Chapter 488
Chapter 488
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 488
Chapter Title: Charity Event (6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1.
The Witch of Luck, Periwinkle—whom Amelia had only heard about in rumors—was the most elegant beauty among all the witches Amelia had ever laid eyes on.
Refined black pearl earrings dangled nobly from both earlobes, and as if that weren't enough, she had three piercings through her cartilage.
Her slender fingers were adorned with several rings woven from different precious metals.
Bracelets that jingled like shaking a pouch of gold coins, and a dress sparkling with jewels—all shimmered in the dim candlelight.
Even decked out in so much jewelry, looking so lavish and flashy, she didn't come across as tacky at all. That was because the aura surrounding Periwinkle was incredibly luxurious and radiant.
As Amelia tensed up at the unexpected arrival of a formidable rival, Periwinkle scanned her up and down with a peculiar gaze.
"I've heard a lot of rumors about you. This is the first time meeting in person, though."
"Yes."
"I've got a custom order reserved too, so when I stop by next time, take good care of me."
"……."
Formal greetings.
Unlike Amelia, who was wary of Periwinkle seeming close to Si-woo, Periwinkle herself didn't think much of it.
Their relationship with Si-woo had always been a friends-with-benefits thing where they clicked perfectly in bed—not something she'd regret tossing a few clovers his way for.
To add a bit more, she was a kinky fwb who'd opened up her back door for him, nothing more, nothing less. She had no desire for anything deeper.
Especially since being tied down to anyone was something she absolutely despised.
Wasn't the best kind of relationship between a man and a woman one where you just took the sweet parts from each other?
She'd helped him out in various ways because his antics were so cute, after all.
"Anyway, you're as beautiful as the rumors say. Si-woo's got good taste, huh?"
Periwinkle's magic was incredibly unique.
The power to draw overwhelming luck to herself.
No witch stronger than Periwinkle could beat her, and even if the world ended, she'd survive with her ironclad fortune.
That trait made her completely carefree, ignoring counts or dukes alike.
And so, Periwinkle examined Amelia without a hint of intimidation.
"Hmm~"
The Malkuth Gallery was covered by a glass dome like a greenhouse, so it wasn't too cold even in the depths of winter.
Yet Amelia had wrapped herself tightly in her cloak, like a woman who'd dashed out naked with just a long padding coat thrown over.
Periwinkle, who knew all sorts of things, quickly pieced it together.
In short, she was in the middle of 'that' kind of play.
"My, my, how bold. You look like such a prim princess on the outside. Or is it your kink?"
"What are you talking about?"
Si-woo looked baffled, while Periwinkle finished grasping the situation.
Amelia, who'd been a bit excited moments ago, belatedly realized what kind of state she'd been in.
And instinctively sensed that Periwinkle had figured it out.
"Not your doing? I totally thought you'd ordered her to... You're more aggressive than you look?"
As that sly gaze roamed over her body, Amelia felt her hair stand on end.
Even if it was an event she'd prepared with Si-woo's tastes in mind, she was still aware that what she was doing was rather slutty.
Having a third party—not even Si-woo—catch her like this was the absolute worst scenario she'd imagined.
Cold sweat trickled down again, and her cheeks stiffened.
Preparing her resolve and revealing it in front of Si-woo felt entirely different from being exposed by someone else.
Amelia wanted to bolt from the spot right then and there.
If she'd known it'd turn out like this, she never should've set foot in that café.
Late regrets pounded at her chest.
Seeing Amelia pale as a ghost and Si-woo utterly confused, Periwinkle completed the picture.
"Well, well, looks like I've ended up being a bigger cockblock than I thought."
"You've been saying weird stuff since earlier."
Even if she meant nothing by it, Periwinkle's nature was to clap back at anyone throwing such provocative looks her way.
But today, she decided to wash her hands of it here.
Even if the other had voluntarily surrendered her baron's title, she was still 23rd Hierarchy.
No need to make enemies just because she lived carefree.
"Anyway, we'll settle the debt later. I'm off—my friend's waiting."
"Sure, see you around."
"Then, take care, Miss Merigold."
Periwinkle gave Amelia one last look, then winked and pressed a finger to her lips.
A gesture saying she'd keep quiet, no worries.
Amelia let out a sigh of relief, but a strange sense of defeat gripped her.
It was a total mess.
2.
The two left the café and resumed their stroll alone.
After hesitating, Amelia asked Si-woo,
"That woman earlier... she's the Witch of Luck, right?"
"Yeah, she's helped me out in a ton of ways."
The cool breeze cooled her head, allowing Amelia to belatedly mull over Periwinkle's words.
Phrases like 'We'll settle the debt later' and her prodding 'When are you gonna repay that favor?'
From the context, it seemed Si-woo had received major help from her and owed her big time.
"What kind of help?"
"Hmm, she saved me once when I was about to get jumped by a homunculus. Thanks to the elixirs she shared, I've saved my skin a few times, and she even helped out with a friend's business as a favor."
"She's someone you're... grateful to."
"Yeah."
Most witches were self-centered.
There were no witches who helped others without strings attached.
Especially not for merits like saving someone's life multiple times—no one would let that slide for free.
So what had Periwinkle demanded from Si-woo? That thought lingered.
And mixed in was unease about what else might've happened to make them seem so chummy.
Her heart couldn't settle.
"So, what did she ask for in return?"
Thinking of Si-woo's usual relationships with his lovers, she had a pretty good guess at the answer.
"That is..."
"You don't have to mince words."
"...We had sex a few times. It's over now."
The answer was just as expected.
She knew body and heart didn't always go together.
Sex and love weren't the same thing.
Sure, there was overlap, but sex without love existed—just look at Tarot Town's Velvet Brothel.
"Sorry I didn't mention it sooner."
Still, she couldn't help a twinge of jealousy.
Nor the burning competitive spirit, like with Sharon and the twins.
"Was it good?"
"...Pardon?"
Knowing it was slutty, she still asked.
Even if spat out in a huff, she couldn't shake off the embarrassment entirely, so her voice came out tiny, like a mosquito's buzz.
"When you were with her... was it good?"
It wasn't just about Periwinkle.
It encompassed Sharon, Odil and Odet, Tiphereth, Yesod Count—a broad question.
There were plenty of women around Si-woo besides Amelia.
From clashing with his other lovers so far, she'd realized her own relationships with him were modest, nothing special to boast about.
"Tell me everything. How you did it with them."
Her defiant tone matched the resolve returning to her once-weak voice.
Si-woo, caught off guard by Amelia straight-up asking such things,
met her increasingly clear gaze as she gathered her thoughts.
"I want to hear it. Really."
"……."
"But no lies."
"...Got it."
Amelia's questions weren't exactly reasonable.
They pried completely into his privacy.
But having many women he'd slept with around was a sore spot for Amelia and his other lovers alike.
That's why he hadn't bothered mentioning Periwinkle to Amelia, claiming it was over.
It was trashy behavior, cowardly too.
So he understood why Amelia might get mad, like the twins over the Yesod Count thing.
"First off... it was a bit forceful."
"Forceful..."
"I tied her up with my ribbon."
The awkwardness of spilling the details of his flings with other women.
And Amelia's ever-changing expressions were grating on him.
Right now, she looked deeply conflicted, like she was pondering his punishment.
"And then?"
Si-woo was at a loss for words for a moment.
He'd opened Periwinkle's back door.
But in front of Amelia, who was surprisingly innocent about sex, he couldn't bring himself to say it outright.
"In the... back."
"The back...?"
She wore the shocked expression he'd expected.
But she regained her composure far quicker than anticipated.
Instead, her face flushed as she spoke softly.
"You mean the hole in the back... right? Not the one we use...?"
"...Yes."
"And after?"
"I... spanked her butt. A lot. With my hand."
"Her butt? With your fist? Did she do something wrong?"
"No, not a fist. With my palm..."
Such spine-tingling conversations.
Spilling the beans on his romps with big sis Periwinkle without her consent felt iffy, but she'd understand.
She'd probably laugh her ass off at Si-woo's flustered state.
Having heard the full history of their encounters, Amelia clamped her mouth shut.
Her head was spinning.
Three days of mad, frenzied sex.
Not content with binding her and pounding both holes alternately until she passed out, he'd even forced her awake with his dick for more beastly fucking.
Amelia had tasted a fragment of it herself.
Kneeling before Si-woo, apologizing tearfully for dirtying the sheets.
Back then, she'd thought that was enough.
Even felt a bit proud inside.
"Once more, sorry for telling you so late..."
"……."
But learning the full truth, she realized her own efforts fell woefully short of what Si-woo craved.
Doubts arose simultaneously.
Why doesn't he do that to me?
Why doesn't he demand that from me?
Does he think I can't handle it?
Has he ever even been satisfied with me?
That thought made her lips pout involuntarily.
"Follow me."
Amelia glanced around.
She swiftly grabbed Si-woo's wrist and strode off.
Toward an empty alleyway.