Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 16
As soon as Seria returned to her room, she headed straight to the bathroom and scrubbed herself clean. She wanted to wash away every trace Lucas had left on her body.
But no matter how thoroughly she cleaned herself, the lingering sensations on her chest and between her legs refused to fade. When she glanced in the mirror, she noticed faint red marks scattered across her pale skin—whether accidental or intentional, Lucas had left them there.
Letting out a heavy sigh, Seria couldn’t help but feel conflicted. She had shared her first time with her friend Lucas. Not only that, but despite her original intention being to save him, she had ended up fully caught up in the pleasure of the act.
She recalled the image of Lucas as he moved above her, kissing her body and thrusting deeply. Was it always this intense? She had assumed that intimacy between men and women was just an ordinary thing, but the reality had been so raw and overwhelming.
The Lucas she knew had always been distant and casual, treating her like an ordinary friend. But in bed, he had been tender yet primal, his toned abs and aroused body moving with an intensity she had never seen.
Thinking about his breathless, heated expressions as he moved between her legs made her stomach flutter and heat rise again.
As the act grew more passionate, she had felt an inexplicable connection to him—different from the usual bond between friends. Lucas, who normally treated her so plainly, had revealed a side of himself she hadn’t known existed. Even recalling his deep, husky voice sent a blush spreading across her face. The image of him panting above her filled her mind completely.
Is it okay to think like this? she wondered. They were master and retainer, and before that, childhood friends. Their intimacy had not come from mutual affection but from her determination to save his life. Lucas had even resisted at first, and she had convinced him. So why was her body responding like this, her thoughts clouded by images of him?
Shaking her head vigorously, Seria pushed away the inappropriate thoughts.
‘This isn’t right. Am I going crazy? It’s just because it was my first time, that’s all.’
Trying to rationalize her feelings, she lay in bed and forced herself to focus on sleep, refusing to think about her friend’s body any longer.
*
The next morning, Seria put on a composed expression and made her way to Lucas’s chambers. As she approached, she heard murmuring. Lucas was kneeling at the small prayer stand in his room, his favorite spot where sunlight poured in through the window. The warm light illuminated his face, making him look serene.
Upon closer inspection, Seria noticed that his complexion looked much better, his eyes clearer and more alive. The curse-breaking ritual had worked.
‘His face looks brighter. I was worried he’d be troubled by what happened yesterday, but it doesn’t seem like it. Then again, what’s he praying so fervently for? Well, it’s not the first time he’s gone overboard like this.’
Seria quietly opened the door and approached him. Lucas, deep in prayer, didn’t notice her presence. As she got closer, she heard his murmured words and couldn’t help but purse her lips in disbelief.
“Please, Lord, rid me of the demon’s foul influence. Forgive my sins, and purify my defiled body and mind…”
It seemed like a prayer of repentance for last night’s events. He was so eager last night, and now he’s praying like this? It almost made her feel as though she’d corrupted a devout paladin. Seria’s expression turned sour at the thought.
She deliberately made a loud noise with her shoes, causing Lucas to flinch and turn his head. He opened his mouth as if to speak, then let out a resigned sigh, his posture shifting awkwardly.
When Seria stepped closer, Lucas muttered darkly under his breath.
“The demon has come again…”
“What are you talking about? Stand up so I can check your condition.”
Seria grabbed his arm to pull him up, but Lucas furrowed his brow and refused to move. He even shook off her hand, his tense expression marked by a bead of sweat rolling down his temple. With a resolute frown, he shook his head.
“My prayer isn’t finished yet.”
“Oh, come on. What kind of prayer takes this long—wait, what are you doing?!”
Lucas grabbed her hand instead, pulling her down to kneel beside him. Keeping a noticeable distance from her, he continued to focus on the prayer stand, speaking seriously.
“Pray with me. Please, pray for me. The demon continues to torment me.”
“Pray? You know I’m not religious. And besides, we’re far from done—what are you repenting for already?”
Lucas bit his lip at her response, letting out a series of deep sighs as he ruffled his hair in frustration.
“My thoughts are a mess…”
“Well… fine. Let’s pray. Go ahead.”
Seria, about to make a sharp retort, instead relented with a sigh and joined her hands together in mock reverence. While she pretended to be unaffected, her mind was just as tangled as his. If she, who had steeled herself for this, felt this conflicted, then Lucas, with his devout and dramatic tendencies, must be even more distraught.
She doubted his prayers of repentance would change anything, especially since they would have to repeat the ritual again tonight. But if praying brought him some peace of mind, she figured she might as well humor him.
