Chapter 155 Delightful Smell

Hermit took her hand, his voice trembling as he spoke, "Yes, Master. I would like to learn how to swim. It will prove useful to Hermit in the future."

Suzuka's smile transformed into a wide grin, revealing a mischievous glint in her eyes. She tightened her grip on his hand, her confidence evident as she effortlessly lifted him out of the water and placed him face down in the water's gentle embrace. 

Maintaining her hold on him, she spoke with a cheerful yet sinister tone, her words dripping with a blend of playfulness and hidden intent.

"Well then, my little sneaky goblin, let's see you pedal those little scrawny, mischievous legs and use those tiny lecherous hands of yours to row through the water."

Hermit, feeling a mixture of excitement and concern, began to kick his legs and paddle his hands in the water. However, a flicker of suspicion crossed his face as he glanced at Suzuka, uncertain of her true intentions. 

With a trembling voice, he asked, "Master Helen, are you angry with me?"

Suzuka's smile wavered, unable to fully conceal the irritation that simmered beneath her seemingly cheerful demeanor. Her slanted eyes narrowed slightly as she responded, her tone laced with a subtle edge.

"Hmm? Why would I be angry? Hmm? After all, you did stay put and refrained from disturbing me while I was asleep, didn't you?"

Hermit's heart skipped a beat as he realized that Suzuka knew he had been hiding within her embrace. The realization dawned on him slowly, and a sense of panic crept into his voice. He struggled to find the right words, pleading for forgiveness as Suzuka started to pull him further underwater, depriving him of precious air.

"I'm sorry, Master, I'm sorry! Hermit is sorry! Mercy, please! Master, don't drown Hermit!"

Suzuka's chuckle echoed ominously, her grin growing wider as she continued to lower Hermit deeper into the water. Her voice dripped with a blend of amusement and menace as she posed a question, relishing in the power she held over him.

"Hmm? Sorry? For what, exactly? Hmm? You were such a good boy, staying still as instructed, weren't you?"

"Mercy, please have mercy. You will drown me. Please, forgive me!"

"Hmm? Forgive what? Hmm? Forgive you for touching me there? Hmm? Forgive your lecherous hands for touching my bosom? Hmm? Forgive you for enjoying yourself rubbing against my body? Hmm? Well? Which is it? Hmm?" she taunted with a sarcastic tone, enjoying Hermit's desperation.

Hermit, with a sense of distress, found himself struggling to explain his plight as he vigorously flailed his limbs in an attempt to stay afloat amidst the watery chaos.

 "M-master," Hermit stammered, his voice laden with anxiety, "Hermit had no other choice. Someone unexpectedly entered the room, leaving Hermit without a place to conceal himself. It was not by any means Hermit's fault. I assure you, Master, I held no ill intentions. In fact, the sheer weight of your marvelous bosom momentarily pressed me down, causing me to nearly succumb to the water's grasp. Master Helen, you are the perfection of beauty that has ever graced Hermit's gaze, and I would never dare to lay a finger on you in an inappropriate manner. I beseech you, grant me your forgiveness. Please, cease pulling me further into the depths."

Suzuka couldn't help but let out a light chuckle, her mirth lacing her words as she spoke. 

"Oh, silly Hermit, I haven't even been holding onto you, you've been floating on your own for quite some time now. And fear not, I am not holding any anger towards you. Rather, I merely provided you with a momentary distraction and a touch of motivation. Just observe how quickly you adapted and learned to keep yourself buoyant. Now, all you need to do is direct your efforts forward, and you'll find yourself swimming with ease."

Hermit began to practice his swimming strokes, gradually gaining more confidence in the water. The initial panic that had gripped him now seemed like a distant memory as he discovered his hidden ability to swim.

Hermit made steady progress, each stroke propelling him forward with increasing ease. The chaotic flailing that had marked his earlier attempts transformed into fluid movements that propelled him smoothly through the water. With each stroke, he marveled at the newfound sensation of weightlessness and the exciting freedom it brought.

Hermit darted across the hot spring pool effortlessly, his moves now filled with confidence. He even dove into the water a few times, resurfacing with a playful splash. Suzuka watched him with amusement in her eyes, as he swam in the water with a certain penguin-like charm.

After a few minutes, however, Suzuka grew bored of Hermit's aquatic antics. She swiftly reached out and grabbed the goblin by the neck, firmly but not harshly, and carried him towards the dressing room.

"Alright, you've had your fun," Suzuka stated firmly. 

"It's time to go to sleep. Bath time is over."

"Understood, Master. The swimming was so much fun! Thank you for bringing me here, Master," Hermit responded, his voice respectful and compliant.

After a few moments, he said, "You can let me down now."

They made their way into the dressing room, the air thick with warmth and steam. Suzuka released her grip on Hermit's neck and proceeded to dry herself off, her skin glowing softly in the gentle light.

After thoroughly drying themselves, they made their way back to Suzuka's room. She draped her leather armor and her underwear on a nearby chair and settled onto her bed, still wrapped in a soft towel. Hermit, still naked and waiting for his own clothes, couldn't help but steal glances at her alluring body. He fidgeted nervously, his eyes darting away whenever Suzuka caught him in the act. But she seemed oblivious to his presence, focusing solely on preparing herself for the night.

Unfazed by Hermit's presence, Suzuka casually pulled off her towel, revealing her gorgeous body with confidence. She ran her fingers through her long black hair, tinged with hints of violet at the tips, and draped it in a towel. With a graceful movement, she leaned towards the desk to open the drawer, her every action reflecting a natural allure that captivated Hermit.

She reached into the drawer and retrieved a miniature garment that bore a resemblance to a short tank top. Slipping it on, the piece was so outrageously short that her underboobs were shamelessly exposed. She then proceeded to don a pair of panties, completing her get-up. Once she had managed to get herself partially dressed, she handed Hermit his clothes with a warning.

 "Take great care of your garments, Hermit. If, by some unfortunate mishap, you tear them, do not expect me to give you a replacement."

Hermit extended his arms humbly and gingerly accepted his clothes as though they were a priceless treasure. Clasping them to his chest, he spoke with utmost sincerity, "Thank you, Master Helen, I shall cherish these garments. By offering this gift, you have bestowed upon me the honor of friendship. A token of goodwill and care. May I now have the privilege of addressing you as a friend?"

Suzuka recoiled in disgust, her face contorting in an expression of revulsion.

 "Ew! Absolutely not! At best, you are a mere pet, so don't let your imagination run wild, alright? You haven't even earned the title of a slave in my eyes. Frankly, you barely measure up to the standards of a pet. You have a long way to go before you can elevate your position in my presence. Consider yourself fortunate that I even deem you worthy of being called a pet for now."

Hermit meekly lowered his head and said, "I am sorry Master for my wrong assumption. Hermit will try his best to meet your expectations."

Suzuka ignored Hermit with a dismissive wave of her hand, her graceful figure moving effortlessly toward her bathrobe. She swiftly slipped into the luxurious garment, its fabric draping elegantly around her. 

Without sparing him a second thought, she casually remarked, "Yeah, whatever. I'm heading downstairs to grab some dinner, and I'll get you some snacks. Just do me a favor and refrain from getting yourself killed while I'm gone. Either stay put or find something useful to occupy yourself with. I don't care, as long as I don't have to bring you back to life."

"I would love to have some water..." Hermit attempted to ask, but Suzuka had already walked out of the room without paying any attention to him, and she slammed the door behind her.

Left alone in the room, Hermit didn't want to soil the luxurious-looking clothes with his current state. Carefully, he placed his own clothes on the clean ground. Feeling a sense of adventure and curiosity, he decided to explore the room further. With a quick dash, he ran to the nearby table and started rummaging, his curious hands delving into the drawers, one by one, revealing their intriguing contents.

 In one drawer, he discovered an assortment of colored vials and potions, their vibrant hues capturing his attention. Another drawer revealed an array of lotions, lubes, oils, and other lavishly packaged substances. Hermit proceeded to open yet another drawer, finding an assortment of peculiar tools whose purpose he couldn't fathom.

Finally, he stumbled upon a drawer containing regular clothing, followed by another that held Suzuka's collection of panties. With his raccoon-like hands, he carefully picked up the first pair in line, fascinated by the gentle and soft fabric, the elasticity, and the beautiful colors. A playful thought crossed his mind, and he couldn't resist trying them on. As he placed the panties on his head, the soft touch felt surprisingly pleasant against his sensitive ears.

"Ohhh! So gentle! I hope Master won't mind if I borrow this hat. Ughh! My ears feel warm." Hermit mused to himself, amused by his antics.

Closing the drawers, he then walked past the chair holding Suzuka's armor. Suddenly, his goblin genes kicked in, and he caught a whiff of an alluring scent that tickled his nose, pulling him irresistibly toward its source.

Hermit's nostrils flared violently as he sniffed in all directions, his senses heightened and alert. Intrigued by the pleasant aroma that wafted through the air, he inched closer to the chair.

"Sniff, sniff! Mmmm! Smells nice," Hermit muttered, his voice filled with delight. "Sniff, sniff! Hermit likes the smell, mmm... smells delicious."

Driven by curiosity, he continued to approach the chair, his sensitive nose drawn by the increasingly potent fragrance that enveloped it. His nose led him to the attire draped over the chair, and his nimble fingers reached out to grasp a small cloth that emitted the alluring scent. With anticipation in his eyes, he pressed the fabric to his nose and indulged in greedy, deep breaths, savoring the captivating aroma.

His eyes closed and his body relaxed. 

"Ahhhhh! What a delightful smell, so lovely, mmmm..."

Just as Hermit became lost in his delightful bliss, the doors swung open, revealing a tall, unfamiliar woman who loomed above him. Instantly, fear seized Hermit, causing him to freeze in place, his body trembling. Slowly, he turned to face the woman, clutching the cloth tightly against his nose as he continued to breathe heavily.

The woman, radiating beauty, wore an expression of shock and disbelief, caught off guard by the peculiar scene before her. Time seemed to stand still as both Hermit and the woman locked eyes.