R4STWH - Chapter 94

Chapter 94

There hadn't been any particular changes in our daily life. After all, Elias had always kept me close by his side wherever he went.

The only difference was that I now found myself questioning him about every little suspicious detail.

"Elias, um... your heartbeat seems to have quickened a bit. That knight who just passed by, mmph..."

Before I could finish my question, he pushed me against the wall and pressed his lips against mine.

After a quick kiss, he delved deeper, more gently this time.

His tongue reached deep inside until it touched the base of mine, then coiled and rubbed against it like mating snakes. The persistent yet languid movement sent shivers down my spine.

"Mmnn..."

This was the first time we'd kissed in the corridor. He must have waited until there was no one around for this moment.

'So that's why his heart rate increased.'

I had wondered why, since he hadn't even glanced at the knight.

'What a relief.'

I knew it was silly to keep asking and feeling relieved like this. But just knowing there weren't any particularly concerning individuals to be wary of in terms of his nature...

"W-wait... Elias..."

I was startled into stopping my train of thought when his thigh, which had somehow made its way under my dress, pressed against a sensitive spot.

"Why here of all places..."

"Because you've been acting so cute... I just couldn't hold back anymore."

"...?"

How exactly had I been acting cute?

"Keep asking me questions like you did today."

"Hm...?"

"Whether I smiled at other women, if I thought they were pretty, if I felt the urge to hold their hands."

...Though he had seemed to brush it off earlier, Elias had remembered every single question I'd asked.

"I never knew it would feel this good to have you pay such close attention to my every move and question me about it."

"R-really...?"

I was momentarily confused about why that would feel good.

But thinking back to how I'd felt a pleasant tingling in my chest rather than frustration when he used to be overprotective of me, I could somewhat understand.

It meant considering the true feelings hidden beyond the surface appearance.

He knew why I was acting this way.

That I liked him so much that I couldn't help but worry about his eyes, his heart, his attention turning to someone else...

"Can I do the same?"

Suddenly, Elias asked while looking into my eyes.

"Ask you who you're looking at, whether you're lost in thoughts about someone else, if your heart is wavering... can I ask you those things?"

"Of course!"

It seemed oddly fresh, though he actually asked such questions quite often.

For instance, starting with whether I thought Crow was handsome, then about Leonard, Callen, and others...

"That's a relief. I've been trying to hold back because I was worried you might find it tiresome."

He smiled brilliantly, his face radiant.

'So he was holding back...'

Well, what did it matter?

Thanks to how happy Elias looked right now, the guilt that had been constantly pricking at my heart for staying by his side as a fake Pair seemed to fade just a little.

"Then shall we continue what we were doing?"

"That's definitely not happening!"

Elias, who had been tilting his head to kiss me again, certain of my permission, paused and looked at me.

"We have a visitor."

"A visitor...? At this hour?"

I nodded and pointed toward the window.

We were currently on the fourth floor of the mansion. It was after dinner, and we had been heading to our bedroom after stopping by the study to quickly handle some urgent matters.

It was quite late for visitors, and coming through the window meant this was an unauthorized guest.

But having already identified the uninvited guest, I understood why they had no choice but to take this approach.

"It's Baeksa."

"...What? Why would that bastard suddenly..."

Before Elias could finish speaking, a black figure leaped through the window.

Elias, startled that he hadn't properly detected the intruder's presence, stiffened and hid me behind his back.

"That's not Howell. Just like with Leonard."

'As expected, our Elias is smart. To notice so quickly.'

As I was inwardly impressed, the man who had wrapped his entire body in black cloth, with only his eyes visible, strode toward us.

He stopped a few steps away and said:

"We have a problem."

"What do you mean, barging in here and saying such things?"

Though I couldn't see the figure's appearance behind Elias's broad back, I could imagine from his voice alone.

Baeksa would be looking at me with an extremely troubled expression.

I wanted to ask what the problem was, but for Elias's sake, who was still tensely guarding against Baeksa, I remained silent.

Seeming to understand my position, Baeksa continued speaking without pause.

"The First Imperial Princess and First Imperial Prince are working together to try to destroy this world."

"What...?"

My resolution to stay quiet crumbled in just three seconds.

Fortunately, Elias reacted even more intensely.

"What are you talking about? Those two people... no, we're not even sure if they're people! Anyway, why would they? Don't tell me they're invaders from another world!"

Thanks to my brainwashing, Elias's mind had become completely open. His imagination had become quite extraordinary.

"No, that's not it... They acted as if they knew Ilesha. Which means they're from the same world... Could they be Dark Lords returned from hell?!"

Baeksa, who had been quietly listening to Elias's words, scratched his cloth-wrapped forehead.

"I'm not sure if you're insightful or just odd... I really can't tell."

"You seemed to be on the same side, so why are you here to tell us about their plans?"

"Please don't lump me in with them. It makes me feel dirty."

Judging by how he spoke, they must have had a major fight.

Though such things happened often when they were working as a team, given that the destruction of this world was being discussed, this couldn't be laughed off.

"And, Ilesha..."

After hesitating for a moment, Baeksa spoke in a voice tinged with a sigh.

"The thing about Pairs... it's very different from what you think. It has nothing to do with fate or anything like that. So you don't need to worry about what that guy said at all."

"What do you mean? How can it have nothing to do with fate?"

This was even harder to believe than Yumi and Zero plotting to destroy the world.

"...I'll explain the details when we have a chance to talk alone."

Seeming conscious of Elias, who was still steadfastly glaring at him, Baeksa took a step back.

"Are you leaving already? At this hour?"

Baeksa nodded at my question.

"I need to hurry back and keep an eye on them to make sure they don't do anything rash."

"Um, if it doesn't interfere with your quest... could you answer just one thing?"

"Of course."

"Is the Evil Dragon... still alive?"

Baeksa's brow furrowed at my question.

I could guess what it meant without hearing the answer directly, so I shook my head.

"Alright, you should go then."

He might have told me even if it meant receiving a penalty.

"Ilesha..."

After chewing his lip, he looked at Elias and said:

"I invite you to the Ricks mansion in the Imperial Capital. I would be grateful if you could visit with your wife."

"When?"

"As soon as possible. Tomorrow would be even better."

Elias, who had been showing me only his back this whole time, finally turned to look at me. I took his hand first when I saw him looking to me for my opinion.

His hand, which was always warm, had grown cold. This conversation that he couldn't quite follow had clearly made him anxious and uneasy.

"Let's do it, Elias. We can't just let the world be destroyed. We need to find out what's going on."

"What if this is also a trap? What if they're setting a trap to take you away from me?"

Was that what he was worried about? For Elias, was that an even bigger issue than the world being destroyed?

"Don't worry. I told you before, didn't I? No one can separate us."

"But they are... frustratingly, they're like Demon Lords that I can't do anything about in my current state."

"It's okay, Elias."

Looking directly into his beautiful eyes that had sunk into depression with self-reproach, I spoke firmly.

"I'm stronger than them."

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