A Gamer Into Trails

As always, Giliath demands your power stones!

*****

Unexpectedly, I felt my tongue suddenly locked in a dance with Elie's tongue, and she let out a soft moan. She had gone right in for a kiss, which caught me off guard. Maybe Elie's feelings that were tucked away somewhere burst open like a dam being torn down, letting her feelings surface altogether like this?

That did confirm one thing for me. She not only remembered the past we shared, but she did develop feelings for  me. And just seeing a notification sound off inside my head was extra assurance for that.

[Ding! Having come across Gamer Naoto once again, Elie MacDowell has garnered much interest toward Gamer Naoto, and her Favorability has been unlocked. Due to the emotions she has kept buried within her heart, they have resurfaced over the time spent apart from Gamer Naoto. Realizing that Elie has fallen in love with Gamer Naoto, Favorability has reached 100%.]

[Ding! Due to Favorability reaching 100%, Elie's Blessing has been granted to Gamer Naoto.]

[Ding! A new parameter has been unlocked for Elie MacDowell. Upon unlocking further conditions, new rewards will become available to Gamer Naoto.]

[Ding! Master Quartz Pixie - (Wind) has been deposited into Gamer Naoto's inventory.]

'You're really ruining the moment here. Can't I enjoy a kiss in peace?', I inwardly retorted, seeing these notifications appear. But any shred of doubt I had left concerning Elie's feelings toward me were washed away when I saw them.

I willed those notifications away, I will have to see what Elie's Blessing did later. To respond to Elie's kiss as our two tongues danced around, I reached my arms out, and brought Elie to my embrace, causing her eyes to raise.

"Mmm?", Elie tried to respond, only to feel my mouth close in on hers. Our speed hastened, and Elie began to pant a little. Her cheeks turned rosy, feeling my arms now around her back. I could also feel Elie's breasts press up against my chest, and holy, were they insanely soft.

"Pah!", I suddenly gasped, releasing my mouth with Elie's. A string of drool could be seen dripping from her tongue as I savored the kiss we shared. Elie's blush remained on her cheeks.

"Now that wasn't fair.", Elie retorted, not expecting me to initiate an attack like that.

"It felt good though, right?", I replied. "Or maybe, did you want to continue?", I asked with a playful grin. I won't lie, even my cheeks were a bit rosy after we shared that moment of compassion.

"I would say yes...but we have lunch to get to.", Elie responded, trying to find an excuse.

"Hahaha! Are you at least glad that I responded? You like me, don't you, Elie?", I decided to ask the question at hand.

After all, if she didn't have feelings for me, she wouldn't have kissed me like this.

"Do I really need to spell it out for you, Naoto? Of course I do. It's just...", Elie tried to respond, only to glance her eyes the other way.

"Just what?", I decided to play along. A hint of uncertainty appeared in her eyes, which did make me a bit worried.

"Well, it's about that harem of yours. You're serious about it, aren't you?", Elie asked as her eyes glanced diagonally downward.

"Look at me Elie.", I said with a serious look.

"Naoto...", Elie uttered, taking a moment to settle down after the kiss we shared. She glanced her eyes back up, and was now looking right at me. I could see her pretty green irises. They really made a nice contrast to her silvery-blonde hair. 

"I won't lie, I am in love with a few girls. They have all accepted me, and there is no harm or dissatisfaction shared between them. They accepted knowing that I have a harem in place.", I answered Elie.

"Willingly?", Elie asked, still doubtful.

"Of course, they were all willing to join it. I do not like forcing anyone they don't like to do. You should know that of all the people I have come across.", I responded.

"Oh I know, based on some reports I've received. I just personally want to hear it from your mouth. You must be a pretty lucky guy~", Elie teased. "I didn't think you would manage to swoon Erebonia's Treasure to your side either. Grandfather has already started to feel pressured by that announcement.", Elie frowned, recalling my engagement with Alfin being announced a mere day or two ago.

"You...", I uttered, shaking my head to the side, letting out a sigh. Seeing our kiss over now, Elie's cheeks were still singed red, but she managed to calm down somewhat. We parted from our embrace as the two of us began to converse with what Elie brought up.

"So, how many are in it? Is it two? Perhaps three girls?", Elie wondered.

"Three presently.", I answered, without holding back. "You even met one of them already. You know Emma right? I do believe I took you to play in that village once or twice once Master recognized me as her disciple.", I continued.

"Of course I remember Emma. She was a pretty shy girl. I could only play with Emma once or twice though. You're talking about Eryn right?", Elie asked.

"The very one. They don't welcome outsiders too much, so I do hope you understand their disposition. I do wish Emma could have played with you more back then.", I answered, scratching my cheek.

"In the end, Emma confessed to you, huh? Did that happen by the time she knew you were a prince?", Elie wondered.

"It did. I am sad to say, but you aren't the first girl to kiss me, Elie. I do believe that trophy goes to Angie, actually. We shared a bath back in Ymir, and that was when she told me how serious she was in wanting to enter a relationship. Emma announced her own resolve not long after, and decided to leave on a journey to train herself. Ennea's an oddity though...", I explained my side of how things went.

"It really does sound like you already have three girls at your side.", Elie mused. "Would you be against having a fourth girl at your side?", Elie suddenly asked, causing me to raise my eyebrows at her.

"Pardon?", I asked with a serious look. This was a talk about entering my harem. Not gunning for the throne to sit alongside me like how father intended to wed me to Alfin. I'm sure Elie could have had that possibility, considering she's the current granddaughter of Crossbell City's mayor, but it sounds like...she wants to enter my harem instead?

"You heard me right. I'll even spell it out for you, Naoto. I love you, just like those other girls do. I know I can't be your one and only, but as long as you are a part of my heart, I think I am willing to be a part of it.", Elie blushed, answering her resolve.

"You really feel that strongly about me, huh? Well the other girls did too, but like I said earlier. I don't like forcing things. If you are still insecure Elie, we can take our time. We have all the time in the world now.", I happily answered.

"I'd like that. But I don't think I've come to learn to doubt myself, at least, outside of my political sphere. But if you don't want to rush things, that's also fine. But it might be a bit selfish requesting you for something...", Elie answered with a nod, and began to fidget her fingers. She didn't immediately say what she wanted, which only drew my interest further.

"Oh, you are wanting something from me? I am here, and seeing as we still have some time before they call us for lunch, is it something doable within that period of time?", I asked with interest.

"I think so...", Elie nodded, responding in a bashful manner. She normally didn't beat around the bush like this, so I wondered what was holding her up. On top of that, she was acting pretty shy right now, which made her even cuter.

"Well, spit it out already. If it's something I can help with, I'll gladly do it.", I nodded, wanting to see what Elie wanted to do.

"Umm....", Elie started, only to have her eyes dart around a bit. "Before I ask this though, can I ask one thing first? How far have you gotten with your partners? Has it just been kissing?", Elie decided to ask, making me raise my eyes at her again.

"Kissing? For the most part yeah. Where are you going with this?", I asked, showing doubt in my eyes.

"Well...", Elie began. "I don't know what your other partners are really like yet, but I do think I hold something special with you, Naoto. I've known you the longest. You did take my first kiss just now, but considering I was too late to take yours, I feel I have a certain right as your childhood friend.", Elie explained. I could see her cheeks turning a deeper red.

"Where exactly are you going with this, Elie? You're not suggesting what I think you are, are you? This isn't a competition you know. Besides, we're still pretty young, considering that if you are thinking what I think it is you want to do.", I retorted her with a serious voice.

"I know, that's why I said this is me being selfish. We definitely are still young, but I could, umm, at least...satisfy you?", Elie asked, feeling embarrassed.

"Satisfy me? That's a pretty bold request.", I responded with a serious voice again.

"It is. But I feel I need to make a mark somewhere, you know? You've probably already seen your partners naked a few times by now?", Elie wondered.

"You aren't wrong about that, and my body has begun to awaken those kinds of urges. A thought had crossed my mind whether I should sleep in a separate room from the girls. It's only until recent, I've slept in the same bed on a number of occasions with them. Ennea also somehow strips of her clothing every time we do that too...", I uttered, recalling the times spent back at our private quarters in Grancel Castle. No matter what I recalled, I always remember waking up to Ennea holding onto me, securing me in her embrace with her naked breasts pushing against my back. Man, those nights were really blissful, and hopefully those will continue soon.

After everything comes to a close in Erebonia that is. I'm sure I'll be able to return to Grancel Castle to enjoy some down time after the Vermillion Trials are over.

Seeing me explain that with a calm look in my eyes, however, Elie just stood there dazed.

"It has already gotten that far...?", Elie quietly retorted. Hearing that, my lips curved up into a smile.

"I wouldn't necessarily call that far, per se. But yes, it has gotten comfortable enough to where we do stuff like that. I don't plan on being serious on these matters until it's more an appropriate time to consider such. That is why I said it was fine if we take things slow.", I explained.

"True. There is no harm if we do it as you say, Naoto. It's just, I think I personally want to try this out. And if it doesn't work, I'll know what to work on in the coming future~", Elie teased me.

"Are...you sure you want to do this, Elie?", I asked, just to be super sure about what she was requesting of me.