Chapter 80. Beastly B*stard

“What are you so scared of? I’m right here with you. I’m teaching you everything from one to ten.”

That’s exactly the problem……

Enoch Bayern could never be called a good teacher. His explanations…… were like a genius painter drawing on a canvas without a sketch and then telling you to replicate it.

For me, everything about handling a gun, the correct posture for shooting, reloading, etc.―was all unfamiliar and difficult, but for him, it was as easy as breathing.

He always thought from his own perspective. Especially when he had to teach someone, like now.

“Stand properly again, Ellen. Spread your feet shoulder-width apart…… That’s right. Most of the recoil from the gun will be felt in your hands and arms, but to maintain balance, you need to firmly plant your feet on the ground.”

This time, his explanation was relatively easy to understand. I tried to assume the posture he taught me. It was still clumsy, but much better than before.

“You’re right-handed, so yes, support your right hand with your left…… Don’t put your finger on the trigger yet.”

……Honestly, as much as Enoch being so close to me, what bothered me were the onlookers around us.

Bayern’s Gunner Corps.

Those who were knighted by Enoch served as the elite, while the unknighted gunners supported from the rear, forming Enoch’s private force.

Usually called the Gunner Corps, they were also referred to as the Gunner Regiment. The official name was ‘Bayern Knights.’

The place where I was practicing shooting today was the shooting range of the Gunner Corps…… and since a few minutes ago, people had started to gather around, almost encircling us.

The knights’ gazes…… how should I put it, felt quite peculiar. It was as if they were watching me like a curious animal……

Since I didn’t know the reason, it was just bewildering.

“Keep your elbow straight, in a line. Align the muzzle with your eye level.”

“……”

“Lower the hammer before you fire. Now, place your finger on the trigger. Don’t shoot yet.”

My hands holding the gun were trembling. Even though I was wearing sturdy gloves and shoulder pads, and Enoch was supporting me…… I couldn’t help but be scared.

This was a tool meant to take lives.

“Ellen, don’t hold your breath. Breathe slowly.”

Following his advice, I took a deep breath, but my heart kept pounding, so it didn’t help much. At least I avoided the mistake of foolishly holding my breath.

“Now aim…… and pull the trigger. I’ll hold you, so don’t be startled by the recoil. Don’t let go of the gun.”

I answered softly and aimed the muzzle at the distant target. Knowing Enoch was supporting me from behind was incredibly reassuring. Trusting him, though my hands still trembled a bit, I pulled the trigger.

Then.

Bang!

With an ear-splitting gunshot, the bullet flew and hit the target. Astonishingly, it scored 8 points. It was really good for a first shot.

‘I felt the recoil, but I didn’t fall…….’

This should be considered well done, right? I turned to Enoch with a bright smile, filled with joy.

He seemed just as surprised that I scored 8 points, laughing heartily and ruffling my hair. Then he cupped my cheeks with both hands and gave me a light kiss.

“Enoch……!”

The knights are watching!

But as always, Enoch didn’t care about others’ gazes. The embarrassment was always mine to bear. I glared at him with a warning look. He just ignored it lightly, as usual.

“See, you have unexpected talent. You did really well, Ellen.”

“……It might just be beginner’s luck……”

“No, I don’t make empty compliments about shooting.”

Encouraging me to try another shot, he looked extremely proud. Like an enthusiastic parent who heard from a teacher that their child had exceptional talent in shooting.

At this point, I was a bit afraid of disappointing his excessive expectations, but I thought I had no choice and assumed the posture again, aiming at the target.

Arms straight, muzzle aligned with eye level……

Taking a calm breath, I pulled the trigger.

Bang!

“……!”

Another 8 points.

“Oh!”

“That’s amazing, Your Highness!”

“You shoot much better than I do!”

The knights, who had been quietly watching, cheered in excited voices. But when Enoch glared at them coldly, they immediately fell silent, as if they had never been noisy.

Seeing how scared they were of Enoch, I felt naturally sympathetic. And partly, I could relate……

“Alright, keep shooting until you run out of bullets.”

At Enoch’s urging, I turned my gaze back to the front. Taking a deep breath and exhaling, I felt somewhat calmer.

Maybe, I was gaining a bit of confidence. I thought of that and smiled slightly. Me, having confidence in shooting……. Really, life is full of surprises.

There were four bullets left. Could I score 8 points again? I aimed carefully and pulled the trigger, feeling a different kind of tension.

After using up all four bullets, the final score was…….

8, 8, 7, 6, 7, 9…….

A total of 45 points.

Scoring 45 out of 60, it was remarkably good for a first-timer.

“……Looks like you’ll have to come hunting with me.”

……I don’t want to.

After two more shooting practices, Enoch suggested a bet.

Of course…… I wasn’t the one who brought it up first.

“I bet you’ll score over 50 points this time. What will you bet?”

“Well…… I don’t think it’s possible to score over 50 points.”

My highest score was the initial 45 points, followed by 38 and 41.

That seemed to be my average. To exceed 50 points, I’d need more practice.

“You never know until you try. Anyway, what will you bet?”

“……We agreed that the winner’s wish would be granted, right?”

“Yes. Whatever the wish is.”

Whatever the wish is.

If I wished to stop using foresight magic……. No, that’s a foolish thought. There’s no way Enoch Bayern would grant such a wish. No matter how much he loves me due to the magic……

That love is a fake, created by magic.

If I tried to manipulate him for a year using that love as an excuse, I wouldn’t be able to handle the aftermath once the magic wore off.

I must not forget. Before the magic, his ‘real’ feelings were merely curiosity.

“……What wish do you have in mind, Your Highness?”

“I want to do it in the carriage.”

“What? No way!”

Startled, I shouted almost like a scream, frowning. Enoch chuckled mischievously and whispered in a seductive voice close to my ear.

“If you don’t like it, win the bet. I’m serious about it.”

“……”

He’s crazy……

I thought the expression ‘beastly’ was only used in romance novels, but I never imagined I’d use it so frequently. Enoch Bayern is beastly. Very much so.

Trembling and clenching my fists, I bit my lip before speaking.

“……Then, I’ll bet that I score less than 50 points.”

This way, my chances of winning are much higher. I can deliberately aim for 6 points.

Thinking about it, this wasn’t a fair bet. After all, I’m the one shooting.

Feeling relieved, I pulled the trigger……

“……?”

“Congratulations, it’s exactly 50 points.”

Why……?

I aimed for 6 points, but why did I hit over 8 points every time? Two of them were even 9 points. This is ridiculous!

“You might score a perfect 60 at this rate. Your talent is frightening.”

Enoch laughed and took the gun from my hands. Then he effortlessly lifted me and started heading somewhere.

No way.

“Shall we go to the carriage?”

“Now? No way……!”

“I was actually joking. I plan to surprise you when you’re not expecting it.”

“……!”

Thinking about it, that’s even worse…… But I already lost the bet, and there’s no backing out now.

Why did I do that……

I shouldn’t have made the bet.

“Oh, I’m looking forward to it.”

Enoch was humming happily, in stark contrast to my gloominess.

* * *

“Department store?”

“Yes, Jasmine insisted I should go since I’ve never been……”

“Hmm……”

On a peaceful Tuesday morning.

Enoch, who had been humming softly, looked up from his newspaper with a thoughtful expression.

He quickly downed his morning tea and stood up.

Looking at me, blinking blankly, he smiled and said,

“I’ll take you there. I have some business nearby anyway.”

“……”

I…… averted his gaze and mumbled.

“You must be busy…… There’s no need. I can go alone……. I mean, Jasmine and Haley are going with me……”

“Are you scared to ride in the same carriage with me?”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are. It’s written all over your face, Ellen.”

I blinked furiously, sweating profusely. Enoch chuckled, seemingly amused, and headed to the dressing room, tossing aside his silk robe.

“You had a hard time because of me last night. And even until dawn. I won’t bother you anymore today.”

“……Really?”

Enoch Bayern saying something considerate like that…… Was there something suspicious in his morning tea?

“Trust me. I’m not some beastly b*stard who would jump on you at any moment.”

“……”

I almost said, ‘You’re beastly enough,’ but kept my mouth shut. Provoking him wouldn’t do any good.

* * *

Fooled again.

Even after being fooled like that at dawn, again……

‘This really is the last time, Ellen.’

His voice from dawn overlapped with the present.

“This is the last time in the carriage, really.”

Enoch Bayern was really too much. Somehow, he acted so kindly in the morning as if he had eaten something wrong. That was all just a warm-up.

To deceive me…… like this.

“Haa……. Ellen.”

“Hng, ugh.”

Inside the rocking carriage.

I couldn’t tell if the carriage was shaking or if my body was. Probably both.

“Ah, please…….”

“Hmm, does it feel good?”

“The carriage is shaking…… it keeps…… Ah!”

He gripped my hips and thrust his c*ck deep into my p*ssy. Sitting on his lap, it felt too deep, almost dangerous.

“Ugh, ah! Ah!”

Thrust, thrust! His thick shaft relentlessly pounded inside. The intense stimulation made my breathing ragged, and tears welled up in my eyes.

“Ugh, hng……”

“Ellen, look at me.”

“You’re too much……. Really……”

“I think you’re the prettiest when you cry.”

He whispered seductively, licking the tears that ran down my cheeks. His tongue slid down to my neck, leaving red marks as his lips sucked my tender skin.

Ah, no.

Mumbling in a daze, he laughed sadistically in my ear. Watching me trapped in his arms, he seemed utterly satisfied.

“You’re right.”

He murmured in an excited voice.

“I’m a d*mn beastly b*stard.”

“Ah……”