The noises from the borrowed tent had carried on well into the night, making it difficult for the ones left behind to guard the camp.
Ice Spider Silk could only be gathered at night. The weaved strands only visible beneath the moonlight seen through the water sky. So, it required them to venture out late into the night to hunt it down and gather it up. As there were so many in attendance for this time's trip, they decided to move about in two separate groups. With a third, smaller group staying behind.
Generally, it wouldn't be a problem being left behind to guard the campsite. There were many wagons and supplies that couldn't be left to chance, so it was an honorable duty. However, with the shameless, ongoing activities that show no signs of ending any time soon, it was difficult to agree on who would remain.
Some of them, on the edge of their tolerance, nearly lost enough patients to almost call out for them quiet down. It was an "almost" happenstance as not one of them actually possessed the courage to do so.
Even though they pretended to be dumb when the pair asked for a space to rest for the night, they were well aware who graced their little caravan with his presence. With that telling single red-eyed gaze they would be foolish not to realize it.
So, in light of knowing it was that ruthless devil, who would dare chastise him for not knowing the proper time and place to have at it with a girl. They just had to deal with it and bite their fingers in envy. The next time they would see their wives or even another female wouldn't be for a month and a half later.
It never bothered them before, but after being forced to listen to someone else's good time, it bothered them now.
Even Lu Se Ying and Paoxiao had to excuse themselves for a bit, too embarrassed by the passionate sounds coming from the tent so near to theirs. On the other hand, Hui Se Ying wasn't upset at all. To him, it was like the little kid he had been raising finally grew up and became a man.
Fearless as he was, or rather secure in the thought that his master would punish him too harshly, he was intent on trying his luck to embarrass Li Yu Rong in the morning. As he had never seen it before, he couldn't help but be curious over what his master's bashful face appeared like.
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Although he didn't want to let her go after finally grasping her in his arms, Li Yu Rong had to consent to the fact that her face, so beautifully stained by her ecstasy, appeared quite exhausted. Even her movements have become sluggish. Her calls and struggling beneath him waning in strength.
As he pulled away from her, he consoled himself that there would be endless opportunities in the future. Reaching out, he pulled her into his embrace while he covered them in the blanket that had been shoved off to the side.
Long, tapered fingers found their way into her red hair, combing through the strands gently. Li Yu Rong held her in his arms as he lovingly pets her hair, overflowing with intense love and affection. If he had strong feelings for her before, they were nothing compared to the bottomless flow of emotion he felt for her now.
Her even breaths while curled up at his side let him feel a sense of peace he had never before experienced. Gazing at her, still lost in the surreality of the moment, he murmured. "I've never really felt love before, whether it was giving it or having it in turn, but what I'm feeling right now... I'm really certain that this is what love should feel like."
After expressing that aloud, though she couldn't hear his confession, Li Yu Rong felt better now that he voiced out his feelings. Content, warmed by the warmth curled half on his chest, snoozing away like a satisfied kitten, he eventually drifted off.
When morning came about, Nastasia began to rouse. It was cold and so she shifted closer to the warmth at her side. She was exhausted and would have slept longer if it weren't the cold breeze the buffeted against her face and bare shoulders.
The cold had gotten in after Hui Se Ying drew back the tent flap, a roguish grin twisting his lips. His dark eyes, speckled gray, were alight with mischief. "Master, the leader of the caravan was kind enough to offer breakfast. Considering how hard you and the young lady worked last night, I think you should take them up on the offer."
Nastasia stiffened as she heard those words and her heart began its attempt to pound its way out of her chest. There were a crash and the sound of cackling laughter, but she paid it no mind in light of her panic.
'That's right,' she thought miserably, 'last night was real!'
It was her fault, she had initiated it.
She thought it was a dream.
Even so, was there really a need for him to toss her about so much that she couldn't even think straight? As she shifted, trying to make it out like she was sifting in sleep, her waist hurt. Actually, her whole body felt sore. It was similar to how she felt when she ran marathons in her school days.
He had forced her into so many positions she was stunned. Although she was a modern woman, she didn't really read or watch things that could be rated beyond PG13. Her knowledge was limited to two positions, so she couldn't help suspecting that Li Yu Rong was an old pro in bed.
After all, he had brought over the edge over and over again. Even though she long realized that it wasn't a dream, she was only able to think about putting a stop to their activities once. Now that it was over and done with, she didn't know how to face him.
Him, or the subordinates he brought along or even Paoxiao, because, from Hui Se Ying's words, it was obvious they were aware of went on last night. Nastasia was considering whether or not she could feign sleep to escape the awkwardness when an amused voice spoke with a low sexy baritone in her ear.
"Don't even think of trying to escape your responsibility." He warned, "you said you wanted me and I gave myself to you. You can't pretend it didn't happen. You have to take responsibility, after all, you stole my virginity."
Shameless!
Nastasia swallowed hard. This was something the woman was supposed to say! Besides, she didn't believe for a second that he was a virgin. He was way too good. In her mind, a virgin in this past-like world would flounder somewhat and wouldn't have such an expert-like approach.
This thought was somewhat naive, as even the past had books that detailed sex. In preparation for this moment, Li Yu Rong had been studying such books, the ones Hui Se Ying gave him, in secret.
Beside her, Li Yu Rong chuckled lightly, running his fingers lazily through her hair. "Are you going to keep feigning sleep? Ah, but if you do that, you're going to be missing out on breakfast. I would imagine that you must be really hungry."
She was hungry.
It had been a day, or maybe more since she had last gotten something into her stomach. She wasn't sure how long she'd been unconscious at that guy's place and nor did she know how long it had been until she woke up here.
Being that her stomach was entirely empty the soreness from their earlier activities was all the more pronounced. Well, since she couldn't escape it and it was her own doing, she decided to face it. She was too hungry to escape breakfast.
Opening her eyes to the face staring down at her, clearly amused but also carrying a gentleness that bespoke of his deep feelings for her, she decided to be playfully mean before giving in.
"Not from here, have nothing, can't raise you." She denied him.
"Hahaha," he laughed as he reached over to embrace her fully in his arms, chin resting on her shoulder, "that's okay. If you give yourself over to me, then I'll protect you for the rest of your life, never to leave you wanting for anything."