After taking his time appreciating the charm of the two girls, Akuto finally spoke at an unhurried pace.
"I thought you two would be wearing those evening gowns from earlier tonight. Why did you change back into your usual outfits?"
Erica was very satisfied that Akuto's gaze had lingered on them for so long. Smiling, she replied, "It was Karen's suggestion."
"Karen said that since Akuto-sama likes maid outfits so much, then Akuto-sama must also like knight outfits too."
"After thinking it over, I felt Karen made a very good point, so I accepted her suggestion."
The biggest reason Erica had still chosen to wear her most classic battle attire, instead of her usual dress or the luxurious gown from tonight, was because of Akuto's memories.
Erica knew that Akuto had already learned about them while still in another world, and had fallen for them before ever meeting them in person.
If that was the case, then what version of them had left the deepest impression on him?
Without question, it was the look that appeared most often in the anime, and the one that was the most iconic.
That was why Erica had ultimately chosen this knight's outfit that she wore in battle.
As for Liliana, she knew she was not good at making choices herself. So, since both Erica and Karen had arrived at the same conclusion, Liliana simply went along with it.
"Yes, Erica, you guessed right. I really do like this look on both of you." Akuto nodded in sincere approval.
"By the way, Erica, since you know that much, then you should also know what else I like, right?"
The next second, Akuto slowly raised a hand and sliced it lightly through the air.
Rip.
Two simultaneous sounds of fabric tearing rang out. A small slit, only a few square centimeters wide, appeared at the lower hem of Erica's tight shorts and Liliana's pleated skirt.
"See, Lily? I told you Akuto-kun would do exactly this, didn't I? In Akuto-kun's eyes, a beautiful girl and a beautiful girl's clothes have always been inseparable."
Seeing her theory confirmed, Erica blinked smugly.
Before coming here, she had already gotten a very thorough education from Arianna about Akuto's particular tastes.
"Hmph. Of course I knew that."
Liliana had naturally learned the same thing from Karen. But the shock of it was simply too great for her, and it left her whole body tinged with a tender blush.
From Karen's explanation, Liliana had not only come to understand Akuto's fondness for leaving just a single opening, but had even learned the reasoning behind that preference.
This sort of taste was actually similar to the difference between a bunny girl outfit and a reverse bunny girl outfit.
A bunny girl costume wrapped a girl's upper body, waist, and more private areas completely, while other parts, like the underarms, arms, thighs, and calves, were left exposed.
A reverse bunny girl outfit was the exact opposite. Wherever the regular bunny girl outfit covered, the reverse bunny girl outfit left bare. In other words, it only covered the arms and legs.
Put the two together, and the girl's body would be entirely covered.
According to Karen's analysis, Akuto's preference followed the same psychology as people who liked reverse bunny girl outfits.
Showing only one part, in that half-hidden, half-shy way, was often more stirring than baring everything outright. Black pantyhose worked on the same principle. Sometimes, complete coverage and no coverage at all could create almost the same effect.
Just as Akuto had expected, Erica and Liliana soon started arguing over the matter of who would go first.
"Lily, since you're the shyer one, how about I go first and set an example for you?" Erica suggested with a smile.
"N-no, that won't be necessary. Karen already taught me."
"And if we're talking about who met Akuto-kun first, I think I should be the one to go first." Liliana stepped in front of Erica, stopping her from walking toward Akuto.
"Oh? Is that so?" Erica raised a brow.
"Lily, I admit that you met Akuto-kun before I did."
"But when it comes to being noticed by him, and being liked by him, shouldn't that have been me first?"
Erica was not wrong. After all, she was the heroine. Liliana's story arc only came later.
...
Akuto simply watched Erica and Liliana without saying a word or making any move to intervene.
When faced with two girls at once, he was usually not the proactive type.
Partly because he did not want to treat either one differently. If he acted first, there would always be an order to it. Akuto preferred to leave the choice of precedence to Erica and Liliana rather than make it himself.
Partly because he knew the two of them would naturally compete with each other. Erica would most likely take the initiative, while Liliana would follow along from behind, doing her best not to fall behind. He quite enjoyed this state of affairs, seeing two beautiful girls display their charms before him by every means they could think of.
And finally, there was simply his own personal preference. As he had said before, Akuto liked seeing the exquisite expressions on a beautiful girl's face when she revealed her most alluring side to him. Being beneath her let him take in every change in her face and body, while also putting her slender waist within easy reach. It let him appreciate every one of her charms while also satisfying his own desire to restrain and hold her close. It was, in every sense, a very convenient position.
Akuto admitted that there was certainly something deeply satisfying, on a conquering level, about watching a girl reveal her most beautiful side over him. But beyond that, there was also a different thrill in guiding her downward and holding her there, turning what began as her own initiative into something softened and restrained by his embrace. The contrast itself was intoxicating.
...
It did not take long for Erica and Liliana to reach a conclusion.
The winner was Erica.
Because Erica had brought out her trump card.
"Ah? Why is his embrace so warm?"
"I clearly wanted to escape his arms, yet because I longed for that warmth, my steps hesitated!"
Holding a small booklet in her hand, Erica began reading famous lines excerpted from Liliana's novel.
Although Karen was no longer secretly supplying her with Liliana's diary, Erica was a prodigy. She had long since memorized a number of lines she considered devastatingly effective against Liliana.
"Aah! Stop reading it already!"
Liliana dropped straight into a crouch, clutching her head in total collapse.
Seeing that this move had instantly knocked Liliana out, Erica licked her red lips and smiled in a sultry, triumphant way. Still reading from Liliana's little book, she walked up to Akuto.
Then, with striking poise, Erica settled herself gracefully on his lap. One hand braced against him for support, while the other still held Liliana's booklet.
"So I had fallen in love with him from the very first moment we met."
"All along, I had only been yearning for his affection. All along, I believed he liked seeing me act this shy in front of him, which was why I kept deliberately showing him that side of me."
"If he were willing to leave that Eastern woman and come back to me, then I would definitely say the words 'I love you' right to his face."
That "Eastern woman" obviously referred to Mariya Yuri.
In Liliana's novel, Yuri was the second heroine. She was not exactly a villain, but she really had created no small obstacle in Liliana's romance. That was also why Liliana felt too ashamed to face Yuri herself.
Snap.
With a light sound, Erica closed her "Collected and Bound Liliana Novels."
Since victory was already decided, Erica no longer had any intention of continuing Liliana's "punishment."
"...Akuto-kun, actually, these are also the words I want to say to you."
"You are my king, and even more than that, my partner."
"You could have simply ordered me to attend you in bed. But instead, you chose the path that respected me the most, even though it was also the most difficult one."
"I'm honored that you love me, and I'm willing to spend the rest of my life repaying that love."
"So..."
As she softly confessed her feelings to Akuto, Erica slowly drew closer to him.
Akuto and Erica both let out long breaths at the same time. Before Akuto could even respond, Erica wrapped her arms around him and offered him a girl's kiss.
"Mmm... ah... Akuto..."
"I love you most... love you... love you... love you so, so much... more than anything..."
As if answering all the respect and affection Akuto had shown her, Erica poured out her feelings again and again.
Up until now, Erica had always called him things like "Master" or "Lin Xiu-sama."
Only after Akuto confessed to her had she begun calling him "Akuto-kun" in private moments like these.
But from now on, Erica felt she ought to use even more intimate names, like "Akuto" or simply "A-ku."
Because from this moment onward, their relationship would no longer be just that of knight and lord. They would also be lovers in the truest and closest sense.
On Akuto's side, the truth was that the moment Erica said she loved him, he had already clearly received her feelings.
[ Ding! ]
[ Congratulations, Host. You have completed a Fate acquisition. ]
[ Fate source: Erica Blandelli. ]
[ Blank initial ability slot +1. Current total number of initial ability slots: 14. ]
Erica's affection had already risen to a very high level, so the system prompt sounded immediately, without even needing to wait for several hours or even several days later. The instant Erica kissed him and confessed her love, it triggered.
"Akuto... I want you... and I want your child too..."
"If it's your child, Akuto, then no matter how many, I would want them."
Erica gazed at him with eyes overflowing with emotion. A tear, mixed with happiness and release, slipped from the corner of her eye.
She truly meant those words. Before coming to Akuto tonight, she had already taken medication meant to increase her chances of conception.
Even so, having Akuto's child would not be so easy. But Akuto had no intention of discouraging her. One hand gently caressed Erica's smooth chin, while the other stroked her long golden hair more firmly.
"Yes, Erica. I love you too."
Hearing Akuto's confession, Erica's beautiful violet eyes filled more and more with adoration. It was only for a brief moment before that dreamy look dissolved into pure rapture.
(End of Chapter)
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