* * *
“My wife, shall we go?”
Zeroth, who had been waiting, extended his hand toward Sylvian.
Sylvian shyly smiled at the polite escort request and placed his hand in Zeroth’s.
“As soon as we get off the carriage, an attendant will be assigned to us. Usually, they guide guests to a banquet hall or party venue, but today, we’ll be heading to the dining room.”
Sylvian only half-listened to his explanations, his gaze fixed on Zeroth as if entranced.
His already impressive physique looked even more perfect today.
Even dull black clothing looked elegant and stylish when he wore it.
I’m jealous.
Sylvian envied Zeroth’s solid build.
Perhaps aware that Sylvian’s gaze wouldn’t leave him, Zeroth’s lips occasionally twitched with brief, fleeting smiles.
“The moment we enter, we must first greet the host of the house.”
As they reached the door, a servant announced their arrival.
“Welcome.”
Today’s host was Kelvin. The butler greeted them with a warm smile.
Inside, familiar knights and servants, including Whisen and Luaia, were seated.
Feeling delighted, Sylvian exchanged glances with each of them before greeting Kelvin the way Zeroth had taught him.
“The higher one’s rank, the closer they sit to the host.”
As Zeroth had said, Kelvin led them to the highest seats of honor.
The etiquette lesson at dinner was surprisingly enjoyable.
In a calm and precise voice, Zeroth explained which topics were appropriate to bring up, how to use utensils properly, and other fine details.
Though clumsy, Sylvian did his best to eat properly while trying to keep his cheeks from turning red.
For some reason, the knights and servants all watched him with satisfied smiles.
In the Viscount’s household, he had never needed to eat with such refined manners.
Meals had always consisted of bland soup.
Scraping the bowl clean with a spoon had been the extent of it.
“You’re doing well.”
Following Zeroth’s instructions step by step earned him praise.
Today truly felt like a normal education session.
Sylvian exhaled in relief, his lips pressing together in pride at the compliment.
“You should drink wine between courses, but since you have a low tolerance for alcohol, just take a sip.”
He lifted the wine glass before him, trying to drink gracefully like Zeroth.
He thought he heard quiet laughter somewhere, but he ignored it and swallowed the wine in one gulp.
This tastes good.
Ha, if I ever leave the Duke’s household, I think I’ll miss all these delicious drinks.
“Excellent.”
After naturally finishing the meal and exchanging polite farewells, the servants dispersed.
That’s when Zeroth spoke again.
“Now, let’s have a private meal as a couple. This isn’t an everyday thing—it’s a special dinner that happens only when the wife or the husband desires it.”
When they returned to the dining hall, all the tableware had been cleared away, leaving only a few simple dishes.
But Sylvian had no more room to eat.
“I’m too full to eat anything else.”
“That’s fine. This meal is more about the experience.”
The subtle smile on Zeroth’s lips made Sylvian uneasy.
He let himself be led to his seat, feeling a sense of foreboding.
“First, let’s go over the mistakes you made during the etiquette lesson.”
Zeroth began listing Sylvian’s errors one by one.
As the list continued, Sylvian’s face gradually turned pale.
I’m going to get scolded so bad.
He had thought he was safe since Zeroth had let things slide earlier, but it turned out that had just been patience—for the finale.
Sylvian shivered slightly as he waited for the verdict.
“When one says, ‘Let’s have a special meal today,’ the wife is supposed to undress. Normally, I would do it for you, but since you made mistakes, you will do it yourself as a punishment.”
Messing around with food usually meant punishment.
And since he was the one being punished, he couldn’t protest.
Sylvian sent desperate, pleading eyes in Zeroth’s direction but reluctantly started removing his clothes.
Plop.
Damn, it’s not working.
Crying had softened Zeroth in the past, but ever since the last punishment, he had grown more firm.
“Hing…”
“Didn’t you promise earlier in the carriage that you would accept your punishment? Or shall we consider another one? A spanking, perhaps—”
“I’m already undressing!”
The moment Zeroth lowered his gaze in contemplation, Sylvian hastily stripped off his clothes.
“Kuh.”
Zeroth seemed to stifle a laugh behind his hand, but Sylvian was too busy trying to cover himself, embarrassed by being the only one undressed.
“Tsk. Keep your hands by your sides and stand straight.”
At the firm command, Sylvian pouted but complied, standing at attention.
The cold floor only added to his misery.
Zeroth’s eyes roamed over his body, making Sylvian instinctively shrink back slightly.
“Wife, what do we do before enjoying a delicious meal?”
“……”
Starve?
They say hunger makes the best sauce.
Or maybe… say ‘Let’s eat well’?
Sylvian had no idea what answer Zeroth was looking for.
“Sigh. You really don’t know?”
“If you teach me, I’ll do my best.”
At his timid response, Zeroth’s eyebrow twitched.
Sylvian’s green eyes, like delicate leaves, revealed every bit of his emotions.
He laughed easily, cried easily.
Even now, he was wavering between embarrassment and uncertainty, unsure of what to do.
Can he really handle it?
Zeroth propped his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
He had a strong urge to fill that small mouth of his completely.
But Sylvian would probably struggle to swallow properly and end up crying.
Or he might try to hold his breath—ha.
“I-I can do it.”
Seeing Zeroth sigh deeply while rubbing his forehead, Sylvian clenched his fists and spoke up again.
Whatever this was, I’ll do my best!
The way Zeroth kept sighing at him was annoying.
Even if I’m not the main course, I can at least handle it if it’s not too painful, right?
Determined, Sylvian steeled himself.
“First, you must beg your master, saying, ‘Please give me delicious milk.'”
…Fuck.
It’s another blowjob, isn’t it?
His confidence crumbled instantly.
No. I can’t. I refuse!
His mind filled with unspoken curses.
This isn’t some dirty manga—how did I end up in a situation where I have to say something like that in real life?
And he’s expecting me to swallow, isn’t he?
Sylvian’s face rapidly turned pale, then bright red.
“Do you know what milk is?”
“I get an upset stomach when I drink milk. H-how do I…”
Pure innocence attack!
Shifting into ‘I’m totally clueless’ mode, Sylvian glanced down at his own body with a pitiful expression.
It wasn’t even an act—his digestion really couldn’t handle dairy.
He always avoided milk and cream in his meals.
“……”
Zeroth was momentarily speechless.
He had been holding back laughter all night, but now it was impossible.
“Then, what should we drink instead of milk?”
“I’ll drink juice.”
…That might be difficult.
He’s still not used to blowjobs, so we’ll have to take things slow.
Once Sylvian got more accustomed to punishments and acts, he’d eventually swallow more than just cum.
Zeroth, full of ideas, reconsidered his plan when he saw Sylvian’s face light up at the mention of juice.
Since he was getting used to spankings, soon he’d be able to handle other things too.
* * *
