Elizabeth walked through the forest with a grimace on her face for the entire way. Now that no one was around she didn't feel like keeping her calm. As she walked past the trees she'd slash at them to relieve her anger.

"How the hell did they know!?"

She kept slashing the trees she walked by, which was making quite a ruckus in the area. So much so that someone noticed.

"Ohoho, what was that?" Said a voice that was more curious than scared.

Elizabeth felt slightly embarrassed and wanted to move away from them but she recognized the voice.

"Mr. Bentley? What are you doing out here?"

"Oh, it's you Elizabeth. Please have some consideration for the local wildlife."

Her cheeks blushed slightly from embarrassment but she pushed past that topic.

"More importantly, what are doing out here Mr. Bentley?"

He glanced at her with the same jolly expression as always.

"Well, now that I think about it, this is convenient. I came here to see how the girls are doing. Ezekiel considered them like family so I have to at least discuss his funeral with them."

"Oh, I see. I must say, you seem to be taking this better than I thought."

He fanned his hand.

"To be honest, I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner. Ever since he became an adventurer, I steeled myself, prepared for him not to come home one day. I've had so many friends die back in the day, I thought this wouldn't be any different," his smile slightly faltered and he looked to the ground "It just caught me off guard is all. I wouldn't want him to cry over my death and he wouldn't want me to cry over his either. The least I can do is make good on that mutual trust."

Elizabeth stood there in shock, not sure what to say to the old man who was at least 4x her age.

"Enough of that negative talk dearie, you asked me, but what are you doing out in this forest? Cutting lumber for some villagers? Or are you stocking some up to dry before the place starts snowing?

"Oh, no. I had something to talk to you about."

She started taking something out of the bag on her side and the old watched in curiosity.

"Is it about those cultists? Did you learn something new about them?"

"Well, I'm not sure if it's something new or I have a better understanding of what they're trying to do."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"Well, why don't we walk back and discuss?" He said as he continued in the direction of Elizabeth's mansion.

Elizabeth pulled out the image of the man in black she had drawn and followed him.

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"Tibaut!" Shouted Vanessa outside of his room. "Wake up already, you aren't the type of guy to let some delicate ladies do hard work by themselves are you?"

No response.

She pressed her head against the door but didn't hear a sound.

"Is that bastard really doing this?" She tried to open the door but realized it was locked.

"Tch, don't tell me he's doing that in there. It's alright to be embarrassed but at least respond to me. You know what, for not responding to me he deserves a little punishment."

She soon pulled a lockpicking kit out of her pocket. Why did she have a lock-picking kit in her pocket? It was a hobby of hers to make them to test her fine motor skills and general precision (When the other girls bathed, she'd be too rowdy and they eventually decided to lock her out if she wasn't there when they started. She also had a habit of not locking the door after she entered but we're getting off-topic).

After putting a wave rake in the keyhole and moving it in and out a few times the door was open.

"Now let's get a good look at it. Huh?"

Contrary to what she believed, Tibaut was not actually wrestling with his sausage. He was in his bed covered up, sleeping without making a peep.

"Don't screw with me Tibaut, I know you're awake." She shouted.

With no response, she pulled his sheet off of him.

"Don't those things at least stand up in the morning?" She said with a disappointed look on her face while looking below his belt.

She sat on the bed and slapped his face.

"Wake up already, if someone attacks us you're our best hope!"

She was starting to wonder if something had been done to him that night. Elizabeth said he only tired himself out, but was that true? She couldn't help but feel worried that he was drugged or hit with some nasty magic.

She however quickly discarded this thought when she saw his face. It was tranquil and didn't have an ounce of discomfort on it. Even though she just slapped him.

"What, are you saying my slaps don't hurt you!?" She shouted.

After shouting she soon had a mischievous grin on her face. She took her pants off, revealing her underwear, and kept her shirt on (since nothing was under it).

"This'll wake him up alright. Hehehehe, when he asks I'll go "Oh you don't remember this morning? I thought you said you wanted kids?". Hehehhe."

The cruel woman laughed to herself before she snuggled up to him.

She didn't expect it to happen quickly but the payoff would be well worth it (In her mind anyway).

But something she didn't expect to happen took place instead. Tibaut grabbed her. Well, it was more of a hug but it left the problem of her not being able to free herself. She tried to escape but his grasp around was too strong.

"Damnit you prick let me go already."

As she said this Tibaut was in a half-awake state.

"Come on…Vanessa don't be… so rough with me."

This sentence stopped Vanessa in her tracks.

"Is he dreaming about me?" Vanessa blushed slightly at the thought of this.

"I mean, of course, he would. I'd be surprised if it was anyone else." She said as she fought her embarrassment.

Not over how embarrassed she was feeling, Tibaut brought his face closer to hers. She could feel her heart beating but didn't try to move away. His soft breath blew in her face and his lips looked so...inviting.

("I mean, it's been a while since I've dated someone and he isn't so bad.") She thought to herself as she moved her face closer.

Just as their lips were about to touch, Tibaut's eyes focused on her before looking around the room. He looked down at her lower half and nearly fainted.

"Wha-WHAT HAPPENED!?" His expression was pale and he was trying to find words, "DID WE ACTUALLY DO ALL THAT!?"