Asterion lay on the ground completely exhausted, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his body covered in sweat and bruises. Beside him, Narcissa was not much different, exhausted and covered in bruises, especially in the abdominal region and some on her face. But whether it was Asterion or Narcissa, both exhibited a satisfied look on their faces, knowing that they had grown stronger with each fighting session.
Looking at the bruises on his thirty-year-old cousin's beautiful face, Asterion reached out and gently stroked her cheek with a look of apology, although his own face remained expressionless. His fingers glided over her slightly sweaty skin, sliding smoothly.
"I'm sorry, Cissy, I didn't mean to hurt you," his softened voice carried a touch of guilt.
"Sweet of you, but I'm not a weak girl, Asty. Besides, look at yourself before worrying about me," Narcissa said, her voice cold yet melodic, sounding like a whisper akin to the silent night breeze.
It would be a lie to say that Asterion's concern didn't warm her heart. This was a feeling she had only experienced with her family; not even her stupid husband or children could thaw her frozen heart, burdened by all the pain she felt when she left this mansion and saw the world for what it truly is.
Asterion blinked a few times, processing what he had just heard, and showed a small smile, barely perceptible if you didn't look carefully. It seemed ordinary, even mundane, to someone who always had something like this, but the feeling of having someone else concerned about your well-being was something only those who never had it could truly appreciate.
It was something Narcissa noticed, and she showed a slightly subdued look. It was the first time she had seen Asterion smile in these five months of tutoring, and it made her happy. It truly meant that the two of them had grown even closer. She needed someone at this moment, especially now, with things becoming increasingly unbearable at the Malfoy Manor.
She let out a heavy, somewhat sad sigh, which Asterion noticed, and he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Let's take a shower, the sweat is making me uncomfortable," Narcissa said suddenly, getting up from the floor as she reached out her hand to he cousin.
Asterion took her hand and stood up, agreeing with her words, and they both walked out of the training hall. Asterion was still discovering how many places there were in this thousand-year-old mansion.
She let out a heavy, somewhat sad sigh, which Asterion noticed, and he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Let's take a shower, the sweat is making me uncomfortable," Narcissa said suddenly, getting up from the floor as she reached out her hand to Asterion.
Asterion took her hand and stood up, agreeing with her words, and they both walked out of the training hall. Asterion was still discovering how many hidden places there were in this thousand-year-old mansion.
-
Narcissa removed her sports bra, casually tossing it onto the bathroom floor, freeing her sizable breasts and pink nipples. She then leaned over to remove her leggings and black underwear, without a care in the world, fully exposing her nudity to Asterion.
As Asterion gazed upon the beautiful naked body before him, he couldn't help but feel disdain for Lucius Malfoy, a heterosexual man who couldn't appreciate such a Greek goddess. He deserved to choke on a banana for his lack of appreciation.
After admiring the beautiful sight for a while, Asterion also removed his clothes, in his case, the gray sweatpants. Lifting his head and looking ahead, he saw Narcissa next to the marble bathtub in the center of the luxurious bathroom, the entire surface of the water covered with delicate silver bubbles.
Narcissa first lifted her leg and placed it in the hot water at the right temperature, then she fully immersed herself in the bathtub, settling in as she let out a delightful and comfortable sigh.
Asterion approached and entered the bathtub alongside her, settling into the valley between her breasts and completely relaxing as he felt the hot water submerge his body. Narcissa wet his hair with water and bubbles from the bath, then gently stroked his scalp with her nails.
Asterion closed his eyes and moaned with the heavenly comfort he was feeling in this moment.
"Cissy, you spoil me too much," a crack in his closed eyes opened as Asterion complained with a voice though cold, very soft, but he didn't move an inch. Only a fool would do such a thing.
Given the unique circumstances of the moment, it wasn't uncommon in their daily lives. They had taken baths together before, and they had even slept together many times. Nothing perverse ever occurred; they simply felt comfortable in each other's presence.
Narcissa continued to stroke his silky hair with one hand, while the other hand gently slid over Asterion's neck, shoulder, and abdomen, wiping away the sweat from their previous training session.
"Cissy, I feel like something is bothering you. You're spending more time at the Black Manor than with your own family,"
His concern was genuine. In the five months they had spent together, he had been by her side most of the time, gradually beginning to see Narcissa as an older sister he had never had in two lifetimes.
Seeing her hide her anxieties made his heart ache as if an invisible hand were crushing it, leaving him extremely anxious. For someone who rarely expressed his feelings and preferred to suffer alone, it was an incredible situation that he never imagined experiencing years ago in the orphanage.
Narcissa's movements abruptly stopped at his sudden question. She looked into his eyes, which resembled beautiful rubies, and noticed the concern reflected in his gaze, which deeply touched her. On impulse, she hugged him, crushing him against her chest as if she wished to merge with the boy.
"Tell me what's going on," his face still buried in her soft and comforting bosom, holding her slightly trembling body, Asterion whispered in her ear, his voice full of gentleness, not at all like the usual cold boy.
"You don't need to worry, Asty. As I said before, I'm not a weak woman, but your concern warms my heart, thank you," Narcissa held the boy's face and leaned her forehead against his, their noses touching as they locked eyes, exchanging seemingly cold glances, but behind their icy stares, genuine concern hid.
Asterion was very upset with her words; she really didn't tell him what was worrying her. He huffed loudly to express his dissatisfaction and turned away, no longer wanting to look into her eyes. He had tried so hard to open up to this woman, but she had truly refused him.
Narcissa showed a rare smile on her lips, seeing his reaction, and hugged him from behind, whispering boldly in his ear. "Asty, I realize that I love you. What should I do?"
Asterion's body stiffened at her words; he didn't turn around but responded nonetheless. "That's natural, we are spiritual siblings."
His response, with a double meaning, seemed to agree with her words.
Narcissa kissed his hair and fell silent, savoring this moment, as she felt that in the future, it would be difficult to find time for something like this again.
Translate by IA.
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Author's Thoughts: What did you think of the relationship between Asterion and Narcissa? Personally, I liked what I wrote; both of them have had their hearts wounded by society and the people around them. For some of you, this chapter may seem irrelevant, but it was in this chapter that the protagonist truly embraced this world, encompassing all its pain and happiness.
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