Chapter 70: The maid gave in to temptation
Strax left the church and found himself face-to-face with Carlos. He greeted him silently, "Have a safe return," Carlos said, bowing. Strax nodded; he now had a valuable ally. With two Master-level Cultivators on his side, not to mention Xenovia, his strength had grown considerably.
He mounted Apocalypse and began riding through the city, resuming his normal route.
"Now... I need to increase my cultivation. Once I reach the next level and stabilize my strength, I'll start taking action... I need to focus on cultivation first. After that, I'll follow that damn voice from the Garden of Swords. Running away won't be an option then; I'll have to face the Academy...
What happens after that, only God knows," Strax thought as he descended into the city, leaving the church behind.
After a few hours, he returned home. He placed Apocalypse in her stable at the back of the mansion. "I know you've been cultivating, but be careful," he said with concern, noticing small surges of strength from Apocalypse during their walk. "If you need me to let you loose to get used to your body, just let me know.
I'll let you roam the fields, but you have to come back, alright?" He asked, stroking her neck, and she neighed in agreement.
"Good girl, rest well. Thanks for the help," he said, giving her one last pat on the neck as the mare lay down. "Now... let's see what's inside," he said, entering the house.
"Tomorrow, I need to talk to Xenovia and prevent her from committing genocide in Cristine's guild. I also need to understand what she wants and what she feels for me... She seems a bit obsessed with me. This situation is getting stranger by the moment. Why all this importance? I don't even know what's at stake anymore.
I thought it might be a simple problem, but... those idiots, they're already here." Strax said as he opened the mansion door, expecting to see someone inside, but it was late at night.
The house was eerily quiet. The main room was empty, with no sign of Beatrice or Samira. He walked through the corridors looking for someone, until he finally found Monica in the kitchen, cooking something on the magical stove. "Monica?" he called out, and she turned, her smile softly illuminated. "Sit down, I'm making your meal. I thought you'd be late since you missed your usual time.
The girls tried to wait for you, but they ended up falling asleep, so I sent them to bed," she said, wiping her hands on a towel. "So, how was your day? You look exhausted."
Strax sighed, letting himself relax a bit. "It was... complicated. I had some unexpected meetings. Thanks for sending them to bed; I didn't think I'd take so long to get home. And you, how was your day and theirs?
I imagine Samira must be getting tired of staying here," Strax said, observing Monica's graceful and efficient movements in the kitchen. There was something captivating about her, something he couldn't ignore. Approaching the counter, he leaned on his elbows. "You always make everything look so easy. I'd easily burn myself."
She laughed softly, a sound that made him smile. "That's what they say. But in truth, sometimes it can be quite interesting to cook. You should try it. Samira told me you're good at roasting meat on winter days; it sounded like a code, actually." She said, and Strax just laughed. "Yeah, it's a big code she used," Strax said, reminiscing about the snowy days.
He watched her for a moment before asking, "And you, Monica? Are you happy here? Isn't it too difficult to take care of everything? If you need, I can hire more helpers." Monica turned to him, her eyes shining with a mix of surprise and curiosity. "I am happy. Taking care of the house and helping Beatrice and Samira is something I enjoy.
And... well, you're not such a bad boss."
Strax laughed, shaking his head. "I hope not. But I'd like to know more about you. After all, you're always taking care of all of us, but who takes care of you?"
Strax was already setting another of his plans in motion. He needed to discover why Monica was hiding her cultivation and how she managed to do it. Not only did she hide her cultivation from everyone, but she also went unnoticed by Samira, a Master Rank cultivator. Strax only knew because of his [Analysis] ability from the System. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened?
If she were an enemy, which he doubted given how she treated Beatrice, but still, he needed to be sure.
Monica remained silent for a moment, looking at him with a curious sparkle in her eyes. "You're worried about me, Strax?" He smiled, leaning in a bit closer. "Of course I am. You're an important part of this household. Besides, who wouldn't worry about someone as dedicated, talented, and beautiful as you?" She blushed slightly but didn't look away. "You're quite the charmer, aren't you?"
"I only speak the truth," he replied, winking at her. "Besides, you deserve to hear compliments. You do so much for all of us, especially taking care of my dear Beatrice."
Monica moved closer, stopping on the other side of the counter, her eyes fixed on his while her cleavage was clearly visible. "Are you flirting with me, Strax?"
He smiled, tilting his head. "And if I am? I'm sure my wives wouldn't mind."
She laughed again, a soft, melodious sound. "I think you're not the only one with a talent for flirting. I'm older, but I still know a thing or two."
Strax raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh really? I'd love to see that side of you." Strax said, "What am I getting myself into? I was sure she would look away like she did with the horse, maybe change the subject, but... what got into her?" He thought, this wasn't going as he expected.
Monica approached even closer, closing the distance between them, her breasts prominently displayed in a deep neckline. "Maybe I should," she murmured, her voice low and provocative as her fingers reached the middle of her chest, almost as if she was going to reveal her pair of breasts. Strax fell under the woman's charm and followed her gaze.
He could feel the electric tension in the air, a palpable attraction between them. "I'm curious to see what you're capable of," he said, eyes fixed on her fingers.
Monica smiled, a smile that was both challenging and seductive. She extended her other hand, lightly touching the sleeve of his shirt, her fingers gliding over his skin. "You might be surprised, Strax." He felt a shiver run down his spine at her touch, a warmth spreading through his body. "I like surprises," he murmured, his voice husky.
She tilted her head, eyes shining with mischief. "Then maybe I should show you a few." Strax felt his breath quicken, her proximity making him increasingly captivated. "I'm looking forward to it," he said, his voice filled with anticipation. They were very close, even with the small counter separating them, it was possible to feel some breath coming from them.
Monica moved even closer, her hands now lightly touching his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. "You're a dangerous man, Strax," she murmured, her lips inches from his. He smiled, a slow, predatory smile. "Only when I need to be." She laughed again, a soft, provocative sound. "Then maybe I should be careful."
This was no longer just a flirtation, it had become a small war of interests. "Or maybe you should take the risk," he replied, his voice low and full of desire. Monica looked at him, her eyes filled with a strange mix of feelings. "Maybe I should," she murmured, pulling him to close the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a kiss full of passion and urgency.
When they finally separated, both were breathless, their eyes shining with desire. "That was... intense," Monica murmured, her lips still tingling from the kiss.
Strax looked at her, not knowing what to say, but in his mind... "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?" he screamed to himself. He looked at her, "I didn't expect that." He said, in a confused tone. "You started it," Monica smiled, a smile that promised many more surprises. "Maybe it's good to continue," she murmured, before kissing him again, losing herself in the sensation of being in Strax's arms.
[Mission Completed]
[Mission Completed]
[Mission Completed]
[Mission Completed]
[Mission Completed]
The System, which had been in silent mode, started firing notifications while Strax was surprised and feeling the woman consuming him bit by bit.
"W-What the hell was that!" he shouted to himself, "Damn, I wanted this, but I didn't think it would be so easy!" he thought...
Before that attack on Strax, Monica had been suppressing something within herself for some time, even before leaving the small town of Steinhardt. It started with the day Strax and Beatrice first had sex.