Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: An Eye for an Eye, a Drug for a Drug (7)
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"G-Ganeghan!"
The moment she saw me, Abera grabbed both my arms.
"I've missed you so much...!"
Abera welcomed me with sparkling eyes, but her hands were trembling slightly.
She was probably suffering from withdrawal symptoms, which was why she'd sought me out.
Meanwhile, the red-haired knight who seemed to be guarding Abera was someone I'd never seen before.
Her chest and vital areas were covered by her ample bosom, but her thighs and navel were exposed in a rather unusual knight's attire. Her long legs were particularly striking.
Red eyes, a high nose, and a smattering of freckles on her cheeks.
This must be the Helia that Sua had mentioned.
'No way this is Red Beak, no matter how you look at it.'
As a witch, she didn't fit—the patterns engraved on her armor and the sword she wore both screamed imperial at first glance.
"The Inquisitor is waiting. Lady Abera said she had private matters to discuss with Lord Ganeghan, so please wrap it up quickly and come out."
I was lost in thought for a moment when Helia's words snapped me back.
Right, no time for idle musings now.
Getting Abera back to normal took priority. On second thought, she might even be the key to sending the Inquisitor packing without issue.
'Maybe I should use Dia's blessing to make this easier.'
I was rifling through the records of the drugs I'd injected into Abera before when it happened.
[Dia de Menesil's condition is unstable. Her blessing cannot be used temporarily.]
'Huh?'
Dia's condition being unstable worried me a bit.
But I had far too much to handle to rush back to her right away.
Helia closed the door first and stepped out, leaving Abera and me alone in her room.
"Ganeghan!"
The door had barely shut when Abera clung to me even more brazenly.
She ran her palms over my face, examining every inch meticulously.
"Ah... Thank goodness. You haven't changed a bit. I've missed this so much. More than I can even explain..."
The fact that Abera had grown dependent on me wasn't a bad development for the situation, but the Inquisitor waiting outside was still my top concern.
I gave her a gentle smile to soothe her.
"I'm honored. But the Inquisitor is waiting outside, from what I hear—and she doesn't seem like someone we can just brush off politely... So, what was this private talk you wanted?"
"Oh, that! Yes...!"
Abera hurriedly rolled up her sleeve and thrust her arm toward me.
Her arm, once as white as fine porcelain, now bore strange marks.
Scratches like those from fingernails, bite marks like from teeth. These weren't wounds that belonged on Abera's arm—maybe on Dia's, but not hers.
"What are these marks?"
"Ah... It's weird. Every time I think of you, this spot starts itching like crazy..."
"I'll give you a quick nutrient shot first."
The slender needle pierced Abera's arm, and her expression softened almost instantly.
"Ah... Yes, this sensation... this feeling... It only happens when you inject me, Ganeghan. Isn't that strange? It's the same nutrient shot... I got the exact same one back home, but it never felt like this..."
"You're too kind. It's just a standard nutrient."
"Hee hee hee... I really like you, Ganeghan..."
As she murmured that, focus finally returned to Abera's eyes.
She'd regained her peace at last.
Yes, walking the same path her sister had—that was her karma. With that bitter thought, I wore a wry smile.
"Right. Ganeghan, I said I had something to tell you."
Abera slyly placed her hand atop mine and murmured. I subtly slipped my hand away, tilting my head.
"Wasn't it just that you were craving your nutrients?"
"No! I'm not some nutrient addict. It's just... like a greeting every time I see you!"
Sure. Not addicted to nutrients, but to drugs. That's what you've fallen into, Lady Abera, I muttered silently to myself.
Even so, if she'd ever truly seen that dazed look in her own eyes before the shot, she'd never say such a thing.
Abera cleared her throat with a hem-hem and grew serious, her cherry lips parting.
"Now, for the really important talk."
"I'm always prepared."
"Ganeghan..."
Abera reached out more aggressively, grabbing the hand I'd pulled back.
Looking closely, tears had welled up in her eyes in an instant.
She rolled her eyes as if unsure how to broach it, then finally spoke with difficulty.
"I don't think I can keep treating Dia anymore."
"Because of the Inquisitor?"
I shot back immediately.
Abera let out a deep sigh and continued.
"Yes. It couldn't be helped. Dia is still the second daughter of the Menesil Family, after all. Whether she's pregnant or truly lived a promiscuous life... For the family's sake, calling the Inquisitor was unavoidable."
"Setting aside that examination, the real issue is the drug test, right? So you're saying there's no more treatment from here on out?"
"Exactly."
She pressed on with the solemn mood.
Or tried to—I interrupted.
"Lady Abera."
"Yes? I'm listening."
I'd cut in because something was nagging at me. Hadn't the scandal rocking the Menesil Family been my night with Dia?
No matter how you sliced it, Dia wasn't the only one to blame. Both of us should face criticism. Yet Abera was treating me without a hint of reproach.
"Why aren't you holding me accountable?"
I asked bluntly, without mincing words. Otherwise, this would drag on forever.
Abera hummed thoughtfully, then grinned and squeezed my hand tighter.
"Ganeghan, do you remember the promise I made before heading to the main house?"
"Promise?"
I tilted my head slightly, then let out an ah.
Right, we had made one.
...That when she returned, I'd sort out my feelings for her and give her an answer.
Seeing the realization on my face, Abera smiled right away.
"Yes! Looks like you remember. It's time for that answer."
"And the situation changes based on my response?"
"...Of course."
Abera flashed a meaningful smile.
"Then, what if I said I like you, Lady Abera?"
"You'd have to soothe my anger for a while. I'd forgive you, but a husband's infidelity isn't something to overlook lightly."
"Infidelity...? Husband's infidelity?"
"That's how I've decided to see it. You must have had it rough, Ganeghan. Dia's not right in the head, after all. A good man like you got swept up. That's my take for now."
"No, that's not..."
"I'm Abera de Menesil. I have the magnanimity to embrace my husband. And the skill to spin it socially."
"That's not the issue—why suddenly 'husband'?"
"I thought it over carefully back at the main house. I don't think I can live without you, Ganeghan."
As I floundered in confusion, Abera turned serious.
"That's the kind of answer I want—that you like me that much. If it's not that strong... I'll stop covering for you."
Silence blanketed the room.
Abera stared at me intently, urging my reply.
"Well? How much do you like me, Ganeghan?"
**
Under the blazing sun, everyone from the annex had gathered.
Dia and Sua were there too, exchanging cold glares, but they didn't bicker out loud.
All the other servants were present as well.
More precisely, there was one more person standing before those servants.
"...How long are you planning to make me wait?"
The small figure in the hood muttered.
The soft white fabric gleamed in the light, adorned with an elegant golden imperial crest forming a band atop it.
The unusual detail was the pink twintails spilling out from under the hood.
There was no upside to irking the Inquisitor. Alfred broke into a cold sweat, trying to placate her.
"My apologies. She'll be out shortly, I'm sure."
"...Hey."
He'd spoken as politely as possible, yet her response was curt.
Alfred faltered.
"Yes?"
"You just looked down at me, didn't you?"
"Pardon?"
"You thought, 'How can someone this tiny be an Inquisitor?' Right now?"
The Inquisitor was shorter than expected, but Alfred had never thought such a thing. He shook his head.
"No, not at all."
"Don't lie... Ugh, seriously."
Unable to hold back her irritation, the Inquisitor flung her hood back.
And the face revealed in the sunlight.
Pink twintails, blue eyes. An appearance utterly unfit for an Inquisitor. Naturally, all eyes turned to her.
"If any of you keep staring, you're done for!!!!"
At her shout, gazes snapped back to their places.
"Tell them now! Inquisitor Pernoa has arrived! Call her out immediately!!!"