Chapter 20
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: The Healing Compatibility Test
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Even if the relationship between the Crown Prince and Gerard was strained, that was a private matter.
Gerard had no grounds to object to or interfere with Noah—who was officially acting on behalf of the Emperor—meeting with Eloise, the Forecast Team Leader of the Magic Management Bureau.
"We'll have to meet if it's necessary for work in the future, right?"
"And if it's not?"
"It might become necessary someday, don't you think?"
A furrow formed between Gerard's brows.
This time, he revealed his emotions so blatantly that even Eloise noticed immediately.
"Do you want to meet the Crown Prince often?"
The question carried a subtle nuance.
As if she desired the Crown Prince on a personal level.
Eloise denied it vehemently.
"No!"
"Then we're good."
Eloise set down her teacup as she watched Gerard smile faintly.
It was lemon tea, steaming full in the mug he favored.
"Thank you. I'll enjoy it."
Even though she had served it without asking, Gerard sat and lifted the cup without complaint.
He silently stared at Eloise's teacup, steam rising gently from it, then snapped his fingers in the air.
A cute, round ice cube dropped into her cup with a soft plop.
Eloise's eyes sparkled.
"Oh? How did you know? I like to add one ice cube to hot tea."
Gerard shrugged.
Eloise smiled, gripping her mug.
It couldn't be possible, but her heart raced as if he remembered their past life together.
She wished he wouldn't recall the pain of their previous life, yet hoped he'd cherish their good memories—making her greedy, no doubt.
'Even if it's just a lucky coincidence, that's fine.'
The two savored a peaceful moment in the warm morning sunlight.
A short while later.
Eloise shattered the tranquility.
"By the way, Gerard, what brings you here?"
"What brings me...? Ah, right, I do need a reason."
Gerard set down his cup and shifted to the seat beside her.
"We agreed to check it yesterday."
"Ah...... the healing compatibility?"
Recalling their conversation from last night and the note on the nightstand that morning, Eloise stiffened.
Here? Check compatibility now?
In broad daylight, in the office?
Heat rushed to Eloise's face. She fidgeted, lips parting and closing, before finally managing to ask.
"Um...... isn't the location a bit off?"
"What does the location matter?"
Gerard drew closer with a languid smile.
His scent pierced her senses, intoxicating.
Her eyelashes fluttered.
Gerard lifted a hand near her tense cheek and asked.
"Shall we begin?"
He had already decided that morning not to postpone it.
A thin "Yes" slipped from between Eloise's teeth.
The moment she answered, he seized her small hand.
Eloise brightened and asked.
"Just holding hands?"
"Should I do more?"
"No. This is enough."
She smiled in relief.
But it was premature reassurance.
"Hngh, Gerard."
Eloise let out a pained whimper. She nearly collapsed into his arms but barely clung to the sofa to hold on.
"Too much?"
"N-no, not that......"
It had been five minutes since they began testing their healing compatibility.
To get accurate results, compatibility checks required at least thirty minutes of focused effort by principle.
Thus, Eloise and Gerard had twenty-five more minutes of hand-holding ahead.
At first, Eloise thought it was nothing.
Not a kiss—just holding hands.
She planned to offer one hand while browsing the office furniture catalog with the other.
But once the healing started, her mind changed.
His hand moved slowly.
Limited to her hand—or at most, the narrow inner wrist—he explored freely with his long, elegant fingers, joints thick and strong.
Exploration was too tame a word, really.
He plundered her hand.
Eloise's body and mind yielded helplessly to his touch.
"Eloise, tell me if it's too much. Me? Haa, I'm thoroughly satisfied."
Gerard breathed lazily, stroking the inside of her wrist.
"Hngh."
Finally, Eloise rested her forehead on his shoulder.
A satisfied groan escaped above her head, and his touches grew more insistent.
Eloise exhaled raggedly against his shoulder.
His fingers delved between hers—soft and slow—yet felt like a red-hot poker to her.
The sensation overwhelmed her, and she tried to pull back.
Gerard gripped tighter instead.
In that instant, a chunk of healing power surged into him.
"Hng."
Eloise's breath hitched, while Gerard sighed contentedly.
His sweet exhale tickled her ear.
She clutched his forearm hard with her free hand.
"How much longer?"
She forced out the question. Gerard rubbed palm against palm.
The languid motion mimicked thrusting into her deepest core, flushing her ears crimson.
"Quite a bit."
His reply came a beat late.
The healing power and magic thickened, blending densely.
Her senses sharpened, making his touches vividly clear.
"Eloise, breathe."
At some point, she had clung to him, barely breathing.
"Your body's hot."
Gerard brushed her nape. Warmth pulsed through.
His large hand cradled the back of her neck.
"Tell me if it's too much."
"No, it's fine."
Eloise exhaled deeply and closed her eyes.
'What unprofessional behavior is this?'
She scolded herself.
He was the one who deserved consideration, not her.
As far as Eloise knew, Gerard had never received proper healing before contracting with her.
He'd managed his magic with unverified drugs until then—uncertain at best.
Naturally, he was bound to struggle with controlling magic during healing.
She wasn't the only one suffering.
A mage could enter shock if the mechanism tangled.
With her past life's experience, Eloise should guide him......
But the roles had reversed.
Gerard controlled his magic masterfully and led the process.
Doubt flickered briefly, but each time her focus wavered, he stroked her palm's hollow, snapping her thoughts.
Look only here. Focus on this.
His touch begged desperately.
'......This is healing. I need to focus on Gerard.'
To steady her hazy mind, Eloise pushed back and lifted her head.
Their gazes locked like chains.
His golden eyes—larger and clearer than ever—swirled with greed behind thin irises.
Eloise froze; Gerard halted.
His hand rested on her inner wrist pulse, attuned to its steady throb.
A considerate pause, waiting for her to adjust.
Even then, ragged breaths escaped him sporadically.
Patience strained him visibly.
Eloise bit the soft inside of her cheek.
'I can't just receive consideration one-sidedly.'
She reaffirmed her duty as a healer.
"I'm okay."
Whatever it takes. Do as you please.
Steeling herself, Eloise slowly closed her eyes.
"It'll be over soon."
As if he'd been waiting, he gently pressed his forehead to hers.
He began moving again.
Stroking her hand's back softly, then gripping tight.
Sharp magic surged through her palm.
The energy teased her insides gently.
Her dormant healing power bloomed like flowers, caressing the magic.
As the forces probed and mingled repeatedly, the magic faded softly away.
"Ah!"
In that instant, indescribable satisfaction drew a moan from Eloise.
Healers tasted dizzying pleasure alongside emotional fulfillment during magic purification.
Her muscles relaxed gradually; his touches grew bolder.
Fingertips caressed tender skin between fingers. Long digits filled the gaps.
Each squeeze trembled something deep inside her.
Shivers sparked where they touched.
His nearby breaths, the heat and healing power flowing between gripped hands—the air grew thick with density.