A Deal with Her
Anxiety crept into my mind, and every step I took felt incredibly heavy.
...I had just entered the Serion family's villa—the very mansion where Seraphina was staying.
Remembering what she had done to me in this mansion just a few days ago, I knew that coming to meet her alone again was reckless and foolish.
But with the strange abnormality that had occurred in my body, I had no choice but to seek her out once more.
First of all, for some unknown reason, I had become completely unable to express what Seraphina had done to me in any way.
Speaking of it was out of the question, and even writing it down was impossible. I wondered if there might be another way using magic, but every attempt had failed.
Still, I had one guess as to why I had ended up like this.
It was the necklace Seraphina had placed around my neck.
Honestly, I was shocked when I first discovered it.
Because until I consciously remembered that I was wearing it, I couldn't even perceive its existence right before my eyes.
Anyway, the moment I noticed the necklace, I grabbed it with both hands and yanked as if to tear it off, but it was useless.
No matter how much strength or magic I used, it wouldn't budge, as if it had been a part of my neck from the very beginning.
It was difficult to even perceive without conscious effort, and removing it by my own power was impossible.
It seemed to be a magic tool imbued with some special power, or perhaps Seraphina had done something extra to it.
In this state, I wouldn't even be able to explain it to Lilit, and if I was unlucky, it might lead to strange misunderstandings.
Ultimately, this was a problem I couldn't solve on my own.
That was why I decided to visit Seraphina's mansion alone once more, taking advantage of the window before Lilit returned to the academy.
And now, I sat alone in the drawing room, waiting for the master of this mansion and family.
"Ah... Rofel, my beloved.
I am truly glad to meet you again like this.
I was actually planning to seek you out first, but you have saved me the trouble."
As if to prove her words were true, Seraphina was dressed in outdoor attire, and there were traces of makeup on her face.
It seemed she had indeed been preparing to go out to find me.
She approached me closely, wearing an utterly shameless smile.
I couldn't help but be startled by her actions.
Normally, when receiving a guest in a drawing room, one would sit across the table from them. However, Seraphina sat right next to me on the sofa.
Furthermore, she placed one hand on my shoulder while gently stroking my knee with the other.
She brought her face so close to my ear that I could feel her breath and catch her scent right beside me.
"By the way, my beloved.
What brings you here today?
Could it be that you returned because you couldn't forget the thrilling experience engraved upon your body last time?
Fufu... If so, I would be delighted...♥
If you wish, it would not be a bad idea for you to stay here in this mansion with me forever.
Living together just the two of us, sharing a bed, spending the night naked together... fufu... I believe such a relationship would be quite wonderful...♥"
She spoke to me in a coaxing, sweet tone that was highly uncharacteristic of her.
Yet, because her voice remained that of the proud, chivalrous Seraphina Serion I knew, the cognitive dissonance was jarring.
All the while she spoke, her hands suggestively traced various parts of my body.
"T-That's not it...!
I'll get straight to the point.
Seraphina. What on earth... what did you do to my body...?"
I skipped the pleasantries and cut straight to the chase.
That was how serious and urgent I felt the situation to be.
"Ah... that.
I figured you would ask right away.
Well, I have no intention of playing innocent, so I shall answer.
Especially considering the 'deal' I wish to make with you, I would have had to explain it in detail eventually anyway."
With a swift movement of her hand, she pinned both of my arms with just one of hers and pushed me down onto the sofa.
I couldn't offer even a shred of resistance. Part of it was because it happened so fast, but for some reason, I couldn't even bring myself to choose the option of 'resisting' within my own mind.
"First, I cannot disclose the principles or the reasons behind it... but I can explain your current state in detail.
You cannot explain anything that happened between us, or anything I did to you, to anyone else unless I permit it.
Speaking of it is out of the question, and writing it down is equally impossible. I assume you have already tried, but even magic will not help you.
Furthermore, you will find yourself slightly unable to resist my actions.
Case in point, did you not fail to resist even a little just now when I pushed you down?
You may understand it as something like that."
Pinning both of my arms above my head with only one hand, Seraphina stroked my chin with her free hand as she spoke.
"...Why are you telling me this so willingly?
Is it because of the 'deal' you mentioned earlier?"
"Precisely.
After all, you are currently in a relationship with Lilit Tistina, are you not?
Out of consideration for your position, I will not touch you when you are with Lilit or when you have plans with her.
Additionally, if you wish, I can help conceal the relationship between you and me.
In other words, you may put your mind at ease while you are with her."
"...And what do I have to do in return?"
"It is simple. I only ask that you visit my mansion alone like this on days when you have no particular schedule.
As for the frequency... yes, at least four times a week.
I shall instruct the servants beforehand, so it does not matter even if I am not present when you arrive.
Of course, as for what will happen to you in this mansion afterward... I believe there is no need to explain...♥"
"And if I refuse?"
"Then I would have no choice, would I?
No matter what you are doing with Lilit, I shall visit you unannounced.
And I intend to use your current state to have my way with you.
Regardless of where it is, or what the situation may be.
In addition to that... well, I believe this explanation is sufficient, but do you require a more concrete example?"
"...No, that's enough."
Hearing her explanation, I thought to myself.
It's a trap. A clear trap.
Seraphina must be plotting something through this deal.
But even as I thought that, I couldn't think of any better alternative than accepting this deal.
To avoid raising Lilit's suspicions right now, and to buy myself any room to struggle against Seraphina... I had to accept.
"I'll accept the deal."
"A wise choice."
Afterward, I made an oath with Seraphina regarding the terms of the deal.
By dripping our blood onto a device she had prepared in advance, a binding force would be applied to our actions to ensure the fulfillment of the oath.
1. The subject shall visit the Serion mansion at least four times a week on days without prior engagements.
2. The contractor shall refrain from interfering with the subject's time spent with Lilit Tistina.
3. A binding constraint is placed upon the subject's speech and actions regarding all events transpired herein.
"By the way, Seraphina."
"Yes? What is it?"
"When... are you going to let me go?"
I was still pinned to the sofa by her hand. Even during the oath, she had cut my skin herself to draw the blood.
Now that the terms were confirmed, the oath was made, and I understood what had happened to my body, there was no reason for me to remain in her mansion.
I had planned to return immediately and figure out my next steps...
But Seraphina still hadn't released me.
"...Good grief. You truly are far too naive. Do you still not understand?"
"...What? What do you mean? You... wait... don't tell me...?"
"It is quite embarrassing to admit... but the night I spent without you felt terribly lonely.
I have come to understand what it means to feel a chill in one's side.
So, though it is sudden and I am sorry... I intend to soothe that sorrow right now...♥"
"W-Wait...! Stop...!"
She began to unbutton my clothes with her other hand.
Her movements were relentless; my chest was exposed in an instant, and the zipper of my pants was pulled down.
Overwhelmed by what she had done to my body and her sheer physical strength, I had no choice but to resign myself to my fate.
"...Seraphina. Let me ask you... just one more thing."
"Very well. Ask whatever you wish."
"Why... why are you doing this to me...?
You... you were more upright and chivalrous than anyone else...!
You resisted the unfairness of your father and those around you, and you proved your worth through your own abilities...
At least, the you I knew wasn't this kind of person...!
Did something happen to you? If so, please ask me for help!
If not, why did you suddenly change like this...!"
"...Ah. That..."
Her expression grew strangely wistful.
Though her lips curved upward, she didn't look like she was smiling at all.
She brought the hand that had been undressing me up to gently caress my face.
"...Listen closely, my lovely dear.