Noah's (POV)
"Is the water too hot, Layla?" I asked gently, wringing out the cloth.
"No... it's fine," she replied, cheeks flushed with warmth and embarrassment.
It's been two days since Layla consumed the corrupted black heart. The cursed and corrupted energies have been clashing inside her ever since, fighting for dominance. She's been weak, barely able to move, and I've stayed by her side the entire time. Scarlett and Lyra went off to take on a quest—we can't just halt everything—but more importantly, Layla's body has been releasing dark energy that only I seem capable of suppressing. So, it's just the two of us in this room while the others check in from time to time.
Right now, I'm washing her. She hasn't bathed in two days, and today, she was finally able to sit up a little. I've made sure her chest and waist are modestly wrapped in a soft towel so she doesn't feel too exposed.
Funny... I remember her giving me a sponge bath back when I was in the infirmary after the battle with the Shadow Prince. She certainly took full advantage of that moment.
"Heh… should I tease her a little?" I thought, grinning to myself.
"Layla, I'm going to start now. You ready?" I asked, flashing her a sly grin.
"Y-Yes..." she turned her head away, completely red.
No matter how bold she acts, at her core, she's still a girl. And when it comes to intimacy—especially with me—she gets flustered like anyone else.
"Well, it's my turn to tease you, little Layla…"
I soaked the towel in warm water—just the right temperature—and started with her legs.
"Beautiful," I murmured, gazing at them.
She blushed but smiled softly, clearly pleased.
She lay quietly on the bed, chest and waist covered. I gently lifted one leg and placed it on my lap, moving the warm cloth slowly, carefully, from her toes to her thighs.
"Ah—"
Her body shuddered beneath my touch, trembling with every slow, deliberate motion.
Her skin was flawless—smooth, soft, not a trace of blemish or hair. I took my time, repeating the same tender care with her other leg.
I hadn't crossed any lines yet. But that time was coming.
Next were her hands—small, cold, delicate.
"How does she swing that massive scythe with hands this small?" I wondered.
"Noah... d-do I look beautiful?" she asked, her voice trembling, face redder than a strawberry.
"No," I said flatly, watching her eyes widen in surprise—then added with a smirk, "You look hot. Especially right now."
Her face went scarlet.
I cleaned her soft hands, then slowly moved to her stomach. Before I wiped, I leaned down and placed a kiss at her navel.
"Ah—what are you doing?" she asked, startled.
"Just cleaning," I replied, continuing with calm precision.
I moved to her hair next. This world didn't have shampoo, but she didn't need it—her hair was already sleek and smooth. I took my time, fingers weaving through the strands as I gently massaged her scalp. She closed her eyes, fully relaxed now.
"Maybe this calms her down..." I thought.
Once her head and back were done, I stared at the last two regions left.
"No... I won't stop here. She made me suffer back then. It's payback time."
"Ahem—Layla, I think this part needs cleaning too," I said as my hand slipped beneath the towel covering her chest.
"Ah—No! You can't! I can do that part myself!" she protested, trying to grab my wrist.
I leaned in close, our breaths mingling. "What are you saying, my love? You took such good care of me when I was weak. It's only natural I return the favor."
She stammered, "T-That's not—ah…"
But it was too late. My hands were already gently working under the towel. I didn't linger long, not wanting to push her too far, but I didn't skip out on the teasing either—occasional soft pinches and squeezes that made her moan lightly.
"Noah, that—ah…"
I did the same at her waist, although I still didn't remove the towel—unlike her, who had no such restraint when I was the one lying weak and defenseless.
"Layla, why is your body trembling so much?" I whispered teasingly while cleaning beneath the towel.
"Haa... haa... you're bullying a weak woman," she pouted—but her body said otherwise.
Still, I didn't push her further. She was too weak right now.
"Alright, I'm done. How do you feel?"
"I-I feel better now," she murmured, face glowing.
"Good." I leaned in and kissed her lips gently, then deepened it, letting my tongue glide over hers, savoring the sweetness.
When I pulled back, I smiled, "Oops. I forgot to clean your lips too."
She covered her face in embarrassment—just like I had when she said the same to me.
"All done. You can rest now," I whispered, pulling the blanket over her.
She closed her eyes, and moments later, she was asleep.
I sat beside her, watching her chest rise and fall.
"Eva, how much longer until it's over?" I asked.
[Just a few more hours, Host. The corruption and curse are close to harmonizing.]
"It's not going to harm her, right?"
[No. She'll become even stronger.]
"I see... Astral Mirage Clones," I summoned three clones of myself.
"Get to work, boys," I said. We each moved to a corner of the bed in a cross-like position.
"Let's begin."
"Purification," we all chanted, casting the spell in unison.
This needed to be done—her energy had been so volatile on the first day it nearly consumed the entire room. I now understood… The demon must have consumed the same heart but failed to tame its power, leading to its corruption and madness.
But Layla isn't like that. I'll never let her lose herself.
For two days, we've been purifying her body every time she fell asleep. The energy now is tame—nothing like the violent surge that once made the walls shake.
Let me tell you—our room is the biggest in this entire inn.
"I hope she'll be okay… as you said."
[Calm down, Host.]
"How can I be calm? The cheerful, clingy girl who always clung to me like a cat is now lying still, barely able to move. It kills me inside. I want my Layla back."
[She will return—stronger and happier. Just a few more hours.]
Even the system, normally indifferent, was trying to reassure me. But I couldn't rest. Not until I saw her smile again.
I haven't slept in two days. I stayed awake through her cries of pain, her desperate sobs, her trembling voice begging to move or to breathe.
And all I could do… was hold her. Stroke her hair. Whisper that it would be okay.
I've never felt more useless in both my lives.
Not even the "B-rank prodigy" Noah felt this helpless.
Not even when facing the Shadow Prince.
At least then, I could fight.
Here… I could do nothing.
Nothing but watch the woman I love suffer.
"I shouldn't have let her take that heart…"
I stood up to make her something warm to eat. Just a simple soup—anything to comfort her.
But when I returned to the room—
The plate fell from my hands.
My eyes widened.
"Layla!"
—To be continued...