Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Dukedom (3)
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-Is this the kid? Israfeel, the one you brought back from the mountains this time...
Looking back, my connection with Isabel wasn't quite as deep as with Israfeel, but it still went back a good long while.
She and Israfeel had been thick as thieves even when I was around ten years old.
-Yeah, that's him. So take good care of him. His name's Evan. Evan Lane.
-Pardon? All of a sudden?
-Well, Isabel, you're so good at this sort of thing...? Ahem, better than me?
...Even back then, when things were better than now, Israfeel Hael had this airheaded side to her.
Of course, she'd played a huge role in turning me from a back-alley thug into a proper human being.
If not for Israfeel, I'd probably be rolling in the gutters of some imperial backwater right now.
I could thank her a thousand times over for a lifetime and it still wouldn't be enough for guiding me here with her encouragement and occasional scoldings.
-Evaaaaan, time to eat. Make some food~.
'...If only her personality weren't so rotten.'
But that rotten core of hers wasn't going anywhere. By the time I turned fifteen, the roles had fully reversed, and I was the one supporting her.
As such, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Isabel handled all my etiquette training.
Israfeel taught me how to wield divine power and the joys of having a 'family,' while Isabel showed me how to mingle with people and find happiness in it.
That's why I respected Israfeel, but the one I truly admired was Isabel.
If I had to put it into words, she was Evan Lane's real 'teacher' in every sense.
"Hmm... Evan."
"..."
"Are you asleep by any chance?"
And so, my current predicament felt utterly awkward and embarrassing.
Sure, I'd shelled out a decent amount of money, but this was still a room meant for one guest.
Whether it was a noble's inn or not didn't matter. The point was, this bed was single-sized.
It was roomier than your average single, but that was cold comfort.
Because right now, I was sharing it with that very Isabel, wearing nothing but a thin hotel robe.
"You're really, really asleep...?"
I was twisting away as much as possible, facing the wall, but how much good could that do?
The bed was cramped enough already, and for some reason, Isabel kept inching closer.
Any little shift, and she'd slide right up until our skin touched.
'Is this a seduction, for fuck's sake?'
Not like Lete or Israfeel—I'd never sworn at Isabel once in my life.
But right now, I couldn't help cursing inwardly. Why the hell are you doing this to me?
"...No, I'm not."
If I stayed quiet any longer, she'd bury herself right into my back. I answered half-heartedly and tugged the blanket gently toward me.
From behind, Isabel perked up in response.
"See? I figured you weren't. Hehe. Your breathing wasn't steady."
"..."
She could tell if someone was awake just from their breathing? That was some talent.
I made a sour face but kept my eyes glued to the wall. Turning around now might spell disaster.
Not because of her, but because of what I might do.
"So... Did you want to say something? If you can't sleep, want to chat?"
"Oh my."
I forced a calm tone to break the ice. Right now, I needed conversation to push this suffocating closeness out of my mind.
Fortunately—or unfortunately—Isabel seemed pleased and let out a soft laugh.
"Would you? I can't seem to drift off anyway..."
"...Sure, why not."
"...Oh, wait. You're really not mad at me, right? This isn't just you being polite?"
"I told you, no."
"Your tone feels a bit snippy though..."
That's because you're repeating the same damn thing over and over.
"...I'm fine, really. You don't need to worry about that anymore."
"W-Well, if you say so."
I swallowed the sharp retort that almost slipped out. Somehow, after just one day, Isabel was wearing me down in every way.
True to her best friend Israfeel, she even shared that knack for being a hassle.
Though Israfeel's brand was far more malicious. For a split second, I pictured that blue-haired woman smirking with a 'dehet'...
"..."
Hm.
Looking back, Isabel seemed like the saintly one. My irritation eased a bit.
Soon, she spoke up again.
"Evan. Evan."
I answered casually.
"Yes, Isabel?"
"You have such a broad back, Evan."
"..."
Her next words sent a jolt of tension straight to my lower body.
I froze stiff as a soft hand brushed near my shoulder blades.
...This has to be seduction, right? Did she really drag me into bed for this?
"You used to be so tiny... Fit right in my arms. Hehe."
While I racked my brain at full speed trying to decode her intentions, Isabel just kept talking, oblivious.
"You were so young back then. What was it? The church elementary kids were bullying you, and you didn't want to share a dorm, so you came to my room?"
"...Isabel, that was when I was eleven. I'm an adult now?"
"Ahaha."
Her laughter bubbled up like she'd heard the funniest thing.
The implications of her touch were growing heavier. Isabel Sedent was stroking my back like she was marveling at the changes, full of wonder at how times had shifted.
She wriggled under the covers again, pressing closer to my back.
Her surprised breaths soon tickled my nape.
My eyes twitched, veins bulging as I thought to myself.
'She's basically begging me to pounce, right?'
I couldn't hold back anymore. Whatever her true intentions, I wasn't gentlemanly enough to just roll over and sleep after this.
I was just about to flip over and pin her petite body beneath me.
"Evan."
"Yes? Yeah?"
She tugged lightly at my robe collar, and I paused to respond.
Did she have something to say? Her voice had lost its earlier cheer. I turned with a hint of concern...
"...Guhk."
"S-Stay still."
Isabel grabbed my head and forced it back, blocking my view. Clearly, she didn't want me looking at her face.
What the hell?
"You know, Evan."
"...Yeah."
"Just a sudden thought."
I answered amid my bewilderment, and she gave an awkward smile.
"Lately, I've been... pushing you too hard, I think."
"...?"
But what followed was hard to grasp.
Pushing me? Her?
"What are you talking about all of a—"
"...Like with Lady Ruben, or a few days ago in the first-floor plaza when we ran into the three of you."
"..."
"I was so caught up in my role as your teacher, always prodding and testing you. It made me reflect."
"...It wasn't that bad..."
I started to brush it off instinctively, but her palm clamped over my mouth.
Isabel patted my cheek like a child, chuckling lightly.
"You don't have to say that. And honestly, I don't think testing you was wrong. If anything... someone had to do it."
"..."
"So I'm not saying it was a mistake. I've just realized it's important to mix in some soothing, like back in the day. You know, the carrot to the stick?"
"D-Do I look like a horse to you...?"
"Hehe, of course not."
She giggled playfully, then suddenly hugged me tight from behind in a sneak attack.
The classic back hug. My whole body went rigid.
"Evan. No, Evan."
She whispered softly in my ear.
"You're doing great. And of course, you'll keep doing even better. You're my brilliant student."
"..."
"It's been so long since we shared a blanket like this... brings back memories. I'll make sure to praise you more from now on, so don't tense up..."
Her voice grew drowsier and drowsier until...
Thud.
"...Isabel?"
"...Mmmnya..."
Like a sleepy stray cat, she buried her face into my back.
I felt the tension drain away all at once and glanced back.
Isabel, eyes already shut, face peaceful in sleep.
"..."
"..."
"...You're really asleep?"
"..."
"...No. Hey."
"..."
No response, no matter what I said. I stared down at her with a blank expression.
Even in sleep, her arms were locked around me tight—no shaking her off easily.
Soft skin pressed against my back, carrying a faint, warm scent. Her modestly swollen breasts pressed gently into me.
Strands of golden hair trailed over my nape to my collarbone, tickling it, while her feminine aroma drew blood southward.
A chilling fantasy flashed through my mind for an instant.
'...No, that's not it, right?'
I couldn't say how long I'd stay in Berdil. I'd already paid for extended lodging hours ago.
Obviously, this would continue until I sorted out the city's shady undercurrents.
Was Isabel planning to use me as a body pillow from now on?
"..."
Cold sweat trickled down. An ominous chill ran up my spine.
Nah, no way.
Even as an inquisitor, she wouldn't be that cruel...
"...Mmmnya. Evannn."
"..."
This is a violation of the Geneva Convention.
Not sure if this world has anything like that, but still.