Chapter 18: Gwen's decision
Following Nate's discussion with Meloni, a couple of days passed, and his life resumed its usual rhythm. While getting ready for a meeting with Professor Garret, Gwen approached him, wearing a blank expression that left Nate uncertain about her feelings.
Speaking in a soft tone, she said, "Hey." Nate offered a small smile in return. "Could we meet up later?" Her nervous fidgeting indicated some inner turmoil. "Of course," Nate promptly replied.
Gwen gave a slight smile in response "Alright, meet me when you finish your classes for the day at the gardens"
"Of course, I will see you then," he replied to her.
The two then went their separate ways. While talking Nate's heart was ablaze with concern not just because of the threat of impotence that the quest had promised (though not saying that it isn't concerning), but because he had already started to develop feelings for Gwen.
Had Sam never revealed the possibility of having multiple wives, Nate would not have formed such a strong bond with Gwen. But there's no point in dwelling on "what ifs." The time spent with Gwen has shown Nate her beauty and inner strength, always striving to better herself.
Gwen's inner resilience captivates Nate, drawing him in like a moth to a flame.
Choosing not to linger on his thoughts any longer, Nate arrives at the arena only to find Professor Garret sprawled on the ground, unconscious, surrounded by discarded wine bottles.
Nate inwardly sighs as he gazes at his less-than-reputable professor, who has managed to drink himself into a state of unconsciousness. Approaching him, Nate positions himself closer and, with a mischievous grin, shouts directly into the professor's ear.
"Your ex-wife is here demanding money!"
Almost immediately, the professor jolts awake, springing to his feet and preparing to make a hasty escape. After a moment, he realizes that the only person present is Nate, prompting visible relief to wash over his disheveled face. Professor Garret then delivers a solid smack to the back of Nate's head, exclaiming, "Kid! You nearly gave me a heart attack."
Nate chuckles, reflecting on the weeks of training with Professor Garret. During this time, there have been a few instances when the professor's ex-wife would show up, demanding money.
Her usual justification was framed as compensation for enduring Professor Garret's mother, who persistently calls her, questioning when she'll provide grandbabies.
Professor Garret's mother apparently doesn't believe in separation, and in some ways, she's entirely correct.
Though Professor Garret and his ex-wife are no longer together, the wedding ceremonies in this world are extremely hard to break, which means they will always be married in name.
There aren't a bunch of drawbacks to this arrangement since polygamy is widely accepted in this world, but apparently, there are some drawbacks—The major one being that the god who blessed the union will make them unable to have children since they aren't honoring their vows.
Nate's thoughts were interrupted by Professor Garret, who approached with three buckets filled with water. He secures two of them on opposite ends of a wooden rod and clarifies, "You're about to practice both balance and dodging. Place this bucket on your head and the rod on your back. Your task is to dodge while I throw rocks at you, all while keeping the water in the buckets. Any questions?"
Just as Nate was on the verge of asking a question, Professor Garret chimed in with a brisk, "Good, let's begin."
The class seemed to drag on endlessly until Nate finally found the opportunity to make his escape.
The remainder of the day passed swiftly until it was time for Nate to make his way to the gardens to meet Gwen.
Arriving first at the designated location, Nate scanned the surroundings and found a suitable spot to sit, leaning against a tree.
After a few minutes, fatigue set in, and he soon found himself drifting off to sleep as his eyes grew heavy.
Upon awakening, Nate sensed his head resting on something plush and felt the gentle touch of a hand running through his shoulder-length black hair, which had escaped its usual tie.
As sleep fully receded from his eyes, Nate beheld Gwen's smiling face, looking down at him with an expression akin to that reserved for a mischievous child. Understanding dawned upon him as he realized his head was comfortably cradled in Gwen's lap.
A faint blush tinged Nate's cheeks, yet he hesitated to rise, finding Gwen's lap unusually comfortable. He continued to rest in her lap for a while longer enjoying the feel of her hands running through his hair before he very reluctantly sat up.
Gwen chuckled softly her eyes dancing in amusement delighted by Nate's reluctance to leave the comfort of her lap.
Anticipating that Gwen would address the purpose of their meeting, Nate was surprised when she began with, "When I arrived, I noticed you asleep, and as I tried to wake you, you clung to me and refused to let go so I resigned myself to being your pillow."
Embarrassment painted Nate's face, prompting Gwen to burst into full-on laughter. Once her laughter subsided, Gwen fixed Nate with a serious gaze.
"Having reflected on your words, I'm still willing to consider a relationship with you, but there are a few conditions," she asserted.
Nate nodded, expecting that she might have specific requests if she were to give their relationship a chance.
"Firstly," she began, "I need you to promise that you'll strive to attain a noble title. I won't settle for being the second wife of an ordinary villager," she added with a determined huff.
Nate smiled a bit and almost felt the urge to pinch her cheeks which were puffed out like a chipmunk "I promise, I will do everything I can" he assured her.
Gwen nodded in agreement, her face turning a shade of pink before she spoke again. "Secondly," she started, "Since Sam gets to be your first wife, I want to at least be your first for something else." Her cheeks blushed with embarrassment as she made her request. A spark ignited inside Nate upon hearing her suggestive words, and combined with her cute expression of embarrassment, he felt the blood starting to rush to his lower regions.
He quickly crossed his legs, hoping to conceal the evidence, and made a grunting noise in agreement. Gwen briefly glanced downward before returning her gaze to his eyes. "Finally," she declared with determination, "I want your help in destroying my family." Nate studied her for a moment before asking, "How would you like me to destroy them?"
Nate had already plotted ways to inflict pain upon Gwen's family for their mistreatment of her, but he chose to listen to her desires in hopes of bringing her closure.
"I want them to suffer the loss of everything - their wealth, status, property, reputation - and live the rest of their lives worse off than a beggar on the streets," she replied with a sharp edge in her voice.
Nate took hold of Gwen's hand and pressed a gentle kiss to it. "I will do everything within my power to make them beg for death," he declared, his voice now chillingly void of any warmth or emotion.
[Warning Minor R18 feel free to skip]
The two sat in silence for a bit after their shared promises were made before Gwen boldly bridged the gap between the two. She leaned into Nate, her lips finding his with an unpracticed passion that set his senses alight. The kiss was clumsy at first but improved as they continued, Nate's emerald green eyes gleamed with desire as he pulled Gwen closer. The warmth of her body seeped into him, igniting a fire within his body.
Gwen's slender frame melded against his own as she climbed onto his lap, her chestnut hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of silk. Nate's calloused hands now explored the softness of her back. Their mouths danced in an eager exploration.
As the intensity of their embrace grew, so did the heat between them, their breaths coming in short gasps. Hands roamed with a growing boldness, mapping the contours of newfound territory. In a moment of heated curiosity, Nate's voice came out in a husky whisper, "May I... see you, all of you?"
A flicker of hesitation passed through Gwen's gaze, but it was swiftly replaced by a daring resolve. With a nod, she permitted him, pulling her shirt up to bare her skin to his hungry eyes. Nate's breath hitched as he beheld the vision before him, her breasts rising and falling with each quickened breath. He lowered his head, his kisses becoming more fervent as he tasted the sweetness of her flesh, his mouth lavishing attention upon her delicate nipples.
Time seemed to suspend around them, as Nate continued to lavish Gwen's body with his kisses and touch. He trailed his mouth down from her neck to her breasts leaving small marks as he moved.
With a reluctant strength, Nate pulled away, his face flushed with the heat of their encounter. He locked eyes with Gwen, her features painted with the bloom of desire. "We should go back," he murmured, voice tinged with unfulfilled yearning. "It's time to return to our dorm."
Together, they composed themselves. Nate offered his arm, which Gwen took with a smile that could light the darkest of forests. As they walked back through the moonlit glade, their steps were light, and their hearts brimming with love.
Immediately after he dropped Gwen off Nate received a prompt:
[Quest Complete: Love is in the air
Reword: Charming Puppy Dog Eyes (Epic) upgrades to Seductive Gaze (Epic Bloodline)]
The prompt left him with an uneasy feeling, considering his strong feelings for Gwen, and he didn't want the quest to compromise that. Nate sighed in frustration and mentally sent a few curses at Fred before heading back to his dorm.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone