Asterion lay on the ground completely exhausted, his chest rising and falling rapidly, his body covered in sweat and bruises. Beside him, Narcissa was not much different, exhausted and covered in bruises, especially in the abdominal region and some on her face. But whether it was Asterion or Narcissa, both exhibited a satisfied look on their faces, knowing that they had grown stronger with each fighting session.
Looking at the bruises on his thirty-year-old cousin's beautiful face, Asterion reached out and gently stroked her cheek with a look of apology, although his own face remained expressionless. His fingers glided over her slightly sweaty skin, sliding smoothly.
"I'm sorry, Cissy, I didn't mean to hurt you," his softened voice carried a touch of guilt.
"Sweet of you, but I'm not a weak girl, Asty. Besides, look at yourself before worrying about me," Narcissa said, her voice cold yet melodic, sounding like a whisper akin to the silent night breeze.
It would be a lie to say that Asterion's concern didn't warm her heart. This was a feeling she had only experienced with her family; not even her stupid husband or children could thaw her frozen heart, burdened by all the pain she felt when she left this mansion and saw the world for what it truly is.
Asterion blinked a few times, processing what he had just heard, and showed a small smile, barely perceptible if you didn't look carefully. It seemed ordinary, even mundane, to someone who always had something like this, but the feeling of having someone else concerned about your well-being was something only those who never had it could truly appreciate.
It was something Narcissa noticed, and she showed a slightly subdued look. It was the first time she had seen Asterion smile in these five months of tutoring, and it made her happy. It truly meant that the two of them had grown even closer. She needed someone at this moment, especially now, with things becoming increasingly unbearable at the Malfoy Manor.
She let out a heavy, somewhat sad sigh, which Asterion noticed, and he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Let's take a shower, the sweat is making me uncomfortable," Narcissa said suddenly, getting up from the floor as she reached out her hand to he cousin.
Asterion took her hand and stood up, agreeing with her words, and they both walked out of the training hall. Asterion was still discovering how many places there were in this thousand-year-old mansion.
She let out a heavy, somewhat sad sigh, which Asterion noticed, and he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Let's take a shower, the sweat is making me uncomfortable," Narcissa said suddenly, getting up from the floor as she reached out her hand to Asterion.
Asterion took her hand and stood up, agreeing with her words, and they both walked out of the training hall. Asterion was still discovering how many hidden places there were in this thousand-year-old mansion.
-
Narcissa removed her sports bra, casually tossing it onto the bathroom floor, freeing her sizable breasts and pink nipples. She then leaned over to remove her leggings and black underwear, without a care in the world, fully exposing her nudity to Asterion.
As Asterion gazed upon the beautiful naked body before him, he couldn't help but feel disdain for Lucius Malfoy, a heterosexual man who couldn't appreciate such a Greek goddess. He deserved to choke on a banana for his lack of appreciation.
After admiring the beautiful sight for a while, Asterion also removed his clothes, in his case, the gray sweatpants. Lifting his head and looking ahead, he saw Narcissa next to the marble bathtub in the center of the luxurious bathroom, the entire surface of the water covered with delicate silver bubbles.
Narcissa first lifted her leg and placed it in the hot water at the right temperature, then she fully immersed herself in the bathtub, settling in as she let out a delightful and comfortable sigh.
Asterion approached and entered the bathtub alongside her, settling into the valley between her breasts and completely relaxing as he felt the hot water submerge his body. Narcissa wet his hair with water and bubbles from the bath, then gently stroked his scalp with her nails.
Asterion closed his eyes and moaned with the heavenly comfort he was feeling in this moment.
"Cissy, you spoil me too much," a crack in his closed eyes opened as Asterion complained with a voice though cold, very soft, but he didn't move an inch. Only a fool would do such a thing.
Given the unique circumstances of the moment, it wasn't uncommon in their daily lives. They had taken baths together before, and they had even slept together many times. Nothing perverse ever occurred; they simply felt comfortable in each other's presence.
Narcissa continued to stroke his silky hair with one hand, while the other hand gently slid over Asterion's neck, shoulder, and abdomen, wiping away the sweat from their previous training session.
"Cissy, I feel like something is bothering you. You're spending more time at the Black Manor than with your own family,"
His concern was genuine. In the five months they had spent together, he had been by her side most of the time, gradually beginning to see Narcissa as an older sister he had never had in two lifetimes.
Seeing her hide her anxieties made his heart ache as if an invisible hand were crushing it, leaving him extremely anxious. For someone who rarely expressed his feelings and preferred to suffer alone, it was an incredible situation that he never imagined experiencing years ago in the orphanage.
Narcissa's movements abruptly stopped at his sudden question. She looked into his eyes, which resembled beautiful rubies, and noticed the concern reflected in his gaze, which deeply touched her. On impulse, she hugged him, crushing him against her chest as if she wished to merge with the boy.
"Tell me what's going on," his face still buried in her soft and comforting bosom, holding her slightly trembling body, Asterion whispered in her ear, his voice full of gentleness, not at all like the usual cold boy.
"You don't need to worry, Asty. As I said before, I'm not a weak woman, but your concern warms my heart, thank you," Narcissa held the boy's face and leaned her forehead against his, their noses touching as they locked eyes, exchanging seemingly cold glances, but behind their icy stares, genuine concern hid.
Asterion was very upset with her words; she really didn't tell him what was worrying her. He huffed loudly to express his dissatisfaction and turned away, no longer wanting to look into her eyes. He had tried so hard to open up to this woman, but she had truly refused him.
Narcissa showed a rare smile on her lips, seeing his reaction, and hugged him from behind, whispering boldly in his ear. "Asty, I realize that I love you. What should I do?"
Asterion's body stiffened at her words; he didn't turn around but responded nonetheless. "That's natural, we are spiritual siblings."
His response, with a double meaning, seemed to agree with her words.
Narcissa kissed his hair and fell silent, savoring this moment, as she felt that in the future, it would be difficult to find time for something like this again.
Translate by IA.
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Author's Thoughts: What did you think of the relationship between Asterion and Narcissa? Personally, I liked what I wrote; both of them have had their hearts wounded by society and the people around them. For some of you, this chapter may seem irrelevant, but it was in this chapter that the protagonist truly embraced this world, encompassing all its pain and happiness.
Thank you for supporting me, your support really encourages me to continue bringing good work: Chris, Justice Harrison, AlucardoBlood, Renne Bruffett, Straydog, IDaGoat Mypark!
Support me to write more and read chapters ahead of all regular readers!
The Patreon will be updated daily, except on Saturdays and Sundays, when I do not write.
Next Chapter: (Chapter 14 - Asterion 4), (Chapter 15 - Gringotts), (Chapter 16 - Gringotts), (Chapter 17 - Gringotts).
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On the grand canopy bed with black sheets, Asterion lay gazing up at the oak ceiling intricately carved with the coat of arms of House Black - a raven with outspread wings and red eyes.
Ravens, in many civilizations, were messengers of death, believed to bring bad luck and a looming disaster if one was spotted. A symbol of death that Corvinus Black embraced with the crest of his family, quite fitting if you ask Asterion.
With the sound of the closet door being closed, Asterion snapped out of his reverie. He glanced to the side and found Narcissa, wearing a black lace nightgown. The floral lace on the top didn't conceal her breasts at all, and the transparent bottom also revealed her black lace lingerie.
Narcissa pulled back the comforter and climbed onto the bed, settling comfortably beside Asterion. She lay on her side, propping her elbow on the pillow and resting her head on her hand, looking at the still-awake boy with a serene expression.
"Can't sleep?" she asked, her cool voice bringing an odd comfort to Asterion.
"Not exactly, just thinking about something," he replied, still keeping his gaze on the coat of arms of House Black on the oak ceiling of the canopy bed, looking somewhat puzzled about something.
Narcissa nodded and brought his body closer to hers, placing his head against her chest, trying to provide comfort and help him think in silence.
"What are you thinking?" Narcissa asked softly, stroking his soft, silky hair.
"The plans of my predecessors," Asterion replied, breathing in the gentle scent of roses that Narcissa exuded. For some reason, the smell calmed him almost instantly.
"Is it something very challenging?" Narcissa continued to inquire.
"Difficult is an understatement, it's an insane plan that I've embraced like those before me. Sometimes, I wonder if I'm insane for agreeing to participate in such a plan," Asterion buried his head in the hollow between her breasts, his tone tinged with sarcasm.
Kissing his forehead tenderly, Narcissa spoke in her cool voice, "Sanity is overrated, we're all insane in one way or another, we just hide our ugly side behind a mask we put on for others to see and find beautiful."
"I don't think you have an ugly side, but alright, I suppose I agree with your words," Asterion looked directly into her eyes and said, his gaze gradually becoming sleepy. He wasn't lying; to him, Narcissa or Arcturus had no ugly side. In his eyes, they seemed more genuine than anyone he had ever known in two lifetimes.
"Asty, tomorrow we're going to Gringotts to carry out your inheritance test," she said, stroking his hair, keeping Asterion awake even longer.
"Any problem with that?" Noticing the concern in her tone, Asterion asked, confused.
"You have to prepare yourself for the looks and whispers you'll hear when you show up there," she said, her cold voice carrying a tone of concern.
"I've been used to receiving looks since I was little," Asterion really saw no reason for his cousin's concern. It wasn't normal for him to draw attention?
"I'm not talking about that kind of attention, Asty," she paused for a moment, looked at him, and continued speaking. "Do you know how many Dark Lords have come from our family?"
Asterion shook his head, saying he didn't know. He rarely touched other books besides that insane plan—not that he didn't want to, but the book was so extensive that it made the Bible seem like a ten-page booklet. He estimated he had only read about five percent of the entire content, and often struggled to understand some of the advanced terms in the book.
"Seven, that's the number our house has produced over more than a thousand years. That means seven people who possessed the same technique as you became Dark Lords," she paused to catch her breath and continued. "Because of this, there are many legends about our family in the world. We're called by many names, demons, cold-hearted monsters without emotions, monsters in human skin, those who carry sin, they see us as a family that sold their own souls to Lucifer in exchange for power and forbidden knowledge. When they curse, they don't curse in the name of Morgana, but in the name of our ancestor."
"Asterion listened in silence and understood Narcissa's concern. She was worried that he would suffer from the hurtful words of others. Something he found cute, but completely unnecessary. The hatred of people towards him would only strengthen him even more. But, Asterion presumed that Narcissa had suffered quite a bit from the words of these trash people.
"I'm not made of glass, Cissy." Asterion looked into her cold, blue eyes and spoke with a proud and confident look. "I've learned that what people think of me doesn't affect me at all. They're just minor characters, unimportant in the story I'm creating."
Asterion's words left Narcissa stunned for a moment, his voice still echoing in her mind, shaking her heart. It left her speechless. If she had had this courage since she was young, many things would have been different in her life.
"Sorry, I didn't realize you were already a strong and mature young man for your age." Narcissa sighed helplessly and spoke in a slightly regretful tone.
"That diminutive term isn't very pleasant to describe men; some may be quite offended." Though pleased with her words, Asterion didn't appreciate being called "little."
Narcissa's lips curved into an elegant arc, forming a beautiful smile as she responded by simply playfully stroking his hair.
Asterion rolled his eyes and gradually closed them; Morpheus was calling him to his realm. Although he didn't know if infinity existed in this universe, since Death did, there was no reason for other entities not to exist.
Looking at his beautiful face so comfortable and defenseless, she knew Asterion trusted her to show his most vulnerable side.
Narcissa kissed his forehead and realized she had never had such an intimate relationship with her own children—a sad fact, but not her fault. Lucius didn't let her raise their children, making the relationship between her and her children rigid; it seemed as though they were strangers instead of mother and children.
Translate by IA.
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Thoughts of the author: We close this short arc, the next one is about Gringotts and the revelation of the Slytherin House lineage in the world once again. What did you think of this arc? Did it turn out well, or did you not like it? Tell me what you think, I read all your comments.
Support me to write more and read chapters ahead of all regular readers!
The Patreon will be updated daily, except on Saturdays and Sundays, when I do not write.
P-atreon.com/HPSCB
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
Next Chapter : (Chapter 15 - Gringotts (1)), (Chapter 16 - Gringotts (2)), (Chapter 17 - Gringotts (3)), (Chapter 18 - Gringotts (4)), (Chapter 19- Gringotts (5)).
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