Morning light filtered through the exquisite lace curtains of the Earl's Estate's master bedroom, scattering pale golden motes through the air.
Nico Robin slowly awoke in Aaron Ball's strong arms. Her thick lashes fluttered, revealing eyes like lakes.
She did not get up right away. Instead, she nestled closer, brushing her nose against the skin at Boer's collarbone before launching a "deadly interrogation" in a voice that mingled languor with slyness:
"Mr. Boer," she said, her voice still slightly husky from sleep, yet every word clear, "don't you feel anything for Ginny...? Her guest room isn't far from the master bedroom. Shall I help you 'invite' her over to 'keep our esteemed Lord Boer company'?"
A scalp-prickling sense of crisis instantly flooded Boer's heart.
His body stiffened slightly, his mind racing-the detailed physical measurements of Ginny he had previously captured through Extrasensory Vision flashed uncontrollably through his consciousness. His physiological instincts gave an honest response.
Without changing his expression, he shifted from lying on his side facing Robin to lying somewhat awkwardly on his back. In the same motion, he raised one leg to prop the soft goose-down quilt into an arc, his azure eyes turning toward the intricately carved ceiling.
Then he turned his head and gently kissed Robin's smooth forehead, his voice deliberately steady. "Miss Ginny certainly has... strikingly impressive looks. If I said I felt absolutely nothing, my Robin-chan wouldn't believe me, would she?"
Sure enough, the moment he finished speaking, Robin pursed her full lips slightly, and a distinctly jealous breath brushed his ear:
"Yes, Ginny has such a graceful figure and distinctive presence, with a warrior's spirit without losing a woman's softness... Even I can't help wanting to hold her in my arms and shower her with affection."
Childishly, she moved her head out of