The morning passed in its usual routine. Jessica was about to leave the villa when Taylor stopped her.
He took her hand, slipped a ring onto her finger, and placed a kiss on her lips "I'll be waiting for you at home" he said before turning around and heading to his study.
Jessica watched him go. She wanted to say something, but no words came out. The ring on her finger caught the morning light, filling her with a new, almost overwhelming happiness.
Sofia reached her and pulled her into a hug "Let's go, or we'll end up late again."
Jessica smiled and walked toward the carriage with Sofia.
Taylor worked on reports until the afternoon, when Jessica and Sofia returned home. Sitting at the table for lunch, he asked Jessica "Are you getting along well in your class?"
Jessica nodded with a calm smile "Yes, and I've made a few friends. Today they talked only about the banquet for some girl's birthday. I wasn't paying much attention, so I missed who it was about and what exactly they meant."
"Was something distracting you?" Taylor asked calmly.
Jessica sighed "Yes. To be honest, there are rumors going around about you approaching a girl at the auction."
Taylor looked up at her. With an indifferent tone, he replied "They're not rumors. I do intend to court her."
Silence fell instantly. "What?" Jessica asked, confused.
"There are two other girls I'm interested in, besides you."
Jessica turned to him with a thin smile "I see." She stood up from her seat and, before leaving, added "Don't come into my room. I want to be alone."
As soon as she left the room, Sofia glanced at Taylor "Wasn't it too early to tell her?"
Taylor took a sip of water before answering "It's better she knows before the banquet. My third star will be there."
Sofia sighed and stood up "I'll help you by talking to her."
But Taylor stopped her "There's no need. I'll take care of it."
Sofia turned toward him "Are you sure you can? After all, you're the one who started this."
Taylor didn't answer. He rose as well and headed toward his room.
Taylor knocked on the door. No answer. He lowered the handle and walked in.
The room was silent. On the bed, Jessica was curled up under the blankets, the slow rhythm of her breathing the only sign of life. Taylor approached and sat beside her; the light filtering through the curtains brushed the still outline of the girl.
He reached out, trying to lower the blanket covering her face, but Jessica held it with a stubborn grip. Taylor sighed softly "I'd like to see the beautiful face of my girlfriend."
For a moment, nothing happened. The silence hung in the air. Then, slowly, Jessica's fingers loosened. The blanket slid downward, revealing her face marked by a shadow of anger she no longer tried to hide.
Taylor leaned down toward her, his lips just a breath away from her face. But with a sudden jolt, Jessica threw the covers aside and pushed him back.
Taylor fell onto the mattress as she settled astride his abdomen, her breath short and her eyes sharp as blades.
Her hands slid along his neck, tightening just slightly "Who are those two?" she asked, her voice low and threatening. "If you don't answer, I'll strangle you to death."
Taylor met her stare without looking away and said "They're the Duchess of Luthyriel and the Fourth Princess of Soryndel. You have nothing to worry about, you'll get along with them."
Hearing the names spoken by Taylor, Jessica was left momentarily stunned.
Those people belonged to a race and a social standing far above her own.
Seeing the change in Jessica's expression, Taylor grabbed the hands around his neck, intertwining them with his.
Slowly, he lifted himself a little and guided her down to his lap, her body close to his.
"I told you their noble titles because I'd prefer you meet them in person at the banquet" he said calmly.
Jessica didn't answer. Without thinking, she leaned down and kissed him.
Pulling away from the kiss, Jessica asked with an unsteady breath "Will you hold me the same way even after you confirm your relationship with those two?"
Taylor replied instantly "I would never treat you any differently because of something like that."
Then they held each other tightly.
Taylor's hand moved towards Jessica's breast, and with his other hand he wrote a rune in mid-air that made both their clothes disappear.
He began to kiss her and stimulate her nipples with both hands. Jessica felt something hard pressing against her intimacy, so she lifted herself slightly off Taylor's lap and, aligning his member with her intimacy, sat down slowly.
The stimulation from Taylor's hands and his member entering her intimacy made her orgasm the moment Taylor's member entered her completely.
Breaking away from the kiss, breathing unevenly and her face flushed, she gave Taylor a breathtaking view.
Taylor moved his lips towards Jessica's nipple, while she, regaining her senses, began to ride him and moan with pleasure.
The creaking of the bed accompanied their movements, a backdrop to their heavy breathing.
After three rounds in bed and one in the bathtub, exhausted Jessica let Taylor carry her from the bathroom to the bed.
Lying down, she noticed with surprise "They changed the sheets."
"I instructed Rebecca to have some servants clean" Taylor replied.
Jessica snuggled against him, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.
Taylor closed his eyes and fell asleep too. They both skipped dinner, and Sofia had it alone.
A week passed in a normal routine, without any notable events.
The day before the banquet they were to attend was tiring for Taylor.
He had to try on various outfits and ask for Jessica and Sofia's opinions, who seemed to have agreed on rejecting every choice he made.
Finally, the day of the banquet arrived. In the afternoon, as soon as they returned, the girls prepared for the event.
In the carriage, Taylor instructed Nyssa "Tonight, You must be careful about the people she will interact with." Nyssa nodded.
The carriage door reopened and the two girls entered. Sitting down, Sofia asked, "Taylor, did you buy the island?"
Hearing the question, Jessica looked at Taylor, confused, knowing nothing about it. Taylor replied vaguely "It will be possible after some preparations."
Sofia turned to Nyssa and began asking questions to get to know her, while Jessica rested her head on Taylor's shoulder, closed her eyes, and relaxed.
Taylor smiled, placed a hand on her waist, letting her put almost all her weight on him, and looked out the window.