An ambient light filled the ceiling blue; the adjustment of artificial light fit the time outside as the morning sun rose halfway outside.

A grumble escaped the naked Mel as she lay sideways on the bed with a soft yawn.

The kiss marks remained on her from her shoulders to her torso like cherries, as her thighs felt sore after the intense 'exercise' just now.

She watched Maria from afar, and satisfaction flashed between her eyes as she wore her white robe.

Adjusting the headwear, she eyed Mel with a smile. "Having a good enough rest, Mel?"

A faint blush spread across Mel before she slipped further into the sheet. "Of course...."

Yet as the lingering pleasure subsided, she blinked; a subtle realisation that she no longer had to play 'submissive'.

Then her hands caught her chin with a deep frown.

Play... 'submissive'?

Please... take my everything.

She then shook off the thoughts; the heat unbearable in her heart-pounding chest.

They did it.

More like... she gave her first time away, for her one and only Partner.

"Ugh..."

Mel's hands covered her reddening face, unable to bear the shame.

Because even she had to admit halfway through: The submissive act has turned something genuine, something... willing from her.

"Aw... don't be embarrassed..."

Maria's teasing voice echoed as she neared, before leaning in to pat Mel's pink hair.

She admired every detail of her blushing Mel, from barely hidden gaze full of curiosity, to trembling lips fueled by innocence.

Then her palm smoothed over Mel's skin. "As much as I want you to stay, Lila and Wrath are waiting."

Light seeped from the Saintess's palm; then she rewrind the red marks planted last night.

As the red gradually faded into a smooth pink, Maria's lips pursed in unspoken regret.

"And I have to handle the wake of Lila's incident as well."

A serious glint then sharpened Maria's eyes as she drew back, her steps light as she approached the door.

"I have instructed Nyxia with Telepathy to hand over Nyrel sneakily to the Knights." Maria glanced over her shoulder with curvy eyes.

"But... I'm fully willing to leave those matters aside if you want."

"Mm!" Mel mumbled out a complaint as she shot up from the bed, the sheet revealing her bare, 'pure' shoulders.

"Suddenly, bringing me here is not enough?" Mel pouted. "I was going to give you my first time regardless, but... time and place, you know?"

Maria froze; her lips hanging in a slight surprise. "Really?"

Reading Maria's expression, Maria grinned with a V-sign. "Of course! Would you like to think otherwise, my Partner...?"

A hesitation flickered across Maria's face as she puffed out a muffled laugh before smiling at Mel.

"You know." She confessed. "I was going to leave you hanging for tonight."

Ah, that's something Maria definitely would have done.

Mel pouted again as she crossed her arms. "Well, good on you for liking to tease me so much, huh?"

"Well, I was going to fulfill my selfish wish to keep you for myself, Mel."

Maria chuckled. "Would you accept it? Or do you like me obedient and strapped up for your pleasures instead?"

"I would, regardless how you like me to face your desires."

Mel's resolute voice cut through the heartfelt air as her lips tugged up. "I promise to be responsible, not for everyone, but for those I care about and love."

She clutched onto the sheet as her face softened. "That includes you, Maria."

A silence hung between them, as Maria's heart fluttered at the familiarity of Mel's response.

"Well then, I shall warn you here."

Maria tilted her head as her fingers then danced in the air.

Mel's shoulder shook before her hands slipped into the sheet to hold onto something.

"Do remember."

An invisible hand tickled her waist, as Mel yelped and squirmed against its finger tugging at her Panties' straps.

Or... Maria's Panties, now dampened by both their fluids mixing together.

"Whether it be a date, an exam, or maybe even a simple walk in the street."

Maria licked her lips.

"I'd find you and devour you alive, so that one day you'll give up on those you love and look only at me."

The darkened possession in Maria's eyes stirred Mel as the witch held her thighs together.

"Do-don't say that..."

She gritted her teeth. "I'm going to... wet myself again..."

A breath hitched in Maria's throat as the invisible hand finally let go of Mel.

"See you then, Mel." Maria mewled as she turned around with a smirk. "I'll always wait for you."

As Maria left the room, Mel puffed a sigh of regret and relief.

The Saintess... Partner...

Recalling those words that promised to possess her, Mel tickled her cheek in idleness.

"Have I caught someone... a little too dangerous?"

Regardless, all dark thoughts aside!

She flung open the sheet and stood up, eyes beaming as purple mana swirled around her.

A velvet dress draped back her naked frame again with a witch hat atop, as she prepared a summon for a Gatebearer to reach Lila and Wrath.

"Ah, come to think of it..."

Her brows knitted together. "Nyxia and Maria... huh?"

It's a little confusing to Mel how Nyxia listened to someone other than her, however...

"Alright." She shrugged. "I'll ask after meeting Lila and Wrath."

After tonight, Mel thoroughly planned to care for and be cautious of Maria.

As she thought Maria would eventually plan again to enrapture her in pleasure like last night, should she be careless.

A heartfelt honesty bloomed inside Mel, as she chuckled to herself.

I love Maria. I really, really do.

But that's why Mel is determined not to leave even one clue about her obsession, especially starting today.

Where she has given away everything to be entrusted for her Partner.

----------------------

A couple of Gatebearers were summoned, and Mel arrived again at the forest.

Greyness failed to occupy the World, as the sky above drifted endlessly, relieved from the pressure of Time Freeze.

The vast frozen woods filled her view, and snow fell carelessly in a peaceful silence as she caught one of the snowflakes between her fingers.

Neither hot nor cold. Without temperature.

So Mel guessed either Lila fainted, or...

"Ah."

She spotted Lila from afar, still in her Witch form.

Yet weirdly, the Witch of Envy seemed to... sit behind a tree, huddling herself with a stave in hand as she shivered scaredly.

Was she... hiding from something?

Mel remembered Maria stating that Wrath and Lila had waited for her, so she ran over without a care.

"Lila!"

The Witch of Envy jolted, before snapping her gaze to Mel.

"Mel!"

With a face beaming, Mel's pace quickened before-

"Stop right there!"

Then, a slash came, swift and formless.

In a blink, Wrath stepped beside Mel, her indifferent sweeping over her as she stared back at Lila.

A floating icicle neared her neck, sharp and precise.

"Well done." Wrath nodded as she sheathed her blade. "Seems you're only not avoiding me when Mel's involved."

"You!"

Staggering up, Lila approached with stormy steps. "Involve Mel again, and I won't hesitate, Senior!"

"Relax, Lila."

Mel's hand veiled her lips as she chuckled. "Your Senior here could not slash anyone she didn't bear an ill will against. Don't worry. I could never be harmed."

The gentle voice soothed Lila, yet her concerned eyes still locked on Mel.

"Sorry." Wrath bowed her neck. "It's merely my way of greeting. Don't mind it."

Mel flicked her eyes at Wrath; a somberness taking root deep beneath her gaze.

"Don't apologise." She patted Wrath's hood. "I know trials through combat are something you're used to since birth, yet try not to overdo it, okay?"

Wrath's gray hair flowed down as she leaned more into Mel's touch, and a brief comforting smile flashed on her lips.

"Though," Wrath closed her eyes as she braced herself. "This one is not my fault, but Lila's."

Lila's jealous face at Mel's doting on Wrath died upon this accusation.

"Uh-"

"Hmph?"

Mel raised her brows as she glanced at the trembling Lila. "That's curious. What have you done, Lila?"

Lila's teeth clenched onto her lips, excuses spilling in her mind before she reeled it all back.

"Um... um..." Flustered, Lila looked to Wrath for forgiveness-

Only for the victim herself walking away, her back sinking into the shades as she waved.

"Well, until next time." She called out. "I'll put that idiot Calina back where she belonged first."

As Wrath disappeared from her view, a smirky Mel and a fidgety Lila were left alone in the snow.

"So, Lila~"

Mel teased as she embraced the flushed Lila. "What were you two playing earlier?"

"I-I..."

Lila's arms curled inward as she melted into Mel's embrace. "I didn't... do much to Wrath..."

Yet as her voice lingered, her nose perked up.

And in an instant, tension snapped into the air, as Mel's shoulders shivered under a falling snowflake.

It was cold. Too cold that she could have frostbite.

"Mel."

Lila's voice, brewing of an anger even Wrath would shudder against, drummed in the air.

"Lift your skirt."

She stared upward; traces of light were swallowed in her darkened emeralds.

"Now."

Mel's lips trembled at the raging Lila; her hands tightening over Lila's waist.

In her haste to meet Lila again, she has forgotten how her five senses expanded beyond the World.

So it was fully possible to catch whatever was beneath her.

Then, the half-culprit of the situation peeked, in the form of panels.

[ Envy was greatly, greatly dissatisfied with the prospect of our reunion! ]

[ Envy Favourability: 111% - 45% ]