<Episode 107>

Eveline watched as Elkais reached out to her, but her mind was focused elsewhere. She was trying to gauge the immense energy coursing through her chest, feeling its magnitude as it pulsed around her heart.

Then, as if asking to be let down, she lightly patted his chest.

Understanding her silent request, he slowly set her down, albeit with obvious reluctance.

“What is it?”

“I feel… incredibly strong all of a sudden.”

“That’s true.”

Elkais agreed easily. He had always been strong, but now he was even stronger.

Still, he was no stranger to coughing up blood. His body bore numerous scars, and he had suffered more than one piercing wound in his lifetime.

Yet none of that pain compared to the sight of Eveline coughing up blood before his eyes.

If he could take on a hundred times her suffering so that she would never have to endure any pain, he would do so without hesitation.

Even the thought of her getting the smallest cut on her fingertip would sour his entire day.

“Haa…”

“What’s wrong?”

“The thought of a bath is already making me happy.”

Eveline said, her legs trembling as she pushed herself up.

“You’re happy about bathing with me?”

Elkais asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes. But Eveline completely missed his expectation and simply replied—

“It’s just… Every time I washed there, it was always with cold water. And there weren’t even proper bathing oils.”

“…Ah.”

At that, he realized she wasn’t excited about bathing with him—she was just looking forward to taking a proper bath after so long.

For some reason, that irritated him a little.

“Don’t walk. Lean on me. I’ll carry you.”

“I need to practice walking anyway—ah!”

“See?”

He had considered picking her up again, but she didn’t seem to want that, so he simply reached out instead.

Surprisingly, she grabbed his hand tightly.

“You’re the god of creation now, Elkais.”

“…Having divine power doesn’t make me a god.”

“But it’s still the power of creation, isn’t it?”

“…That’s true.”

Eveline furrowed her brows before speaking hesitantly.

“Can’t you make it… smaller?”

“Pfft…”

Seeing how serious she was, he couldn’t help but laugh.

“And who was the one who wouldn’t let me go earlier?”

“It felt good then. But now that it’s over, it’s just exhausting. Have you no shame? How could you even suggest five times?”

“Five times is reasonable. And even then, I held back. If I had my way, I wouldn’t let you step foot outside the bedroom all day.”

“Oh, my.”

Her innocent reaction made his chest ache in the most bittersweet way.

“You should stop being so adorable. I don’t think I’ll survive much longer.”

“Should I be cold instead?”

“…No. That would kill me even faster.”

At the mere thought of Eveline rejecting him, he felt like his entire world was crumbling.

She must have noticed, because she stared at him intently—so intently that it felt like she had uncovered all his vulnerabilities.

“Want me to kiss you?”

“Yes.”

“Never mind.”

“…Why?”

“You looked too happy just now. This kind of comfort feels a little dangerous.”

The playful glint in her eyes made him chuckle.

Then, suddenly, he pulled her toward him. Her legs and waist were still weak, so she easily stumbled straight into his arms.

As he held her tightly, he whispered—

“Try dodging this.”

“Do you think I can’t?”

Expecting her to resist, he deliberately leaned in slowly. But before he could claim her lips, she surprised him by grabbing his chin and kissing him first.

His eyes widened in shock. When she pulled away, she smirked.

“You want to keep going, don’t you?”

“…Yeah.”

“Then let’s wash up first.”

“…Alright.”

There was no way he could go against her words, so he simply supported her as they walked.

Like a newborn fawn, Eveline stumbled forward, her legs trembling.

Rather than gaining strength, her thighs were still sore from Elkais, and her lower abdomen ached sharply. On top of that, the stinging sensation…

“…Eveline?”

She suddenly bit down on the fingers that were supporting her shoulder.

“I suddenly feel wronged.”

Elkais only laughed.

“Even when you bite me, it’s adorable.”

“T-That’s something you should keep to yourself.”

“Why? When I can see this expression on your face, why should I hold back?”

“…I don’t know.”

Elkais chuckled happily as he gazed at Eveline’s flushed face.

And with that, they finally stepped into the bathroom.

Elkais guided her into the bathtub and reached for the hem of her negligee, lifting it over her head.

“Raise your arms.”

“Alright.”

As soon as she did, he easily slipped it off.

“You actually managed to dress me even while you were passing out?”

“…I didn’t want anyone else to see your body.”

“A lot of people have already seen it.”

“Just give me their names.”

His voice dripped with dangerous intent as he clenched the negligee in his fists before forcing himself to relax.

“My maids. They bathed me all the time, so they’ve probably seen everything.”

“…I see.”

Realizing she had been teasing him, Elkais sighed at how easily he fell for her tricks. And yet, he found her mischievous tone endearing.

“Elkais.”

“I’m listening.”

“Elkais.”

“Yes.”

She called his name again, smiling at how his eyes lit up expectantly every time.

Each time she said his name, his gaze softened into a crescent moon shape, entirely fixated on her.

Eveline laughed, delighted that he didn’t even try to hide his emotions.

“You want to bathe together, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Then kill that.”

“…I can’t. We already know that.”

“Then handle it yourself.”

Her unexpected words made him pause, but soon his expression shifted into something hopeful.

“You’ll allow it?”

“Yes.”

“I feel like you’re going to look at me like some kind of beast.”

“I want to see the way you look at me.”

“Why?”

Eveline wasn’t in any condition to do anything again, but she also didn’t want him to keep holding back.

“When we do it, I can never really see your face properly.”

“…That’s true.”

Elkais found himself agreeing with her. From her perspective, it was a little unfair.

“Would seeing me like that make you feel less wronged?”

“That depends on what I see.”

“I’m a little hesitant.”

“Why?”

Elkais let out a small sigh before looking at her again. Just seeing her gaze on him was enough to make his body react. He didn’t even need to be touched.

But that was just him.

Eveline was different.

When she looked at him, he could read her emotions, but it was hard to tell if her body was reacting in the same way.

During their time together, he could sense it. But outside of that, he couldn’t tell.

So he was a little nervous.

What if, by showing her this, she found him repulsive?

Eveline was his first and last. There was no one else who could ever take her place.

He wasn’t strong enough to refuse her, but if he had to choose between her rejecting him or denying her request, he would rather turn her down.

“Do you think I’m disgusting?”

“Elkais?”

“Yes.”

Eveline watched as he stepped into the bath and turned on the water.

The cold water against her skin made her shiver, but when he pulled her onto his lap, the chill disappeared.

The bathtub was spacious enough for two, but with Elkais, it felt just a bit small.

“I don’t know yet. I’ll have to see for myself.”

Her words nearly shattered his self-control.

He almost took her at her word immediately.

But he quickly reined himself in and let out a breath.

“You really know how to manipulate me.”

“Do you hate it?”

“…No.”

He knew he could never truly deny her.

“I can’t help but worry—what if you end up hating me?”

“Me?”

Elkais didn’t respond. He simply stared at her.

Seeing the playfulness in her eyes, but also the unwavering sincerity beneath it, he finally let out a breath of relief.

“Promise me. If at any point you think it’s disgusting, you’ll tell me. I can hold back if I have to.”

“I promise.”

Eveline felt the warmth of the water finally settling in, making her more comfortable as she shifted in his lap.

The mere act of her weight pressing down against him sent heat spiraling through Elkais’ body.

“You have really big hands, Elkais.”

She recalled how even with both of her hands, she couldn’t fully grasp his, while his completely enveloped hers.

“Should we compare finger sizes?”

“Not now. Later. Right now, focus on this.”

He had tried to divert her attention, but she remained firm.

In the end, he simply stared at her for a long moment—then, as she wished, he moved his hand.

The water splashed gently, making soft rippling sounds.

Eveline observed everything—the way the veins in his hands swelled and tightened, the steady rhythm of his movements.

“Elkais.”

“Yes.”

“Elkais.”

He repeated her name as his pace quickened, his breathing heavier.

The warm water sloshed against her stomach, tickling her navel as it surged with his motions.

“If we keep going like this, I’m going to want more. I should stop.”

At his words, Eveline grabbed his wrist.

“Finish it.”