Chapter 41 The Intimate Touch

Demon Lady hesitated for a moment, her black-red eyes flickering with uncertainty as she glanced at my outstretched hand. Eventually, she extended her own hand tentatively, her touch delicate yet cool to the skin.

Her voice, when she spoke, was soft and carried a hint of shyness.

 "K-Kazuki, yes, the wonder boy. Yes, I remember you from that rainy day," she nervously giggled and continued, "How could I forget? You have a very unique mana. Oh yes, that's right, I'm Z-Zelitia."

As I extended my hand in greeting, her eyes flickered between me and my hand for a moment, seemingly torn between instinctual caution and a burgeoning curiosity. To put her at ease, I made a graceful bow, accompanied by a gentle smile, and then took her hand to place a respectful kiss upon it, mimicking the chivalrous etiquette of Luminecian nobility.

"Please forgive my forwardness," I said softly, "It's a pleasure to formally meet you, Lady Zelitia."

 A faint blush dusted her lavender cheeks, and her eyes held a mix of surprise and uncertainty. The gentleness of her aura seemed to intensify, and her posture relaxed just a fraction. Encouraged by this subtle response, I continued the conversation, "Luminecia is quite a fascinating place, isn't it? I've been here for a little while now, and I'm still discovering new things every day. And you have quite the talent for catching one's attention, whether it's in the rain or on a day like this."

She seemed taken aback by the compliment, her shy demeanor causing her to fidget with her dress hem, a gesture that was almost endearingly nervous. Her lips parted as if she wanted to respond, but her words remained trapped as if she were grappling with shyness and uncertainty.

I pressed on, hoping to keep the conversation flowing, "I must say, Luminecia seems to be a fascinating place, with such a diverse array of people and cultures. How have you found your experience as one of the council members? It must be quite the responsibility."

Her gaze softened as she glanced away for a moment before meeting my eyes again. The tension in her demeanor seemed to ease slightly as if she appreciated the shift in topic. Her voice, when it finally emerged, was quiet but held a hint of warmth, "It is indeed an honor, though... a bit overwhelming at times because we demon race joined Luminecia not long ago. I try my best not to disappoint my people."

I nodded, acknowledging her sentiments.

 "I can imagine. Being a part of something that shapes the future of this town is quite remarkable."

Zelitia's lips curved into a shy smile, and she let out a soft chuckle, her tension ebbing away further. 

"You have a way with words, Kazuki. It's... refreshing."

"I'm glad to hear that," I replied, feeling a sense of satisfaction in breaking through her initial shyness.

 "And speaking of refreshing, I must say your choice of dress is quite elegant. The ribbons and that tiny top hat on your horns add a touch of unique style."

Her cheeks flushed a deeper shade of lavender, and she seemed to retreat into her bashful demeanor, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress once more.

"Th-thank you. I... I didn't want to seem out of place. But I am not used to such occasions; I've spent most of my life on the battlefield. Without my weapon and armor, I feel uneasy and vulnerable."

I chuckled softly, "Believe me, you are as beautiful in this dress as in your armor, you're far from out of place. In fact, you have an air of mystery that draws people's attention. At least, it drew mine."

Her shy smile returned, and she lowered her gaze, clearly still finding my compliments slightly overwhelming. The conversation continued in this manner, weaving between light-hearted exchanges and moments of genuine connection. 

As our conversation continued, I couldn't help but notice that Zelitia's gaze kept darting away from me, her eyes only briefly meeting mine before retreating. Curiosity got the better of me, and I finally asked her about this peculiar behavior.

"Lady Zelitia, I've noticed that you keep looking away whenever our eyes meet. Is there a particular reason for that?" I asked, my voice tinged with gentle curiosity.

Her lavender skin flushed slightly, and she lowered her eyes for a moment before glancing at me once more. 

"It's... It's because of your mana, Kazuki. It's... difficult to explain," she answered hesitantly.

I leaned in a little closer, a smile playing on my lips.

 "I'm all ears. Please, enlighten me."

She bit her lower lip as if struggling to find the right words, "Your mana is... intense. It's like gazing at the full moon on the darkest night. It's so alluring that I find it difficult to look directly at you. It's... It's an intimate matter, you see."

I blinked in surprise, her words catching me off guard.

 "Intimate? How so? Is it really that intense?" I asked, trying to process her explanation.

She nodded, her shy demeanor returning.

 "Yes, it's... quite unique, I must say."

Curiosity piqued, I probed further, "And is there something wrong with it? Is it a bad thing?"

Her gaze turned inward for a moment as if she were contemplating her response. 

"No, not at all," she finally replied, her voice soft. 

Zelitia shifted uncomfortably in her stance before explaining, "Mana is deeply personal, Kazuki. It's an integral part of one's essence, and sharing or absorbing mana is a profoundly intimate act among demons. That's why I've been hesitating."

I nodded slowly, beginning to grasp the significance of what she was saying. 

"So, sharing mana with someone is like sharing a part of yourself with them?"

She nodded, her shyness evident in her gaze as she spoke, "Yes, something like that. It's a gesture of trust and connection."

Curiosity still burning within me, I asked tentatively, "Would absorbing a bit of my mana make you feel better? I mean, if it's a trust and connection thing, would it help?"

Zelitia hesitated for a moment, her black-red eyes locked onto mine as she gauged her own feelings. Finally, she extended her arm hesitantly toward me, the hint of a blush gracing her cheeks. 

"We can try... just a little."

I gently took her hand, feeling a subtle shift in the atmosphere as our mana connected. A faint, almost imperceptible spark of energy passed between our fingertips as I touched her gentle hand. It was as if a tiny thread of mana had connected us for a brief moment, and in that moment, I could feel a subtle change in the air. Zelitia's eyes widened in surprise as she suddenly gasped, her lavender skin taking on a delicate blush.

"Kazuki," she whispered, her voice a mix of astonishment and something more primal.

I could sense a strange energy emanating from her, a subtle resonance that seemed to resonate with my own mana. It was as if she had absorbed a small taste of my essence, and it had triggered something within her.

"Zelitia, are you alright?" I asked, concerned by her sudden change in demeanor.

She blinked a few times as if trying to gather her thoughts, before finally managing to speak. 

"I... I'm fine. It's just that... our touch... It's a rare occurrence for me."

I furrowed my brow, not fully understanding what had just transpired, and asked, "What do you mean, Zelitia?"

She took a deep breath, her blush deepening.

 "You see, Kazuki, in my culture, mana touch is... pleasing, intimately. It's a way of connecting on a deep, spiritual level. When two beings willingly touch, a small exchange of mana occurs. It's like a taste of each other's... um, essence. For my kind, it's an act, reserved for bonding and mating."

I was taken aback by her explanation, my mind racing to grasp the significance of what had just happened.

 "So, our touch... it had a deeper meaning for you?"

Zelitia nodded, her eyes fixed on mine.

 "Yes, Kazuki. When I touched you just now, I felt a glimpse of your mana, and it sent a surge of pleasure through me. It's a sensation I can't easily explain. But for a moment, our spirits connected, and it was... blissful, to say the least."

I swallowed hard, my heart racing at the profound implications of her words.

 "I... I didn't know. I'm sorry if I crossed any boundaries."

She smiled gently, her shyness giving way to a newfound openness.

 "No need to apologize, Kazuki. It was a pleasant sensation."

 Suddenly the tranquil ambiance was interrupted by a sudden and comical spectacle. From the corner of our eyes, Zelitia and I watched in surprise as Goblinworth, in a series of exaggerated tumbles, somersaulted down a flight of stairs before coming to an undignified flop, face down, at our feet. His top hat went rolling across the ground, emphasizing the absurdity of the situation.

He lay there on the ground, grunting softly, his tiny green hand trembling as he raised one finger in the air, clearly signaling that he wasn't hurt, "I'm fine, no need to worry! Just a minor stumble. All good! No worries, no troubles, no problem! The landing was perfect! Ouchie!"

 The goblin quickly composed himself and got back on his feet. He picked up his hat and dusted off his attire with exaggerated motions, clearly attempting to regain a sense of dignity. Then, in a display that was equal parts flamboyant and exaggerated, he offered a sweeping bow to Zelitia, tipping his top hat with a flourish.

He clamored in his quirky goblin manner, "Greetings, Lady Demoness Zelitia! I, Goblinworth the Humble, am honored to be in the presence of such beauty and grace! How doth the day find thee, fair lady? I trust it has been most splendid!"

Zelitia's reaction was swift and unexpected. Her shy and hesitant demeanor seemed to melt away, replaced by a more assertive and dominant presence. Her eyes sparkled with a newfound confidence as she looked down at the goblin, who now appeared smaller in her confident gaze. Her posture subtly changed, her stance straightening as she seemed to emanate an air of authority.

With a playful glint in her black-red eyes, she looked down at Goblinworth and said, her voice carrying a hint of playful command, "Well, well, what do we have here? A mischievous goblin who can't seem to navigate stairs properly. Perhaps you need to be taught some discipline?"

Goblinworth, caught off guard by the sudden change in her demeanor, stumbled over his words, "Oh, uh... Lady Demoness, I-I apologize if I overstepped... I mean no disrespect."

Her gaze remained steady, and her words were measured as she continued, "I am Zelitia, a council member of Luminecia, and I do not take lightly familiarities from a goblin. Remember your place."

Goblinworth, now slightly cowed by her stern tone, nodded rapidly.

 "O-of course, Lady Zelitia, I'll remember. I'll remember! Please, forgiveness!"

Zelitia's demeanor softened just a fraction, and she acknowledged his submission with a nod. 

"Very well. Carry on, Goblin, but mind your manners."

With that, Goblinworth pivoted on his heel, his goblin feet making an amusingly rapid patter as he began to march back up the stairs. He turned back to look at me, still grinning from ear to ear.

 "Oh! That's right! I almost forgot! Master Kazuki, we need to go! C'mon, c'mon, no time to waste, Master Kazuki! The feast is waitin'!"

I politely excused myself and followed the goblin.

With Goblinworth leading the way, we made our way into the mansion's opulent interior. The grand hall was adorned with elegant decorations, and the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air. Goblinworth's goblin-sized eyes widened at the sight, and he let out a blissful cry. 

"Party time! Like a squirrel in a dance contest! Yupee!"