Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 102: Lunar Magic [2]

Akamir frowned. "What?"

The girl smiled and slowly raised her hand to unbutton her dress.

"Let me return the favor."

He leaned back on the chair, staring at her. "Are you doing this on purpose?"

The smile on her face didn’t change. "Whatever you might think."

Her dress loosened slightly, the high collar parting to reveal the delicate curve of her collarbone.

The fabric slid off her shoulders, pooling at her elbows before she let it fall completely.

Only her bra remained, a pale contrast against her milky skin.

She stepped closer, smooth and confident, then straddled Akamir without asking.

Akamir didn’t move as he kept on staring at her.

Inara’s fingers traced the collar of his shirt lazily, nails dragging just enough to make him feel it.

"You’re offering a kingdom," she said softly, leaning in close enough that her breath touched his ear, "but I wonder what part of me you’re really after."

Akamir raised an eyebrow, lips twitching. "Do you really need to ask?"

Inara leaned in, brushing her lips near his jaw but never quite landing the kiss.

Her fingers toyed with the edge of his belt, her weight shifting ever so slightly on his lap.

Then, just as quickly as she had started, she began to slide back off his legs.

"I guess you don’t like it." She said, placing one leg on the ground. "Who am I to force you—."

’Tch, stupid woman.’

Akamir’s hand moved.

He grabbed her by the waist, lifting her effortlessly and turning the momentum.

In the next second, she was lying back across the desk, her hair splayed against the documents she’d been working on.

Her eyes widened slightly but not from fear.

"You like playing games, huh?" he muttered.

Her arms looped around his neck lazily, teasing. "Only if I know I’ll win."

Akamir tilted his head. "Is your mermaid side taking over?"

Inara didn’t respond, she just smiled and leaned closer.

Akamir raised his head and captured her lips.

It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t rushed either.

It was the kind of kiss that came without any actual thought.

Inara responded in kind, one hand gripping the front of his shirt, the other tugging at his collar.

Her legs wrapped loosely around his waist, pulling him closer, grounding the moment between them.

His hand slid up her side, fingers brushing the edge of her bra.

Finally, he squeezed her breast over her bra.

Inara moaned in his mouth before she broke the kiss. "Watch your hand, mister."

Akamir squeezed once more, harder this time, making her moan once again.

"You don’t expect me to hold back after you tried so hard to seduce me."

Inara narrowed her eyes, her breath unsteady. "Tried? That implies I didn’t succeed."

Akamir chuckled, leaning down to kiss her again, softer this time.

Her hands tangled in his hair as their lips moved together, slower and less rushed.

The air around them felt heavier, warmer, like everything outside that room had faded away.

She pressed her forehead against his, eyes half-lidded. "You know this changes things, right?"

He didn’t answer immediately, brushing a thumb against her cheek. "I was already planning on things changing."

A moment of silence settled between them.

She let out a small laugh and tapped his chest. "Help me up before someone walks in again."

’Urgh, I wanted to continue.’

He hesitated for a second but then pulled her gently up.

She sat on the edge of the desk, adjusting her bra, then grabbed her dress and started slipping it back on.

Akamir watched her, not saying anything, but his mind was already racing.

Once she was dressed, she folded her arms, facing him with a steady look. "You know I can’t promise you anything. Not yet."

"I’m not asking for promises," he said simply. "Just don’t push me away when I’m the only one trying to stand by you."

Inara’s eyes softened a bit. "And if I fall?"

"Then fall," he said. "I’ll be there to catch you."

She looked at him for a long time, then gave a faint smile. "You sound so good when you flirt."

Akamir just shrugged as she took back her seat.

"Honestly, I need some time to think all this through." Inara said, looking at him. "It won’t be easy to win the throne even with the money."

"I know." Akamir nodded silently. "You still need the power to oppose your father."

"He is at the peak of blue core." Inara said with a sigh. "It will take a lot to take him down."

Akamir blinked in surprise. "You don’t seem to look at him as your father."

Inara let out a humourless laugh.

"He doesn’t treat me like his daughter." She whispered. "Why should I act like he means anything to me when he tried to sell me twice."

Akamir leaned back on his chair as he looked at her. "Must be hard."

"Not as hard as you are—."

"Alright, I don’t wanna hear that." Akamir grumbled, adjusting his pants.

Inara giggled softly before she turned serious. "I assume you want to keep the company a secret right?"

Akamir nodded. "Yes."

Inara leaned back, resting her elbows on the desk.

"How did you even create such a company?" She asked. "I must say, you are more mature than you look."

’Sounds like something a child predator would say.’

Akamir kept his comment to himself as he asked. "How are you going to deal with your father?"

She blinked. "I don’t know...Yet."

Akamir nodded silently. ’She is a lost cause.’

Even though he liked her a lot, Akamir could see her shortcomings.

’She has no idea what she should do.’

And Akamir can’t blame her.

She has lost all of her respect and dignity after she kissed and got engaged with him.

For better or worse, that made him the only support in her life.

Akamir let out a sigh. "Can’t you ask for help from Atlantis?"

"Things aren’t that easy, Asher—."

"Akamir." He corrected her. "Call me Akamir."

Inara blinked. "Why?"

"Because that’s the name I will use down the line." He said, looking at her. "The name Asher has too much dirt on it."

Inara squinted her eyes but nodded nonetheless.

"Alright Akamir, as I was saying, things aren’t that easy." She continued. "King Eden has accepted me, that doesn’t mean he will help me."

Akamir nodded softly as he got the gist of it.

"So, is this why they live in the ocean?" He asked. "Because they don’t want to meddle with surface people?"

"Exactly." She replied, nodding her head. "That’s why I couldn’t run back to them because once I do I can never come back here."

Akamir let out a sigh as he stood up.

"We will talk more about it when the time is right." He said. "I will introduce you to the in-name owner of my company soon."

Inara blinked softly before she gave a nod. "Alright."

He turned around and walked towards the door.

"Akamir." Inara called, making him glance back. "Tell me when you are ready."

Akamir tilted his head. "Ready for what?"

"To get laid." She replied with a sweet smile.

Akamir blinked, his hand resting on the doorknob.

"...Seriously?"

Inara just smiled, tilting her head. "You’ll let me know, won’t you?"

"I hope you keep your confidence till the end." He said as he walked out of the door.

Nayomi, who was silent the entire time floated closer to him. "Why don’t you just fuck her—."

"Have some decency." Akamir said, glaring at her. "And I still don’t completely trust her."

"You wouldn’t have placed a mimicker in her shadow if you did." Nayomi replied, looking at him.

Akamir didn’t say anything as he let out another sigh.

He walked down the spiral staircase, still deep in thought.

Nayomi floated beside him, arms crossed, eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

"You’re falling for her," she said flatly. "Even if you don’t trust her."

Akamir didn’t respond right away. His steps echoed against the stone walls of the stairwell.

"I’m not stupid," he finally muttered. "That’s why I’m being careful."

"What if you did completely fall for her?" She asked softly.

"I will protect her." He replied. "By then she will belong to me."

Nayomi said nothing as he walked out of the building.

’I need to learn all the spells that I have.’

Akamir thought as he stretched his body.

’Time to train a little.’