Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Sticky Awakening
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*
The faint clamor filtering through the closed window gently roused me from sleep. The carriage, which had been jolting along sporadically, had come to a complete halt without a twitch. It seemed we'd arrived at the castle.
I yawned silently and raised my hand to rub my sleepy eyes, only to freeze as it felt caught—gripped by something. A shiver ran down my shoulders.
'...What the?'
An ominous chill raised the hairs all over my body. The drowsiness vanished in an instant as I turned to look beside me. The elf was clutching my wrist, refusing to let go.
"Ah, haang. Master... suddenly like this, right here..."
The problem was the location of my hand—inside the elf's panties.
'Huh? What...?'
Freshly awakened, my brain struggled to process the situation. Why was my hand inside the elf's panties? And she wasn't just leaving it there, either.
"Hnng, masteerr... please stop teasing meee..."
She moved my hand up and down, deliberately rubbing my fingers against her folds. In the process, I felt a small protrusion catch on the tip of my finger.
It was strangely slick yet soft and moist. As I pondered what it could be, a low realization dawned, making my pores prickle.
'Clit?'
I'd read about it once in a book called *Lewd Hobgoblin Maid*. The clitoris was a female erectile organ similar to the male penis, existing solely for pleasure.
Which meant this elf was using my hand as a masturbation toy right now. And at the very moment the carriage had stopped, no less.
'You devious elf...!'
This had to be revenge for falling asleep without giving her a proper scolding in the carriage. The intent was so blatant it sent chills down my spine.
I tried desperately to pull my hand free, but her grip on my wrist was ironclad. Trapped with no escape, I was silently screaming inside when—
*Knock knock.* The sound made my nerves fray twice over.
"Your Excellency the Regent. We've paused at the drawbridge for a moment. I think you should come out..."
Marhan opened the door as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and his expression hardened. From his perspective, I must have looked like a childish noble fumbling around inside an elf's panties.
But this was a huge misunderstanding! I opened my mouth to explain, but the elf beat me to it with a sultry moan.
"Hyaang. Master... if you keep this up, your vulgar sow is going to feel it allll..."
A flicker of disgust crossed Marhan's frozen face. He glanced back and forth between me and the elf before muttering uneasily.
"Well, relieving your urges is fine, but couldn't you show a little restraint? This sort of thing is better done in private quarters, at night rather than in broad daylight outdoors..."
"I-it's a misunderstanding! This isn't something I—"
"It's alright. I can keep a secret. Your discretion is assured."
His words were utterly flat. Those rotten eyes, viewing me as a complete lecher, felt like a nail driven into my heart.
At a loss for a good excuse, I stood there dumbfounded, and Marhan took a couple of steps back.
"More importantly, we should disembark. Someone is waiting for Your Excellency the Regent."
"Ah, right."
As I answered, I glanced at the elf, who finally released my wrist as if that was enough. The playful smile tugging at her lips made it clear this was all intentional.
'Damn it.'
Rage bubbled up, but there was nothing I could do right now. I withdrew my hand from her panties and roughly wiped the sticky love juices clinging to my fingers with a handkerchief.
I tucked the handkerchief away and stepped out of the carriage, where a handsome man on horseback greeted me.
"Brother-in-law!"
Dressed in a loose tunic with his golden hair tousled and unkempt, his boisterous personality belonged to Essili's older brother and the count family's second son—Fred, who had written me a letter just days ago.
Pleased to see him, I strode forward and bowed in greeting.
"Young Master Fred! It's been too long."
"Haha, none of that 'young master' nonsense. Just call me brother-in-law. You're about to marry my little sister, after all."
"I'm grateful for the offer, but the wedding hasn't happened yet. I wouldn't want to be rude to the Felgar Count family."
"You're as stuffy as ever. That's one of the things I like about you, though."
I returned Fred's refreshing smile with one of my own.
"But what brings you out here, Young Master?"
"I was out blowing off some steam around these parts when I heard you were coming, so I turned my horse around. Plus, I had a message to pass along."
"A message?"
"There's a small welcome gathering at the annex tonight. It's your first time taking on the regent role—a milestone, right?"
A welcome gathering? That was too much for me.
"There's no need for that... I'm only staying about a week, after all."
"Don't refuse. Father insisted on treating you with the utmost hospitality. Remember that both he and I sympathize with you, a young man saddled with such heavy responsibility, and we're rooting for you. If you need any help, just say the word. And... "
Fred glanced around cautiously before leaning in to whisper.
"That goes for your love life, too. I've lived a bit longer than you, so I can offer some heartfelt advice. No need to feel burdened. You get what I mean?"
"Ah, yes. I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. I'm the kind of guy who thinks it's okay to hand my sister over to you. Honestly, you're the one who seems a bit too good for her. Of course, don't tell Essili that. She holds grudges longer than you'd think."
Fred chuckled softly as he straightened up. I really appreciated his straightforward, unpretentious attitude.
"I'll remember. By the way, where's Essili...?"
No sooner had I spoken than a white horse galloped up from behind. Atop it, sitting sidesaddle with her legs to one side, was Essili, her snowy mane whipping in the wind.
Seeing her radiant golden hair fluttering in the breeze melted away my worries. As she drew near, Essili pulled the reins with a pouty expression and shot Fred a haughty look.
"Brother! You said you'd teach me to ride, then you dash off ahead? I had to search forever when you vanished from sight."
"It wasn't on purpose. Cool off a bit."
"How could I not get mad? If you wanted to race, you should've taken the knights instead of me..."
Noticing the presence late, Essili turned mid-sentence to face me. Her sea-blue eyes widened, and her lips parted slightly.
"Sir Theorad?"
Her adorable reaction brought a smile to my face unbidden. But I couldn't let my guard down.
"..."
I could feel the elf's piercing gaze boring into me from behind ever since earlier...
I'd never realized someone else's stare could feel this intensely sharp.
I wasn't sure when the elf had gotten out of the carriage, but it made my back prickle.
Still, there was no need to react. Showing any more impropriety in front of Essili would ruin my standing irreparably.
Besides, I genuinely liked Essili. I wasn't sure if it was love, but seeing her always filled me with contentment, making my days brighter.
I didn't want to lose that. I wouldn't let the elf wreck my relationships any further. Calming myself with effort, I looked up at Essili.
"It's been a while, Lady Essili."
"Yes. But..."
She replied hesitantly, her gaze shifting to the elf behind me. I sidestepped slightly to glare at the elf, who met Essili's eyes without flinching.
"Hiiing..."
She shrank back and pouted to feign fear, but her eyes stared straight at Essili.
"..."
An icy silence stretched on. Essili stared down at the elf with a perfectly emotionless expression—I couldn't even guess her thoughts.
"Sir Theorad."
After scrutinizing the elf for a while, her blue eyes turned to me. I startled as our gazes met, and she spoke in a subdued tone.
"You've brought that elf slave I saw before."
I didn't bring her, Essili!
I wanted to shout, but I swallowed it down.
"Y-yes. Have I done something improper?"
"No. I'm fine with it. I have no right to meddle in Sir Theorad bringing along a slave. We're not even married yet—I don't want to overstep."
Her matter-of-fact tone stung my heart. If only I could bare my true feelings.
As I suppressed my frustration and forced a smile through the winter chill, Fred burst into cheerful laughter and clapped his hands to lighten the mood.
"Haha! No matter how pretty that slave is, enough with the jealousy, Essili. It's embarrassing for brother-in-law and unbecoming."
"It's not jealousy. Why do you have such a narrow view, brother?"
"What do you mean 'no'? If you're going to lie, pull out a mirror and check your face first. The venom on it is something fierce."
"No, that's..."
A faint blush colored Essili's cheeks. She glanced at me, then covered her mouth and let out a soft cough.
"Anyway, Sir Theorad. There's a ball at the annex tonight. If it's alright, I'd like to invite you."
"Ah, Young Master Fred mentioned it. Unless something comes up, I'll be sure to attend."
"Great. Brother?"
Subtly, Essili nudged Fred's arm with her elbow. Taking the cue, he flashed a sly grin.
"She's shy with you here. We'll go for that walk now, so head inside the castle first and get the basics on your duties."
"Pardon? Weren't you going to handle the duties with me, Young Master?"
"Sorry about that. I've got no talent for governing. Hunting's more my speed—I like to keep my distance from family headaches. But don't worry. Marhan, who escorted you, will convey Father's instructions with utmost care."
"If that's how it is, then alright."
I placed a hand over my heart and bowed politely. Fred nodded.
"See you later."
Fred spurred his horse's flank. It neighed lightly and trotted past the carriage across the drawbridge. Essili followed after him.
Unlike Fred's rough, headlong riding, Essili handled her horse calmly and gracefully.
"Brother—! Stop messing around and slow down, I said!"
...Though it seemed Fred had the edge in skill.
"Your Excellency the Regent."
Lost gazing wistfully at the departing Essili, I heard Marhan approach and bow his head.
"I'll escort you into the castle now."
"Very well."
I glanced at the elf before climbing back into the carriage. She followed, settling into the seat beside me. Staring at her silent, forward gaze sent an inexplicable chill through me.
"..."
I was curious what Essili was thinking because I didn't know.
With the elf, I was scared because I didn't know...