For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 169

Eugenie went pale when she saw who it was. It was shocking enough to be suddenly transported to the capital, but to run into him right away…

‘Of all people, why does it have to be that pervert? And why now, when I don’t even have anything to defend myself with?’

Last time, at least she’d had a bullet imbued with Carter’s divine power…

‘That power… Carter’s, wasn’t it…’

But just thinking of Carter now made something twist sharply from her lower belly to her heart. After stirring up her feelings like that, he’d acted as broken as she felt.

Still, now wasn’t the time to get caught up in emotions—she had to deal with the tree pervert in front of her. Of all times, she was completely unarmed.

‘If it comes down to it…’

Eugenie swallowed hard. If push came to shove, she’d just have to do to him what she did to Tristan. But before she could make up her mind, Alokes raised both hands with a lazy smile.

“Don’t be so on guard, Eugenie Norton. If anything, you should be thanking me.”

“Thank you? For what?”

“Why, for saving you from being dragged off to the temple, of course.”

“…?”

Eugenie took a few cautious steps backward, not hiding her suspicion. But then a stinging sensation spread through her veins, and her knees buckled.

“Ugh!”

It wasn’t exactly painful, but all the strength drained from her limbs, and her skin began to tingle. She felt her grip on reality slipping away again.

“Urgh…”

“Oh, dear.”

Alokes strolled leisurely toward the now-kneeling Eugenie. Her body was reeking of divine energy, thickly clinging to her skin—like a beast had obsessively marked its territory to claim her as its own.

“Looks like the divine power messed up your magic.”

“G-get away…”

“Don’t worry.”

Alokes reached out and gripped her chin, ignoring the way she glared at him as if he were some disgusting stain. A chill shot up her spine from her tailbone.

“I’m just going to take the divine power out of you. Then you’ll feel better.”

“Ugh!”

His method wasn’t exactly gentle, but there was no other way. Before she could put up more of a fight, Alokes bit down on her shoulder.

Eugenie tried to shove him away with her fist, but she could feel the tingling sensation that had been lingering in her blood begin to ebb.

“Ugh… mmph!”

Strangely enough, as the pain faded, strength started to return to her limbs.

Soon Alokes pulled away, breathing hard. He’d drained the divine power from her, but it clearly didn’t agree with him—there was blood pooled in his mouth. He grimaced at the bitter taste, but smirked when he saw her glaring at him, full of life again.

“Feeling better now?”

“You filthy… perverted bastard.”

“Come now, I was hoping for a thank you. You would’ve been hauled straight to the temple, all thanks to that divine power swirling in your body.”

“What…?”

It dawned on Eugenie then. As the haze from the previous overwhelming pleasure cleared, bits and pieces of what happened came back to her.

“Don’t make me repeat myself—step aside while I’m still being civil.”

“Can’t do that. I was just making Eugenie very happy, you see.”

The two of them had been about to fight. She’d thought she needed to break it up, and had tried to get up—but then something massive had dragged her down, and she’d blacked out.

‘So… was I being teleported from Troys to the temple?’

Alokes smiled, seeing her slowly piece things together.

“I diverted you along the way, Eugenie Norton. I had some things I wanted to discuss with you.”

“…”

“Judging by your face, you’re glad you didn’t end up at the temple, aren’t you?”

As much as she hated to admit it, he was right. She could feel it in her bones now.

‘Carter, you said you never lied to me, but you’ve never really been honest, either.’

Just then, Alokes held out his hand.

“Well? Now that you’re yourself again, how about we have that talk?”

“…”

Eugenie looked up at his faintly smiling face and thought, Is this what it feels like to drink from a poisoned chalice? Or maybe like hearing you have to go back to grad school…

But sometimes, when you want to move forward, you have to take dangerous chances. So Eugenie reached out and grabbed his hand.