Acheron had enjoyed a rare, good night's sleep.
She didn't usually need much sleep, often going long stretches between rests.
After all, slipping into dreams often meant being greeted by less-than-pleasant visions, leaving her more unsettled than rested.
This time, however, was different.
She still dreamed, yes. But the nature of the dream had shifted.
Memories from the past, blurred and indistinct, surged like a dark tide from the abyss, thick and stained with the color of blood.
Just as she was about to be swallowed by them, a girl with hair as white as snow, wreathed in flames, descended like sunlight tearing through storm clouds.
The brilliant fire was warm, searing, and it filled Acheron's entire vision. It blotted out the inky tide, leaving the details obscured.
All she could see clearly was the girl within the flames, smiling softly as she reached out with her left hand.
Acheron's own hand lifted almost on its own.
The moment their hands met, the rings on their fingers glinted in unison, reflecting the firelight.
Then, the flames transformed into ruins—but these ruins were bathed in sunlight, and even the roars of monsters lurking within had lost their power to disgust.
Acheron recognized this place. It was where she had first met Sylvia.
The memory surfaced in her mind, crystal clear. It seemed she hadn't lost any memories recently.
The impression of that first meeting with Sylvia remained as transparent and sharp as glass.
--+--
After lingering in the bathroom for over two system hours, Sylvia finally emerged, looking refreshed and invigorated.
Robed just like Acheron, she tilted her head as she approached, using the heat from her palm to gently dry her long hair.
She looked down.
Acheron, deep in sleep, wore an expression of profound peace. Sylvia gathered the hem of her robe and knelt, observing the tranquil face.
There was no unconscious shift to white hair; her condition was remarkably stable.
"Sleep well," Sylvia murmured.
She reached up and gently loosened the towel wrapped around her hair.
The dark strands cascaded down, and Sylvia carefully combed them through with her fingers. Once they were dry, she deftly gathered them into a simple, low ponytail.
Throughout it all, Acheron showed no sign of waking, as if she had truly let all her defenses down.
Seeing that Acheron remained fast asleep even after her hair was done, Sylvia let out a soft, helpless sigh.
She carefully slid one arm behind Acheron's back and the other under her knees, gently lifting her soft, pliant body.
The robe Acheron wore fell away with gravity, outlining her form. Beneath the fabric, Sylvia's hands were directly against the warm skin of Acheron's back and thighs.
Though she had touched her all over not long before, the contact now still sent Sylvia's heart into a flutter.
Perhaps it was the warmth of Sylvia's body that Acheron felt. As Sylvia carried her towards the bed, Acheron's head tilted slightly, coming to rest against Sylvia's chest.
Sylvia's own robe wasn't fastened particularly tightly. With Acheron nestled so close, her warm breath seemed to threaten to breach the last of Sylvia's composure, making it hard for her to think straight and setting her heart racing.
Moving swiftly, Sylvia carried Acheron into the bedroom and settled her onto the soft mattress, pulling the covers over her.
She then neatly arranged Acheron's freshly cleaned and dried clothes, along with her ever-present long blade, beside the pillow.
"Goodnight," Sylvia whispered, her face flushed as she gazed at the peacefully sleeping Acheron. She quietly closed the door and returned to the living room.
After a moment's thought, she picked up the fruit plate from the coffee table, went back, and placed it gently on Acheron's nightstand. That way, she could have some as soon as she woke.
Back in the living room once more, Sylvia, not one to waste, decided to make use of the remaining potions and oils. She gave herself a thorough skincare routine before finally retiring for the night.
--+--
The night passed without incident.
Acheron was awakened by the sunlight streaming through the window. She opened her eyes slowly to an unfamiliar ceiling and quickly became aware of her current state.
Pushing herself up with her arms, the covers slid down, revealing her graceful figure.
"When… did I fall asleep?" she wondered aloud, sitting upright and turning to look outside. If she remembered correctly, it had been late at night when they returned from their outing with Sylvia.
After her shower, Sylvia had mentioned giving her some care and maintenance, even giving her a massage…
And her memory cut off after that.
Just before the blackout, she recalled how easily she had let her guard down under Sylvia's ministrations, how her body had relaxed completely.
Her muscles had yielded obediently to Sylvia's touch, letting herself be handled without resistance.
And…
She had been rather… undisciplined.
Recalling her reactions under Sylvia's hands last night—how she had been dazed, completely immersed in the sensation—now, in the clarity of morning, Acheron found it almost unbearable. She had never exposed such a defenseless, vulnerable side of herself to anyone before.
Yet last night, it had lasted so long under Sylvia's care. She could even remember the feeling of not wanting it to stop.
The mere thought of those scenes from the previous night sent her thoughts into a tangled, chaotic whirl.
Her past experiences had taught her how to handle crises and solve problems with ease, but this kind of personal dilemma… it stumped her.
After all, within her limited memories, there was nothing from her past to guide her on how to face such complex, unfamiliar emotions.
These new feelings crashed around recklessly inside her chest. They were strange, yet also… intoxicating.
Rich, complicated emotions had been absent from her life for so long. But now, because of Sylvia, things seemed to be changing.
"And… my body feels so light. Have I ever been this relaxed before?" she mused.
Her lack of composure was one thing, but she could also clearly feel a profound sense of relaxation throughout her entire body.
It was as if a string that had been pulled taut for far too long had finally been loosened, relieving the pressure and averting the risk of snapping. For Acheron, this feeling of release was almost entirely new.
Ever since emerging from the embrace of nihility, she had lived in a kind of daze. But now… relaxed, clear-headed, her state was unprecedentedly good.
Acheron closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and her fingers lightly brushed against the ring on her left ring finger.
"To think Sylvia had skills like this…"
She opened her eyes again.
Her cleaned and neatly folded clothes were placed beside the pillow, and right next to them lay her long blade, the one that almost never left her side.
Her fingers lightly traced the fabric of her clothes before she noticed the fruit plate on the nightstand.
She knew Sylvia must have done all this after she'd fallen asleep.
She didn't rush to get dressed, nor did she immediately reach for her sword. Instead, she simply pushed herself up, the soft rustle of her skin against the sheets accompanying her movement as she sat on the edge of the bed.
The first thing she reached for was the fruit Sylvia had fed her yesterday.
It was just as sweet and delicious as she remembered.
Crunch, crunch.
In the quiet room, the only sound was the gentle crunching.
"It's just as sweet as yesterday," Acheron couldn't help but murmur to herself.
--+--
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!
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If you guys wanna check it out.