Chapter 230
Chapter 230
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 230
Chapter Title: People Trapped in the Past (6)
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Eloa's house didn't have a table, so their conversation took place at the kitchen table.
A bottle of whiskey and two glasses sat between them.
They both figured this setup would make talking easier, so they naturally started drinking.
Given how embarrassing the situation was for both of them, this seemed better than doing it sober.
"Ahem..."
"Ahem..."
Siu and Eloa downed two glasses each in rapid succession, without exchanging a single word.
Even getting caught masturbating would have been awkward enough, but he'd brazenly shown off the moment he'd creampied inside her. Even Siu had to admit it was pretty embarrassing.
Especially since this was happening less than an hour later, with an uninvited audience who hadn't even been called over...
"I'm sorry..."
Eloa spoke while fidgeting with the hem of her dress, gripping it and letting go repeatedly.
Her shoulders, usually held straight and proud, were hunched now, devoid of their usual vigor.
Her eyes, which always met Siu's directly, now swirled aimlessly above her glass.
"It's fine. I believe the Duchess didn't have any ill intentions."
"That's..."
"You thought there was an attack, right? That's why you brought the relic sword. You sensed I was in danger and came to help."
"Ah..."
The moment she heard Siu's words, Eloa felt like she'd been struck on the head.
The instant she'd sensed the mana fluctuations...
Eloa hadn't even considered the possibility of an attacker.
All she'd thought of was her suspicions about Siu.
She'd claimed to trust him outwardly, but the moment something strange happened, she'd been the first to look at him with doubt.
If not for that, she never would have snuck up on him like a cat.
"W-Wasn't that it...?"
Siu had handed her the perfect opening for an excuse, but Eloa hesitated.
Watching her, Siu realized his guess had been a bit off.
"No."
Eloa bowed her head even lower, as if she felt even more ashamed.
"Then..."
Eloa finally managed to meet Siu's gaze.
Her eyes shook like tea leaves floating on steaming hot tea.
Only then did the rough outline click for Siu.
A vague suspicion solidified into fact.
"You didn't trust me."
"I'm sorry."
To be fair, he hadn't given Eloa any proper explanations until now.
Even though she'd vouched for his identity and he'd been training in martial arts, he'd thought he had at least a little trust...
"As you said, I was suspicious of you."
"I think it's justified. You already told me coming to the lower house was partly to keep an eye on me. I understand, but it leaves a bitter taste."
Rationally, Siu could understand Eloa's actions.
With her sole target for revenge dead (or missing), and Siu as the only remaining link, it made sense to watch him closely.
But emotionally, it was different.
Just half a day ago, Tiphereth had treated him to a fine meal and opened up about her pain, yet she was still viewing him through colored glasses...
Honestly, it was a bit of a shock.
"I'm sorry... I do trust you—or at least, I want to believe you."
"It's not easy. I hope the misunderstanding clears up someday."
"No. This time, it was my fault."
Eloa suddenly reached out.
She lightly brushed the back of Siu's hand—the one not holding a glass.
Not gripping it tightly, just a gentle touch.
"I lost my reason for a moment. I can't understand why I had such biased thoughts. I did something awful to you. I won't make excuses."
Eloa's restless emotions poured through unmistakably.
It might be a bit self-indulgent, but he could feel her desperate wish not to be hated.
"It's fine. I fully understand the Duchess's feelings."
Siu replied in a gentle tone and lightly covered Eloa's anxious hand with his own.
It was shocking, sure, but he had no intention of being harsh toward her.
No need to make her uncomfortable when she was already suffering enough.
"Could I have some more whiskey? I think I need to explain more."
At Siu's soft words, Eloa's expression, which had been on the verge of tears, eased a little.
"In exchange, please keep our conversation here strictly confidential."
"I swear on my name as Tiphereth."
What Siu told her was this:
For some reason, he could absorb mana through intercourse and amplify it before returning it.
Sharon's hierarchy had lowered due to incomplete succession.
To overcome it, they were engaging in regular intercourse as part of her treatment.
It was a string of embarrassingly frank exchanges, even as he said them.
"Is that true?"
As expected, Eloa blinked with wide eyes.
Then she muttered to herself, looking perplexed.
"I know men emit faint mana during ejaculation... but fluctuations strong enough to pierce a concealment barrier? What on earth could cause that...?"
Siu's answer was similar to his previous explanation.
Basically, "It's mysterious, right? I'm mysterious too. No idea why."
After all, Siu himself didn't know why it happened.
"I understand. So that's the connection. You don't know how it came to be that way?"
"Yes, as I said."
"Hmm... Alright, got it."
Eloa nodded with an expression that seemed half-understanding.
She took a sip of whiskey, then glanced at Siu cautiously.
"Then, I have something I want to say too..."
"Go ahead."
The sun had fully risen by now.
Morning light crept into the kitchen, tinting Eloa's cheeks red.
With a moment to calmly sort her thoughts, the image of the two entwined like copulating snakes sharpened in her mind.
"About what happened today... I mean, witnessing your healing session with Miss Evergreen... I want to apologize for that."
Mid-sentence, Eloa gave a wry smile, as if embarrassed.
"For some reason, I keep finding reasons to apologize to you."
"I'm not bothered, so it's fine. But Sharon... well, she's pretty upset."
"I'll go apologize to her properly."
"That might not be a good idea... I'll relay the apology for you."
"Is that so?"
Eloa tilted her head.
But she had no doubt it was the wiser choice.
If Eloa went to Sharon directly, she'd probably freak out and hate her even more.
No matter how she phrased it, it'd end up sounding like "Sorry for seeing you have sex."
Anyway, with the situation roughly explained, it was time to work on restoring Sharon's honor.
"On Sharon's behalf, let me say one thing... about that last line you heard. The one Sharon said."
"It really was an accident... I've already forgotten, so don't worry about it..."
Eloa, who had barely managed a smile, suddenly hung her head.
Deep down, she was glad she hadn't brought Sharon along.
Seeing that reaction, Sharon would have burst into tears and shattered a window to jump out.
The fact that she answered immediately without even specifying the words proved how deeply it was etched in her mind—and how mortifying it was.
"I told her to say that."
So Siu declared confidently.
He'd decided to take some of the shame aimed at Sharon onto himself.
Eloa's eyes widened dramatically, shaking wildly.
"Y-You... that vulgar line—no, slip of the tongue... You're saying you instructed her to say that embarrassing line?"
"Yes."
He debated adding "because it turned me on," but held back.
If Sharon saw him sacrificing himself to shield her from shame, wouldn't she shed tears of gratitude?
But it was more embarrassing than he'd imagined.
Now, to Eloa, he'd look like a shameless pervert who made women say lewd lines during sex.
Eloa showed a flicker of surprise, then smiled.
Was smiling the right reaction here?
Siu had expected contempt or at least awkward distance, so it threw him off.
"You're no good at lying."
"Huh? It's not a lie."
"I see."
Eloa grinned, seeing right through it, and stood up.
"Go console her. As you said, me going would just make things awkward. But promise me you'll keep this quiet. And tell her I'm sorry."
"Got it. And sorry, but next time you visit... could you use the doorbell instead of the balcony?"
"I promise I will."
Eloa extended her pinky finger toward Siu.
Siu stared blankly at it.
It was a childish gesture, unlike anything he'd seen from Duchess Tiphereth.
Noticing his reaction, Eloa came to her senses and slyly withdrew her hand.
"Sorry. Rafi and I always promised like this..."
"No, it's fine. Pinky promise."
Their fingers intertwined firmly.
Even after Siu left, Eloa continued sipping alone.
The witch world was full of bizarre and mysterious events, but he was especially unique.
To think intercourse could copy mana, amplify it into pure form, and revive an incomplete stigma...
"Still..."
Eloa had devoted her entire life to honing her magic.
After Rafi's death, she'd charged forward solely for her wish and revenge.
She'd given no attention to anything else, so seeing a man and woman coupled was a first for her.
Of course, she'd never done such things with a man herself.
In short, she was following the rigid life path of a stereotypical witch.
"Hmm..."
It had been a rather steamy scene.
The gap between textbook knowledge and the real thing had delivered quite the shock.
Was it the alcohol?
Normally, she'd brush off such vulgar memories immediately.
But today, it wasn't easy.
Eloa recalled Sharon and Siu merged on the bed.
Sharon on all fours, Siu half-pinning her from above.
His thick, massive member plunging between her legs stood out vividly.
It wasn't lust, per se.
Eloa had never felt desire for men or women.
What she felt was simple curiosity.
She was just amazed that something so large could fit into such a small opening—more than she'd imagined.
And Sharon's face, steeped in drug-like ecstasy.
Recalling how the innocent beauty's features twisted like a beast's...
What pleasure could make her lose herself so completely, oblivious to anyone approaching?
Eloa found herself pondering something she'd never wondered before.
"Enough."
Eloa tossed back her drink and shook her head.
Thinking further would be disrespectful to Miss Evergreen and Siu.
She resolved to forget today's memory.
"Hmmm..."
Eloa rested her chin, lost in thought again.
It seemed completely forgetting would be difficult.