Episode 20

Thwack—

Unable to contain his emotions, Aydin grabbed Russelin’s delicate wrist roughly.

“Let go of me!”

“If you were so displeased, you should have said so.”

“…You…”

“Come with me. I’ll make sure you never speak that man’s name again.”

Spouting incomprehensible words, Aydin began to drag Russelin somewhere.

As he pulled her along with his rough grip, Russelin noticed a figure in the distance.

“Oh my, you’re both here together? I was waiting for you, Aydin.”

While Russelin’s face drained of color, Celia stood waiting for them, a smug look on her face.

Aydin confidently positioned himself before Celia, casting an arrogant glance at Russelin.

“Watch carefully. See just how insignificant and useless you really are.”

With exaggerated deliberation, Aydin moved closer to Celia and wrapped an arm around her slender waist.

Celia leaned back smoothly, a sly smile gracing her red lips.

“Oh my, Aydin, Lady Lavrenti is watching.”

“She needs to see it too. To learn the true role of a priestess.”

Without another word, Aydin pulled Celia into a passionate kiss.
The subtle parting of their lips mingled their breaths together.

“Mmm, Aydin…”

Celia’s sensual voice slipped through their kiss, and her crimson eyes fixed directly on Russelin.

Before Russelin could even react, a blue glow emanated from Celia, seeping into Aydin.

In that moment, Russelin could clearly see Aydin’s red aura being overtaken by a shade of blue.

“Gasp…!”

Russelin felt a wave of discomfort wash over her, forcing her to take a step back.

Though not directly affected by his magic, a burning pain seemed to flare up in her chest.

“Hnngh…”

“What are you doing, Russelin? Watch properly. Celia is performing the duty you should be fulfilling.”

Aydin’s menacing voice reached her, and Russelin struggled to focus her blurred vision on him.

Yet, seeing Aydin now, imbued with Celia’s divine power, felt disturbingly foreign in a way that made her skin crawl.

“Don’t come any closer… please, hnngh!”

“Russelin!”

Overcome by an excruciating pain that coursed through her body, Russelin clutched her chest and crumpled to the floor.

When she finally opened her eyes, she found herself in Aydin’s arms.

In that moment, a cruel glint flickered in his eyes.

“I didn’t expect it to work so well.”

“H-hnn…”

“It’s time to return to the bedroom.”

Lifting the panting Russelin into his arms, Aydin strode toward her quarters.

Celia merely watched him with a knowing, dark glint in her eyes.
Once they reached the bedroom, Aydin laid her on the bed.

“Ahh, please… it hurts so much, please stop…”

Despite Russelin’s desperate pleas, Aydin only looked down at her with a detached, calculating gaze.

“…An unexpected benefit.”

Initially, he had only intended to teach Russelin a lesson, but he had inadvertently drawn out her suppressed divine power.

As if savoring the moment, Aydin ran his fingers along Russelin’s trembling form as she writhed in agony.

“Please… please, let me go… it hurts too much…”

Half-conscious, Russelin clung to Aydin, not even fully aware of what she was saying.

Relishing her helpless state, Aydin pretended to comfort her with feigned tenderness.

“Just a little more.”

“Ahh…”

“Draw out more of your divine power.”

It was a horrifying command.

Through her blurred vision, Russelin could see Aydin’s cynical smile clearly.

“Aydin, you… you’re truly… h-horrible…”

“It’s all for your benefit, Russelin. So you can rise above your pitiful status as a half-baked priestess.”

“…”

“Show me your divine power. Who knows, if you succeed…”

“H-hnngh…”

“Maybe I’ll even love you.”

How could you…

The look in Aydin’s eyes was terrifying, purely exploitative.

To him, she was nothing more than a tool, nothing more or less.
Russelin let go of the last shred of sanity she had been holding onto.

“Hurry up, Russelin.”

Aydin’s cruel taunts grew faint.

In the end, Russelin gave him no answer at all.

* * *

“Hnn, it’s so hot…”

Each surge of energy through her body, uncertain if it was divine power or something else, burned as though she were being seared by flames.

She lost track of time, aware only of a glimpse of the darkened night sky beyond her blurred vision.

“It hurts so much…”

Please, someone…

Even knowing there was no one to catch her, Russelin, trembling uncontrollably, reached out as if in a trance.

‘…There’s no one here.’

Her desperate wish dissipated into the air as always.
But this time, something was different.

Whoosh—

In the oppressive heat of the room, a sudden, cool breeze swept in, as if welcoming an uninvited guest.

“…I always seem to be late.”

With a frown, the man who had stepped into the room muttered a curse under his breath, displeased by the stifling heat filling the space.

His shadow loomed over Russelin, who lay curled up, writhing in pain.

Despite her dulled senses, the familiar, comforting scent reached her, stirring her slightly.

“Grand Duke…?”

Struggling, Russelin raised her head, catching a glimpse of violet eyes through her hazy vision.

Though his face was set in a tense expression, such details didn’t register for her right now.

“It’s really you…?”

“Yes, it’s me. I’m sorry I was late.”

“Why are you…”

Why do you always appear when I’m in pain?

As Russelin moved her lips weakly, Leonard, sensing her misunderstanding, tried to pull his hand away.

Noticing this, Russelin desperately clutched his hand, her voice trembling.

Realizing she had misinterpreted his actions, Leonard lifted her petite form into his arms.

“Relax, it’s alright. I’m here to help.”
“Hnngh… my body feels like it’s on fire… it’s so hot…”
“Shh. Take deep breaths and lean on me.”

Adjusting his hold to allow her to rest more comfortably, Leonard placed his hand gently over her chest.

He could feel the intense, chaotic energy coursing wildly through her fragile frame.

Residual traces of divine power, forcibly suppressed…

While Leonard assessed her condition, Russelin clung to him, pressing her hand against his chest.

“It hurts so much. Please… do something…”

“If your divine power is flaring up, I can use my magic to suppress it.”

“…!”

“Tell me what you want, Russelin.”

Despite his gentle touch, Leonard spoke firmly, as if he wouldn’t act until she gave her consent.

Finally, Russelin leaned her head against his chest, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Please… help me. This chaos inside me…”

Though it was only a half-conscious plea, Leonard seemed pleased, pulling her closer in a protective embrace.

Gradually, his red magic began to seep into Russelin, mingling with her own energy.

Leonard remained entirely focused on her, his hand tenderly sweeping back her hair.

“Hnngh…”

“Shh. You’re doing well.”

Whenever she faltered, Leonard’s reassuring voice steadied her.

Even through her fading vision, his voice penetrated, calming her.

As the oppressive blue energy began to recede, Russelin finally exhaled, her breath easing.

“Ha…”

Russelin slumped into Leonard’s embrace.

Leonard, attentively watching her reactions, quickly withdrew his magic and held her firmly.

Seeing her relaxed and resting against his chest, he looked down at her with a tense expression, unsure of her condition.

“Russelin?”

Unable to bear the silence, Leonard spoke her name softly.
After a brief moment, her eyes fluttered open, revealing clear, blue irises that met his gaze.

Leonard, as if delighted, stroked her hair gently.

“You did well. Don’t worry; there’s no trace left.”

“…Thank you.”

As Russelin struggled to collect her hazy thoughts, Leonard took advantage of her vulnerability, pressing a cool hand to her forehead.

The sudden chill made her smile faintly, feeling a soothing relief.

“You really do know how to give someone a scare.”

“…You’re the one…”

“I didn’t step back last night just to see you end up like this.”

To show me this side of you now…

The usual light-hearted tone in his words felt sharper today, unusually piercing.

“…Like this.”

“Hm? What did you say?”

Russelin, looking down, fiddled with the hem of his coat as she mumbled softly.

“I tried my best to hold on…”

“…”

“I even told Aydin how I truly felt and stood up to Celia without fear.”

Hearing these words from the man she’d wanted so desperately to hear something kind made her feel unexpectedly emotional.

“I mustered the courage to speak, but he only got angry…”

Though Leonard couldn’t see her face, he could tell from her voice that her lips were probably pouting.

‘Ha, this is driving me mad.’

What was he to do with her?

Usually, she was so annoyingly rational, but now, at a time like this, she was as vulnerable as a child.

Yet he could hardly criticize her, knowing she had finally let out feelings she had held back for so long.

Sighing, Leonard pulled her closer, holding her tightly.

“Yes, you did well. You must have been scared all alone.”

Though he spoke gently, Russelin simply looked up at him, not acknowledging his words.

Why was it that when she met his steady gaze, she couldn’t even think of looking away?

She placed her hand against his chest, meeting his eyes directly.

“Why…”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Why is it always you who finds me first?”

Whenever I need someone, it’s as if you were waiting.