Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: 21. The Sword Saint Sniffs the Scent (1)
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"Huh...? Why would Philia do something like that?"
"I don't really know either. But Philia doesn't want you and me getting close."
Ruane looked at me with eyes full of confusion.
"But... but, my lord..."
"I'm disappointed too that I can't be with you for a while, Ruane, but I'm counting on you."
"Just treat Philia the same as always—like your close childhood friend."
Ruane nodded reluctantly.
In-hyeok hugged her as he spoke.
"Just wait until Philia truly becomes my woman. Sorry, Ruane."
"No... If that's what you want with Philia, my lord... I'll wait..."
Even as she clung to me, Ruane's expression wasn't good.
Does she like me that much...? Is pretending not to know me for a little while really that heartbreaking?
As In-hyeok thought that while looking at Ruane, the truth was that she wasn't just sad about being separated from him. It was something else entirely making her face sour.
She was hiding her anger at Philia, who had shown up late and was now trying to drive a wedge between her and In-hyeok.
Was that why Philia had pretended to hate my lord and kept trying to drag him away from my side?
It felt like a betrayal from a friend she trusted, and it made her furious, but she didn't want to show it to In-hyeok, so she kept it bottled up inside.
Philia, you thief of a stray cat... You're no friend...!!!
For the first time, she used vulgar words in her mind that she'd never directed at anyone before—aimed straight at Philia.
The crack forming between Philia and Ruane, who had once been such precious childhood friends, began to widen further.
"Oh, and Ruane? There's something I'd like you to do for Philia."
"What is it you'd like me to do, my lord...?"
"Well, you see..."
I whispered it into Ruane's ear.
After afternoon classes ended, I went to find Ruane, and that trash was off in some corner while she sat alone.
Is she actually keeping her promise?
I'd figured she'd ignore it and keep clinging to Ruane, but surprisingly, she was holding up her end.
Or maybe she's just pretending now that I'm here?
"Ruane, did that trash... do anything to you while I wasn't around...?"
"No... In-hyeok hasn't said a word to me all day. Why is he acting like that...?"
She really hadn't touched Ruane at all.
"That's a relief, Ruane."
"...? What's so relieving about it, Philia?"
"Looks like that trash has finally lost interest in you."
"...."
What was that? For a split second, Ruane's face seemed to twist.
"Ru... Ruane?"
"...Yeah? Why are you calling me, Philia?"
What...? Did I imagine it? Looking at Ruane, some inexplicable sense of unease settled in.
"Why are you staring at me like that, Philia...?"
"Oh, no reason... Haha, Ruane!"
"What is it, really...?"
Ruane let out a small chuckle. I'd known her since we were kids, but she was so beautiful.
How great would it be if I could tell her how I felt?
But in reality, we could never be together... All I could do was look at her like this.
"Oh! Philia, I have something to give you."
"M-Me?"
"Yes! Hold on a sec..."
Ruane rummaged around and pulled a small bottle from the inner pocket of her uniform.
"What's that, Ruane?"
"It's perfume In-hyeok gave me. The scent is amazing!"
Perfume from that trash...?
"Hmmm... And you're giving it to me?"
"Yeah... The fragrance is so nice, I wanted you to have it."
Ruane handed me the bottle filled with perfume.
She wants me to use it because the scent is nice?
The moment I heard her say that, it didn't matter anymore that it came from In-hyeok.
Ruane was giving me something that trash had gifted her... for my sake.
A strange sense of superiority welled up, and I couldn't stop my lips from curling into a smile.
"Why don't you try it on?"
"Sh-Sure, Ruane?"
I spritzed a little perfume, and a sweet aroma enveloped me.
"Whoa... This smells incredible..."
"Right? The scent is so good!"
Ruane leaned in close and sniffed the smell coming from my body.
"Ru... Ruane..."
"It really is such a nice fragrance... Haah..."
Ruane's expression was somehow incredibly seductive... I'd never seen her look like that before.
-Gulp
Philia swallowed dryly without realizing it as she watched Ruane.
"Ruane..."
"Philia! Please use the perfume often! It smells so good on you!"
"Ah... Y-Yeah... Got it, Ruane."
For a moment, I thought if she liked the scent so much, she should just spray it on herself.
But seeing Ruane's smile made me forget all about it.
The sweet smell tickled my nose.
-Sniff
Philia took a deep breath of that sweet scent and let it out.
Smells good... But I've smelled this somewhere before...?
Another twinge of unease, but I decided to ignore it.
"Hmm... She should be here by now?"
No way she'd skip out. Considering what happened today, she had to come.
I told her no funny business, just sleep—that would be stupid to pass up.
If Ruane did her part well, the plan would proceed smoothly.
-Knock knock
Speak of the devil, there was a knock at my dorm room door.
"Who is it?"
I had a pretty good idea, but asked anyway.
-Open the door already.
Can't even joke around? Philia replied ice-cold.
-Creak
"Right on time, Philia."
I greeted her with a smile at the door, but she shot me a disgusted look like she'd seen something revolting before stepping inside.
Bitch...
Well, in a way, that dog-like attitude was part of Philia's charm, so I'd let it slide.
As she passed by, I caught the scent... Ruane had delivered the perfume perfectly.
"So, Philia, shall we sleep? Oh, do you shower before bed? Want to wash up?"
"Drop dead, trash."
"Can't even appreciate a kind gesture."
Charm my ass—she was just a bitch who needed some serious re-education... A massive, thorough lesson...
-Thud
Philia flopped onto the bed without even taking off her clothes.
Is she refusing to let her guard down? Not that I'd touch her anyway.
I lay down next to her.
The moment I did, Philia turned away sharply.
Playing hard to get like that? I had plans for it.
I wrapped one arm around her slim waist and pulled her tight against me.
"Wh-... Fuck... You said no funny business..."
"This isn't funny business, Philia. I told you—we're sleeping pressed together."
"I'm just hugging you tight while I sleep."
"Ugh... You bastard..."
Philia glared at me with pure hatred before whipping her head away again.
She's trying hard to ignore me and fall asleep.
-Sniff sniff
"This smell...?"
"What's wrong, Philia?"
"...Nothing. Don't talk to me."
Probably the perfume she got from Ruane. I smelled the same from myself.
Thanks to the perfume infused with my magic-made scent, she'd been breathing me in from morning to afternoon, and now at night while sleeping next to me.
Philia marinating in my scent for 24 hours straight... Even with low favorability, what would Addictive Scent do to her?
I drifted off to sleep, hugging the Philia lying beside me tightly, imagining the changes my scent would bring.
If someone saw Philia and me like this right now, wouldn't we look like lovers?