Chapter 613
Chapter 613
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 613
Chapter Title: Deneb's Melancholy (8)
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A little rewind in time—to last week.
This is the story of when Deneb went to visit Lucy.
Deneb followed Countess Lucy's guidance into the magic tool storeroom of the Yesod estate.
Though it couldn't compare to the Gemernai Count Family's main business stockpile, the warehouse was filled with all sorts of rare items, evoking images of the curtained-back area of an auction house or a museum's relic vault.
"Why did you suddenly bring me here?"
"Because there's something I wanted to show you."
Lucy said that and pulled aside a white cloth covering.
What emerged beneath it was a standing full-body mirror extravagantly adorned with gold and jewels.
It was clearly an antique that bordered on cultural treasure status.
A mirror so beautiful it seemed like presenting it to the queen could earn her a title and territory—but of course, it wasn't merely a luxury item.
Because even standing right in front of it, Deneb's reflection didn't appear on the mirror's smooth surface.
All that was visible were the shelves stacked with various items behind her and the white cloths draped over the magic tools.
That much confirmed it was an artifact.
"What kind of artifact is this?"
"Would you mind standing there for a moment?"
Once Lucy stood in front of the mirror opposite her, an image finally began to reflect.
But what stared back with slightly raised eyes wasn't Deneb—it was Lucy.
A humming sound of mana filled the air as light scattered.
As Deneb shielded her eyes from the blinding glare, Lucy stepped out from behind the mirror.
"This is the Mirror of Deception. An artifact that swaps appearances with the person facing you across the mirror. It has some tricky restrictions, but in exchange, it boasts perfect replication."
The calm voice that rang out wasn't Lucy's—it was Deneb's. And her appearance had transformed perfectly into Deneb's as well.
Deneb examined her own body.
She still wore the same clothes as before, but her body had become Lucy's.
"I see. But why show this to me?"
It was Deneb's first time trying transformation magic, even though she wasn't an exile or a criminal.
Even so, speaking in Lucy's voice, Deneb quickly regained her composure.
Witches were a race that dealt with transcendent phenomena by nature.
Polymorph magic to swap two people's appearances wasn't even worth mentioning in the annals of mysteries.
Just as she was marveling at the disguise's performance—indistinguishable even to the naked eye—Lucy suddenly approached.
"There's research scheduled for next week too."
"Research... with Si-woo?"
"Yes."
Lucy had thought Deneb would catch on immediately with a hint like that, but her perceptiveness was far duller than expected.
It meant her mind just didn't turn in that direction.
"You still don't get it?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Lucy, you're really oblivious."
Lucy grinned and gave another hint.
Deneb's jaw dropped at the sight of her own appearance and voice calling her "Lucy."
"Ah..."
That was it.
To any third party unaware of the mirror's existence, it would look like Deneb was addressing Lucy.
She had finally realized the purpose of this elaborate scheme.
"As I mentioned earlier, the Mirror of Deception has strict restrictions."
"First, you have to stand facing the person you want to transform into in front of the mirror. Both parties must swap appearances simultaneously, and if you stray more than a hundred steps from the mirror, the transformation releases."
"But you know the stricter the restrictions, the better the performance, right? Even if he takes off the eyepatch, he won't notice a thing. The magic's source isn't us—it's the mirror."
"R-right now... you don't mean...?"
"Exactly. Deneb stands in for me in next week's research."
This was Lucy's special cure for lovesickness: swapping appearances and sleeping with him.
"I can't do that! Lucy! Are you insane?"
Naturally, Deneb jumped back.
Lucy's proposal sounded so temptingly sweet that she shouted even louder to reject the part of herself that was tempted.
"That's not the issue I'm worried about! This is wrong!"
"What's so wrong about it?"
"W-well, obviously! Deceiving your son-in-law and sleeping with him... there's no way that could be allowed..."
"Deneb... but... it's agonizing."
Lucy's single remark silenced Deneb.
It was too alluring a proposition, pushing aside all other concerns.
She had thought she'd never again feel his bare skin against hers, but now she could return to his embrace.
She could kiss him, receive his passionate love.
"It's not particularly bad. If Si-woo doesn't notice, it's as if it never happened. Hear me out."
Lucy's fervent persuasion tickled the ears of Deneb, who was already wavering like a reed.
Even knowing it was wrong, the years of endurance Deneb had suffered had weakened her resolve.
At this point, curiosity stirred in Deneb too.
"Lucy, not that I doubt your sincerity, but why help me like this?"
"Because I need it too."
Lucy answered.
Inheriting the brand through intercourse with Si-woo.
For that, she needed a sample from another witch who had an apprentice witch.
"In other words, sex while body-swapped poses no issue for Si-woo and resolves our predicaments simultaneously."
Even after hearing Lucy's persuasion, Deneb hesitated for a long while.
Actually, she wasn't hesitating.
She already wanted to accept the proposal but was pretending to waver.
"...Alright, let's hear the detailed plan."
And so, the secret pact between Lucy and Deneb was sealed.
The plan proceeded smoothly.
Deneb in Lucy's form and Lucy in Deneb's form handed off the baton naturally.
Finally, Deneb and Si-woo were left alone in the bedroom.
The reason for going this far was that even mimicking speech perfectly might leave a lingering sense of incongruity.
If Lucy in Deneb's form exited in front of Si-woo, it would dispel suspicions more effectively.
Beyond that, they practiced distinguishing each other's speech patterns and habits. And in case he discerned Deneb's identity through her scent, she liberally applied Lucy's usual perfume.
Deep down, she knew her actions were wrong.
Her heart pounded with anxiety.
Deneb agonized over whether to call it off and leave even now.
But before she could steel herself, Si-woo seized the nape of her neck and pressed his lips to hers.
"Chup... Chuuup..."
It had been so long since she'd tasted Shin Si-woo's lips.
Rougher and coarser than a woman's, yet the softest part of a man's body without exaggeration.
Sense of betrayal and sin crept into her mind.
Her stiff body heated up, melting like spun sugar, and Deneb simply clung to Si-woo, entwining their tongues.
"Churup... Chuu..."
She had truly kissed him.
As if she'd downed an aphrodisiac, just the kiss made her lower body tingle and throb.
What made Deneb's head spin was his thick, fully erect member pressing firmly against her lower abdomen, as if proclaiming it would thrust all the way in—as if deliberately poking her smooth belly.
And unlike her slender fingers, his tool would reach those depths without issue.
"Haa... Haa... Si, Si-woo..."
She lamented.
She could already feel her underwear growing soaked.
How many nights had she caressed herself imagining this moment?
How many nights had she wept in frustration, realizing it was all futile fantasy?
But not anymore.
Just like in the fish tank back then, Shin Si-woo was right there—touchable, kissable.
"Huuup..."
Si-woo's nose buried into her crown, inhaling her scent deeply.
Deneb let out a short sigh.
She already knew what happened when he smelled her scent.
There was truly no turning back now.
"Countess Yesod, you've done something wrong to me, haven't you?"
"Pardon?"
His somehow sly smile made her heart sink.
Had he figured it out?
Had she let something suspicious slip?
But if so, why was he so blatantly inhaling her scent?
Did he know it was Deneb and still intend to embrace her?
A massive wave of agitation surged, laced with faint anticipation.
"You lied to me."
"...Pardon?"
"Doing it with me today holds no real value as research, does it?"
To cut to the chase—no, he hadn't.
He was merely pointing out the lie Deneb had told to keep him in the bedroom before the kiss.
"Uh? Y-yes, that's true..."
"You could've just said you wanted to do it with me, but you lied."
Yet ironically, Si-woo's words pierced another of Deneb's weaknesses.
The depravity of a mother-in-law lusting after her son-in-law, resorting to such deceit to secretly couple with him.
As if rebuking that, Si-woo's large hand gripped Deneb's rear firmly.
"Right?"
"Y-yes..."
"Since you lied, you need to be punished, don't you?"
"Punished...? What kind of...?"
She already knew what punishment he meant.
Si-woo and Lucy's usual play was rather intense SM.
Thus, during planning, Lucy had warned Deneb.
'Deneb, you must insist on gentle today no matter what. Otherwise...'
Otherwise, she'd end up in quite the miserable state.
And Deneb still lacked confidence to handle such extreme tastes.
"Yes, I... deserve punishment..."
But her lips uttered the opposite, twitching.
Soaked in desire to yield to him, she'd deceived Si-woo as he said.
If atoning by matching his tastes through this punishment was possible, she'd endure it—self-satisfying atonement that wouldn't reach him, perhaps.
"Then show me how you normally masturbate, and explain it step by step."
That was the punishment Si-woo imposed: expose her masturbation habits in detail.
A harsh penalty that blanked Deneb's mind.
As a noblewoman and great witch.
Deneb had cloaked herself lifelong in demure, chaste demeanor like a garment.
Si-woo's demand shredded that worldview, stripping her bare.
Not even allowed to lie on the bed, forced to stand in this awkward pose...
Shame and humiliation squeezed her eyes shut.
Yet what surprised Deneb was her excitement refusing to subside despite such perversion.
On the contrary, like the first bite of spicy food.
A stinging sensation—not unpleasant—prickled her lower belly.
"I'll... do it..."
Deneb nodded solemnly, her fingers delving into her already half-soaked panties.