Chapter 773: One thing that you want
Olivia gasped sharply. The sensation of his bare hand on her naked thigh was electric and it felt far more intimate than anything that had come before. Her skin burned where he touched her, and the heat quickly spread upward, pooling between her legs.
"Kraven... please... not there..." she whimpered, but her voice lacked any real force.
It came out breathy and weak, more like a plea for mercy than an actual command.
Julian’s other hand remained on her breast, squeezing it gently as if to remind her that he still held her there too.
His fingers on her thigh continued their slow, teasing journey higher, brushing dangerously close to the edge of her undergarments. He could feel the heat radiating from her womanhood, the subtle tremble in her muscles and the way her body instinctively tried to press closer despite her protests.
Olivia’s mind was reeling with shock.
What am I allowing him to do? she thought frantically. This is my son... my own flesh and blood... and I’m letting him touch me like this...
The shame was overwhelming - so much that the tears of humiliation pricked at the corners of her eyes.
Yet beneath that same humiliation, her body was responding with treacherous honesty.
Her thighs quivered under his touch. Her core throbbed with need. The mana exchange between them surged even stronger in response to the increased intimacy, pushing her magical base closer and closer to the Arch Mage threshold.
Julian’s hand slipped higher still, his fingers now clearly brushing against the edge of her undergarment. He could feel the dampness there - the evidence of how aroused she had become.
"ah—hnn..."
Olivia let out a broken sob.
This was too overwhelming for her. The combination of his hands on her body, the powerful mana surging through her, and the growing realization of how far they had already gone pushed her to the edge of her limits.
She needed to speak, and she needed to speak fast.
"Stop-" she finally managed to say, her voice cracking with desperation.
She felt Kraven stop.
His hands froze on her thigh and breast, no longer moving or exploring. The mana exchange, however, continued in full force, flowing between them without any pause.
"Kraven... not this," she whispered. "That’s too far."
The blue glow around Julian’s palms remained steady, sending wave after wave of power through her body while drawing hers into him.
"We have crossed... too many boundaries," she rushed out, her voice catching between uneven breaths. "B–but I’m not ready for that—please...
Even as she said it, she knew the truth. With the mana exchange continuing at this intensity, they would cross that line sooner or later. The pleasure and power were building too strongly. She needed Kraven to stop it voluntarily, before her body betrayed her completely.
"I can’t stop it, Mother," Julian said with a tired but honest voice. "It will stop after the mana transfer finishes. The circuit has already formed. Trying to cut it off now could damage both of us."
"Wha - What?"
Olivia’s breath hitched. Panic and arousal warred inside her. She could feel his hardness still pressed against her ass, his hands still resting on her body, and the mana flowing through her like searing fire.
She was losing the battle.
"Then... please," she whispered, her voice faltering under the weight of it, "let’s not cross that line. Instead... I’ll— I’ll do something you want."
"..."
Her words hung heavy in the air.
Julian remained silent for a long moment.
"One thing?" he finally asked, his voice low and intrigued. "Anything I want?"
Olivia nodded weakly. Her cheeks burned with humiliation, but the alternative felt even more dangerous. She could not let him go further between her legs. Not now. Not like this.
"Yes," she whispered, barely audible. "Anything... just not that. Please, Kraven. I will do whatever you ask. Just... keep your hands where they are. Do not go higher."
Julian’s fingers flexed slightly on her breast, drawing another soft whimper from her lips. He didn’t move his hand on her thigh, but he didn’t remove it either. The warmth of his palm on her skin remained, constantly reminding her of how close they were to the edge.
"You are very generous today, Mother," he murmured. "I will remember this offer."
Olivia’s heart pounded wildly. She had just bargained with her body to protect her last remaining boundary. The shame of it made her want to disappear, but the relief of knowing he had agreed — at least for now — allowed her to breathe a little easier.
Her body remained hypersensitive - every touch and every pulse of energy sending fresh waves of pleasure through her. She stayed pressed against him, trembling, waiting for what he would demand in return for stopping.
Julian’s hand on her breast gave one final, slow squeeze before he spoke again.
"Very well, Mother. We will not cross that line today. But remember your promise. One thing. Anything I want."
Olivia closed her eyes tightly and nodded.
"I remember," she whispered.
The room fell into a heavy, charged silence once more, broken only by her soft, uneven breathing and the faint hum of mana flowing between them. Olivia remained standing before him, her gown partially raised, her mind swirling with guilt, fear, and the undeniable pleasure of what they were sharing.
***
Meanwhile,
In the grand hall of the Astran castle, the preparations were almost completed.
The massive space was lit by golden chandeliers and mana lamps that reflected warm, luxurious light all over the hall. The flooring and walls had been polished to utmost perfection, shining like mirrors and reflecting every flicker of light with breathtaking clarity.
Beautiful maids, all dressed in perfectly fitted uniforms, stood lined along one side of the wall with their heads bowed low in perfect discipline. On the opposite side stood rows of knights, each holding a spear in one hand and a shield in the other, their armor gleaming under the lights.
In front, on a raised platform, sat two luxurious chairs that resembled thrones.
The symbol of the Astran Duchy was carved prominently into the backrests, showing that these seats were reserved for the Duke and Duchess.
Just in front of them, on a slightly lowered platform, were another two chairs of equal elegance but slightly less ornate, clearly meant for Liam and Louisa.
Further ahead, rows of tables and chairs had been arranged, where several important members of the duchy were already seated, looking around the hall in appreciation.
