The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 18
They passed through the heart of the World Tree and entered the grandest hall within the castle. What struck Evelyn as peculiar was that, even inside, though the leaves had thinned, branches laden with clusters of foliage stretched out in every direction. It was as if the tree itself had woven its essence into the very fabric of the hall, its presence both ancient and alive.
He led her deeper and deeper, through an endless maze of rooms. They traversed wide corridors, passed through a small plaza-like space, and even crossed a mysterious hall where a high-backed throne stood on a dais, behind which lay a pool of crystal-clear water. A pond inside a hall? The interior seemed far more expansive than the exterior had suggested.
Just how much farther do we have to go?
Her steps slowed slightly as the question lingered in her mind. Sensing her hesitation, Cassis turned to look at her.
“Are your legs tired?”
“Huh?”
“Come here.”
Though his words were an invitation, his actions were anything but gentle. He reached out and pulled her close to his chest, leaving no room for hesitation. Was it that he disliked even the slightest delay? Cassis’s touch was bold, unyielding, and impatient. Flustered, Evelyn quickly stammered,
“Ah…! No, it’s not that. It’s just… the inside is much larger than I expected.”
“It’s a space enchanted with magic. We’re almost there.”
By then, they had already passed a library where books were stacked so high they nearly touched the ceiling. Beyond it lay a spacious area dominated by a massive bed, the first thing to catch her eye.
There seemed to be no further path ahead, save for a terrace and a window that claimed an entire wall.
A bedroom?
But this was no ordinary bedroom. It was far too vast for a single person, almost absurdly so. Exaggerating slightly, it felt as though several houses from the village she had lived in could fit snugly within its confines.
Swish.
Cassis came to a halt and, without warning, shrugged off his coat, draping it over a chair. Next came his shirt, which, despite the long journey, bore not a speck of dust. The soft light caught the contours of his torso, and Evelyn quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing. Unbothered, he spoke casually.
“This is my bedroom. You’ll stay here for the time being. Once things settle, I’ll arrange a proper space for you.”
Stay in his bedroom?! With him…?!
Suddenly, Cassis’s words from the previous day resurfaced in her mind. He had said that to survive, they would need to engage in… that at regular intervals.
How long will this go on…? Once the elves revive my tree, will this arrangement become meaningless?
Though he hadn’t explicitly stated an end date, the thought left her feeling uneasy. Cassis, now fully dressed in a different set of clothes, left her with a few instructions.
“Do you understand everything?”
Her voice was faint, almost deflated, as she replied, “Yes.”
The new attire he wore was adorned with dazzling, multicolored gem-like ornaments and strange, star-shaped objects that glimmered faintly. They reminded her of the medals she’d seen in fairy tales. These gleaming trinkets seemed to speak for him, as if declaring who he was. The words of that unknown elf echoed in her mind, He is the King of the Elves. Evelyn was overwhelmed by a sense of helplessness, but there was nothing she could do.
After finishing his instructions, he left, but his presence lingered so strongly in the room that it felt as though he were still there.
What did he say again?
First, She was never to speak of the method of… infusing energy that Cassis had described. Second, Until she grew accustomed to life here, she was not to wander around, and under no circumstances was she to leave the castle grounds. Third, She was to let go of her vague fears and entrust everything to him… Had he sensed the turmoil in her heart?
And then there was his final remark before he left.
“I have much to attend to, but I’ll finish as quickly as I can and return. Once it’s done, I’ll come for you tonight. Rest easy until then.”
Rest easy? How am I supposed to rest? I can’t possibly wait here calmly…!
She had always vaguely imagined that if she were to engage in that with a man, it would be after marriage. Even if not, she had assumed it would be accompanied by tears, a racing heart, and the overwhelming emotions of tender love. And even if sorrow and hardship followed afterward, who could have guessed she would face this moment so soon?
Shouldn’t I be preparing for something? Evelyn blinked rapidly, trying to recall the whispered stories of her friends who had experienced such things with men.
If this were the barn where she used to live, she would have bolted out immediately to gather the necessary items. What had those girls said was needed? Plenty of water, a kettle to boil it, clean clothes, and…
