The room held a strange stillness, the air thick with a quiet tension that neither of them immediately broke, as Damon stood just inside the doorway while Zarhka remained where she was, unguarded and unbothered by her state, her posture lacking even the slightest attempt at modesty.

The faint light spilling through the window traced the contours of her form, and despite himself, Damon’s eyes drifted more than once, drawn unconsciously before he forced them away again, a faint tension settling in his jaw as he reminded himself—firmly—of what had happened the last time he had allowed instinct to take control.

He let out a small cough, more to steady himself than anything else, before reaching back and closing the door behind him with a soft click, sealing the moment within the quiet of the room.

"You can speak first," he said, his tone controlled, though there was a subtle tightness beneath it.

Zarhka didn’t hesitate.

"I-it’s just... when we did it last time..." she began, her voice uneven but honest, her heavy accent rolling through each word as she spoke without restraint, "I couldn’t forget that sensation... it was the first time I... reached that point... what ya called it... o-orgasm..."

She paused briefly, her brows knitting together as she tried to put her thoughts into something clearer.

"S-so it’s just... I-I tried doin’ it myself... with my hand... but it didn’t feel the same... not even close... and then I couldn’t control myself..." she continued, her tone dropping slightly as she lifted the object in her hand just enough to indicate it, her gaze flickering briefly before settling again.

Damon listened.

And as he did—

Something in his expression shifted.

His eyes sharpened slightly, a faint glint appearing as his thoughts began to move faster, piecing together implications, possibilities, understanding forming in layers.

...Just let me confirm it...

"I see..." he said slowly, his voice measured, though there was a subtle curiosity beneath it now, "but do you not have any...sexual tools to satisfy that need?"

Zarhka tilted her head slightly, her expression immediately turning puzzled.

"S-sexual tool...?" she repeated, clearly unfamiliar with the term, her brows furrowing, "what’s dat?"

Damon opened his mouth—

And for a brief moment, the faintest hint of excitement slipped through, his composure wavering just enough to reveal the thought process behind it.

"...Dildo, vibrator, butt plug?" he said, listing them almost too quickly, the words leaving him before he fully filtered them.

Zarhka’s confusion only deepened.

"W-what are those...?" she asked, her tone genuinely lost now, her expression making it clear that none of it held any meaning for her.

That—

Was answer enough.

Damon’s expression shifted again, the brief spark of excitement fading as quickly as it had appeared, replaced instead by a more controlled calm as he drew a slow breath, reining himself back in.

"...Nothing," he said after a moment, his tone returning to its usual neutrality, "just me saying nonsense."

He turned slightly, already moving toward the door.

"I’ll take my leave," he added, pausing just enough to glance back, his voice carrying a faint edge of seriousness, "and... don’t use that."

A brief pause.

"...Wait for me."

And with that—

He stepped out.

The door closing behind him as he walked down the corridor, his pace steady at first, then slowing slightly as he exhaled, his thoughts turning over rapidly as he forced himself to regain control.

No... I can’t think like that...

His expression hardened just slightly.

Maybe it’s simply not known among beastmen... sexual pleasure might not even be something they explore the same way...

The idea settled.

Practical.

Grounded.

...Right. I should handle it that way.

***

The park lay bathed in the muted glow of evening, the last remnants of sunlight fading into deeper shades as shadows stretched long across the pathways, while a quiet stillness settled over the area, broken only by the faint rustle of leaves stirred by a passing breeze. In the center of that subdued calm, two figures stood facing one another, their presence creating a tension that felt sharp against the otherwise tranquil surroundings.

Serena stood with her usual composed posture, her ivory hair catching the dim light as her gaze remained fixed on the man before her, her expression calm yet carrying an unmistakable weight.

"I presume you have made your choice..." she said, her voice steady, though the tension beneath it was clear. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Celdric stood opposite her, his green hair shifting slightly with the breeze as a small, knowing smile formed on his lips, his posture relaxed in a way that contrasted sharply with the gravity of the situation.

"I have," he replied, his tone smooth, almost casual.

A faint smile appeared on Serena’s face in response, as though she had expected nothing less—

But before she could speak—

Celdric continued.

"But of course... I have a few conditions."

The smile on Serena’s face did not disappear.

It merely sharpened.

"Hm?" she responded lightly, her eyes narrowing just slightly as she waited.

Celdric’s gaze held hers as he spoke, his voice lowering just enough to carry intent.

"What you’re asking me to do... if it ever comes to light, it’s a capital offense," he said, his tone measured, deliberate, "you don’t expect me to take on that kind of risk for free... do you?"

Serena’s expression did not waver.

"If that’s the case, then don’t do it," she replied without hesitation, her tone cold, almost dismissive, "I’ll simply stand by and watch as Damon Valecrest tears you apart piece by piece..."

A faint pause as her gaze sharpened further.

"And believe me... it won’t be a pleasant sight."

Celdric laughed.

Soft and amused.

"Fine," he said, lifting his shoulders slightly as though the threat held little weight for him, "maybe I can handle him myself... whether I end up chewed apart or dead, that’s my concern..."

Then his eyes narrowed slightly, the amusement giving way to something more calculated.

"But do you have any other option?" he continued, his voice taking on a quieter, more deliberate tone, "are you certain you’ll get another opportunity like this to deal with him?"

He took a slow step closer.

"You’re already on his radar," he added, his gaze steady, "do you really think that even if you comply with him once, he’ll simply let it go...?"

Serena’s expression tightened, ever so slightly.

"He will dig deeper," Celdric went on, his voice calm, almost conversational now, "and if, by some chance, he finds out that you came to me... and revealed his intentions..."

He didn’t finish the sentence nor he needed to.

The implication hung heavily between them.

Serena’s face froze for a brief moment, her composure slipping just enough to reveal the tension beneath as her voice lowered.

"Are you threatening me?"

Celdric let out another quiet laugh, shaking his head lightly.

"No," he said, his tone smooth, almost reassuring, "I’m simply explaining why it’s in both our interests... to be aligned."

Serena clicked her tongue softly, irritation flickering across her expression as she looked at him.

"What do you want?" she asked finally, her voice sharp now, direct.

Celdric’s smile returned.

Slow and measured.

He stepped closer, leaning in just enough to close the distance between them as he spoke quietly into her ear, his words low, deliberate—

And whatever he said—

It made Serena’s eyes widen.

"Y-you...!" she exclaimed, the reaction slipping out before she could contain it.

Celdric pulled back, his expression calm once more, as though nothing unusual had happened.

"You can think about it," he said lightly, his tone returning to its earlier ease, "and then let me know your decision."

***

"T-this... y-young master... w-what are you asking...?"

Sahira’s voice trembled as she stood before Damon, her face flushed so deeply it had turned a vivid shade of red, her fingers clutching the edge of her apron as though grounding herself while her gaze wavered, unable to meet his directly. Damon, however, remained entirely composed, his expression unchanged as he repeated his question with the same calm, unbothered tone.

"Do you use anything to relieve yourself sexually?"

The words landed with even greater force the second time, and Sahira’s face deepened further in color, her shoulders tightening as she stammered, her voice breaking under the weight of embarrassment.

"I-I... that... y-young master is my only duty... I-I d-don’t care about my own p-pleasure..." she said quickly, her words tumbling over each other as she tried to deflect, her head lowering slightly as if hoping the conversation might end there.

Damon’s eyes narrowed just slightly.

"Speak the truth," he said flatly, his tone carrying a quiet firmness that left no room for evasion, "or I will deport you back to the duke’s mansion."

Sahira’s eyes widened instantly at that, the fear of the consequence overtaking her hesitation as she squeezed her eyes shut tightly, her entire posture tensing before the words burst out in one rapid breath.

"C-cucumber, carrot, brush, spoon... a-and sometimes b-bottle!"

Silence followed.

Damon stared at her.

His expression—

Completely dead.

"...W-what I eat..." he muttered under his breath, the words slipping out almost unconsciously as his gaze lingered on her.

Sahira’s eyes snapped open in panic.

"I-I don’t use that to make your food!" she said immediately, her voice filled with urgency as she shook her head quickly, trying to correct the misunderstanding.

Damon exhaled slowly, a faint sigh of relief leaving him as the tension eased just slightly from his shoulders.

"...Good," he muttered quietly.

For a moment, he simply looked at her again, reassessing, before speaking in a tone that carried a hint of dry observation.

"You have quite the libido."

Sahira’s face somehow managed to deepen in color even further, her embarrassment reaching a new peak as she lowered her head again, unable to respond.

Damon shook his head faintly, already turning away as his thoughts moved ahead.

Now... just one more person I need to confirm with...