RISE OF EROS

Oliver was smart and that's why he immediately discovered Andrew's intentions to propose the lovers' pact. Marie on the other hand, felt only joy in knowing that she would be eternally united with her beloved, so they both agreed.

Seeing that they had both accepted Andrew began to explain to them how to perform the lovers' pact, "It's really not complex. The ritual consists of 3 simple steps. The first is to pledge your love before the moon, the second step is to pledge your love before the sun and the last step is to pledge your love before the world."

Despite Andrew's explanation, no one in the office understood how to do what he said, but Andrew knew that, so he went on to explain, "There are several types of lover's pacts, but the most convenient for you is the one under the domain of Eros."

Andrew paused and a little embarrassed at what he was about to say continued, "It is a little extreme, but I would like you to take it as it will benefit you greatly." Andrew paused again, as he was hesitant to express the method and everyone in the office had noticed.

He really didn't know about this pact until a few seconds ago, when Fluffy told him about it. As Andrew's divine beast companion, he knew that Oliver and Marie were lovers and since they had both become guardians, he proposed this solution to Andrew, seeing that they were opposed to having other partners.

Andrew didn't want to force them to have sex with other people if they didn't want to, but he also knew that with time the enemies would be more dangerous and powerful, so he couldn't let his protectors waste the qualities of improving their strength thanks to the guardian seal he granted them.

Gritting his teeth, Andrew plucked up courage and explained to them what this ritual consisted of, "To pledge your love to the moon, you must have sex under the moonlight. Before the sun it is the same, only before the sun and before the world it is having sex in front of several people."

When Andrew finished explaining, the first to raise her voice was Marie, "How do you get the idea that we will have sex in front of other people?" Andrew expected this response, as he understood how irrational it sounded, but Oliver continued with his stoic expression.

"Is that the only way?" asked Oliver seriously, to which Andrew replied, "As I said before, there are several lovers' pacts, this one I mentioned is the most suitable as you are guardians of Eros."

"I refuse!" cried Marie offended and she couldn't be blamed, as it was a rather shameful ritual. Having sex under the moon and sun was no problem, as they just had to find a secluded place with no people, which was not unreasonable, but having sex in front of other people was different.

Even Andrew thought it was embarrassing, but Fluffy had told him it was the best solution, so he had to propose it. Oliver, despite his stoic expression, didn't want to do that last step either, but he also understood that it would be a great loss not to do so, as the guardian seal would lose much of its power.

The office fell silent again. Only Marie's indignant snorts could be heard and seeing that things did not seem to be going anywhere, Fluffy spoke to Andrew again.

What Fluffy had told him, was an alternative way to accomplish the ritual, which was a little less embarrassing, so Andrew spoke again, "There is a slightly less embarrassing way, but will decrease your earnings. For this last step, you don't have to be seen, but heard."

"I don't understand," Oliver said with furrowed brows and Andrew explained, "It would be something like you would be in a locked room, but outside would be us listening to everything you do."

Although it was a less embarrassing version, it wasn't by much in Andrew's opinion and Marie seemed to feel the same way, as her face was red with anger and she was about to start ranting, when Oliver said, "That option is more appropriate."

Marie looked at Oliver in disbelief. Oliver sensing Marie's stare, turned to look at her and seeing her nonconformity, sighed, "Marie, understand the big picture. We are now the guardians of the future god Eros, do you think we can remain weak as we are now?".

This question, calmed down  Marie a bit. She really wasn't taking into account that, upon receiving the guardian seal, her life would be tied to sex in many ways.

Realizing this depressed her a little. It wasn't that she was prejudiced towards sex, but she was shy about being libertine. Honestly, Andrew didn't blame her either, even he who was a candidate for Eros god didn't want to be such a libertine.

After a few minutes of silence, Marie gritted her teeth clenched her hands, and agreed to perform the ritual. "Guys, as I said, it's not the only kind of lover's pact, there are other less shameful rituals, don't rush," Andrew said.

He didn't want to force them, but Oliver interjected, "But, with those other rituals, the gains will be worse right?". At Oliver's question, Andrew could just nod a little bitterly, he didn't want to force them, but he had no choice.

"How big a difference would it make?" asked Marie. She had agreed a moment ago under the heat of the moment, but now she wanted to explore other options because if she could avoid embarrassment she would.

Andrew understanding the girl said sincerely, "If we put it in numbers it would be like this. If you do the ritual as I explained in the beginning you would earn 100, if you use the second method, you would earn between 80 and 90, if you use the third more efficient method you would earn around 20."

The big differences darkened Marie's hope. Although she was reluctant to do that ritual, she also knew the advantages of taking advantage of the guardian seal and going from 80 to 20 was too much, so resignedly she said, "We'll use the second method."

Oliver said nothing because he had already made up his mind to accept whatever Marie chose. He was willing to sacrifice even with the first method, as his loyalty had grown to that level, but subconsciously he didn't want anyone to see Marie, while they were having sex, so he compromised with the second method.

Still, if Marie chose the third method, he would accept it, even if they lost a large profit. As he had said before, he had resigned himself to not having a partner long ago, but when he accepted Marie his thinking changed.

At first, he just went with the flow and Marie captured him, but now he had developed feelings for her, so he was torn, between his love for Marie and his loyalty for Andrew, so he decided that she should choose, as he could not.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Andrew said, "I'm sorry to put you in this situation, but we really need to get stronger. The empire is already watching us and we are too weak, so I can only ask for your forgiveness."

"That is not necessary young master. You gave us a home, a purpose, we cannot run away when we are needed," Oliver said with determination. Marie merely nodded her head in agreement, but her gaze held the same determination.

"Well then, complete the first two rituals on your own, just let me know when you do," Andrew concluded in a tired voice. Although Oliver and Marie agreed, he didn't feel good about it.

He knew he would benefit greatly, but he felt like he was forcing them and it left a bad taste in his mouth. Oliver and Marie noticed that Andrew was uncomfortable with what they agreed to and that touched them because they understood that while he had proposed this ritual, he didn't want to force them and that relieved them.

Not wanting to talk about it anymore, Andrew dismissed them. When Oliver and Marie left, Andrew plopped down on his desk exhausted and a bit annoyed. Helena and Aki noticing that approached him and began to comfort him.