Kiss!

(Katarina’s Perspective)

Hehe… flawless plan!

Even though Ailena suddenly started using magic midway and caught me off guard, I still managed to win in the end.

I knew she would agree to my unreasonable demand.

…Requests like this—no one else would accept them. But Ailena always will… because it’s me making them.

I pulled out the maid uniform I had secretly prepared, the one that revealed her thighs.

Maybe because of the shadow cast by last time, Ailena didn’t offer much resistance this time. She agreed almost too easily.

“Milady, I’ve changed.”

“Wow…!”

My eyes were glued to Ailena.

More precisely… to her plump thighs.

I had only managed to sneak glimpses a handful of times before, but every time left a deep impression.

Never, however, had they ever made me this intoxicated.

Her thigh‑high white stockings pressed just enough to trace out lush lines of flesh.

Combined with the shorter hem of the skirt, it created the sort of irresistible “Absolute Territory” that made my mind wander.

And in the spaces between, the faint glint of white garter straps held my gaze prisoner.

The heart‑shaped designs on her maid uniform, the dog‑ear headband meant to incite desire—none of it could rival the allure of those thighs.

But staring too long would surely make Ailena self‑conscious…

She might grow flustered, perhaps even refuse me.

Hmm… I needed a distraction. Right, I’d have her let down her hair.

Her flowing hair was rare to see—most nights, she pinned it all up over the pillow to avoid tangling, denying me countless chances to admire it.

The moment she undid it, silver locks like a waterfall fell around her shoulders.

With her hair tied, she always looked vigorous and lively.

Now, with it let down, her air became calm, gentle… almost like a golden retriever pup—though snowy white.

“Any other requests, Milady?”

Ailena’s question drew me back.

To be honest, I hadn’t really thought about the next step.

My gaze slipped again—straight back to her thighs.

Very well… a lap pillow.

That way, I had legitimate reason to touch them.

Soft. Warm. Supple.

Her thighs naturally smooth, now layered with silk stockings, gave them an even richer texture.

But then… a shadow loomed over me.

Everywhere I looked, I was surrounded by softness, pressed in by daunting weight.

If there had been no clothes between, I might have delighted in their beauty.

But smothered like this, all I felt was stifling pressure.

No thrill. Just suffocation.

Interest lost, I sat up.

Ailena’s expression was so bewildered, so innocent.

With those dog ears on… she looked like a pitiful little pup, begging to be bullied.

“Ailena, lick my hand.”

I almost startled myself with the words.

Why had I said that…?

Maybe because she looked so much like a loyal little dog, and a haze of desire twisted into nonsense on my tongue.

As expected, Ailena’s eyes filled with confusion.

“…Very well.”

Yet the shock—she actually did it.

Even though her face was filled with puzzlement, she knelt down, took my hand, and slipped my fingers into her mouth.

At once I felt the movements of her soft tongue tracing across my skin.

Warm saliva coated my fingers, thick and sticky, ticklish… straight through not only my hand but my heart.

“Mmhm… mm… haa…”

Usually I had to look up at Ailena, taller as she was.

But now, she looked upward at me, obediently performing the act—sparking a bizarre delight in my chest.

When her lips finally left my fingers, they drew out a glistening silver thread, setting even my heartbeat aflame.

Ailena retracted her pink tongue, eyes hazy with a gentle mist, staring up at me tenderly.

“Are you satisfied, Milady?”

In that instant, I thought my heart had stopped.

“Ailena…? Why…”

She tilted her head, confused.

“Wasn’t this your request?”

“But… I thought you’d refuse…”

“Didn’t we agree that today I’d listen to your orders? As long as it isn’t excessive, I’ll grant them all.”

“…That wasn’t excessive?”

“I don’t know why you asked it, but I found nothing wrong with complying.”

…Even that wasn’t too much for her?

Where was the boundary for Ailena?

If so…

I swallowed, faint heat rushing through me.

Tentatively, I asked, “Then… Ailena, can you kiss me?”

I never expected Milady’s order to be… licking her hand.

The sheer strangeness threw me into a daze at first.

Still, I had already promised to obey her. And it didn’t feel like anything too improper…

Embarrassed though I was, I complied.

Better this than other shameful play.

Slightly salty from sweat, her fingers still carried the unique delicacy of a girl’s touch—yet also the incongruent roughness of faint calluses.

Oddly… I found it intriguing.

“Ailena…? Why…”

She looked at me, shocked, as though even she hadn’t expected me to obey.

Then she hesitated, before giving her next command—one that froze me.

“Then… Ailena, can you kiss me?”

I must have misheard.

Milady… was asking me for a kiss?

To be sure, I studied her face.

But what I saw was expectation, plain as day.

Could it be… Milady…?

My eyes once again betrayed me, lingering on her lips.

My heart thrummed ever quicker.

“Gulp…”

Dry‑throated, I swallowed hard.

No, no… I couldn’t entertain such thoughts.

Even if it was Milady’s wish, I had to refuse.

She was still betrothed to the Second Prince.

And me… nothing more than a servant.

Besides—we were both girls!

“Milady… isn’t this request a little… too far? After all, we’re both girls.”

A fleeting shadow crossed her eyes.

But it was gone in an instant, replaced by a mischievous smile that left me doubting whether I’d imagined it.

“Ailena, what on earth are you thinking? By kiss, I didn’t mean mouth‑to‑mouth. I meant just a kiss on the cheek, or forehead. Pure affection. Isn’t that something close friends often do?”

“Uh…”

So… more like a mother kissing her child then.

Realization coursed through me, and blood rushed to my face.

If not inside the Duke’s estate, I’d have dug a hole with magic and buried myself instantly.

“My, my—Ailena’s blushing~ How cute~”

“Milady! Please stop teasing me!”

Her teasing burned me with mortification.

I couldn’t let a child look down on me!

“It’s just a kiss on the cheek! I… I can manage that much!”

Suppressing my shame, I fixed her with determination.

“Come, Milady!”

“Eh!? R‑Really?”

She panicked again. Strange—why was she so flustered over her own demand?

But after a hesitant pause, she turned her cheek, shut her eyes, standing straight and ready.

“…Ailena.”

She was prepared.

“… “

So was I.

Closing the distance, I leaned in.

Every detail of her side profile filled my view—long lashes, flushed ears.

Thump, thump, thump…

My own heartbeat hammered unbearably loud.

I’d seen her serene profile countless times before, but never like this.

This tension was unique.

And… it would be my very first kiss.

Even if only on the cheek.

It’s just like a sister fondly kissing her little sister.

Just that. Just that…

“Ailena?”

Her urging voice beside my ear.

Right. I couldn’t keep her waiting.

I had to embody the composure of an adult.

Here goes nothing!

I bent quickly down. Lips brushed skin.

“Chu.”

Like a bird’s peck—it ended almost the moment it began.

“Ailena, that was too short!”

I couldn’t help it… any longer and my face would’ve gone up in flames!

Unable to look directly at her, I watched her through the corner of my eye.

“Hehehe… Ailena kissed me, of her own accord…”

Though she complained, her cheeks were bright red as a smile of bliss and contentment bloomed across her face.

Well… she got what she wanted, didn’t she.

Unnoticed, a faint smile tugged at my lips too.