Chapter 630: Guwon, the Devoted Man
Chapter 630: Guwon, the Devoted Man
But if Vanessa wasn't angry for that reason—no, if she wasn't angry in the first place, then there was only one possible conclusion.
It meant that Vanessa’s reaction at the time was purely out of embarrassment.
I had concluded she was angry simply because I never imagined this poker-faced butler, whose expression almost never changes, could become so intensely flustered.
Matilda and the others must have thought the same thing, which is why they also assumed Vanessa was angry.
But thinking about it carefully, it was only natural.
All I had to do was consider who Vanessa grew up under, who she looked up to.
Diana. The very same Diana who places such immense meaning on the act of a kiss.
Given how much Vanessa follows, respects, and tries to emulate Diana, it was entirely possible that she had been unconsciously influenced by Diana’s perspective, even if she wasn't an elf herself.
Although, for someone like that, she didn't seem nearly as embarrassed when we kissed during her confession, but that wasn't a surprise attack.
Perhaps Vanessa had been able to remain calm because she was mentally prepared for it.
Or maybe her mind was so preoccupied with confessing to me that there was no room for feelings like embarrassment.
In any case, once I thought of it that way, Vanessa, who stood warily before me with a blank expression, seemed all the more lovable.
“…What is it?”
Oops. Did my thoughts show on my face?
Well, it didn't really matter. It was a fact that Vanessa was lovable. It wasn't something I needed to hide.
But right. I hadn't completely confirmed that Vanessa was just embarrassed.
Shall we go through a little verification process?
“No, it’s just… if that was the reason for your reaction.”
I deliberately dragged out my words, speaking slowly, before suddenly closing the distance to Vanessa for a surprise kiss…!
“Hk! What are you doing all of a sudden?”
I tried, but Vanessa swiftly moved her body out of the way.
Damn it. I knew she’d been on guard since she opened the door. Why are her reflexes so ridiculously fast? You’re a butler, aren’t you? That’s not a physical job, is it?
But my pride wouldn't allow me to give up just like that.
“Why are you dodging? No one’s watching right now, and you’re not on duty, are you?”
“That’s…!”
I spoke to Vanessa with a slightly sad expression. Though her own expression didn't change much, she seemed flustered by my look.
Not missing the opening, I quickly moved toward Vanessa again, this time wrapping my arms around her waist so she couldn't escape.
“Kk! Mmph…!”
I pulled her in tightly, pressing her entire body against mine, and felt her body flinch and tremble.
Ignoring her reaction, I was finally able to press my lips against hers.
Yes, success at last!
…Wait a minute. Isn't this different from what I originally intended?
I was supposed to be checking her reaction with a surprise kiss, but you couldn't really call this a surprise kiss… well, who cares. The fact that Vanessa’s lips feel amazing hasn't changed. That's all that matters. Yep.
In contrast to her rigid demeanor, the feel of Vanessa’s lips was incredibly soft and supple, and I decided to savor it to the fullest.
Even with my arms around her waist, Vanessa could have easily resisted if she’d wanted to, but now that it had come to this, she seemed to have given up, quietly accepting my kiss.
Though she didn't try to move her own lips.
“So if there are no maids around and you’re not on duty, it’s okay for me to kiss you whenever I want, right?”
“Haah… haah…”
After thoroughly exploring her lips, I spoke, but Vanessa didn't answer, merely breathing heavily as she stared at me with an intense gaze.
At a glance, it might have looked like she was glaring, but for some reason, I knew.
She’s doing this because she’s embarrassed.
“Hm? Is that right? Answer me.”
“Tch…”
My choice of words—kissing her whenever I want—must have been bothering her quite a bit.
Vanessa averted her gaze, unable to answer easily.
“Well, it’s not like I really need to ask. You’re my woman. It’s only natural that I can kiss you.”
“……”
“No? You don’t like it?”
“…That is correct. I do not dislike it.”
But under my continued questioning, Vanessa had no choice but to admit it.
Well, in the end, it wasn't like she actually disliked it.
“Then could you say it properly with your own mouth? This makes it seem like I’m forcing myself on someone who doesn’t want it.”
If she had made a face that said, ‘You are forcing yourself on someone who doesn’t want it,’ I would have taken a fair bit of damage, but thankfully, Vanessa didn't make such an expression.
Phew. Thank goodness. No, I mean, I had faith, you know? She was the one who confessed first, after all! There’s no way she’d hate my kisses!
“…When you kiss me, Guwon… I am happy.”
Just saying ‘it’s okay to kiss me’ would have been enough, but Vanessa chose to phrase it that way.
It seemed she had noticed that I was feeling a little, just a tiny bit, insecure.
Even though she hesitated slightly, as if the mere thought of how often I’d be kissing her from now on was giving her a headache, the way she said it made this expressionless, iron-walled woman seem unbelievably cute.
Objectively speaking, based on her appearance alone, Vanessa was a beauty, but not someone you’d find an ounce of cuteness in.
“Heup… Ngh! Again… Mmm…”
And so, I kissed her again.
Unlike the previous one, Vanessa must not have expected this kiss, because I could see her eyes, which were looking right into mine from up close, tremble slightly.
Even with a surprise kiss, this was the extent of her reaction.
Seriously, her poker face is something else.
Come to think of it, when I kissed her after returning home, Silvia had mentioned that it was hard to read Vanessa’s expression.
So even when she was that flustered, she was still managing to keep her expression in check.
At this point, I had to wonder if it was a conscious effort or if her facial muscles had just frozen into a permanent deadpan.
Well, probably not. There were rare moments when that expressionless mask did crumble.
Like when she got overly excited during sex, for instance.
In any case, unlike the last kiss which was just our lips touching, this one was a deep, passionate kiss that involved our tongues.
Vanessa was reluctant to open her mouth, but as my tongue persistently prodded at her lips, she finally relented and slowly parted them as if she had no other choice.
Once I was able to slip my tongue into her mouth, it was smooth sailing from there.
At the skillful movements of my tongue stimulating the inside of her mouth, Vanessa eventually began to move her own tongue reflexively, thoroughly enjoying our kiss.
“Mmm… Eah… Haah… haah…”
So much so that when I pulled my lips away, her tongue followed mine out of her mouth as if in disappointment.
Looking at her now that we had separated, her facial expression had softened slightly.
Why is it so sexy when someone who is usually so guarded lets their defenses down?
Vanessa looked so alluring that I instinctively wanted to press my lips to hers again, but I forced down the desire slowly creeping up from within me.
Tonight’s star wasn't Vanessa. It was a shame, but it couldn't be helped.
“Kk!”
Instead, I gently caressed her cheek. Only then did Vanessa startle, pulling her tongue back into her mouth and hardening her expression.
Then, her eyes gleaming, she began to glare at me fiercely.
However, I felt not the slightest bit of threat from her expression.
No, I actually felt a sense of satisfaction.
She’s flustered. She’s incredibly flustered right now.
I brought my face close to hers once more.
I saw her eyes begin to tremble again.
Don't worry. I'm not going to kiss you this time.
Although, maybe she was hoping for it rather than worrying.
“You know.”
“…What is it?”
As I brought my lips to her ear and whispered, Vanessa answered in a deliberately low, threatening tone.
“That excuse from before, about reacting that way because the other maids were watching… that was a lie, wasn't it?”
“…What are you—Hk!”
At my whisper, Vanessa reacted more intensely than usual and tried to retort.
That reaction alone was telling me the truth.
Moreover, when I licked her earlobe, she couldn't even finish her sentence, freezing up completely.
“You’re so cute.”
“……!”
I whispered that into the ear of a now-speechless Vanessa, then kissed her lips one more time.
This time, it was a light goodnight kiss.
“Well then, sleep well.”
Until I gave her the goodnight kiss, said my farewell, left the room, and closed the door, Vanessa remained frozen in place, as if she had turned to stone, showing no reaction at all.
It seemed the compulsion to always maintain a blank expression and the overwhelming feeling of embarrassment had mixed together and caused an error.
In any case, with that, I had successfully made my apology to Vanessa.
No, rather than an apology… did I clear up a misunderstanding? Or should I say we reconciled?
Well, I guess none of that really matters.
The important thing is that my relationship with Vanessa is back to normal.
With this, everything is done… Ah. I didn't tell her about going to the dungeon tomorrow.
It would have been good to mention it since I was already seeing her.
But I couldn't just go back to her room to talk about it. Vanessa was probably coming out of her petrified state right about now and agonizing over what happened.
As a gentleman, I couldn't peek at a lady in a state she wouldn't want others to see.
I guess it can't be helped. I'll just stick to the plan and prepare my own things tomorrow.
My heart feeling much lighter, I walked quickly toward my room.
Although some unexpected things happened, like the kisses, the conversation with Vanessa itself didn't take very long.
Leia was probably still washing up in the bathroom.
If I hurry back now and just wash off the scent from my kiss with Vanessa, it'll be perfect.
It wasn't that I had anything to hide from Leia, and she probably sent me to Vanessa expecting that I'd at least share a kiss.
Still, it's a matter of basic manners.
Even if she was the one who sent me, it wouldn't feel good for the man she's spending the night with to smell like another woman, would it?
And so, upon arriving at my room, the first thing I did was walk toward the washbasin to wash my lips.
But before I could even wash up, I heard the sound of the door opening behind me.
“Guwon. I’m back.”
There was no need to even check. Of course, it was my angel.
“Uh, huh?! Y-You’re back? That was fast, huh?”
I hadn't expected Leia to be back so soon, so I was a little flustered.
Wait. Didn't you say you were going to prepare perfectly? But aren't you done washing faster than usual?
“Hehe. Yes. You told me to come quickly, Guwon. I did my best!”
The sight of my angel saying that while clenching her fists in front of her chest was truly adorable.
Plus, that pose pushed her breasts together… No, that's not what's important right now.
“Yeah. You did great.”
Still carrying Vanessa’s scent on me, I could only reply in an awkward voice.
No, to be honest, I couldn't even tell if I smelled like Vanessa myself.
She doesn't use things like perfume, after all.
But Leia would definitely notice.
Even as my mind raced, Leia was gradually approaching me.
“Hehe. Yes. Thank you for coming back quickly too, Guwon. To be honest, I thought I would get here a little earlier than you.”
“Haha. No way. Tonight’s all about you, Leia. I made sure to resolve any distracting issues right away.”
“Guwon. Even so, you shouldn't talk about such problems like that.”
When I spoke with a bit of bravado, Leia replied in a slightly stern voice, as if scolding me.
Well, it didn't seem like she was actually upset, as a faint smile played on her lips.
And as we talked, Leia came right up to me, naturally wrapped her arms around me, and stood on her tiptoes to kiss me.
Gah! So suddenly!
I was incredibly flustered, but I couldn't exactly avoid a kiss from Leia.
In the end, with a feeling of ‘what the hell,’ I accepted her kiss.
And the moment my lips touched Leia’s, I felt her body flinch slightly.