Episode 123. Karma (4)

“Hoo, make sure you’re always prepared for when I call you in the future.”

“…Understood.”

I tidied up neatly and put on new underwear and pants. Daria… she’ll wash up well enough on her own. After releasing such a big load, I feel a bit calmer.

Twitch-

I gave Daria’s butt, which was boringly unresponsive, a quick squeeze and headed back to Monica’s office. This time, without any hesitation, and with confidence. Now that I think about it, I need to think of another way to exploit Daria’s weakness… that spot. I got permission, and I have the opportunity, so it’d be a waste to just let it pass.

Monica, who had been waiting for Edward in the office, was greatly relieved by the fact that he had returned. It was taking too long just to change clothes, so she wondered if something else had happened. Or maybe he didn’t want to come back? Should she go look for him? What if they passed each other on the way? She was so preoccupied with various thoughts that she couldn’t even focus on the documents.

But seeing Edward return in perfect condition, reading again as if nothing had happened, she felt relieved but also strangely disappointed. She didn’t know how it had happened, but the atmosphere had been good until just now.

‘I should have stopped one step before that.’

She had heard from her mother that to seduce a man, you need to make him anxious. Push and pull appropriately? She should have kept pressing with her foot, but stopped right before he came, so that Edward, feeling unsatisfied, would come on to her more actively. Monica felt like she had thrown away an opportunity herself, and even if she didn’t regret it, she was very disappointed.

‘If I get another chance…’

She subtly watched Edward, gauging his mood. But it seemed difficult to push him any further today. He had left earlier with a slightly sulky look, but now he had a very refreshed expression, as if nothing more could be squeezed out of him. Rather, he had a strangely enlightened look. Well… she also thought that if she disturbed his concentration one more time, he might really get sulky and not come back.

Rustle-

In the office where Edward had returned, only the sound of paper turning could be heard. Or rather, only the sound of Edward turning pages.

‘Ugh…’

Why isn’t he saying anything? She thought he would say something after changing, even if it wasn’t as much as saying he felt good, or suggesting they go at it from noon, but at least he could say not to do that kind of thing in the future, right? He was just sitting there as if nothing had happened, which made Monica even more anxious.

‘…Maybe he wants me to do more, but he’s too embarrassed to say it?’

Maybe he wasn’t reacting because he was afraid that if he said anything, she wouldn’t do it with her foot anymore, or that he would have to make a regretful request…? She could approach him again in a similar way out of frustration. He was sitting in the same position as before, and he didn’t seem to be trying to stop her legs very much…

Poke-

Then she had no choice but to test him again. She cautiously rubbed Edward’s leg with her foot. Thinking of Edward’s calf as a pillar, she boldly pressed and stroked it up and down with the soles of her feet. Maybe… he doesn’t like it?

‘Hoo…’

Fortunately, Edward’s face didn’t show any signs of displeasure. The face that had seemed wise and devoid of desire earlier now seemed to be holding back a lot. Gaining a little confidence, Monica gradually inserted her foot deeper. Past his calf, shin, and knee. Watching Edward’s face, she slowly went up…

Thud-

Twitch-

Monica, startled by the sudden sound of paper being put down, quickly pulled her foot away. Edward, noticing Monica averting her gaze, said to her.

“I’ve finished reading it.”

“Oh, good job… Summarize! Summarize the contents.”

Although it wasn’t many pages, he had read everything carefully.

“That’s excellent for today. You worked hard on your first day.”

“Is that all?”

“Why? Do you want to do more?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Monica pointed to the pile of documents on the desk, and Edward, seeing the height, stepped back in disgust.

“Hmm, hmm. I said it wouldn’t take long in the first place. So, what are you going to do now?”

“I have to go train.”

The expected answer came. As Edward tidied up his seat, Monica also organized the documents. She planned to stick with Edward as much as possible today.

“Let’s go together.”

“Umm…”

“Why? Are you thirsty?”

“Huh? No… a little.”

“Here, water.”

Gulp-

“Tell me if you need anything else or if you’re uncomfortable.”

No, I kind of want to be alone.

But looking at those eyes, it’s not easy to say that. She’s sitting next to me, watching me train with a seemingly excited expression, and it’s hard to tell her to go away…

“It might be dangerous to swing a sword.”

“Really? Then…”

Monica, who had taken her butt off the ground, sat about two steps further away. A maid had brought a mat and created a clean spot on the dusty training ground.

‘Hoo… let’s not worry about it.’

Useless thoughts are poison when swinging a sword. Even when trying to calm my mind and swing the sword, Monica’s sparkling eyes kept catching my attention in the corner of my vision.

“…Don’t you have a lot to do?”

“I can do it after dinner later.”

“Hmm.”

Failure.

“What’s so fun about watching this…”

“It’s kind of fun? And I’m a noble, so it doesn’t make sense not to know swordsmanship at all. Even if my husband is an excellent knight, that is.”

“Ahem,”

Failure.

I tried to get Monica to leave in various ways, feeling like a scarecrow chasing away sparrows, but Monica, the sparrow, was a bit too smart and kept sticking by my side as if teasing me. At this point, I was just glad she didn’t follow me when I said I was going to change clothes earlier.

It didn’t seem likely that the smart Monica wouldn’t know that I was uncomfortable… or is she just clueless? Book smarts and common sense are different. Whatever the case, Monica didn’t seem to have any intention of leaving my side. Not just now, but all day today. Even in the morning, she came all the way to have lunch with me, so she was stuck with me until I went to pick up Vera-nuna.

Of course, I don’t dislike Monica. It’s not easy to dislike her when she has a face similar to Vera-nuna and is obviously showing that she likes me and following me around. Of course, memories of my past life kept coming back, but it’s not like Monica wanted to do that, and now I’m okay… so I don’t hate seeing her.

But it’s still a bit uncomfortable. It feels awkward being together. Earlier, she told me to work and then suddenly did that kind of thing with her foot. Ugh, really… I was so embarrassed when a much more mischievous personality than I knew, but not malicious like before, came out. It’s because there’s nothing like the Monica I knew.

Whoosh-

I swung my sword with the momentum to blow away all those杂 thoughts. But the more you try not to think about 잡 thoughts, the more they multiply and cling to you. How should I treat Monica, when will Vera-nuna get pregnant, when will I go see Winnie… As I swung my sword, the surroundings gradually darkened, and the autumn sun, which was noticeably shorter than summer, went below the horizon.

“Let’s go in soon.”

“…Oh, okay…”

Monica, who had been dozing off, woke up with a start at my voice. She must have been enjoying the warmth, covered in a blanket because of the chilly weather. I took care of Monica and returned to the castle for dinner. Seeing the three of us sitting at the table, unlike at lunchtime, made me think of Winnie again.

‘She doesn’t seem to be doing well…’

When I saw her at lunchtime, she didn’t seem to be eating well. She looked tired. She also seemed to be under a lot of stress. I need to go and cheer her up soon… but Monica is sticking to me all day, so I don’t have time. I can’t openly go see Winnie in front of Monica…

‘Should I go see her in the 새벽?’

I have to go see Vera-nuna in the 새벽. When will I make time?

“Yeobo, eat this.”

“Oh, thanks.”

I naturally ate with Monica’s fork, thinking about Winnie.