Chapter 34
“When I’m looking for Father Payne, you are always with that knight, Sir Duval or Duvalkan, I believe.”
“Sir Diar Duvalkan. That’s his name.”
“Right.”
Whether his name was Diar or Dair didn’t particularly matter to Ashtel. Her only concern was Payne.
“It’s not so much a friendship, we have had some recent dealings together.”
Payne glanced at Ashtel, clearly unsure why he needed to explain this to her.
“Moreover, didn’t I ask you not to involve yourself with me anymore?”
“That’s harsh. How could you say that?”
“Did I not make that request?”
“But… but I want to help you.”
“I do not need your help.”
“That’s a lie.”
Ashtel was certain of one thing: Payne needed her help.
He was in a difficult situation where he could hardly manage without her. Especially since the sweet aroma of his essence was already wafting from beneath his pristine priest’s robe.
Ashtel’s throat tightened.
‘Just a few seconds of conversation and he’s already aroused.’
He doesn’t even realize that all this is just to return him to his normal life.
Payne suppressed the rising desire within him, and Ashtel soothed the tingling in her stomach as they walked silently together.
They entered an unused prayer room.
As soon as they were inside, Payne immediately stepped about ten paces away from her.
“Huh…?”
“Let’s talk from there.”
“What?!”
“I mean, stay away.”
Humans are creatures of habit.
Being close to Ashtel without restraint might lead him to embarrass himself again. So he couldn’t stay that way.
He knew that any close contact with women made him lose his senses, so he chose to distance himself.
Although he couldn’t live like this forever, he thought he might manage to avoid his urges with this method for a few days.
‘….Still, I should probably see a doctor.’
If he ended up discussing his condition with a doctor, he planned to leave the temple. He didn’t want rumors spreading throughout Katzel Medialle about a priest who had e-ectile issues.
Payne gripped the cross hanging around his neck and opened his mouth to speak in a low tone.
“Miss Maid, have you been talking with Sir Duvalkan?”
“Not really… Uh, does it bother you?!”
“Of course it does.”
Ashtel was taken aback. Despite doing that with him, Payne had always insisted he couldn’t marry her or take responsibility, so she hadn’t expected any affectionate concern from him.
However, Payne continued asking with coldness, breaking Ashtel’s imagination.
“Did you mention anything to him?”
“About what?”
“About my condition.”
“No! Why would I do that?”
Payne’s heat was just between them; she wouldn’t tell it to anyone else.
Ashtel shook her head lightly, then was startled by the realization that Payne suspected her of speaking out.
“You, you thought I would tell someone?!”
Payne looked as though he wanted to say ‘obviously not,’ but averted his gaze instead.
“Not necessarily.”
More lies.
His avoidance was all too telling.
“I won’t tell anyone.”
She had to reassure him, even though it hurt that he doubted her.
“I wouldn’t…”
“I’m sorry. That’s not what I meant.”
Payne hesitated before adding,
“It may be a sensitive matter for Miss Maid, but I have a condition that shouldn’t be disclosed to others.”
“The e-ection problem?”
“Er….yes.”
Ashtel tapped her chin thoughtfully.
It made sense why Payne would be worried about it.
To him, a strange maid held leverage over his weakness, but it was painful how he only saw her attempts to help as a threat.
‘It’s sad, really.’
Unable to pout as she had with Duvalkan, she simply dropped her head in silent sorrow. Payne blinked rapidly in confusion when he saw her.
He fumbled with his words and gestured awkwardly as he watched her shrinking shoulders.
“….Is my body that good?”
“What?”
Ashtel looked up blankly. She caught the shocked Payne with her gaze.
No, he, the one who had asked, seemed shocked by his own question.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.