[Warning: Holy power detected…. Resistance met. Redirecting Seduction points.]
Whoa.
Jia was lying in his lap, and his earnest gaze was fixed on hers.
Her face flushed hot, meeting his gaze. The feel of his gentle touch against her back was burning through her silk gown.
"Forgive me for staring, ma'am...I don't know what came over me. I'll help you get up." The priest was even more flustered than she was.
He helped Jia to her feet, and in the secluded dark corner of the street, it was only them.
His long silver-white hair swayed gently in the night breeze, framing a face of heartbreaking celestial beauty—high cheekbones, luminous pale eyes, lips parted in quiet concern.
Even in the semi-darkness, he regarded her with nothing but respect, averting his gaze when Jia tried to tug the torn silk down over her exposed thigh.
He cleared his throat surreptitiously to fill the tensioned silence.
"Are you recovered from your injury?"
"Yes. It's amazing...."
Her left thigh throbbed a little, but it was completely healed.
"I'm glad." He said with a gentle smile.
That must be why he is dubbed the Seraph
He was truly beautiful. Just like she'd seen in the VR cutscene.
Jia was sure romance was forbidden by the holy ones, but he only had a steadfast, secret affection for the Saintess.
She'd seen it play out when Elyria fell into war as he held her close, weeping and breaking his vow of celibacy for her.
What could she even do to seduce a man like this?
"My lady, pray, I ask what your name is?"
"L-Lady Corvus Adeline of House Corvus."
"House Corvus? It is nice to meet you. May I escort you to the safety of the marketplace or summon a chariot for you?"
His smile was genuine.
Then. A sharp jolt of electricity ran up her spine, and she felt herself drawn to him.
This was the first of all the Male leads she liked.
In the distance, she could hear the chatter of the night market and judging by the sound of thundering hooves, a chariot would soon pass here.
Jia looked around, eager to find something to capture his attention.
She should try to win him over. How did Rom-coms go about it?
Taking a deep inhale to steady herself, she took a step towards him. The wind, like a good wingman, blew through the alley gently, swaying her long, golden locks that caught the silvery light of the moon in a beautiful golden cast.
"High Priest Revian... I—I cannot thank you enough."
Priest Revian stiffened as she reached out to brush his white robes, her fingers interlacing with the gold embroidery sewn into the edges.
"My lady, what are you–"
"Your touch….was like a gentle fire inside me….I cannot thank you enough for saving my life."
She hoped her voice sounded as innocent and as breathless as possible and gave him her best doe-eyes impersonation.
It was the Priest's turn to be flustered. He took a step back as his breath hitched, a hand over his chest.
"Lady Corvus, please–it is by the goddess's grace alone, I am but a vessel."
"No, Priest Revian," Jia interrupted, hoping she kept the tremble out of her voice.
"You're not just a vessel…."
Flipping her hair over her shoulder and running her fingers slowly through it in provocative fashion, licking her red, plump lips slowly, she added:
"I wish there was something I could do to thank you for this…"
Even in the semi-darkness, she could see he was flustered. His neck turned crimson flush, and his pale skin light pink.
"–If-if you're so inclined to give, please do so at the capital like other nobles, Lady Corvus."
Feeling bolder, she took another step. "I could do that…but also, I just want to thank you personally."
"I—I-I am bound by sacred oath," he stammered, but his voice cracked. His hands flexed at his sides as though unsure where to go.
Jia pressed forward, heart pounding.
"My lady, please step back." His tone was firm now, but his body language betrayed him.
"But this evening chill and the fright from being accosted has left me trembling, see?"
Jia lied, stretching out a hand towards him, to show trembling fingers.
His reaction was instantaneous and gloriously awkward.
"That's right! Please forgive this thoughtless man!" Priest Revian exclaimed, his deep voice louder than necessary on account of nerves. This woman unsettled him in the most peculiar of ways.
"You may have my outer robe to cover yourself from the cold, my lady!
In a rush of chivalrous panic, he undid the clasp at his right shoulder, the heavy material billowing in the wind.
Revian shrugged the robes off his shoulders in such haste that he exposed the inner vestments clinging to the lean lines of his torso.
He didn't notice Lady Corvus gaping at the outline of his form till he was handing her his outer robe.
"My lady–"
"Oh! Yes, thank you!"
She snatched the robe, wrapping it around herself and sneezed. This wasn't a lie after all–the air had taken a peculiar chill.
Priest Revian, embarrassed that she was staring, mind askew, pretended to keep busy with undoing his robe that, in his haste, the ties of his trousers loosened
Jia noticed first, and her eyes widened as he was murmuring to himself.
"If more is needed so you don't feel cold–"
"Wait–!"
Realizing his mistake, Priest Revian froze mid-motion, hand on his drawstring. His face turned red in mortification. "I–this is—unseemly! I did not mean—forgive me, Lady Corvus, I only wished to—"
Quickly, he secured his drawstrings, yanking up the rone back, clutching it closed with both hands like a shield, his shoulders tense with embarrassment.
"You must forgive me, my lady! Truly, I did not intend to expose myself like this!"
He was so earnest that Jia couldn't help but laugh–soft and genuine this time, which startled them both.
He took several steps back, flushed like a ripe cherry, grateful warmth flickering in his grey eyes.
"You….you're not offended, my lady?"
Jia stifled another laugh to minimize his mortification.
"Not one bit, Priest Revian. I find your gentlemanly chivalry endearing. And sweet."
Another cold chill swept through the dark alley, and she pulled the warm robes closer to her chest.
Heavens save me from indecent thoughts. Revian prayed inwardly, begging the Goddess for forgiveness, even as his gaze travelled to her soft–looking lips.
"Thank you, my lady." He said, quietly and swallowing hard, looking away.
"There is a feeling here," Revian admitted quietly, pressing a gloved hand to his chest. "A warmth I do not understand. It is not the divine fire I know.
It is... softer. And it terrifies me, Revian, thought.
[+1 seduction point]
Jia's pulse raced.
"May I?"
He gritted his jaw and nodded.
She reached up to him, slowly, her fingertips grazed the edge of his chiseled jaw. Soft and smooth. No stubble either.
Jia caressed his face gently, lost under his charming spell.
"My–my lady, this is hardly–"
But a sharp clatter of metallic boots interrupted, and the alleyway was suddenly flooded with lights. Jia yanked away her hands, and he took, step back immediately, as if burned.
"Seraph!"
There were the priests from earlier that escorted him–his personal retinue, rounded the corner towards them, holding torches.
"Esteemed Seraph. We have been looking for you."
The foremost was a stern-looking man with a solemn, weathered face and an authoritative voice.
"Brother Draes," The High Priest Revian acknowledged him with a nod.
He bowed deeply in response, but not before his eyes went to Lady Adeline, wondering why the Seraph's robes were wrapped around her. The others stood behind quietly.
"The assailant has been captured. He is a shadow assassin from the lower rings, bearing the mark of House Veyr. He is in custody and will be questioned at dawn. We must leave now. The sacred ceremony begins tomorrow."
Revian straightened immediately. "Very good, Brother Lirien. See that he comes to no harm beyond what is necessary for the truth. Justice will be served after."
His gaze briefly traveled to Lady Adeline's.
The priest nodded, then glanced at Jia with polite detachment. "Shall we escort the lady to safety?"
Priest Revian hesitated, eyes flicking back to her. He wanted to volunteer to walk her back and explore that strange, lingering ache, perhaps figure out the unspoken thing growing in between them.
"Of course," he said.
"Brother Toren, please see Lady Corvus safely to the night market."
"My mother is waiting for me at the pawn shop near the eastern arch." Lady Adeline stepped forward to add.
Brother Toren stepped forward, offering a courteous arm. "This way, my lady."
Jia looked at Revian one last time. "Thank you... for everything."
He clasped both hands together, the movement formal, but his voice was soft.
"May the Light guide you home, Lady Corvus...."
Jia smiled, small and tremulous, as Toren guided her away.
They walked in silence as the alley receded behind her, lanterns growing brighter as they emerged into the bustling night market.
It was a relief. To be back among people. Jia promised herself never to go into the dark alone.
Except with him, of course.
A small corner of her mouth quirked into a smile.