"So I've become replaceable, huh?" Callista's voice was tinged with a somber resignation, devoid of the dramatic reaction one might expect. It wasn't pain or sorrow that etched her features, but rather a chilling fear and anxiety, mirrored in her wide, vulnerable eyes.
It was as if... Callista thought this will happen.
This reaction alone was an unforgiving, glacial jab against Argider's heart, a numbing paralysis upon her already tormented emotions like a slow and merciless wound that was gradually sapping her of all feeling. The woman was right regardless.
Though, she was painfully aware of her own indiscretions. Before she met Callista, she obviously lived a life of careless promiscuity and sought temporary solace in the arms of multiple women whenever her spirits dipped. There had been times when she had even indulged in the embrace of two or more people at once.
But ever since Callista entered the picture with her soft grey hair and eyes, and tantalizingly curvaceous body, the women in her life diminished one by one. The woman knew how to arouse and please, weaving her words like a silken web. Callista was the female spider, ensnaring Argider within her intricate web. And much like the fate of male spiders after mating, Argider found herself, in some ways, helplessly consumed by her.
"No, darling. You're not replaceable," she tried to convince her. "It's me, my love. I'm not a long lost sister nor a whore warming the bed. It is... quite a long story. But due to an... incident... I've turned into a woman."
She sat up, gathering her hair and revealing her neck, baring a deep bite mark imprinted by Callista only two days prior. It was still a dark, bearing the signs of bruising that had yet to fade.
"It...It really is you! But how?.." She gasped, but she suddenly remembered herself moments ago. "I... I apologize, I didn't mean to..."
"It's fine..."
It was not fine. In all honesty, Argider wanted to figure out why Callista appeared panicked, but she was too strained to use her 'Empath' skill. She also wasn't ready for the truth yet.
"If you're a woman now... will you lose me then?" But there it was again. That same look she bore minutes ago - the look of terror.
"I believe I was told that the four of you will remain..."
"That's a relief..."
Argider hesitated, her head drooping. "I...I'm sorry... I don't have it anymore.
"You mean?..."
Understanding Argider's meaning, a sly smile crept across her face. "Oh, that's not a problem at all..." she said as she drew closer and whispered. At first, Argider's expression held confusion, her eyes blinking in puzzlement, but then her breath hitched.
That was possible?
"Are you interested?" Callista straightforwardly asked. She was a woman governing desire, with no boundaries too unconventional for her. And though Argider didn't want to acknowledge it, she couldn't deny that she was touched-starved and filled to the brim with restless desire.
"This is quite new... Are you certain that you have little care I'm a woman now?"
"I didn't become the top courtesan if I was choosy," she purred.
Argider's mind raced with the question, 'Is this really feasible?' But then again, she had to be resourceful in her approach.
Submitting herself, her lips yielded, allowing herself to be claimed in a kiss that instantly ignited her senses.
Callista, usually the more submissive and passive of the two, had an unexpected air of dominance about her. She cast aside the cloak concealing Argider's body, before laying a trail of kisses on their stomach, her actions surprisingly assertive.
Argider bit down her lip, her breathing labored.
"W-Wait!" She gasped, slightly pulling away. "You...You're taking the lead?!"
"Why not? It's good to experience different things, yes?"
"But I am not used to this... being the one who receives."
"And this type of thing is also quite new to you," she reasoned, then traced her thumb on Argider's bottom lip. "Besides... you're quite adorable. So behave now and be a good girl for me, will you?"
Good girl... good girl... good... girl?..
Good girl?!
Argider's emotions whirled within her, a tumultuous mix of humiliation and an inexplicable excitement. Her eyes darted to the side, unable to meet Callista's gaze, consumed by shameful embarrassment. Her face turned a shade of crimson. Somehow, she couldn't even bring herself to get mad.
"How adorable," she teased, before abruptly tugging down Argider's underwear without any warning.
— [New Notification]
Argider's eyes widened in surprise as the system suddenly responded, its letters shifting and rearranging to form new text. The rapid motion of the pixels was akin to a crawling, writhing mass, each character twisting and morphing into a brand-new message.
— [Sub-Task: Pursue & Commit To Celibacy]
— [Description: In the long run, the user will gain EXP and unlocking new stages of Psychosexual Level]
— [Minor Task: Avoid Current Situation]
"I'm watching you..."
While Callista began to undress her, Argider's eyes frantically darted around the room in search of the source of the voice. Her gaze landed on the floating figure above the ceiling, and her entire body froze. It was the First Emperor who turned into a cat, Alvator, peering down at them from above.
"AAAAAAAAAAH!"
Argider let out a shrill cry and hastily broke free from Callista's grip. She scrambled and retreated to the corner of the bed, clutching a pillow like a shield, her eyes wide as she stared at the First Emperor in feline form.
Callista was startled, blinking in shock. "Is something wrong dear? Did I make you feel uncomfortable? I-I apologize! I only meant well..."
"N-No, it's not that..."
Argider was absolutely mortified as she gazed up at Alvator in horror. She thought to herself, 'Did he witness everything that just unfolded?!'
"Yes, I did," responded Alvator.
He read her mind.