The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 207

‘Oh… this is…’

The sight Nike was showing felt somehow familiar, so Evelyn held her breath.

Ah, she remembered where she had seen it. Faye. Her childhood friend Faye had been like this too when she decided to marry after much deliberation.

She had said that even if she wore a good dress that grass stains wouldn’t affect, she wouldn’t be able to roll around carelessly in the grass when she was with him, but it would still be a happy life. Faye had said with her own mouth that such was love. Not giving up what you like, but rather the heart you had carried all along changing as if it had encountered a different season… that was love.

Nike’s head tilted slightly at an angle.

“Usually, you know, they say that relationships between people who have only been close for a long time are worse than nothing even if they connect later. Whether they date or romantic feelings sprout, it will soon fail. Why? Because if it was going to happen, it would have happened long ago. I used to think that way too.”

“Yes…”

“I did too. It would make sense with a complete stranger, but promising a lifetime beyond being lovers overnight with someone you’ve known for so long is a bit much, isn’t it? Ah… forget it. It’s too embarrassing to say. This is the first time I’m telling you about anything other than that.”

“It’s someone you met in Macriss, isn’t it?”

Thinking that might be why she had returned late, Evelyn asked with a gentle smile. The joy of having one more reason to want to set foot in Macriss, which she had never visited, was pleasant. Was that person waiting for Nike in the middle of a deep lavender field?

“No. He’s in the castle.”

“What?”

“Since I wasn’t returning quickly from Macriss, he kept sending letters every other day, and they gradually took on a suspicious pink hue. When I didn’t send replies because I had too much on my mind, he finally sent a jewelry box along with one. Do you know what he wrote in that letter?”

Wait, he confessed through letters without even seeing each other’s faces?!

Evelyn’s eyes widened in astonishment. This was far more surprising than the scene she had imagined, and she could not guess at all.

“What did… he write?”

“He asked me to put on this opal ring and return to the castle. Then he would run to me anytime and embrace me. Hmph! He talks so sweetly but he’s too busy with work to even come see me.”

O…opal?!

Evelyn’s complexion turned deathly pale. Opal—from the moment this gem whose name she barely knew had taken its place around her neck, that name had become another luminous expression of love.

He had personally told her that it was a gem that could easily be damaged if handled carelessly. Even though magic had been cast on it, it would be better to wear it indoors as much as possible… like me…

Nike’s chatter gently pierced through her confused ears.

“What was it he said—that in his eyes, I resembled this opal. Easily hurt, fragile, and someone he needed to protect… Ugh! Such ticklish words. But aren’t I funny too? I don’t understand why I’ve set my heart on a man who spouts confessions that don’t suit me at all.”

This was exactly the same explanation, word for word, that Cassis had given her. Could it be, could it possibly…!

Thump thump, bang!

Rather than a knock, it sounded almost like someone was about to break down the door with their vigorous pounding. Evelyn was too drained of color to react immediately to the loud noise, but Nike suddenly jumped up and twisted her body.

“Oh my, I can’t stand it. Come in!”

Thud!

As soon as the landlord’s permission fell, the door opened and the knocker hurriedly entered. He strode over and embraced Nike, then kissed the back of her hand as if in heat.

“……”

The explicit sounds of affection—smooch, slurp—could be heard from beside her, so naturally Evelyn, who had been trembling, found her gaze drawn over and could not help but look.

He was… unexpectedly Lord Laocon!

“L…Lord Laocon?”

After kissing Nike’s left hand with the opal ring countless times until it became thoroughly wet, he breathed heavily.

“Nike! When I heard you had returned without any word, I rushed to the castle gates but they said you weren’t there… Ha, so you were here. This means you’ll accept me, this ring!”

Even though Nike was completely pinned beneath him, she giggled and made her boundaries clear.

“Yes, yes. I decided to do that. But unlike Sir Iel, I don’t want to use formal speech with you—what should I do about that?”

“What does that matter when I want you!”

“Ha… haa… haaah……”

Evelyn let out a deep sigh, realizing that what looked like a brawl with them grabbing each other’s collars from a distance was actually the consummation of love. Only then did Laocon, who realized there was someone else’s presence in this space besides Nike, stare blankly.

“Oh, Evelyn. You were here too? I didn’t notice your presence—did you come in through the window while I wasn’t aware?”

“You fool! I brought her here. How can you only now recognize Evelyn? I asked you to look after her occasionally while I was away.”

Nike, who had been pinned beneath him, pushed with her strength and got up, then scolded him fiercely. Then she kissed his somewhat rough cheek for an elf and wrapped her arm around the man’s forearm.

After witnessing this scene, there were absolutely no seeds left for doubt or misunderstanding. Even if there had been any, the affectionate behavior Nike had just displayed was at no ordinary level, so she felt completely at ease.

It wasn’t him….