Don’t Be Holy! - Chapter 91

***

The rain didn’t last long. During that time, Eir tried to sort through the countless questions swirling in her mind.

She was aware of the concept of sharing divine energy, but it was considered almost meaningless among priests because the amount transferred was minimal and required someone as exceptional as Rubel to even attempt it.

However, Chrome explained that her current situation was special, making it a significant difference this time.

‘So, sleeping together at least three times should do it, right? I’ve done some research, and apparently, s***n is the most effective among bodily fluids. So, if you want to escape quickly, just seduce him and sleep with him three times. And make sure to use your divine power in front of me when the time comes. Got it?’

Chrome even thoughtfully provided Eir with contraception.

When she hesitated, her face pale as she looked at him with pleading eyes, he patted her shoulder encouragingly.

Why did someone who knew everything only interpret her desperate gaze as a woman reluctant to engage in loveless s-x? Couldn’t he see her as a woman burdened with the absurd task of sleeping with a man who couldn’t even get it up?

Eir wanted to shout at Chrome’s retreating figure, “Chrome! He doesn’t get hard! He just doesn’t!” But she quickly gave up. She had already held back from asking for erectile dysfunction medication instead of contraception when he handed her the pills. What more could she say?

If she had heard Chrome’s explanation before last night’s events, it might have been less despairing. At least there would have been a chance! But after everything she had shown and tried last night, and he still hadn’t gotten hard, she couldn’t imagine how it could happen now.

Still…….

‘I do want to try it once.’

Could that be considered a glimmer of hope?

Eir slumped her shoulders. Honestly, she hadn’t even processed what had happened last night, and now this task had fallen into her lap. She even considered giving up entirely and letting herself be captured as a witch.

“No, that’s not an option.”

Death was too terrifying.

Eir shook her head.

Besides, for Hecate’s sake—who had gone so far as to create a spell to suppress her divine power—she needed to survive and show that she could live well.

And as for what Rubel had done to her, it was probably nothing more than curiosity.

After all, they were stranded on an island, they knew each other, she had saved him before, and there was some mutual fondness and curiosity. Plus, she seemed to like him, so he was probably just bored.

Why else would someone do something like that out of sheer boredom? Especially in a remote mountain area, where couples often ended up with many children.

Eir tried to rationalize it this way, closing her eyes tightly before opening them again.

Her steps on the way back were heavy.

***

“You’re back?”

As soon as she opened the door, sighing deeply enough to make her shoulders rise and fall, she heard the greeting. Looking up, she saw Rubel Shinote sitting on the stairs.

Eir awkwardly rolled her eyes, scratched her ear, and pretended not to see him as she headed to the kitchen. Rubel, left on the stairs, frowned in confusion before forcing a smile and standing up.

His steps down the stairs were light, and his face as he followed her into the kitchen looked forgiving enough to overlook one of her mistakes.

No, not just one.

From the moment she woke up until now, he had been patient.

He had endured her ignoring his morning greeting and rushing to the bathroom. He had endured her secretly grabbing her clothes and sneaking out. He had waited, and even now, when he greeted her, she ignored him.

Didn’t such patience deserve praise?

“I already made food.”

He pointed to the cold stir-fried vegetables and egg dish. Eir shrugged as if she wasn’t interested.

“I’m not really hungry.”

“Then why did you come to the kitchen?”

“Oh, to get some water.”

Eir paused before answering slowly.

Rubel bit the inside of his cheek, adding patience to patience.

Who did she think wouldn’t notice her hesitation and quick glance around the kitchen?

Her attitude made him reflect on whether he had done something wrong, and he hated that. It wasn’t about establishing some hierarchy in their relationship.

If they were to examine their relationship, he would inevitably have to consider who they were—a holy knight and a witch. And if they did that, everything would have to stop.

So he wanted to act without hesitation or overthinking, but she kept making him look back.

Leaving him behind, rejecting him, running away.

Rubel fidgeted with his fingers resting on his thigh before sitting down at the dining table.

“Stop being stubborn. You look hungry, so sit down and eat.”

He said this as he served her portion.

Eir rolled her eyes again. It was obvious that Rubel had cooked and waited for her without eating himself. If she refused and went upstairs now, things would only get more awkward.

But she had no idea how to face him.

What was she supposed to say?

‘Um, Lord Rubel, would you like to have s-x with me?’

Only a lunatic would say something like that. Could she invite him indirectly with subtle words and gestures? But how was she supposed to seduce him?

Eir furrowed her brow, thinking about how things had escalated last night. He had naturally touched her body and led the mood. So if she touched his body, would that work?

She suddenly placed her hand over Rubel’s on the table.

Rubel dropped the fork he was holding, causing it to clatter against the glass dish. Eir saw his eyebrow rise and quickly withdrew her hand.

“I, um, just wanted to say thanks.”

She hastily added an explanation, but he looked even more confused.

“For what?”

“The food. You made it and waited for me.”

“……Since when do you express gratitude like this?”

He frowned, feeling like an idiot for not being able to read her.

It was clear she had been avoiding him, and Rubel had assumed she was reconsidering or regretting something.

But her sudden touch and words of thanks didn’t seem like an attempt to push him away.

He stared intently into her green eyes, trying to decipher her thoughts, but all he could sense was her awkwardness and embarrassment.

Eir tilted her head and replied.

“I don’t know. Isn’t it okay to try something different from before……?”

She answered cheekily.

Rubel let out an involuntary laugh before covering his reaction with a cough, not wanting to show how much her words had affected him.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Why? You did this to me as a morning greeting.”

But as Rubel leaned back, Eir seemed to decide to be even bolder. When Rubel looked at her questioningly, she puckered her lips and made a kissing sound.

Yes. She was doing her best to seduce Rubel.

Rubel looked at her, unsure whether to find her cute or suspicious.

“Yes, I did.”

He wanted to ask what she was doing, but that would go against his own resolution.

Don’t think about the relationship. If you do, you’ll have to stop.

That was the conclusion Rubel had reached.

Perhaps Eir had come to a similar conclusion while she was outside. Rubel thought, ‘Well, that’s wise.’ But for some reason, her actions left a bitter taste in his mouth.

However, as soon as he felt that emotion, he quickly pushed it aside.