Free Web NovelChapter 27: Rings, and Licking Privileges
After the lovely dinner, the group finally entered their respective tents for the night.
"Huu..." Yuki exhaled a massive breath, flopping heavily onto his bed mat. "What a day."
Vee let out a soft chuckle, sitting down right next to him. "It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you so incredibly flustered and quiet."
"It’s not funny," Yuki groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Carmilla already thinks I’m not fit to be a Pureblood Vampire. Having her view my status window will only make her think even less of me."
"Do you actually care what she thinks of you?" Vee asked, her voice dropping slightly as she looked down at him.
"No, not really. But having her think highly of me is better for my chances of survival."
Vee smirked, nudging him with her shoulder. "Why not just use that ’twink charm’ you’re always talking about?"
"Huh... I never thought of that," Yuki mused, staring up at the tent ceiling. "It wouldn’t even be that hard. And Malakai wouldn’t hurt me since it would make Carmilla hate him—something we all know he desperately wants to avoid. Besides, I’ve never actually been with a shorter woman before this..."
"—You find her attractive?" Vee’s voice suddenly trembled.
Before Yuki could answer, she leaned directly over his face, her long white hair falling around them like a curtain, shielding them from the rest of the tent. Her expression dropped completely, and her long rabbit ears flopped limply over her shoulders.
"I... I mean, if that’s what you like, I can’t stop you," Vee whispered, her eyes turning glossy as her hands began to shake. "I’ll... I’ll always be your familiar. I knew eventually you would find other women, but Carmilla..." Her voice trailed off into a fragile, heartbroken silence. "I’m... I’m going to go get some fresh air."
Vee stood up abruptly and bolted out of the tent, leaving Yuki staring blankly at the empty space.
"...Crap. I think I completely overdid the joke," Yuki mumbled, panic rising in his chest.
[ That you did, ]the System interjected, materializing a glowing interface right in front of his nose.
"Should I leave her alone for a bit?" Yuki asked, nervously rubbing his armored tail.
[ No, you idiot! Go talk to her right now and set things straight! If we lose Best Girl just because you’re a blissful idiot who can’t tell when to stop joking, I’ll—well, I can’t really do anything to you physically, but I will be very, very mad. ]
"R-Right. I’m going."
Outside the camp, the cold dungeon wind passed over Vee’s skin. She stood silently at the edge of the clearing, watching the glowing flora and bioluminescent critters crawl along the cavern walls.
She looked down, aggressively fiddling with her fingers as a stray tear escaped her eye. ’Yuki is allowed to love whoever he wants. It has nothing to do with me,’ she thought bitterly to herself. ’I’m just his familiar. I’m only tasked with helping him survive. That’s what I get for always being so mean to him. Maybe if I was sweeter... maybe if I...’
"Umm... Vee?"
Vee violently flinched as Yuki’s soft voice sounded right behind her.
"I want to apologize to you," Yuki said softly, stepping into the dim light. "What I said back in the tent... I only said it as a silly joke to tease you. I went way too far, and I am so incredibly sorry. I promise I won’t ever do it again."
Vee turned around slowly, her scarlet eyes completely filled with tears. "So... you aren’t going to replace me?"
"No! No, never!" Yuki blurted out, frantically waving his hands. "I would never dream of replacing you!"
"But Carmilla is better than me," Vee whimpered, looking away. "She’s a noble, she has actual magic, she—"
"I don’t want Carmilla. I want you," Yuki said proudly, his voice filled with absolute conviction. "You’re the best familiar I could have ever asked for. Any other familiar would have left me to die the second I got injured, or abandoned me to find a new master who actually wants to become the Demon King. But you stayed with me, even after all the trouble and chaos I put you through."
Yuki stepped closer, slowly reaching out to take both of her shaking hands into his own, staring intensely into her eyes. "I want you, Vee. Is there anything I can do right now to make you feel better?"
Vee sniffled, her face warming up slightly under his intense gaze. "Umm... can I have some more clothes? I know I said buying more stuff from the lifestyle shop was stupid, but..."
"I will get you anything you want," Yuki promised instantly.
"Umm..." Vee mumbled, her demeanor shifting as she pulled him a little closer, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "This is a bit of a strange request, but... umm, you know how you made that lace underwear for Carmilla as a gift?"
"Yes?"
"Can I have some too? But... umm, some that aren’t designed for combat?"
Yuki blinked. "...Like nightwear?"
"Yeah. Something that’s... easy to slip out of," Vee whispered, her lips curving into a highly seductive, mischievous smile.
"Don’t you mean easy to slip into? Like when we return from a long day of hunting?" Yuki asked, genuinely confused.
"No," Vee purred, leaning her forehead against his.
"Oh," Yuki gasped, his brain finally catching up as a furious blush erupted across his face. "Oh, I see."
"Since you’re making it up to me," Vee continued, her voice practically dripping with anticipation, "I want a massage tonight. A full-body massage using those cheat fingers of yours. And do not hold back."
"Oh, I can do that. Gladly," Yuki grinned, his proud confidence rushing right back. "Just know that we’ll have to wait until Malakai and Carmilla leave camp tomorrow, because you are going to make a lot of noise."
In a split second, Vee’s entire face became as bright red as a beet. She hid her face in his chest, hitting his shoulder. "Why do you say such incredibly scandalous things with a completely straight face?!"
"What did I say?" Yuki asked, playing completely innocent.
"Let’s just go to bed, you total idiot!"
An hour later, the tent was dead silent. Vee was curled up tightly against Yuki’s side, her breathing deep and even as she slept.
"Hey, System," Yuki whispered nervously, barely making a sound so he wouldn’t risk waking the sleeping rabbit girl beside him. "Can I ask you something?"
[ Ask away, ]the System replied, its text floating silently in the dark.
"I want to give Vee a real gift. I know that women love jewelry, so I want to know if you think she would like this." Yuki proudly opened a small, elegant velvet box from his inventory, revealing a beautiful, shimmering band.
[ ... ]
[ ...Um, what do y— ]
[ No. Absolutely not. Do NOT give her that right now. ]
Yuki’s face instantly dropped. "Is it really that bad?"
[ No, it’s actually gorgeous and a very high-quality gift, but Yuki... it is a ring. Do NOT give a girl a ring right now. It is way too early for that! ]
"It is?"
[ Yes! What do people usually use rings for, you dense vampire?! ]
"...Umm? Oh..." Yuki’s eyes went wide as his internal gears finally turned. "Oh, I see what you mean."
[ Just make her more clothes, ]the System advised, text practically shaking with digital exasperation. [ Preferably something you would want to see her in once you two finish your hunting trip tomorrow. ]
"Well, if it were entirely up to me," Yuki whispered with a dreamy smile, "I would want to see her completely bare, so I can use my tongue to lick her to my heart’s content."
"Is that what you and the System are doing at this ungodly hour of the night?" Vee’s sleepy, groggy voice suddenly cut through the darkness.
Yuki stiffened into a statue.
Vee rolled over, lazily wrapping a heavy arm around Yuki’s waist and pulling him flat against her chest. She rested her head firmly on his shoulder, her eyes closed. "Go to sleep right now, you pervert, or I am never going to let you lick me ever again."
"Yes, ma’am," Yuki squeaked.
[ What a relief, she didn’t hear anything about the ring, ]the System text flashed happily, before completely disappearing into standby mode.
