Chapter 36: SAVE ME
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 36: SAVE ME
How much time had passed since I proposed to Rachel Watson with that "all-or-nothing" mindset?
- Creak…
"…Rachel?"
Watson, who had been staring at me with an intensity that was almost frightening, suddenly leaned forward and pinned both of my arms down.
"Ow, that hurts."
Caught off guard by her sudden movement, I tried to wriggle away, but she unceremoniously shoved me back against the wall. I was stuck on the bed, staring up at her blank expression.
"Um, excuse me."
"……"
Unless I used magic, my frail body stood no chance against Watson’s grip.
"…I screwed up."
Helplessly pinned, I could only look up at Rachel Watson as she climbed onto the bed to loom over me. I whispered in the most pitiful voice I could muster.
"Tell me. What exactly did you do wrong?" she asked, her voice quiet as she tightened her hold on my arms.
"…Everything."
At that moment, I should have noticed the shift in her eyes.
"It’s all my fault."
But I was consumed by the anxiety that the game might end right then and there. I continued to whisper, putting on a face that I hoped would evoke her sympathy.
"…Please, forgive me."
In hindsight, that plea seemed to have awakened something within Rachel Watson.
"Hmm."
A certain heat flickered in Watson’s eyes as she held me down.
"Why do you keep making me so angry?"
"…Pardon?"
While I stared at her with a bewildered expression, she leaned closer, her breath tickling my ear.
"You make me worry, then you suddenly cut off all contact, only to reappear in a place this dangerous a month later."
"……"
"You risk your life to come here, acting like the very kind of idiot I despise. And then, out of nowhere, you have the nerve to propose."
Her words were entirely reasonable.
"Do you know what makes me the angriest, though?"
I lowered my head like a puppy that knew it had done wrong. Rachel Watson looked down at me and whispered softly into my ear.
"…From the moment you put that ring on my finger…"
When I lifted my head, I saw that her cheeks were already flushed a deep shade of crimson.
"…My heart has been pounding like crazy."
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly, becoming thick with tension.
- Whoosh…
"Ra—Rachel."
By now, even her ears were turning red as she moved to hover directly over me.
"Did you ask for forgiveness?"
"I—I did…?"
"Then stay quiet."
I felt a momentary, inexplicable sense of unease and tried to sit up, but Watson pressed her weight down on me, whispering for me to stay put.
"Are you planning to make me even angrier?"
"……"
"Can you handle the consequences if you do?"
The moment I heard those words, all the strength involuntarily left my body.
"…………"
Before I knew it, we were lying on the bed, hands entwined, staring into each other's eyes.
"…I love you, too."
How much time passed like that?
"Let’s get engaged."
Rachel Watson whispered the words with a bashful expression—a far cry from her usual self.
"…Hmm."
When I gave a quiet nod in response, she avoided my gaze for a moment as if embarrassed, then tightly closed her eyes.
- Whoosh…
A moment later, she burrowed into my arms.
"…So, are you going to do it now?"
"Huh?"
I tilted my head at her trembling voice, only for a shy murmur to escape her lips.
"…You were the one who insisted on 'purity before marriage.'"
"……?"
"You even said we couldn't hug, let alone kiss."
My mind went utterly blank at that shocking reminder. She lifted her head, wriggling slightly in my embrace.
"But you just said it yourself, didn't you?"
"Um…"
"You asked to get engaged."
Her expression shifted into one I had seen before on Professor Moriarty and Charlotte.
"An engagement is practically the same as marriage, isn't it?"
"What does that even mean…"
"Do you want to make me angry again?"
I tried to offer a logical explanation, but seeing her icy expression and hearing her sharp tone, the words died in my throat.
"Do you know how hard it was for me just to hold your hand?"
"That may be true, but…"
That was when Rachel Watson leaned her face closer to mine.
"Words are pointless now."
Her ragged breath hit my nose.
"Proposing is essentially the same as saying you want physical contact."
Her warm, soft body pressed against mine. Her chest—not quite as large as Mycrony’s but still substantial—transferred a blazing warmth to me.
"…There’s no way out now."
The woman who had coldly suggested I become a vegetable just moments ago was now whispering loving words with a relaxed face and closed eyes.
‘…This shouldn’t be happening.’
Hesitation flared in my mind as I realized what was coming next.
‘The Professor and Charlotte will definitely…’
But that hesitation lasted only a second. Upon seeing the message that appeared before my eyes, I had no choice but to close them and accept Rachel Watson’s advances.
『Lady of London』
– Description: Complete one sham marriage with Watson.
‘…Just how many pieces of myself do I have to give to these women?’
Immediately after, her soft tongue began to explore my mouth.
.
.
.
.
.
"…Phew."
"Um…"
Rachel Watson and Isaac Adler pulled apart after being entangled on the bed, having shared a long, deep kiss.
- Drip…
A thin string of saliva stretched between their lips, momentarily connecting them before breaking.
"…You didn't hear any noise, did you?"
"No, I didn't."
Still holding each other, they both glanced toward the closed door. They wiped their lips and sat up.
"…………"
Both of them looked at each other, cheeks flushed.
"It seems there are quite a few prying eyes around here."
"It appears so. This place isn't exactly high-quality."
"…I would’ve liked to go all the way, if possible."
"Huh?"
Adler tilted his head, confused by Watson’s murmur. In response, she simply blushed and returned to her usual polite way of speaking.
"Anyway, let’s leave. It’s too dangerous here."
"Yes… You’re right."
As she stood up, a bewildered Adler followed suit.
"…You."
"Yes?"
As he headed for the door, Rachel Watson stopped him.
"Cut all ties with Isaac Adler."
She spoke with a dead-serious expression.
"…Why?"
"Because he’s absolute trash."
When Adler, disguised as Neville, scratched his head and asked for clarification, she explained without a hint of hesitation.
"I’ve seen some unexpected sides of him recently… but that doesn’t change his innate character."
"Uh, um…"
"And I can’t bear to see someone like you involved with him."
She wrapped her arms around Adler’s. Her face, which had gone cold at the thought of the "trash of London," was once again adorned with a gentle smile.
"…Because I love you."
Staring blankly at Watson’s completely melted expression, Adler bowed his head in silence, caught between guilt and the feeling of betrayal.
What should I do?
The Isaac Adler she so despised was the very same person as Neville St. Clair—the man she had just been intimately entwined with moments ago.
"Do you know?"
"…Huh?"
"That was my first kiss."
Whether she sensed his troubled heart or not, Rachel Watson murmured softly into Adler’s ear.
"Take responsibility."
"…Rachel."
"Once we get married, you’ll have to take responsibility anyway."
Adler, who wanted to point out that she was the one who kissed him, kept his mouth shut as she continued to whisper.
"So, when shall we have the engagement ceremony?"
Gazing at Adler with a look of pure devotion, Watson began to mumble with an elated expression.
"Tomorrow? Right away? No, that would be too hasty. How about in a few months?"
"……"
"What do you think?"
Adler, breaking into a light sweat, could only respond with a strained smile.
"Let’s start with dating and take it slowly from there."
Watson blinked, staring up at him.
- Swish…
She fidgeted for a moment, then reached out to squeeze Adler’s hand.
"…Can I look forward to it?" she asked in a quiet voice, gauging his reaction.
"It’s fine to look forward to it, isn't it?"
"…Perhaps."
Seeing her act so unusually timid and cute—traits never found in her usual strong-willed persona—Adler looked away and gave his answer.
"…Hehe."
With a lighthearted giggle, she rested her head on Adler’s shoulder.
- Squeeze…
"……"
Of course, since Rachel Watson was taller, her cheek ended up resting near his neck rather than his shoulder. However, Watson, eyes closed and wearing a shy smile, didn't seem to mind at all.
"I was happy just holding hands, but this is definitely much better."
After nestling against his neck for a while, she lifted their entwined hands.
"…Everything escalated so suddenly, my body feels hot."
She leaned on Adler as they began to walk.
"We can stay like this throughout the date, right?"
"…Of course."
Isaac Adler matched his steps to hers.
"…Even until the moon rises?"
"…………"
Thus began the intensely emotional date between Isaac Adler and Rachel Watson.
‘…How much time is left before the disguise wears off?’
.
.
.
.
.
- Squeak…
Realizing that his disguise wouldn't last much longer, I left the opium den with a headache-inducing expression on my face.
"…..Ah."
I soon realized that the disguise wasn't my biggest problem.
"……"
Charlotte Holmes, shrouded in a veil of black smoke, was staring intently at me while holding a pipe between her lips.
"What’s the matter, dear?"
"……"
"Are you not feeling well?"
Watson, leaning on me with a worried expression, asked the question as I stared at Holmes’ empty eyes, my face turning pallid.
"Do you want to have a check-up before we start the date?"
"…No, I’m fine."
I answered hastily and tried to move forward, but a chilling voice suddenly echoed in my ears.
"Isaac Adler."
Charlotte Holmes, who was suddenly walking right beside me, tilted her head and asked a question.
"…You can see me right now, can’t you?"
Save me…
Her interrogation continued throughout the entire date.