The Matter of Me Being Picked Up and Adopted by Talula Chapter 49

"Sister Ta?"

Orson looked up and saw Talula in front of him, holding something in her hands with a look of concern on her face.

"Evening... um, do you have time?" Talula took out the item she was holding. It was a real chess board.

The leader, who always had an upright and calm expression, was now somewhat shifty-eyed as she tried to invite Orson.

"Well... I guess a little relaxation now and then wouldn't hurt."

Orson nodded, got up, and walked into the room with Talula.

"It feels like ages since I last played chess with you, Sister Ta."

Orson arrived at Talula's room, sighing with emotion as he sat down by the table.

"Mm, six months, at least, to be precise."

Talula gently locked the door and replied to Orson.

"Wow, Sister Ta, you remember that clearly."

"—I was just saying it offhand!"

Talula immediately retorted, but then sighed and calmed herself down.

—Honestly, what am I so nervous about?

Talula placed the chessboard on the table, then sat down opposite Orson, her bright eyes fixed on the young man in front of her.

"Do you want to go first, Sister Ta?"

Orson set up the board and asked Talula.

"Hm? Oh... okay."

Talula responded somewhat distractedly, picking up the actual wooden pieces on the board, not the ones Orson had drawn with pen and paper.

"When I come to my senses, it all feels like a dream."

Talula moved a pawn, speaking softly.

"A year ago, we were just scattered sand, aimlessly wandering and struggling to survive. But today, we can be in Kazimierz City with legal status, without hiding, out in the open, playing chess like this."

Talula looked at Orson, but the young man's gaze remained focused on the chessboard.

"Yeah, the Emperor hasn't pursued us, and the other old noble factions can't make a move for now, I suppose."

Orson replied while contemplating the game.

No—

"No... that's not what I wanted to say, Orson...!"

Talula rested her finger on a piece but didn't move it this time.

Playing chess is just a pretext. What I truly want to do, what I truly want to say is—

Talula suddenly stood up and walked in front of Orson.

"Huh...? Sister Ta...?"

Cornered by Talula, Orson was confused about what she was suddenly doing.

"Orson, stand up and close your eyes."

Talula said in an almost commanding tone, and Orson, still confused, complied.

"Sister Ta, I should mention it's not my birthday today. If you're preparing a birthday surprise, the timing is definitely off—"

Before he could finish, Orson felt something soft and warm press firmly against his lips. Then, his body was tightly embraced.

The shock of the development made him accidentally open his eyes. Orson saw Talula hugging him tightly, her face flushed as she buried her head in his chest. The reason for her blushing was clearly related to the lingering warmth on his lips.

"...The moment I saw you suddenly collapse after the battle, Orson, I felt like my heart skipped a beat too."

Talula whispered softly against Orson's chest.

"I never felt fear facing the Inner Guard or the old noble factions, but in that moment, I was so terrified I froze. My mind went blank. I was afraid that if no 'miracle' appeared this time, you might just leave me completely."

Talula released her embrace and looked at Orson. She felt shy about her current state but also a sense of relief from not having to suppress her emotions.

"I've thought more than once if I truly deserve to be saved by you like this, again and again. All I've ever done for you was not to swing my greatsword down in that village, but what you've done for me... is far too much. Always, always like this."

Talula rubbed her eyes. This young dragon, who always considered herself a fighter, didn't want to show her vulnerability to others, especially to the one she liked.

"It's not like that, Sister Talula. You've helped me a lot too. If it weren't for you, I might have—"

"No need to say such polite things, Orson." Talula interrupted him and led him to the bedside.

"You know, I'm not here to settle any debts between us. And if we did, I owe you far, far too much... Just consider it my despicable, low means. Only tonight—tonight, can you... not see me as the leader of Reunion, nor as a tyrant needing assistance, but as... as... an ordinary Sankta... woman...?"

As she spoke, Talula's voice trailed off. This girl, who had never known what love was, found saying such things to be incredibly embarrassing.

What am I even doing... This is too much... Ugh...

Talula lay back on the bed, covering her face with her hands. Even so, she couldn't stop the blush from deepening, and her tail was wagging uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, Orson's face was also flushed. A few minutes ago, he never would have imagined Talula would say such things to him. He also never expected that the always cool and collected Talula would be twisting and turning on the bed, covering her face, like a real girl.

There's an old saying in Yan Country: "When the rice is in the bow, you have no choice but to cook it."

Orson took a deep breath and first used Rest Note to turn off the lights in the room.

For a moment, darkness engulfed them, leaving only the faint moonlight to vaguely illuminate their silhouettes.

Then, Orson applied Tuning to Black Serpent's curse—after all, no one wanted what was about to happen to be broadcast live to that Black Serpent.

"Sister Talula—Talula, is this really okay?"

Orson looked at the young Sankta, asking for her will one last time.

"I... I'm afraid of losing you, Orson, so even if it's just for today, hold me tight and let me know you're still here. Then, smooth out this surging, roaring excitement within me."

Talula got up from the bed, straddling her legs in a cross-legged position. Then, while suppressing the shame that was about to erupt, she slowly unfastened her noble uniform.

Although Talula had taken off her clothes many times before to enter Koschei's consciousness domain, this was the first time she was doing it in front of Orson, and she knew very well that this time was completely different.

Her jacket was removed, revealing Talula's simple undergarments in the air, but this time, the young dragon did not stop.

Under the dim moonlight, the innocent Sankta shed all her "disguises." Her fair, slender body, tempered by numerous battles, was revealed to Orson for the first time in its entirety, like an unadorned sculpture.

"...Um, I regret it a little—"

The coolness on her chest made Talula pull out a pillow and hug it to her. Even though she had prepared herself, the young dragon was still unable to be as decisive as when commanding Reunion. Instead, she hesitated, shy, and faltered, unsure whether she should continue.

"It's a bit late to regret it now, Talula. Since you are the leader guiding us forward, you should understand how important the words spoken by those in high positions are."

"I understand, but Orson... I really— Gah!?"

Talula, who was still turning her head to prepare herself mentally, was suddenly pinned to the bed by a force. The pillow in her hand was forcibly torn apart by Rest Note, its stuffing scattering and falling, not only failing to conceal Talula's body but also making the young dragon appear pitiable, a stark contrast to her usual composed demeanor.

"Orson... you're hurting me— Orson?"

Talula tried to break free from the grip of Orson's hands, but he pressed her down tightly. She could only writhe slightly, trying to shield her completely exposed skin.

Talula suddenly realized that something seemed to be wrong with Orson's condition.

—Did this idiot use Tuning on himself...!

Talula finally understood. Orson, fearing she would "flee at the last moment," had decided to give himself a reverse "wise man's moment."

"You... you— you idiot!"

Thump!

"Gah!"

Talula, with tears welling up in her eyes, delivered a powerful headbutt, jolting Orson out of his Tuning state.

"I want the real you... Th-that, um... Anyway, don't use those weird things...!"

Talula said, her face flushed. Orson, who had snapped back to his senses, also realized that he was the one who had panicked more.

"I'm sorry, Talula... I understand."

Orson, now clear-headed, canceled his Tuning on himself. However, he maintained his position, pinning Talula down, and could clearly feel her chest rising and falling with her heated breaths.

"..." "..."

They remained in this position for a moment of silence.

"Uh, Orson?"

Talula blinked, asking Orson why he wasn't moving.

"I... um, I don't know what to do next."

Orson, with over 20 years of virgin experience, said with extreme awkwardness.

"...I'm not very clear on this either."

Talula turned her head. Although Koschei had taught her all sorts of wisdom, skills, and ways to deal with people, that Black Serpent had never spoken to Talula about matters between men and women, and Talula herself had never considered such things.

"—" "—"

The straightforward girl and the virgin stared at each other, and the slightly taboo atmosphere that had just been built up instantly vanished.

"...How about I go ask Koschei?"

Talula's surprising suggestion.

"Huh??"

"No... I'm sorry, I, I also feel a bit—"

Realizing she had said something absurd, Talula covered her face and wagged her tail again.

"Whatever, let's take it one step at a time...!"

Orson gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, reaching out to gently caress the young dragon's body.

"Mmm...!"

Although she had never experienced or even understood matters between men and women, the young Sankta's still tender body could still perceive the pleasure ingrained in her instincts.

At first, their touches were hesitant and stiff, but soon, they began to merge. In her attempt to suppress the overwhelmingly forbidden pleasure, the young dragon accidentally bit her lip. The blood flowing from her lips onto her fair skin, however, only further ignited Orson's deeper desires—

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After one night.

"Orson, you don't mind explaining, do you?" "Orson~ Did something happen between you and Talula?" "Mmm... Orson, perhaps my thoughts are a bit dirty, but can you explain clearly?"

"Uh, actually, this is a work-related injury..."

Orson, covered in burn marks, sat on a chair, sweating profusely. FrostNova, Alina, and Lumen surrounded him, their gazes incredibly sharp.

Meanwhile, Talula stood to the side with a smile. This studious young dragon had not only learned new knowledge but also grown considerably.

72. The Little Rabbit's Coffin-Carrying Mission Went Awry

Chernobyl, the only mobile city-state in the Ursus nation led by new noble forces, focusing primarily on "industry and economy," had been some time since the upheaval known as the [Chernobyl Incident].

For most citizens of Kazimierz City today, it was just another ordinary day. Despite constant major news like the old nobles' conspiracy, the new nobles' counterattack, the emergence of the new organization called Reunion, and the rise of the youngest mayor in history—life remained ordinary with no significant changes.

But what these citizens didn't know was that a group of "outsiders" of unknown identity had already quietly infiltrated Kazimierz City.

"SCOUT, what's the situation around here?"

"No law enforcement personnel have been spotted for now, and the pedestrian traffic is sparse. We can proceed."

"Roger that, everyone... Let's begin the operation!"

In a deserted alley somewhere in Kazimierz City, a Kates girl in a blue base uniform pressed her communicator, then nodded to signal the members of various races beside her, who were dressed in similar styles.

These members, who claimed to belong to "Rhodes Island," set out from the corners of Kazimierz City, avoiding surveillance and guards as much as possible, heading towards a center in the underground power district.