Love Becomes a Burden When It Tires
Morning light filtered in. Fortunately, my body felt fine.
Yeah, of course it would.
Killing the opponent before the three games were even over? That would be as good as admitting defeat.
And that defeat would shatter her pride forever. So, I didn't have to worry about Lumina trying to kill me until the games ended.
"Ugh... bleh...."
I turned to find Lumina. She was hunched over the sink, dry-heaving.
No matter how much she rinsed her mouth or brushed her teeth, the lingering fishy texture of semen deep in her throat wouldn't fade. That's what had her like this—the fact that she'd swallowed the fluids of a man she despised. And the shame of feeling pleasure in the process. It was gnawing at the noble soul of a goddess.
"Feeling sick?"
The voice came from behind her. She whipped around in shock. I was leaning against the doorframe, looking utterly refreshed.
"You...!"
"Must be from overdoing it last night. You got your protein supplement, at least."
I chuckled, my eyes lingering on the wet corner of her mouth. Her face flushed crimson in an instant.
"Get out... get out now...."
"Sure, I'll go. But first, shouldn't I explain today's 'game'?"
Her eyes wavered at my words.
The first defeat.
The price had been brutal. And now another game?
"No.... I won't do it anymore...."
"Forfeiting? Then I'll head straight to Captain Lucian and report your true identity—and every detail of what we did last night. Oh, and how deliciously you sucked my cock, too."
"......!"
She bit her lip. From the moment she'd agreed to this game....
The instant she'd accepted the reward, I'd gained leverage over her. And a goddess with a weakness had no choices left.
"Fine... let's hear it. What twisted scheme are you plotting this time?"
She asked with venom in her voice. I approached with a satisfied grin.
"This round's theme is 'faith.'"
"Faith?"
"Yeah. We'll test how solid the trust is between you and Lucian."
Betraying faith could be a form of corruption, too. I pointed out the window. Lucian was pacing in the inn's courtyard, his face haggard.
He was clearly tormented by guilt from last night.
"That man's drowning in self-loathing right now. Even if he didn't go all the way, the mere fact that he went into a room with another woman while thinking of you—that's a sin to him."
"That was... because you drugged him...."
"Drugged? What are you talking about? I just gave him a glass of wine. He drank it, and he followed her."
I replied shamelessly.
"The rules are simple. Lucian will come to apologize to you. When he does, don't forgive him—reject him coldly."
"What...?"
"You wouldn't accept a man reeking of another woman, right? Treat him with your usual contempt, be ruthless."
"B-but... that would hurt him...."
"Then end the game. If you don't mind me spilling everything."
She clenched her fists. Hurt Lucian, or let Lucian learn her true identity. A cruel dilemma forcing her to choose one pain over another. In the end, she bowed her head. To avert a greater catastrophe, she had no choice but to opt for the smaller wound.
"......Fine. I'll do it."
"Good. If Lucian keeps begging for forgiveness despite your rejection, you win. I'll back off clean."
I flashed a grin.
"But if he gets worn down by your coldness... and flees back into another woman's arms? Then I win. You'll pay the same price as yesterday."
"That won't happen."
Lumina declared firmly.
"Lucian's not that kind of man. No matter how coldly I treat him, he'll understand and wait for me. Because... he loves me."
"Will he, now?"
I muttered as I opened the door.
"Love becomes a burden when it tires, Goddess."
** Lunchtime. A heavy silence hung over the dining hall. The knights ate while stealing glances at Lucian. He poked listlessly at his tray.
Then Lumina descended from the second floor. Her pure white priestess robes immaculate.
Her poised elegance unbroken. But her eyes were icy cold.
"Saintess...."
Lucian shot to his feet. He approached her like a criminal, head bowed.
"Last night... I...."
"Out of my way."
Lumina passed without even looking at him. Her robes brushed against his armor.
"Saintess, please hear me out! It's a misunderstanding! Nothing happened with that woman...!"
Lucian desperately blocked her path. But Lumina covered her nose with a handkerchief and stepped back.
"You stink."
"......!"
"Your body... it reeks. The scent of another woman, and... the stench of corruption."
Her words stabbed into Lucian's chest like daggers. In truth, Lumina wanted to cry.
I'm sorry, Lucian. This isn't real.
She screamed it inwardly a thousand times, but outwardly, she had to play the role because of Sigurd's threat.
"Saintess... I'm innocent. I swear...."
"Your oaths mean nothing anymore."
Lumina squeezed her eyes shut and delivered her final line.
"I'm disappointed, Sir Lucian. Stay out of my sight for a while."
Lumina left the dining hall. Lucian stood frozen like a statue. Whispers rose from the knights.
"Whoa... that's harsh."
"Even after the captain explained...."
"She's got issues, man."
Lucian's shoulders trembled. Indignation, shame, despair. He couldn't bear that the woman he loved treated him like vermin.
Sigurd didn't miss the opening and approached.
**
"Captain... you okay?"
"......Sigurd."
He looked up, eyes red-rimmed.
"Am I... that filthy?"
"Nah, come on. You're the noblest knight on the continent."
I patted his back and led him outside.
"Let's get some air. Must be stuffy in there."
We sat on a bench behind the inn. I pulled out two cigarettes I'd prepared—unknown in this world, but intriguing enough.
"What's this?"
"A vice from my homeland. Clears your head when you're stressed."
I lit one, took a deep drag, and exhaled. Whoosh— Lucian stared blankly at the smoke.
"The saintess... still seems to misunderstand you."
"......Maybe it's not a misunderstanding."
He gave a bitter laugh.
"I did go into that woman's room last night. Nothing happened, but... I can't deny my heart wavered."
"Happens. You're a man."
I handed him the cigarette. He hesitated, then took it with trembling hands.
Cough! Cough! Choking on the unfamiliar smoke, he kept going.
"Be honest, Captain."
I exhaled smoke, probing his psyche.
"You love the saintess, right?"
"......Yes. More than my life."
"And does she love you back?"
His silence stretched. He'd believed she did.
Her gaze, her caring touches. But this morning's contemptuous stare had shattered that faith.
"I don't know... anymore...."
"Doesn't look like it to me."
I said firmly.
"If it's love, she'd trust you. Hear you out, even after a mistake. But what did she do? Wouldn't even listen—just called you 'dirty' and shoved you away."
"......"
"That's not love, Captain. That's possessiveness, obsession with purity. She just wants to toss her flawed doll."
"Stop... please stop."
Lucian clutched his head in agony. But I pressed on.
"You've endured enough, given enough. And this is what you get? One word: 'dirty'?"
I placed a hand on his knee.
"Let go now. Find someone who sees you as you are—not just your nobility, but a woman who loves your desires, too."
"Where would I find that?"
"Right there."
I nodded toward the dining hall. Through the window, last night's woman was visible, serving drinks but glancing outside repeatedly. Clearly looking for Lucian.
"She wants you, Captain. Not the holy knight—just 'man Lucian.'"
Lucian's gaze lingered on her. Memories of last night. Her warm body heat. The soft press of her breasts.
And the ecstatic look in her eyes as she gazed at him. A welcome so opposite the saintess's cold scorn....
"......"
His eyes wavered. Faith versus desire. But the saintess had already severed the rope of faith.
"Go to her. She's waiting."
I gave him a push. Lucian rose unsteadily. He glanced up at the second-floor window of Lumina's room. The curtains were tightly drawn. To him, that closed curtain felt like final rejection.
"......Thank you, Sigurd."
He bowed to me and entered the dining hall. He hesitated, then slowly approached her. She beamed, linking arms with him. They began talking.
Time passed, their conversation ended, and they naturally climbed the stairs to the second floor. This time, he wasn't being led—he walked on his own.
** Second-floor room. Lumina leaned against the door, heart pounding like it might burst. She hoped Lucian would come.
Pound on the door, scream that he couldn't give her up. Then she'd 'reluctantly' open it, embrace him, and claim victory over Sigurd's game.
But.
Tap... tap... Footsteps echoed in the hall. Two sets. And a woman's coquettish laugh.
"Oh, Captain. So hot even in broad daylight~."
"......Quiet."
Lucian's voice. Low, laced with desire. Lumina held her breath. The footsteps passed her door. Then the door to the room next to hers—Lucian's—opened and slammed shut.
Bang!
"Ah...."
Lumina collapsed to the floor. He'd... chosen another woman. Couldn't endure her coldness. Abandoned the saintess who wouldn't understand him....
And opted for easy pleasure.
Lucian... how could you....
Betrayal. Despair. She'd sold her soul to the devil to protect him. And he'd ditched her over mere pride.
Click— Then her door opened. A door that should have been locked, opening as if waiting.
Sigurd entered, wearing the smile of victory.
"Hear that?"
She couldn't answer.
"Your knight slipping under another woman's skirts."
"......"
"I told you. Love becomes a burden when it tires."
He approached slowly and crouched before her.
"You lose, Goddess."
She couldn't lift her head. Her convictions had crumbled. Her love shattered. All that remained was her contract with this demon.
"You have to follow the rules."
Sigurd gripped her chin, lifting it.
"No handjob finish this time."
His eyes gleamed. While Lucian tumbled with another woman next door, she'd have to show her most despised man her most humiliating side.
"Strip."
His command fell. With trembling hands, Lumina began unbuttoning her priestess robes. The woman's moans from next door rang out like background music urging her fall.
"Hic... sob...."
Tears dropped. But she didn't stop.
"Well, I'll keep your virginity as promised."
I circled behind her as she stood weeping. And slid my clone between her thighs.
"But you'll have to endure it just as hard."
I curled my lips into a wide grin.