Chapter 7.1

Kartan immediately took Delia to her room, judging it to be the place where she would feel the most secure.  

However, Delia’s body continued to tremble uncontrollably, as if she were struck by a fever. Despite his reassurances—“You’re safe now, everything’s alright”—her shocked body refused to calm down.  

“Delia.”  

Kartan’s voice gently reached her ears, soft and reassuring, as though to soothe her.  

“Hic, huff…”  

“It’s okay now. You’re safe.”  

Kartan reassured her once again.  

“Huff, sniff…”  

Her trembling body began to take slower breaths than before.  

Even so, her face still showed signs of fear. She looked like a fawn that had narrowly escaped a hunter’s trap.  

Kartan wanted nothing more than to embrace Delia and comfort her, but he couldn’t.  

After what she had just endured, even touching her seemed like a risk. He feared that his touch might startle her further and cause her to break down completely.  

“You’re safe now.”  

Grip—  

So, Kartan firmly held Delia’s hand, repeatedly reassuring her that she was safe, that everything was alright.  

“Haa, ah…”  

He did this over and over until Delia’s trembling finally began to subside.  

‘How dare he… do something like this.’  

As Kartan watched her, he thought of the person responsible for all of this. His jaw clenched tightly, trembling with suppressed rage.  

About an hour ago, Kartan had burst into the professor’s office, forcibly opening the door, only to be met with a horrifying scene.  

Repel Roxen was pinning Delia down, his filthy hands all over her.  

Her clothing was already in disarray, hanging loosely from her body.  

The moment Kartan’s eyes took in the vile sight, rational thought escaped him.  

Thud—  

His fist immediately flew, landing a solid blow on Repel’s jaw. Just like last time, a single punch sent Repel sprawling to the floor, groaning pathetically.  

As much as Kartan wanted to throw more punches at his disgraceful older brother, he turned away. Delia came first.  

“Delia!”  

“K-Kartan… P-please…”  

Her face was pale, her expression desperate as she looked at him. She could barely breathe.  

Tears pooled in her eyes, streaming down her face and leaving her looking utterly broken.  

Her reddened, swollen cheek made it easy to imagine the ordeal she had suffered.  

Though nausea threatened to rise within him, Kartan prioritized getting Delia out of there.  

He immediately brought her to her room.  

But even now, as she continued trembling uncontrollably, Kartan couldn’t help but blame himself.  

‘If only… if only I had been quicker…’  

This wasn’t something he hadn’t anticipated.  

He had been keeping an eye on his brother’s movements, yet the incident had still occurred. It felt as though everything was his fault.  

Anger at himself boiled within him.  

He should have been more vigilant in watching his brother.  

He shouldn’t have let his guard down just because nothing had happened so far.  

‘If only I had kept a closer watch.’  

Kartan bit down hard on his lower lip.  

If I hadn’t arrived in time, Delia would have—  

He didn’t want to imagine the outcome. The mere thought made him scowl.  

It had been pure coincidence that he overheard the third-year students’ conversation.  

“Did you hear about Repel?”  

“Oh, it’s finally happening today, right?”  

At first, Kartan hadn’t thought much of it. His brother’s name had caught his attention for a moment, but he dismissed it as unimportant.  

But then—  

“Delia? They said it’s finally happening with her.”  

“Wow, what a scumbag. I thought it was impressive how he managed to become the professor’s assistant in the first place.”  

The next moment, Delia’s name came up in their conversation.  

Professor’s assistant. Words that didn’t make sense.  

But an ominous feeling washed over him. It was almost instinctual.  

Without hesitation, Kartan approached them and demanded answers.  

“Where is it? Where is she?”  

“Huh? W-what?”  

“That assistant. Where is she?”  

Overwhelmed by Kartan’s intimidating presence, one of the third-year students stammered out an answer.  

“P-Professor Idern’s office…”  

“Hey, you shouldn’t have told him—!”  

Thud, thud, thud—  

Kartan immediately sprinted toward Professor Idern’s office.  

‘Please. Let this just be my imagination.’  

He desperately hoped his ominous feeling was wrong.  

* * *  

“Hic…”  

Even after returning to her room, Delia found it difficult to calm her trembling heart.  

She was terrified. If Kartan hadn’t come for her, she would have… She didn’t even want to finish the thought. Her hands trembled again at the mere idea.  

She didn’t know how Kartan had managed to come to her rescue, but she couldn’t bring herself to ask him about it yet.  

At that moment, Kartan gripped her hand even tighter.  

“Delia, you’re safe now.”  

The warmth of his hand, transmitted through their joined hands, was comforting. She felt her trembling subside just a little.  

‘I want to feel more of it.’  

But it wasn’t enough. If she could feel more of his warmth, perhaps she could feel even safer.  

Unconsciously, a plea escaped her lips.  

“Hold me. Just once.”  

Her voice trembled as she begged, clinging to his chest. She felt as though she wouldn’t be able to endure this otherwise.  

Fortunately, Kartan didn’t refuse. Instead, he pulled her into a tight embrace.  

‘Warm.’  

Encased in the solid body she loved, she finally felt a sense of relief.  

As she inhaled his familiar scent, her chaotic mind began to clear.  

Gratitude filled her heart. She was thankful that he hadn’t pushed her away and had comforted her instead.  

Just as she was about to express her thanks—  

“Thank y…”  

She felt warm breath against her lips.  

Startled, she instinctively tried to call his name.  

“K-Kar… mmph.”  

But before she could, his soft lips pressed against hers.  

It happened in an instant. Delia couldn’t move. It took her several seconds to comprehend what this warm sensation was.  

“I’m sorry.”  

Kartan’s apology followed immediately. He pulled back, flustered, as he saw her frozen reaction.  

Even he hadn’t intended to do it. The moment he held her, it was as if he’d lost his mind.  

Before he knew it, he had kissed her.  

‘What’s wrong with me?’  

Self-reproach filled his thoughts. He shouldn’t have done such a thing to someone who was still so shaken.  

“I’m really sorry. I must’ve lost my mind.”  

As Kartan continued to apologize, his face filled with regret.  

“…It’s okay. If it’s you.”  

Her soft voice filled the space between them.  

“So… do it again.”  

Kartan felt a tug on his collar.  

“…Delia?”  

The moment he saw her hand pulling him closer—  

“Mmph… Kar… mmph.”  

There was no hesitation this time. Kartan’s lips captured hers once more.  

“Haa… ah…”  

His tongue slipped past her slightly parted lips, exploring deeply.  

As Kartan’s tongue roamed every corner of her mouth, Delia closed her eyes.  

He filled her completely, and that thought overwhelmed her.  

Kartan’s strong hands pulled her waist closer. Though there was no space left between them, he pressed her even tighter against him.  

“Mmph… mmph…”  

As if they had become one, their bodies pressed firmly together, and Delia’s trembling gradually subsided.  

Kartan was hot. But he was also warm.  

As their lips and tongues intertwined, he comforted her—gently, tenderly.  

She didn’t know why such an overwhelming kiss felt so kind.  

‘This is the first time.’  

Though she had shared her body with Kartan before, they had never kissed like this.  

‘It’s soft.’  

That was her impression of her first kiss.  

She could feel his hesitation, his restraint, as if he was afraid of pushing her too far despite his desire.  

‘Why… is he being so gentle?’  

As their lips pressed together, she couldn’t understand why.  

“Haa…”  

Wasn’t he the one who had been so cold to me not long ago? Was he pitying me because of what had just happened?  

But Delia didn’t mind if his feelings were pity.  

The thought of what torment she might have been enduring right now if he hadn’t been by her side was unbearable.  

“…Delia.”  

Their gazes met as their lips parted. Kartan gently stroked the back of her head.  

“You should get some rest.”  

“…Okay.”  

As if his words were a magical spell, Delia closed her eyes and fell asleep in Kartan’s arms.  

Strangely, it felt as comforting as being submerged in warm water.  

For now, she wanted to accept his kindness without question.  

***

Blink. Blink.  

Delia slowly opened her heavy eyelids, trying to clear her foggy mind.  

The touch against her cheek was soft and warm. It was Kartan’s large hand.  

“…Kartan?”  

Only then did Delia realize she had fallen asleep in his arms.  

“Yeah. Did you sleep well?”  

As her eyes met Kartan’s, who looked at her lovingly, Delia instinctively turned her gaze away.  

“Y-yeah. Thanks to you.”  

She couldn’t understand why he was looking at her like that.  

The kiss from earlier, the way he stroked her cheek just now—  

‘Why is he being so kind?’  

If he kept acting like this, it would lead to misunderstandings.  

Surely, he was just feeling sorry for her today. She couldn’t mistake his pity for something else.  

As Delia resolved herself and tried to pull away from his embrace—  

Grip—  

“Huh…?”  

Caught off guard, a surprised sound escaped her lips.  

Kartan’s strong arms held her tightly, showing no intention of letting go.  

“Delia.”  

His low voice resonated in her ears, sending a shiver down her spine.  

“I’ve been holding back for so long.”  

When Delia turned to face him, she saw the desire burning in his eyes.  

She couldn’t mistake the hard object pressing against her lower body for anything else.  

Her face flushed red in an instant. The two of them, faces flushed, stared at each other.  

“But if you don’t want this, I won’t do it.”  

Kartan’s voice was gentle as he sought her permission. Delia could sense the concern in his tone.  

It was the first time.  

He had always taken her whenever he wanted, regardless of her feelings.  

This unfamiliar sensation was both awkward and thrilling, and it made her happy.  

So Delia couldn’t refuse.  

No, she wanted him too.  

“…I don’t mind. I want to… with you.”  

Though she had calmed down more than before, she felt as if Kartan’s touch could wash away all the bad memories.