7- A Forbidden Desire

"Ueeek-"

I found myself on the flower bed in the Court garden, emptying the contents of my stomach.

If someone had seen me, they would have deemed it rude. Thankfully, the banquet was loud, and nobody seemed to care about my predicament.

I intentionally chose a spot where no one was around, wanting to keep my embarrassment to myself.

"Waaa, that's unsightly. You just drank and vomited instantly? Even those savages (Barbarians) have more backbone than you."

Ah-Surprised

I nearly jumped in fright, resembling a cat startled by a cucumber.

I never expected someone to approach me from behind and speak.

Startled, I turned my head back quickly to see who it was.

It was Elga, wearing a red dress with her hair tied back, slowly making her way toward me, offering a handkerchief.

"Here."

"It's fine. I have my own handkerchief."

"...."

Elga's expression contorted slightly when I declined her offer.

My right eye twitched for a moment, a painful reminder of the past.

"Just take it. You know I hate having to repeat myself three times. This is already the second time."

Elga's persistence forced me to take the handkerchief from her.

Was Elga trying to be nice to me? But instead of feeling pleased, I felt anxious and on edge.

Ah, so this is how people feel when I, Tae-oh, suddenly try to do them a favor. It must be uncomfortable, and they would likely reject any offer from me.

Though I understood it intellectually, it still felt unpleasant.

I cleaned my mouth at a nearby fountain and wiped it with the handkerchief.

"I'll be sure to wash this well and return it to you."

I preferred not to owe anything to Elga. In fact, I wanted to avoid getting involved with her altogether.

Elga was the opposite of me. Every time I looked at her, I couldn't help but recall the intimidating sisters in the back alleys who used to steal my money when I was young.

"It's chilly, Tae-oh. Anyways, have you been comfortable while I was away? Did you get promoted? Eung? How's the fort?"

Elga's hand gently ran across the nape of my neck.

Her voice was different from the commanding heroine who was leading the battlefield earlier. It was soft and kind.

But the smell of blood on her hands couldn't be ignored.

I distanced myself slightly from her, avoiding her fingers that seemed to target my earlobe.

"Things are the same as always. Her Majesty, the wise Queen Aira, is in control of the country. There are no problems, and the people are happy."

"Hey, hey, I didn't ask you for that. Have you lost your touch because it's been so long? Come, let me help you with that."

Elga reached out her hand towards me, but I tried to increase the distance between us.

Like Aira, when she came of age, being three or four years older than me, she treated me like a lackey.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

I attempted to go around her, eager to escape this uncomfortable encounter.

"Ugh, Tae-oh. I have been trying to be kind to you with a big heart for a long time. Do you have to insult me like this?"

Elga's friendly expression turned tumultuous for a moment.

"Yeah, okay. Well, I guess you are still concerned about the old days."

Her voice lost its kindness and returned to that of a scruffy woman. This version of her was easier for me to handle.

"Isn't that a thing of the past?"

"That thing across your eye, the scar. Didn't I apologize? Aira had always picked out the prettiest and best things from me then took them away. If I didn't hurt you like that, you would have been taken away."

"...."

"Yet even when I did so, you still ended up getting taken away. Aira, that bitch, I'm always put behind the scenes because of her."

"More than that, the thoughtless Queen-"

"Fuck! That bitch of a Queen, a Queen!"

I was genuinely startled when Elga suddenly screamed. I opened my eyes wide as Elga rummaged through her sleeves.

"Since when did you take care of Aira like that? So? What, did you two really do 'that'?"

"What do you mean?"

At my question, Elga glanced around and pulled out an Enchanting Herb cigar from her bosom.

The Enchanting Herb Plant was similar to tobacco in the modern world, a favorite commodity among nobles.

Elga flicked her fingers and ignited a magical flame. She sucked on the cigar and puffed out apple-scented white smoke.

"I have ears too. You and Aira, the rumors about your relationship that is circulating in the Court…? Is that true…?"

I thought she was going to delve into some difficult matter. With this, I relaxed and casually answered.

"Aren't you the one who knows best that this is not the case? I don't think it is worth explaining."

"Yeah, right? Since Aira is still sitting on the throne. Yeah, well, that means nothing happened."

Those noble bastards, always spreading false rumors. Elga tossed the cigar on the floor and stomped on it to put out the embers.

"Speaking of, Tae-oh, this reminds me of the past when we were together. It has been a while. Shall we do 'that'? Don't say no. This is not a request, but an order."

Damn bitch.

Was she trying to threaten me?

"Well then, stand here in front of me and close your eyes. I'm going to do what I did before. You have been a good aide to Aira, so I'm giving you a reward."

Reward?

It would probably be torture.

Nevertheless, I closed my eyes. One never knew what would happen if they rejected Elga.

She was an unmatched pro when it came to killing and harassing people.

As I closed my eyes, the world began to spin. This was why I didn't like alcohol.

At this moment, I could smell the apple-scented breath of Elga. Then something soft touched my lips, followed by a smooth and warm sensation invading my mouth.

It was Elga's tongue.

"Mwah~:, Nibble~:, Don't bite my tongue. Smack~, Otherwise, you will be in trouble.~"

"...."

, chyureureu, chureu, heua,haeu cheureu~"

Her tongue mercilessly teased the inside of my mouth and tonsils. After a moment, she moved her head away from mine and spoke with a reddened face.

"What do you think? It feels so good that you will go crazy, right? Aira doesn't do this to you, does she?"

To be honest, I was upset, but it did feel good.

It would have been better if there hadn't been a smoky taste from the cigar.

I didn't know why this woman always did this after smoking. Thanks to that, my throat stung and tasted awful, as someone who didn't smoke.

Cough, cough-

As I coughed, Elga giggled, as if it was a funny sight to her. She really liked to see others suffer.

What a pervert.

"This isn't enough? Yes?"

As I was about to say nothing, Elga pushed me against the wall and kissed me again.