Sharon from Directly Behind

"Xia Lun, I love you, Xia Lun... Everything I have is yours... My dear Xia Lun... My beloved..."

Xia Lun narrowed his eyes as Aina lay against his chest, whispering sweet nothings he could never tire of hearing.

"Thank you," Xia Lun murmured, stroking Aina's smooth back. "I love you too."

Aina pursed her lips, seemingly unsatisfied with his response.

"Xia Lun... You're being too cold," she pouted, poking his chest. "Just a single flimsy line?"

"Have you rested enough?" Xia Lun cupped Aina's face, his thumb gently kneading her soft cheek.

Aina's lips curled into a smile—finally satisfied. As always, actions spoke louder than words.

The Demon King's wings unfurled behind her, ready to envelop them once more.

"Wait."

Xia Lun reached out, gripping the bony cartilage of Aina's bat-like wing.

"What's wrong?" Aina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Fold your wings away," Xia Lun guided her, turning her around and positioning himself behind her. One hand steadied her wing while the other held her arm.

"It's been a while since we've done this... Your wings would block my view of your face," he whispered against the nape of her neck.

"Hmph, how bold of you, Xia Lun," Aina sneered. "Are you forcing me into this humiliating, beast-like posture for your amusement?"

Xia Lun's expression faltered. "You don't want to?"

"But since it's your request, as your wife, I suppose I can reluctantly oblige." Aina folded her wings, the crimson appendages shrinking into twin scarlet markings on her back.

"Don't misunderstand—I'm only proving that even with my back turned, I, the Demon King, can effortlessly discern your intentions..."

Xia Lun remained silent. They had done this countless times before—in fact, the first time had been Aina's idea. Clearly, she kept inventing new theatrics to keep things fresh for him.

A sharp gasp escaped Aina as Xia Lun caught her off guard.

"Tch, not bad, Xia Lun. Sneak attacking while I'm distracted..." Even after the initial stumble, Aina refused to concede.

Xia Lun smirked.

"Ngh—that last one nearly killed me... Couldn't you be gentler?"

Instead of relenting, Xia Lun intensified his assault. Aina arched forward like a drawn bowstring, her body trembling under the relentless advance.

"Xia Lun! Ah—Xia Lun, if you keep this up, I'll...!" Panic flickered in her voice—being bested so swiftly by the Hero would be mortifying.

Xia Lun ignored her protests, pressing on mercilessly. Aina's wrists remained trapped in his grasp, denying her even the dignity of muffling her own cries. Whimpers spilled from her lips, raw and unrestrained.

Finally, Xia Lun released her. Deprived of support, Aina collapsed like a snapped cord, shuddering as she lay sprawled.

"Xia Lun... You're truly a monster."

Crawling onto his chest, she purred, "So overwhelming, my Hero."

"Can't help it. You're too tempting, Demon King." Xia Lun brushed a kiss against her lips, but Aina seized him, pulling him into a deep, hungry embrace.

Reluctantly, they parted—life awaited beyond their private world.

"Let's get up." Aina waved a hand, her robe materializing to cloak her lithe figure.

"Liyana and the others seem to be back," Xia Lun noted, glancing outside.

Another flick of Aina's wrist, and fresh clothes draped over Xia Lun. Her earlier threat to banish his garments into the void hadn't been idle.

"We're hooome!"

Liyana barged in—"barged" being the operative word, as few people kicked their own door open upon returning.

"I-I'm back too..." Mo Lini murmured, avoiding Xia Lun's gaze.

"Is something wrong?" Xia Lun asked softly, immediately sensing her unease.

"Ha! I took her for green dumplings, and she overate. Now she's fretting about her figure. Xia Lun, you should bring Aina sometime—she'd love them!" Liyana scratched her head, feigning nonchalance.

Though Liyana acted normal, Xia Lun suspected they were hiding something.

But he let it slide—everyone had secrets. Back in his adventuring days, he'd never pried into his comrades' pasts, judging them solely by their present actions.

"Come, Aina."

He didn't refuse Liyana's suggestion. Aina adored sweets—except honey-glazed pancakes.

Aina cast a lingering glance at the pair but followed without comment.

"Whew... Do you think Xia Lun noticed?" Mo Lini exhaled.

"Of course not. Strong as they are, they're not omniscient." Liyana's voice wavered slightly.

"But he seemed perceptive... Liyana, if he asks me directly, I won't be able to lie."

"He won't ask." Liyana waved dismissively.

Not "won't be able to"—she knew Xia Lun's sharp eyes missed little. That eerie blue glow in the Grand Cathedral against the Twilight Apostles hadn't been for show.

If Aina found out... surely Xia Lun would protect her?

Liyana shrank into herself, already envisioning the worst.

Well, Aina probably wouldn't kill her—but punishment was inevitable.

"Blop blop—"

The slime, Little Blue, leaped from Mo Lini's head and darted away.

"Little Blue?!" Mo Lini reached out, but the creature vanished with uncanny speed.

"Wow, is that a slime or a rabbit?!" Liyana gaped.

Then again, given the enhancements Aina had fed it, perhaps the agility wasn't surprising.

"You don't think it ran away?" Mo Lini fretted.

"Doubt it." Liyana shrugged.

"Then where did it go?"

"Who knows? Probably off playing."

Liyana wasn't worried.

After all—what trouble could one little slime possibly cause?