TVOWW 46

Chapter 46

Want Me More

I was surprised at myself for saying it.

“Are you really mine?”

But Johan didn’t seem flustered. Instead, he asked me in return:

“Then you’re not?”

“That’s…”

I had never really thought Johan was mine. I had never even thought I could have anything.

‘Even if I did, it could never be real.’

Johan lowered his long eyelashes slightly and whispered sweetly.

“Of course, I’m yours.”

His thumb slowly rubbed the area around my wrist.

“Just like you’re mine.”

Goosebumps rose across my skin. His large hand slowly wrapped around mine, gently stroking the inside of my delicate fingers. It was a movement that stirred the imagination.

His crimson eyes held a strange desire, and his low, deep voice sounded distant yet intense.

“You should have taken it for granted. Shouldn’t you?”

“Well, I’m in a different position from you.”

We had only held hands so far, but it felt as if Johan was caressing my entire body. I clutched my racing heart and pulled my hand away from his.

“That feels like too much greed…”

“Why shouldn’t you be greedy?”

Johan said casually.

“Want me more.”

The moment our crimson eyes met, it felt as though they were flames burning me up.

‘How can I even be greedy…?’

Johan was someone I absolutely shouldn’t desire. He could destroy me. Yet he broke down the barriers in my heart and awakened feelings I didn’t even know existed.

“Is that okay?”

My eyes welled up. His firm fingers brushed my eyelids.

“From now on, don’t ask for permission. Do as you please. Even if it looks bad or seems like it might cause harm, it doesn’t matter.”

“…”

“I don’t resent you for things like that.”

Johan tilted his head and kissed the corner of my eye.

“On the contrary, it makes me like you even more.”

Amidst all the lies surrounding me, Johan—touching me now—felt real.

“You’re just too beautiful like this.”

Thankfully, I was able to avoid Johan washing me.

‘…Though I did agree to wash his injured foot when going downstairs.’

I shook my head as Betty helped me with my bath. Johan really wasn’t one to be taken lightly.

‘He gives in to everything but always ends up getting what he wants.’

I glanced at my foot and realized I’d been having inappropriate thoughts. Johan holding my ankle, slowly placing his lips on it…

‘Stop thinking about that!’

Betty asked me as she tended to my bath.

“Miss, is the water too hot?”

“No! It’s fine!”

It was all because Johan kept saying strange things.

“I guess I was a little nervous thinking I’d be thoroughly examined.”

Now wasn’t the time for such thoughts.

‘What if Johan finds out I’m a fairy?’

Namu said there was no way in the world to reveal that. But I still couldn’t be certain. Magic is a field that makes the impossible possible.

Then Namu spoke first:

• Today’s the day you mentioned for that, right?

• Yes, that’s right.

I had been trying to avoid talking to the trees in front of Johan, fearing his sharp intellect might notice.

‘Alright. I can do this.’

Soon, bath time ended, and I arrived at Johan’s laboratory.

“Johan, I’m coming in.”

Inside, Johan greeted me. Unlike usual, he wore a white coat and a uniform hat.

‘Kind of like a military hat?’

When I looked at his hat, he removed it slightly and smiled.

‘There’s something different about him…’

His new look made my face flush. Johan noticed immediately.

“Do you like how I look?”

“Ah, I was just curious about the hat.”

“Hmm. You don’t like it?”

When Johan’s lips curved down slightly, I felt like I’d done something wrong.

“Th-That’s not it…”

“Then it’s fine. You need to wear it to assist with the examination.”

“Do you really need a hat for that?”

“It’s a magical tool, you know.”

He winked at me.

“I can switch it to something else if you want. Do you want something?”

“I really don’t want anything.”

Johan sighed, put the hat back on, and led me further into the lab.

‘This doesn’t look like a laboratory.’

It wasn’t what I expected. The lab felt more like a garden, with elegant thorny bushes in shaded corners.

“I thought magical research would involve lots of lab equipment.”

“Over there, there are places like that.”

The lab was bigger than I expected. At the end of the thorny path stood a white gazebo with elegant engraved marble columns and a semi-circular roof made of vintage glass. At the center rested a transparent crystal orb.

‘That orb must be a magical tool.’

Around it were black magic circles.

‘I just have to follow the plan.’

Previously, the medical tool Johan’s doctor, Henry, used had been damaged.

Namu had said:

• Because you’re of divine blood, you might accidentally damage items imbued with chaotic magic.

• As your power recovers, it might happen even more.

This exam would use a magical tool, not Johan’s direct magic. Judging by the crystal orb, it would measure something…

‘If it breaks or gives wrong readings, it’ll be a disaster.’

So we devised a plan:

• Use your fairy powers while being measured. That way, it might not register on the tool.

• How do I use fairy powers?

• The easiest way is to keep talking to us without stopping.

• Talking activates fairy powers?

• Yes. Unconsciously, you’re using your magic. It’s not a burden, though.

Johan patted my shoulder.

“Don’t be too nervous. It won’t hurt at all.”

“Right?”

Then something soft brushed against my ankle.

‘A tail?’

I hadn’t noticed it appearing.

A black panther beast, with glossy fur, sharp claws, and menacing size, approached. Its red eyes marked it as almost a magical beast. Several more elegant black panthers followed.

“These protect my lab.”

“Aren’t they monsters?”

“They’re hybrids of animals and magical beasts. Taming them was tricky but not impossible.”

I remembered the beasts that attacked before and held Johan’s hand tightly. He smiled approvingly.

“They don’t like humans much. Don’t get bitten.”

“Is it okay to be this close?”

“They know that attacking me would get them killed, so don’t worry.”

One large beast approached me. Its forehead had a star-shaped mark—it seemed to be the leader.

‘What’s it doing?’

Suddenly, it lay down and wagged its tail at me.

“Do you want me to pet you?”

The beast nodded. Despite its size, it resembled a cat and looked cute.

I gently stroked its head. The panther purred, eyes closing in contentment. Scratching its neck and belly made it roll over, begging for more.

“They’re already tamed, so they’re gentle.”

I scratched its belly and kissed the star-shaped forehead. It licked my cheek in delight.

“Kyah!”

Other beasts nudged me, asking for attention too. Johan noticed and asked with a smirk:

“Do you like them?”

“I understand why you keep them—they’re full of affection.”

The ones on my lap rubbed against me for more pets.

“Johan, what are their names?”

“They don’t have names. Beasts hate it… but they might like you naming them.”

“Really?”

I looked at the panther. It perked its ears and stared at me, as if saying, ‘I’ve never had that before.’

Johan watched me, addicted to touching the soft fur.

“If you like them, should we take one to the mansion?”

Thanks to the panthers, I’d relaxed.

“Just one. That would be nice.”

It was finally time for the examination. I stepped in front of the crystal orb and raised my hand.

The orb quivered with black energy.

‘It’s breaking!’

I urgently spoke to Namu:

• It’s really breaking! Say anything!

• Really anything?

• Yes! I’m too nervous to think of anything!

• Fine, then as promised. Ahem.

Namu asked quietly:

• Didn’t you promise to spread fertilizer before going down to the courtyard?

• Ah, yes, I did.

• But the gardener didn’t spread enough.

• It’s not because the blessing of summer made it harder for us.

Namu’s voice grew sad.

• You don’t need to worry about repayment. Just keep using the fertilizer as usual.

• I’ll tell the gardener.

• No, you’re already having a hard time. It won’t be a problem.

• I’ll do it anyway.

Even though I asked for anything, this wasn’t what I expected.

• It’s what all noble families use anyway. Yours just has something better…

• I feel bad if it’s a burden to you.

Hearing this, I frowned.

• Alright! I’ll do it!

• We know it’s hard, even if you’re a duchess. We’re not ignorant trees.

• I’ll do as you wish…

Then Johan, who had been outside the gazebo, appeared.

“Estelle!”

“Huh?”

His pale face grabbed my shoulder.

“Do you know who’s in front of you?”

“Well… Johan?”

I tilted my head. He pulled me close, pressing his throat against mine.

“Yes, I’m by your side. Don’t forget.”

Johan looked so tender and sad that I blinked.

‘Did I say something strange without realizing it?’

A spark ran through the crystal orb in my hand.

“Ah!”

I let go. Electricity spread visibly, and the sound of thumping grew louder.

‘I was too focused on Johan to talk to the trees!’

• …Could missing a conversation cause a problem?

• We don’t know.

Namu was irresponsible.

• We said it was a way to use your fairy power, but since your state has improved, it’s uncertain.

• Still…

Magical tools are expensive. If Johan keeps one in his lab, it’s probably impossible to buy.

“Did I do something wrong?”

“No.”

Johan didn’t even look at me, just patted my back.

The white flowers around the gazebo began to bloom and turned blood-red.

‘Higanbana?’

How did it know about the flower?

‘I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere…’

“Estelle.”

Johan’s red eyes trembled when he saw the Higanbana.

“You don’t have to pretend to be okay.”

No pain, but his gaze looked desperate.

“Is this flower a bad omen?”

Should I pretend to be hurt?

Johan pulled me into a strong embrace. My eyes welled up.

‘It really wasn’t nothing!’

“No. It’s not a bad omen. Sometimes it just happens.”

“I didn’t break it, then. That’s a relief.”

I plucked a Higanbana flower.

‘It looks ominous, but…’

Judging by appearances alone is bad.

“I like this flower. It’s like your eyes, Johan.”

“My eyes?”

“Yes. Sometimes paler, sometimes as vivid as now. I like it.”

Hearing that, the flower seemed even more beautiful.

“Even when it’s a bit sad or scary, it feels like your true feelings. It makes me feel closer to you.”

“How can you be like that?”

Johan, who looked briefly emotional, soon smiled lazily.

“You’re so lovely it’s almost infuriating.”

“Lovely?”

Looking at him expectantly, he pressed me against the lab wall, trapping me between him and the wall. Our foreheads touched. His calm, deep eyes looked down at me.

Johan held Estelle tightly.

‘Estelle’s magic doesn’t usually flow well.’

But the gazebo was designed for that. That’s why we brought her here.

‘Does she resist magic entirely?’

That meant she couldn’t be healed with magic.

‘So I have to let you go, you?’

Estelle asked Johan:

“Did I do something wrong?”

She kept asking if she did something wrong and apologized. It made me suspect she was being mistreated.

‘The crystal orb is turning black.’

The orb reflects her condition.

‘Black means pain.’

She was feeling pain beyond what even the tool could express.

‘Then how can she still smile like that—’

Her expression was strained, forehead slightly furrowed.

“I’ll do as you wish…”

Johan’s heart sank. Could it be…

This chapter captures both the intimate emotional tension between Estelle and Johan and the magical, high-stakes setting with the lab, beasts, and crystal orb.