Overpowered Reincarnation Perks! - Chapter 14.6
“Anyway, nothing like what you’re thinking happened. I’m going to take a bath first.”
I didn’t notice because I was in a dark place, but now in the light, I looked terrible.
My clothes were all crumpled from being with Arvan in the tower’s secret room, there was dirt and grass leaves stuck all over from rolling on the hill, and the inside of my skirt was in a horrific state, soiled with all kinds of bodily fluids.
My face flushed hot as I recalled all the lewd acts I had committed during the night.
I quickly shook my head and headed for the bathroom.
Perhaps because fatigue doesn’t accumulate in the charmed state, I wasn’t as tired as I thought I’d be. My reduced stamina would recover after a good sleep anyway.
After soaking in warm water and feeling refreshed, I came out to find Arvan still sitting on the sofa waiting for me. He had placed a cup of warmed milk for me on the table.
“You must be tired, right? Drink this and go to sleep.”
“….”
“I didn’t add anything. It’s what you usually drink. Milk with honey and cinnamon powder.”
Seeing me standing still and staring, Arvan lightly explained, probably thinking it was because of the tea he made me drink last night.
His tone and attitude were as gentle and kind as usual. The uncomfortable air I felt earlier had considerably softened. Perhaps because of this, I felt a belated pang of guilt for my wrongdoing.
I walked over in my pajamas and sat across from Arvan.
“Arvan, I’m sorry.”
“Hm? Why are you suddenly apologizing?”
“For pushing you away earlier. I feel like I should apologize for that.”
“Don’t worry about it. You wanted to talk to that person, right? If anything, I should be the one apologizing for trying to stop you under the pretext of worrying about you.”
“But you wanted me to listen to you.”
I bowed my head to Arvan as I apologized.
“I’m sorry for hurting you.”
I know what Arvan was worried about.
Of course, he probably didn’t really think Callion would harm me. If he did, he wouldn’t have left me there.
His attempt to stop me was likely a signal for me to choose him.
I don’t regret my decision because I wanted to quickly explain the situation to Callion and clear up the misunderstanding. But that doesn’t mean I’m not sorry to Arvan. In the end, it looked like I chose Callion over Arvan right in front of him.
No matter how generous Arvan is, it can’t be easy to see the person you like prioritize another man over you.
It’s natural to dislike being rejected by the person you like, even in the smallest way. I wanted to apologize for hurting him.
“Knowing it was something to apologize for and still doing it is, in a way, even more hurtful.”
“Ugh…”
As I looked at him nervously, feeling a pang in my chest, Arvan got up from his seat with a grin.
He walked towards me and sat down right next to me. Close enough that our bodies slightly touched.
He always sat across from me, so this is the first time he’s sat so close. Feeling a bit nervous, I looked at Arvan, and he gently caressed my earlobe.
A natural gesture, as if touching me wasn’t awkward at all. I feel how much closer we’ve become.
“But you still considered me second, right? Thank you.”
“Second…?”
“Am I wrong? Am I perhaps first?”
“No, that’s…”
I was momentarily stunned. Why is he suddenly asking about rankings? They say men are creatures of hierarchy, but still.
“Both Callion and Arvan are important to me. I’ve never thought about liking one more or one being more important than the other. Don’t ask me things like that.”
“Hmm.”
Arvan nodded and then removed his hand that was fiddling with my ear.
“What, so you’re a heroic philanderer? I understand.”
Is there a man who interprets indecisiveness as heroic philandering?
He seems to be trying to interpret it positively because he likes me, but I wish he knew that his last statement just made me look even worse.
‘This isn’t the kind of hero I wanted to be when I was young.’
Somehow, I feel like I’m increasingly being called a hero in strange ways…
“So, you’re going to leave with that man now? It would certainly be safer outside the castle with him.”
“No. I’m staying in the castle.”
“Staying in the castle?”
“I told you I’d help you. I also asked Callion to stay.”
Just because the castle’s power has been depleted doesn’t mean it’s necessarily safer outside than inside. And there are still many people living in this castle.
I don’t have any affection or loyalty to those people, but they’re Arvan’s precious hometown folks. It might be impossible to save everyone, but I want to protect as many as I can.
