Chapter 59: Imagine More (2)

In a fluster, I gazed at Piel, trying to mask my bewilderment.Yôur favorite stories on n/o/(v)e/lbin(.)com

"What nonsense are you talking about, Piel?"

Piel glanced around and then said, "Exactly what I said. Just... take off your clothes for a moment. I need to check something."

"No way."

What on earth had gotten into her?

Why should I suddenly put on a one-man striptease?

"Well, I guess there's no choice."

Piel raised her rapier and pointed it at me.

"I'll have to use force if necessary."

"Stop it."

Please, just stop.

But Piel's gaze remained unwavering.

She was dead serious.

'What should I do?'

I had no idea why she was acting like this, but it was dangerous.

Even if I used my amplified Overload, my chances of escaping her were practically zero.

That's when a thought flashed through my mind.

If I played this right...

"What are you suddenly trying to do? Regardless of the reason, resorting to force without hesitation? Is that truly befitting of a member of the esteemed Chalon family?"

However, Piel answered without hesitation.

"Family? Honor? I don't need any of that. This is the most important thing to me right now."

That was the wrong answer.

I immediately thought of another way.

I had overcome countless challenges in the past, and this would be no different!

"Isn't an apology more important right now?"

"An apology? For when we accused you?"

"Yes."

In the original story, she would have apologized right away if she thought she had done something wrong.

Has she somehow changed?

In any case, it looks like getting an apology is unlikely.

If I used this to my advantage, I could escape this predicament-

"Fine. But only after I've seen you undress. I'll apologize or do whatever you want. Just... come here."

It turned out that was just wishful thinking.

Piel strode towards me with determination.

She was relentless.

Piel roughly grabbed my wrist.

Ouch, that hurt.

How could such strength come from her small frame?

"It hurts."

"Stay still, and don't think about running away. It'll only take a moment."

At that moment, the door to the training hall swung wide open.

"Piel, let's train togeth– Oh."

Neike, Andrew, and Eshild – the trio had entered.

They stared at us, their eyes widening in surprise.

"Ha, hahaha... You're already training together. Alright, we'll train by ourselves then. See you later..."

With that, they hastily closed the door and left.

"...!"

Those damn cowards, just leaving like that.

Even after the trio left, Piel showed no signs of releasing me.

"Enough, let me go. I said it hurts."

"I won't let go until I get your consent."

Piel's expression was firm, her eyes desperate.

"Sigh..."

But it was a request I couldn't comply with.

To undress without reason would be madness.

Piel may have said she'd do anything, but I'm not a male prostitute who trades his body for compensation.

If she had asked for a different token of gratitude, I would have obliged somehow.

But as I said before, I'm no womanizer.

People around me often say that "a true warrior never resists the advances of women" or "a true hero knows how to enjoy female company," but I'm neither a true warrior nor a hero.

I am just, well, me.

"Psh, you don't have to make such a face."

Siena drooped her head, looking disheartened.

"I'm sorry, but I can't."

"...Fine."

Siena lifted her head. She recovered quickly.

"Well, then I'll be the one to hug you."

In an instant, Siena tightly wrapped her arms around me.

"...Ouch."

It hurt like hell. Siena squeezed me as if to shatter my ribs.

"...Siena. Agh, it hurts."

"Hehe, just endure it. This much is enough."

"..."

Siena held me and spoke.

"I heard you had quite a match in the Knight Department yesterday?"

"Yes, that's right."

"You did well. My man should have that much spirit. But don't push yourself too hard."

"...I understand."

“Hehe, you're adorable.”

Siena patted my back.

***

In the training hall, Piel stared blankly out the window, her heart in turmoil.

There, she witnessed a sight she could hardly believe.

'...What on earth are they doing?'

Theo and Siena were sharing a passionate embrace.

Piel rubbed her eyes several times, wondering if she was dreaming.

But it wasn't a dream.

"I... I... I can't believe it..."

It was a shocking scene.

Piel knew Siena quite well.

Even her father had insisted she build a close relationship with the elf princess.

Of course, she had no intention of heeding her father's words. His advice didn't seem particularly important in their current situation.

In face, her primary reason for enrolling in Elinia Academy was to escape her stifling family.

There were more important matters for her to attend to.

'Yet for me, it's like she built a wall between us...'

Of course, Theo had been forcibly embraced by Siena, but the rage-filled Piel couldn't think rationally.

'But when will they separate?'

They look like they've clinging to each other all day.

Just a moment ago, they had both seemed so pure and innocent. What were they doing now?

"Ugh."

What made her even angrier was her own heart.

She had never cared about anyone else's relationships, yet now she could hardly contain her fury.

"..."

After a few minutes of watching them, her boiling head began to cool, and a hint of reason returned to her.

Upon closer inspection, it didn't look like they were dating.

Piel observed the pair with a calm gaze.

"Yeah, that's what I thought..."

Siena continued to cling to Theo, while he remained still.

Even so, Piel resented him.

Her inner thoughts slipped out.

"...You jerk."

***

Haha sorry guys I was meant to release this last night but I ate something I wasn't supposed to and I spent my night in the toilet instead...

3/4 Enjoy the chappy!