Chapter 403
Chapter 403
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 403
Chapter Title: Overlooked (2)
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“Ugh…!”
Fluffy sunlight filtered in.
Pressing against the back of his head was a pillow stuffed generously with duck feathers.
A blanket draped up to his chest, cradling a handful of warmth from the fireplace.
Incredibly comfortable.
The only drawback was the sunlight streaming through the window bars, stinging eyes that hadn’t seen light in ages.
But it was cozy, warm sunlight.
His mind, drifting back toward sleep like one intoxicated by deep slumber, cleared sharply as if doused with cold water.
Countless unresolved problems flooded his thoughts, making it impossible to linger in that hazy half-sleep.
“Si-woo!”
““Assistant!””
Before his eyes could adjust to the blinding light, four voices rang in his ears.
Two slightly small hands gripped his left.
One hand on his right.
Trembling touches he wanted to clasp tightly, yet couldn’t bear to shatter.
He didn’t even need to open his eyes.
He would have recognized them even without the voices.
The twins and Sharon.
“If you were going somewhere, you should’ve at least told me!”
“Assistant…! You’re awful! The worst!”
“Exactly! So heartless! Vanishing all the time and pulling stunts that could get you killed!”
Blinking through heavy eyelids, he saw Sharon and the twins, eyes brimming with tears.
Sharon was on the verge of outright sobbing, while the twins were half-climbing onto the bed, barely restraining themselves from throwing their arms around him.
Knowing their furious scolding stemmed purely from worry,
Si-woo started to offer some apology.
“S-sorry, cough…!”
His throat was parched from lying silent for so long.
At the sight, Sharon and the twins lunged for the water pitcher on the nightstand in unison.
It was the fervor of a base runner sliding into home.
“Here, drink!”
“L-let me give it to you!”
“Assistant, be honest—don’t you want my water the most?”
“Thank you. Thanks.”
They synced up like triplets now, somehow.
Si-woo accepted the glass in a daze, watching their overly synchronized breaths.
Didn’t they used to bicker a bit…?
“No matter how I look at it, you need a good scolding!”
“Sharon’s right!”
“Sharon’s totally right!”
Si-woo, who had been comatose, had no way of knowing.
But Sharon and the twins had bonded in a strange camaraderie, keeping vigil by his bedside.
They’d even cleared up past misunderstandings and exchanged promises.
Once he meekly drank the water, Sharon’s lecture began.
“Are you in your right mind? You knew full well you’d die if you went… What are we supposed to do without you…!”
“Right! Do you know how anxious we were for the three days waiting for you to wake?”
“We couldn’t even sleep properly—just sat here waiting for you!”
Glancing around, he spotted a small bed and a larger one beside his curtained canopy bed.
The small one was probably Sharon’s.
The big one for the twins.
They’d nursed him devotedly until he woke.
“I-I’m sorry…”
“Sorry doesn’t…!”
““Cut it…!””
But the shouting didn’t last.
The twins and Sharon piled onto him in a group hug.
Floral scents enveloped his nose softly.
They gripped his hands tight or nuzzled his cheeks as they spoke.
“From now on… never pull another reckless stunt like that…”
“Assistant, I’ll admit it was kinda impressive… but no more, okay?”
“Assistant, we’re scared you’ll go before we even inherit… before we can…”
Heartfelt worry spilling through choked sobs, warm welcomes.
Si-woo’s nose stung too.
The embrace of these precious people—ones he’d thought lost forever—felt warmer than ever.
But he couldn’t just melt into it carefree.
A nagging weight tugged at his heart.
He’d risked death against Bianca to save Takasho, ultimately.
Yet despite playing along with every scheme, he’d failed to protect him.
Takasho, who’d endured hellish torture for Si-woo’s sake.
“Sharon… did you happen to see Ta…?”
His throat tightened.
He couldn’t bring himself to ask if they’d found the body.
That would confirm Takasho’s death.
As he hesitated, the door swung open.
An unbelievable figure entered.
“Hey, Shin Si-woo. Awake at last, huh?”
On crutches, arms in casts and bandages, but still boasting that healthy bronze skin—Mimaya Takasho.
Si-woo’s old friend.
2.
After getting ten minutes from the twins and Sharon,
Si-woo bolted upright and hugged Takasho, tears streaming hot.
Takasho, whom he’d never seen cry real tears in his life, had red-rimmed eyes too.
“H-how are you alive? You’re really Takasho, right?”
“Heh, can’t you tell? When Gehenna’s top beauty Takako gets rescued by Prince Charming Shin Si-woo on his white steed, how could I just flop over and die?”
Unbelievable.
Bianca treated humans like bugs—he’d assumed she’d kill the hostage the moment his value dropped.
“Weren’t you turned into Swiss cheese?”
“Holes? Yeah, she punched ‘em. If that psycho bitch was gonna drill holes, one down below would’ve sufficed—but no, she had to make three.”
Takasho shuddered at the memory, chills visibly prickling his skin.
Si-woo’s wide-eyed How? prompted a shrug.
“Still, I was Periwinkle’s business partner, right? She just introduced me to some connections, but lent me an artifact. On condition I return it after.”
Right.
Takasho’s trip to the mortal world was originally to seal a supply deal arranged by Periwinkle.
He went on about Periwinkle’s profound wisdom and thoughtfulness.
A bit exaggerated and jokey, but the massive favor was real.
Three gaping holes in his body, brined in seawater for over an hour—and alive?
Nothing short of a “miracle” from the clover.
“Anyway, thanks again, friend. Truly.”
“Dude… you got caught because of me…”
“Why’s that on you? Blame the magnetic charm of this body that enchants every witch.”
Takasho flashed sturdy teeth in a grin; Si-woo smiled back.
“Oh, and I’ve got good news.”
“What?”
Takasho shut his eyes dramatically, like announcing something grave.
His breaths quickened with excitement, eyelids twitching.
“I… can get it… up.”
“Huh…?”
“Morning wood. Today.”
Indeed, as weighty as the buildup suggested.
Even after Bianca crushed his balls, Takasho’s erectile and ejaculatory functions were fine.
Si-woo clasped his hand firmly, sincerely congratulating the true revival.
“You’re one tough bastard.”
“Took you this long to figure it out?”
3.
“Si-woo’s always stirring up trouble…”
After reuniting with Sharon, the twins, and Takasho, next up was Albireo, his mother-in-law.
Ranked second among those he’d feel most guilty facing after barely surviving the fight.
For the record, first was Deneb.
“How does everywhere you go turn into a disaster? Water Jar Witch, Cowardice Witch, homunculus fiasco, and now the Witch of Desire…”
Albireo’s reaction went beyond scolding—pure incredulity.
All in under two years. Mind-boggling.
How twisted could one’s fate be?
“I’m deeply ashamed…”
Si-woo sat primly, knees together, bracing for full prostration.
Truth be told, her knowing about him and the twins’ backdoor relations jacked up the interpersonal difficulty alone.
Plus, the letter of credit handed to Flora Arabesque for the cloak order.
He hadn’t heard yet how much gold it drained.
But seeing Flora’s gleeful cackle, he knew it wasn’t peanuts— he’d braced himself.
Hence the awkwardness of this tête-à-tête.
“I acknowledge Si-woo as our family’s benefactor, and this rampage was a noble act to save your friend.”
“Thank you for seeing it that way.”
“But blowing over twice the promised amount so casually… even you can’t just skate by.”
“T-twice…?”
“Precisely 2.74 times.”
Astonishing.
He hadn’t tallied it exactly, but around 100 billion?
No small sum by any means…
“Uh, exactly how much?”
“Originally, 100 billion every five years. Specifically, while waiting in the mortal world for the twins’ inheritance. Whether that pledge still holds meaning… I’m a tad skeptical now.”
So, 274 billion on one outfit.
Si-woo’s vision darkened.
Visions of slaving for House Jemernai his whole life flashed vividly.
Couldn’t exactly say, Please consider it prepayment for 15 years… conscience wouldn’t allow.
Half of that would still require winning the lottery ten times over—and more.
“You’re in debt, Si-woo.”
“I’ll bear it.”
Si-woo closed his eyes, awaiting judgment.
As he tensed for her next words, a chuckle escaped.
Opening his eyes, he saw Albireo covering her mouth, laughing.
“No more incidents like this. Don’t make us worry.”
Her saintly response swelled his chest.
“Really? That’s… all?”
“Of course not. A proper bourgeois life means clutching every coin—no squandering.”
“Ugh…”
Words failed; he bowed his head.
Albireo giggled at his abashed look.
He knew it was a joke, yet couldn’t retort.
She exploited that, tossing teasing barbs whenever dealing with him.
All counts got similar personalities?
“In return, cherish the twins plenty. Not just Sharon.”
Her cheeky advice, slipped in casually.
Si-woo—the daughter thief, twin-daughter philanderer—had no rebuttal.
“I’ll serve them with all I have.”
“Such a spirited reply. Oh, Si-woo. You passed out from severe mana depletion, but lay there three days. Don’t go gallivanting—rest up for now.”
“Yes, understood.”
Albireo waved him out, resuming her pen.
She’d been handling official duties even as he entered.
Rich folks don’t get there by chance.
“Ah, where’s Master, by chance?”
Eloa must have rushed like the wind upon hearing he’d collapsed.
He’d been about to seek her out, her absence nagging.
“Duke Tiphereth is…”
—Bang!
Before Albireo could finish, the door flew open as if about to collapse.
In strode Eloa Tiphereth, Duke.
Si-woo’s master.