City of Witches-Chapter 431: Merry Christmas (3)

1.

Eloa spent quite a while talking with Ravi.

Siwoo had been quietly listening from nearby at first, but eventually, he stepped back, feeling it would be rude to overhear too much.

After what felt like an eternity of laughter and tears, Eloa returned to Siwoo with reddened eyes.

“Come here for a moment, will you?”

“Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Come closer. I want to introduce you to Ravi.”

In a quiet voice, Eloa grabbed Siwoo’s wrist and wiped her tears away with her sleeve.

Siwoo stood stiffly, feeling awkward and nervous in front of the gravestone.

Eloa cleared her throat a few times and gestured to Siwoo, introducing him to Ravi.

“Ravi, this is him.”

With Siwoo standing beside her, Eloa eagerly began to introduce him.

“Can you believe it? He’s a man who possesses self-essence magic. His growth is quick and amazing; it reminds me of you back in the day.”

“...”

“He can be a bit clumsy, and also not the most eloquent, and also...a bit of a flirt who seduces all the witches he meets...”

“...”

“But now, he’s someone I trust more than anyone... Someone I can depend on...”

“...”

Her lively tone as she praised Siwoo gradually turned into a tone that was choked with emotion.

Struggling to control her tears, she finished her farewell to Ravi.

“So, don’t worry too much about me. Rest in peace, alright?”

Siwoo gently placed his arm around her shoulder as Eloa buried herself in his embrace, sobbing quietly for a long time.

2.

“Are you feeling a bit better now?”

Eloa’s face was a mess of tears.

In truth, she had visited Ravi’s grave many times before.

But this was the first time she had let herself cry so freely, to the point that she even felt liberated because of it.

Previously, even though she had felt her throat tighten and her chest ache from the weight of her loss...

Her tears had never fallen.

What had held them back was the guilt she couldn’t resolve.

And her regret for the fact she could never spend a single day with Ravi again.

But tonight, it felt as though the century-long sorrow and regret she carried scattered like delicate beads across the garden.

And this too, she thought...

Was only possible because Siwoo was here by her side.

“I must have looked so pathetic.”

Eloa let out a faint smile and looked up at Siwoo, feeling strangely lighter.

The area around Siwoo’s eyes was red.

He probably felt emotional and shed a few tears himself when waiting for her, while smoking his cigarette.

Here he was, her student, her beloved, her destiny*,* who was willing to cry with her over a burden that wasn’t even his.

“Not at all. Thank you for bringing me to such a meaningful place, Master.”

It was the Harvest Festival; a rare occasion.

After tonight, it would likely be a while before she could see Siwoo again.

The turmoil and unrest stirring in the Modern World weren’t things that could be resolved in a day or two.

If this was to be their last moment together for some time, she wanted it to end with smiles.

With that thought, Eloa firmly held Siwoo’s hand.

For a while, they wandered the garden, taking in the sights together.

They shared memories while enjoying the open view from what could almost be called Gehenna’s observatory.

“I was so shocked back then.”

“I’m not one to brag, but I’ve always been confident in my culinary skills.”

“It’d be nice if you were to cook for me again next time.”

“For you, anytime.”

Eloa thought back to their first meeting when she had mistaken Siwoo for Ea and attacked him, the times they trained together, the meals she had cooked for him, the quiet nights when they were sipping their wines, side by side, and the times when they faced the Cowardly Witch.

Today was a special day, but their conversations weren’t particularly deep.

They just felt like those casual chats they had while strolling the quiet forest paths near the Gemini Mansion after their regular training sessions.

These were stories that didn’t matter whether they were said aloud or not.

Even so, the simple act of holding Siwoo’s hand filled her with happiness.

It made her steps lighter, and her heart beat faster.

“There’s somewhere I’d like to take you.”

“Should I feel bad about this? The guy is supposed to plan the date, isn’t it not...?”

“What’s there to feel bad about? Don’t worry.”

Siwoo had originally planned to take Eloa to the Malkuth Gallery for a walk.

He thought that the arcade-style market seemed perfect for the Harvest Festival decorations, and his earlier visit confirmed it was beautifully decked out.

But seeing how Eloa had carefully prepared the date, he decided to go along with her plan instead.

“Arcana Village, in Lenomond Town.”

“Alright, lead the way.”

3.

The Tiphereth Family was originally known for their immense wealth.

In fact, the fertile lands of Gehenna, including the Mendel Hills vineyards, which were now managed by the Gemini Family, had once belonged to them.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

However, Eloa had poured her entire fortune into the charitable project called Witch Point, leaving her with little to her name.

Still, many witches admired her character and achievements, with over a dozen official patrons supporting her. So unlike Sharon’s days of dire poverty, Eloa’s life was far from the word ‘struggling’.

Although, she rarely accepted her patrons’ kindness unless it was truly necessary.

Her modesty and upright nature made her hesitant to boast about her efforts or rely on others.

Even her stay at Countess Gemini’s mansion was a form of compensation for the artifacts she had provided them. Without that connection, she would probably have declined the offer

But for tonight, she decided to accept Branch Manager Sua’s kind invitation.

With Siwoo always surrounded by women, a night where she could have him all to herself was undoubtedly precious.

And on this lively Harvest Festival night, with her heart inexplicably fluttering, she wanted to be alone with him.

Arcana Village in Lenomond Town.

As the name suggested, it was a housing area southeast of Trinity Academy.

Instead of grand mansions like the Gemini or Yesod Mansion, it consisted of smaller townhouses scattered at reasonable distances; like outposts.

“This is my first time here.”

“Really?”

Back when Siwoo was a slave, he had never set foot in this place, as there was no need to, not that he ever wanted to anyway, since it was practically a den of devils for him. After his return, since no witches he knew lived here, he had no reason to visit the place.

In any case, compared to Gehenna’s other famous spots, this place was rather modest.

The only attraction was a small lake taking up about half of Arcana Village’s area.

But, due to the festival, they had decorated the houses appropriately. The cedar-lined paths, heavy with snow, gave the area a serene and peaceful charm.

Of all the houses, the one Eloa led him to was perhaps the most modest one in the village; a red brick house that hardly deserved to be called a mansion.

Passing through a wooden fence instead of a stone wall, they entered through the front gate.

Despite its quaint exterior, the interior was impeccably clean, not a speck of dust to be found even in the corners.

Brushing the snow off their shoes, they changed into soft, fluffy indoor slippers.

“This place is lovely too.”

“It’s quiet and nice. Best of all, we can be alone here.”

When Siwoo glanced around and said that, Eloa smiled.

While it felt cozy, the space didn’t seem grand enough to deserve such admiration.

Still, his kind attempt to offer compliments, perhaps thinking this place held sentimental value to Eloa like the Hanging Garden, came across as endearing if anything.

“There’s a cozy room upstairs. Wait there. I’ll prepare some snacks and drinks for us.”

“What? No, I’ll help you with that.”

Siwoo felt that he shouldn’t just sit back like some guest while his Master did all the work.

So, he rolled up his sleeves, ready to help, but Eloa firmly stopped him.

“No, absolutely not. Just stay upstairs and wait quietly.”

With that, she turned around and disappeared into the living room. Her pink hair swayed behind her like a tail.

4.

“Haa...”

Following Eloa’s firm instructions, Siwoo headed to the second floor and settled in.

The room had a simple layout.

At the top of the stairs was a door.

Inside, there was a sofa, a bed, and a bookshelf, all within clear view.

The slanted ceiling suggested the attic had been converted into a room, making it smaller than the first floor.

A single rug from under the bed in the Gemini mansion could probably cover the entire space.

Regardless, Siwoo placed his feet on the soft wool carpet and sat on the sofa.

“I feel weirdly nervous.”

Unlike his past when his right hand had been his sole companion, present-day Siwoo knew exactly where this atmosphere was heading.

With hashtags like #HarvestFestival, #MoonlitNight, #JustTheTwoOfUs, and #DrinksTogether, how could he possibly misread the situation?

The issue was, he had never shared a romantic sex with his master while both of them were completely sober.

It wasn’t the case the first time, nor was it the second.

Even after regaining his memories, they had shared kisses plenty but Eloa had never initiated anything beyond that.

And knowing her inner struggles, Siwoo never felt comfortable taking the first step.

Still, since they wouldn’t see each other for a while, he hoped they could make this time special.

“I’m coming in.”

Just as he resolved to create a natural atmosphere based on his experience, a voice called out.

Siwoo stood up to receive the drinks, only to freeze in place.

“...”

Beyond the slightly open door, instead of his dignified master, a rabbit was coming in.

The revealing leotard exposed more than half of her pale skin, her soft cleavage clearly visible.

Her shapely thighs stood out thanks to her heels, and the straps of her garter belt pressed gently against her skin, adding an undeniable allure to the sight.

Blushing furiously, Eloa couldn’t meet Siwoo’s gaze and focused on the tray in her hands, which held a wine bottle, glasses, and some cheese.

-Tr-tr-tr-tr-tr-rr

The tray trembled audibly, betraying her shyness and nervousness.

Eloa had prepared the outfit beforehand on the first floor and had changed while preparing the drinks.

She had planned a surprise with a bunny costume to playfully startle Siwoo, and had even practiced a line:

‘Tonight, I’m your bunny, Siwoo.’

It was just one line, but she’d repeated it over and over to make sure she wouldn’t forget.

However, when she stood in front of Siwoo, her mind went completely blank.

She never thought this would happen, but now she was worried that Siwoo might criticize her for such a silly outfit.

Even if he didn’t show it outwardly, she worried that he might think she was horny, to put it bluntly.

As someone naturally conservative, Eloa couldn’t even begin to guess what Siwoo might be thinking.

Still, there was no turning back now.

She fought the urge to shut her eyes and escape from reality.

Instead, she opened her eyes wide, looked straight at him, and shouted.

The line she had prepared, the feelings she wanted to express.

“I-I’m a horny bunny...!”

Eloa instantly realized her mistake.

Her inner thoughts had somehow merged with her practiced line, turning it into a bold, perverse declaration!

“No, no...! I mean I’m a horny bunny for Siwoo!”

“...”

“N-No, no...! I-I’m...a bunny...just for tonight...”

After a series of mistakes from her fluster, her words turned into a strange, incomprehensible mess; a complete disaster.

A chilling silence fell as Eloa hung her head in shame.

The bunny ear ribbons, which had been perked up, now drooped sadly.

I’ve blown it...

Ms. Sharon even went out of her way to help me, but I...

Ruined everything...

Eloa hastily tried to explain herself.

“I-I thought this might make you happy... B-But I guess it’s ridiculous of me to even think about doing this, right...?”

“No, not at all, Master.”

“You’re lying. It doesn’t suit me, does it? With this weird hair color...and my short height...”

And then...

The wine bottle Eloa had been holding tumbled to the floor with a loud crash

Siwoo had suddenly pulled Eloa into a tight hug, causing the tray in her hands to drop and the contents on it to roll across the floor.

“Thank you so much, Master.”

“...”

“This is the cutest and prettiest I’ve ever seen you.”

Her heart, which had been sinking into despair, suddenly soared as if it had sprouted wings at his compliment.

“...Really?”

Siwoo’s response to Eloa looking up at him with the expression of a puppy that had broken a vase while its owner was away, was...

A rough grip to her waist, and a deep, passionate kiss.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Eloa bunny