Chapter 301
Chapter 301
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 301
Chapter Title: Private Affection
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Time passed, and evening came.
It was Han Cheon-seong's last dinner before leaving the infirmary.
Clatter, clatter...
The sound of utensils echoed throughout the room.
It wasn't loud, but it was a distinct noise. And among the sounds, Han Cheon-seong’s meal, in particular, unwittingly drew the attention of many.
It wasn't because of the noise.
It was just something anyone could sense.
He was purely happy just from eating dinner, and in fact, Han Cheon-seong was feeling a sense of ‘pure happiness.’
“...”
Glancing over, Karite blinked as she watched him.
They had eaten together in the infirmary quite a few times before, but today, Han Cheon-seong seemed very different.
‘Did something good happen to him?’
As she was thinking this.
“This is delicious.”
Thump.
Seeing him say it so naturally, Karite couldn't help but smile. And she wasn't the only one.
Adelia, Leonhardt, and even Isabelle, who were dining with them, had similar reactions.
Han Cheon-seong paused at their reactions and laughed awkwardly.
“You're all... staring at me. Is there something on my face?”
As he touched his cheeks and the corners of his mouth, they all shook their heads.
“No. It’s just that you seem to be in a particularly good mood, Cadet Han Cheon-seong. Did something good happen today?”
When Adelia asked naturally, Han Cheon-seong answered without hesitation.
“It’s not so much that something good happened, but dinner after training... just feels so delicious.”
He meant it literally as he speared another piece of steak with his fork.
At that, everyone's gaze naturally turned to Isabelle, who was nearby.
Everyone knew he had trained with her today. They wondered what kind of training she had put him through to elicit such a reaction, but...
Click.
Isabelle, having already finished her meal, simply met their gazes calmly. She offered no particular answer.
She just rose to her feet with a small smile.
“Then I will be waiting nearby.”
“...Sir Isabelle. You can wait inside, it's alright.”
“No. I am more comfortable waiting outside.”
Despite Adelia's consideration, Isabelle declined and stood, then naturally left her seat.
Afterward, one by one, they slowly finished their meals.
A generous amount of food had been served on the table, and even after everyone else had finished their satisfying meal, Han Cheon-seong was still engrossed in eating.
“Well then, I shall take my leave as well.”
“Alright.”
Next, Leonhardt left his seat, creating a rather peculiar situation.
As everyone finished eating and left one by one, only Han Cheon-seong remained, continuing his meal.
But there were three people left at the table.
Karite and Adelia were gazing intently at the eating Han Cheon-seong.
“...You two can go ahead. I'll clear the table.”
At their gazes, Han Cheon-seong laughed awkwardly, and both women smiled gently.
“No. Take your time. Erpe will clear the table, so don't worry about it.”
“I just... enjoy watching you eat.”
As Adelia and Karite gave their different answers, Han Cheon-seong gave a slight nod and continued eating.
As he finished his meal, a laugh escaped Han Cheon-seong's lips.
‘I suppose I must seem strange to them.’
Even to himself, the amount he was eating for dinner was abnormally larger than what he'd had for breakfast.
He was eating more than twice what he'd had this morning, but it felt like his body was demanding it.
—To take in more nutrients.
Perhaps that was why the food tasted so delicious when he was completely exhausted.
Munch, munch.
The satisfaction from the large piece of meat in his mouth, the rich harmony of flavors as he took a spoonful of creamy soup... he wondered if this was what happiness felt like.
Click.
Even as he placed his spoon down on the clean, empty plate, a great sense of fulfillment filled his heart.
“That was a wonderful meal.”
He felt like he'd overeaten, yet there was no discomfort.
It felt as if his body was digesting the food as soon as he ate it.
“Alright Erpe, clear the table immediately... And Cadet Han Cheon-seong.”
“Yes, Instructor Adelia.”
“Before you go back, I'd like to talk with you for a moment.”
At her gentle voice... Han Cheon-seong's gaze unconsciously shifted to Karite.
He originally had plans with her. They were supposed to take a short walk together after dinner...
But upon hearing Adelia's unexpected suggestion, Han Cheon-seong couldn't help but feel concerned about Karite.
That time was supposed to be spent with Karite, after all.
“I don't mind.”
“...Thank you, Karite. Then, Instructor Adelia, I will.”
As Karite replied with a considerate smile, Han Cheon-seong felt the situation was quite peculiar even as he answered.
“You had prior plans with Cadet Karite?”
When Han Cheon-seong nodded awkwardly, Adelia immediately turned to Karite to express her gratitude.
“Cadet Karite, I just have something brief to discuss with him, so it won't take long.”
“It's fine even if it takes a long time, Instructor Adelia.”
She gave a bright smile, but Karite didn't quite understand Adelia's true intentions.
***
Swish...
A curtain was drawn across the infirmary, partitioning the space within.
And Han Cheon-seong, now inside the curtained-off space, felt a strange mood settle over him.
Rustle.
He watched as Adelia naturally sat down on the sickbed where he had been sitting.
Her sophisticated appearance in her instructor's uniform was a reminder of her position.
—An instructor.
Yet her demeanor showed no hesitation at all. Her naturalness suddenly made him nervous.
Because he had a vague idea of what she was going to say.
!
In that moment, a subtle mana spread from Adelia's entire body, dominating the space, and he found himself asking.
“Did you block out the sound from outside?”
“That's right. Can you feel the mana now?”
“...Yes, it's faint, but I can feel that the nature of the mana is different.”
He swallowed hard as he answered.
She simply admitted to blocking the sound, but the atmosphere felt strange.
Normally, Adelia was gentle and had a unique aura that put others at ease, unlike other instructors.
And with her beautiful appearance and voluptuous figure, his eyes would often wander to her unconsciously. He had tried to stop being conscious of it, allowing him to face her calmly... but now, it was completely different.
Being alone with her like this, seeing her up close, her image changed entirely.
“Haaah...”
I didn't resist as she reached out her hand with a soft sigh.
Slowly.
Her soft hand soon enveloped mine.
“You know... it's such a shame.”
Her voice was different from when we were having dinner together just a moment ago.
To me, it sounded like she was pouting, which was unlike her.
“...Instructor Adelia.”
As I answered cautiously, her eyes clouded over as she asked.
“Why are you trying to leave so soon?”
“Because my body has healed.”
“But you could rest more if you wanted to. Even if your body is fully healed, you shouldn't let your guard down. I'm not saying it's bad to live a busy life, but in my opinion, Cadet Han Cheon-seong, you need to let your heart rest more.”
Her voice, which I had thought was pouting, was filled with consideration for me.
Her warmth, thinking even of my heart. And her affection, wishing for me to stay with her a little longer...
“...”
A laugh escaped my lips. I, too, gently squeezed her hand in return.
“I'm always so grateful that you think of me that way. But it seems my nature just can't accept resting. I feel more at ease when I'm training and keeping busy every day.”
“...”
I thought it was the right thing to do, a gentle refusal.
Because of the recent disaster, I was feeling things more acutely now.
It wasn't that my efforts so far had been lacking, but I had a strong feeling that I couldn't stop here.
I have to get stronger, to look further ahead. To do that, I needed to steel myself again before my resolve slackened.
“...”
Adelia, who had been meeting my gaze without a word, let out a deep sigh, and I gently pulled her hand.
Swoosh...
As her upper body was drawn limply toward me, I embraced her, my heart feeling nothing but warmth.
I stroked the hair of her head as she rested limply against my shoulder.
Rustle.
As I stroked her silky, emerald hair, my heart was certainly turned toward her.
To the point that both the Adelia showing me this side of herself now, and the usual gentle Adelia, both seemed lovely.
“You really know how to leave me speechless...”
Thump.
Her slightly sulky tone made me laugh even more.
“I'm fond of you.”
I conveyed my feelings softly and patted her back.
I knew she had a lot she wanted to say to me. I could feel that she had remained silent out of respect for my opinion.
And for that, I was grateful.
Slowly.
I froze when she suddenly wrapped her arms around my waist.
...She was soft.
The softness of her body pressing against mine had something that made it incredibly difficult to remain calm.
“If I had my way, I'd want to hold you like this every day...”
“Then next time, I'll hold you for longer.”
“If you stay in the infirmary tonight, you can hold me tomorrow, too.”
I held her, who was pouting again, a little tighter.
‘Haaah...’
Suppressing a sigh, I thought that Adelia was exceptionally different.
Just being alone with her felt incredibly dangerous.
Now that our relationship was clearly defined... it was as if she was constantly stoking a great fire in my heart.
This situation itself was joyful and good, yet it felt like I was being tested.
‘I want to have her.’
I want to make her mine. A desire akin to craving kept welling up, seeming to throw my heart into disarray.
“Cadet Han Cheon-seong...”
Just as her soft voice sounded strangely sensual.
“...Nothing happened today, right?”
“Pardon?”
“No, it's just... I was wondering if your training with Sir Isabelle at the training grounds today was very difficult.”
A laugh escaped me at her casual question.
While I was playing tug-of-war between reason and emotion, Adelia had been thinking about something completely different.
“Instructor Adelia. You don't need to be wary of Sir Isabelle at all. I said that because the training was truly helpful for me, not for any other reason.”
“I thought as much. She is a Golden Knight, after all... Even though I knew nothing would happen, I couldn't help but wonder. My man was alone with another woman... so I was a little concerned.”
‘My man...’
That unreserved expression made me laugh.
Even now, the endless softness of her body pressing against me felt like a constant test, yet ironically, her words and actions felt cute.
For a moment, as she leaned against my chest, we silently shared each other's warmth.
“...Ah, and there's one more thing I need to tell you.”
Suddenly, she lifted her head from my embrace.