Chapter 277: A little romantic.....
After tending to the children, Eli joined them for a simple meal: a humble porridge accompanied by delicate fruits...It lacked the extravagance of delicious dishes, but it served its purpose.
The children, no longer frightened after Eli's soulful song, easily gathered around him. Eli's eyes constantly twitched, witnessing a certain boy eagerly 'talking' with a blushing girl about his 'Song.'
It became apparent that the boy was capitalizing on Eli's talent to score points in his budding romance.....
'Damn Brat!!'
However, Eli, not one to engage in petty actions, didn't harbour ill intentions toward the innocent budding love... Still, he silently vowed to make things challenging for the two mischievous sisters.
As the meal concluded and the time for Eli's departure arrived, the children expressed their reluctance.
"B-Big brother!!"
"D-Don't go, big brother!!"
"Please sing a song for me 'sob' 'sob"
Eli smiled at them, dismissing the last request as a playful ploy for attention. 'He still wants to score more...!!' Eli thought, finding amusement in the boy's persistent attempts.
"Okay, he will come tomorrow, so go inside; it's already late," Fiana shouted, instructing the children. With a warm smile, she turned to Eli and remarked, "They seem to like you now".
Eli simply smiled in response before taking his leave.
Before departing, he made a call to the Headmaster, requesting guards for the orphanage.
The Headmaster had shown a peculiar interest in Eli (He wasn't sure why), offering him personal assistance whenever needed. Eli, not understanding the reasons behind the Headmaster's bias, but decided to use the advantage.
Eli was 'Little' concerned about potential threats from those who had targeted him before, Eli wanted to ensure the safety of the children.
Last time, he had been fortunate to get a 'fresh' soul crystal and 'fresh' blood before signing a contract. However, that couldn't said for future problems so he couldn't rely on luck, and he wasn't leaving any chance to others.
As the sky darkened, Eli glanced upward before proceeding along the lonely pedestrian path.
His expression, initially blank, shifted when he noticed a black silhouette leaning against the wall.
The silhouette straightened as it approached Eli. Though his initial frown suggested wariness, Eli's face soon lit up with a gentle smile as he observed the pouting figure before him.
"Scylla?"
"Hmph," Scylla huffed, her dissatisfied expression belying her actions. Contrary to her apparent annoyance, she hugged him and gave him a simple peck on his lips.
"What? Already missing me?" Eli teased with a knowing expression when he saw her daring actions.
"Hmph," Scylla huffed again, choosing to ignore Eli's question as she started to walk away. However, Eli immediately caught her hand and pulled her into his embrace.
"What?" Eli asked, his gaze penetrating into her ocean-blue eyes.
Blushing, she averted her eyes, still evading an answer to his question.
Observing her, Eli's hand ventured to her plump ass. They were on an empty road, ensuring their privacy.
"~Hmmff--"
Eli tightly grabbed her ass, and she moaned before quickly covering her mouth.
Eli didn't ask anything; he only continued to stare into her eyes. With teary eyes, Scylla muttered, "Y-You bastard".
Hearing that, he smirked but refrained from saying anything. Witnessing this, Scylla's ears twitched. 'Hmph, this bastard is clearly playing with my 'innocent' heart!!' She screamed inwardly while her body moved toward his face. She initiated the kiss again, but this time she delved deeper.
"~Hmm~'
'Hmmm, I haven't even kissed him today... Ahhh! His taste is really heaven!!' She thought.
She had been clearly annoyed earlier because Eli hadn't come after her, yet she couldn't bring herself to hate him or even get angry at him.
After sharing some passionate kisses, Scylla and Eli strolled towards their house, their hands intertwined with shared emotion. The gentle breeze seemed to carry the whispers of their unspoken feelings, and the soft glow of the streetlights added a romantic ambience to the quiet streets
Suddenly,
"Why is my darling wasting his time?" she asked.
Not many people were around, even on the main road, so Scylla daringly called out to him. The dim glow of the streetlights highlighted the longing in her eyes with doubtful face.
"Well, just a punishment" Eli shrugged nonchalantly.
"???" Scylla frowned, feeling a tinge of uncertainty. There was something in Eli's demeanour that hinted at a hidden story.
'Even though we became lovers... Yet, the distance is still the same' Scylla thought with a gloomy expression, glancing at her left hand..... She remembered the golden-red mixed ring that Lilith had.
She clenched her heart, 'I have to try better...' she thought, determined to bridge the emotional gap that lingered between them.
Eli, not staying idle, observed the woman who was fighting to keep her insecurities at bay. He recognized the silent struggle within her.....
Eli then decided to remove their intertwined hands, bringing Scylla out of her reverie.
Then he moved his hand towards her neck. Seeing this, Scylla simply stayed there, not asking anything about his actions or even moving away.
Eli caught her neck but gently, and he stared at Scylla as he asked, "What do you think I will do?"
"...." Scylla didn't say anything but pushed her neck towards his hand, a firm yet gentle gesture that conveyed,
'Whatever you do, I still love you' Her unspoken emotions echoed in the silence of the moment.
Eli stared at her actions, wondering why the women in his life were ready to sacrifice so much for him... Suddenly, his eyes turned blank, startling Scylla.
"I wondered whether these hands of mine are still able to snap the neck of a child" he muttered in a lifeless tone.... The weight of his haunting emotions was palpable in his words.
"...." Scylla didn't fully grasp the depth of his statement, but she sensed a hint of profound sadness in his tone.
Then he looked at the starry sky, his eyes penetrating the endless space as he said,
"I don't feel anything towards others"
Feeling the loneliness in his voice, Scylla immediately hugged him, her head pulling him into the comfort of her chubby bosom. The warmth of the embrace soothed his emotions.
"D-Don't you love me?" Scylla asked in a trembling tone. This was her first time seeing his vulnerable side, and she needed reassurance.
"Do you even need to ask?.... Of course, I love you!" Eli said, inhaling her womanly scent, a gesture that calmed his troubled mind. His words carried a depth of sincerity, a pledge to the woman who stood by him despite his flaws.
"T-Then?"
'Deep Inhale'
Taking a deep breath, Eli said, "I... I am a little worried about whether you guys hate me.... If I am being emotionless to others and.... even to a child" A wry laugh escaped from his mouth, masking the underlying vulnerability that he dared to reveal.
".... I see" Scylla finally understood his actions, nodding her head a few times and kissing the back of his head.
She was truly happy, feeling as if she were floating on clouds because Eli had shown his vulnerable side, a foundational element in any meaningful relationship.
In a relationship, if both parties only showcased pride and happiness, the connection could wither away. The essence of a strong bond lies in the willingness to reveal one's 'weaknesses'. When a person, whether a man or a woman, exposed their 'vulnerabilities', it was considered an expression of love. It signalled trust in the belief that the other person would accept and support them.
Though there might be individuals who couldn't appreciate these displays of 'Weakness', the majority found solace in them.
At that moment, Scylla understood the importance of her response. Pushing Eli gently away from her bosom, she looked at him with tender eyes and spoke softly,
"You are my life. I would rather hate myself than hate you for anything, and... I will be there whenever you struggle. I will love you no matter what you become... heheh, As a wife, I scold you when you do something wrong"
"...." Eli stared at the woman before him, captivated by the tenderness and love she radiated.
When Old Mei was tortured, Eli truly felt nothing.
Whether he wanted to help her... No.
Whether he was worried about her... No.
Whether he felt pity for her... No.
Whether he felt pity for Old Wei, who was begging for his wife... Then NO!!
If not for the Fresh Soul Crystal and blood from the assassination leader, Eli was sure..... he wouldn't have signed the contract.
In his mind, who in their right mind would sacrifice their future for an unknown couple whom he had only seen that morning?
...Well, Maybe a hero would.
But Eli wasn't a fucking Hero. He was a selfish man... driven by his own emotions. That's all.
If given the chance, he could help, but he wouldn't go so far as to bet his life for others. He had his own life, his own loved ones waiting for him.
And if not for Mariel's crying... Eli was certain he would have allowed Mei to turn into a Fiend. The process of consuming a Fiend was a horrifying nightmare, more painful than anything. However, due to Mariel's presence, he didn't want to reveal his pathetic side.
So, he gritted his teeth, enduring the pain and that's the reason he fell unconscious after the toll on his body became too much. That was the day he showed a rare glimpse of vulnerability to her making her love turn a little more 'Normal'.
On that day, he realized his emotions were entirely tangled and fucked up. He feared that he might unintentionally hurt his loved ones, and that was why he took this 'punishment' so seriously.
He wanted to feel, even if just a little. He desired to experience those 'worries and sadness' for others.
As Eli looked at Scylla, a beautiful woman in his eyes.....
The atmosphere around them became dark and a little cold. Streetlights flickered, creating an almost eerie, yet somewhat romantic, atmosphere.
Eli smiled faintly as he held her chin with grace, and with a gentle smile, he said,
"Let's Fuck"
"...." Scylla, who was just moments ago showing a caring and gentle expression, suddenly froze, unable to believe her 'husband' had completely ruined the moment. The atmosphere shifted from warmth to a chill, "YOU BASTARD!!!"
In her frustration, she created water balls, and a surge of anger propelled them towards him. The streetlights cast dancing shadows as the water balls sliced through the air.
She had anticipated sweet words like "I love you" or "You are my light" or " You are shining like a star" or
"You are the only one I need" she muttered words she wanted to hear, trying to feel the romantic ambience she had hoped for...
However, her hopes were dashed, and the once romantic atmosphere now hung with an awkward tension.
"This bastard!!" Scylla cursed, watching him run away with a haughty smile.
Her lips curved upward, but this time with a mix of amusement and playful irritation.
"Stop, you bastard!!" she called, laughter bubbling beneath her words, as she playfully chased after him.
"Hahaha..."
"Hahahaha..."
Laughter echoed through the streets, a blend of frustration, amusement, and the lively energy of their playful banter creating a unique and memorable atmosphere.
______________
<Next Morning>
"...." Eli sat on the ground in a meditative position, surrounded by swirling mana as he inhaled deeply.
"Urrhh."
His eyes fluttered open with a frustrated expression, having been unsuccessful in contacting any beings residing within him.
Feeling a sudden heat wave and seeing the light, he mumbled in surprise,
"Oh, it's already dawn"
Realizing he had been practising his arts throughout the night while waiting for 'Her' arrival, Eli was taken aback. He never expected to be so engrossed that he forgot about his wife.
"But I felt it was only a few hours" he pondered in disbelief, wondering why this had been happening recently.
His concern deepened as he looked around and noticed a golden-haired beauty lying on the bed.
Eli sighed, offering a small smile, and slowly stood up, accompanied by the cracking sounds of his muscles and bones. Since his bed was occupied by the big red cocoon, Eli had added another bed to his room.
"I am sorry" he muttered as he sat beside her, watching her sleep peacefully.