The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 106

She stretched her arms like a cat and was startled when her gaze unconsciously moved forward. It was because she had made eye contact with someone inside.

“……!”

Swish.

The robe that was precariously hanging on her shoulders dropped down with a thud. Dressed more provocatively than during the day, expressing desire, she was at a loss for words upon seeing the man before her. Her mind went blank, unable to discern what to do.

A variable she hadn’t considered.

“…Polyxene ?”

The owner of the deeply lowered voice was Brax. He was just in the process of removing his upper garment and was completely alone. His agile body, befitting a guardian, was quite muscular and capable of drawing attention. Polyxene only opened her mouth wide after a moment.

“I, I, I…. That, th-that….”

“I never thought you desired me, so this is surprising.”

That was only natural. Isn’t it said that even someone you’ve desperately pined for becomes hated when they become a professor or supervisor positioned above you? For Polyxene , the elf Brax was no different from a stone—someone who could never be a reproductive partner even if all elves were exterminated and only the two of them remained. It would be the same even if she abandoned her commitment to becoming a guardian.

Why on earth had she come here? And in such a deliberately provocative outfit designed to seduce a man. Could it be…? Brax, who had been intently examining her pupils to discern her thoughts, decided to break the ice and opened his mouth.

“Were you lonely? If so, it can’t be helped. If you’re concerned about others finding out, I won’t tell anyone about today. Not even Mel. You may come to me, Polyxene .”

As soon as Mel’s name was mentioned, Polyxene ‘s eyes grew so large they seemed to surpass the size of grapes that were about to fully ripen. To Brax’s eyes, her two eyes shone like large, luminous chrysoberyls.

“Mistake, I made a mistake. This isn’t where—ah!”

“Wait a moment, Polyxene!”

Polyxene, who had absolutely no confidence in explaining how this situation had occurred from beginning to end, chose to flee without looking back. Unable to pick up the robe that had fallen to the floor, she ran out of the house in one breath and sprinted away into the dark night.

“Oh dear.”

Brax initially attempted to chase after her but gave up and offered a bitter smile. For him as well, any misunderstanding involving the difficult and sensitive Polyxene was something he preferred to avoid whenever possible. Nevertheless, seeing her flee before him today, he couldn’t say that Polyxene lacked aptitude as a guardian. If she set her mind to it, she would likely do well.

“…But how should I return this?”

Picking up Polyxene ‘s robe that had fallen to the floor like a snake’s shed skin, Brax exhaled a low sigh. He couldn’t throw it away, nor could he keep it. Above all, even though the Aika Festival was fundamentally for the guardians, the aftermath was typically enormous.

That, too, remained his responsibility.

***

“Hmm….”

“Are you nervous?”

“No, I’m fine.”

A few days after the end of the Aika Festival, which had been filled with frenzy and burning passion, Cassis decided to hold a trial for Lya, who had used weapons in the castle without authorization. As it was an unofficial trial, there would be almost no jury, with only two key members from the Senate agreeing to attend.

She had received the news and was simply waiting calmly. Waiting for tomorrow’s sun to rise. In truth, she couldn’t tell whether she was waiting for it or whether she didn’t want to wait. However, as a party involved in the incident, it was a process she had to go through. For Cassis too, this case was quite rare and unusual, but he comforted her with a casual tone.

“If you’re scared, it’s okay to say so. Here, eat this and get some rest.”

“Even though it’s only five in the afternoon?”

Evelyn stared blankly at the steamed cod dish placed before her. The expertly filleted pieces of fish were impressively stacked in three layers. Her wounds and bruises had all healed by now, and she felt light enough that she could run a little without feeling pain anywhere.

Nevertheless, Cassis tried to take care of her as meticulously as when she had first awakened after being bedridden. Even on the day he returned late after going to the Aika Festival. His return on the second day was quite early, and on the third day, he left late but came back soon after. During the three days of the festival, she was able to see him every single day without fail.

He had thoroughly kept his promise to her. Because of this, Evelyn couldn’t bring herself to ask the cunning questions that would make her anxious heart flutter even more.

During the Aika Festival, with whom did he share love? Did he lie down in a beautiful pergola decorated with flowers and vines, seeking an afternoon nap, and willingly offer his broad embrace even to the touch of a stranger? Did they hold each other, giggling, and then become entangled? After the festival ended, did they whisper each other’s names and secretly arrange places to meet, saying they wanted to see each other a couple more times…?