Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 68: Eating in Secret Tastes Better (2)

This might sound a bit random, but hospitals exist in this world.

Now, you might ask, "Isn't it obvious that where people live, there are doctors, and doctors are naturally found in hospitals?" But the era of the world I live in now is one where hospitals shouldn't really exist.

However, this world isn't your average medieval fantasy setting.

It is a world strikingly similar to the eroge that made me die trembling with a sense of betrayal in my past life.

And so, there are hospitals. Why? Because hospital rooms are erotic.

A hospital room is a place where other people are nearby, and it wouldn't be strange for anyone to visit at any moment.

There’s a reason why stories about people having sex with their girlfriends in hospital rooms circulate so frequently on the internet.

Well… I never did it in my past life… No, it’s not that I couldn't; if someone had just given me the chance, I was confident I could do it better than anyone… but no one ever gave me the chance…

"However!"

"Hmm? Darling, what’s wrong?"

"Ah, no. Don't worry about it."

Because I had muttered it out loud without realizing, Valeria, who was leaning on my shoulder, shot me a puzzled look.

Right… right now, we’re in a carriage on our way to the clinic where Mikhail is hospitalized…

Even if it was a marriage that never had love from the start, and even if he was a husband in name only, Valeria’s expression still didn't look great.

It was a sight I couldn't have imagined back when she used to break his toes just because he stepped out before her.

‘She looks more delicious than usual, looking all melancholy like that, which isn't like her at all…’

I reflexively stopped my hand as it was about to slide into Valeria’s breasts.

It’s not that I thought, ‘Doing this in a situation like this is a bit much…’ or anything like that.

It was simply that there wasn't enough time.

‘Right, delicious things are best enjoyed after waiting.’

A hospital room, a husband, and a wife.

All the ingredients are ready.

All that’s left is to wait until the situation is fully ripe.

Finally, the coachman began to slow the carriage to a halt.

"My Lady, we have arrived."

"Understood. Wait here—"

I subtly wrapped my arm around Valeria’s waist and whispered softly.

"My Lady?"

"Ah, no, don't wait. Go back. Come back tomorrow morning. I intend to stay by my husband's side today."

"Uh… Yes, understood. I shall do as you say, My Lady."

I finally stepped out of the carriage with Valeria.

After placing a universal suggestion on the coachman, who looked surprised by my sudden appearance, I entered the clinic with Valeria.

*

The inside of the clinic was busy, yet felt strangely idle.

Patients of all ages and genders had come to visit, and doctors and nurses were weaving through them…

‘I suppose… since the number of people who can receive healing magic is so small.’

In this world, magic power is a strength that only a tiny fraction of those with blessed talent can enjoy.

Consequently, mages are rare, and those who can use healing magic are even rarer.

That’s why both Mikhail and Valeria were amazed that I could use healing magic.

It’s only natural that the vast majority of patients who cannot receive healing magic would seek out a clinic, and it’s only natural that hospitals would be built for such people.

Of course, there is no magic to treat fainting and cardiac arrest caused by extreme agitation, like in Mikhail's case.

Anyway, I quietly followed behind Valeria into the hospital room where Mikhail was lying.

"O-Oh, you’ve arrived."

Since nobles are a kind of celebrity, the doctor recognized Valeria immediately and bowed deeply.

The reason he was stuttering and acting so flustered was because of Valeria’s notorious reputation.

In the past, she would have slapped the doctor’s shiny bald head, but Valeria simply walked up to him.

"How is my husband? Does he have some kind of illness?"

"Well… the situation is a bit complicated, so I need to explain it step by step…"

"I understand. Speak."

"Yes. First of all, Lord Mikhail is in a state of extreme weakness."

As expected, a slight shadow fell over Valeria’s face.

After all, she was the one who provided all the causes for Mikhail’s weakness.

The verbal abuse and physical mistreatment that continued every single day for years, the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠difference in family status that meant he couldn't even make a peep… Honestly, it’s a miracle Mikhail hasn't committed suicide.

Perhaps noticing her reaction, the doctor, who had been gauging Valeria’s mood, continued his story.

"Therefore… to put it simply, Lord Mikhail’s fainting can be seen as the inevitable finally happening."

"The inevitable… finally happening."

"Yes."

"…I see. Can he be treated?"

"He can. Fortunately, he has just regained consciousness, so if he rests for about three to four days, he should be able to return home."

"I see. Phew… Is there anything else that needs to be done?"

"That is…"

The doctor’s answer was exactly as I had expected.

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cause of Mikhail hovering between life and death was the weakness of his body and mind.

Therefore, he must spend the rest of his life in a place where both his body and mind can rest comfortably; otherwise, this will happen again…

That was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the gist of the doctor’s answer.

Then, Valeria asked.

"Then what should be done?"

"It would be best for him to recuperate. If possible, his hometown would be ideal. If he stays with his family in the place where he was born and raised, Lord Mikhail will be able to spend the rest of his life in peace."

"The rest of his life…? You mean not returning to the Imperial Capital?"

"Yes. Lord Mikhail’s state of weakness has surpassed the point where it can be recovered through mere rest. In a way, the fact that he is still alive can be seen as the grace of His Majesty the Holy Emperor."

"…Is that so. I understand."

"Yes. Then, I shall take my leave. I repeat, what is important for Lord Mikhail right now is, first, stability, and second, stability."

*

In the hospital room after the doctor left, only Mikhail’s faint breathing lingered.

‘The atmosphere has gotten way too heavy…’

Just as I was thinking that, Valeria began to move.

Toward Mikhail, who was lying there as if he were dead.

I also moved to stand beside Valeria, who was now standing next to the hospital bed where Mikhail lay.

"Sigh…"

A long sigh escaped Valeria’s lips.

Pale skin, a gaunt body, deep dark circles… It seemed she was only now noticing his appearance.

To me, a different image of Mikhail flashed by.

‘P-Please, ravish my wife!’

The image of Mikhail, who had left such a request and would seek me out whenever he had the chance to pour out his complaints, grievances, curses, and hatred toward his wife, was still vivid in my mind.

‘Well… it’s not like I don't understand how he feels…’

Recalling that image again, I thought to myself that this man is also quite twisted in his own way.

So, I quietly took Valeria’s hand and asked.

"Do you regret it?"

"Regret… I think so… It’s strange, isn't it? I’m the one who made him like this… I don't know… what I should do now…"

In fact, the situation is quite complicated.

By the common sense of this world, if a husband goes to recuperate, the wife should naturally follow him.

Of course, the reverse is also true.

The problem is that even if Valeria wanted to, Mikhail likely wouldn't.

Even if Valeria became a perfect, devoted wife, Mikhail would be reminded of the hellish days of the past every time he saw her, whether ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he liked it or not.

‘Then the tragedy would just repeat itself…’

There was also a geographical reason why Mikhail couldn't say a word to Valeria.

To put it simply, this Imperial Capital, Berlina, was not Mikhail’s home turf.

If Valeria went to Mikhail’s hometown far from the capital, then Mikhail would likely repeat exactly what Valeria had done to him.

Because in Mikhail’s hometown, Valeria would be the outsider.

‘Human affairs are complicated. I thought it was only you and your parents.’

‘Yeah, Sitri. They say there’s no tombstone without a story.’

‘What do you plan to do now? From what I can see, even for you, it seems difficult in this kind of atmosphere.’

‘Haha, you think so?’

‘…Really?’

‘It’s something I want to do, but it’s also something I have to do.’

What I have to do—that is to break the chain of hatred and bring an end to the repeating tragedy.

Honestly, there’s no greater justification than that.

To realize that justification, I locked the door to the hospital room.

I actually wondered if it might be better not to lock it… but it’s better to have at least a minimum safety measure.

—Click.

"Darling…?"

Then, I embraced Valeria from behind as she looked at me with questioning eyes.

"D-Darling… if you do this…"

"Do you hate it?"

"You can't do this here…"

"I didn't ask if I could or couldn't. I asked if you liked it or hated it."

"T-That’s…"

Licking her neck sensually, I slid my hand inside Valeria’s dress.

Valeria put up a weak resistance… but in the end, she let out a faint nasal sound.

"Mnh…"

"It seems you don't hate it?"

"N-No… you can't… not in front of this man…!"

While kneading Valeria’s breasts vigorously, I slowly moved my hand downward.

"Hah…! D-Darling…! Please…!"

"If you hate it, say you hate it."

"T-That’s…"

You can't, can you? Because your body has already become unable to reject me.

Look how soaking wet you are just from a little touching.

I shoved my fingers, drenched in love juice, into Valeria’s mouth.

"Mmph, mmph…"

"Valeria, I’ll ask again. What do you want to do?"

"I-I don't know… please…"

"Then are you going to leave the capital with Mikhail like this?"

"Hah… hng…"

She hadn't opened her mouth yet, but Valeria’s body was honest.

Her soft nipples had already become hard and erect, and her pussy, now dripping wet, clamped down hard on my fingers.

—Squelch, squelch…

"Tell me, Valeria. If you say you hate it, I’ll stop right now. If you say you’ll leave my side and follow Mikhail, I’ll accept that too."

"D-Darling."

"Everything I said that night was the truth."

I pulled my hand out from her pussy and gently stroked Valeria’s lower abdomen. Over the promise to live together forever and Sitri’s Crest, which I had left as proof of that promise.

Soon, Valeria, who had been held from behind, turned around to face me and fell into my arms.

"…I don't want to."

"What don't you want?"

"I don't want to follow that man. The only person I love is you. The only person I want to be loved by is you."

"Thank you, Valeria."

"Hah…"

Only then did Valeria press her lips against mine.

As I loosened one string, Valeria undid one button.

Finally, as I laid Valeria, who was now completely naked, down below the hospital bed, I whispered quietly.

"You mustn't make a sound. Understood?"

"Y-Yes… Hng?!"

Sitri, who had materialized at some point, was sitting on Mikhail’s hospital bed.

As usual, she was looking at me with a faint smile.

As if she truly were the Great Demon of desire, taboo, and pleasure.