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I… What happened…
I remembered up to the point that I fused with the earth. Then I regained consciousness while Richard carried me to the coach. Not a single monster carcass in sight in the whole area around us. Only vividly green new growth and a multitude of flowers blooming out of season. The powerful scent brought to mind a fierce spring, but we were well past that season.
“My attempt succeeded…” I muttered weakly.
“Yes,” Richard replied curtly. There was no smile on his face or emotion in his voice.
“Madam Monica! Thank you very much!”
“Madam Monica!”
The knights, the civilians providing combat support, and the holy women greeted us with cries of joy and enthusiastic applause. The crowd of people naturally parted to Richard’s left and right as he strode briskly through them carrying me. I was still in a half-confused state by the time we reached the large carriage and he placed me down on the bed inside. Solarus and a lady’s maid deftly prepared a warm bath and change of clothes for me.
Richard knelt by the bedside, gripped one of my hands in his, and exhaled deeply. “That…was much too reckless. You surprised me.”
“What exactly did I do?” I asked.
“You don’t remember?”
“Not really…”
“What am I supposed to do with you?” Richard shook his head in exasperation. “Miss Monica, your hair turned pink and the whole thing was bizarre, to tell you the truth.”
“I made you worry, didn’t I? I’m sorry.” While staring up at the ceiling in a daze, I thought back to the sensation I experienced earlier. I felt like I’d overcome one of the limits binding me as a saint. “Richard. I might be able to use my saintly powers more skillfully. At this rate—”
“Stop right there.”
“Mpf.”
He cut me off then placed a steamed towel on my face. He then proceeded to admonish me as he vigorously wiped my face.
“Don’t think about work right now. You know you’ll only get busier after your success here. So, please…just rest for now.”
“All right, I understand.”
It wasn’t my intention to make him worry. His expression was pained as he continued scrubbing at my face. I stopped his hand and asked him a question.
“Oh, which reminds me. Richard, you’re not hurt?”
“Of course not. The barrier you cast went a long way too.”
“Good, I’m glad. If…if something ever happens to me, don’t hesitate to rely on the other priestesses.”
“No. I only need you, Miss Monica.”
“Mrgh… W-Wait, s-stop that. Hold on!”
The hand rubbing the towel over my face stopped. We stared at each other.
“Miss Monica, what is it?”
“Um…”
I forgot how to breathe with his beautiful face so close to mine. Argh, this is bad. Another day, another strange reaction from my body in his presence. It especially made no sense today because I hadn’t used my powers on myself, so I shouldn’t be in heat at all. Feelings of desire surged up inside me, just like they did when I was in heat as a side effect of my abilities…
“Are you feeling unwell? Where does it hurt? Answer me, Miss Monica,” he demanded.
“Oh… Um, no, that’s not it…”
The comfort of being held in his arms, combined with his unique musk, put me at ease. Then there was also the fact that I’d been warming myself in his body heat, pressed against him for so long. All of it combined to penetrate straight through my reason and impulse to drive me mad.
“Richard…get away from me. Something’s wrong with my powers. L-Lately, even the s-smallest stimulation is t-too much for me…”
“Please do as she says, Your Highness, and step away from her,” Solarus said, spreading a small towel open with a snap. “I’ll be cleaning Madam Monica’s body now.”
“Right then. I’ll see you later, Miss Monica.” Richard smiled his usual sunny smile and winked at me. Then he pressed his lips against my hair flowing on the sheets and walked away, his steps light.
“Haaa…” I covered my face with my hands and took a deep breath. He was much too thrilling for my broken senses.
“Yes, yes, save it for later, Madam Monica. First, we need to get you changed. Just lie there obediently.”
“Thank you…”
I wasn’t sure if it was because of his departure, but I suddenly felt utterly spent. Even lifting a finger required too much effort, so I let Solarus undress me and wash me off, though I felt apologetic toward her for my sluggishness.
“Ahhh, your whole body is stiff. I can barely dig my fingers into your flesh, despite the treatment I gave you this morning. You’re worse than a dead tree…”
Solarus took the opportunity to check my physical condition from head to toe while undressing and washing me. I felt nothing in the pressure points where I usually felt pain when she prodded at them. It seemed that a vast disparity now existed between my real age and my physical age.
“Heh.” Solarus chuckled suddenly and spoke to me as I lay there unresisting. “Madam Monica, you are in fact remarkably tranquil.”
“Huh?”
While massaging my hand, she smiled meaningfully down at me. “Tell me. What happened to your abnormal rut?”
“I…what?”
Unbelievably, the arousal coursing through my body until just moments ago was receding. Whenever the sexual heat affected me, I couldn’t even bear the touch of Solarus’s hands. It was usually so bad that just the rocking of the carriage would be enough to plunge me into a swamp of strange sensations.
“You’re not broken, Madam Monica. Well, setting aside the reckless use of your abilities today.” Solarus spoke very matter-of-factly, like she understood everything. She poured aroma oil on my hand and dug in with her fingers to massage. Vanilla, a scent I adored. I felt comforted by both the scent and her relaxing touch, which naturally made my mind stop spinning in circles.
“Am I really…not broken…? But…” I thought of Richard. Just recalling his gaze and musk made my chest tighten deep inside, same as it did when my powers ran amuck and incited odd feelings. “No, I must be broken…because…”
A heavy drowsiness started overtaking me and I couldn’t finish my thought.
“Sleep well, Madam Monica,” Solarus murmured gently, brushing my hair.