Villain Ch 336. Paladin and Priestess
"No, not at all," Mac replied, attempting to maintain a semblance of composure. But his voice wavered with uncertainty, betraying the unease that gnawed at him.
INeedAHotGF noticed the change in his friend's demeanor. He furrowed his brow and leaned in, concern etched across his face. "Mac, are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.
Mac's gaze flickered to him, his virtual eyes revealing the truth he was trying to hide. "I... I'm fine," he repeated, though his words lacked conviction.
Mac couldn't say he was nervous. He didn't know how he could face Yora after what happened between them yesterday. Even though he didn't do it, with half messy clothes like that Yora might think he had molested her when she was drunk. It would create misunderstandings between them.
Indeed, he had messaged her and explained what happened last night via text, but Yora had yet to reply.
"But you don't look fine," Gil replied worriedly.
"Well—" Mac began to respond to Gil's earlier question, but his words trailed off as a familiar figure emerged into the guild headquarters. It was Yora. But her presence now triggered a mix of emotions within Mac—nervousness, regret, and a tinge of embarrassment.
"Hey, guys," Yora greeted them with a bright smile, exuding an air of confidence and charisma. Her transformation into a Priestess, an advanced class from her previous role as a healer, had brought new strength and abilities to the group.
"Hey, Yora!" Gil and the others chimed in, their excitement evident.
But Mac remained silent, his heart pounding in his chest. He swallowed hard, his emotions getting the best of him. He felt like a failure, his shining armor paladin covering his body, an emblem of his role as a holy knight. Yet, his actions from the previous night seemed far from that of a noble knight.
Instead of going to her seat, Yora made a decision. She gently approached Mac, her movements purposeful yet filled with warmth and understanding. "Mac, can we talk privately for a moment?" she asked, her voice soft and calm as if nothing had happened between them the night before.
Mac looked up, surprise mingled with relief evident in his eyes. "Sure," he replied, standing up from his seat.
Without another word, they made their way to a private room within the guild headquarters. It was a smaller, more secluded space reserved for discussions of utmost importance—conversations reserved for the guild's higher-ups.
Once they entered the room and the door closed behind them, Yora wasted no time in addressing the elephant in the room. Her eyes locked onto Mac's, filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Mind telling me what happened last night?" she asked, her words carrying a weight of sincerity and openness.
She was so shocked when she found herself half-naked this morning. She was very panicked, luckily, she remembered that she was on a pill. She always took it when she decided to go to a club. She knew shit happened sometimes and who knew if she would have a one-night stand with random people when she was drunk.
Mac took a deep breath, his gaze steady as he prepared to recount the events of that fateful night.
"As I've already explained to you," Mac began, his voice carrying the weight of truth, "you were drunk, and... you seduced me." The words hung in the air, their unexpected nature adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
A paladin like Mac, known for his unwavering sense of justice and moral compass, found himself in an extraordinary circumstance—one that involved the clash of desires between a paladin and a priest. The irony was not lost on either of them.
Mac continued his honest explanation. "I got carried away. We kissed. We almost..." he hesitated, searching for the right words, "did it, but I was able to stop myself at the last moment."
The room fell silent as the weight of his confession hung heavy in the air. Mac's vulnerability was apparent, and Yora could see the remorse in his eyes. The reality of the situation was unexpected and awkward, and the emotions coursing through her were a whirlwind of confusion and mixed feelings.
"So... we didn't do it at all?" Yora sought clarity, needing to confirm what happened.
Mac shook his head. "I swear we didn't do it. Don't worry about it," he reassured her.
It relieved her to know that nothing had transpired beyond the kiss and hug, but on the other hand, it also stirred a mixture of emotions that disturbed her pride as a woman. Yora had always been confident about her body and appearance, understanding the power of her charm. So, what was it that made Mac discourage himself from taking things further?
Yora's mind was racing, trying to make sense of the situation. She felt both grateful and uneasy that Mac had stopped himself from crossing a line that could have changed their relationship forever.
"Mac, may I know why you discouraged yourself?" she finally mustered the courage to ask. Her curiosity was driven by a need to understand, to grasp the reasons behind his actions. She needed to know the extent of her influence over him, even in the virtual realm.
Mac hesitated for a moment as if choosing his words carefully. He wanted to be honest with her, but he also didn't want to cause her any discomfort. Eventually, he took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. "Because I didn't want to hurt you," he replied. He couldn't say it was because she called Allen's name instead of his name.
Yora's brow furrowed in surprise. She hadn't expected that answer. It was true that they were friends, but there was an added layer of complexity in their virtual relationship. Yet, in this vulnerable moment, the lines between their roles seemed to blur.
"Only that?" Yora pressed further, seeking clarification. She wanted to understand the depth of his feelings, and whether there was more to his decision than just concern for her well-being.
Mac nodded, his gaze unwavering. "Yes."
"Okay. Thank you for accompanying me last night," Yora said with a warm smile, her eyes reflecting the appreciation she felt for her friend.
Mac returned her smile, relief evident in his expression. He had been anxious about how she would react to his confession, but her understanding and acceptance had reassured him.
"You're welcome," he replied sincerely. "I'll always have your back, Yora, no matter what."
Yora nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude for the unwavering support Mac offered.
"Are we good?" Mac asked once more, his gaze searching for reassurance.
A soft smile played on Yora's lips as she nodded. "We're good. Don't worry about that," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. "Just promise me to keep this a secret from the others, okay?"
Mac's eyes sparkled with amusement as he chuckled. "Okay," he agreed. "Your secret is safe with me."
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om