The World Is Mine For The Taking

Rose's POV

I woke to a warm, lingering sensation that pulsed faintly through my body — a dull yet unmistakable ache centered around my hips, particularly between my legs. My skin tingled, sensitive to even the lightest touch. A soreness clung to my insides — both in my pussy and my ass — a stark reminder of what had happened last night.

My heart skipped a beat as the memories came rushing back — flashes of heated kisses, desperate moans, and Leon's body pressing into mine. My face ignited, a wave of warmth crawling from my chest to my ears.

I buried my face in my hands, groaning softly.

I can't believe I suggested something like that...

The words I'd whispered to him echoed in my mind — every filthy, reckless thing I'd said. And worse... worse than all of it...

I told him to get me pregnant...

My fingers curled tighter against my face. Why... Why did I say that? The memory played again, clear as day — me, clutching his face, gasping those desperate words into his ear.

"Fill me up... I want you to get me pregnant..."

I practically wanted to curl up and die on the spot. My stomach twisted with shame, my heart racing as I groaned again, grabbing fistfuls of my hair.

What the hell was I thinking!?

I knew I'd never sleep soundly again — not when that memory would haunt me every time I closed my eyes.

But still... despite the embarrassment eating away at me, a quiet warmth settled deep inside me.

We did it...

We had sex. We finally did it. And now... I was his. Officially.

"I guess I'm one of his women now, huh...?" I muttered quietly.

The thought stirred conflicting feelings within me. I still had my doubts about simply being one of his women. The idea unsettled me, yet I knew I couldn't leave Leon. I loved him — so deeply that the mere thought of being apart from him felt unbearable.

Even if I had my concerns about his harem, I supposed I could bear with it. But still... it wasn't something I could accept so easily. That kind of acceptance wouldn't come overnight. Yet... for him, I was willing to try.

If this is what it takes... I'll accept it. Even if it hurts...

The spot beside me on the bed was cold. Leon was gone — and not recently, either. I stared at the empty space for a moment, my heart sinking.

Where did he go?

Before I could think too much, the door creaked open. My head shot up.

Leon stepped inside.

"Oh, you're awake," he said casually.

I barely registered his words. Relief surged through me — so strong it almost made me dizzy — and before I could stop myself, I bolted from the bed and flung myself into his arms.

"Huh?" he blurted in surprise.

"I thought you left me..." I mumbled, my face pressed against his chest.

I felt his chest shake — he was chuckling.

"You seriously thought I'd just leave without saying anything?" he teased.

His voice was warm, familiar... safe. I hated how badly I'd panicked — and yet, hearing his voice now felt like the greatest comfort.

"I'm not going anywhere," he added. "Well... not yet, anyway. I just asked the innkeeper to cook us breakfast."

"Ah... I-Is that so?"

I felt so foolish — all that panic over nothing. Yet somehow, knowing he hadn't gone far filled me with such relief that I couldn't help but smile.

"You must've been scared I ran off without warning — so much so that you ran to me the moment I opened the door... butt naked, no less."

My breath caught.

...Wait... naked?

I looked down.

My bare skin gleamed in the morning light, every inch of me exposed — breasts, curves, everything.

"Ahhh!!" I shrieked, shoving Leon back through the doorway and slamming the door shut behind him.

My heart pounded violently in my chest, my face burning hotter than ever.

God, what's wrong with me!?

I slid down the door, burying my face in my hands once more.

I couldn't possibly humiliate myself any more than this... could I?

***

Leon's POV

After finishing breakfast with Rose, a question had been gnawing at the back of my mind — one I couldn't ignore any longer.

"How deep have you gone into the dungeon?" I asked, my tone more serious than I intended. "The one in the forest."

Rose paused mid-sip from her cup, lowering it slowly. Her gaze shifted to me, her expression curious yet cautious.

"Hmm? Why are you asking all of a sudden?"

I leaned forward slightly, my fingers tapping restlessly against the table. "Well... I want to see something for myself," I said. "I want to know what's deeper inside — something beyond those blue and green gems."

Her brows knitted in concern. "Aren't you supposed to return to Milham?" she asked. "Tomorrow's a weekday, and you have class at the academy, don't you?"

"Yeah... but I can just take a break," I replied with a shrug. "I mean, this place is packed with dungeons. Of course I'd be curious — wouldn't you?"

Rose exhaled softly, setting her cup down. "I suppose... but I've only gone deep enough to find the red gems. Those are usually located between the fifth and tenth strata. I made it as far as the seventh."

"The seventh?" I repeated, narrowing my eyes. "So... is there anything deeper than the tenth stratum?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. The adventurers I spoke to before my first excavation told me they'd only reached the thirteenth stratum. They said the mana pressure got so intense the deeper they went that they couldn't push any further."

I see...

So I wasn't imagining things. The suffocating mana I had felt while barely stepping into the dungeon — others had sensed it too, but only much deeper down.

But why could I feel it from the very first stratum?

The answer seemed clear — my mana sensitivity was sharper than most. Still, that didn't explain what was generating that pressure.

It couldn't be a typical monster... not with mana like that.

If it was a creature, it had to be something far more dangerous... or something entirely different. A presence that powerful wasn't normal.

Whatever it was... I wouldn't find out unless I went down there myself.

"Leon..." Rose's voice sharpened. Her gaze locked onto mine, and I knew that look — cold, piercing, and dangerously stern.

"You're not planning to go down there... are you?"

"Uh..."

My words caught in my throat. Normally, I'd have lied without a second thought — brushed her off with some clever excuse. But the way Rose was glaring at me now... like she'd tear my head off if I said the wrong thing... I couldn't muster a word. My eyes instinctively shifted to the side, avoiding her intense stare.

"I knew it!" she snapped, her voice rising. "You're planning to go down there, aren't you!?"

"Well... yeah," I admitted with a sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "I want to see what's down there — mainly to figure out why the mana gets so thick the deeper you go."

Her scowl deepened, and I swore I could feel the air in the room grow colder.

I knew this wasn't going to end well.

"I know you're strong," Rose began, her voice firm yet edged with unease. Her fingers clenched tightly around the cup she held, her knuckles turning white. "And I won't try to stop you from doing what you want... but I hate seeing you throw yourself into dangerous situations!" Her eyes locked onto mine, sharp and unwavering.

"I mean... I didn't say anything when you confronted the Eclipse," she continued, her voice tightening. "That was out of my hands. But this... this dungeon? Considering how dangerous it is — and how little we know about what's down there — I can't just let you go."

Her gaze hardened, her concern shifting into something far more stubborn.

"I'm not trying to get myself hurt," I said, glancing away from her. "I just... I want to check things out. Nothing reckless."

"You're lying!" Rose snapped, her voice rising. The intensity in her eyes practically pinned me to my seat. "It's obvious you're looking for trouble! You're not fooling me, Leon — I know you too well!" Her hand slammed down on the table, rattling the dishes. "I won't allow it!"

I opened my mouth to argue, but no words came out. Rose wasn't just angry — she was determined. Even if I tried to slip past her, I could tell she'd physically stop me if she had to.

"...C-Can I at least go as far as the stratum you reached?" I asked, desperation creeping into my voice. "I just... I really need to know something."

Her glare didn't waver.

"No means no," she said coldly.

I gritted my teeth. She wasn't budging. The tension between us weighed heavy in the air, suffocating and thick.

If she's this serious... then maybe I should try something else.

"...I'll ask you to come with me, then," I said suddenly. "You know... I read somewhere that dungeon dates are supposed to work pretty well for couples. Apparently, they're great for strengthening relationships."

Her eyes widened, her expression momentarily cracking. For a second, she just stared at me — caught between disbelief and something else... something flustered.

But then her lips pressed together tightly. Her brows furrowed as her teeth clenched — she was fighting back her reaction, biting down her instinct to give in.

But she would break.

I knew she would.

"...I guess I'll come," she muttered at last, her voice low and reluctant.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

Of course... she's a romance fanatic.