Chapitre 102: Chapter 1 Night of Stars
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The Night of Stars Festival.
What would be called Christmas elsewhere is known here simply as the Night of Stars Festival. As its name suggests, it falls on the day when the stars shine brightest in the night sky, and people pray to them with their loved ones before welcoming the approaching new year. In this pseudo-fantasy world, logistics are well-established even in remote areas, so despite being winter, there are still plenty of treats available; the more long-lived one becomes, the harder it gets to sleep without offending the Goddess.
During the day, children throughout the village sing songs of gratitude to the Goddess, and at night, my own kids turn our feast into something akin to a battlefield. Naturally, by the end of all that, I'm utterly exhausted.
Gazing absently at the sparkling sky through the window, like a box full of jewels, my eyelids grew heavy with a pleasant drowsiness. In his youth, he used to laugh about how "starlit nights are sexy" with his mischievous friends, but surrounded by his beloved wife and many children, enjoying their peaceful life, such foolish thoughts were far from his mind.
"Lord Ain."
But they do come up sometimes! Actually, these days, they're popping into my head dozens of times more than when I was young! Shouldn't you settle down now that you're well past thirty? How could I possibly?! My libido just keeps increasing day by day! And it doesn't help that Maria is becoming increasingly flirtatious!
"The children are all fast asleep now."
"Well, after being so energetic since morning, it's no surprise."
"Yes, indeed... Oh, look what I brought." Blushing slightly, Maria lifted a small bottle of wine.
Usually during their alone time at night, Maria would bring them warm tea or coffee. The wine she presented now was something they'd received from neighbors and kept hidden so the children wouldn't find it.
"It's good to indulge once in a while."
"Yes, indeed."
Pop.
The cork made a pleasant sound as it came out.
Red liquid filled the wineglasses. As I gazed at the rippling surface, memories of days long past resurfaced... Back when Lucia had been newly conceived, our first and only Night of Stars Festival spent just the two of us together.
"Ah... Ahh..."
"Maria."
"Oh!"
"Maria."
"Ahhh!"
"You're supposed to use your forehead, not your mouth."
"What?! Oh, my apologies!"
A groundless confidence swells within me that I can do anything for this woman I love. Still... As an ordinary human being, it's simply impossible to eat cake with my forehead.
"T-towel! Towel!"
"You don't have to force yourself, you know?"
"I will! I'll do it! Let me try!" (Not "do" as in "have sex," but "do" as in "attempt.")
What am I attempting, exactly? To open wide and accept a bite of cake from her.
Receiving such a treat from a beautiful girl is a reward so precious, I'm not sure how much money one would need to pay for it. When Maria first suggested doing this, I struggled desperately to contain myself.
After savoring all the Night of Stars Festival delicacies, we finally reached the moment when it was time to enjoy dessert—and ran into a problem.
"A-ah... Ahhh!"
"Maria, that's your ear."
She refuses to keep her eyes open during this act.
Her blushing cheeks and tightly shut eyes as she leaned forward with an "ahh" were utterly adorable, but even if the cake is acting as her cushion, blindly thrusting a fork at someone like that isn't good for my heart—so I'd prefer it if she stopped.
"Let's calm down. At this rate, we might have an accident."
"...I'm sorry..."
The Night of Stars Festival was supposed to be such a fun occasion. With no obstacles remaining between Maria and me now, tonight should've been all sweet and romantic, so how did things end up like this?
"Judging by your reaction, this doesn't seem to be your idea. Did something happen?"
"The daughter next door to the butcher on the main street said..."
"Ohhh..."
It must be her (the big sister from chapter 11).
Not only does she have some seriously creepy masturbation habits, who knows what she told Maria...
"Y-you're lovers! You s-should get more cuddly!!"
As far as I knew, she wasn't even engaged to her childhood sweetheart yet... How could she say such things without considering herself first? At this rate, it seemed like she might teach Maria something even more extreme next time...
But that aside, thanks for giving me this opportunity.
"I'm deeply flattered by your feelings, but please don't push yourself."
"It's not pushing myself at all!...I also want to become closer with Lord Ain..."
"Nghh!! Nnngh!"
"Lord Ain...?"
"A-are you okay?"
The urge to pin her down was so strong, I bit my tongue hard to resist.
What is wrong with this girl? Seriously, what the hell?! Is she trying to kill me? Am I gonna die here today? No way! I'm gonna live freakishly long. With Maria and our kids, dammit!
"Well then, let me feed you."
"What—whaaaaat?!"
"Does it bother you?"
"No, no, nothing bothers me about it! Not at all! It would be too much of an honor!"
"We're lovers destined for marriage before we're priest and Sister, aren't we? Why should there be any hesitation?"
Someday I'd like to experience Maria feeding me herself, but today she's still keeping me waiting. Just as she wants to become closer with me, I want to grow more intimate with her, too. There aren't any rules saying men can't feed women, after all.
"But, bu-but..."
"Here you go."
"Ack!"
I cut the sponge cake into bite-sized pieces and offered her one sweet morsel smothered in whipped cream.
Maria froze in surprise, eyes darting back and forth between me and the cake. Finally, she made up her mind and opened her mouth.
"Munch."
"Oh?"
"Yes, it's delicious."
"Lord Ain?!"
"Ha-ha-ha!"
Just as she parted her lips, I took a bite instead.
Flustered, Maria turned bright red and started smacking my back.
"Maria."
"..."
"Maria."
"..."
"Mariaaa."
"Hmph!"
She was sulking now.
I had to get her forgiveness, even though she turned away from me. Well, although her face was facing the other direction, her body still leaned toward mine, so I figured she couldn't be truly angry.
"I just couldn't resist teasing you; you're too adorable."
"That's not okay! I think that kind of thing is mean!" she protested.
"Yes, I understand. Please give me another chance?"
With my fork, I cut off a piece of cake.
After smothering it with whipped cream, I offered it to her.
"Ah-gah."
"..."
"Maria."
"U-uh..."
"Here you go."
"Mmm..."
The cake disappeared behind her soft, plump lips, which gently wiped away the remaining whipped cream on the fork as well.
"...It's delicious."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"Mmm... Huh?"
"You had some on you."
"Oh..."
I scooped up the leftover whipped cream from the corner of Maria's mouth with my finger and licked it off. As she bashfully looked down, I stroked her hair, vowing inwardly that while intensely erotic moments were great, these tender times were important as well.
"Lord Ain, open wide!"
"What? Oh, ah—"
"Ahhm!"
"Okay."
"Heh-heh..."
"That might be going too far, don't you think?"
"It's your fault for being so absent-minded, Lord Ain."
She emphasized her displeasure even as she happily munched away at the cake. It wasn't wrong to reminisce, but as she pointed out, neglecting the woman before me could jeopardize my reputation as a man.
"I was remembering our first Starry Night Festival day together."
"Our first?"
"You gave such adorable reactions that day."
"Am I not cute anymore?"
"Of course you are!"
Every day with her is the best.
There's no limit to how much I love this woman.
"I can't miss out on spending time with Maria now, either. My apologies."
"Yes, please do apologize," she giggled. Her laughter was infectious; soon, we were both smiling.
After more than ten years together, Maria has grown considerably less reserved around me. She says things now that would have been unthinkable when we first met. How could anything be happier than this?
And as our time spent together increases...
"Oh, right..."
"What is it?"
"There's some whipped cream left over..."
I'm starting to understand what she expects from me.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone