cough—! cough—!

''M-Me?''

''Yes.''

With a straight face, Kiara calmly replied, her azure eyes unwavering.

''But... why??''

''I think I have already explained the reason.''

''No, um... I know I'm not supposed to say this, but won't proposing to my little sister be more... beneficial for you?''

I ran my arms around Lyra's thin body, making sure she didn't feel uncomfortable. All these talk about human values and whatnot—I didn't think I would be discussing that in the presence of her.

Kiara's sudden change in behavior was that shocking.

''Listen up, foolish lady.''

Nevertheless, I was utterly taken aback by the princess's serious tone. I didn't know why, but all the primary love interests in this game had a default expression of 'blank,' which hardly changed at all.

Sometimes—no, most of the time, it was quite challenging to make out what they were thinking.

So, I was struggling to control my heartbeats as Kiara weaved her hands together. What was she going to say? Just how much did the original storyline derail? Worst case, I would have to—

''It's cheaper.''

''...Huh?''

Cheaper? What?

''I figured raising you would be cheaper than accommodating Lady Lyra and her dragon pet,'' Kiara uttered nonchalantly. ''I don't have a lot of money.''

''...No, seriously—''

''I'm broke.''

''...''

All of a sudden, every single ounce of dedication and care I had for this occasion disappeared. Yeah, no. I forgot she was a troll—a terrible troll at that.

Heaving out a helpless sigh, I narrowed my eyes and slightly pouted.

''Are you after my body, then?'' I jokingly asked.

It was Kiara. I was sure she would answer with something silly—

''Yes.''

''...''

''...''

''...!''

Assaulted by her out-of-nowhere deadpan delivery and cool stare, I could feel the heat rising up my face in real-time. At this point, Lyra turned around and made a face as though ridiculing me, saying something to the effect of, ''Why are you blushing every time?!''

''Y-You're really after my body...?!''

''Big sis... too tight...!''

''Ah, sorry.''

It seemed I nearly suffocated Lyra with my chest. What a dumb mistake.

Nevertheless, Kiara and I then exchanged some more jokes. At some point, I could tell that she was merely messing around despite her solemn attitude.

''Then... Your Highness. Can I have some time to think?''

In the end, I proposed a temporary pause for me to gather my thoughts. I knew the engagement wouldn't go anywhere since Rachael would definitely step in and interfere with the process, but regardless of that, the princess of Anjou nodded contently and made her way out.

''I'll be in the capital for a while.'' She said, putting on her coat. ''I'll visit often.''

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''That would be wonderful, Your Highness!''

Having Kiara here would definitely help improve Lyra's communication skills. After all, it was described in the game that the two got along really well.

''...''

As Kiara waved a final goodbye to us, however, I noticed Lyra's unusual eyes. Soon, she turned to me with a somewhat resentful expression.

''Big sis... are you getting married?''

''Huh? No way. I'll have to make sure you grow up properly first.''

As I familiarly combed through Lyra's silky hair, I was once again reminded of my goals.

Right.

I swore to raise the heroine well. If that could be done... then I thought it wouldn't be too bad in the end. I might not be able to marry since I wouldn't be able to fulfill the role of a wife completely at this rate, but dating was certainly possible.

Yeah, why didn't I think of it?

I didn't need to fully commit to someone with the intention of marriage. As long as I told my partners beforehand, it would be fine. Maybe.

The only problem left was Rachael.

As far as I knew, Kiara was actually quite comfortable not being the only one for her partner. She would actually see it as an opportunity to make friends, which was a bit sad.

Now, in the game, Rachael was the most difficult one to convince. Since her ego and her possessiveness were through the roof, making her a mere harem consort was basically an insult to her whole identity, especially now that it was me doing it instead of Lyra.

''...''

Really, I was worrying about women fighting over me now? What a privileged life to live. If only I weren't dying.

Fine. Whatever.

I decided to screw all of it and roll with whatever I could when the time came. Unfortunately, right when I was being so enthusiastic out of nowhere, things didn't go as intended.

Later that day, Rachael sent over a message saying that the dinner we had planned would have to be postponed due to unexpected work coming up from her side. I was initially saddened since I had made an effort to groom myself for the potential... um... sleepover, but only a few days later, I woke up to see a familiar black car parked inside the front yard of the mansion.

It was Penelope.

''Greetings, Lady Cecilia. I have brought some small gifts.''

''My, how precious. Thank you.''

On the outside, we seemed no different from a pair of good friends, but once the door to my room was locked, the atmosphere turned drastically.

Penelope put the dessert she brought on the table while she comfortably took off her coat. This was a stark contrast to her nervous appearance just two sessions ago.

The cold hue on her face rapidly melted as she came closer to me. With a confident catch, she hugged me tightly, burying her head into my neck.

In between her vivid breathing, I stroked her black hair, just like how I did Lyra's.

It felt like I was taking care of a bigger Lyra, almost. Their hair and eye colors were the same, and even their usual demeanor was somewhat similar.

Still, Lyra was Lyra, and Penelope was Penelope.

''Mn...''

Lyra wouldn't try to molest my thighs like this, certainly.

As I hugged her head even deeper into my embrace, a smile unknowingly bloomed on my face.

''Are you finally getting bolder?'' I whispered. ''Pervert ♥ .''

''...!''

Her shoulders flinched.

Nevertheless, Penelope kept shamelessly squeezing the back of my thighs, sometimes daring to sneak a touch at my buttocks right above. Unexpectedly, for a virgin who had never touched a woman, the way she massaged my hamstring actually made me feel enjoyable.

Somehow, I was able to meet her eyes after a while.

With her chin fittingly rested between my breasts, Penelope's flushed face was fully presented to me. Beyond arousal, there was an air of embarrassment and... shyness as well.

Not good.

I never thought a gorgeous lady blushing could look this mesmerizing up close.

I also wanted to reward Penelope for being good so far, so I took the opportunity to escalate things further. Ignoring her puzzled face, I reached behind me and flung the bra hook apart. Then, with a resolute pull, I set my melons free.

''!!''

This lady's bewildered face would never get old.

The reward was for Penelope to sink her face between my bare breasts, so I pulled the collar of my dress down a bit, allowing her nose and mouth to be able to make contact with my skin.

She dived in.

As the precious heiress of Bourbon got more excited, her breathing became much hotter and ticklier as well. Of course, being a pervert like Penelope, she wouldn't collapse from this. In fact, her naughty hands had only been getting bolder, now fully engaging with my buttocks.

She was so absorbed in my body that she didn't realize I had put my bra on top of her head.

Penelope truly seemed like a pervert now.

''Fufu... to think such a prominent lady was reduced to something like this...''

As I started to get a bit cheekier, Penelope didn't seem too pleased. The moment she opened her jaw and lightly took a bite of my perfect pudding, I froze. It was almost an electrical feeling, one that tickled my inner desires terribly.

Continuing her attack, she then pressed her body against mine, pushing that hot and harrowing thing of hers to poke directly at my belly.

Even through several layers of clothes, I could sense it.

''A-Ah... um...''

Not good. She was looking down on me, even though I was the one having the high ground.

As if to confirm her victory, she licked the part of my chest with her own teeth mark and smugly stared at me. It would be an otherwise cool pose if it weren't for the bra hat, however...

''You're truly a pervert, Lady Penelope.''

''You are no less of a pervert than I am.''

''...''

Soon enough, the roles were reversed as Penelope resolutely went on the offensive. Groping, rubbing, licking, biting. She did that stuff lightly on me, adhering to her rules of enjoying a meal slowly. My body was nearly full of her traces.

Not a kiss... yet. But she seemed to be genuinely engrossed in the acts.

While I was starting to enjoy this type of skinship, she suddenly dropped a bombshell of a statement.

''...I've always wanted a girlfriend like you.'' She whispered while enthusiastically groping my bottom. ''Someone slutty, someone who is equally a pervert like I am...''

''...?!''

E-Excuse me?

Did I just get another harem candidate...?