The moment seemed to last forever as the three of them connected through touch and Spirit Bond. Rick felt so thankful and loving toward the two amazing women who had chosen to stand by him.
Rick said, "You're both like..." without thinking, exhausted, and emotionally drained. "I don't know... like the moms I never really had."
"Taking care of me in this way. Thanks... Mommy~!"
Thanks, Mommy.
Mommy...
M o m m y...
The word echoed through his mind until Rick realized what he just said. "GAAHHH!!! I mean—"
Rick's eyes flew open in shock when he realized what he had just said. "I... I... I-I-I didn't mean to imply that!!!!"
"That was a mistake from my relaxed brain! I'm so sorry, and please... forget I said that!"
Carmilla blinked in shock and then started laughing. Not a mocking laugh, but a really happy one. "Did you just call us Mommy?"
"It slipped out because of my stupid relaxed mind!" Rick's face was on fire. "I'm tired and not thinking clearly, and—"
"It's fine," Natasha said, but her cheeks were definitely red now. "Actually, it's nice."
"That's a very typical thing for you to do, even though it seems strange and awkward..."
[SEDUCE TO EXP ACTIVATED]
[+50 EXP: ACCIDENTAL VULNERABILITY CREATED DEEP EMOTIONAL MOMENT]
[CARMILLA'S LOVE: MAXIMUM (BOND DEEPENED)]
[NATASHA'S LOVE: MAXIMUM (BOND DEEPENED)]
Rick groaned, "Oh gods, even the system is rewarding this," and put his hands over his face.
Carmilla gently pulled his hands away. Even though she was laughing, her face was soft and motherly.
"Rick, it's fine. We get what you meant."
"You know you are safe with us... There's no need to be ashamed of saying that to us."
"Even though I'll hit you if you call me Mommy in public," Natasha said, but there was no real threat in her voice.
They kept healing Rick for another hour, and by the end, he felt better than he had in days. His body was completely healed, his magical energy was starting to come back, and his emotional ties to both women had grown much stronger.
[Total Gain: +185]
[LEVEL UP! FROM LEVEL 11 TO LEVEL 12]
Rick lay on the bed and thought about everything that had happened as Carmilla and Natasha finally let him rest. The new skills worked really well, but the best part was that they were rewarded with real love and care. This was the purpose of his system.
"Get some real sleep," Carmilla said as she stopped at the door. "You've earned it."
"And Rick?" Natasha said. "Next time... stop charging into danger by yourself."
"That is an order!"
"Yes, ma'am," Rick said, but he quickly wished he hadn't used that word.
As they left, both women laughed, and Rick finally let himself relax completely. He was drawn to the bath in the next room and thought that a hot soak would be the best way to end this long day.
Rick didn't expect the recovery room to have its own private hot spring. He took off his clothes, wrapped a towel around his waist, and stepped into the hot water with a sigh of thanks. The heat got into his muscles, and he let his mind wander.
He thought about all that had happened, starting with the dragon attack, the battle that had nearly killed him, Sylvia's unexpected interest, the party, the new skills he had acquired, and the private healing session with Carmilla and Natasha.
It was too much, but in a good way. He was making something real here. Not just levels of power, but real connections with amazing people.
"Hah..."
"That massage... holy shit... it really turned me on." Rick could feel his boner behind the towel.
"Since I'm all alone now... maybe a little stroke won't—"
"Do you mind if I join you?"
Rick's eyes flew open when he saw High Priestess Liora standing at the door of the bath, with only a towel wrapped around her body. Rick had never seen her amber eyes look so mischievous before. Her long blonde hair was loose and fell over her shoulders.
"L-Liora!?" Rick stuttered. "WHAT are you doing here!?"
"The recovery rooms have shared baths," she said, stepping into the water with full confidence. "And I thought we could talk about your future in private, away from people who want to know what you're up to."
She got into the water across from Rick, and the steam curled around her in a way that made it hard for him to think about anything else. She had a smile on her face that was very different from the professional priestess look he was used to.
"Besides," Liora said, her voice becoming playful, "I could tell through our spiritual connection that you had a very interesting night with Carmilla and Natasha."
"I thought that maybe a different perspective would help you. A more... knowledgeable one."
Rick's face felt hotter than the water around him. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't you?" Rick had to work hard to keep eye contact when Liora leaned forward a little. "I'm a High Priestess, you know~."
"I can feel emotional energy. The connections you're making aren't just spiritual, but they're getting more serious and more personal."
"Not me, not us, not like that!" Rick protested, but even he didn't sound sure.
"Isn't it?" Liora's smile grew bigger. "Rick, you're the Hero of Mature Hearts."
"Your whole life depends on making deep, meaningful connections with mature women."
"Did you really think those relationships would stay platonic?"
She swam through the water, getting closer to him. "I made our spiritual connection because I wanted to keep you safe and show you the way."
"But after seeing how brave you were yesterday, how much you cared about other people, and how willing you were to put yourself in danger for strangers..." She stopped and stared into his eyes. "I want to make that connection stronger..."
"What I meant by that is... a lot..."
"I—Liora, I—"
"Shh." She put a finger on his lips and looked serious, even though the situation was suggestive. "I don't want anything from you tonight, Rick."
"I'm just being honest about how I feel, just like you've always been honest with everyone else."
"You interest me... You give me strength. And yes, you do draw me in... I wanted to let you know that."
She leaned back so he could breathe. "Have a fun break in the bath, young hero."
"Take a moment to think about what I've said. And know that I'll be here when you're ready to find out what our connection could become."
"Don't worry about it. No hopes, but just a chance."
Liora then closed her eyes and let herself float in the water. Rick was left to think about what she had said and how much more complicated his life had just become.
Sebastian's voice echoed in his head, full of laughter. "Well, well... The High Priestess has said she is interested. And you thought the Dragon Queen would be the worst thing that could happen to you."
"Good luck, hero. You will need it."
"The system will also shut down for now because you haven't reached the required level to gain extra skills."
"W-What...?" Rick didn't know what Sebastian meant by that, and then she looked at Liora, who was drinking some alcohol, with a seductive look.
"Alright... I think we're ready."