Don’t Be Holy! - Chapter 78

After all, it was Rubel who meticulously checked her wounds every day.

Her side was almost healed, and the flesh on her wrist was filling out nicely. He often muttered regretfully, “If only I could use divine energy for a moment, this would heal faster.” clicking his tongue.

‘You’re a priest, aren’t you? Why don’t you try fixing it?’

Even though she didn’t believe in it, she couldn’t resist teasing him.

‘Priests can’t heal themselves. You know that.’

‘You’ve studied thoroughly, huh? Even in moments like this, you come up with that.’

‘If you don’t believe it, why even bring it up?’

‘To make your conscience sting.’

They had these pointless conversations every night.

Her conscience was already suffering every time she saw him sleeping on the narrow, hard chair.

“The wounds are healing well. Can’t we just sleep together tonight?”

Thanks to that, she ended up clinging to him like a lovesick woman, asking such things. Rubel would always shrug and give the same answer.

“I’ll think about it.”

But he would still end up sleeping in the chair. She didn’t understand why he kept saying he’d think about it when he always ended up in the chair anyway.

Did he enjoy her clinging to him?

He pressed a finger to her forehead and whispered as if warning her.

“Be a little bolder. How can a witch be so timid? Go back and get some more sleep.”

“Alright.”

“Then, I’ll be back.”

He removed his finger from her forehead and gave a slight nod, as if bidding farewell. Eir rubbed her forehead where his finger had been and hurried back to the house.

She went upstairs and, as he had suggested, buried herself in bed for a while. But it wasn’t so much to follow his advice as it was to calm a strange, uncontrollable trembling inside her.

“Don’t do it. It’s not okay.”

She sternly warned herself, took a few deep breaths, and then went back downstairs.

Aunt Jane burst into laughter when she saw Eir’s flushed face.

“What, did you kiss or something?”

Eir was horrified.

“No, why would you say that?”

“What’s the big deal? You’re married. Though, given your condition, I’m sure your husband is holding back. Right? Even on his way to work, he calls you out like that.”

“No, that’s not it!”

But Aunt Jane was relentless. She continued to chatter away, teasing Eir mercilessly.

“Just keep the kissing at home. I know newlyweds can get carried away, but you need to hold back. Your body isn’t in great shape, you know. If my father finds out, he’ll kick you both out. He saved your lives, and you’re going to die because you couldn’t control your lust? My husband and I also…….”

The chatter went on forever.

As Aunt Jane said, Eir’s body wasn’t in great shape, and she was worried about being punished for lying, so she tried to steer the conversation in different directions, making it even more difficult.

“So, why did you two end up being chased all the way here?”

“Ah, well…….”

“Is your husband from a prominent family? Did they oppose the marriage? Yeah, he does have that noble air about him.”

“He doesn’t exactly have a friendly face.”

“Or is it something like being from a traitorous family?”

“No, it’s not like that…….”

“I see. So, they opposed it because you’re a commoner. Did they try to kill you? But why only target your wrist? I don’t get it.”

Fortunately, Aunt Jane was more creative than investigative, so Eir didn’t have to lie too much. However, as a result, a grand narrative had been constructed, and every day when Rubel returned, he would look at Eir with a face that seemed to ask, “What kind of lies did you tell to make things like this?”

Eir would always add, “I didn’t say that!” hoping to avoid further misunderstandings about her being in love with him. But, of course, it was no use.

Because Rubel would come in, looking exhausted, and say to her:

“Please, don’t act out your fantasies like this. It’s exhausting for the person who has to play along.”

If he had just teased her, it might have been better, but his serious tone only made Eir’s face burn hotter. Even when she shouted, “That’s not it!” as he went to wash up, it didn’t help.