Chapter 5.5

Elian silently rubbed the ointment on her cl*toris, then continued down to her entrance, applying more there. As he carefully traced her opening with his finger, it opened and closed in response.

“…”

“Ah, Elian…”

While he was focused on applying the ointment, Rosalyn grabbed his arm and called his name. Only then did he look up at her.

Then, he showed her his finger, which was covered in Rosalyn’s clear fl*ids, stretching between them.

“I’m just applying medicine, but you’re dripping like this…”

“I can’t help it. You keep touching me—what do you expect?”

As Rosalyn tried to shift her position, her foot brushed Elian’s thigh.

“…”

A silence fell between them. Rosalyn spoke first.

“Why are you getting hard while applying ointment?”

“Uh… I can’t help it either. What I see is already provocative, and you keep moaning…”

“Mm…”

Both fell silent, avoiding each other’s eyes. They were truly alike. Elian lowered her pajamas and got up from the bed.

“That’s all for the medicine. I’ll go get lunch now.”

Elian moved away from the bed, picking up some clothes and tossing them on the sofa. Rosalyn spoke to him.

“You’re going yourself?”

“I thought you’d feel awkward with lots of people coming in and out.”

“Yeah, that makes sense…”

After lunch, Elian spent time with Rosalyn in the bedroom.

“When I go home, come with me. I think I’ll get in less trouble that way.”

“Yeah, I was planning to. I’ll need to explain things at the Earl’s mansion anyway.”

Elian seemed to agree with her request. The two spent the day together and fell asleep in the same bed again.

***

The next day, Earl Aimond and his wife, unaware of everything, greeted them warmly.

“Rosalyn, did you have that much fun? You didn’t come home for two days.”

“Why…”

The Earl spoke first, then the Countess, but she trailed off, her gaze shifting elsewhere. Soon, the Earl’s eyes followed, both of them looking at Rosalyn and Elian—more precisely, at their linked arms.

Rosalyn began her act, as if she were an innocent lady who had fallen deeply in love after one night.

“Fun? I spent a meaningful night with my Honey, that’s all.”

“…Honey? Honey?!”

The Countess and Earl both repeated the word, their eyes turning to Elian. Their round eyes seemed to say, ‘You’re the more reasonable one, so explain.’

Elian was stunned by being called ‘Honey,’ but quickly regained composure. Feeling the pressure of their stares and a vague sense of guilt, he avoided their eyes but spoke firmly.

“I’m… I’m sorry. But it’s all true.”

“Honey, there’s nothing to be sorry for. Our love isn’t a crime.”

Rosalyn deliberately clung to Elian’s arm, as if to show off. The Earl and Countess stared at them in shock.

“Stop it, you.”

Seeing Rosalyn provoking his parents, Elian tried to pull her off. But Rosalyn clung to his arm, refusing to budge.

“What are you doing? You should be explaining politely!”

“Whenever I go this far, they usually just give up.”

Elian whispered to Rosalyn, and she whispered back.

“Ha, you’re impossible…”

He looked exasperated, but he was smiling. Then, deciding to play along, he hugged her gently before stepping back and facing the Earl and Countess, his voice soft and calm.

“I’m sorry for acting so rashly. But I didn’t want to lose Rosalyn. I’ve liked her since we were children.”

At his sudden confession, Rosalyn turned to look at him. Her watery eyes, shining in the sunlight, looked more beautiful than ever. She stared at him in a daze.

“I didn’t want Rosalyn to be sent to the convent. I wanted her by my side. So I seduced her. I’m sure you both had expectations for Rosalyn or for me. I’m sorry for disappointing you.”

Elian reached out and took Rosalyn’s hand.

“This all started because of my selfishness, but I confirmed that Rosalyn feels the same as I do. I hope you’ll forgive us.”

“…”

Even after Elian finished speaking, the Earl and Countess were silent for a while. They exchanged glances, as if signaling who should speak first. Finally, the Earl cleared his throat and spoke.

“Mm, well… If it’s Elian, I suppose there’s nothing we can do.”

“Yes, I was secretly hoping you two would end up together anyway. Hoho.”

As the Earl finished, the Countess agreed, hiding her smile behind her fan.

“Huh?”

Rosalyn couldn’t believe how easily things were resolved and asked again.

“We thought that if we said something like this, maybe things would work out. It’s a relief that it went as we hoped, right, dear?”

“Yes, dear. Only Elian could handle such a tomboy.”

The Earl and Countess laughed happily. Rosalyn stared at them, stunned by their assessment.

“What? Huh?”

She asked again, but nobody paid her any attention.

“That’s a relief. Right, Honey?”

Elian smiled and hugged Rosalyn.

“??”

And so, Rosalyn didn’t have to go to the convent, and the two were allowed to date much more easily than expected.

***

After receiving permission, the two walked through the Earl’s garden to talk.

“Wow, you’re amazing. I never knew you could act like that. Is that why you thought my acting was so bad?”

Rosalyn, seemingly recovered from the shock, complimented Elian’s acting.

“Let’s be honest. Your acting was bad, mine was a heartfelt confession.”

“What?!”

Rosalyn, offended by his words, tried to protest, but Elian spoke first.

“By the way, Honey.”

“Don’t call me Honey!”

“You called me that, so why can’t I? What are you planning to do now?”

Elian complained about Rosalyn’s unfairness and continued his question.

“What do you mean, ‘now’? Since I’m not going to the convent, shouldn’t I enjoy my freedom?”

Elian shook his head, meaning that wasn’t what he meant.

“Our relationship. Now that we have permission, why not just date formally—or actually, how about we get married right away?”

Elian spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“What are you talking about? Let’s just pretend to date for a while and then break up.”

“What?”

At her words, Elian frowned as if he’d heard something outrageous.

“No, listen, Elian. We’ve known each other for ten years and made so many memories together.”

“I don’t know what you’re trying to say, but that’s true.”

Elian listened, though his eyes were suspicious.

“I just think… this is one of those good memories too.”

“Good memories? Good memories…”

As Elian repeated those words, his gaze became unsettling, and Rosalyn shrank back and asked,

“What’s wrong, Elian? You’re not upset, are you?”

“No, you’re right. You said it’s a good memory, right?”

“Uh, yes, I did.”

“I think I could keep making those good memories for you.”

“What?!”

Rosalyn stammered, flustered.

“I could make new good memories for you every night, without missing a day.”

“No, don’t!”

“Why? You said it’s a good memory.”

“Every night is too much! My body can’t handle it!”

Rosalyn shrank back and stepped away from him.

“Every night is too much, huh… Well, I get your point. I won’t be too hasty. Let’s take it slow.”

“Y-yeah.”

Rosalyn felt relieved, thinking she could escape this topic for now.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you.”

“Tell me what?”

“The reason it was my first time back then. It’s because I wanted you to be my first.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“I never wanted to do it with anyone but you. Like I said, it was a heartfelt confession.”

Rosalyn recalled his earlier words.

‘I’ve liked her since we were children.’

‘Let’s be honest. Your acting was bad, mine was a heartfelt confession.’

Her eyes darted around as she realized the truth. Even someone dense would understand now.

“A-are you crazy?! Since when were you so bold?”

“I’ve always been bold. Ever since you started talking about becoming a priestess because of the Goddess, I just kept it hidden.”

At that, Rosalyn’s face turned bright red and she pushed him away.

“You’re dangerous! You’re way too dangerous for me.”

“What? You’re the one who tempted me. That’s not fair.”

Elian pouted at Rosalyn’s reaction, but he didn’t say anything to make things awkward after that. The two walked through the garden for a while and then parted ways. But Rosalyn’s mind was in chaos.