Chapter 42
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Friend (4)
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"...Buy me that."
"That one? Crepe?"
"Yeah. Strawberry flavor."
At Eliya's listless point, Evan nodded obediently and bought some snacks from the stall.
"Here."
"......"
The strawberry crepe she received like that.
She took a big bite of the sweet bread stuffed with plenty of cream, and when she subtly glanced sideways, Evan cleverly offered her a bite of his own.
His was grape flavor, rich and aromatic in a way that differed from the strawberry's tartness—a true delicacy.
Eliya felt inexplicably uplifted and nibbled away at the crepe. To Evan's eyes, she looked just like a squirrel gnawing on an acorn.
Watching her was so endearing that he decided to feed her more things. Not just sweet drinks, but also bite-sized candies, jellies, and chocolates.
Eventually, Eliya started showing signs of overload from cramming so much into her mouth.
"Th-this is enough... What are you trying to do, stuff me until I burst?"
"Doesn't that pudding over there look tasty? Should I get a small one to share?"
"You're not even listening to me, are you?"
No matter what she said, Evan stayed true to his own pace. He dragged her around by the wrist, and though she furrowed her brow, it didn't actually feel bad, so Eliya meekly followed along.
The pudding on the stall Evan pointed to did look incredibly soft, after all.
"Three fairy tales, please."
Evan handled all the payments. Of course, as the lady of a noble house, Eliya had no real need to let him treat her...
'...Just go with it.'
But volunteering to pay her own share didn't feel right either.
It was an indescribable itchiness. With Evan taking the lead like this, the whole process felt like it nailed down that this was a 'date'.
Eliya simply kept her lips pressed tight and trailed after him wherever he led.
Escort, maybe? Unexpectedly, Evan was quite skilled at moving around with a woman.
This was the result of half-forced training from Israfeel since childhood, but to Eliya, it was something that couldn't help but unsettle her a bit.
She didn't know the depth of Evan and Israfeel's relationship.
Naturally, her assumptions veered in one direction. Lete Heresia. As far as she knew, the woman closest and most intimate with Evan.
'D-did they... go out a lot...?'
Eliya couldn't help but feel her lips go dry.
It was probably natural. Even if they seemed on bad terms, those two suited each other best, after all.
It wouldn't be strange if they'd spent time together that other candidates, including herself, didn't know about.
And thoughts aren't something you can force under control.
Before she knew it, images of the two filled Eliya's mind—pure delusion, 100% based on imagination without a shred of evidence.
She couldn't help feeling downcast.
'...I'm in no position to think like this.'
Separate from the surge of frustration, she faithfully objectified herself—that was her virtue.
Eliya shook off the stray thoughts with a light breath. She wasn't in a position to conveniently indulge in jealousy toward Evan Lane.
She knew the ideal woman in his eyes. How could she not?
She'd heard his views on romance drilled into her ears for four years already.
At the very least, 'Eliya Ruben' didn't match that image.
It wasn't the standard view from the Sun Church's teachings, but that held no meaning for forming a relationship with him.
If she wanted his affection, she had to make herself fit that standard.
Forcing societal norms on him would just make her look ridiculous.
This was a hopeless crush from the start. The odds were less than 1% with the buttons all wrong from the beginning.
'Haa.'
And the opponent was that Lete Heresia, no less? Eliya was confident in her looks, but against Lete? Hardly.
'Argh...! This is driving me insane!'
She wanted to tear her hair out right then. Honestly, agonizing this much over a single peck felt stupid.
Just as Eliya grabbed her twintails and yanked them down in frustration, drooping sadly—
Pfshht!
"Eek!"
A sudden splash hit her ears, and Eliya reflexively squeezed her eyes shut.
Something cold and unknown touched her face. Only belatedly did she realize it was a jet of water from the opposite direction.
Evan, holding a clear squirt gun with a childlike innocent grin, smirked mischievously.
"Check this out—it's a water gun. Looked fun, so I got one."
"......"
Eliya blinked in dumbfounded disbelief. She'd been agonizing so seriously, and what the hell was he doing?
Of course, she was the one keeping her mouth shut without saying a word.
The moment she started resenting Evan for playing around cluelessly about her feelings—
"Ack!"
A jet shot out as if waiting, and Eliya, soaked again, looked down at her top in absurd bewilderment.
It was summer, and the weather was quite humid. She'd worn thin clothes because of it.
'It's... see-through...'
A bit more water, and her underwear would faintly show through.
As Eliya raised her brows to voice her grievance—
Thwack!
"Ow."
Evan, now right beside her, lightly tapped her head with that cheap squirt gun thing.
To her blank, wide-eyed stare, Evan said just one thing.
"We're out here to have fun, remember."
"......"
"Why the gloomy face? You're making me feel guilty."
He followed with a wry smile, rubbing his stiff neck.
A pang of guilt hit Eliya, slackening her expression again. She'd never meant to burden him with her brooding.
Shouldn't she be the one apologizing?
Eliya gripped her skirt hem and bit her lip.
'...Sorry.'
Sorry for making you worry needlessly. Sorry for being a nuisance with these overreaching feelings instead of just teasing like usual.
She had plenty to say, but fear kept her hesitating.
Maybe she should've stuck to flirting for fun like always.
Then Evan would've smacked her forehead like normal. She'd whine, and he'd stroke her head like he couldn't help it.
'Just that much.'
Wasn't that the best she could hope for with him? Bickering over nothing, but not hating each other—close friends.
Throwing lewd jokes sometimes, mischievously telling her to come over when he fought with Lete.
Yeah, if she'd kept it just to that— she wouldn't be suffering like this now.
"...Hic, ugh."
Eliya pressed her solar plexus as her breathing suddenly quickened. Hyperventilation on top of her agitation.
It'd been like this ever since she acknowledged these feelings. That's why she'd tried to hide it.
She thought keeping distance would let it fade naturally.
It didn't. Once admitted and exposed to him, the emotions surged like rapids, wrecking her mind.
Maybe him hanging out with her now was just a final kindness to an old friend who'd foolishly fallen for him.
Once this passed, he might not want to be close anymore.
No evidence. Just vague fear that clouded her vision more. Tears welled in her suddenly grayed sight.
"...Ah......"
Right then, she felt a heavy hand on her head and let out a shallow groan.
Beyond her blurry vision, staring at the ground, someone's toes entered view.
Evan said nothing. He just stroked her hair absently, as always.
With that alone, Eliya felt her ragged breaths calm. The clutter whitening her mind evaporated in an instant.
Instead, another thought surfaced.
'One step.'
A different desire.
Just one step. What if she took one more forward from here?
Hesitation gripped her—what if even this gentle touch vanished?
And.
"Want a hug?"
"......"
His next words swept away her hesitation.
A line that yanked away her inner weakness clinging to her ankles. She decided not to think anymore.
Right after, she just lunged and hugged him.
For now, that was the best medicine.
A day passed. The sun that had hung high sank, and though it was summer, the time brought a cool night breeze.
"...Hehe."
It was a thoroughly satisfying date. Eliya walked with hands behind her back leisurely, then let slip a goofy smile at the sudden rush of happiness.
Evan, following behind, wore an expression like he'd seen something bizarre, but...
She didn't care in the slightest. Hours ago, she'd buried herself in his arms and bawled like a child—what was there to be embarrassed about now?
Eliya just turned her head at a jaunty angle, beaming brightly at Evan.
"Had fun, Evan. Totally satisfied today."
"...Yeah?"
"Yeah, dinner was amazing too."
Rubbing her belly gently, she recalled the evening menu. Seafood not common in the Hespania Mountains—it'd been a delightful meal.
Maybe because of the tearful outburst earlier? Her heightened emotions settled, they played with the water gun plenty, leaving no regrets.
A cool breeze rustled Eliya's violet hair.
With affection brimming in her clear eyes, Eliya turned fully. Trotting up to him, Evan stood still without dodging.
Eliya's lips quirked playfully.
"Why aren't you dodging?"
Evan shrugged.
"Figured you'd cry if I did now."
"...I wouldn't."
"Nah, 100% you would've."
Eliya scowled, and Evan burst into open laughter. Yet he didn't step back or evade.
Because it was the last time? His unusually compliant attitude felt somehow spiteful.
If only he'd been this sweet normally. Though she'd have to stop flirting first, of course.
'...Whatever.'
It didn't matter now. And even less in the future.
It was a quiet moment. With the distance closed, she could almost hear heartbeats if she listened.
Their gazes locked. Just like that—Eliya rose on tiptoes.
Silently, without words. Just desperately.
She gently closed her eyes.
*Smack*
A faint, tiny sound echoed between them, a half-beat late.
Evan didn't dodge, and Eliya felt relief mixed with an ache in her heart.
Lips brushing lips in an instant—then parting. Simply put, a peck. Or a butterfly kiss, if you wanted to fancy it up.
"...Evan."
Appearances weren't important. Eliya smiled faintly, wistfully.
"I like you. This is the only 'first' I can give you, at least."
Kissing the man she harbored feelings for was thrilling beyond words. The tingle from his lips melted her brain stickily.
And it was miserable. Knowing she'd never feel this joy again.
Tears threatened again, but Eliya gritted her teeth and held them back.
"...Ugh, seriously. What am I doing? So embarrassing. No clue how I'll face you starting tomorrow."
"......"
"Anyway, no need to worry anymore. That settles it. I've cleanly folded away my lingering feelings."
She cleared her throat awkwardly, cheeks flushing, as she toed the dirt.
Then continued calmly.
She'd talk to Lady Isabel herself, so no need to hang out a whole week.
No need for bed-sharing either. It was a crucial time—no reason to risk it with someone as low-rank as her, right?
"Ah, even without that, you probably wouldn't want to sleep with a slut like me anyway. You wouldn't even get hard for someone like me. I get it."
"......"
"...Anyway, um. You get what I mean? Evan."
She twitched one brow, then awkwardly poked his chest.
"Plus, pity sex would shatter my mental state anyway."
She clenched her slowly lowered fist once, then relaxed it. Gripping her trembling hand with the other to hide it.
Forcing a silly smile, she looked up at him. Evan nodded slowly with an inscrutable expression.
"I understand everything you said, Eliya."
"......"
At those words, her heart lurched like it would fall out—but she didn't show it.
"...Right, then."
She packaged her twitching lips into a bright smile.
"From tomorrow, back to real friends. I'll make sure nothing's awkward..."
Precisely, she tried to answer—but failed.
"......Well...?"
Her words didn't finish. Couldn't.
*Grab!*
A thick hand seized something roughly. Eliya was helplessly pulled forward by the intense pressure on her nape.
"—Mmph, mmh!?"
Evan gripped her powerfully and thrust his tongue past her lips.
His left hand on her jaw prevented resistance. His right on her nape stopped escape.
"Ngh...! Chk, heuk, mm!"
No time to think. Eliya was swept in chilling pleasure that rattled her senses, unaware of what was happening.
Worlds apart from the innocent lip-touch before. Once saliva mixed directly, it became a 'sexual act'.
"Ack, ugh...!? Hyah, hng."
Her soul trembled in ecstasy amplified semi-forcibly by her holy nature.
Eliya realized her legs had gone weak, but she couldn't fall.
Evan had anticipated even that, wrapping his arm around her waist to support her.
Ten seconds or so passed like that.
"...Heung."
The sticky deep kiss finally ended, and only then did Evan release her. She collapsed limply, as if waiting.
Her violet eyes glazed dreamily, silver threads—hers or not?—dribbling from her lips.
'Wh-what the...'
Eliya shuddered all over from the novel pleasure surging through her.
And.
"To repeat: I get it, I understand perfectly."
"...Hic."
Evan looked down at her with a twisted smile, brushing back his hair.
Eliya felt her lower belly throb at that chilling gaze—a sensual sensation unlike any past intimacy.
In the wave of stimulation threatening to drive her mad, she could do nothing.
Just wait.
"No idea why you thought I'd just go along with your wishes."
The subordinate hearing the superior's verdict.
And.
"While we're at it, Eliya."
The prey receiving the predator's decision.
Finally.
"I've never once not lusted after that slutty body of yours."
The female receiving her desired male's selection.
"...Hic."
Eliya dropped her flushed face with a comical hiccup.
Meeting Evan's eyes longer would've made her womb drop out.
Eliya Ruben, twenty years old.
Her first love, fragile as a candle in the wind, reignited.