45: Chapter 45 Alia's Fall! The Powerful Succubus! Tremble!

After hearing Rowan's question, Aria picked up the cup of clear tea, her fingertips gently caressing the warm surface of the cup.

She did not answer immediately, her gaze dropping to watch the leaves unfurling in the cup.

The sunlight dyed her lowered eyelashes a pale gold, and the room was filled only with the rustling sound of the breeze brushing against the rime outside the window.

His questions were becoming more and more audacious...

But the aura in his words, which made one inexplicably comfortable, kept her from hating it.

This was not an offense, but rather more like an... invitation?

She raised her eyes, her gaze meeting Rowan's for a fleeting moment before falling back onto the thick "records of the dawns break".

"Baron Rowan, every one of your questions points directly to the core of doctrine and practice," she said slowly, choosing to respond to the grandest one first.

"Sister Seraphina's foresight lay in her Insight that complete isolation is not the only path to divinity, and perhaps not even the most correct one."

"What she fought for on behalf of the clergy is less a more complete way of existence..." She paused, seemingly weighing her words: "...and more a right of choice."

"A right to acknowledge that we are both vessels of divine grace and mundane bodies bearing all of humanity."

"The light of the dawn shines upon the snow on the mountain peaks, and also tends to the flowers blooming in the valley. The key is whether one can maintain inner clarity and a direction towards the light in any situation."

Aria took a gentle sip of tea, the warm liquid soothing the slight tightness in her throat, and she continued: "As for the balance between love and faith... this is an eternal proposition, not one exclusive to the clergy."

"Doctrine has opened this door for us, but the path behind the door must be explored and measured by those who walk it."

"The Goddess provides the possibilities, but it is always the specific individual who transforms those possibilities into reality, through their wisdom, piety, and choice of partner."

"Perhaps what the doctrine expects is not a perfect equilibrium point, but a process of constant adjustment within dynamics."

Her answer was rigorous and thorough, affirming the support of the doctrine while attributing the specific practical difficulties to each individual, cleverly avoiding any discussion that might lead to personal projection.

Speaking of this, Aria's gaze drifted to the shimmering lake outside the window, her profile appearing serene and graceful under the light.

"Your thinking is very interesting, Baron."

"If divinity is manifested in compassion for and illumination of all things in the world, then a profound understanding of one of the most universal and intense human emotions..."

"Perhaps, it can indeed allow one to more personally experience the warmth and connection that light bestows upon life."

"However, this requires an important prerequisite: that this love itself must be pure and uplifting, rather than a worldly obsession that drags the soul down."

Finally, there was the question regarding "choice and struggle."

Aria was silent for a moment, her fingertips unconsciously brushing over the raised rising sun pattern on the cover of the "records of the dawns break".

This question touched upon a more subtle contradiction.

"Having a choice often means facing a more complex internal battlefield than when one has no choice at all."

Her voice became softer, as if stating a universal truth rather than her own feelings.

"When there is only one path, the person walking on it only needs to focus on what lies ahead."

"But when a fork in the road appears, one inevitably looks around, weighs the gains and losses, and may even hesitate out of fear of making the wrong choice."

"This struggle is itself a part of the weight of choice. For the clergy, this permission is both a mercy and a test."

"It tests not only one's faith in the gods, but also one's Insight and adherence between one's own desires and responsibilities."

She did not say whether she felt the struggle herself, but described it as a universally existing psychological state.

After answering all the questions, Aria gently flipped over the "records of the dawns break" in front of her, covering the vibrant rising sun.

She looked at Rowan again, a proper, calm smile on her face, though deep within those bright eyes, it seemed as if ripples that had not completely subsided were gently swaying.

"Baron Rowan, I wonder if these shallow Insights of mine have slightly addressed your confusion?"

"Doctrine is a lighthouse, but in the end, it is each of us who sails upon the seas of our own lives."

Her words brought this discussion to a perfect close, yet they also seemed to open a more subtle window.

The sunlight outside shifted slightly, drawing the shadows of the two closer, almost overlapping on the bright floor.

After listening, Rowan did not continue to press with questions about the doctrine.

He seemed to be quietly contemplating her answer.

But then, he suddenly stood up.

Without warning, yet with a confident composure.

He walked around the small round table to Aria's side.

The sunlight cast his tall figure over Aria, bringing a faint sense of oppression.

Aria was slightly startled, raising her eyes to look at him, a flicker of slight palpitation flashing in her eyes as she was enveloped by his shadow.

She did not know where this palpitation came from, which made her appear somewhat confused.

Rowan did not speak; he simply reached out and gently brushed a lock of silver hair that fell to her shoulder, tucking it behind her porcelain-white, delicate ear.

His fingertips grazed her sensitive skin, barely touching.

In an instant, a sensation like a tiny electric current shot through her.

Aria's body trembled imperceptibly, and her breathing hitched slightly.

Reason rang faintly in her mind, but it manifested as a confusion, as if she were wrapped in a warm tide.

She did not even think to dodge, only staring blankly at the Baron's handsome face so close at hand, the clear ice-blue in her eyes rippling with bewilderment.

This acquiescent daze was like a silent encouragement.

The corners of Rowan's lips curled into a smug arc.

[Charm lv3 proficiency + 32]

He was no longer satisfied with lingering on the tips of her hair; his warm palm gently caressed her cheek, the pad of his thumb stroking her smooth skin with extreme tenderness.

Then, he lowered his head and slowly leaned in.

Aria closed her eyes subconsciously once again.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly like butterfly wings.

Their noses brushed, their breaths mingled...

This time, Aria had a tentative response, unlike last time, when she was completely passive.

Rowan's arm wrapped around her waist, and with a slight exertion, he lifted her from the high-backed chair and into his embrace.

Lost in passion...

The world seemed to be left with only the temperature of each other's breath, the entanglement of lips and teeth, and that seemingly pervasive, comfortable, and pleasant aura.

Doctrine, commandments, the identity of a priestess... at this moment, they became blurry and distant.

Even though the other party was not yet her legal partner, she allowed him to do as he pleased.

Aria sank into a long intoxication, her slender, soft arms unconsciously wrapping around the back of Rowan's neck.

After noticing her action, a faint, imperceptible glimmer of hazy red light flashed in Rowan's eyes as he slowly guided her toward the large, luxurious four-poster bed.

When her back touched the soft, cool velvet bed curtains, Aria seemed to wake for a moment from a deep, dreamy trance, but was immediately sealed off from thought by his more intense passion.

His nimble fingers undid the top button of her priestess robe, the one symbolizing rigor and restraint.

The cool air touched the skin of her collarbone, then traveled all the way down.

The moment the sensitive softness was covered by warmth, Aria shuddered violently.

She opened her eyes wide, the passion in her bright eyes fading rapidly, replaced by a fawn-like panic.

What am I doing?!

The "records of the dawns break" was still on the round table nearby.

And yet, she was almost, beside the very tome that recorded the sanctity of marriage, with a man who was not her legal partner...

Why was it like this?

The surging affection was real.

The feeling of being attracted to him was real.

Even her body was honestly responding to that caress.

But precisely because of this, this act that was about to happen, crossing all boundaries, made her feel even more panicked, as if the core of her faith had been shaken.

This was no longer just the complex struggle brought about by permitted choices, but standing on the edge of a cliff, about to lose her footing and fall.

Just as Rowan's hand was exploring further down, Aria used almost all of her willpower to push the Baron off her, struggling violently.

Her soft, beautiful cheeks still bore the lingering flush, but her eyes had regained some clarity.

"No... Rowan..." Her voice was hoarse, trembling, "We... we cannot do this yet."

She sat up from the edge of the bed in a panic, gasping for air.

Feeling the chill all over her body, Aria trembled as she put on the priestess robe that had been almost completely stripped off.

She kept her head lowered, not daring to look into Rowan's eyes; any disappointment, confusion, or other emotion that might be in them would cause her fragile restraint at this moment to collapse.

"Sorry," she repeated in a low voice, "I am very sorry... but I must leave."

She stood up, almost stumbling, not even bothering to tidy her messy silver hair and sleeves, before turning and walking quickly toward the door, fleeing the place, her silhouette hurried.

The door was gently opened, then quickly closed.

Rowan remained sitting on the edge of the bed, his posture somewhat languid.

He leisurely picked up his discarded coat and put it on, with no anger or frustration on his face from being rejected.

On the contrary, he licked his lips, as if he could still feel the delicious trembling of Aria at the final moment.

[Drain lv2 proficiency + 16]

[Obtained free attribute point + 4]

"Soon..."

A glimmer of satisfied, deep, dark light flashed in Rowan's eyes, and he let out a meaningful chuckle.

The day of the dawn should not be far off...