Chapter 371
Chapter 371
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 371
Chapter Title: Hero (2)
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1.
Sitting on the sofa in the reception room, I smoked a cigarette with a restless heart.
The sun had already dipped well below the horizon, yet the countess who had gone to soothe Diana still hadn't returned.
From what Siu had observed so far, Countess Yesod's love for her daughter was downright terrifying.
The doting aura seeped into even her casual conversation like it was second nature, and he'd witnessed her endless daughter-bragging up close and personal.
Such a Countess Yesod had learned that Diana had been in danger.
Thanks to Diana's own suggestion, the story had been softened and downplayed from the actual events, and since Siu had been there, they'd avoided major fallout. Still, if you traced it back, taking Diana to Border Town was what started it all.
If Countess Yesod used that as an excuse to chew him out, Siu had no defense—even with ten mouths.
And so, he was chain-smoking to soothe his churning gut.
That's when the sharp click of high heels echoed through.
Her hair, usually tied up elegantly, was a touch disheveled, but Countess Yesod still exuded her unchanging poise.
"You're back?"
Siu quickly stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray and stood to greet her.
The countess looked utterly drained, like a surgeon after a marathon operation, and merely nodded in response to his bow.
Honestly, I was a bit scared.
The fury she'd shown upon hearing about Diana's assault had been bone-chilling.
"Shall we talk?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Without another word, she turned and led the way. Siu followed, fidgeting anxiously.
She wasn't her usual self.
No warm smile, no leisurely grace.
Since Siu was the one who'd saved Diana, he might dodge the full blast of her anger, but he couldn't rule out some add-on punishment like, "Your tutoring duties end here. Classes are over, obviously."
The place she led him to wasn't her private study.
It seemed to be the lounge in her bedroom. It looked almost identical to Diana's living room.
The similarities were obvious: top-dollar furniture everywhere and enough space for a family of four to live comfortably.
The differences? Fancier liquor bottles on display in the cabinet, and the furniture and carpets giving off a mature, antique vibe. The books crammed into shelves looked a notch more advanced, too.
"Care to chat?"
"Wouldn't dream of refusing."
The countess pulled out a bottle of liquor and two glasses, setting them on the table.
Siu half-rose to pour, but she waved him off and filled her own glass to the brim—nearly spilling over.
Then, without topping his off, she downed it in one go.
"Haa..."
Gauging her mood, Siu eased into the main topic.
Better to take the hit upfront—if this was a scolding, owning it first was smarter.
"I'm sorry. It was my negligence that put Miss Diana in danger. I'll be extra vigilant from now on to prevent anything like this."
Hands on knees, he bowed deeply and politely.
He'd rehearsed this mentally dozens of times while smoking—polished to perfection. Not just show; genuine remorse laced through it.
"It's fine. I'm not so foolish as to blame you over that. Especially since without you, it could've been far worse."
The countess accepted his apology with a long sigh.
She pressed a hand to her forehead like she was exhausted, but the worst-case scenario seemed averted.
"How's Miss Diana doing?"
"Better than expected. I checked on her—she was sleeping soundly. She's usually so timid, clinging only to me... but she's grown a bit more in that short time. Moments like this really stir up my heart."
With a wry smile, the countess poured into Siu's glass as well.
"Thank you, Siu. I heard that homunculus had seventeen eyes. You handled it cleaner than any witch lingering in Border Town."
"You're too kind. Just a good matchup, I suppose..."
"No injuries?"
"None. I'm good."
"Let me see."
Glass in hand, the countess rose and slid naturally onto the seat beside him—like it was her spot all along.
As she drew close, the sweet cream scent of her skin mingled with her musk-based perfume, dizzying his senses.
Her low-cut outfit exposed her slender neckline, and her soft voice amplified her signature, mesmerizing allure.
"Really, I'm fine. You don't have to—"
Setting her glass down, her pale hand seized his.
Warm, delicate fingertips coiled around his like a serpent, locking tight with no intention of release.
"No, you can't always tell with etheric bodies. They look fine on the outside but can glitch from disrupted tuning or composition."
"No, that's not it— I really didn't take a single hit..."
True story.
He'd just battered it one-sidedly.
But regardless, her actions flustered him.
She'd tossed light teases before—like playful jabs or tests—but instinct screamed this was different.
Today's vibe was incomparably thick, sticky.
"I won't believe it unless I see for myself."
One hand gripping his, the other stroking his thigh, she leaned in to whisper hot in his ear.
Each word brushed ticklish breaths along his skin.
Rich fragrance caressed his nose like an embrace.
Even an idiot could tell.
This was Countess Yesod making her move.
Not subtle like before—this was earnest, her body pressing forward in full temptation.
She'd always radiated that honey-dripping, exotic sensuality, like ripe fruit.
Now, with her sweet voice and those red lips parting, irresistible magic poured out.
-Rustle
With the soft shift of fabric, she parted her legs and straddled his lap delicately.
If they'd been naked, penetration wouldn't have been out of place.
The classic face-to-face sitting position.
"Countess, this isn't—"
"I just want to check your condition, Siu."
Doesn't feel like it...
He could've shoved her off easily—but his body wouldn't move.
Who knew he'd ever relate so hard to "Her mouth says no, but her body's honest?"
Especially with his already rock-hard erection buried in the plush cushion of her lower body.
"Oh my..."
Suit pants and underwear were no match for his full erection—mere tissue paper.
Her gaze flicked downward playfully.
She feels it all, huh.
Under that teasing, scolding stare, he averted his eyes without thinking.
Truth was, his discomfort wasn't just that.
Was it because Diana called her "Mother"?
Or because Countess Yesod called Diana "our daughter"?
Or her speech and style oozing mature femininity?
It felt like sneaking an affair while the husband was away.
Even giving her the benefit of the doubt, she seemed barely late twenties—yet felt every bit the married woman.
Thus, crushing guilt like he was the cheating lover—but he couldn't push her away.
Locking eyes with those orange irises sucked his soul right in.
This was force majeure.
Even the three sages would fold here.
Pathetic excuses for comfort.
"How is it? Any discomfort?"
Arms around his neck, she whispered from lip-brushing distance.
Her special "mature countess cushion"—now heavier—ground against the back of his rigid shaft.
Discomfort everywhere.
She gazed at his stiff, frozen form like it was adorable, unbuttoning his shirt one by one.
"Since you won't tell me, I'll have to check myself."
With each button undone, his healthy chest emerged.
Eyes gleaming, she pressed her warm palm to it.
"Your heart's racing too fast. Whatever could be the reason?"
A soft chuckle escaped her, cheeks flushing pink.
Not groping outright—teasing, feather-light strokes over his chest.
He wanted to wrap her tiny waist and crush his lips to hers right then.
Not just from inhaling her scent deeply.
The moment Siu could hold back no longer and leaned for a kiss—
"Ah...!"
She gasped in surprise and pulled away like fleeing.
"Ah."
"My apologies for the impropriety."
Half regret, half relief.
Turning her back, she tidied her hair and stretched languidly.
"Yawn... No issues with your etheric body, it seems. You can go now. Thanks again for today."
"Understood."
"Can we pause tutoring until Diana calms down?"
"Of course."
Her voice shed all sensuality, now rushed.
I overdid the resistance.
A countess like Lucy Yesod coming on this strong, and I showed no reaction—might've bruised her pride.
"Oh, I nearly forgot."
Heading toward what looked like her bedroom, she glanced back.
"Private lessons will continue as usual. Time... midnight? My schedule's packed."
Seducing first.
When Siu wavered toward yes, she cuts it sharp and stands—seemed like a feint.
Now shifting tutoring to late night, leaving room for more.
Everything felt hazy.
2.
Countess Yesod shut her bedroom door and immediately filled the attached dry tub to the brim.
She untied the waist cinch wrapping her dress like packaging, then slid off her garter belt holding up her stockings.
Peeling off her panties down those porcelain-smooth legs.
Pinching her panties between fingers like tongs, she examined them.
"My, how embarrassing..."
The white lace-and-ribbon panties were mortifying, just as she said.
Barely a faint stain outside, but the inside was soaked through.
The reason was scorchingly humiliating.
While straddling and teasing him, sticky honey had poured from Lucy's secret garden.
It dribbled down her thighs the moment she removed them.
She dipped a toe in to test the water, then slipped inside smoothly.
"Haa..."
Only now did her pent-up sigh escape fully.
Truth be told, she'd planned to bring him to her bed tonight.
No ulterior motives.
Just repaying the diligent young man who played well with Diana—and saved her—with heartfelt gratitude.
What does a man in his prime crave most?
Siu's interest in her body was obvious.
Recall the illegal parking fiasco from their last private session.
She'd tailored the "gift" to that mishap—no other personal feelings.
None at all...
Or barely any?
But Siu, clearly a virgin at first glance, needed an older woman's skilled lead. She provided it.
He'd nearly fallen.
When she abruptly stood, he was seconds from kissing her.
In her smooth plan, the sudden retreat happened because his grinding hardness turned her secret garden into a rain-soaked mess.
Even if he hadn't noticed midway, it'd have left an embarrassing stain on his pants.
No matter that she'd initiated—no way she wanted to show such immodesty at their first tryst.
A countess drenched before even a kiss?
No lady wants to plant that steamy image.
"Tch..."
But tonight wasn't the only chance.
Opportunities aplenty ahead.
Next time, she'd repay that debt for sure, the countess vowed.