In the castle's third-floor prayer room, Morgianna lay flat on the bed with a pillow covering her face, concealing her expressions. All that could be heard was her gentle breathing.
Ryan sat beside her. Part of Morgianna's long dress was undone, revealing her smooth belly. When the Chosen Champion's fingers gently pressed against it, Morgianna let out a soft moan.
Morgianna's white boots were on the floor, and her long dress almost covered the entire bed.
"Please relax, Princess Morgianna. Don't be so tense," Ryan noticed Morgianna's body was very stiff and whispered in her ear, "There's no one else in the room. If you're this tense, you might subconsciously resist when I try to dispel the curse."
"…It's like I told you, I was attacked by a bloodthirsty bat-wolf. The Golden Belt protected me, but when I recovered, I found the curse had strengthened and the seal you placed before was damaged. So, I came here immediately," Morgianna said, her voice still muffled by the pillow. "My mirror also broke."
Ryan's surroundings formed a blue psychic vortex, his fingers emitting sparks of energy as he continued to undo her grey bodice dress. Morgianna didn't speak further, just pressed the pillow tighter against her.
Indeed, black energy had started to crack the silver seal left by Ryan: "It's necromancy!"
"…I suspect Theodoric might be conspiring with vampires," Morgianna managed to speak, feeling Ryan's rough fingers on her belly. Her voice trembled, so she tried to divert her focus: "Maybe I should send someone to investigate."
"That doesn't seem likely... My Princess, if everything happened as you described, Duke Theodoric had many opportunities to act. He wouldn't take such a big risk, even putting his city-state into turmoil," Ryan disagreed, his psychic energy entering Morgianna's body, once again binding the dreadful necromantic energy.
If he hadn't advanced to legendary status, he might not have been able to deal with this curse.
"This isn't the first case of a duke and his family falling into midnight nobility, Lord Ryan! We must be wary of vampires infiltrating the kingdom's upper echelons…" Morgianna suddenly removed the pillow, speaking fiercely to Ryan, but a strange sensation made her quiet down and blush, covering her face again with the pillow.
"I understand, My Princess, but I still think Duke Theodoric isn't involved," Ryan remained calm and shook his head: "If he truly became a midnight noble, he wouldn't choose such a moment to act."
"I understand, but I will still send my saints to investigate," Morgianna felt Ryan's psychic energy like warm sun rays, entering her body through his hand on her belly, countering and sealing the necromantic curse. She wanted to discuss further but couldn't speak.
Perhaps minutes or centuries passed, and when Morgianna felt completely relaxed and sweaty, Ryan finally spoke: "It's done. The seal is reinforced. It should hold for at least a year."
"…Understood," Morgianna replied after a while.
"Rest well, Princess Morgianna. I won't disturb you further." Ryan left, giving her time and space.
Morgianna didn't stay long. She rested, bathed as arranged by Ryan, then left on her horse Hilfane, declining Ryan's invitation for dinner. Ryan didn't mind, understanding she was busy.
Time flew, and the Winter Festival arrived.
The annual celebration came, and the barony closed for business. Ryan first enjoyed a turkey feast with his knights, then joined Alfred on the balcony for warm butter beer, admiring the snow.
Fresh from the bath, Alfred, in a white Paladin winter coat and robe, raised his cup to Ryan: "My friend, this is our second Winter Festival together."
Ryan nodded silently, snowflakes passing by him untouched. He wore the baron's standard attire: "Alfred, my friend, do you like it here?"
"It's fine. Nord is cold and barren, but it's my birthplace. However, I've decided to follow the God of Justice, so I must spread His glory to all lands," Alfred answered seriously: "In these dark times, people need faith."
"Indeed, people need faith," Ryan agreed, appreciating Alfred's work in the barony, spreading faith and maintaining order.
"This country lacks cults and Chaos sects spreading corruption. The elite knights are diligent, unlike the Imperial Guard. But the people live harder lives. I won't interfere or influence your rule. I can only bring them faith," Alfred continued.
"This country needs change, Alfred, but I'm not yet capable," Ryan said with a bitter smile: "I'm just a baron, with a small force. I need to advance, become richer, and gather strength."
"I understand. Untried justice isn't true justice," Alfred raised his mug: "Happy Winter Festival, my friend!"
"Happy Winter Festival, Alfred!" They clinked mugs and drank deeply. Alfred left to keep vigil as a Paladin on this night, undisturbed by snow in his hair.
Alone, Ryan smiled and thought of his foster parents, to whom he had sent a letter and 100 Kronor. He wondered if Norman received it.
Returning to his room, he found laughter inside. Emilia was back, teaching Veronica's apprentice Catherine chess. They sat on the carpet, playing an imported Empire war chess.
This chess set, a gift from Sulia, was expensive. Ryan wouldn't spend 30 Kronor on it, a year's income for many soldiers or Rangers.
The pieces were lifelike: pikemen, archers, cannons, knights, bishops, electors, and an emperor. Emilia seemed skilled, repeatedly defeating Catherine.
Each had received a gemstone earring from Ryan for Winter Festival: sapphire, emerald, cat's eye, and ruby.
"Master, is this for me?" Olica was surprised.
"Yes, for you, Olica. Happy Winter Festival," Ryan gave her the cat's eye earrings, matching her amber eyes and wheat-colored skin. He kissed her lightly, then gave sapphire and emerald earrings to Emilia and Catherine, respectively.
After some time, the girls and Olica left, giving Ryan and Veronica space.
Ryan sat next to Veronica, taking her book and embracing her. Veronica's long brown hair was silky, and she sighed, hugging Ryan back and kissing him.
Two minutes later, they separated, and Veronica rested on Ryan's chest: "Remember four years ago? Your 22nd Winter Festival?"
"Of course, our last Winter Festival together," Ryan recalled, his hand sneaking under her skirt to her stocking-clad legs.
"You defeated 'Fang' Gorr, solidifying your legendary status. I was happy but also afraid, searching my room for a fitting gift," Veronica recalled, her finger tracing Ryan's face: "In desperation, I decided…"
"To give yourself as a gift," Ryan remembered: "So we in your room…"
"I brought that bed here," Veronica laughed, blowing on Ryan's face: "Want to try again?"
"Oh! That's a great idea!" Ryan's eyes lit up.
… (The rest is omitted) …
After their intimate moments, Ryan held Veronica from behind, his hand on her belly. The mysterious imprint responded to his psychic energy, glowing silver with a heart and sword motif and wing-like patterns extending from the sides.
Veronica, exhausted, held Ryan's hand: "Ryan, am I imagining it? Ever since I came to you, the wings on this psychic imprint seem to be spreading."
"Are you afraid?" Ryan teased.
"I feel like you're controlling me with this imprint," Veronica spoke doubtfully.
After their relationship deepened, Veronica discovered the silver imprint on her belly. Initially, it was just a sword and heart, but with time and intimacy with Ryan, wing-like patterns appeared and now were spreading.
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