While many in the capital slumbered, there were those who were just finding their second wind.

Like the blonde and his new husband, who were probably way past their third at this point, and one golden-eyed cadet who’d successfully secured his beloved inside his chamber.

Duchess Amelia’s offer had been a blessing.

Luca had genuinely been worried he’d be sent back to his own room without being able to make things up to his husband.

But fortunately, that wasn’t the case as he could now bring Xavier with him! That alone was enough to make the little chipmunk feel victorious.

And they could even use a spiritual barrier!

Though what they’d need it for, he hadn’t been quite sure—at least until he realized there was a probability of waking people up if considerable noise was made.

So, armed with a perfectly functional door, dimmed lights, a reinforced spiritual barrier, and a determination that burned just a little too brightly in his eyes, Luca prepared to try his best once more.

He was going to learn.

Whatever his husband was willing to teach him, he was going to learn it properly!

Safe to say, that was exactly how one Xavier Solaris found himself in such a situation.

One delicate hand resting on his chest. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

And another, equally delicate—but significantly more bold—pressed against his thigh.

In a way, this was entirely his fault. So no complaints there.

Thinking it would be better to discuss the principle rather than attempt another massage that could spiral out of control—and likely end in a trip to the medical bay that would sadden his wife—the Prince chose a different approach.

So just moments before that encounter, he ended up giving in and telling his curious wife about how seduction was essentially just association.

"Association?" Luca, currently sitting on the bed and looking at his husband, said the word as if he were wrapping his mind around it and familiarizing his tongue with the concept.

Xavier nodded. "But surprisingly, it’s not exactly the act that’s important."

"Huh?"

Instead of answering immediately, the Prince, who was facing Luca, inched closer. He reached out, his palm cupping his wife’s cheek.

The little chipmunk immediately melted against the hand like he was used to the touch.

Then as natural as breathing, Xavier lowered his head slightly, closing the distance between them.

Their noses brushed.

Their breaths mingled.

And Luca’s eyes slowly fell shut, as if he already knew what was supposed to happen next.

But just before their lips met—

Xavier stopped.

"See," he murmured softly, his voice brushing against Luca’s skin. "Like this."

Luca’s eyes opened in surprise.

And right then—

Xavier leaned in just enough to press a light, fleeting kiss against his lips before pulling back again, leaving just enough space for their eyes to meet.

Luca sucked in a breath, his cheeks blooming a deep, vivid pink.

They stared at each other for a moment, and the Prince tilted his head as if about to explain the inner workings of the world.

"Didn’t you have a feeling that in that moment, we were about to kiss before we even did?"

Xavier caught Luca’s small gasp and saw that beautiful head nod quickly, almost too eagerly.

The wolfish Prince found it cute; he cleared his throat trying to keep his composure.

"That’s one way to think of association. You’ve come to recognize that when something like that happens, it could lead to kissing."

"Or like this..."

Xavier moved suddenly.

With smooth, practiced ease, he shifted forward and pressed Luca back against the headboard, recreating that all-too-familiar position. The Prince braced one hand beside Luca’s head, the other wrapping securely around his waist, keeping him close.

The surprised chipmunk’s breath hitched instantly, his body reacting before his thoughts could catch up. That particular setup clearly carried far too many vivid memories.

Luca, as if mesmerized by his husband’s intensity, put his arms around Xavier in an automatic, desperate response.

But to the dazed wife’s surprise, his husband then said, "Now imagine if someone else were to attempt to perform these acts on you?"

"!!!"

Luca jolted, practically jumping in his seat.

The words hit him like a shock.

Why would anyone want to do that?

And more importantly—how could that possibly be allowed?!

His panicked reaction was evident on his face.

But if Luca’s skin bristled at the thought, Xavier was actually much closer to popping a vein.

He didn’t even want to imagine the things he knew others were probably imagining about his other half.

However, this was part of an important lesson, so he sucked it up.

Instead, he tightened his hold on Luca as if to reassure them both before gently nuzzling his head.

"That reaction you just had," Xavier murmured, "that’s also association."

Golden eyes blinked at that.

"Because the same action," Xavier continued, "when performed by someone else, would elicit a different kind of feeling because it’s not associated with them."

"!"

"Oh."

Ohhhh...

Luca’s eyes widened as understanding slowly settled in.

"Seduction works by building those associations," Xavier went on, voice steady. "If something felt good, if it felt meaningful, then you’d start wanting to respond to it. Then eventually you’d want even more of it."

"Of course, there are definitely exceptions, as always. And like anything else, some people could eventually be won over, so I’m not saying it’s absolutely impossible."

Xavier pursed his lips as if thinking before continuing, his voice low. "Hmm...Those books, they show grand gestures, right? Especially when intimacy happens for the first time. While some could have expectations, the real thing could actually be better than expected or even surprisingly lackluster."

"So those who haven’t yet formed associations would be forming them on their first experience."

"Now, if it manages to live up to those preconceived expectations and actually feels great, wouldn’t one want to do it again?"

The excitable learner nodded like a woodpecker.

"Some people would chase after the feeling, so they’d repeat it hoping to replicate the same experience. Some would change the technique while others would switch the person, only to realize it won’t be the same without the right one."

"Then there are fortunate ones, like me, who were lucky enough to only associate these kinds of intimacy with one person."

Xavier’s gaze settled fully on his wife.

"I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else. The thought alone is honestly quite repulsive."

Luca’s eyes actually trembled at that. He looked at his husband, who was staring at him squarely.

"It can get a little confusing, but this also means something important for us," Xavier added.

"Huh?"

"You don’t have to convince me," Xavier said simply. Like it was just a matter of fact that he felt Luca needed to understand thoroughly.

"...?"

"I exist shamelessly convinced around you."

"...Simply breathing differently or maybe glancing with earnest eyes would be enough for me to feel something."

He leaned in slightly, his presence closing in again, not forceful but undeniably there.

"If you spare me a glance, a touch, or show even a little affection..." he murmured, "I’d easily want for more."

Luca’s entire face—no, his entire body turned red.

And then, without thinking—

He raised his hand like he was in class.

"M-me too!" he blurted out. "I want more too!"

The all-too-serious Prince didn’t expect to receive a response to his lecture, much less one like that.

That response—

That earnest, completely unfiltered response—

It was too much.

He was stunned for a moment before his shoulders began to shake.

What was he going to do with this one?

Xavier had to fight the desire to nibble on his wife’s face that was just unbearably cute.

Always a challenge to uphold, that one.

With a resigned chuckle, Xavier moved his body back just enough to look at his beloved.

Then, gently, he took Luca’s hand and guided it to his chest.

Right over his heart.

The confused heir was stunned by the frantic, fast-beating under his palm, but before he could fully process it, his husband had made another move that got him almost imploding.

In an unexpected turn of events, the surrendering Prince moved Luca’s other hand to his thigh—

That strong, extremely capable limb, that surprisingly boasted of an unmistakable hardness that took the little chipmunk a moment to recognize.

Hard.

Really hard!

"!!!"

Luca’s eyes widened as Xavier’s hand laid on top of his own, ensuring he felt every bit of the evidence.

"My wife..." Xavier whispered, "See? Just like that..."

"Consider me seduced."