The air in Nora's room was fresh now, thanks to the open window and the wind power she'd used to air it out.

The smell of feminine sweat had vanished, replaced by the damp breeze blowing in from outside, carrying the scent of rain and earth.

The room, now tidy, had a cozy feel, with the sheets neatly tucked on the bed and the underwear and tunics stashed out of sight.

Charles stood near the bathroom, the black sword propped on the windowsill where he'd left it to "breathe fresh air," as it had mockingly requested.

Nora, still slightly sweaty from her tidying efforts, stood in front of him, her expression a mix of embarrassment and a strange determination.

Without warning, she began peeling off her tunic.

The wet, torn fabric slid down her shoulders, revealing a black bra that contrasted with her pale skin.

Charles felt his face heat up instantly.

Throughout their journey, he'd felt her body pressed against his back while carrying her, but now, seeing the size of her breasts barely covered by the fabric, he couldn't help recalling how they'd felt against him.

He swallowed hard, trying to look away, but his eyes darted back as the tunic fell lower, exposing the curve of her waist and, finally, her black underwear.

Nora's thighs, toned from her training, were strong and defined, leaving Charles momentarily stunned.

Nora, noticing his reaction, gave a soft laugh, though her cheeks were flushed too.

"What?" she said, her tone trying to sound playful but betraying her nervousness. "You've gotta undress too, you know. I said I'd help you bathe, and I mean it."

Charles blinked, his heart racing. He let out a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his neck.

"You're serious about this?" he said, his tone more uncertain than he intended. "We're really… doing this?"

Nora nodded, taking a step toward him. Her hands reached for his tunic, and with a slow but deliberate motion, she began unfastening it.

"Of course," she said, her smile trying to mask her own embarrassment. "After everything we went through today, I think we deserve a break, don't you?"

Charles's pulse skyrocketed as Nora's hands worked on his tunic, peeling the wet fabric off and letting it fall to the floor.

The room was quiet, save for the sound of rain outside and the faint creak of the wooden floor beneath their feet.

A doubt flashed through his mind, stopping him cold.

What if Nora wanted… more?

She'd mentioned before, in passing, that now that he was a Cole with a rising reputation in the clan, plenty of girls might start pursuing him.

In the Storm Clan, Coles were valued, and having a child with one could secure a privileged place in the clan's hierarchy.

Was that what Nora was after?

Or was it something more personal?

That thought led to another question, one that had been nagging him for days.

What was the real benefit of being a Cole?

Sure, the medical staff treated him with a bit more respect when they learned of his lineage, but the rest of the clan… many still looked at him with suspicion or disdain.

Compared to other Coles like Lira or Kain, he always seemed under scrutiny, like he had to constantly prove himself.

Why?

What made him different?

His thoughts were cut off by a sudden tug.

Nora, with a swift motion, pulled off his underwear, leaving him completely naked.

The cool air of the room hit him, sending a shiver down his spine.

Nora, who had crouched to remove his clothes, looked up and froze for a second.

Her eyes landed on his groin, and her cheeks flushed deeper as she noticed he was slightly erect.

She quickly looked away, but not before Charles caught the blush on her face.

"S-Sorry," Nora stammered, her tone a mix of embarrassment and nervousness. "I didn't expect… well, that."

Charles felt his own embarrassment surge but tried to stay calm.

Nora wasn't like other girls in the clan. Despite spending time with a group of girls who went out with guys and shared risqué stories about their encounters, those tales always seemed exaggerated, full of details about the "pleasure" of being with a man: touching, licking, playing with certain body parts.

For Nora and her closest friend, Kaira, those conversations were more curious gossip than something they truly understood.

Both were focused on climbing the clan's ranks, gaining power and prestige.

Giving that up for a man—or a child—seemed like a foolish choice to them.

But now, standing in front of Charles, something in Nora seemed to be shifting.

She stood slowly, still blushing, and gave a shy laugh.

"Well…" she said, her tone trying to sound light, "you've gotta finish undressing me too, right? It's not fair if I do all the work."

Charles blinked, startled by her words.

"What?" he said, his tone more nervous than he wanted. "You sure?"

Nora nodded, her face still red.

"Yeah," she said, softer this time. "Come on, Rian. Don't be shy."

Charles swallowed, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of his chest.

With trembling hands, he reached for her bra and carefully began unfastening it.

The fabric slipped off, revealing her breasts, partially covered by her brown hair.

Her pink nipples peeked through the strands, and Charles felt his body react again, his arousal growing more noticeable in the charged atmosphere.

Trying to ease the tension, Charles joked:

"Well, since we're here, why don't you take off the rest? Or… you want me to do it?"

Nora laughed, but it was a nervous, almost shaky sound.

"You do it," she said, her tone blending embarrassment and defiance.

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the air between them felt electric, as if they were teetering on the edge of something neither fully understood.

Charles swallowed again, seeking confirmation.

"For real?" he said, his tone almost incredulous. "You're sure?"

Nora nodded, her voice quieter this time.

"Yeah," she repeated, her cheeks burning. "Just… do it."

Charles felt his mind cloud over. Slowly, his hands moved to her underwear, and as his fingers brushed the fabric, he noticed her tremble slightly.

She...

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