"Yes," Ira said softly with a nod. "Can I?"

The way she looked so innocent while asking that made Azel's heart melt.

Her wide beautiful eyes, the blush across her cheeks… she looked too pure to be standing in front of someone like him.

It made him feel like a criminal…

"Sure," he said after a moment with a smile.

Before he could even blink, Erblim who had been lazily relaxing on the bed was suddenly scooped up by Naelia.

"Oh, who's this cutie?" Naelia asked, cradling the crow in her hands like a plush toy.

"He's my familiar," Azel replied as he watched Erblim squirm. "And you shouldn't grab him like that."

Naelia tilted her head.

"I see…" She switched her hand posture, holding the little crow more carefully now, one hand cupped under his body while the other began gently stroking his head. "Is this better?"

Erblim froze in her grasp.

"Far better," Azel said with a chuckle, amused by how stiff the bird looked.

'I'M NOT A PETTTT!!!' Erblim screamed telepathically, his mental voice was as loud as everin Azel's head.

'You're a strong familiar,' Azel replied dryly. 'Surely you can endure a little petting.'

Erblim's internal shriek turned into a whine.

'This is humiliation of the highest order…!'

But Azel's attention was pulled away as he turned his head back toward Ira.

She was holding the spoon in front of his face, the stew and meat steaming slightly.

"Say ah," she said softly.

Azel blinked. "I'm not a child."

He usually did this with Lillia… Why was it being used against him now?

"You don't have to be one," Ira said, smiling gently. "Now open your mouth."

Azel sighed in defeat and leaned forward slightly. "Ah."

She slipped the spoon between his lips.

The taste hit instantly… it was savory, perfectly seasoned, and gave off a kind of warmth that spread from his mouth to his chest.

His eyes widened.

"It's good," he said honestly, swallowing. "Really good."

"I'm glad you like it." Ira smiled shyly as she dipped the spoon back into the bowl. All she did was to memorize the way the Maids normally did their's… It wasn't as hard as using her ink.

She continued feeling him and the room was… peaceful.

Too peaceful in fact.

Erblim, meanwhile, was still being smothered in Naelia's hands.

His feathers were puffed up as she continued petting him, though the look in her eyes had shifted from curiosity to irritation.

'Master…' Erblim's mental voice trembled. 'I think you have a problem here.'

'Hm?' Azel replied absently as another spoonful was lifted to his mouth.

'Naelia's petting is getting faster… and harder! I think she's trying to crush my head!'

Azel still didn't respond.

'Mas—'

Before Erblim could finish, Naelia suddenly set him down on the bed with exaggerated gentleness.

"Oh, sorry little guy," she said with a tight smile.

Erblim flapped his wings and darted away instantly, landing on the curtain rod, he made sure he put as much distance as possible between them.

Naelia, however, walked over and sat down beside Azel.

He glanced at her. "Hm?"

Across from them, Ira stopped mid-motion, spoon halfway to Azel's mouth.

Both girls locked eyes.

There was no need for words.

They knew exactly what the other was thinking.

"Don't worry," Naelia said with a sigh that didn't sound sincere. "I'll feed him."

Ira raised an eyebrow.

"I cooked for him, so I'll feed him," she countered smoothly. "You can go to the kitchen and make something for him if you really want to."

Azel blinked.

'This looks exactly like a romance anime,' he thought wearily. It was fun seeing it… but he really wanted to eat, not watch them fight.

He leaned back as both girls glared at each other, his instincts screaming that staying silent was the safest choice.

"I guess I have no choice…" Naelia muttered.

Azel turned his head toward her and froze.

Before he could react, Naelia grabbed his face with both hands and pressed her lips to his.

It was so sudden that he hadn't even expected it.

"Na—!" Ira gasped, too shocked to move.

Their lips met again as Naelia deepened the kiss, ignoring the flustered crow screeching from the curtain rod.

The taste of the stew were on his lips, but Naelia didn't seem to care.

Her hand slid to his cheek, tilting his head slightly as she kissed him again, more confident this time.

Azel's mind went blank for a moment.

Why was she… sucking so hard?

'Is she trying to take the taste of the food away from my mouth?'

When she finally pulled back, a thin trail of saliva connected them before she wiped her lips with a smirk.

"See?" she said confidently, glancing at Ira. "I can kiss him freely."

Ira's hands trembled slightly on the spoon.

She hadn't expected Naelia to move first… and do it so naturally too.

Naelia crossed her arms with a proud look, as if she had just claimed victory in some kind of silent war.

In truth, she hadn't planned to do it.

Her heart had just… acted on its own. But now that she'd kissed him, she couldn't back down. She had to show that she was still the superior lover.

"I can kiss him whenever I want," Naelia added for good measure.

But Ira didn't look angry.

In fact, she was smiling.

Naelia froze, instantly sensing danger. "W-What?"

Ira's voice dropped to a soft whisper. "I didn't kiss him earlier because I thought it would hurt you."

She set the tray aside carefully, her fingers brushing Azel's knee as she leaned closer. "But since you've already kissed him… that means I can too."

Before Naelia could respond, Ira leaned in and kissed Azel.

This kiss was slower but no less shocking.

Her hand rested lightly on his chest as her lips pressed against his.

Azel blinked again.

His brain was officially shutting down.

'What is happening right now?'

When Ira finally pulled away, her face was crimson, but she was smiling proudly… Even though, this was her first ever kiss.

"There," she said softly, brushing her hair behind her ear. "Now we're even."

Naelia's mouth fell open. "Even?! That was—!"

"Fair," Ira interrupted. "You kissed him, I kissed him. Simple. All is fair in love and war."

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