episode_0058

“Gulp…! Hoo gulp…”

As I opened my eyes under the warm sunlight streaming in through the window, the soft sensation of the bed welcomed me first.

“…That rascal, did he really move me properly?”

Given the mischievous glint in his eyes when I last saw him, I worried about what other mischievous antics he might be up to.

Seeing that he had left me in the clothes I wore to the battlefield yesterday, it seemed like he was feeling quite exhausted too.

Well, after running around so vigorously yesterday, it’s no wonder he’s not tired anymore.

Just looking at Alain sleeping like a log in the bed next to mine gives me the answer, doesn’t it?

“Sigh… Sigh…”

Watching Alain sleep in, skipping his usual morning routine every day, memories of yesterday’s events began flooding back.

The intense battle, the exhilaration after victory, and…

“Oh, oh…”

The moment those events came rushing back to me, I couldn’t help but bury my head in my hands.

Damn it, I just remembered that I was embraced by the princess!

That rascal carried me while heading back to our lodgings, and all the townspeople saw us!

Moreover… moreover…!

“Am I the Northern Duke, really?”

I must be losing it, seriously!

Why did I say such a thing?

What on earth did I feel from the Northern Duke?

No matter how much I think about it, it makes no sense.

I did feel uncomfortable! Trying to remove a wedged stone from under a rolling one! How could I steal a kiss from someone I barely know!

It was just annoying behavior! Of course, the discomfort with the Northern Duke is valid too!

But this is not right.

This… clearly looks like ‘jealousy’ to anyone!

Did I really feel jealous of the Northern Duke? Damn it! Why would I be jealous of such a woman?

“Phew… Phew…”

I tried taking deep breaths to calm myself down, but it wasn’t easy to settle down.

However, with one sudden thought that crossed my mind, I could finally calm down.

“I have to go find that rascal.”

He might be up to some strange antics again.

Considering what he said yesterday, he might even be preparing marriage papers by now.

I have no idea what dubious plan he might be hatching behind my back.

“I’ll shatter your fantasies.”

I need to clear up his misunderstandings long ago and make sure he doesn’t even dream about it.

That way, I can free myself from his clutches.

…It’s getting more dangerous these days.

Like splitting the sky after receiving a kiss yesterday.

And cuddling with the princess with a grin.

When even the slightest things trigger this damn body, I need to get away from him as soon as possible.

If I miss the timing.

If I end up falling for him.

“At that point… it might truly be irreversible.”

Didn’t they say the mind follows the body?

I’ve been cautious and cautious, but it seems like I’ve already crossed the threshold.

Seeing that my body didn’t react to Alain’s smooth slender figure… it must have gone too far.

Yet, I wasn’t ready to admit it yet.

It hasn’t been 1 or 2 years, barely 2 or 3 months, and I’ve turned into a ‘female.’

Moreover, not even liking women but ending up liking men.

I chuckled and shook my head in disbelief.

“Ridiculous.”

After quickly washing up and changing clothes, I started walking towards the room where the rascal was staying.

Even though the sun was high, he’s probably the most lazy among the group, tossing and turning on the bed.

If he’s not there, well, he must have gone down to the dining hall for lunch.

Knock knock –

After walking for a while, did I finally arrive at the door?

As I was about to knock on the door, a strong sense of unease washed over me.

The room was eerily quiet.

No matter how tightly the door was closed, there should have been at least a faint sound of it swaying in the wind, but Cal’s room was unusually quiet.

Thus, the witch’s greatest weakness and flaw, curiosity, began to stir.

“Judging by the fact that I can’t hear anything at all, it seems like he used an Ora to set up a barrier.”

Why on earth?

What secretive and sinister deed was he up to?

Of course, it is true that one should respect others’ privacy.

Especially as a modern person who has lived through the 21st century, I know how much of a pain privacy invasion can be, so I should have respected it even more.

The witch’s curiosity was not as easygoing as she had thought, and when she came to her senses, she found herself interfering and smiling broadly.

“…Crazy woman.”

As chills ran down my spine at the realization of what I had done, just as I was about to return to my room, the witch’s curiosity whispered in my ear.

[You’ve come this far, are you going to back off?]

“It’s already too late to turn back, you idiot. Besides, if it’s Cal, that guy will find the culprit who interfered with his Ora barrier amusingly easily, won’t he?”

“Since you’re already caught, why not satisfy your curiosity and go? You’re curious about Cal’s room, aren’t you?”

…Right, I’m already caught anyway.

Whether he’s inside or outside, he’ll eventually find out that I interfered with the Ora.

Since I’m going to get scolded either way, wouldn’t it be better to see it all and hear the scolding?

With that determination in mind, I cautiously grasped the door handle, only to find that surprisingly, the door was not locked, and it swung open easily with a clack.

With the sound of the door opening, what met my eyes was…

“Ugh… ugh… ugh… what the hell…!”

“Eekk!!!”

Cal, enjoying a happy time comforting himself, was there.

“Huh…?”

Was it when Wisdom Time arrived that he felt someone looking at him?

He stared at me with a blank face, and feeling awkward for no reason, I gave a forced smile and quietly closed the door.

“…Damn, he’s really something.”

Just as the elf girls said.

He was truly exceptional.

—–

After seeing what shouldn’t have been seen and returning to my room, Aleine greeted me with a grin, having woken up at some point.

“What happened? Your face is red, Witch.”

“…Nothing happened, don’t worry about it.”

“Hmm… seems like something did happen.”

“Shh. I’m going to sleep a little longer. If Cal comes… tell him I’m sleeping.”

“Oh ~ Something happened with the Cal brothers!”

“Be quiet!”

I grumbled and turned over the blanket, but my body was so heated that I had no choice but to get out from under the covers.

…Why did I do that?

Why did I intrude and interfere with that perverted guy’s business out of curiosity?

Thanks to that, things got so awkward! Now how am I supposed to look at him?

Cal must have been flustered too.

Sure, I took every precaution to spend a discreet time, but not locking the door was a bit suspicious.

Anyway, since he insisted on coming in despite my warning, he must be puzzled from his perspective.

A cheek kiss is the end.

I was going to tell him not to come any closer, but how did it end up like this?

This will only give him more reason to approach me deeply…

“Sigh…”

As I sighed in frustration, someone gently knocked on the door.

Knock, knock, knock –

“Who is it?”

[Oh, it’s me, Cal, Priestess.]

“Why are you here, Cal Brother…? Oh, the Witch is sleeping.”

[I know she’s not sleeping. I heard her sigh just now, Beatrice.]

“…Such sharp ears.”

Alain’s excuses faded in the presence of the blade-wielding figure, who called me with a gentle voice, prompting me to rise slowly from my seat and open the door to the room.

“What’s the matter?”

“Isn’t that my line? You must have urgent business to disturb someone’s happy time. Come on, speak up. What’s going on?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. I just… came to check because the room was too quiet, and I got worried, so I opened it.”

“You probably locked the door.”

“It wasn’t locked. It just opened easily when I turned the handle.”

“…Must have been a faulty doorknob, damn it.”

The blade-wielder clicked his tongue disapprovingly and shook his head.

Seeing him awkwardly smile since earlier, he seemed quite uncomfortable as well.

Unable to continue the conversation in front of the room, I led the blade-wielder outside the inn.

“Phew.”

As the cool northern wind cooled the heat on my face, I could think more rationally.

Seemingly affected by this change, the blade-wielder’s previously uneasy expression transformed into a mischievous one.

After confirming no passersby around us, he began to speak to me in a whisper.

“There was interference at the Oler Barrier, right? It felt like very familiar magic?”

He was referring, of course, to the recent unfortunate incident.

However, unwilling to yield easily, I put on a poker face and responded to his probing.

“I told you, I was worried because it was too quiet. Maybe someone jealous sent an assassin after you.”

“…Do I have the skills to be targeted by an assassin?”

“Who knows, maybe they hired the legendary Grand Assassin. Who can say? I just opened it with a pure heart.”

“And did what I showed you corrupt your pure heart even more?”

“Well, did it?”

Upon entering the room, we were met with a scene where white liquid was splattered everywhere.

Even now, my face heats up at the memory.

It felt… yeah, exactly like being thoroughly corrupted as he said?

That’s the best way to describe it.

“…Ease up on the bone threats.”

Continuing our conversation kept reminding me of the incident in the room, worrying him, the blade-wielder licked his lips and approached me closely.

What strange thing is he trying to do now?

Feeling a sense of dread about his intentions, his sweet yet menacing voice tickled my ears.

“Then don’t tempt me.”

“…?”

“You wouldn’t know. What you’re up to, and how hard I’m trying to resist.”

“What, what…”

“What I mean, you understood everything.”

Spewing out incomprehensible words one after another, he smirked satisfactorily and distanced himself again.

“I won’t cut deep this time. I’m controlling myself, so don’t worry too much, Beatrice.”

“…”

“Oh, right! Next time, knock before coming in. Knocking is basic courtesy, you know? Isn’t that right?”

With those words, the blade-wielder swiftly departed from the inn, leaving me alone in front of the inn, where I had to suppress laughter at the display of desire he had shown.

“Giggle…!”