The joint training of Alea and Earl came to an end. The main goal of this session was to increase their overall combat prowess but the two knew they gained something much more valuable than that.
In front of the dungeon, Saryll gave an overall assessment of their performance and evaluated their new skills and strength. The result was a very proud mother and teacher.
Once the evaluation was finally over, Saryll and Ari spoke at the same time.
""Earl.""
The two ladies looked at each other wordlessly when they realized they spoke at the same time. Saryll was the one who backed off as she gave a small smile.
"You two mother and son pair can talk first."
"It's no rush. I think yours might be more important?" Ari spoke. Indeed, any affairs with her son were of no rush as they slept together every day. She was more interested in what the Queen had in mind.
"I see. In that case, I will be grabbing Earl for a couple of minutes then. Earl?" Saryll signalled with her eye to a corner where they could talk.
"Coming," He nodded.
They went to a shaded area in the vicinity. Earl left the dungeon with Alea early so it was just the afternoon. The sun was high in the sky and this cool, shaded area gave them comfort.
Saryll stood before him, looking as beautiful as ever. Her face contained irresistible charms of a mature woman and it appeared to be at ease, her golden locks flowing down her shoulders.
"I've been thinking of you all day and to think we would be talking so early in the day. I'm a lucky man," Earl softly spoke with a charming smile on his face.
Unlike the previous night where the darkness was partially covering Earl's features, Saryll took the chance to take a good look at him today. His black hair was well-groomed and healthy, having a slight glossiness to it. His face was well-defined at certain places and soft at certain places. His eyes contained an eerie resemblance to his mother's- the Archmage. It was a beautiful amethyst purple. Mysterious, gentle, determined. His expression was always right for the moment, carrying a faint smile that could ease the heart of anyone.
The way he dressed was just as congruent with the rest of his features. A clean white dress shirt and pants- the standard attire of a well kept noble. He was a whole package. At first glance, he appeared harmless but his unique aura would ease the hearts of those around him, causing them to be vulnerable to him.
A moment of realization set in for Saryll as her heart raced. She embraced this feeling and kept it close to herself.
"Now's not the time for that. Remember when you asked to be my assistant?"
"Is it time?"
"Yes. Soon, I will be meeting with the Spirit Knights for the upcoming Spirit Festival. I will be introducing you to them then as my student and assistant. During this time, you'll be helping me with my job and other needs. We'll be spending... a lot of time together."
"The Spirit Knights? How exciting. I will be assisting you to the best of my abilities. Please take care of me."
"The same goes for me." She wrapped her arm around his shoulder and laughed softly.
She was back to her usual self before Earl started being more aggressive with his approach. She was the kind older sister figure in the relationship who kept things lighthearted between the two. The difference this time was the fact that Saryll had accepted Earl as a man and there was an underlying tension behind her action.
Earl felt his heart relax as he laughed internally. Everything was paying off at long last!
"By the way," He took this chance to whisper into her ear. "See you at the river tonight?"
After saying so, he lightly blew into her ear, sending shivers down her spine. A whiff of her womanly smell entered his nose and aroused his mind further. He took a step back and their eyes met. She gave him a knowing look ad softly nodded.
A silent agreement was made and they made their way back to the main area in front of the dungeon where Alea and Ari were merrily talking.
It was time to depart for the day. Earl made his way to Ari after bidding his farewells to the Queen and Princess.
"We'll see you 2 soon!" He said and began to walk towards the exit.
This was interrupted when Alea called him. "You, wait!"
Habits weren't easily broken. Alea would still refer to him by a simple "you" when they were not talking intimately.
Earl halted his steps and looked back. "Yes?"
He was met by the bold sight of Alea running towards him and landing with a soft hug. The warmth of her body enveloped him and he found himself wrapping his arms around her back in return.
"Earl," Alea whispered. "Tonight. I will be visiting, stay awake."
After she delivered her message, she ran off back to Saryll. She was like a lingering dream. All her words provoked the deepest desires and fantasies of his mind and he could not get enough of her.
The remaining warmth on his ear from her breath was left as a reminder of her message. Earl stood blankly on the spot for a while.
"What an interesting development you've made for yourself," Ari's words awakened him.
He looked at his mother and she gently ruffled his hair.