CHAPTER 183: DAYLIGHT

The last traces of daylight had bled away by the time Lor and Kiara reached his house, the cobbled lane bathed in the sleepy glow of lanterns casting pale yellow light.

Lor paused at the door, his hand hovering over the handle, but before he could touch it, the door swung inward, spilling warmth and the rich scent of roasted herbs and butter into the evening air.

Mira stood in the doorway, her apron tied snugly around her waist, smooth black hair pulled back in a neat bun.

Her face lit up at the sight of them, her smile warm and unguarded.

"Oh, thank god—you’re both here," she said, her voice bright with relief. "Lor, I was starting to worry, and Kiara—" her eyes softened, crinkling at the corners—"looks like you found him. Brought him home. I couldn’t ask for better."

Lor scratched his cheek, muttering something vague, caught between agreement and a half-hearted grumble.

Kiara, ever poised, flashed a polished smile, her blue eyes glinting with practiced charm.

"He looked tired, so I wanted to make sure he got home safe," she said, her tone smooth, sincere.

Mira tilted her head, her smile deepening. "So thoughtful. Well, you’re both just in time. Dinner’s ready."

"Dinner?" Lor echoed, his stomach tightening with hunger despite the unease still coiled in his chest.

Mira waved them in, already turning back toward the kitchen. "Come, come!"

The dining room was a cozy haven, the table laden with a spread that made Lor’s mouth water: roasted chicken glistening with rosemary, buttered carrots gleaming like polished gold, fresh bread still steaming in its cloth wrap.

Eren sat at the far end, his folded newspaper a constant companion beside his plate.

He glanced up, offering a curt "Good evening," before gesturing for them to sit.

Kiara slid into the chair beside Lor, her movements graceful, her posture perfect.

Mira bustled about, pouring water into goblets, urging them to help themselves.

"It smells wonderful, Mrs. Vayne," Kiara said, picking up her utensils with the elegance of someone raised in a noble house.

Her voice carried just the right note of sincerity, and Mira’s cheeks warmed with pleasure.

"You flatter me," Mira said, though her smile betrayed her delight. "Eat, eat. You’ll need your strength for studies tomorrow."

Lor tried to focus on slicing his chicken, the savory aroma pulling at his hunger, but Kiara’s presence beside him was a distraction he couldn’t ignore.

Her warmth radiated, too close, too potent.

Then he felt it—a brush against his knee beneath the table, subtle but unmistakable, her fingers tracing a slow, teasing circle.

His hand froze mid-cut, the knife hovering above his plate.

He shot her a look, his pulse skipping.

Kiara’s gaze stayed on Mira, her smile polite as she accepted a helping of carrots, but the tiniest twitch at the corner of her mouth betrayed her amusement.

Her hand drifted higher, fingers grazing his inner thigh, the touch light but bold, sending a jolt straight to his core.

Lor’s breath caught, his grip tightening on his fork.

Gods, she was relentless.

Mira was chatting about the rising cost of produce at the market, Eren humming his agreement, both oblivious to the silent game unfolding beneath the table.

Lor swallowed hard, chewing too slowly, praying the heat climbing his face wasn’t as obvious as it felt.

"So," Mira said suddenly, turning to Kiara, "how’s Lor doing at the academy? Is he managing?"

Lor nearly choked, Kiara’s fingers pressing closer to his cock at the exact moment the question landed.

The touch was subtle, but it sent a shock through him, his muscles tensing.

"He’s trying," Kiara said smoothly, her voice calm, her eyes fixed on Mira as if nothing were happening.

"There are some areas he struggles with, but he’s putting in effort. I’ll be helping him review more often." Her hand slid higher, brushing the edge of his growing erection, her fingers lingering with a teasing lightness.

Lor gripped his fork so tightly his knuckles whitened, his voice cracking as he forced out, "Y-yeah. Studying." He cleared his throat, trying to sound normal, but the word wobbled.

Mira’s expression softened, approving. "That’s good to hear. Thank you, Kiara. A steady hand goes a long way."

"Of course," Kiara said, her tone sweet, but her hand gave Lor’s cock a subtle squeeze through his trousers, making his breath hitch, masked by the rustle of Eren turning a newspaper page.

It became a silent, torturous game.

Mira prattled on about the neighbors, Eren offering occasional grunts, while Lor sat rigid, Kiara’s fingertips tracing lazy, maddening paths closer to the center of his lap.

He tried to distract himself—reaching for bread, pouring water—but her hand followed, persistent, teasing, never quite blatant enough to draw attention.

Each brush sent heat pooling low, his cock straining against the fabric, his control fraying with every touch.

"Lor, would you pass the butter?" Mira asked.

His hand jerked, nearly knocking the dish over.

He passed it down, fingers trembling slightly, his face burning.

Mira gave him a curious glance but said nothing, turning back to her plate.

Kiara leaned in just enough for her shoulder to brush his, murmuring a polite "thank you" as her hair grazed his cheek, her clove-and-honey scent flooding his senses.

His pulse hammered, his body caught between arousal and the desperate need to stay composed.

Dessert arrived—slices of apple tart drizzled with honey, the sight of the fruit sending a brief, sour jolt through Lor’s mind, the memory of that enchanted apple still fresh.

He forced it down, each bite an exercise in control, Kiara’s hand never faltering in its slow, torturous exploration beneath the table.

Her fingers grazed his cock again, a featherlight touch that made his breath catch, his thighs tensing.

Mira stood, gathering plates. "I’ll fetch tea."

The moment her back turned, Kiara’s fingers pressed firmer, stroking his length through the fabric with a boldness that nearly undid him.

Her lips curved into a soft, mischievous smile, her eyes flicking to his, daring him to react.

Lor clenched his jaw, swallowing the groan that threatened to escape, his entire body taut with the effort to stay silent.

"Tea would be lovely," Kiara called after Mira, her voice sweet and serene, her gaze never leaving Lor’s flushed, struggling face.