Saving My Childhood Friend Through... Questionable Means... - Chapter 35
“Is this because of the curse? I thought the mark had disappeared. Once we summon the sorcerer for a final confirmation…”
Seria’s sentence was cut off as Lucas hastily poured out words. Lying made him ramble unnecessarily.
“That’s exactly why I was planning to go out. My body feels… strange. I figured there might be better sorcerers in the capital. Relying on just one sorcerer’s word seemed risky, so I thought I’d meet another one while we’re here to confirm my condition.”
“Oh! That’s why you were going out? That makes sense now. Relying on just one opinion could lead to problems. Then I definitely need to come with you.”
Hearing that he wasn’t heading out to meet friends but rather to see a sorcerer, Seria’s expression brightened. She had been worried he might get involved in something dubious during the night, but if it was about the curse, she felt relieved.
Now that she thought about it, the curse wasn’t completely resolved yet. It wasn’t like Lucas to wander around carelessly without a reason.
Though it wasn’t exactly according to his original plan, Lucas had already sent a discreet message to a reliable subordinate to arrange a meeting with a sorcerer in the capital while Seria was briefly away.
His initial intent was to confirm whether the curse had truly disappeared and to execute his scheme more thoroughly, but if Seria insisted on tagging along, there was no reason to stop her. He had already explained the situation in detail to the sorcerer through a letter.
‘Though it feels like I’m repaying her kindness with betrayal… it’s not my fault she’s so attractive. I didn’t ask to be captivated by her when I’ve never been interested in other women. What can I do when it’s only Seria who stirs this kind of reaction in me? Haah, we’ve already done it several times, so what’s the harm in a few more…? There shouldn’t be any, right?’
Resolving his thoughts, Lucas cast a sideways glance at Seria with a composed expression.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes!”
Lucas strode forward with his long strides, and Seria hurriedly followed behind him, taking quick, small steps. Glancing back to ensure she was keeping up, Lucas accidentally bumped into her.
“Ow!”
“You should watch where you’re walking.”
“Uh-huh.”
Lucas muttered sternly before resuming his steps. His face grew serious, and his smile faded as he stared ahead.
‘Oh, dear God in heaven. How did I end up this far gone?’
Sweat beaded on Lucas’s forehead as he prepared to carry out the most devious scheme of his life. It was his first time attempting something so underhanded, and his body was tense with nerves.
Yet, if it meant being with Seria again, he felt as though he could sell his soul to the devil.
Such thoughts were blasphemous for a paladin, but that was truly how he felt.
‘Hah, I really am a fallen paladin. Maybe I should just hand in my knighthood at this point.’
Lucas, ever someone who gave his best to everything, had only pursued the paladin title during his academy years because it was trendy. It provided an excellent excuse to build connections with heirs of powerful families. True to his nature, he had genuinely devoted himself to his faith… until now, when it all felt meaningless as he devised this deceitful plan.
Now, there was no room for God’s will in his mind—only thoughts of how to get closer to Seria, and specifically, how to relive their shared nights.
Underneath it all, however, was his yearning to deepen their bond and create a relationship that was unlike any other in the world.
But with no experience in matters of the heart, Lucas’s clumsy mind came up with a rather misguided plan: to lie about the curse reappearing.
More than anything, Lucas’s lack of experience with women left him clueless. Even though he had now gained experience in one area, his mind remained that of an awkward novice. There were men who instinctively understood women without ever having dated, but Lucas was not one of them.
If Lucas had fully understood his feelings, things might have progressed differently. But for someone who had never felt this way, he mistook his emotions for mere lust. Seeing Seria made his heart race and blood rush south, so he assumed it was purely physical.
