(EP-144.1) #4
144 – Pincer #4
Elga, who had her mouth shut in contemplation, asked me.
“What the hell are you up to? It wasn’t enough that you’re associating yourself with the Lioness Family. Now, you’re even aiming for Mirna Draco.”
Hearing Elga’s question, I felt that the time had finally come. I knew that she would eventually ask me this.
However, I could only play dumb in response.
“What do you mean what I’m up to?”
“You’re going to pretend you don’t know until the end, huh? Fine, then… I won’t bother with you anymore. Don’t even think about asking for my help in the future.”
Elga turned her head as if she was about to storm out of the room, like she was threatening me, “Will you talk or not?”
In fact, leaving Elga in such a state could lead to uncontrollable consequences. The resentment of women would only get worse with time.
As someone who had many younger sisters, I knew this well.
Elga continued.
“We’re both on the same boat, aren’t we? I don’t know what you’re up to, but there should be trust between us. Am I the only one who thinks that way?”
‘Trust.’
I didn’t expect to hear this from Elga.
I’d been listening to this word all day today.
It felt as though fate was purposely making it happen.
I calmly pondered for a moment.
Elga was right, we were technically on the same boat. However, we weren’t completely united. Our relationship still felt surreal.
That was why I thought it would be too early to reveal all the secrets I held to Elga. It simply wasn’t the right time.
“… Someday.”
Elga looked at me with her sharp gaze, urging me to say more.
“Someday what?”
“Someday, I promise I’ll tell you everything! But not now. If I say it now, I will die.”
Like really, I would actually die.
“Hmm.”
Elga was visibly annoyed.
But it couldn’t be helped.
No matter how upset Elga was or how much she looked down on me, there were things that couldn’t be done, and I had to draw a clear line.
After all, as Elga had mentioned, we were already on the same boat. The ship had already sailed, and there was no turning back.
The sea surrounded us from all sides, and there was no place to go or any other lifeboat to escape to.
There was no other choice but to keep sailing together.
Elga must have realized that too. As a woman who had lost her chastity to me, she’d already invested too much.
To cut ties with me or leave me behind would mean that she’d be accepting all the losses. It was questionable whether Elga would actually do that.
Considering that, I could understand why Elga was afraid of being on this ship. She didn’t know where we were headed. We already came so far, and as the captain, I still hadn’t revealed our destination.
I couldn’t tell her everything, but I could reveal one thing.
“However, I am certain that whatever happens, it will never be bad for Elga-nim.”
If things went well as planned, that was.
And if Elga helped me and supported my plans, she would undoubtedly hold a significant position in the future royal court that I would create.
After all, a harem was an inevitable fate.
So, if I got indebted to Elga even a little, more than Mirna and the others, it would put her in a better position than them.
However, Elga, who knew nothing about this, was trembling like a drenched kitten.
“You say it won’t harm me? Nonsense. How can you make that judgment on your own? Bad things are already happening!”
Elga was really riled up.
In this state, no matter what I said, she would only brandish her claws and attack.
How long would this situation last?
My feelings were starting to get mixed.
“Then, show me your sincerity.”
Elga said, as if she was throwing me a lifeline. Show my sincerity, huh?
This suddenly reminded me of Professor Stella asking me to get down on my knees and kiss her shoes…
Why do nobles from great families have an obsession with sincerity?
Alright then.
I’d kneel and kiss your foot. I’d even lick your gallbladder, because in the end, I’d be the one laughing. Playing the long game was a gentleman’s revenge.
Splat.
I knelt on the floor.
But when I tried to kiss Elga’s foot, she reacted as if she had seen a cockroach and quickly pulled her leg away, taking a step backward.
“What are you doing so suddenly!?”
“I am showing my sincerity. Is kissing your feet while on my knees not enough?”
“… What? What are you saying right now!?”
Elga frowned in a puzzled manner, as if she didn’t understand my intention. Her slightly open mouth and furrowed brow showed great confusion.
Elga then said.
“Not like this! Just free up time this weekend.”
“The weekend?”
As I pondered the upcoming events on the weekend, I suddenly remembered that I had made plans to go for a walk and report things with Queen Aira.
Elga should know this too.
Basically, Elga’s words were no different than asking me to cancel my plans with Aira and focus on her instead.
“… Can’t I just kiss your feet?”
“No!”
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