Chapter 3 Part 1
“You still manage to speak prettily even in this state.”
“If you know that, let go. My head is already ringing.”
The continuing violent pain made me feel like my head would split open.
As if signaling that my condition had become serious, goosebumps rose from the cold coming up from the basement floor that I hadn’t noticed earlier.
The air, which had become heavier than before, seemed to press down on me, making it hard to breathe.
Having lost the luxury to even force a smile for appearance’s sake, I pushed him away with all the strength I could muster in my arms.
Despite using all my strength, it wasn’t easy to break free since Hyle had completely trapped me in his embrace.
“…What are you doing? I said let go.”
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
Hyle, who had been quietly looking down at me struggling desperately, suddenly grabbed my wrist with inexplicable words.
“Ah! What are you doing right now…!”
He bent down and came closer to me.
Startled by the suddenly shortened distance, I tried to turn my head away, but because Hyle was firmly holding my waist, I couldn’t escape his gaze.
“I promised, didn’t I? That I would save you.”
His eyes sparkled with a strange light as they met mine along with his low words.
A strange sensation, both stinging and numbing, was felt distinctly inside my frantically pounding chest.
As Hyle drew closer, the sound of my heartbeat grew increasingly fierce.
I couldn’t tell if this pulsing was due to pain or some other reason.
“So-“
Hyle’s lips, which had shown a brief gap, closed momentarily.
“…don’t misunderstand.”
“What are you-mph.”
My eyes reflexively closed after hearing those faint final words.
I felt a strange sensation as if something hot yet warm was gently seeping into me.
…What’s this? The pain suddenly disappeared completely.
A refreshing coolness I had never experienced before swept through my entire body.
The pain that had been mercilessly raging to the point where I could barely move a finger vanished instantly when our lips met.
It was truly a mysterious and chilling power that wouldn’t be strange to become addicted to, let alone find attractive.
Just a little closer, more…
Having confirmed that Hyle’s holy power was beyond imagination, I instinctively craved him.
Without realizing it, I pulled his neck closer, seeking more of his power.
The intense kiss that aroused terrible longing consumed me fiercely enough to paralyze my reason.
His broad back, which I desperately clutched with my remaining hand, was firm.
His large hand supporting my head was burning hot, making me dizzy.
“Rosiel, are you alright?”
At that moment, when all my nerves were on edge from the unfamiliar sensations, our touching lips slowly parted.
At the same time, the refreshing sensation that had enchanted me until just now vanished like a dream.
Are you alright… are you seriously asking that?
Hyle’s worried gaze looking at me, dazed from the lingering holy power, was unbearably gentle.
“…Do it again.”
“Hm?”
My reason had long since fled from the strange sense of liberation.
Having lost my judgment ability, it was difficult to maintain rationality.
“Let’s do it one more time.”
“Wait, Rosiel…!”
When I put more strength into my arms around his neck, Hyle’s surprised face slowly came into view.
Fortunately or unfortunately, seeing Hyle’s surprised expression for the first time made my interrupted reason slowly return.
Though that didn’t change my desire to do it once more… I’ll leave it at this for today.
For now, seeing that face makes me want to tease him a bit.
“Why, didn’t you say you’d save me? You seemed quite enthusiastic earlier, or was that my imagination?”
After whispering these words, I slightly raised the corner of my mouth. Hyle, who belatedly realized it was a joke, let out a quiet sigh.
“I see you’ve regained enough energy to provoke me.”
“Thanks to you.”
Hearing my light response, Hyle finally seemed to relax, loosening his grip that had been firmly holding me.
To me, who had been a barren wasteland, Hyle was like a handful of rain.
And a very sweet one at that.
As I gently moved closer to his lips, Hyle, who had hesitated for a moment, slowly closed his eyes.
Suppressing the laughter that threatened to burst out at his innocent expression, I pushed against his chest and stood up.
“Should we have done this from the start? You’re quite susceptible. Am I your type?”
When I teasingly joked with a smirk, Hyle’s eyes turned to me, tinged with bewilderment.
Neither my body nor my head hurt anymore.
Though I’m not usually one to make hasty judgments, this time I could dare to be certain.
Hyle was clearly the only lifeline that could save me. So I absolutely cannot let him go.
“You really…”
A faint hint of incredulous laughter appeared at the corners of his mouth, as if he too found it absurd that he had fallen for my teasing.
“I couldn’t hear your answer properly because I collapsed. So, how do you plan to give me holy power from now on? Surely not like this every time…?”
“No, purification is possible even with simple contact like holding hands. Just now was… unavoidable because it was urgent.”
“That’s disappointing,” at my quiet murmur, Hyle’s eyes narrowed slightly.
However, unlike before, his gaze was now clear without any trace of murderous intent.
“We need to meet at least once a week. Even for someone like you, purifying my heart won’t be easy.”
Even if Hyle was an overpowered character, there were limits to quickly purifying my heart, which drew power from demonic forces.
In truth, even if he injected holy power into my heart, I couldn’t carelessly predict whether it would really be effective, and if so, how effective it would be.
I had to consider the possibility that it might have no effect at all.
Temporarily eliminating pain like now and continuously purifying my heart were entirely separate issues.
Hyle, who had been looking down thoughtfully, finally seemed to reach a decision and looked up to face me.
“Once the engagement with the Crown Prince is broken off, I’ll propose to you.”
“Ah, right. …Wait, what?”
