"HUH?! HUH?! HUUUUUUUUUUH?!!"
Drake screamed in utter confusion, flailing like a man who just woke up strapped to a rocket.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
He let out another scream… all while his hands were still firmly latched onto the girl's massive chest.
"Why are you the one screaming?!" she snapped, her voice shaky and her face glowing red. "You're the one who fell from nowhere and cupped my boobs!"
Drake's eyes widened. Seeing how vulnerable and flustered she was only made his own face turn a deeper shade of crimson.
Like a volcano bursting, guilt exploded out of him.
"I-I'm sorry! I'm really sorry!" he stammered.
Unfortunately, he was still cupping her breasts as he apologized—each jittery movement sending involuntary trembles through her body.
"Ahh… ooh… mmnn…"
She let out soft, unintended moans, eyes twitching as she fought for control.
Drake's eyes shot open. His little virgin bro decided to rise up like a soldier saluting his commander.
Not now, Lorenzo! Not. Now.
"If you're really sorry," she said, her breath hitching, "you can start by letting go of my chest and getting off me!"
"OH! Right!"
Drake jerked his hands back like he'd touched hot lava and scrambled off her.
"M-my bad!"
She exhaled deeply and sat delicately on her knees, heels tucked under her, her long legs folded just right to reveal a modest peek of her soft thighs. The kind of pose that could accidentally kill a weak man.
Drake immediately dropped to his knees, both palms flat on the ground, forehead nearly kissing the dirt.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I tripped from that tree and fell on top of you—I didn't mean to grope you. I swear I'm not a pervert or a creep!"
No sarcasm. No jokes. For once, Drake sounded completely serious.
Silence.
His forehead stayed on the ground, heart pounding in his ears.
"Come on, say something. Please don't report me as a boob-grabbing maniac," he thought as a bead of sweat trailed down his temple.
"That's it. I'm toast. She's going to turn me in as a filthy tree-pervert. This is how it ends."
Then…
"Pfft… Haha… Hahaha! Fuuuuh—HAHAHAHA!"
Her laugh rang out like chimes under the sun. Sweet. Angelic. Disarming.
Drake blinked.
"Is she… laughing?"
He slowly raised his head.
Yup, she was full-on giggling, her giant chest bouncing with each breath.
BOING. BOING.
Gravity couldn't help itself.
Drake blushed hard, his face practically boiling.
"Umm… are you laughing at me or… are you mad?" he asked, still half-bowing awkwardly.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she giggled again. "I'm not trying to be rude, but seriously—what were you even doing in that tree to fall like that?!"
Drake sighed in relief, tension leaving his shoulders.
"Oh thank God… so she's not mad."
"So you don't think I'm some creepy boob-grabber?" he asked, eyes misting with a single tear of hope.
She paused, then gave him a sweet, heart-melting smile.
"Of course not. Don't be silly."
Pause.
"Buuuut…" she added with a teasing glint in her eye, "I do think you're a little tree-perv who 'accidentally' fell to grope me."
"Oof."
Her smile said she wasn't angry, but Drake still felt the guilt hit hard. He lowered his head again.
"I know this is awkward, and I just met you, but I swear it wasn't on purpose. I hope… I really hope you can forgive me."
Silence. Again.
Drake's internal monologue screamed louder than ever.
"Great. Awkward silence again. She probably thinks I'm cursed. I go from being chased by shadow pups, to getting stuck in Combat Hibernation, to grabbing the boobs of a beautiful stranger. What a first day."
"Ahem."
Her soft cough pulled him out of his spiral.
"You can raise your head now. I was just teasing you," she said warmly.
Drake looked up, eyes still watery.
"Really? You don't hate me?"
"Don't cry," she said with a soft laugh. "I could tell it was an accident. You're just… kind of a dork. I was testing your personality."
Her breeze-swept hair danced gently as she smiled again. And right there, Drake thought—
"I just stumbled onto an angel."
"I'm Elsa Liana. Nice to meet you, monkey boy," she said, offering her dainty hand.
"Oh, uh, I'm Drake Lorenzo. And uh… monkey boy?"
He shook her hand, eyes flicking to her smile again. He didn't get why she was being so nice to him… but he didn't want it to end.
"Lady Elsa! We heard screaming!"
Two men in light armor ran up from the front of a large carriage, swords drawn.
"Stand down, boys. I'm fine," Elsa said, her voice as smooth as wind through silk.
"But we heard screaming!" one of them insisted.
"Relax. I tripped, and this kind man caught me before I hit the ground. I'm a little clumsy sometimes," she added with a wink at Drake.
Drake blinked again.
"She's… covering for me? She really is an angel."
"But my lady, we're already late. Your father is probably worried sick—"
"He'll be fine," Elsa cut in. "I'm grown now, remember? Besides, the kingdom isn't far. And we've got a guest."
"A… guest?" Drake echoed, confused.
The men turned to him.
"And you are?"
"Drake Lorenzo. Nice to meet you," he said with a small bow.
"Hmm. Polite. I like him," one said.
"Yeah, there's something about him. Like… not from around here," the other added.
Elsa raised a finger to her lips.
"Exactly. Something otherworldly."
LUB-DUB!
Drake's heart skipped.
"She feels it too?" he wondered.
He smiled unconsciously.
"I don't know what this is—love? Lust? Curiosity?—but I want to know more about her."
"Hey, monkey boy, you coming?" Elsa called, sticking her head out the carriage door.
Drake blinked.
"She… wants me to come?"
"You standing there like a tree again? Or are you planning to fall and grope another girl?" she teased.
Drake smiled.
"I'd love to ride with you. Beats walking alone."
"Now you're talking sense. Come on!" she beamed.
As he stepped into the carriage, Drake felt the wind tousle his hair.
"I don't know her yet, but I've got a feeling we'll get along."
Inside the carriage, Elsa was already watching him with a curious grin.
"Why're you staring at me like that?" he asked, flushing.
"Oh, nothing," she giggled. "Just feel like we'll get along real well."
"Yeah… I feel the same," Drake replied, smiling.
"But if you're staring because you're planning round two on my boobs, I will toss you out."
She covered her chest dramatically.
"No no! I was just… admiring how cute and free-spirited you are," Drake muttered, cheeks burning.
LUB-DUB!
Elsa's heart skipped.
"Wh-what the hell?! Shut up!" she snapped, flustered. "Who gave you permission to call a girl you just met cute?!"
"You're not just any girl," Drake said earnestly. "You're Elsa Liana."
Her face exploded red.
"Y-you dummy… you tree pervert!"
She turned to the window, letting the breeze cool her face.
Drake chuckled.
"Yup. I think I'm gonna enjoy my time with her."
Elsa peeked at him through the corner of her eye, watching how the wind made his hair dance, revealing his sharp features.
LUB-DUB! LUB-DUB!
She clutched her chest.
"What's wrong with me…? Why's my heart racing like this…?"
She looked away again.
"Nope. I'm cooling down first. We'll talk later."
As the carriage rumbled forward toward the kingdom, a warm silence fell between them.
Drake smirked to himself.
"This world… might not be so bad after all."