The bathroom door swung open, releasing a cloud of steam.
It was the first time Sylvia had seen Acheron shed that form-fitting coat of hers—the one that so strikingly accentuated her figure.
A loose bathrobe now draped over her, yet it did little to conceal the graceful lines of Acheron's body.
In the deliberately dimmed light, the slightly blurred scenery seemed to grow all the more enticing.
Beside Sylvia lay carefully prepared essential oils and salves, giving off a delicate, soothing fragrance.
Acheron swept her long hair aside and bent down to take a gentle whiff, seeming pleasantly surprised by the result.
"It smells even better than I imagined."
As Acheron leaned forward in front of her, Sylvia couldn't help but catch a glimpse of a sight that sent her pulse racing.
"Of course. I blended it based on the scents you preferred today. It should help you relax."
No sooner had she spoken than Sylvia felt a twinge of uncertainty—after all, it was her first time trying this, and on someone as captivating as Acheron.
It was all a bit overwhelming for her.
"Mmm, I like this scent."
Even though it was meant to be a simple treatment, Sylvia had to admit—Acheron's hair and skin were already flawless, with hardly any room for improvement.
But then, Sylvia's real goal was just to help Acheron unwind, so it didn't really matter.
"Let me start with some haircare, then."
Sylvia quickly rose, offering her spot to Acheron.
Maybe it was the steam fogging her senses, or the fragrant aroma lulling her mind—as she moved aside, Sylvia took Acheron's hand and guided her to lie face-down on the sofa.
Her fingers brushed against something hard—a ring.
Once again, her mind drifted to images not meant for young eyes.
Luckily, this time Acheron wasn't looking her way, and didn't catch the blush rising to Sylvia's cheeks.
Sitting close, Sylvia gently lifted Acheron's long hair. It was silky, and carried a subtle fragrance.
As the strands parted, the collar of the robe slipped, revealing a neck as smooth and fair as jade, tinged with a soft pink—perhaps from her recent bath.
It made Sylvia want to take a little bite.
She took a deep breath.
Lifting her hands, Sylvia let her warm fingers comb through Acheron's hair, drying the damp ends slightly before applying the prepared salve, starting from the scalp and working it slowly into the silken strands.
Memories of the techniques she'd acquired that day rose to mind.
Her fingers moved almost on reflex, springing to life the moment they touched Acheron's scalp.
Lightly gathering, slowly twisting, stroking and lifting…
Sylvia lost herself in the artistry of the motion.
Meanwhile, Acheron, lying prone on the sofa, felt a tingling, soothing sensation flowing from Sylvia's fingertips, spreading steadily through her body.
The pleasure traveled from her scalp all the way down to her toes.
Paired with that lovely fragrance, Acheron didn't even realize she was quietly letting her guard down.
There was some kind of magic in Sylvia's touch—even someone with willpower as steely as Acheron's couldn't resist.
As Sylvia massaged, Acheron's eyes drifted shut, her muscles gradually relaxing.
It was as though a hard shell had been peeled away, revealing something tender within.
"Mmm… ah~"
A soft, kitten-like sound escaped Acheron's lips, unbidden.
It mingled with the quiet rustle of bathrobe against sofa, the whisper of hair sliding under fingers.
Alluring, melodious—the night was intoxicating, but Acheron was even more so.
Hearing that faint sound, Sylvia couldn't help but squeeze her thighs together.
"This feels… wonderful…"
Acheron's voice was a sigh of praise, but as she spoke, her tone sounded less like a seasoned swordmaster and more like a lovestruck girl.
Even Acheron herself was caught off guard—how had she fallen so easily under Sylvia's spell?
Lost in the touch of Sylvia's hands, her thoughts seemed to smooth out under those skilled fingers.
Unlike the hollow emptiness shrouded by shadows, this time, her drifting mind was filled with a joy she hadn't felt in years.
Sylvia's hands never paused, quickly wrapping the treated hair in a towel.
"Acheron… it's time for your body…"
"Mmm…"
The soft reply came, so gentle that an outsider would never believe it came from the famed Acheron.
Sylvia swallowed hard, watching as Acheron lazily shrugged off the bathrobe, lying exposed on the sofa.
The sight of her so unguarded nearly made Sylvia's nose bleed.
The room temperature seemed to spike several degrees at once.
Sylvia grew so warm she had to take off her outerwear, leaving only a thin shirt.
Warm oil, carrying Sylvia's body heat, dripped onto Acheron's back.
Then, the massage began.
This time, her deft hands brought even stronger sensations.
Acheron felt as though she were riding a rising tide, wave after wave of pleasure ebbing and flowing, each surge giving her no chance to catch her breath, no chance to escape.
She was drowning in this gentle rapture. Trusting Sylvia completely, and savoring a delight she hadn't known in ages, Acheron surrendered entirely to the touch of those hands.
Inexpressible feelings radiated from every point of contact, spreading through her whole body.
Relaxed muscles twitched rhythmically; delicate toes curled and uncurled.
Her body trembled and shuddered under the massage.
Yet with each momentary loss of control came an unparalleled release, as if pent-up stress and sorrow were being shaken loose and expelled with every quiver.
Acheron felt herself floating among the clouds, swept on a wild wind through a tender dawn.
And so she no longer held back her voice.
Soft, clear, and rising like a lark's song, it filled the intimate room, making Sylvia's cheeks burn even hotter, yet she couldn't bring herself to stop.
She watched as a rosy flush spread across Acheron's skin.
She'd miscalculated…
Seeing Acheron react so intensely, she realized—this was no ordinary technique!
What her mind had shown her wasn't just a common massage at all!
How could it make someone at the peak of martial prowess react so… profoundly?
Under Sylvia's professional touch, a light sweat glistened on Acheron's skin. The rich, non-cloying scent of the salve hung in the air between them.
Bathed in the soft light, Acheron's fair skin looked translucent, like a work of art.
From her upper body down to her legs, all the way to those perfectly pale, delicate feet—
Sylvia held herself together, carrying on until the very end.
Acheron had even dozed off on the sofa, lulled to sleep by Sylvia's ministrations.
After hurriedly draping the bathrobe back over her, Sylvia clamped her legs together and darted straight into the bathroom.
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.