With the sun low in the sky, orange light filtered through silky white curtains. Almost docile, the defused glow brightened the room in dim, warm light.

  A droplet ran down the tip of a leaf. Having hung low, it sprang back up, jiggling ever so slightly. Moisture would eventually build up, repeating the cycle over again.

  By the door, a small rustle could be heard. A silver-gray-haired girl slid off her long boot, gently placing it aside. And then the other boot came off.

  Her long silver eyelashes glowed in the dim light. And the pink-amethyst eyes seemed warmer than usual. Her slightly damped eyes almost seemed to twinkle like a gem scattering light. Amethely’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. She had a subdued but gentle smile on her face.

  She removed her veil, and with an adorable head tilt to the right, she asked, “What’s wrong, Al?” Her lips were left slightly parted while innocently peering up into Alum’s eyes.

  Her soft and soothing voice made his ears twitch a little. Alum rarely felt ticklish, but being head over heels in love, it was like having a soft feather stroke his scalp, sending micro shivers through his body.

  “Are you nervous, per… chance?” she teased, palms covering the lower half of her face.

  The gem-like golden eyes widened, then shifted to the corner of his eyes. Alum scratched his cheek.

  “Not… exactly,” he answered. “It’s just the two of us alone, and… it’s been a while since we last saw one another.”

  “Y-Yeah…” Amethely yelped, a little flustered.

  It couldn’t be helped. After all, the last time they met, a lot had happened, and they had to part ways again. Things had cooled down since, and recalling all of it made them unsure of how to act.

  “Pffts…” Alum chuckled. “I… am a little embarrassed. It’s difficult to articulate it, but… Welcome back, Ame.”

  “…”

  Amethely’s heart couldn’t stop thumping, nor did she want it to stop. The overwhelming warmth in her chest was almost overpowering; it was as if she’d forgotten how to breathe.

  She didn’t say a word to him. Just staring at his face. Regardless, Alum reached his hand out for her.

  As if grabbing something frail, she gently took his hand. A hand that was meant to help her up. A gesture so tiny, almost insignificant since she was only seated. She didn’t need help to get up on her feet, but this very tiny gesture overflowed the barricade containing these warm emotions.

  Not even a tug. She didn’t pull him. Simply taking his hand was enough.

  Throwing herself at him, she tightly hugged him. She wanted to melt into his embrace, snuggle in his arms forever, and never let go.

  “…”

  Alum was left mildly dumbfounded. Though. That didn’t mean much as he’d simply returned the embrace.

  “I’ve missed you. Really, really missed you.”

  Amethely let her feelings spill out, rubbing her face in his chest.

  “Mm.” Alum rested his chin on her head. “I’ve really missed you, too.”

  “Really…?” Amethely stopped, her embrace tightened.

  “Really.”

  Alum’s voice came out warmer than expected—then again, he’d almost always used a calm and soothing voice.

  “…Really, really?”

  “Mm. Really, really.”

  He squeezed her even tighter, thinking it was the reassurance she needed. And honestly. He didn’t mind her neediness. Even if it hasn’t once crossed his mind, he perhaps empathized with those feelings.

  Unsure of the passage of time, Amethely finally voiced, “Al… can I request something…?”

  “Mm,” Alum replied, his eyes closed, chin still resting on her head. “What is it? Let me hear you out.”

  Amethely paused for a moment before voicing, “I-I want you to… pamper me. L-L-L-Like… pamper-pamper…” Each word had gotten quieter and quieter.

  Even though he could see her face, he could feel the heat radiating from her head. Unhurried, he tilted his face down, placing a soft kiss on her head.

  “Gladly.”

  At those words, her legs grew weak, her heart ticklish as it left her to shiver like a leaf.

  —Nnnnnnnh~ it doesn’t make any sense! Aww! Allllllll, IIIIIIIIIII loveeeeee youuuuuuuuuu!

  She’d wanted to cry out those exact words, but managed to keep them in—her heart shouted them for her instead.

  For someone as logical as Amethely, emotions were precious and beautiful, but it was conflicting since the grasp of reason almost always seemed to nearly escape the tip of her fingers.

  ..

  Alum wasn’t honestly sure what she meant by pamper. But. Seeing her all clingy and vulnerable made him want to say yes to all and any request. Thus, going by the definition, he was to make sure she felt as comfortable and useless as humanly possible.

  —Operation: Pamper Fiancée. Begin, he said inwardly.

  “Ame,” Alum softly whispered.

  “Nn~? What is it, Al~?” Amethely replied soothingly and lazily.

  He released her from the embrace for just a moment—trying to not to mind the lost puppy eyes Amethely made.

  Alum scooped her up in his arms, giving her a bridal carry. In an instant, Amethely went from disappointed to mushily melt and let him cradle her in his arms.

  —Cute, Alum thought.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Amethely looked up with droopy eyes, looking all adorable.

  “Is something on your mind?”

  “…”

  Alum didn’t say a word as he softly planted his lips on hers.

  “!?” Amethely’s heart skipped.

  “Yeah, I thought you looked cute. So, I kissed you.”

  “I see… C-Can I have one mo—”

  Amethely couldn’t even finish the last word before his lips shut hers again.

  “Cute,” Alum chuckled, amused.

  “…”

  Amethely pouted a little, though, no complaints. She did want to get spoiled.

  He continued to carry her, though the walk was barely 10 steps. Since he was carrying her, his hands were naturally occupied. But that wasn’t going to stop him.

  Not having openly shown his psychic abilities to her before, he used telekinesis to open the drawers and cabinets. Amethely didn’t ask anything, though he could tell by the glint in her eyes that she was curious.

  Glasses and plates levitated; the snacks plated themselves, drinks poured into cups. It was quite a sight, to say the least.

  Alum later carried her to the couch. Amethely naturally sat on his lap. A cookie rose from the plate and snapped into a smaller piece, spilling no crumbs. But when it made its way to Amethely’s mouth, she seemed conflicted.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh… It’s just that… while I do want to be enveloped in your arms, I also want you to personally feed me…”

  “Got it…”

  Alum could almost not contain his laughter; it was an oddly specific dilemma. Thus, with an ingenious idea in mind, he adjusted the way he held her. His left arm was now wrapped just above her waist. His right slid under her arm, the forearm resting between her chest.

  “…T-This is… A little embarrassing…” Amethely meekly voiced.

  She blushed ferociously, lips tightly shut; eyes quivering. Her legs shifted as she subtly rubbed her thighs. Clasping her chest with both palms, locking his arm between the soft breasts.

  He rested his chin on her left shoulder—the snapped cookie piece shot towards his hand as he caught it between the thumb and index finger.

  “T-Then… open wide,” Alum stammered a little.

  Noticing how hot her shoulder had gotten, and having heard Alum stutter, she felt reassured. Reassured that she wasn’t the only one feeling this embarrassed.

  —Sitting on his lap, being hugged and fed… isn’t this just going to stir me up?!

  “—Nom…” Amethely took a bite.

  —I can’t taste anything at allllll! She exclaimed inwardly.

  However, she wasn’t complaining either.

  “Al… I want to feed you too…”

  “Hm… but I’m the one pampering you, though?”

  “That is true… but, but… I want to feed you too—you can consider it me acting spoiled and doing what I want,” she declared, puffing her chest.

  “…”

  With that logic, he couldn’t argue. After all, it made little to no sense, but at the same time, it made sense.

  The cookie split again, this time, landing in Amethely’s palm.

  “Ehehe~... My turn~ Al, open wide~”

  “…”

  Doing as she said, he ate the cookie, unable to taste anything.

  “More…?” Amethely asked.

  It was an endearing sigh, so he couldn’t exactly say no.

  “Sure… but what about you?”

  “…After this one,” she replied shyly.

  “Got it…”

  ..

  With the absurd feeding session over, both tipped over to the side, snuggling on the couch.

  “I’m so happy~” Amethely heaved a contented sigh.

  “I’m glad. I’m happy as well,” Alum added.

  “…”

  “…”

  “Th-Thank you… for pampering me,” Amethely said, her voice was naturally a little muffled since she’d been nuzzling his chest.

  “Mm. Is that so…?” Alum shifted slowly, his hands placed beside her head. “But I wasn’t done, though?” he smiled warmly.

  “…”

  Amethely averted her eyes for a moment, clasping her chest. Then, she peered into his eyes with determination, wrapping her arms around his neck.

  “Then… please, pamper me some more…” she softly voiced in a low and sweet tone.

  Alum leaned closer, his forehead pressed against hers. His knees between her thighs—he sealed her lips with a long, deep kiss.

  “Nngh~ Mmnh—aanh—haah… haah~” A soft moan escaped as their lips parted. “More… can I have more…” It wasn’t even a question at this point.

  “Mmnh…”

  Alum softly sealed her lips again—that was his answer.

  ..

  After the many kisses, Amethely found herself a little lightheaded and out of breath. Her heart still hadn’t calmed down, even though Alum patted her as she rested on his lap.

  “…Maybe we overdid it a little—it’s quite late,” he said.

  Amethely turned toward a mana slate; the time displayed was 25:59, one minute left to midnight.

  “Ehehe…” Amethely giggled. “Perhaps…”

  “Well then, I should shower before heading to bed.”

  “…”

  “What’s wrong?”

  Amethely took his hand, resting her cheek in his palm.

  “I want to be with you some more.”

  “…I wasn’t sure you wanted me to ask, but… is something bothering you?”

  “…” Amethely melted into a gentle smile. “Yeah… a little something.”

  “Want to talk it over a bath…?” Alum asked, scratching his faintly pink cheek.

  “Y-Yesh… L-Let’sh…” Amethely bit her tongue.

  Seeing her all shy, Alum’s expression turned from shy to deadpan with teasing half-lidded eyes.

  “Are you thinking we do something… Naughty?”

  “W-w-we aren’t?” Amethely blurted, eyes spinning.

  Alum’s eyes widened, his face flushed red as he averted his gaze. “Mm… Let’s…” he said somewhat sheepishly as he covered his mouth with an arm.

  ..

  When they finished up in the bath, Alum helped Amethely dry her hair, and vice versa.

  Lying next to each other in bed, Alum realized Amethely hadn’t intended for him to return to his room. She even had a pair of matching sleepwear. Hers were a cute pastel pink, and his were sky blue.

  They’d talked about all sorts of things, such as their upcoming date, schedule, and even something as insignificant as what they had for breakfast.

  Still, seeing Amethely sound asleep in his arms caused a wave of drowsiness to hit him all at once. He, too, drifted into sleep.

  Three days later, they went on a date as planned. Perhaps due to her influence, he’d taken an interest in flora, thus stopping by a botanical garden.

  He’d said, “I should perhaps have some in my room.” And at that moment, Amethely’s eyes sparkled, and he was info-dumped with all sorts of floral knowledge and ended up buying a few resilient and low-maintenance plants to liven up his room.

  A/N

  Thanks for reading!

  There’s a glossary/wiki now before the prologue; feel free to check it out. It’s still a work in progress, but I’ll keep updating it as the story goes on since it’s getting fairly large. There are currently only characters there, but location, magic, items, or tidbits of world lore will be added over time.