Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: Twin Rush
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Fortunately for Sharon, Deneb wasn't there to press her for the debt or to seize her over some massive bounty on a debtor.
In truth, the 58 billion she'd lent Sharon ten years ago was mere pocket change compared to the vast wealth of the Gemernai family.
The real purpose of the loan hadn't been to profit from interest anyway—it had been to use Evergreen's accumulated magical research data as collateral for access to it.
So, unlike Sharon, who was trembling in fear, Deneb simply gave a light nod of greeting and stepped into the living room.
Siwoo cleared the cluttered coffee table of random odds and ends and guided Deneb to a seat.
Sharon glanced around nervously before heading to the fridge to grab some fruit and wash it.
Deneb alternated glances between Sharon and Siwoo, then handed over the paper bag she was holding.
"A housewarming gift."
"Ah, thank you."
The shape of the bag, its weight, and the sloshing sensation when he took it all screamed liquor.
Siwoo suddenly felt self-conscious anyway.
Housewarmings were usually full of bright smiles and lively celebrations, but Deneb sat there utterly expressionless the whole time.
Unlike Albireo, who had been considerate of Siwoo's circumstances in various ways, Deneb's prickly demeanor made her harder to deal with—that was part of it too.
"Ahem. Thanks to Count Gemernai's generosity, we're living comfortably."
Siwoo cleared his throat awkwardly to break the uncomfortable silence.
Deneb, who had been scanning every corner of the room with her eyes, responded in kind.
"I was uneasy when you turned down staying as a guest and insisted on moving to the present world. Glad to see you're doing well."
Whether it was all sincere or not, Deneb was at least minding her manners.
Something about it made him break into a nervous sweat.
The main reason Siwoo had been half-expelled from Gehenna was the worry that he'd grown too close to the twins, crossing a line.
And now, less than a year later, he was living with yet another witch...
He couldn't help but wonder how it looked in Deneb's eyes.
"Any troubles with daily life?"
"Thanks to your consideration, we're living quite abundantly."
"I see."
But Deneb didn't make an issue of it.
Thinking back, even before, she'd drawn a line but treated him quite politely.
In this situation, he wasn't tone-deaf enough to add, 'Well, your sister basically kicked me out half-forcibly...'
"H-Have some fruit while we talk."
"Thank you."
At that moment, Sharon emerged from the kitchen, where she'd been painstakingly peeling fruit, and stiffly placed platters piled with pears and apples on the table.
To Sharon, who knew none of the backstory, it felt like sitting across from a predator who might devour her at any moment.
"We're grateful for your visit, but... may I ask what brings you here?"
Sharon swallowed quietly at Siwoo's question.
Deneb crunched into an apple, let out a sigh, and replied.
"Sigh... It'd be faster to explain while you see for yourself."
"What do you mean by—"
While Siwoo looked baffled by Deneb's cryptic words,
Deneb hesitated several times before standing up.
She then dramatically lifted the hem of her wide, elegant dress that gave off a refined lady's vibe.
Siwoo couldn't even cover his eyes in time at the sudden panty reveal.
But he never got to learn the color of the illustrious Countess Deneb von Gemernai's undergarments.
As she hiked up her skirt, two familiar faces emerged from within like a magic trick.
".........."
".........."
Wrapped snugly in the folds of Deneb's skirt like fledglings, they were none other than Odile and Odette.
Their trademark half-bonnets had been replaced by intricate braids piled into princess-like updos.
The mature black dresses harmonized perfectly with their doll-like features, preserving their unchanging cuteness.
Siwoo was stunned.
The location of their sudden appearance was shocking enough, but he never imagined a doting-mother countess would bring the twins all the way to the present world.
"For the sake of my honor, I must say this surprise—from conception to execution—was all these little troublemakers' doing."
"I figured as much..."
Deneb awkwardly smoothed down her skirt as the twins emerged, likely having cast some spatial refraction spell earlier.
Her expression had softened a bit, suggesting her stiff demeanor before was because she'd been reluctantly roped into the event.
"........."
"........."
But Odile and Odette, whom he'd expected to rush at him any second, stood frozen like they'd glitched.
They stared at Sharon with their gem-like purple eyes wide as saucers, as if in profound shock.
Odette even had her mouth half-open.
"Girls?"
Deneb tilted her head.
These were the twins who'd been so excited to see their assistant that they'd wandered the halls sleepless all night, then fussed over primping from dawn.
Yet here they were, not even greeting the assistant they'd professed to miss endlessly.
It was blatantly rude, so Deneb tapped their backs.
"It's been a long time, Assistant."
"Glad to see you're well."
After a couple of prompts, the twins offered polite greetings—elegant enough that even an etiquette teacher couldn't find fault.
It wasn't something anyone could learn; it was the refined poise innate to 'nobility,' honed from birth.
"Ah, yes. Good to see you. It's been ages."
"It has."
"Yes."
They were probably holding back because Deneb was there.
Siwoo was happy to see them but slightly thrown by the excessive distance.
Deneb spoke up once the greetings were done.
"The twins threw such a fit about seeing you that I brought them along on official business. They plan to stay here about four days."
"Pardon?"
"I was going to book a separate room, but... since I'll be around too, it shouldn't be an issue. I'll pay ample for their stay."
"Yes, but is that really okay?"
"Okay? What do you mean?"
Siwoo explained why he'd been so surprised.
"The present world is dangerous, isn't it? Exiles, homunculi, all sorts of things..."
That was it.
He knew full well how much Albireo and Deneb worried about and loved the twins.
So it was hard to understand taking the risk of an outing to the present world just to indulge their stubbornness.
"Living here full-time might be one thing, but the present world isn't a total lawless zone. Your case is special circumstances piling up, so it might be riskier, but plenty of exiles raise apprentice witches here."
In short, accompanying an apprentice witch to the present world was like the danger of wandering foreign streets late at night—not like touring a third-world warzone.
That was Deneb's added explanation.
"If you could take the twins sightseeing once it's light out, I'd appreciate it. I'll be too busy to join. Gaining experiences like this is important for apprentice witches."
"Yes, got it."
"And come out for a moment? Odile, Odette."
"Yes, Master."
"You two behave and wait here—no playing around."
"Yes."
Leaving the twins—who responded more calmly than Siwoo had ever seen—Deneb and Siwoo headed up to the rooftop for a bit.
A harsh wind and rain still blew, but with a gesture from Deneb, a thin barrier formed, blocking it all.
"Smoke?"
"Yes, please."
"Shall we chat over a cigarette?"
Deneb naturally placed a cigarette in her lips, and Siwoo lit up after turning away.
The smoke he exhaled billowed and scattered fiercely in the gusts.
The beautiful Deneb began the conversation with a deep sigh.
"How's present-world life treating you?"
"Not entirely trouble-free, but thanks to all your considerations, it's livable. That ring you gave me has been a huge help too."
"Good to hear. Honestly, I wanted you to stay in Gehenna. Things would've been chaotic if something went wrong."
Her last memory of Deneb was her angrily confronting him over Odile's boyfriend revelation (or so she believed), so this was more amicable than Siwoo expected.
"No, I was the one who stubbornly insisted on leaving."
"...Actually, I heard from Albireo later. That you were half-forced out."
"Ah, that..."
"I'm sorry."
She must not have heard the full reason for his expulsion, as Deneb seemed composed.
After a pause, she asked,
"What's your relationship with the woman you're living with?"
Siwoo hesitated at the sudden question.
He wasn't sure exactly how to define it.
"Sorry for bringing her home without permission."
"Siwoo, I'm not here to scold you."
"...Friends. Circumstances just aligned, and we ended up living together."
Deneb pondered Siwoo's answer briefly.
"So, not officially dating or lovers or anything?"
"Yes."
He debated adding 'not yet,' but let it go.
Deneb's expression grew even more troubled.
In truth, Deneb had a lot on her mind.
She'd never had a deep relationship with a man, but she had life experience.
Recalling the twins' reaction upon seeing Siwoo, she felt something.
The twins' fondness for Siwoo was obvious—no proof needed.
In Deneb's view, Siwoo was a fine man she could gladly approve for a deep bond with Odile or Odette someday.
As a spirit now, there'd be no lifespan worries on his end; they could be lifelong partners.
But the countess family hadn't trusted him and acted rashly...
'Drove him away,' 'robbed the twins of a chance at a good relationship,' 'that chance might've gone to another witch.'
It made her feel she'd done him wrong again, and she had no face to show the twins.
Of course, she had zero intention of allowing reckless fraternizing that could endanger an apprentice witch's safety.
That'd be like letting the twins play with live grenades.
But beyond that—
Like letting the twins spend cozy time with Siwoo to leave a good impression.
Build fond memories so even if separated for a while, he'd remember them.
She planned to handle it that way.
"I'll be too busy to stay by the twins' side long. Take good care of them, Siwoo."
"Pardon?"
"Wouldn't want to cramp your reunion."
"No, Odile and Odette would enjoy time with you, Countess Deneb."
Deneb was satisfied with his response.
If he'd been a man full of ulterior motives, he wouldn't pass up alone time with the twins.
Deneb admitted her judgment had been clouded that day by shock over Odile having a boyfriend.
A man who'd risked his life for others twice wouldn't be so pathetic as to carelessly ruin the twins.
"I've sent gifts for the twins—make sure they use them well. I'll be at a nearby hotel, so call this number if needed. Oh, tell the twins I had urgent business and left first?"
"Yes, understood."
Deneb handed her card to the dazed Siwoo and headed down the stairs first.