A Practical Guide to Ending a One-Sided Love - Chapter 31

Bjorn slowly breathed and steadied his divine power. It was a strength he had freely used since awakening, but he had never imagined using it in this way. After a moment his body barely settled, yet his startled mind remained swollen as if stung by a bee.

“It seems that while I did not know, ahem, the customs of the capital have become quite liberal.”

His voice cracked in the middle of his deliberately dignified tone. It sounded like something an old-fashioned priest might say, but it was truly how he felt.

As Leila said, the men and women meeting here were intertwined in their own novel ways as if they wished to become one body.

Was that really acceptable legally and morally? Bjorn lamented the increasingly corrupt atmosphere of the capital.

Tearing his gaze away from a woman almost sitting on a gentleman’s lap, Bjorn looked back at Leila.

At the same time his brain, finally starting to malfunction, created a scene that did not fit logic or causality.

He imagined Leila Bailey sitting on his lap and reciting sweet words in a gentle voice just like earlier.

…Had he truly gone insane?

The scene was far too vivid to be a coincidence, and Bjorn shook his head to chase away the afterimage.

Fortunately, Leila was looking at the tea set on the table and did not seem to notice his strange state.

Thinking carefully, there was not no reason for him to be so shaken today like an adolescent boy seeing a woman for the first time.

It was not that he had never encountered women at all, but in truth he was also a soldier who had only recently returned from rolling through the battlefield.

For someone who had not even had a proper lover nor any close relationship with the opposite s*x, this place, this atmosphere, and the presence of a soft-spoken woman… were overly stimulating.

Because of the unfamiliar environment and harmful external factors, his mind had remained excited. The reason his head had felt blank since arriving was likely that.

“Since many young people visit, the atmosphere is somewhat relaxed. Still, I don’t see such behavior as bad. Expressing affection between people who love each other is not a sin.”

Focused on arranging the teapot, cups, and spoons properly, Leila moved her hands busily as she murmured. At the same time Bjorn couldn’t help but be surprised by her rather open opinion.

He had known of Leila before the war, but today was the first time they spoke at length in such an intimate atmosphere. The previous meeting… had not been a situation suited for proper conversation.

Bjorn recalled seeing Leila a few times during the Sacred Flower activities, then shook his head to erase it. Those memories were all unpleasant.

In any case, until now he had not known because there had been no chance. In truth he had not even tried to know. Perhaps because of that, this side of her learned so naturally felt new.

The way she quietly and gently yet firmly expressed her thoughts was impressive. And in another sense… quite stimulating.

If she did not see people expressing affection in public as bad, did it mean she would not dislike physical closeness with the man she liked in a public place?

The man she liked was Bjorn himself, so had she ever imagined such things with him? No, perhaps she was even now subtly implying she wished for such contact.

Strength returned again to the lower body he had barely suppressed with divine power. If no one were watching, he would have already punched his own forehead.

Bjorn once more steadied body and mind and looked into the teacup Leila had been carefully preparing.

With elegant movements she poured the tea, then lifted a small jug of cream and poured it in a circle. Next, she picked up a sugar cube with tongs, dropped it into the cup, waited briefly, and slowly stirred with a teaspoon. It was somehow a peaceful sight that drew the eyes.