened her body with her lips alone.

It seemed that she was surprised at what she had done impulsively.

Raniero let out a laugh as clear as a bell and fell on the bed as he embraced her. Although Angelica tried to raise her head, her hands that were wrapped around the back of her head prevented her from doing so. With her lips still on her neck, he spoke cheerfully.

"Press your teeth down."

He could feel the short breath against the nape of his neck. Fully nested in her body, Raniero crawled and untied the ribbon from Angelica's back.

"Try to hurt me, darling."

At his words, her front teeth gently brushed his skin, but it was just grazing.

A chuckle of laughter echoed from the inside of Raniero's throat.

"More."

Only then did a slight force enter her chin.

Nonetheless, it was not enough to make him hurt. As he caressed her bare back with his hands, Raniero uttered with a shallow breath.

"More..."

No matter how much he encouraged her to do more, Angelica could not cross a certain line. Even if he asked her to bite him hard, he would not feel any pain. It was both cute and amusing.

As Angelica said, the sun was high.

Even if he played as much as he wanted, there would still be plenty of time until dinner.

Raniero thought he should cancel his attempt to sit with the young paladin over dinner.

________

The unpleasantness, which had created a very subtle rift, seemed to be smoothed over and over again after tormenting the meek and timid Angelica. Even if her gaze rested on that young man for a while, in the end, she was the one who would eventually whine and suffer the vehemence in his arms.

It was censured to happen, thanks to the fact that the dagger he threw hit her in the eye on the portrait.

Raniero's mood, which had gradually improved like that, began to disperse and shatter again after a particular incident.

It started with a very Actilus-like vent.

The Actilus Knights Commander had asked for permission to apply for a match with the paladins of the Temple of Tunia. For Raniero, there was no reason to refuse. He was rather pleased that there was an entertainment event.

And so, one event was chosen from each side.

The paladins wanted a jousting match with a spear, and the Knights of Actilus wanted a three-on-three ground battle with weapons wielded freely.

However, Angelica did not want to attend the event.

It was understandable considering her personality. While she finished the hunt with the help of Raniero and was elevated to the logic of power, her essence was still a weak human. Her frailty may not be able to withstand the flow of blood in today's battle.

Nevertheless, somehow, it did not seem to be because of her inclination.

Angelica's intention not to watch the match came only after she was informed by a promising paladin named 'Eden' who would neither participate nor attend the event.