I blinked, trying to comprehend her words. Spirits? Hovering around me? My thoughts raced, piecing together her revelation.
And then it clicked.
The divinity of Sylva, the Goddess of Nature. That's what she's sensing.
To ordinary people, this divine energy is invisible, and subtle. But to someone like Lesley, a druid intricately tied to the nature, my presence must be blindingly obvious—a beacon of raw, unfiltered nature.
With the reason for her closeness now crystal clear, my initial nervousness faded, replaced by a newfound confidence.
A sly grin tugged at my lips as I leaned closer, pulling her into a firm embrace. My hands trailed gently over her bare back, the warmth of her skin sending a thrill through me. "If just clinging to me is enough to boost your energy," I murmured, my voice low and teasing, "shouldn't we explore a bit… deeper?"
Her emerald eyes widened slightly at my boldness, but then a mischievous smile graced her lips. "Oh? And what exactly do you suggest?" she asked, her tone playful, though her voice carried a hint of intrigue.
I leaned in closer, my breath brushing against her ear as I whispered, "Don't worry… I'll take care of everything."
Before she could respond, I captured her lips with mine in a sudden, daring kiss.
Her body tensed momentarily, startled by the abruptness of my action. But the hesitation melted away almost as quickly as it had come. Her lips parted, soft and inviting, as she surrendered to the moment, allowing me to deepen the kiss.
Our tongues met in a slow, tantalizing dance, exploring and tasting, the intensity building with each passing second. Her hands moved to grip my shoulders, her nails grazing my skin lightly as a soft, almost imperceptible moan escaped her lips.
The sweet, earthy scent that surrounded her seemed to grow stronger, enveloping us in an intoxicating haze. For a moment, it felt as though the world had disappeared, leaving only the two of us entwined amidst the vibrant energy of nature.
When we finally broke apart, both of us were breathless. Her cheeks were flushed, her emerald eyes shimmering with a mixture of surprise and desire.
"You certainly know how to take the lead, don't you?" Lesley teased, her voice husky as she caught her breath.
I smirked, brushing a stray curl from her face. "I told you, didn't I? I'll take care of it."
Her laugh was soft, almost musical. "You're dangerous, Arthur Ludwig. Maybe I should be the one worried about getting too close."
"Too late for that," I replied smoothly, my grin widening.
She shook her head with a bemused smile, stepping back slightly but keeping her gaze locked with mine. "You're going to be very interesting, Arthur. Very interesting indeed."
"Next time we meet," Lesley said with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "I'd like to explore even deeper. But for now, you should return. Your girlfriend might get worried leaving you alone with a sexy woman like me."
Her teasing tone made me chuckle, though a smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. "Well, I agree with you there. You are definitely sexy. And with only leaves and vines covering your body, it's… quite the sight," I replied, my voice dripping with playful admiration.
Lesley laughed, a soft, melodic sound that seemed to resonate in the air around us. "Ha~Ha. If you like that, you should consider visiting Mirkwood Forest sometime. I'm sure you'll enjoy it there. The druids would be ecstatic to see you... and they'll 'accommodate' you in every way," she said, her words laced with more teasing as she took a step back.
With a final lingering look, she turned, her movements graceful and deliberate as she walked away. The swaying of her hair and the rustling of her vine-wrapped attire only heightened the sense of mystery that surrounded her.
I stood there for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air, a mixture of triumph and curiosity building inside me. Mirkwood Forest… I thought, an intrigued smile tugging at my lips. Seems like I should give Mirkwood a visit.
Lesley Dawn… You're going to be quite the handful, I thought, watching her disappear into the garden's depths.
"I should also return now," I said, standing up, still savoring the lingering sweetness of Lesley's kiss. A wide grin stretched across my face as I walked toward the exit. A wide grin spread across my face as I walked toward the exit, the excitement of the moment still buzzing through me.
As I stepped out of the garden, I spotted Alicia, Edward, and Eleanor waiting for me. The moment Edward saw my grin, he couldn't resist teasing me. "You seem pretty happy, Arthur. Did something happen?"
Alicia's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied my face, her own gaze inquisitive.
'This bastard,' I thought, 'Is he trying to get me into trouble?'
I quickly masked my expression and shrugged. "What do you mean? We just had some casual conversation, that's all." I forced my face to relax. "Were you expecting something more?"
I composed myself quickly and shrugged, suppressing the grin. "What do you mean? We just had some light conversation, that's all." I forced my expression to become more neutral. "Were you expecting something to happen?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Edward grinned, clearly not buying it. "No, I just asked because you're looking like the cat that got the cream."
'Of course, I'm happy. I've just got an entire race of beautiful women vying for my attention,' I thought to myself, grinning inwardly. But I kept my expression neutral, showing nothing on the outside.
But on the outside, I kept it cool. "Nothing to worry about," I said casually.
Edward laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. But we still have some time before the sun sets. Should we go somewhere?"
"Ahhmm… I don't think it would be possible," I cleared my throat and said, "I think it's time we part ways here."
Edward raised an eyebrow and wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "Don't be like that, bro. I was just joking."
"I'm not angry," I replied, keeping my tone calm.
Edward leaned in with a teasing grin. "Then why the sudden rush to leave? We still have a few hours before dawn."
I shrugged nonchalantly. "What do you mean, 'Why?' Alicia and I were on a date. This was supposed to be our time. It's been great catching up with you all, but once the academy starts, I won't have the luxury of spending time like this again."
Edward chuckled. "Well, if you insist."
Eleanor, who had been quietly watching, chimed in, "Goodbye, Arthur. Take care of my sister, Alicia." She gave me a pointed look before pulling out her aetherpod. "I've sent you tickets for a newly released movie. It's a late-night show. Take Alicia with you; Alicia loves movies"
"Thanks, Eleanor," I said with a smile. I gave her a quick hug before turning to leave.
With that, Alicia and I walked away, hand in hand. The cool evening air felt refreshing, and I couldn't help but smile.