episode_0089

Objectively speaking.

Simply put, the method that Karl proposed was excellent, surpassing any other method I had considered.

Confidently kissing in front of many onlookers.

In a way, it was akin to publicly declaring, “We’re getting married!”—enough to drive away all the annoying nobles bothering Karl and me.

As we synchronized our lips, hearing the nobles vanish into thin air made everything seem resolved.

At least until we parted lips.

The garden fell silent as the nobles disappeared in an instant.

With the commotion gone, it dawned on me what I had just done.

Uh…

So, we kissed to get rid of one annoyance with this guy, right?

And he asked me first, pleading.

“…?”

Did he sense the strange atmosphere shift?

Karl pulled back, his voice filled with concern as he asked, “Why the face, my lady? Are you hurt somewhere?”

“…”

Whish!

Unable to meet his gaze, I turned my head away.

Then, covering my face with a witch’s hat, I began screaming at the top of my lungs.

“Ahh, ahhhhhh!!!”

Beatrice, you lunatic!!!

What were you thinking, planting a kiss out of nowhere like that?!

Even if you hate nuisances, isn’t that going too far? Would you seek a tiger because you’re scared of a dog?!

I have no shame.

What’s with all this nonsense?

Will everyone disappear from this world if we kiss here?

Damn it, of course they will! I’m staking my claim on this man, making it known to all!

My head is spinning.

Am I really becoming a woman?

Why do my thoughts keep veering off in odd directions lately?

“Ah, ah…”

While drowning in embarrassment, I suddenly found myself worrying about the future.

If he had been accommodating but hit a dead end, wouldn’t it be my responsibility to take charge?

“Uh…”

Marriage? I’ve never even considered it once before?!

Do I really have to marry him?

In the midst of my bewildering emotions, I sneak a glance at Karl’s face beneath the witch’s hat.

…Well, apart from his perverted tendencies, he’s not a bad personality, quite capable, wealthy, and seems cheerful. Living together might not be boring, right?

As I assess him from head to toe, my scrutinizing gaze seems to have bothered Karl, who tilts his head questioningly.

“Why are you staring so intently? Did something get on my face?”

“Oh, nothing got on it. I was just wondering when we’d head back to the mansion.”

“I was planning to return as soon as you felt better. But are you okay? Your face is still a bit flushed.”

“I-I’m fine, let’s head back now. It’s starting to get dark.”

Arriving at the palace quite late, we hadn’t explored much, yet the horizon was already tinged with the glow of dusk.

Hmm, visiting the central garden today seems a bit impractical.

Oh well, I can always come back another time for a proper look around.

I awkwardly smiled as Karl escorted me to the entrance.

…I need to make sure of things until the very end. Otherwise, what was the point of that kiss?

“Escort me to the entrance, my knight.”

“Of course, my lady.”

Guided by him, I could leave the palace and upon returning to the guest room in the mansion.

Rip –

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

Is this too much drama?

Put yourself in my shoes for once.

Let’s see if you’d say the same thing then.

—–

“Sigh.”

After returning from the palace where every moment was a test of patience,

I first began to rinse my body in cold water.

Splash –

“Ahh…”

As the cold water touched me, the lingering heat gradually dissipated.

With the heat that had filled my head gone, even my pounding heart calmed down a bit.

“That was dangerous, really.”

Sitting down in the tub filled with cold water, I started to reminisce about what happened at the palace.

…Honestly, I didn’t expect anything special to happen.

Considering Beatrice’s dislike for bothersome things, I thought we would quickly finish our business and return to the mansion.

Moreover, knowing her reluctance to play the lover from the start, I thought pretending to be lovers would end as a brief incident.

However.

“To think it led to a kiss…”

I hadn’t even anticipated it.

Beatrice’s feelings towards me were not ‘love’ but rather ‘liking.’

Furthermore, being someone who draws lines and is determined not to cross them, I had intended to be satisfied with just a peck on the forehead today.

But contrary to my expectations, ending up kissing her left me feeling… well, my mind was incredibly confused.

“Wasn’t she supposed to dislike this?”

I doubt whether my actions so far have been right.

Should I have held back?

If I had persistently pursued her like a catapult pounding against a castle wall without stopping, would her heart have opened?

…What if all my actions were meaningless?

What if Beatrice’s heart had already been open, and it was me who was drawing lines?

“My head hurts.”

I sighed and slowly got up from the tub.

Then, I vigorously shook my head, trying to clear my mind of the clutter that had accumulated.

“Well, whatever. How does it matter?”

Just enduring like this might not be the wrong choice.

If it were truly the wrong choice, I would have regressed today instead of making progress.

With visible results, what could there be to regret?

“Yes, I’m doing well enough, Carson. Just a little… just a little more waiting.”

Quietly reaffirming to myself like a vow, I began to wash my body with ice-cold water.

To try and forget even a little bit of the lingering sensation of those soft lips.

——

“Inhale… exhale… hehehe!”

In a temple filled with solemn and divine energy,

Amidst the sacred yet strict atmosphere, someone’s frivolous laughter echoed.

“Yes! This is it! This is what I wanted…!”

Chewing on popcorn, a woman watched the split screen intently.

After staring at the screen for a while, Agathon called out loudly in the quiet temple.

“Poneria? Hurry and bring the nectar! It’s an order as your elder sister!”

“…Can’t you get it yourself? Are your hands broken? Or your feet?”

“It’s an important scene! Almost collapsing, isn’t that the most thrilling moment?”

“You crazy woman… No, the more I talk, the more my mouth hurts. Here, the nectar. Don’t call me for useless things from now on.”

“Haha, until you repay the borrowed karma, you’re practically my slave, right? Well, you’ve been nothing short of a slave since birth anyway.”

“…”

Poneria looked at Agathon with a chilling gaze.

Agathon then approached her and whispered softly.

“Oh, by the way, where did you use the karma I gave you, sis?”

“I don’t need to tell you that.”

“You don’t need to, but please don’t do anything too strange, okay? If you cross the line… you know what’ll happen, right?”

Coolly.

“Eek?!”

Feeling a tongue licking her cheek, Poneria panicked, opened a dimensional portal, and fled, leaving Agathon alone, who then resumed chewing popcorn with a mischievous smile.

“Anyway, isn’t it because she’s such a cute little sister? Seeing that desire to bite and kill always lingering, it seems like we really are siblings, huh, hehe.”

Well, as her older sister, I have to endure.

If you handle such an entertaining little sister as you please, it will truly become boring, won’t it?

But here’s the thing.

Aigathon, who was laughing meaninglessly while looking at where her sister, Poneria, had disappeared.

In an instant, her expression changed drastically as she brought two screens in front of her.

“If you keep up with this damn nonsense, I really start wanting to kill you, Poneria.”

I know all too well that our adorable little sister hates me as much as a village maiden captured by goblins knows torture.

Well, being tormented so severely since we were born as twins, it would be strange not to hate, right?

Feeling a bit sorry for constantly tormenting her.

I did feel bad for becoming wicked because of my torment.

That’s a bit much.

What are you trying to accomplish by giving such protection to a child who is already a bit off?

Especially now, at this point when things are starting to get interesting.

“Hmm, what should I do?”

Aigathon began to ponder.

Leaving her be like that is definitely risky, but… it seems like it could be quite amusing, doesn’t it?

It looks like if the timing is right, Lorian, that girl, and Beatrice will fight once again.

“Hehe, a rematch between the elves turned bisexual due to Lorian and the inherently insane tribes…”

Can’t resist a revenge match.

Aigathon chuckled as she focused on one screen.

In that screen.

“Aigathon… Please wait just a little longer…♡”

Your most devoted follower will soon come to you.

Lorian, cloaked in an ashen aura, wore a sinister smile.