Chapter 76
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: What Happened in Zarfurt (2)
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As evening fell, the city began to radiate a charm utterly different from the daytime.
Once the sunlight that had revealed the majestic mountain ridges and the lake vanished, the city felt a bit smaller.
Or rather, not smaller, but more graspable at a glance. The bustling streets sparkled beautifully.
True to its nature as a tourist city, Zarfurt remained bright even after nightfall. Orange lights from mana lamps were spaced at regular intervals, and beneath them, crowds of people swarmed.
"Rian, let's check that out. Looks like something's going on."
"Be careful." I nearly tripped while rushing over. Rian caught me, thank goodness.
"Ahaha, thanks." I gave him a sheepish smile and expressed my gratitude before arriving at the destination together with Rian.
He hadn't let go of my hand since catching me after that stumble, as if I were some child.
Walking hand-in-hand with Rian sent a thrilling flutter through my heart.
As we strolled down the busy street, the circus tent I'd read about in a pamphlet came into view.
The claim that it had stood in the same spot for a hundred years wasn't exaggeration; the thick canvas bore clear signs of multiple repairs.
Yet it didn't feel worn or tattered. The antique patterns were so well-preserved it was like beholding a living cultural artifact. The patched sections blended seamlessly with the original fabric.
A heavyset middle-aged ticket collector boomed promotions for the evening's show in a resonant voice. He promised a spectacle so riveting it would leave you teary-eyed, with enough thrills to make your eyes pop.
"Um, Rian..." As soon as our eyes met, Rian bought the tickets before I could even finish.
He really was perceptive, reading my intentions perfectly. Was I that easy to figure out?
"...Thanks."
The staff member selling tickets to Rian glanced at us and asked something.
"Are you two lovers? Or newlyweds, perhaps?"
"Huh?"
I froze at the sudden question. Of course. Rian and I didn't look like we had much of an age gap, so it was understandable if people mistook us.
To onlookers, we probably just looked like a couple out on a date.
A simple denial would have sufficed, but for some reason, I hesitated.
"That's right." Unlike me, Rian brazenly lied without missing a beat.
What should I do? Hopefully, this wouldn't lead to a situation where we'd have to prove it—like kissing in front of everyone to demonstrate our affection...
Naturally, my worries were unfounded. The staff nodded at Rian's response and handed us a pair of rings from a basket nearby.
"As part of our commemorative event, a gift for all couples attending tonight's show."
Unlike the pure gold wedding band on my finger, these were cheap mass-produced copper rings.
Rian slipped one onto his left ring finger and thanked the staff, calling it a fine ring.
"Let's head in."
Once inside, after a short wait, the entrance flap closed as the show began.
The tent, shrouded on all sides by canvas, was pitch dark. Moments later, torches ignited at the center of the stage, drawing every eye.
"Wow..." It was basic mana manipulation, but the magic-infused performance was genuinely entertaining.
The story was stimulating yet captivating. A tale of forbidden love that refused to be forsaken.
For some reason, it felt a little relatable.
Rian seemed to be enjoying it too, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the stage.
The troupe's performance built toward its climax. The hero who rescued the princess proposed romantically, singing of the trials he'd endured.
Watching him pledge his vow while offering a ring, I felt an illusion of tightness around my left ring finger, where my wedding band from my husband sat.
I couldn't wear the ring Rian had claimed as a "couple's" gift from the staff.
Not the same one adorning Rian's finger, because of the luxurious shackle my husband had given me.
A wedding band symbolizes an eternal vow. A physical emblem of the promise that a couple's love will last forever.
But what reason did I have to uphold a vow for a love that would never be reciprocated?
"...No."
In the darkness, my heart pounding, I slipped the ring off my ring finger.
Having betrayed the sacred marriage vow, I realized I felt freer than ever before.
Unlike the time I'd briefly removed it to deceive Rian as Belia, this was purely my own will, with no excuse left.
I tucked the wedding band into my pocket and slipped on the cheap copper souvenir ring.
Unlike before, the cool touch of copper against my skin felt like a warm embrace, not oppression.
Now, anyone who saw us would think we were a couple. Matching rings on our left ring fingers.
The solidifying lie brought a twisted sense of stability. At the same time, it crystallized the desires I'd been wrestling with.
I wanted to be Rian's lover, after all.
Irreplaceable in his desires.
To be loved and possessed by Rian, in whatever way.
Day by day, my swelling desires had finally conquered me.
By the time the show ended, quite some time had passed. The sky, which had been faintly lit when we entered, was now utterly black.
Was it because I'd spent it with the one I loved? It was hard to believe so much time had flown by.
As we headed back to the inn, I said to Rian,
"...Thank you so much for spending the day with me."
"No need to thank me—I enjoyed it more."
"...Tonight, I'll prepare a grand reward for Belia."
"Ah." The cool night breeze quickly soothed my cheeks, flushed with embarrassment.
Though the pounding in my chest lingered far longer.
Back at the inn, I had Rian bathe first, then went to find Belia.
To prepare the "special reward" for him.
"Did you enjoy your date, Lady Belia?"
Belia asked with a mischievous grin.
"Yes, surprisingly so." At my matter-of-fact reply, Belia looked shocked and pressed,
"Oh? You're not saying 'It wasn't a date!' this time?"
"Yeah, Belia. From today, I'm going to be a little more honest."
"Hehe, so no need for any 'acting' tonight, then?"
"Eek... That's still a bit much..."
"Hehe, just kidding."
The "fitting reward" Belia proposed was for her—playing "me"—to let "me"—playing Belia—be used freely.
Without regard for "my" feelings, allowing Rian to indulge in my body guilt-free to his heart's content.
"Let's prepare, Belia."
"Yes, Mistress." Belia smiled and pulled out the prepared outfit.
"Ugh, Belia... when did you prepare this...?"
"I figured you'd use it eventually."
The clothes she handed me were the vulgar maid outfit I'd worn last time serving Rian.
"Really, Belia..."
I grumbled but still donned the outfit she'd prepared.
"How do I look? Does it suit me...?" She grinned and replied,
"Yes. I'm certain Young Master will pounce the moment he sees you."
"...Really?"
"Yes."
"Hmm~♪" Humming to myself, I covered the mole near my eye and dotted one onto Belia's face.
With our deception complete, we headed to Rian's bedroom.
"Is it really okay to use it however I want?"
"What a foolish question, Rian. It's the fitting reward I promised you. Enjoy it to your heart's content."
Belia's acting was more intense than I'd expected.
Beaming cheerfully, she continued the performance.
"Still, receiving a reward in front of Mother..."
"Hehe, Belia always vanishes at crucial moments—would that truly be a fitting reward?"
She deceived Rian by claiming she needed his direct mana supply from nearby to maintain her form.
Thus, she had no choice but to watch their acts up close.
"So, ignore this mother of yours and vent your filthy desires on Rian as you please."
With a confident smile, Belia skillfully fooled him.
"Belia, is this okay with you?"
"Uh, I, um..."
Belia smacked my flustered, stammering rear and barked,
"Answer him!"
She truly was an impudent clone...♥
"Eek...♥ Please use my body however you desire, Young Master...♥"
"When I'm by your side, she won't vanish like a fool, lost to pleasure and failing her role."
"Mother isn't bothered by Belia being used freely?"
"What would there be to mind? It's just a sex doll made solely for you, Rian. It only looks like me—it's entirely different, so use it as you will."
Belia glanced at me as I stared anxiously at the floor, then said to Rian,
"In fact, that perverted clone seems to crave being handled even rougher, so unleash all your desires on that vulgar bitch."
Under Belia's prodding, Rian finally gave in.
He wrapped his arms around my waist, buried his face in my nape, and savored my scent.
Pleasant shivers ran through me, sapping my strength. My pupils dilated as my body prepared to welcome him.
"Hehe, already getting wet, you slut."
Belia degraded me while smirking.
Out of Rian's sight as he nuzzled my nape, I shot her a glare, but she stuck out her tongue sheepishly and smiled innocently.
As if to say, 'You know it's all an act, right, Mistress?' I couldn't even get mad and just sighed.
'Just you wait, Belia... Eek...♥'
After leaving marks on my slender white neck for a good while, Rian thrust his swollen penis toward me.
Amid the fresh soap scent from his bath, it carried the faint, familiar musk I remembered.
A lewd aroma that intensified with each throb of arousal.
Nearly vertical in erection, Rian's member poked insistently at my navel.
"What are you dawdling for? Get to serving." Belia whipped my back with her fan, urging me to my knees.
A noblewoman shouldn't kneel for a mere cock—especially not if its owner was her own son...♥
"Hehe, Rian, do you like it? There's reward in training her to serve any way that pleases you, gladly."
As Belia degraded me, I sniffed deeply at Rian's cock.
Gripping the shaft with both hands, I demurely kissed the glans, greeting the member that would torment me all night.
"Mwah...♥ Kiss♥ Slurp♥"
The fact that it was pitch black outside brought me relief.
I had so much I wanted to do for Rian, and running out of time would be disastrous...♥