Akashic Records of the Bastard Child Engaged to a Goddess

Winter Break Arc

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(POV: Lumiere)

After about half an hour, we finished up at the cozy inn and bid farewell to the innkeeper, who gladly accepted our payment. Stepping out onto the sunlit and snow covered road, I looked around, my eyes scanning the stores on both sides, searching for any potential activities to fill our day.

What to do...

What to do...

Ravenna walked beside me. "That potroast we had back at the inn was fantastic," she commented.

I nodded, and gave a half-hearted smile. "Indeed it was," I replied, my attention momentarily distracted by the bustling streets.

"And the watermelon juice was also delightful," she added.

"Yeah, that too." I continued searching the area.

Ravenna's voice took a low dive. "We didn't have any watermelon juice yunno," she stated, a subtle frown forming on her face.

I furrowed my brows, my mind struggling to recall. "We didn't?"

"You're not listening are you...?"

I questioned, feeling a pang of guilt rising. "I'm sorry, just been a little preoccupied. I was trying to think of more things we could do."

Even if we didn't do it all today, we could always do it tomorrow.

But at least, it'd be better to plan it out first.

Ravenna sighed softly, her gaze gentle. "You don't have to do much, you know," she said, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Simple things are enough for me."

I shook my head. "But I want more than that," I told her. "We have to make this week extraordinary for you."

"Hm?"

"Well yeah, it's your first week since you've been free, so you need to really make it a memorable one."

"I see..." Ravenna looked to the side and rubbed her chin.

"Now then, what to do..."

"Still though, you really should learn to listen to a woman more."

Just as she said that, an attractive dress caught my eye through the sparkling glass of a boutique's show case. A great idea sparked in my mind, and I turned to Ravenna. "Hey, I have an idea," I said.

Ravenna raised an eyebrow, her expression curious. "Huh? Don't try to change the subject."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "I swear, I'm not trying to change anything," I assured her. "Follow me."

Without another word, I abruptly pulled Ravenna by the arm, causing her to shout in surprise.

"WOAH!"

We hurried into the small boutique, the gentle sound of the bell above the door announcing our arrival. I guided her towards the beautifully adorned dress I had seen before, a smile spreading across my face.

"I want you to try something nice..."

"But I'm not really great with clothes."

"Well," I shrugged. "As your husband I'm really disappointed you're rejecting my anniversary gift.."

"O... Our anniversary?!" her eyes widened. "That's a little too fast..."

"It's not, you just forgot," I told her.

"I... I... I did?!!"

"Mhm." I nodded with my arms folded.

Ravenna placed her hands over her face, pretending to blush, and exclaimed, "Oh no, I can't believe I forgot our anniversary! I'm so ashamed!" She then peeked through her fingers. "Like this right?"

I gave her a thumbs up, playing along with her act. "Super."

She continued, "Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"

"Always."

"Alright then, I suppose I'll have to strip and let you do shameful things to me..."

"Eh?"

"Or you could p—"

"No."

I knew what she was going to say, I'd already done it on Isadora and Serena, I needed a break from that. It was exhausting.

"You can spoil me?" said Ravenna, out of ideas.

"Of course," I replied with a grin, "let's try out some clothes for you."

We spent a few minutes browsing the racks, Ravenna picking out various dresses and holding them up against her body. Eventually, we settled on one that she was unsure about. She disappeared into the dressing room, and I waited in anticipation outside.

...

I whistled looking around the place.

There were cores that generated heat in the boutique, so it wasn't as cold inside as it was outside.

After a few moments, Ravenna pulled back the curtain slightly and peeked out. "Um, Lumiere, I'm not sure this is the right dress," she hesitated, her cheeks tinted with a light blush.

"Let me see."

I moved closer to get a better look, and my breath caught in my throat as I saw her in the dress. It was short and sexy, adorned with sparkling diamonds, accentuating her beautiful figure and revealing her flawless thighs. She clung onto the curtain out of shyness, her cheeks turning even redder as she mumbled, "I don't know if it's appropriate for someone simple like me..."

I couldn't help but grin at her.

I usually didn't have perverted stares, but without looking in the mirror I could tell I had one.

It wasn't everyday you'd see a simple, innocent woman in such a revealing attire.

"No, no, Ravenna, it looks absolutely stunning on you," I reassured her.

"R... Really?" she asked.

"You don't have to wear it all the time, but maybe after winter."

"I... I don't think it's something I can wear constantly. It's so... Revealing."

"Of course," I replied firmly. "You won't be wearing it all the time, but maybe if we went on a date then you could."

"We'll really go on a date...?" she gasped.

Technically, we were already on one, but whatever.

"Definitely," I flashed her a thumbs up. "It's what married couples do, and besides, you look super cute in it."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Y-you think I'm cute?" she asked, slight vulnerability lingered in her tone.

I nodded, taking a step closer and gently touching her cheek. "Definitely," I whispered. "Maybe we could even get you some makeup to complete the look."

If Lucretia was who I thought she was, then she definitely had cosmetics developed already. It wasn't something that'd take much effort, but either way, she'd already have it on sale. Something like that would bring big bucks in any era.

I gently cupped Ravenna's cheeks in my hands, my fingers lightly brushing against her soft skin. As I squeezed playfully, she winced, and a look of mock annoyance crossed her face. "Come on, Lumiere, stop it!" she exclaimed, trying to wriggle free from my grasp.

But I couldn't resist teasing her just a little longer. "Hold on a sec," I replied. "I need to check something."

Ravenna's cheeks reddened even further as she attempted to pull her face away from my playful grip. However, I held on, my fingers still lightly squeezing her cheeks. Suddenly, in a moment of clumsiness, I lost my balance and stumbled, unintentionally falling forward. The next thing I knew, I found myself on top of Ravenna, our bodies entangled.

To my surprise, my hands had "unintentionally" landed on her breasts, and they sunk in so deep I couldn't release my grip, my eyes widening in shock. "Oh, I'm so sorry!" I hurriedly apologized. "I didn't mean for that to happen."

I... Really didn't...

Ravenna's gaze shifted to the side, her face turning an even deeper shade of crimson. She took a deep breath before finally looking back into my eyes. "Don't worry," she said softly. "I completely understand."

I was confused. "You do?" I asked.

A small smile curved on Ravenna's lips as she shifted her gaze once more. "Was this all a plan so you could make sexual advances on me later?"

Utter disbelief gripped me. "No, no, that wasn't my intention at all!" I protested, my face heated up.

Ravenna's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red as she looked at me through her long lashes. "You know, Lumiere, if you wanted to... take things further, I wouldn't mind it," she whispered.

I blinked, my mind struggling to comprehend her words. "Wait, what? Are you serious?"

"What's that thing wives say to their husband."

"Huh?"

"Eat me, Lumiere..."