Seiko yawned, rubbing the back of his neck as the ornate black carriage rolled to a gentle stop in front of the academy gates. The long date with Andrea had been unexpectedly exhausting—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He hadn't even planned on being dragged along, but Andrea,
with all her usual charm and spark, had insisted he come. Insisted. He could barely recall agreeing before finding himself sitting beside her in a velvet-lined carriage smelling faintly of roses and old wood.
It was late afternoon now. The exam season had just wrapped up, and most students were either celebrating or somewhere. Andrea, however, had chosen a very different kind of celebration—visiting her family estate.
"I thought I'd go see my father," she had said with a carefree smile, her head resting lazily against the plush carriage window. "He's probably home now but I'm not sure since he is usually busy."
Seiko had gone stiff the moment she said those words.
Her father?
In the story, from what he remembered, Andrea's father was no ordinary noble. He was an S-ranked powerhouse—infamous across the entire continent. A living legend with a reputation as wide and heavy as a mountain.
Even worse, that part of the storyline—Andrea returning to her family—had been vague. Practically skipped. All Seiko knew was that around this time in the game, something bloody nearly happened. Something involving Miguel getting his head almost chopped off for standing too close to Andrea.
Gods above. Why am I here? Seiko's thoughts spiraled.
He gulped nervously, glancing out the window as trees began to blur into elegant stone pathways and trimmed hedges. He considered bolting. Just opening the carriage door and throwing himself into the nearest bush. Maybe pretending to be a wild animal until this all blew over.
Then he felt something warm press against his shoulder.
Andrea.
She had fallen asleep at some point, her breathing soft and rhythmic, her golden hair tickling the side of his face. She stirred gently, stretching like a cat, and blinked up at him with bleary eyes. Then she smiled.
It wasn't just a smile.
It was the smile—radiant, sincere, and devastating. The kind of smile angels might give before ferrying souls to paradise. Seiko's breath hitched.
To deny such a smile felt like a crime. But his panic didn't subside. In fact, it worsened when he felt it—a suffocating presence looming outside. An aura so strong that it wrapped around his own seduction aura like chains around fire.
His seduction Aura almost got noticed wrapped around her.
His instincts screamed danger.
He immediately suppressed his own aura, pulling it back into his core like a child hiding a stolen toy. The carriage door opened.
And then… his blood ran cold.
It wasn't a burly, battle-scarred man in his forties like he had expected. No rough voice, no fierce green-eyed glare from a man wielding a greatsword.
Instead, standing at the mansion's entrance was a woman.
She was mature—but only barely. A vision of elegance wrapped in a flowing emerald gown, her golden hair cascading like silk, and crimson eyes that gleamed with intelligence and amusement. Her beauty was breathtaking, and the resemblance to Andrea was uncanny—clearly her mother.
Only the faintest hints of age graced her features, subtle lines that didn't diminish her allure, but added depth to it. Her presence was commanding in a way that made Seiko's knees tremble.
"My, my~ why does my little flower have such a handsome guest with her today?" she asked, her voice melodic and teasing.
Andrea immediately stepped out of the carriage, her cheeks glowing with embarrassment. "I-I wasn't expecting anyone to be home…"
"Oh? Your father's away on business, dear. He promised to return early in the morning," the woman said with a wink, eyes shifting to Seiko with obvious curiosity.
Her father's not home...
Seiko felt both relief and terror. Relieved that he wouldn't have to stare down an S-ranked swordmaster. Terrified because now, instead, he had to survive Andrea's mother.
He bowed quickly. "I-it's an honor to meet you, Lady…?"
"Althea," she replied, her lips curving into a smile. "And you must be…?"
"Seiko, ma'am. From the Ashen Family."
"The Ashen Family, hmm?" Her gaze lingered on him a moment longer than necessary. "A promising lineage. I approve~"
Andrea turned beet red. "M-Mother!"
Althea laughed lightly. "What? I'm just saying he's cute."
Seiko Really want to go back in the Academy and Bury himself in his room
"I… I think everything is fine now, so may I return to the academy?" he said quickly, clearly trying to escape.
"Nonsense," Althea said, waving a hand. "You're staying for the night. My daughter brings home a man for the first time, and you expect me to just let you leave?"
Really? Just like that?!
Andrea's hopeful eyes locked with his, glimmering like stars. He sighed. There was no escape. "I… suppose I can stay."
The mansion was everything he expected from a noble household and more—vaulted ceilings, stained glass windows, floating chandeliers, and antique paintings that probably cost more than his entire family estate.
As Althea led them inside, she asked a few more casual questions. Seiko did his best to keep his answers brief and polite,
Eventually, Althea excused herself with a sly smile, citing other duties. But not before whispering to Andrea, "Don't stay up too late, sweetie~"
Now, alone in Andrea's room—a tastefully luxurious space with a massive canopy bed and far too few couches or chairs—the awkwardness was unbearable.
Andrea sat stiffly on the edge of the bed, her ears glowing red. Her hands clenched the blanket.
Seiko stood near the door like a lost statue. "Y-you know… it's fine. I'll sleep on the floor," he mumbled, already eyeing the expensive-looking carpet.
Andrea bit her lip. Her voice came out soft and trembling. "N-No… Come sleep with me."
Seiko blinked. "What?"
She gently patted the space beside her, her face flushed but determined. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable. I mean… it's a big bed…"
His brain shut down momentarily.
Looking at her—this vulnerable, adorable version of the normally confident Andrea—something inside him stirred. Desire, sure. But more than that—fondness, confusion, and a tangle of emotions.
Almost without realizing, he moved. The next thing he knew, he was lying beside her, his arm instinctively pulling her close. Her body tensed as his arm wrapped around her waist.
She was warm. Very warm.
Andrea's breath caught. Her face burned, and her heart raced like thunder in her chest. This was supposed to be a harmless visit. A simple date. She hadn't expected it to lead to this—to lying down with his Arm around her.
Seiko's arms tightened slightly, protective and rough, and she bit her lower lip.
A Heat suddenly urge towards her body as my Seduction Aura didn't comfort her like in the Past but rather Something she didn't expect.