episode_0059

Darin found herself at a loss for words.

From the very first meeting, Lucas had intended to bring her into his harem.

In her past life, she was an heiress, and in this world, she was a paladin.

Should she be grateful that he, a superior male, showed interest in someone who wasn’t even a maiden?

“Goosebumps.”

Naturally, Darin did not appreciate Lucas’s favor. She harbored an aversion to engaging with males on an intimate level due to her background. She wasn’t one to swoon over a man just because he had some skills.

However, this didn’t mean she easily welcomed advances from women either. Having lived as a woman for decades, she actually preferred men physically. This preference had been proven through her encounters with Akayel.

Hence, she felt great reluctance even towards the holy maiden who touched her body.

– Smack!

It was to the extent that she, a mere lady-in-waiting, would strike the hand of a holy maiden.

“Oh my, are you not interested in me at all?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“It’s okay. Other children were like that at first too. Time will resolve it.”

“Other children…?”

“Yes, did you see them earlier? All the harem members Darin met. Lucas doesn’t prohibit the women he has from spending the night together. It was an opportunity for me. I like both men and women.”

The holy maiden’s statement was a bombshell. Darin had subtly picked up on it, but to actually be bisexual? And to have engaged in such relationships with all the harem members? What kind of person was this holy maiden…

“Th-this is sacrilegious!”

“…Pardon?”

“How can a holy maiden behave so wantonly?”

Darin felt a significant disparity between Astesia’s demeanor and the image she had of a holy maiden. The shock was so profound that she openly criticized her.

“Hehehe, Darin, you’re quite adorable, aren’t you? You seem like a genuinely innocent woman who values purity?”

The target of the criticism seemed unperturbed.

“Sharing love with many is an act of divine compassion. Our deity oversees not only power but also benevolence and compassion. Moreover, I haven’t committed adultery, have I? I spread ‘love’ with your husband’s permission.”

It was a twisted theory. It felt like a corrupted clergy or disciple interpreting their revered religion to suit their tastes.

‘This is absurd.’

Though not a religious person, Darin was well-versed in the basic tenets of the faith. She had memorized common sayings about maintaining purity and chastity.

‘…This person seems to have entirely different views from mine.’

She refrained from further argument. Astesia appeared to be someone with starkly contrasting beliefs, possibly feeling too confined by notions of virtue and conduct that Darin held dear.

– Act like a holy maiden because you are one. –

Not being a religious figure and merely a lady-in-waiting, Darin had no place to voice such opinions. Above all, she was a woman.

Suppressing her bewilderment, Darin composed herself. Hadn’t she already decided not to delve into the topic earlier? Regardless of her licentious behavior, Astesia was still a holy maiden.

“I understand what you’re saying. I made an inappropriate remark to you, the holy maiden. I apologize.”

Therefore, Darin decided that bowing her head slightly and discreetly excusing herself was the best course of action.

“Thank you for guiding me to the guest room. However, I’d like to be alone right now to gather my thoughts. I suddenly found myself here, so…”

Gently teasing, yet refusing to be with you, she was clear in her intentions. Astesia blinked slightly, looking at Darin’s small head.

It wasn’t anger, just regret. Astesia had never intended to pounce on Darin today. It was the first day, and she didn’t seem to be in good condition, and above all…

“Darin, do you know about that?”

“…Know about what?”

“Lucas told me not to touch Darin at all. Personally, I quite like you, but I won’t lay a finger until he gives permission, so don’t be scared in advance.”

“Lucas…?”

“Yes. This is truly unprecedented. Lucas may be possessive, but he has never been this adamant before. Especially if he loses interest after deflowering a maiden…”

Astesia’s eyes scanned Darin from head to toe. She seemed to be a truly special girl. More lovely in appearance than the empire’s top beauty, even more so than those praised as divine beauty.

But merely winning Lucas’s favor did not explain everything. No matter how beautiful a woman was, he treated them as objects of desire only.

And Astesia knew that Lucas used honorifics with Darin. A man who saw women as mere playthings showing such respect and affection? It made her even more curious about the girl named Darin.

For now, what can be known is that she is the most likely candidate for the main consort?

If Astesia were a normal heterosexual like the other harem members, she would have been deeply jealous. But as a holy woman, she is clearly a homosexual. She feels joy for the cute girl who entered the harem.

– Swish.

In an attempt to soothe her regret, Astesia subtly brushed near Darin’s forearm. It was saddening to not be able to immediately indulge in such a tempting girl.

But someday, another opportunity will come. With Lucas’s warning and the unlikelihood of getting close to this girl without stirring up her resentment.

‘I’d rather Lucas treat Darin badly.’

Then the girl, feeling lost and without support, would turn to me for comfort. Once the heart is swayed, it’s not difficult to sway the body.

After finishing her thoughts, Astesia stopped her exploring gaze and distanced herself from Darin. Her cowering figure resembled a frightened rabbit.

“I’m curious how she earned his favor, but you must be preoccupied today, so I’ll leave it at that.”

The holy woman winked, indicating she would accept the congratulations.

– Click.

The overly adorned gem-studded door closed.

‘Ah!’

Darin momentarily dazed, peeked through the gap above the door, relieved to see Astesia had disappeared.

‘Come to think of it, Lucas is supposed to return in the evening…’

He said he had some business, but where exactly did he go? Darin didn’t seem like someone trustworthy.

The hero who realized she was no longer a virgin was a bit disrespectful towards her. Not in speech or action, but subtly groping without consent.

‘Since she’s already spread her legs for another man, does he think there’s no need to respect her sexually?’

Apart from his flawed character and oppressive nature towards women, the fact that he targeted her as a woman itself was reason enough to be wary.

And although he seems caring now, what does Lucas ultimately want from her? In the end, it’s to mix bodies.

“I absolutely don’t want that…”

Love and affection from a man were things that couldn’t be separated from sex. Darin was a woman who knew that better than anyone else. Whether it was my husband or my son, their feelings towards me were not false.

When would be the moment I had to spread my legs?

Next month?

Next week?

Perhaps even today?

“Oh, Lord.”

Unknowingly, Darin quietly screamed at her husband. She didn’t want to increase the number of men exploring her lower regions anymore. Not only did she regret engaging in relationships with unwanted men, but she also didn’t want to be pointed at as a dirty woman who committed adultery.

I am a woman who gave her virginity to a man she didn’t love. After that, I even committed the heinous sin of incest with my son. Now, I have reached the point of committing adultery with a foreign man I met not long ago.

“Where exactly are you going…?”

The rising anger turned into resentment towards her husband, Bayoren Jajak. He may have forced a marriage on her, but wasn’t he the man who had always protected her since she was young? It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think of him when she felt isolated.

Darin thought to herself. If this damn man, who considered himself a man and forced a woman who rejected him into being his wife, should at least protect her from being shamed by other men until death. Even though he may not know how much she suffers outside, isn’t it necessary to be by her side when things get tough? That’s what marriage is about.

And soon, the man who emerged in Darin’s mind, to her surprise, was her own son, Akai.

“No, no… What am I thinking…”

While hoping for a saving grace from her family, Darin shook her head to avoid thinking about it.

What if my husband really comes back?

What if my son really comes back?

Although she didn’t know what kind of person a hero was, he wouldn’t just stand by while someone tried to take away the woman he had marked. He confessed to treating people from this world like game NPCs, so all the more reason.

Rather, because of one kidnapped woman, Bayoren Jajak could end up in ruins. A transcendent hero with extraordinary powers could easily turn the crude territory of savages into rubble.

“Haha…”

A bitter laugh. Should she feel proud of protecting her family with nothing but her own body? Or should she resent a life where she is pushed around by others?

Still, Darin tentatively held onto hope.

After all, a hero is ultimately human, and if they can communicate, maybe they will return her unharmed to Bayoren. The thought that Lucas would imprison her and sexually exploit her might have been an exaggerated interpretation.

Considering various possibilities, Darin eventually stopped thinking.

“What’s the use of racking my brain…?”

Realizing that her powerless self couldn’t influence the future no matter how much she thought, the girl with newfound enlightenment buried her delicate body between the luxurious sheets. Her motionless figure resembled a beautiful doll.

Her eyelids couldn’t withstand the overwhelming fatigue and soon, slowly closed shut.