Chapter 68
Chapter 68
Saint, You’re So Vulgar! – Chapter 68
Honestly, if you traced the root of this incident, it all stemmed from the seeds Versia had sown herself.
She'd deliberately acted flirty in front of him time and again just to see him get all flustered, hadn't she?
But even for her, there was some injustice in this situationnot the rational kind, but purely emotional.
From the start, Versia had never seriously considered what might happen if her body returned to her.
Ever since she'd started developing feelings for Asher, her sole focus had been capturing his attention.
She hadn't looked that far ahead to a future where her body came backin fact, she'd even thought their current dynamic might only last if it didn't.
And yet, being tossed around like that had led to this mess.
Since it wasn't entirely intentional, she couldn't help feeling upset, and her sour mood lingered stubbornly.
It manifested in a strange way.
"Feeling good?"
"...Pardon?"
"I asked if it feels good."
"What do you mean?"
Versia tossed out the question out of nowhere.
Her voice carried a chill, laced with an emotion she couldn't quite suppress.
Asher was flustered.
Of course he wasit was only natural for him.
Versia knew that full well.
But what could she do?
She knew it was childish jealousy, yet she couldn't control her feelings at all.
One unchanging fact: Versia's love bordered on possessiveness and an urge to own him completely.
No matter how Asher tried to steer it toward something healthy, this was an intrinsic part of her nature that wouldn't budge.
After all, not every healthy love is built solely on trust.
Just as people look different, their personalities and tendencies vary, and the ways they experience love differ too.
Versia had no intention of denying that.
She glanced at Asher sidelong, making no effort to hide her irritation as she walked.
Of all days, today had to be the tea party... or rather, the briefing on the artificial witches.
She had zero interest in hearing unpleasant updates, but skipping it would put Asher in a tough spot.
Even amid her reluctance, she didn't want to disappoint him, so she quickened her pace toward the venue.
But why did bad luck always pile up like this?
"Huh? Oh, fancy running into you here."
At the end of the corridor, Lubena appeared with Satern in tow.
Versia's brows furrowed.
Lubena's vulgar outfit, with her hips swaying provocatively, grated on her nerves.
The deep cleavage and exposed thighs that she'd never liked anyway, plus the flashy makeup, bugged her even more today.
She hated the idea of Asher's gaze lingering even for a second on that trashy body.
It was unfortunate for Lubena.
Normally, Versia would have ignored her or brushed her off curtly, but today she was directing real hostility at this woman whose sexuality stood out so brazenly.
And to top it off, Lubena had grown fond of her while Asher was in Versia's body.
Lubena approached with her usual ditzy, vacant smile, chattering away.
Versia responded coldly.
"You look okay? You've been fidgety lately..."
"I can smell your perfume from here, so back off."
"?"
Lubena froze solid.
Asher swallowed dryly, glancing nervously at Versia.
Satern looked dumbfounded.
Versia strode past them calmly and said,
"Sir Knight, just stay nearby. Better if you wait outside."
"Y-yes, ma'am..."
Asher nodded awkwardly.
As Versia headed into the meeting room, she overheard Lubena's trembling voice directed at Asher.
"...Hey, do I really stink?"
"Pardon? No, not really..."
"You're not coming in?"
Lubena startled again, sneaking glances before sticking close to Versia.
Versia's glare was icy cold, and Lubenawho'd thought of her as a friend just yesterdaysuddenly felt the vibe shift and didn't know what to do.
It was total chaos.
But above all, the biggest mess was inside Versia's heart.
"Oh! You two came together! You're getting close now..."
"No, we're not."
"Huh?"
Versia shot back sharply at Halia, who had arrived unusually early.
Lubena looked hurt.
Of late, this was the most hostile tea party atmosphere yet.
* * *
Satern Hyzenberg was a 1st Class Holy Knight and Lubena Pradeiri's personal escort.
Though he held one of the Order's highest ranks, his actual duties boiled down to shopping companion, punching bag, and her sole conversation partner.
Lately, though, the workload had lightened up considerably.
Not for any special reasonLubena's personality had softened, become more affable.
Why? No need to spell it out.
It was because of Versia, who'd started being kind to those around her after taking on an escort.
Lubena, who'd always felt inferior to her, had finally earned Versia's approval and was riding a general high.
But suddenly, snapit flipped back to normal.
Satern was terrified. More than Versia's mood swing, he dreaded Lubena throwing another hysterical fit over it.
Even so, his human curiosity scanned the room.
Sharing this wheel of misfortune, he said to Asher,
"You're in for it too, huh."
"Pardon?"
Asher tilted his head, puzzled.
Satern explained,
"The Saintess seems to have some intense mood swings."
"Ah."
He got it, or so Satern thought.
But no.
Asher beamed brightly and replied,
"Still, it's a lovely sight, isn't it? Her words and actions have improved so much."
Improved where, exactly?
Satern bit back the question and convinced himself otherwise.
This must be what they call love goggles.
Lovely? Yeah, right.
It was a mindset Satern would never comprehend.
* * *
After the tea party ended, Versia sought out Asher immediately.
Her anxiety, now unleashed, refused to subside.
It was a form of dependency.
She only felt calm when he was by her side affirming her, and she'd grown addicted to that sensation, craving repeats.
Luckily, Asher had followed her instructions and was waiting near the entrance.
Versia shoved aside the tiresome memories of the meeting and went to him.
Asher smiled radiantly.
"Ah, Saintess. How did the meeting go?"
"Fine. I'll fill you in on the way."
"Yes!"
They headed straight to the garden.
She figured no outsiders would interrupt there.
It stemmed from petty jealousy, but Versia ignored that.
Conveniently, passing on the confidential meeting details served as an excuse.
They arrived at the well-kept garden and sat at the tea table in the center.
Asher watched her eagerly, full of curiosity.
Versia savored his gaze, fixed solely on her.
Then she spoke.
"Nothing major."
She recounted the details calmly.
Once finished, Asher nodded.
"Good to hear no incidents. Hunting down those witches must've worked. I can feel the enemy getting cautious now."
That wrapped up the meeting talk.
Versia decided to enjoy this break.
The rest of the day was just the two of them.
She relished the satisfaction.
"Saintess."
"Yes?"
"You've worked so hard today."
Asher suddenly grinned and said it.
Versia tilted her head.
"Out of the blue?"
"Yes! You were so much kinder to the others than usual."
In Versia's memory, all she recalled was snapping at people.
What on earth was he seeing?
As she pondered, Asher excitedly listed them out point by point.
"First, you overlooked the priestesses' rudeness! Greeting only me in front of you was blatant disrespect, but you held back!"
She'd just been too annoyed to speak.
"And with Saintess Lubena too. Your words were harsh, but you escorted her into the meeting room. That's progresskindness shining through."
She'd only done it because she didn't want Lubena talking to Asher.
"Above all, after the meeting, you greeted the other saintesses before leaving."
She'd cut them off to leave faster.
As Versia reflected on his examples, she let out a hollow chuckle.
Ah...
His relentlessly positive outlook had twisted everything into something good.
A pang of guilt hit her. At the same time, a petty joy welled up.
She realized she was pleasedjust because he'd seen her in a good lightregardless of her true intentions.
What a hypocritical mess of emotions; even she found it ridiculous.
Her expression soured.
Tap.
Asher placed his hand on her head.
Versia's eyes widened hugely.
He was petting her hair with a smile.
"You did well... Oh, sorry."
Thinking he'd messed up, he started to pull away.
Instinctively, Versia grabbed his hand and placed it back on her head.
"Why stop midway?"
Her words came out too fast.
Did she sound desperate? She worried.
Thankfully, Asher didn't notice, blinking innocently.
Then he chuckled and resumed stroking her hair.
Versia felt her heart pounding under his touch.
Her tension melted away.
Languid happiness washed over her.
Asher murmured softly,
"I learned this while in your body. Brushing or petting the hair feels so nice."
From anyone else, it'd sound creepy, but coming from Asher, it rang pure.
Honestly, even if it weren't, it wouldn't matter.
I'd rather...
...was the thought echoing even in her dreams.
Recalling the dream made her insides tingle.
The desires reflected there had clearly grown, proven by her nether regions.
Now fully aware of the intimacy and skinship she craved, how could Asher's actions not affect her?
A lewd thought flitted through her mind.
That instant
Zing!
Electricity shot up her spine.
Her back straightened.
Stimulation at her nether region's locationVersia realized it and stiffened.
Danger...!
The realization hit like lightning.
Whoosh!
...Her body switched back.
* * *
A momentary dizziness.
Then the sensation of a foreign body.
Shaking it off, Versia looked at her handwhich had been petting the head moments agonow on her own body.
Asher, catching on late, stared up at her blankly.
Then he asked in bewilderment,
"Why...?"
Versia had no words.
She knew the reason, but admitting it was mortifying.
She made an excuse, turning her head away.
"Sorry. I had dirty thoughts."
"?"
"I was thinking about touching your dick..."
"Gah?!"
Thud crash!
Asher toppled backward.
Versia exhaled in relief.