Several dozen minutes later—although mentioning time within a dream felt strange.
Looking at Naoki, who still seemed somewhat doubtful about his existence, Merlin whispered softly: "Alright, calm down. Although I also know the reason why you're reacting so strongly, at least pretend to be a little happy. If you keep making such a rejecting face, I'll be sad too."
"Ugh... Sorry, it's just that for me, the impact is too strong..."
'What kind of image do I actually have in your eyes...'
Merlin sighed slightly helplessly.
Still not calm.
"In that case, just consider this a change of pace. Let's talk about something else. Seeing you like this, it's also difficult to accept in a short time."
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Do you really like me?"
Turning to look into Naoki's eyes, Merlin showed a rare serious expression, but it only lasted for a moment before returning to the familiar smile Naoki knew: "Oh dear, even though I said let's talk about something else, I myself am still very curious about this."
Then why talk about something else!
Turning his face away, silent for a moment, Naoki glanced slightly at Merlin: "Can we... not discuss this?"
'Something's definitely wrong!'
This was the first time Merlin had seen Naoki act so shy!
'Ah, if only this were my own dream, I'd want to archive and save this expression of Naoki's forever. Showing it to him later might bring another wave of amusement.'
"Tell me, tell me, I'm so curious!" Merlin climbed onto the bed, slowly approaching Naoki, "You know, your attitude towards me is usually always cold and indifferent. Even when I make affectionate gestures towards you, you don't react at all. I always thought you weren't interested in me, and even suspected if you liked men."
Impossible!
Naoki's eyebrows rose, then as if giving up the struggle, he lowered his head and whispered softly: "Maybe... like..."
"Huh? Speak louder, I can't hear what you're saying."
"I said... maybe... I'm not even sure myself..." Naoki ruffled his hair a little irritably, "I'm at least a man, how could I not like a beautiful woman like you? When you made those affectionate gestures towards me before, every time I panicked half to death, you know!"
"Really?"
Merlin blinked her eyes: "But didn't you always show a rejecting expression?"
"That's because considering your nature, I thought you were probably preparing something to mess with me again, so I rejected you." Naoki said in a somewhat helpless tone, "Just think about what you usually do."
"Ahaha, then sorry." Merlin said, laughing without a hint of guilt, "But... so that's how it is. Looks like the fanservice operation was also effective. I'll have to improve it next time."
"You—"
"Then, since you like me, why have you never told me?"
Cutting off Naoki's words, Merlin leaned closer and asked him, the distance between them suddenly shrinking drastically, their noses almost touching.
Stunned for a moment, Naoki turned his face away: "Telling you isn't the same as giving you another handle to mess with me? Then you'll laugh at me for days. I don't have the habit of seeking trouble for myself."
"Hmm hmm, if you confessed your love to me, I would indeed do that."
'That's why I don't want to tell you!'
But more importantly—
"Because I like you and hate you at the same time."
"That's quite a contradictory statement. Is it because I tease you too much?"
"Well... partly for that reason, the other reason is... your attitude towards me makes me somewhat hate you—treating me like a toy. I'm not a property for you to play with and amuse yourself."
These words instantly stunned Merlin. Silent for a moment, she then chuckled softly: "Oh, so you already knew."
"Yes, I treat you, no, I should treat anyone interesting to me as a toy. As long as it can make me happy, it's a good toy. Arthur was a very good toy, and so are you."
"That's why I hate you."
"But you still like me, right?" Merlin said with a smile, "I like you too, Naoki."
"Ah, saying 'like' isn't quite accurate. My view of you is still the same. You are a very good toy. For me, that's all, just like Arthur, becoming a hero according to what I wanted, showing all your light to me and then heading towards destruction."
"I did that to Arthur before, now I also want to do that to you. This is my liking, my love."
As a mentor, personally raising an outstanding hero, and then one day leaving him, watching him step by step towards destruction. This was Merlin's way of expressing her love.
Lowering her head, amidst Naoki's surprised gaze, Merlin gently kissed his lips.
This was Naoki's second kiss with a girl. The fresh scent of flowers accompanied this kiss, coloring his consciousness.
"Ugh... haah..."
Pulling away a long thread of saliva, Merlin licked her lips: "How was it?"
"You..."
"Want another?"
"Um."
"Then one more."
Their lips met again for the second time. Seeing Merlin's slightly trembling eyes as they closed up close, Naoki unconsciously reached out and pressed his hands on her waist, pulling her a little closer into his embrace.
Their lips parted again, Merlin panting slightly: "Haah... a little breathless. Then is that enough?"
"Can I?"
"Can't you? This is just a dream, or are you planning to take it seriously, then go out and confess your love and propose to me? I told you before, I won't accept." Merlin said, sitting on top of Naoki, her legs wrapped around his waist, "I am just your Merlin, not your Guinevere. You have someone more worthy for you to love."
"What if I only want you?"
"Then... I won't be polite either."
Thank goodness.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Two hours later.
Slowly waking up from the sofa, Merlin rubbed her eyes, stretching her waist vigorously: "Ugh... Even though it was a dream, my waist still feels a bit sore. Naoki really, I told him it was my first time to go slow, my stomach still feels warm..."
"Merlin, I'm back."
Just at that moment, Riddel's voice sounded, and then Merlin saw her figure entering the living room.
"Welcome back, Riddel. Is the work in the plant department finished?"
"Not yet, only finished what could be done today, there's still some left."
"Really hard work... then sorry, can I trouble you a little longer? Please keep an eye on things in the kitchen? I need to go upstairs for a bit."
"Sure, but what are you going to do upstairs?"
Hearing that, the smile on Merlin's face couldn't be suppressed anymore. With a little embarrassment, she said: "That... it feels like... my underwear is a bit uncomfortable, I want to change..."
"Eh?"
"And also, that... sorry, Riddel!"
Seeing Merlin disappear instantly after saying that, Riddel was somewhat confused.
What was that all about?