As the evening breeze lifted the window gauze, pale-red moonlight passed through the window and lit up the gold-and-white tailcoat on the carpet.
Ash gulped down half a bottle of water, then brought the mouth of the bottle to Sonia's lips and fed her sip by sip before setting it on the nightstand. Unlike Ash, Sonia's Bridal Gown was still barely hanging on her body, and she was now pulling up the bandeau. When Ash slipped under the covers, Sword Maiden shrank back like a kitten, looking at Ash nervously enough to make him feel guilty.
He hesitated for a moment, then asked tentatively, "Are you satisfied with this birthday present?"
"I am." Sonia answered quickly, curling up and burying herself against his chest as she said somewhat gloomily, "So there really is that big a gap between Artifice Supremacy and a Five-Winged Demigod... I booked two hours, but I didn't expect you to really not waste a single minute..."
Ash smiled and gathered her into his arms. His heart was filled with peace and joy. Compared to the pleasure of their wild passion just now, this sweet tenderness felt even more precious; just holding the person in his arms made him feel as if he was embracing the entire world. All the worries in his heart became insignificant, and even the act of being alive turned beautiful.
"There are still eight minutes," Sonia said softly. "After eight minutes, my exclusive time ends, and it's Diya's turn."
"Forget it."
Sonia raised her head and met Ash's serious gaze.
"I'll tell them. It won't count as you going back on your word." Ash rubbed his cheek against Sword Maiden's like a cat and said softly, "Tonight, let's just stay like this until tomorrow."
Sonia groped under the covers, then puffed out