Chapter 42: Heroine is Jealous
The midday sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the temple grounds. Lucan was sitting under the shade of a large oak tree, flipping through the pages of an old tome. The tranquil atmosphere was perfect for reading, and he was completely absorbed in his book, the soft rustling of leaves the only sound accompanying him.
That peace didn't last long.
"Lucan!" A familiar, lively voice called out, snapping him out of his concentration. He looked up to see Hima approaching, her signature playful grin on her face. She was dressed in a revealing outfit—her top left her navel exposed, and her shorts were short enough to show off her bare legs.
The neckline dipped low, revealing just enough cleavage to catch Lucan's attention for a moment before he quickly refocused.
"Hello, Hima," Lucan greeted her with a calm smile, closing his book and setting it aside. "What brings you here?"
"Oh, nothing much," she replied, her tone light and teasing as she plopped down next to him, closer than necessary. "I just thought you could use a break from all that serious reading."
Lucan chuckled softly, not minding the intrusion. "I didn't realize I looked so serious."
Hima leaned in, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "You always look serious. It's part of your charm."
He shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "And you always seem to be in a playful mood."
"Someone's got to keep things interesting around here," she quipped, reaching into her bag and pulling out a small, ornate box. "I brought something I think you'll like."
Lucan raised an eyebrow, curious. "What is it?"
Hima grinned, opening the box to reveal a small, glowing crystal. "It's a magical game. Ever heard of Bound by Fate?"
Lucan's eyes narrowed slightly as he examined the crystal. "I've read about it. It's supposed to bind two people together until they solve the puzzle within it."
"Exactly!" Hima replied, her grin widening. "I thought it would be fun. And a great way to test our teamwork."
Lucan hesitated, but Hima's enthusiasm was hard to resist. "Alright," he said, nodding. "Let's try it."
Hima activated the crystal, and it emitted a soft glow that surrounded them both. Lucan felt a strange tugging sensation, and before he knew it, he and Hima were pulled together, their bodies pressed close. The magic created an invisible bond that held them together, making it impossible to move apart.
"Looks like we're stuck together," Hima said with a playful wink, her chest pressing against Lucan's as she leaned in closer.
From the outside, Hima exuded confidence, her teasing grin and playful tone masking any trace of uncertainty. But inside, her heart was racing like never before. At 27 years old, this was the first time she had ever been this close to a man. She could feel the warmth of Lucan's body against hers, the firmness of his chest against her own, and the heat that radiated between them.
The closeness was exhilarating, but it also stirred a nervousness that she hadn't anticipated.
She was used to being flirty and bold, to teasing Lucan without any hesitation, but this was different. Her large chest was pressed firmly against him, the soft fabric of her top doing little to hide the way her breasts flattened slightly against his solid frame. Every small movement sent a shiver through her, and she wondered if he could feel her heart pounding.
"We need to solve the puzzle to break the bond," Lucan said, his voice calm and steady, as if completely unaffected by their close proximity.
Hima nodded, but she couldn't quite trust herself to speak. Her usual playful banter felt too risky, too revealing of the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Instead, she focused on the puzzle, trying to distract herself from the way their bodies were pressed so intimately together.
The puzzle appeared as a floating series of symbols before them, and they had to work together to match the symbols in the correct order. However, the close proximity made it difficult to concentrate. Every time one of them shifted to get a better view, it resulted in their bodies brushing even closer together.
Hima's chest, large and soft, pressed against Lucan's arm and side, creating a constant, gentle pressure that was impossible to ignore. She could feel the rise and fall of his breathing, steady and calm, while hers felt shallow and quick. The sensation of being so close to him, of feeling his body against hers, was both exhilarating and terrifying.
As they worked on the puzzle, she tried to maintain her usual confident demeanor, making lighthearted comments and flashing him teasing smiles. But inside, she was hyper-aware of every touch, every brush of their skin. Her cheeks felt warm, and she silently hoped the flush wasn't too obvious.
Lucan, as always, seemed composed, his focus on the puzzle unwavering. But Hima couldn't help but notice the slight tension in his body, the way his muscles tensed whenever she shifted a little closer. It gave her a small thrill to think that maybe, just maybe, he wasn't as unaffected as he appeared.
At one point, she had to lean closer to see the symbols, and her chest pressed more firmly against him. The sensation sent a jolt through her, and she bit her lip, trying to keep her breathing steady. She could feel his warmth seeping through her, the steady beat of his heart against her chest, and it took all her self-control not to react.
"Lucan, I think we need to align these symbols," Hima said, her voice a little breathless from the closeness. She hoped he wouldn't notice the slight tremor in her voice.
"Right," Lucan replied, his voice calm but with a hint of strain. He reached out to adjust the symbols, his arm brushing against Hima's exposed midriff.
The contact was brief but electrifying, sending a shiver through Hima's body. She could feel her pulse quickening, and she had to fight to keep her composure. On the outside, she kept her playful smile, but inside, she was a bundle of nerves, her mind racing with the realization of just how much she enjoyed being this close to him.
Then, for a brief moment, she felt something firm press against her thigh—a fleeting sensation that sent a shockwave through her. She realized with a start that it was Lucan, his body reacting to their closeness in a way he couldn't quite control. The knowledge that she had this effect on him made her heart race even faster, a mix of excitement and embarrassment flooding her senses.
After several attempts, they managed to solve part of the puzzle, but the bond didn't break. Instead, the puzzle shifted to a new, more complex arrangement.
"Looks like we're in for the long haul," Hima said with a wink, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. She wasn't sure if she was more relieved or disappointed that the bond hadn't broken yet.
As they continued working, the hours stretched on, and their bodies grew more accustomed to the closeness. The initial awkwardness faded into a comfortable rhythm, though the sensation of Lucan's body against hers remained a constant, warm reminder of their situation.
Hima found herself increasingly aware of the way their bodies moved together, the way her chest brushed against him with every shift. She had always been confident in her appearance, but now, with Lucan so close, she felt a vulnerability she wasn't used to. Her usual bravado masked the nervous excitement bubbling inside her, but she couldn't deny the thrill of being so intimately connected to him.
At one point, Lucan shifted to get a better view of the puzzle, and Hima's chest pressed even more firmly against him. She felt a surge of warmth in her cheeks, and her breath caught in her throat. Glancing up, she found his gaze already on her, his calm expression betraying just a flicker of something else—something that made her heart race even faster.
"You're holding up pretty well, Lucan," she said, her voice low and teasing, though there was a hint of her own nervousness in it. "I thought you'd be blushing by now."
Lucan met her gaze, his expression calm but with a softness in his eyes that made her stomach flutter. "I'm just focused on solving the puzzle."
"Sure you are," Hima teased, her voice a sultry whisper as she leaned in even closer, her chest pressing against him in a way that sent a shiver down his spine. Inside, her heart was pounding, a mix of excitement and nerves, but she kept her usual confident exterior.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they solved the final part of the puzzle. The bond between them dissolved, and they were able to step apart. Hima felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment as she moved away, the warmth of Lucan's body still lingering on her skin.
"Well, that was… interesting," Lucan said, his tone as calm as ever, though Hima noticed the slight flush in his cheeks.
Hima smiled, stretching her arms above her head, her top lifting slightly as she did. "It was fun. We should do it again sometime."
Lucan nodded, though there was a flicker of something more in his eyes. "Maybe."
Then, these two returned back to temple for dinner.
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"No, this is wrong..." Maris said as she felt infinite jealousy. She found this game after she arrived at academy, and wanted to play with Lucan but never expected that this vixen played this game with Lucan, stealing Lucan's first time.
"No, I can't let this continue... I have to stop them."