A Demoness's Taste Really Was Wonderful

The next morning, Altair was jolted awake by aches all over her body. The pain only began to ease after she dissolved the Potion Owen had given her in the bathtub and soaked in it.

Feeling bored and remembering what Anastasia had said, she conjured Yoga of Light from the Library and studied the basics of yoga.

As for how to "conjure" it, that was simple: she entered the Library through meditation, then thought about the knowledge she needed. The books inside would move on their own to appear before her.

All she had to do was pick up a book and return to the real world. But energy was conserved: taking a book out consumed Spirituality, and the book continued to drain her Spirituality for as long as it remained in the real world.

With her current level of Spirituality, she could only take out one book and keep it in the real world for three hours. Any longer, and she risked exhausting her Spirituality.

Just as Altair was absorbed in reading, someone took the book from her. Following its movement with her eyes, she saw that Vivian had somehow gotten into the bathtub and was holding the book in front of her.

Looking at Vivian, Altair asked helplessly and curiously, "When did you come in? Even now that I'm a Beyonder, I can't sense your movements."

Vivian slowly flipped through the book as she replied, "I only just got here. I came through the front door today and waited in the Reception Hall for a while. You never came out, so I let myself in. Don't tell me you've forgotten—I'm giving you your mysticism lesson today."

"How did you get this yoga book? It's very interesting. The whole book is made of Spirituality. Though the knowledge in it is basic, it's no worse than the books in the Demoness Church's collection."

Seeing Vivian still absorbed in Yoga of Light, Altair said helplessly, "A friend lent it to me. The loan's only temporary; the book will probably disappear in about an hour."

"The Demoness Church has books about yoga, too?"

Vivian answered casually, hearing the question.

"Of course. They say Emperor Roselle wrote it himself and gave it to a Saintess of the church. It explains how yoga postures, meditation, and breathing can improve the body's flexibility, strength, and balance. Most importantly, they help bring the body, mind, and spirit into harmony."

"I was born in the Republic of Intis, which is considered the birthplace of yoga. Most people there learn it, and some people here in Loen do as well."

"Can you borrow this book again?"

Watching how absorbed Vivian was, Altair thought that giving the book away wouldn't be much of a loss. She agreed, "Sure. I'll borrow it again in a couple of days and have someone copy it for you."

Hearing that she could get a complete copy, Vivian closed the book, set it aside, and leaned in to kiss her.

Caught off guard by Vivian's move, Altair didn't respond at first. But when Vivian wrapped her arms around her neck and asked for a deep kiss, she couldn't hold back and slowly began to respond.

When Altair pressed her body against Vivian's, Vivian whispered in her ear, "Not here."

As soon as she finished speaking, Altair picked her up and carried her out of the washroom. Vivian used Spider Silk to wipe the water from their bodies.

The battle was more brutal than any before it. Even with the enemy throwing everything into their attempt to encircle them, they still couldn't defeat the Yellow Dragon.

After a morning of studying, Vivian turned to Altair and said, "I really liked this lesson."

Looking at Vivian's expression, Altair could only sigh helplessly.

Emperor Roselle really hadn't lied. A Demoness's taste really was wonderful.

The sun was already high in the sky. Its glare streamed through the window and fell on the head of the bed, slowly waking Altair.

Altair turned to the side and saw Vivian asleep. Her breathtaking face still glistened with sweat, and her chest rose and fell gently with each breath.

Perhaps she sensed Altair's gaze, because Vivian woke up, too.

Their eyes met. Neither said a word. Perhaps they were thinking alike; they kissed again.

They didn't stop until the fuse of a second round was nearly lit. Vivian pulled back and said, "No. Let me catch my breath."

Hearing this, Altair quickly gave up on the idea of going another round. But her hands and feet still wouldn't behave; she didn't relinquish the territory she had already conquered.

Looking at Vivian, Altair teased, "I thought you were so impressive. Turns out you're only so-so."

Vivian could only protest with her actions. She rolled her eyes at Altair and said, "I didn't expect you to be so capable, even though you're so small. I'm very satisfied."

That reminded Altair of a saying: All bark and no bite. But she didn't say it out loud.

To keep the mood from growing cold, Altair found a topic to talk about.

"Vivian, what are your plans for the future?"

At that, Vivian looked at the person beside her and said, "I don't want much from life. I just hope to spend the rest of it in peace and quiet. But for me, that's a luxury."

Hearing this, Altair looked at Vivian and saw the worry on her face, as if there were something she needed to get off her chest. She said, "If there's something you can't say to anyone else, you can tell me. I might be able to help ease your burden."

Perhaps because of those words, Vivian slowly began to speak. "My family used to be part of the nobility of the Empire of Intis, but Emperor Roselle's reforms led to its decline. After Roselle was killed, my ancestors had been trying to restore the family's former glory for generations."

"A century of effort still came to nothing. Then my father found a Demoness the family had once helped. In exchange for her oath to the family, she guided my father into the Demoness Sect and became his wife. That's how we came to be."

"Perhaps my father didn't want the same tragedy to happen to me, so from the time I was little, I was taught to deny my gender. I took a Potion when I was very young."

"When I was six, my father became my second 'mother.' My first mother kept her distance because of their bargain."

The story shook Altair deeply. A fallen nobleman had sought out a Demoness and made a deal with her to restore his family's glory. And to spare his child the same hardships, he had raised her with an education that distorted her sense of gender.

Now that the subject had come up, Altair didn't know how to fix things. She patted Vivian's back and said, "But you still have me. With me by your side, no one will bother us."

Feeling the warmth at her back, Vivian gave a slight nod.