"Mmm~" Their lips met, and a sweet sensation flowed through both of their hearts.
At that moment, the door was suddenly pushed open.
"My lady! The head of the family has returned! You…" Thoma's words abruptly stopped as he stared in shock at the scene before him, his jaw nearly hitting the floor.
Thoma was utterly dumbfounded. What on earth were the two of you doing?! My lady! Where is your dignity? You're the Shirasagi Himegimi!
"Ah!" Thoma's voice snapped the two out of their trance. Ayaka, now half-sober, realized she had just kissed Akio! Her face instantly turned as red as a ripe tomato.
"My lady, the head of the family is about to arrive. Maybe you should compose yourself? I'll try to stall him…" Thoma, completely numb, closed the door and walked out.
"I… I…" Ayaka was now mortified. She didn't know why she had lost control and done something so reckless.
The pure-hearted young lady couldn't believe she had done such a thing. Tears were on the verge of falling. Would Akio think she was a loose woman after their first meeting?
"I'm sorry, Ayaka," Akio sighed. He hadn't been able to resist either, even though he wasn't drunk. Was this what they called "the wine doesn't intoxicate, but the drinker does"?
"No… it's not your fault. It's… it's mine," Ayaka quickly waved her hands. Why hadn't she been able to control herself?
"Lord Akio, I… I'm not that kind of person… I've never done this with anyone else…" Seeing the look in Akio's eyes, the already flustered Ayaka suddenly felt the need to explain.
"I know, the noble Shirasagi Himegimi," Akio gently stroked Ayaka's soft cheek.
"Mmm…" Ayaka felt the warmth of Akio's hand on her face and lowered her head.
"Alright, Ayaka. Since the head of the family is about to return, I shouldn't stay any longer. I'll take my leave now," Akio said.
"You… be careful on your way," Ayaka, lacking the courage to see him off, said softly.
"Don't worry," Akio leaned in and whispered in Ayaka's ear, "Take a good look at your heart and follow what it tells you."
"Okay," Ayaka watched as Akio turned and left, feeling a sudden sense of reluctance to see him go.
As Akio pushed open the door, he saw Thoma arguing with a young man.
"Thoma! I already know. Ayaka invited Akio, and you didn't tell me? You helped her keep it a secret?" The young man said angrily.
"Uh… well… it was the lady's orders, you know how it is, my lord," Thoma chuckled awkwardly.
"You!" Ayato was at a loss for words. Fine, his sister was the boss in this household.
"Oh, by the way, my lord, the lady used your private collection to entertain Lord Akio," Thoma suddenly added, trying to buy time by throwing Ayato under the bus.
"What?" Ayato's eyes widened. His private collection?
"Well… they drank five bottles, and the lady gifted four bottles to Lord Akio~" Thoma dropped another bombshell.
"…" Ayato felt like he was having a heart attack.
"So… only one bottle is left?" Ayato asked cautiously.
"Yes," Thoma nodded.
"Cough, cough…" Ayato clutched his chest. His private collection! That spendthrift sister of his, woe is me…
At that moment, the door opened, and Ayato saw a young man walk out.
The young man approached directly.
"My lord, this is Lord Akio," Thoma quickly introduced.
"Hello, Great Divine Official," Ayato said with a neutral tone, extending his hand.
"Hmm, so you're Kamisato Ayato? I see," Akio nodded indifferently, shook his hand, and then turned to Thoma. "Thank you for the hospitality today."
With that, Akio simply vanished on the spot.
Ayato's cold demeanor was met with equal indifference from Akio. Even if he was his future brother-in-law…
Ayato's eyes narrowed slightly. Such abilities were far from ordinary.
"Where's Ayaka?" Ayato asked, collecting his thoughts. "Is she in there?"
"Yes," Thoma nodded, unsure of how the lady was doing now.
"The smell of alcohol is strong," Ayato frowned as he entered the dining room, seeing his sister sitting in her seat, lost in thought.
"Ayaka!" Ayato walked over, noticing the smell of alcohol on his sister and her slightly tipsy expression. "You drank? With that Akio?"
"Brother!" Ayaka suddenly snapped out of her daze, seeing Ayato. She nodded weakly, "Just a little…"
"A little? You're clearly drunk!" Ayato took a deep breath. "Did Akio force you to drink?"
"No!" Ayaka quickly shook her head. She didn't want her brother to misunderstand.
Ayato turned to Thoma, who nodded helplessly, confirming that the lady was telling the truth.
"Brother! You're not allowed to cause trouble for Lord Akio!" Ayaka stood up, swaying slightly.
"?" Ayato quickly steadied his sister. He was furious that his sister had drunk so much with that man.
"Lord Akio is truly outstanding and powerful! Everything I did was voluntary! You're not allowed to cause him any trouble," Ayaka said angrily.
"I understand," Ayato looked at his sister's state, frowned, but ultimately nodded.
"Ayaka, you're drunk. We'll talk about this tomorrow. Go rest now," Ayato called for a maid to take Ayaka back to her room.
Ayato stood still for a long time, then suddenly punched the wall in frustration! He had tried so hard to keep Ayaka out of the Kamisato family's political affairs, but she had secretly invited Akio while he was away?
"…" Watching Ayato's reaction, Thoma trembled in fear. He didn't dare tell Ayato about the kiss between the lady and Akio. If Ayato found out in his current state, wouldn't he storm the Grand Narukami Shrine with a sword?
Meanwhile, in Chinju Forest, Akio decided to take a leisurely stroll. He hadn't expected to act so impulsively earlier. Perhaps it was the result of long-suppressed desires?
"Ayaka didn't seem angry. Well, whatever. Let her think it over," Akio thought, feeling somewhat agitated.
"This is a big score!" Suddenly, a group of Nobushi jumped out, apparently intending to rob Akio.
"Scram!" The next moment, a purple crystalline cube fell from the sky, crushing the hoarders before disappearing.
Akio was already in a bad mood, and these small fry had chosen the worst possible time to cross his path. He didn't even spare them a glance before obliterating them.
A/n - Here you go guys … next target is 200 power stones