Chapter 38
Translator: Missme
Editor: Aru
My instincts warned me. Go ahead and say whatever I say. So let’s change the subject.
“I’m not sure I can ask you to do this, Lord.”
I didn’t forget to have a peek. Caleb would think it was a natural act, even though it was planned.
“I was the one who wanted to do it first, so there’s no need for you to feel pressured.”
“Even so, I apologize for bothering you.”
“No, not at all. You don’t have to worry about it because that’s something I frequently do for new members.”
“Do you do this to new members?”
“Yes, they do suffer muscle pain when they try too hard to show off their skills. And there are occasions when they suddenly complain of muscle pain while training.”
It’s no surprise he didn’t hesitate to touch my arm.
I had a suspicion before hearing it, but I felt better after learning that these gestures meant nothing to Caleb.
Of course, there’s nothing I can do about Caleb’s touch making me thinking of him.
“It seems that there are several such incidents, but do you give them a massage every time this occurs, Lord? Isn’t it hard?”
“As a leader, I believe that is something I should do.” Could you please give me the other arm right now?”
“Ah, yes.”
I softly extended my other arm.
And the same thing happened as previously.
How long had it been like that? Caleb then lifted his hand and got up.
‘Oh, is it done?’
Apart from being aware and embarrassed the entire time, it was unfortunate that the hands that had been soothing the muscles had been taken away. Because those hands have been reflexing all of my tense muscles.
It was the moment when I touched my arm with my other hand, somehow felt empty.
“Could you please take your shoes off?”
“Shoes…?”
“Yes.”
Caleb’s request seemed inexplicable in the context of the current circumstances.
I stared at Caleb, hoping for some explanation, but he turned away and returned to his seat.
I felt horrible for passing up the chance to inquire as to why, but I slowly grabbed my shoes. Because he had to have told me to take it for some reason.
When I pulled off my shoes, my feet were scorching and they ached a lot.
Because of my stockings, I couldn’t examine the state of my feet, but I could feel it roughly. Even if I couldn’t see it, it’s too obvious. It had to be redder and swollen than before.
Caleb returned when I continuously held my hand and opened it because I was afraid it would hurt my feet if I touched it. Caleb got back on his knees and folded a clean towel over his left thigh.
I initially observed what Caleb was doing for a time, becoming increasingly conscious of what Caleb was about to do.
When he stretched out to touch my leg, the guess evolved into confirmation.
He’s going to massage my feet. Just as he did when he massaged my arm a while ago.
“Please wait for a while. Are you trying to massage my foot?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
He responded as if there was no problem. But that was a major issue for me.
He’s going to massage my legs as well as my arms? What’s more, in this position?
I was able to settle myself down by shaking my head hard.
“I’m already fine, Lord. I’m grateful that you’ve already massaged my arms.”
“It’ll be tougher if we don’t have it treated right now.”
That was obvious to me. But I was too ashamed to do so.
Ugh, I’m not sure why Lord Vessel notified Caleb about my condition and created this circumstance.
If it wasn’t for that, I’d go home and wriggle by myself.
“Foot, Elena.”
Caleb called me once again.
Oh, I don’t know.
Anyway, he stated he usually does this to new members, so it’s not like I’m getting special treatment.
Let’s just accept the message and thank him afterwards.
I ultimately held out my legs after hesitating in response to the persistent demands.
Caleb held my heel as I gently extended my foot.
He simply gripped it gently with one hand, yet it covered not only the heel but also the back of my foot.
My feet aren’t so small, yet his hand covered them in that way…
‘He has a big hand.’
Previously, I thought his hand was large enough to wrap my hands excessively tightly with only one hand, but this time it seemed different since Caleb was holding my feet.
Meanwhile, Caleb took my foot and delicately placed it on his thigh.
Although the sensation was not delicate due to the towel, I could feel the thigh muscles flex beneath my feet.
The ideas that had been running through my brain were entirely disconnected as soon as I recognized the touch. Disconnected in the literal sense.
“……Elena?”
“Yes, yes?”
When I raised my head in response to the unexpected voice, my gaze met the person who was staring at me.
“I called because you didn’t answer me.”
When did he start talking to me?
“I apologize. Lord, what did you just say?”
“I’m trying to massage your legs and was wondering if you might roll up your skirt a little.”
“Oh, of course.”
The skirt reached up to my ankles since I was seated, but the initial length was long enough to cover the top of my foot.
I quickly grasped the skirt’s hem and lifted it.
Because it was so long, it didn’t come up easily, but I managed to pull it up to my thigh.
More than that, I was unable to think clearly.
I just put my foot on his thigh and then became helpless after.
Veloca would laugh at me if she saw this.
It was so absurd that when I looked at Caleb, I attempted to remain as cool as possible.
His jaw was clenched, and I could see his tense eyes and gaze even though he wasn’t looking at me.
It didn’t take long for me to notice he wasn’t acting like usual.
‘How come he’s reacting like that? ‘Did I make a mistake?’
I cocked my head and counted what had happened earlier.
Did he happen to notice that I was conscious of him?
Or……
“I apologize, but could you maybe arrange your skirt for a moment?”
Skirt? As I lowered my head, I could see the wrinkled and tangled skirt hem and my thighs that were almost half exposed.
‘What’s the problem with this?’
I hadn’t even noticed the oddity before then.
I was surprised to learn that my common sense was different from the common sense here.
There was no skirt short enough to expose the thighs here, but in my prior life, all short skirts showed the calves.
As a result, in this culture, women exposing their thighs to males used to constitute a form of tacit permission. Covertly, it’s not that pure.
“I-I apologise.”
I quickly grabbed my skirt and dropped it below my knee.
I don’t think Caleb would misinterpret me in that manner, but it was clearly my fault in any case.
‘Ugh, my face is burning. I am so embarrassed.’
“No, rather…”
I could hear a quiver in his voice returning. That alone demonstrates how embarrassed he was.
“I’m, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize for it, Lord. It was due to my carelessness.”
“That is not true.”
Caleb was still not looking at me. His voice, on the other hand, was firm.
“It’s true that I need to be cautious in this situation. Not you.”
Is that so?
“Anyway, you may look at it this way now. I’ve arranged my skirt.”
In my words, Caleb barely turned his head.
But he still didn’t see my face.
Nothing had changed; he was still staring at my toes and caressing them.
But is it just my imagination? His hands felt much hotter than before.
Caleb talked to me as I was shrivelling my hands due to the uncomfortable environment.
“I know this is a little late, but may I ask how your muscles become so tight like this?”
“Ah, I suppose I had muscle pain when I suddenly exercised.”
“If it’s exercise…what type of exercise…?”
“I practice with the sword.”
“Do you know how to wield a sword?”
Caleb stared at me, a little surprised.
“It’s not to the point you’re interested in, Lord. I learned it for a long period, but for self-defence more than to enhance my skills.”
My voice became less and smaller as I talked.
In reality, I believe I learned long enough to state that my sword-wielding ability is quite good, but because my opponent is Caleb, that’s exactly what occurred.
Because it seemed like I was teaching a fish to swim.
“Did you start learning on your own?”
“It wasn’t like that at first. My parents advised me to take care of my body. I mean, I started learning it through academe, no, teacher.”
I was ready to make an inadvertent reference to the academy, but I quickly corrected myself.
In this universe, there were no academies.
But, possibly as a result of my astonishment, I babbled to myself even when he didn’t inquire about it.
“Of course, it’s enjoyable after a certain amount of learning, and I felt the need, so I kept learning. I haven’t done it in a while since I’ve been preoccupied with my work.”
“Normally, no one would want to teach their daughters to use swords, but your parents must have been quite concerned about you.”
“I agree with you. After all, there are not only good people like you in the world.”
Caleb’s hand came to a halt for a little period, and the response came a bit late.
“…I don’t think I’m a good person either.”
Caleb’s voice was even lower when he spoke those words. It wasn’t simply due to my sentiments, but it was noticeable enough for anybody to notice.
‘Is he ashamed to admit that he is a good person?’
Maybe it was just a wild assumption on my part, but it made Caleb feel cute and made me smile.
“If you aren’t a good person, this world must be devoid of good people.”
There was no response. He must think it’s a joke.
But I really mean it.
Caleb finally let me go after insisting on caressing both of my legs.
“It’s all over.”
“I appreciate it.”
Caleb stood up, holding the towel he had placed on his thigh, and said, “It’s nothing.”
Meanwhile, I experimented with moving my arms and legs for no apparent purpose. It was definitely easier to move after receiving a massage.
I don’t feel as though I’m in agony any longer.
But it was simply a muscle problem, and I couldn’t even bring myself to put on shoes since my feet were still swollen.
So, should I merely crush the shoe’s heels?
Wouldn’t that be better?
Of course, I have to be prepared for the back of my shoes to get utterly crushed and crumpled, but my feet come first.
“Is there something wrong with your shoes?”
“What? Oh no! Rather than shoes being the issue…”
I hid my feet behind the chair legs, embarrassed to see Caleb gazing at my feet.
“My feet are swollen. So I was considering how to wear shoes in order to make them less painful.”
Caleb heard me and examined my shoes. But, knowing there was no easy way out, I opened my mouth first.
“Forget it. I’ll just crumple the heels up and wear them.”
“Aren’t the wrinkles going to bother your feet?”
“I can’t help it.”
I also couldn’t walk barefoot. Of course, it would be preferable to wear shoes, even if they were crumpled, rather than walk barefoot.
“How about putting on my shoes?”
Chapter 38
Translator: Missme
Editor: Aru
My instincts warned me. Go ahead and say whatever I say. So let’s change the subject.
“I’m not sure I can ask you to do this, Lord.”
I didn’t forget to have a peek. Caleb would think it was a natural act, even though it was planned.
“I was the one who wanted to do it first, so there’s no need for you to feel pressured.”
“Even so, I apologize for bothering you.”
“No, not at all. You don’t have to worry about it because that’s something I frequently do for new members.”
“Do you do this to new members?”
“Yes, they do suffer muscle pain when they try too hard to show off their skills. And there are occasions when they suddenly complain of muscle pain while training.”
It’s no surprise he didn’t hesitate to touch my arm.
I had a suspicion before hearing it, but I felt better after learning that these gestures meant nothing to Caleb.
Of course, there’s nothing I can do about Caleb’s touch making me thinking of him.
“It seems that there are several such incidents, but do you give them a massage every time this occurs, Lord? Isn’t it hard?”
“As a leader, I believe that is something I should do.” Could you please give me the other arm right now?”
“Ah, yes.”
I softly extended my other arm.
And the same thing happened as previously.
How long had it been like that? Caleb then lifted his hand and got up.
‘Oh, is it done?’
Apart from being aware and embarrassed the entire time, it was unfortunate that the hands that had been soothing the muscles had been taken away. Because those hands have been reflexing all of my tense muscles.
It was the moment when I touched my arm with my other hand, somehow felt empty.
“Could you please take your shoes off?”
“Shoes…?”
“Yes.”
Caleb’s request seemed inexplicable in the context of the current circumstances.
I stared at Caleb, hoping for some explanation, but he turned away and returned to his seat.
I felt horrible for passing up the chance to inquire as to why, but I slowly grabbed my shoes. Because he had to have told me to take it for some reason.
When I pulled off my shoes, my feet were scorching and they ached a lot.
Because of my stockings, I couldn’t examine the state of my feet, but I could feel it roughly. Even if I couldn’t see it, it’s too obvious. It had to be redder and swollen than before.
Caleb returned when I continuously held my hand and opened it because I was afraid it would hurt my feet if I touched it. Caleb got back on his knees and folded a clean towel over his left thigh.
I initially observed what Caleb was doing for a time, becoming increasingly conscious of what Caleb was about to do.
When he stretched out to touch my leg, the guess evolved into confirmation.
He’s going to massage my feet. Just as he did when he massaged my arm a while ago.
“Please wait for a while. Are you trying to massage my foot?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
He responded as if there was no problem. But that was a major issue for me.
He’s going to massage my legs as well as my arms? What’s more, in this position?
I was able to settle myself down by shaking my head hard.
“I’m already fine, Lord. I’m grateful that you’ve already massaged my arms.”
“It’ll be tougher if we don’t have it treated right now.”
That was obvious to me. But I was too ashamed to do so.
Ugh, I’m not sure why Lord Vessel notified Caleb about my condition and created this circumstance.
If it wasn’t for that, I’d go home and wriggle by myself.
“Foot, Elena.”
Caleb called me once again.
Oh, I don’t know.
Anyway, he stated he usually does this to new members, so it’s not like I’m getting special treatment.
Let’s just accept the message and thank him afterwards.
I ultimately held out my legs after hesitating in response to the persistent demands.
Caleb held my heel as I gently extended my foot.
He simply gripped it gently with one hand, yet it covered not only the heel but also the back of my foot.
My feet aren’t so small, yet his hand covered them in that way…
‘He has a big hand.’
Previously, I thought his hand was large enough to wrap my hands excessively tightly with only one hand, but this time it seemed different since Caleb was holding my feet.
Meanwhile, Caleb took my foot and delicately placed it on his thigh.
Although the sensation was not delicate due to the towel, I could feel the thigh muscles flex beneath my feet.
The ideas that had been running through my brain were entirely disconnected as soon as I recognized the touch. Disconnected in the literal sense.
“……Elena?”
“Yes, yes?”
When I raised my head in response to the unexpected voice, my gaze met the person who was staring at me.
“I called because you didn’t answer me.”
When did he start talking to me?
“I apologize. Lord, what did you just say?”
“I’m trying to massage your legs and was wondering if you might roll up your skirt a little.”
“Oh, of course.”
The skirt reached up to my ankles since I was seated, but the initial length was long enough to cover the top of my foot.
I quickly grasped the skirt’s hem and lifted it.
Because it was so long, it didn’t come up easily, but I managed to pull it up to my thigh.
More than that, I was unable to think clearly.
I just put my foot on his thigh and then became helpless after.
Veloca would laugh at me if she saw this.
It was so absurd that when I looked at Caleb, I attempted to remain as cool as possible.
His jaw was clenched, and I could see his tense eyes and gaze even though he wasn’t looking at me.
It didn’t take long for me to notice he wasn’t acting like usual.
‘How come he’s reacting like that? ‘Did I make a mistake?’
I cocked my head and counted what had happened earlier.
Did he happen to notice that I was conscious of him?
Or……
“I apologize, but could you maybe arrange your skirt for a moment?”
Skirt? As I lowered my head, I could see the wrinkled and tangled skirt hem and my thighs that were almost half exposed.
‘What’s the problem with this?’
I hadn’t even noticed the oddity before then.
I was surprised to learn that my common sense was different from the common sense here.
There was no skirt short enough to expose the thighs here, but in my prior life, all short skirts showed the calves.
As a result, in this culture, women exposing their thighs to males used to constitute a form of tacit permission. Covertly, it’s not that pure.
“I-I apologise.”
I quickly grabbed my skirt and dropped it below my knee.
I don’t think Caleb would misinterpret me in that manner, but it was clearly my fault in any case.
‘Ugh, my face is burning. I am so embarrassed.’
“No, rather…”
I could hear a quiver in his voice returning. That alone demonstrates how embarrassed he was.
“I’m, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize for it, Lord. It was due to my carelessness.”
“That is not true.”
Caleb was still not looking at me. His voice, on the other hand, was firm.
“It’s true that I need to be cautious in this situation. Not you.”
Is that so?
“Anyway, you may look at it this way now. I’ve arranged my skirt.”
In my words, Caleb barely turned his head.
But he still didn’t see my face.
Nothing had changed; he was still staring at my toes and caressing them.
But is it just my imagination? His hands felt much hotter than before.
Caleb talked to me as I was shrivelling my hands due to the uncomfortable environment.
“I know this is a little late, but may I ask how your muscles become so tight like this?”
“Ah, I suppose I had muscle pain when I suddenly exercised.”
“If it’s exercise…what type of exercise…?”
“I practice with the sword.”
“Do you know how to wield a sword?”
Caleb stared at me, a little surprised.
“It’s not to the point you’re interested in, Lord. I learned it for a long period, but for self-defence more than to enhance my skills.”
My voice became less and smaller as I talked.
In reality, I believe I learned long enough to state that my sword-wielding ability is quite good, but because my opponent is Caleb, that’s exactly what occurred.
Because it seemed like I was teaching a fish to swim.
“Did you start learning on your own?”
“It wasn’t like that at first. My parents advised me to take care of my body. I mean, I started learning it through academe, no, teacher.”
I was ready to make an inadvertent reference to the academy, but I quickly corrected myself.
In this universe, there were no academies.
But, possibly as a result of my astonishment, I babbled to myself even when he didn’t inquire about it.
“Of course, it’s enjoyable after a certain amount of learning, and I felt the need, so I kept learning. I haven’t done it in a while since I’ve been preoccupied with my work.”
“Normally, no one would want to teach their daughters to use swords, but your parents must have been quite concerned about you.”
“I agree with you. After all, there are not only good people like you in the world.”
Caleb’s hand came to a halt for a little period, and the response came a bit late.
“…I don’t think I’m a good person either.”
Caleb’s voice was even lower when he spoke those words. It wasn’t simply due to my sentiments, but it was noticeable enough for anybody to notice.
‘Is he ashamed to admit that he is a good person?’
Maybe it was just a wild assumption on my part, but it made Caleb feel cute and made me smile.
“If you aren’t a good person, this world must be devoid of good people.”
There was no response. He must think it’s a joke.
But I really mean it.
Caleb finally let me go after insisting on caressing both of my legs.
“It’s all over.”
“I appreciate it.”
Caleb stood up, holding the towel he had placed on his thigh, and said, “It’s nothing.”
Meanwhile, I experimented with moving my arms and legs for no apparent purpose. It was definitely easier to move after receiving a massage.
I don’t feel as though I’m in agony any longer.
But it was simply a muscle problem, and I couldn’t even bring myself to put on shoes since my feet were still swollen.
So, should I merely crush the shoe’s heels?
Wouldn’t that be better?
Of course, I have to be prepared for the back of my shoes to get utterly crushed and crumpled, but my feet come first.
“Is there something wrong with your shoes?”
“What? Oh no! Rather than shoes being the issue…”
I hid my feet behind the chair legs, embarrassed to see Caleb gazing at my feet.
“My feet are swollen. So I was considering how to wear shoes in order to make them less painful.”
Caleb heard me and examined my shoes. But, knowing there was no easy way out, I opened my mouth first.
“Forget it. I’ll just crumple the heels up and wear them.”
“Aren’t the wrinkles going to bother your feet?”
“I can’t help it.”
I also couldn’t walk barefoot. Of course, it would be preferable to wear shoes, even if they were crumpled, rather than walk barefoot.
“How about putting on my shoes?”
