The Extra's Rise-Chapter 549: An Ice Flower (4) [R18]

As the banquet began to wind down, the formal atmosphere gradually giving way to quieter conversations and the gentle clinking of final toasts, Seraphina reached for Arthur’s hand beneath the table. Her cool fingers entwined with his, and when he glanced at her, he found her ice-blue eyes softer than usual, touched with something that might have been nervous excitement.

"Use your mana," she whispered, her voice carrying a trace of anticipation that was entirely unlike her typically composed demeanor. "I want to show you something."

Arthur nodded, understanding immediately. His mana unfurled around them like an invisible cloak, bending light and attention away from their forms. To the other guests, they would appear to be engaged in polite conversation for a few more minutes before seemingly retiring separately. The illusion was seamless, a testament to Arthur’s growing mastery of subtlety in magical application.

Together, they moved swiftly and silently through the halls of the Mount Hua sect’s grand palace, their footsteps muffled by plush carpeting and Arthur’s continued magical concealment. The architecture around them spoke of centuries of refinement—carved wooden pillars, delicate paper screens, and the subtle fragrance of incense that seemed to permeate every corridor.

The door to Seraphina’s private quarters slid open with barely a whisper, revealing chambers that reflected their owner’s elegant sensibilities. Polished wooden floors gleamed in the soft light of paper lanterns, and the faint scent of plum blossoms lingered in the air, whether from actual flowers or some subtle perfume Arthur couldn’t determine.

But Seraphina didn’t stop in the main room. Instead, she led him deeper into her quarters, through a secondary door that opened onto something Arthur hadn’t expected—a private bathing chamber that was more akin to a personal spa than a simple bathroom.

The space was magnificent. Carved from what appeared to be a single piece of pristine white marble, a bath large enough to qualify as a small pool dominated the center of the room. Steam rose gently from the heated water, and the subtle play of light across its surface suggested depth beyond what was immediately apparent. Along the walls, intricate murals depicted scenes of mountain landscapes and flowing water, while strategically placed crystals provided a warm, ambient glow.

Arthur’s heart quickened as he watched Seraphina glide toward the marble bath, her movements as graceful as ever. ’So like her,’ he thought, a fond smile tugging at his lips. The half-elf princess had always loved the water, and their shared swims were a cherished ritual. But today, the air felt charged, the moment laced with an unspoken promise of something more.

Seraphina paused at the edge of the bath, her silver hair catching the soft glow of the chamber’s lanterns. "One moment," she said, her voice light but tinged with a nervous edge. "I’ll change into something more... suitable." She slipped behind an ornate screen, the faint rustle of fabric teasing Arthur’s senses as he changed into his simple black swimming trunks.

When she emerged, Arthur’s breath hitched. Seraphina stood before him in an ice-blue bikini, its delicate fabric hugging her form in a way that was both elegant and breathtakingly bold. The color mirrored the frost in her eyes, accentuating the ethereal shimmer of her pale skin. Her toned stomach and gentle curves were framed perfectly, and Arthur couldn’t help but marvel at her otherworldly beauty.

He crossed the room in a few strides, his hands finding her waist from behind, fingers brushing the soft warmth of her skin. Seraphina let out a soft laugh, turning her head slightly to meet his gaze. "Ready?" she whispered, her voice a playful challenge.

Without a word, they leaped into the marble bath together, the cold water enveloping them in a sharp, exhilarating rush. Seraphina preferred it this way—crisp and bracing, like a winter stream. But as their bodies pressed close in the water, warmth bloomed between them, chasing away the chill.

Their laughter echoed off the stone walls as they surfaced, droplets clinging to Seraphina’s lashes like tiny jewels. She swam closer, her hands finding his shoulders, and Arthur felt the world narrow to just the two of them. Her lips were inches from his, her breath warm against his skin. Slowly, deliberately, she closed the distance, and their lips met in a kiss that was soft at first, then deepened with a hungry edge.

Arthur’s hands slid down her sides, tracing the curve of her waist before settling on the swell of her hips. His fingers grazed the smooth fabric of her bikini, then slipped lower, cupping her firmly, drawing a soft gasp from her lips. Seraphina pressed herself closer, her body molding against his in the water, and the kiss grew fiercer, a tangle of lips and quiet sighs.

His fingers wandered upward, brushing the delicate point of one elven ear. Seraphina shivered, a low moan escaping her as he gently traced the sensitive curve. Her ears, so distinctly elven, were exquisitely responsive, and Arthur couldn’t resist teasing them, his touch light but deliberate. Another moan, softer this time, vibrated against his lips as she arched into him, her fingers tightening on his shoulders.

"Arthur..." she murmured, her voice a breathless plea, her eyes half-lidded with desire. The water swirled around them, cool against the heat of their bodies, as they lost themselves in each other, the world beyond the bath fading to nothing.

The marble bath’s cool water lapped against their entwined bodies, but the heat between Arthur and Seraphina burned brighter, a quiet fire stoked by their closeness. Seraphina’s lips parted against his, her kisses soft yet fervent, each one laced with her characteristic restraint—a delicate balance of desire and composure that defined her. Arthur, bold and unreserved, pressed himself closer, his hands roaming her body with a hunger that contrasted her quiet grace. Her toned yet impossibly soft form molded against his, her skin smooth as moonlit silk, sending a thrill through him as their bodies aligned in the water.

Arthur’s lips trailed from hers, brushing along the delicate line of her jaw, then lower, until they found the sensitive curve of her elven ear. He lingered there, his breath warm against the pointed tip, before his tongue darted out, tracing the delicate edge with slow, deliberate care. Seraphina’s reaction was immediate—a shudder ran through her, her fingers digging into his shoulders as a soft, melodic moan escaped her lips. The sound was quiet, almost fragile, yet it carried a depth of feeling that made Arthur’s pulse race. Her ears, so distinctly elven, quivered under his touch, each gentle lick coaxing another trembling moan from her, each one more unguarded than the last.

"Arthur..." she whispered, her voice a hushed melody, barely audible over the ripple of the water. Her quiet nature shone through even now—her words were few, her emotions conveyed in the subtle arch of her back, the way her lashes fluttered as she surrendered to sensation. Arthur, ever the contrast, was bold in his adoration, his hands sliding down her sides, savoring the way her toned stomach flexed under his touch, soft yet firm, a testament to her elven grace. He could feel the strength in her, the quiet power that lay beneath her serene exterior, and it only fueled his desire to unravel her further.

His hands drifted lower, fingers grazing the smooth expanse of her thighs. The water made her skin slick, amplifying every sensation as he traced slow, teasing circles along her outer thighs. Seraphina’s breath hitched, her body tensing for a moment before relaxing into his touch. "Open for me," Arthur murmured against her ear, his voice low and coaxing, a gentle command wrapped in warmth. Her hesitation was brief, a flicker of her reserved nature, but then her thighs parted slightly, trusting, yielding to his touch with a quiet courage that was so uniquely her.

Arthur’s fingers slid inward, brushing the edge of her ice-blue bikini panties. The fabric clung to her skin, damp from the water, and he could feel the heat radiating from her even through the thin barrier. His touch was slow, deliberate, his fingertips tracing the seam of her panties with a reverence that made her gasp. Seraphina’s breath caught sharply, a soft hitch that broke the quiet of the moment, her body trembling as she pressed herself closer to him. Her hands slid up his chest, fingers curling against his skin as if to anchor herself, her quiet moans mingling with the gentle splash of the water.