Witch – Chapter 102 – The Witch and the Black Knight (13)

Re​ad​ on KatReadingCafe

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Estelle’s small, delicate hands overlapped Edel’s as they sliced potatoes together. Wedged between the table and Edel’s body, she felt oddly vulnerable.

“Got it? You have to control your strength.”

“…Understood.”

Edel found it hard to focus on cooking—not just because of her guiding hands, but because her ample chest blocked his view of the cutting board, forcing him to rely solely on touch.

He had been the one to ask for cooking lessons. Normally, he cared for nothing but strength—yet now, he couldn’t ignore the way Estelle’s shoulders trembled slightly, tensed up.

The sweet scent of her pink hair, cascading down to her waist, teased his nose. In all his years in the demon realm, he’d never encountered a fruit with such an intoxicating fragrance.

“Alright, now try on your own.”

Tilting her head back to meet his gaze, Estelle puffed her cheeks in annoyance.

Already done?

Edel stared back shamelessly, refusing to look away.

“Apologies, but… could you guide me once more? Cooking is… difficult?”

“Are you even trying to focus? Seriously…”

Three peeled potatoes remained. Grumbling, Estelle picked one up and placed her small hands over his again.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

When Edel pressed too hard, her fingers tightened in warning. When his grip slackened, she squeezed firmly, correcting him.

Though she only controlled his hands, Edel surrendered his body to her guidance entirely.

As a Heavenly King, no one but the Demon King had ever commanded him—yet for some reason, he didn’t want to resist Estelle’s touch.

He couldn’t explain why, but her control didn’t feel oppressive. It was unfamiliar… yet comforting.

His mind raced, but he simplified it:

This is for strength.

Learning to cook, letting her guide his hands—it was all to emulate Sion and Aria’s love, to grow stronger.

Come to think of it, there had been a scene in the fairy tale similar to this…

Ah, right. When Sion embraced Aria from behind to calm her rampage.

And the woman from his dreams—she too had hugged him, smiling blissfully.

“Are you actually focusing? You’re not trying to get closer, are you? I warned you—”

Estelle kept glancing back nervously, gauging the distance between them.

“No issues.”

Issues? There were plenty.

No matter what she said, Edel couldn’t focus.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Just two steps.

Two steps, and he could embrace her like Sion had.

But Estelle had repeatedly warned against touching her…

Edel pondered.

Pondering was rare for him. His life had been simple: find strong opponents, eat when hungry, cut down what displeased him.

But if he acted on instinct now, and Estelle refused to teach him further…?

He’d stray from pure love—and fail to grow stronger.

Yet contrary to his thoughts… his body moved on its own, inching closer without his permission.

Almost touching.

When had they gotten so close? Her scent grew more intoxicating.

His heart pounded like when he’d been cornered in battle. Sweat made the knife slippery, so he gripped it tighter. He had never dropped his sword before…

One more step.

Just one, and Estelle would feel his frantic heartbeat.

This is foolish.

Remembering how she’d reacted yesterday when he grabbed her hand—he’d be buried alive.

Edel was simple, not stupid. He could weigh risks.

And yet.

For some reason…

His body rebelled, desperate to take that final step.

Like those weaklings ensnared by the Succubus Queen’s charms—as if some outside force puppeteered him.

Was Estelle…?

No. Impossible.

Gritting his sharp teeth, Edel fought to regain control.

His breathing roughened.

Cold sweat dripped.

The harder he resisted, the more violently his body strained forward, as if protesting his restraint.

[Wrap your arms around her.]

[Breathe in her sweetness.]

[Share your heartbeat with her soft body.]

‘Why?’

Even questioning himself, he couldn’t understand this instinct.

Just as his mind blanked—

Tap.

An inexplicable sound echoed.

“Done!”

The moment Estelle pulled her hands away, his traitorous body froze—the step he’d been about to take, the arm that had almost embraced her, the head that had leaned for her scent—all halted mid-motion.

When Estelle turned, Edel backpedaled like a thief caught stealing food.

“Done…?”

“Yeah. Think you got it now?”

“I… appreciate it. I’ll handle the rest.”

All he had left was the memory of her hands on his—but if he accepted more help, he might lose control again.

The thought of feeling so weak darkened his expression.

“You… weren’t focusing, were you?”

“There are still two potatoes—”

“I said done.”

Done?

There should’ve been two peeled potatoes left, yet…

Rubbing his eyes, shaking his head—none remained.

“Y-Y-You…! After all my effort, you weren’t paying attention?!”

Estelle stammered, furious.

Edel couldn’t meet her blazing crimson eyes—the same wrath he’d grown familiar with over three weeks.

“…Sorry.”

Who’d have thought he’d lose focus over this? There were other reasons too, but excuses would only anger her further.

Apologizing was all he could do.

“Ugh. My patience has really worn thin. If not for pure love, I’d just—wham!”

“……”

Estelle bared her teeth, clawing the air threateningly. Unsure how to react, she soon lowered her arms, flustered.

“Weird… Cooking should bring you closer to pure love. Edel, are you not focusing on getting stronger?”

Frowning, she circled him, scrutinizing.

The sweat on his neck.

His trembling hands.

His evasive gaze.

This wasn’t like him.

“Edel. Are you sick?”

“…No.”

He’d never fallen ill since becoming the Black Knight—yet Estelle seemed unconvinced.

“Don’t lie.”

Grabbing his sleeve, she forced him onto a chair and conjured a diagnostic magic circle. Not for attack, but examination—the mana felt gentle, unlike in battle.

Her energy seeped into him, methodically checking from head to—

“Uh… Y-You’re… healthy…?”

By the time it reached his lower half, Estelle’s face reddened, her eyes darting away.

“Strange. No fever either.”

Dispelling the circle, she pressed her left hand to his forehead—and her right to her own, comparing temperatures.

“What are you doing?”

“Stay still. I did this for Josie when she had a fever.”

Edel’s wandering gaze cautiously settled on her. She was close. Then—their eyes met.

Reflected in Estelle’s brighter crimson irises was a man who looked… unwell. No wonder she’d reacted that way.

He wasn’t sick.

Just… startled by his body’s rebellion.

That it would defy him, hinder his pursuit of strength—

“No fever… Rest for now. Maybe you’re just hungry. I’ll finish cooking quickly.”

Satisfied, she pulled her hand away.

“I’m not sick. I’ll keep learning.”

“Stop being stubborn. You were acting weird earlier. I’ll teach you properly later.”

Grabbing his collar, she manhandled him onto the sofa like a misbehaving child.

For good measure, she bound him with magic seals before returning to the kitchen—only to pause at the doorway, peeking back.

“Oh, take medicine after eating, okay?”

“Medicine?”

“Just in case! If you’re actually sick and we can’t find the Heavenly Kings, forget pure love—we’re out of time! We’ve got less than a month left!”

‘Ah. Right. The Heavenly Kings.’

He’d completely forgotten—their deal was that she’d teach him pure love in exchange for their locations.