In a Special Task Force dormitory room hidden away in Fontaine, where no one could find her, Chevreuse was trapped.
What does she mean by "it's my turn"?
Chevreuse's ominous premonition was confirmed in the next moment. Luna's hand snaked behind her, hooking the silk thread and tightening it further.
Chevreuse frowned slightly as Luna's breath tickled her ear.
"I love you, Miss Captain."
By now, Chevreuse had grown somewhat immune to these whispered words. Yet the honeyed sweetness in Luna's voice made her more uneasy than ever before, her body and mind trembling violently for a moment.
"Stop," Chevreuse choked out.
Don't say another word.
But Luna was precisely the type who doubled down the more you told her to stop.
"Unless there's a prearranged 'secret phrase' to make me stop, I won't hold back, you know?"
Luna tightened her embrace.
"I love you, Miss Chevreuse."
Chevreuse pressed her lips into a thin line.
This woman... She desperately wanted to break free from the silken bonds and create some distance, but she couldn't. Every word Luna whispered, every breath she exhaled, stirred her senses, making it impossible to muster the strength to resist.
Moreover, she couldn't resist Luna.
Chevreuse could only close her eyes and silently endure.
However, a sudden force compelled her to open them—Luna had pinned her down, her back pressed against Luna's.
"You..."
Luna, sprawled across Chevreuse's back, chuckled in her ear. "Me?"
"...Isn't this enough?"
"Not quite. Miss Captain is simply too captivating. I'd meant to leave already, but I find myself rooted to the spot."
Chevreuse protested, "At least untie my hands."
"That won't do either."
"Why not?"
"Because I enjoy this." Luna smiled slyly.
Brushing aside the strands of hair framing Chevreuse's ear, she continued to murmur sweet words, wrapping her true feelings in honeyed flattery.
Pretty, beautiful, captivating... These superficial compliments never touched Chevreuse's heart, not even a little.
But like, cherish, or simply love made her ears burn hotter, her cheeks flush deeper crimson. She could only grip Luna's clothing tightly, desperately trying to maintain her composure.
Even more damning was that she could feel Luna's genuine affection.
"Miss Chevreuse?"
Luna caressed Chevreuse's lips, gesturing silently.
Chevreuse glared at Luna but still gently pecked at her fingertips a few times.
"Good girl. Very obedient."
Feeling her hair being gently stroked, Chevreuse flushed crimson and gritted her teeth.
"Enough, already? I won't resist you, but that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want."
"I know, I know."
With a flick of her fingers, Luna released the silken threads.
Chevreuse turned away, flexing her wrists. Seeing the faint marks left by the restraints, her resentment deepened.
Even if she always wore gloves on duty, ensuring no one would see the marks, they shouldn't have been left at all.
"Angry?"
"Yes."
"Then why don't you vent your anger on me?"
Chevreuse shot Luna a sidelong glance. "Who would fall for a trap like that?"
"Then let me rephrase—I order you, Miss Captain, to vent your anger on me."
Luna grinned, completely unfazed by Chevreuse's reaction.
Chevreuse took a deep breath. Luna was as infuriating as ever.
"How?"
"Like this," she said casually.
Luna took Chevreuse's hand and guided it to her abdomen.
"Do this."
Chevreuse, of course, understood what Luna meant.
Her eyes flickered several times, and her voice, rarely flustered, betrayed a hint of panic. "Didn't you say you weren't in a hurry?"
"I did say that, but that was to accommodate Miss Captain's wishes. As for me, Chevreuse, you're free to do this to me anytime, you know?"
"...Deal with your own affairs," Chevreuse muttered.
"Didn't Miss Chevreuse say she wouldn't resist me? If you want me to honor our agreement, you must uphold your end as well. Trust is mutual."
Such righteous pronouncements were truly infuriating in this context.
Chevreuse's gaze sharpened. "You're truly beyond redemption."
"Yes, my affection for Miss Captain is indeed beyond redemption," Luna replied with a smile.
"..."
Seeing Chevreuse's continued reluctance, Luna leaned closer.
Her voice softened. "Rest assured, I won't touch you, Miss Captain."
"Huh? Then—" Chevreuse asked, puzzled.
"Just touching me is enough. Of course, I know that being the one who consumes is far more palatable than being consumed. After all, it gives one the illusion of control over the other."
Luna cupped Chevreuse's face, their breaths mingling.
"Don't you want to control me, my dear, beautiful, righteous Miss Captain...?"
Luna gently stroked Chevreuse's hair.
"Don't you want to keep a sinner like me firmly in your grasp?"
The seductive words poured forth one after another, laced with a warm, sweet fragrance, enough to lull anyone into a trance, compelling them to move according to her will.
And slowly, irresistibly, they would fall into her trap.
This was a snare.
Once Chevreuse took the bait and crossed that initial line, Luna could do whatever she pleased with her afterward, as easily as breathing.
Lure them in, then strike—though named "Phantom Thief White Cat" and sharing the cat's cunning nature, this particular tactic bore no resemblance to feline behavior.
Chevreuse's chest heaved. She stared unblinkingly at Luna.
"...White Cat."
"Mm."
She knew perfectly well this was a trap.
"...Luna."
"Mm."
But if...
Chevreuse cupped Luna's face, gently pulling her closer until their foreheads slowly touched.
"Don't touch me."
"Mm."
"...Instead, I'll grant you this request."
Chevreuse relaxed her fingertips. "Then remember everything I've carved into you. When you make your choice, recall our bargain and agreement."
"You've accepted me, but there's a price."
"You can choose to break your oath, or you can let me lend you my embrace and shoulder—forever."
It was a simple question.
To gain something, you must lose something.
And what Luna desired to gain rested entirely on her own decision.
Luna's heart pounded in her chest. "...Alright, I agree."
For the first time, Chevreuse showed her a rare smile.
"...Then draw the curtains."
Luna pulled the silken cord, drawing the curtains shut. In the dimness, Chevreuse touched Luna's skin again, knowing there was no turning back from what they were doing.
But perhaps there was no turning back to begin with.
Because this was a doomed fate.
After a long while, Chevreuse sat alone on her bed. Luna had wanted to stay longer, but Chevreuse had insisted she leave.
She needed to calm down.
Her clothes were still on. After all, Luna had kept her promise and hadn't touched her.
Only she had touched Luna.
"..."
Chevreuse could still smell Luna's lingering scent in the room, a fragrance that wasn't her own. The burning heat that lingered on her fingertips made her unconsciously purse her lips.
I'll probably dream of Luna again tonight.
"Her biological parents... I should investigate them too."
Just as Chevreuse was about to get up, she noticed an unusual color beneath her pillow. Reaching beneath, she pulled out a card she recognized instantly.
It was blank, save for a single heart drawn on it.
Flipping the card over, she found words on the back:
—To my dearest Miss Captain. Good night.
Chevreuse's gaze softened visibly. "Hmph..."