Sigrid Chapter 91

[ … words ]

Sigrid didn’t know how to react to the increasingly intense kiss.

But it felt good.

She had never kissed before, and though she wasn’t sure, was Beramund a good kisser?

Truly, just like in books, her mind was becoming hazy. When she parted her lips to breathe with a “Hah,” he immediately swallowed her breath with another kiss. She was startled by his tongue lightly touching the inside of her lips, but the stimulating sensation made her head tingle.

‘It feels like sparks are flying.’

Everywhere his hands touched felt hot. The firm embrace around her waist felt good. Sigrid grabbed his clothes. When his tongue slid between her teeth, she almost jumped, but her legs gave out first. A fleeting thought crossed her mind that she would have collapsed if Beramund wasn’t holding her, but that was all.

“Mmh— Hng—”

Moans escaped her involuntarily. Every time their tongues touched, it felt like all her senses were gradually being pushed upwards. Beramund barely maintained his reason as he parted his lips from hers. He was panting as if he had sprinted. It was just a kiss— but this was no mere kiss.

Sigrid caught her breath leaning against his chest.

Her mind was blank, and it took a while for reason to return.

When it finally did, Sigrid became embarrassed and quickly pulled away. To be like this from just one kiss. The experienced Beramund would probably find it amusing.

“I-I’m sorry.”

As she apologized, Beramund’s voice turned cold.

“For what?”

“Huh?”

“What are you sorry for?”

“Well……”

‘I’m sorry for being like this from just one kiss’ sounded strange after all. Sigrid didn’t know what to say.

Seeing Sigrid at a loss, Beramund felt pathetic. It was a kiss so intense he could have given up everything in the world, but all he got in return was an apology.

‘For kissing when it wasn’t sincere?’

A mischievous thought crossed his mind, and he said:

“Are you interested in physical relationships?”

“What?”

Sigrid looked up in surprise.

“Kissing, caressing, touching, that sort of thing.”

His voice became low and thick, and Sigrid unconsciously took a step back. A shiver ran down her spine as the lingering sensation from earlier returned.

As she stepped back, he laughed.

“Well, I guess someone like you wouldn’t be interested in that sort of thing.”

“Are… are you interested in that, Beramund?”

“Very much so.”

He smiled casually. His nonchalant attitude made something squirm in Sigrid’s stomach.

‘I’m losing my mind here.’

She was still dizzy, but to Beramund, it seemed to be nothing.

She felt angry. And immediately after, miserable.

“What if I said I was interested?”

“Siri?”

“If I said I was, would you teach me?”

Her crimson eyes looked up at him challengingly. Beramund was at a loss for words. As Sigrid slowly lowered her gaze, Beramund found himself saying:

“If you want.”

She suddenly looked up again.

“If you want, I’ll teach you.”

“We’re just in a contract relationship after all, right?”

Her words pierced him like a sharp dagger. But so what? What does it matter if I take advantage of her ignorance?

I’ll never have her anyway. The closer I get, the more wounded I’ll be. When I let her go, I’ll surely be covered in blood.

But he couldn’t help saying:

“Yeah, for now we’re lovers even if it’s fake.”

When he replied with a smile, Sigrid said nothing. Beramund carefully examined her face, which looked as if she was wearing a mask.

“Siri?”

When he called her name gently, her face contorted slightly. Alarmed that she might cry, he reached out, but Sigrid stepped back. Picking up the mask that had fallen to the floor while they were kissing—neither had noticed it falling—she pressed it to her face and said:

“I’ll be going now.”

“Sigrid?”

“Goodbye.”

Like someone fleeing, she took three or four steps backward before turning and running out.

Bang—!

The sound of the door closing was loud.

“Ah……”

Was he scorned? Hated?

He slumped against the railing. Covering his eyes with the back of his hand, he laughed, “Ha.”

He felt terribly tired.

Sigrid wiped under her mask several times as tears kept falling. Her lips trembled. But she kept them tightly shut, afraid that if she opened them, sobs would escape.

Looking down from the second floor, she could easily spot Marie-Chez. Her vision kept blurring. Sigrid went downstairs and found Lowengrin. She didn’t want to disturb Marie-Chez.

“Lowengrin—”

Her voice came out shakier and more pathetic than she expected. At Sigrid’s call, Lowengrin, who had been talking to a man, stood up and said:

“Would you excuse me for a moment?”

The masked man bowed politely and stepped back. Lowengrin pulled a cord nearby, and several more layers of curtains fell with a soft rustle. Sigrid took off her mask. Her reddened eyes filled with tears and her contorted face were revealed.

“Sigrid.”

Surprised, Lowengrin rushed over and took her friend’s hand.

“Are you okay? What happened?”

Lowengrin’s caring tone was so gentle that Sigrid suppressed another wave of tears. A sob escaped through her bitten lips.

“……I was rejected……”

As she barely managed to say this, tears streamed down her face.

“Oh, Siri—”

Lowengrin’s face filled with sympathy. She led Sigrid to the sofa and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Sigrid sobbed quietly as Lowengrin patted her.

Without asking for details, Lowengrin simply comforted Sigrid. After a while, Sigrid rubbed her reddened eyes and said:

“I’m sorry for this… here……”

“It’s okay. But we should go home now. I’ll tell Marie.”

“No, it’s a special occasion. Stay a bit longer. I can go by myself.”

As Sigrid stood up, Lowengrin furrowed her brow.

“What are you saying? I’m not letting you go alone. Just wait here quietly.”

She stood up and pointed at the sofa with her finger, indicating for Sigrid to sit, before slipping out through the curtains. Shadows of people around them flickered beyond the curtains. As Sigrid waited restlessly, an arm suddenly appeared through the curtains. It was a woman’s arm, gloved.

Startled, she instinctively reached for her side, but of course, there was no sword there.

The arm that came through the curtains remained motionless and showed no sign of aggression. Instead, it held a letter.

“Who are you?”

When Sigrid asked, a woman’s voice replied, “A messenger.” As if to show she had no intention of attacking, the other hand slowly pushed through the curtains as well. Seeing the insignia in that hand, Sigrid took the letter.

“Her Majesty eagerly awaits your meeting.”

With those words, the person behind the curtain disappeared. Sigrid looked at the letter in her hand before tucking it into her bosom.

She didn’t have the energy to open it tonight.

A moment later, Marie-Chez entered, pushing the curtain aside with a thump. Lowengrin followed behind her.

“Let’s go.”

Marie-Chez held out her hand. As Sigrid took it and stood up, she hesitated.

“Is it okay? You said you’d definitely meet your destined man tonight……”

“If I can’t meet him because of this, then he’s not my destiny.”

Marie-Chez said firmly and started walking, taking the lead. Sigrid felt both embarrassed and comforted by the tight grip on her hand.

As soon as they got into the carriage, Marie-Chez handed her a handkerchief and said:

“So? What happened? Rejected? Did you meet Beramund here?”

Sigrid clutched the handkerchief tightly and nodded. She opened her mouth and explained the situation. When she mentioned Beramund saying it was just a game, Marie-Chez raised her eyebrows, and when it came to the kissing scene, she asked seriously:

“Did you like it?”

“Marie!”

“I’m curious.”

Marie-Chez turned to Sigrid with a “What?” and Sigrid blushed and nodded.

“So you liked it~”

Marie-Chez nodded with an “Oho,” then asked:

“So you didn’t confess?”

Surprised by her words, Sigrid said:

“But I was rejected before I could even confess……”

“But Beramund didn’t say he disliked you. He didn’t say to stop dating either.”

“That’s……”

“Hmm, I understand you being passive since it’s your first time. I understand, but saying you were rejected without even confessing, that’s strange, isn’t it? It’s not like you, Sigrid.”

Lowengrin, who had only been thinking of comforting Sigrid, was surprised by Marie-Chez’s words and looked at her. Marie-Chez rested her elbow on the carriage window and cupped her chin.

“You like Beramund, right? A good man should be won over.”

Sigrid’s tears dried up instantly. She gaped at Marie-Chez, whose voice grew increasingly passionate.

“A man doesn’t fall into your hands just by sitting still. Be more proactive! If he doesn’t seem to be falling for you, seduce him! And if you’re still rejected after that, then I’ll comfort you.”

“Mmm.”

Sigrid nodded. Lowengrin muttered, “I’ve learned something……” Marie-Chez slapped Sigrid’s knee and laughed.

“So don’t cry.”

“Okay.”

Sigrid nodded. She twisted the handkerchief and said:

“I’m sorry……. It was a special ball and……”

“Hm? No, it’s fine. There will be other opportunities.”

Marie-Chez waved her hand and leaned back in her seat.

“I didn’t particularly like anyone today anyway. It’s fine.”

Soon after, the carriage arrived in front of Sigrid’s house.

“Take care.”

“Yeah, thank you.”

After exchanging goodbyes, the carriage soon departed. Sigrid watched it leave and then leaned against the wall. Her eyes burned.

If she went home now, Arkana and Seria would see her like this, so she decided to cool down a bit before going in.

The party had ended much earlier than expected, leaving plenty of time before curfew.

Sigrid started walking. The weather was now mild even at night, so it seemed she could walk as long as she wanted. The cool breeze felt good on her eyes, and Sigrid closed them to savor it whenever the wind blew.

It wasn’t until she reached the main street with streetlights that Sigrid realized she was still wearing the wig.

‘Oh no. How do I take this off?’

Sigrid panicked and stroked her hair a few times.

‘I must have really been out of it.’

She sighed. It might be because of the alcohol. Come to think of it, even Marie-Chez and Lowengrin hadn’t noticed…….

‘What should I do?’

She wasn’t even sure if it was okay to sleep with it on. Wouldn’t it be a problem if the wig got damaged?

‘I guess I should go to Marie-Chez.’

Sigrid briefly considered going home to ride Echo out, but decided to keep walking. The weather was nice, and it would be better to take more time for her face to settle down.

As she was passing through the shopping district on her way to the 1st District where Marie-Chez’s mansion was located, she heard a familiar voice.

“Sigrid?”

The voice was full of curiosity, and she turned around and smiled.

“Morris.”

“It is you? What’s this? Why are you still wearing the wig? I wasn’t sure if it was you or not, I’ve been staring for a while.”

“Does it look strange?”

“Not strange, but……”

“We all went to a masquerade ball together. It’s for disguise.”

“A masquerade ball—?”

Knowing full well what happens at such events, Morris furrowed his brow. Sigrid sighed.

“Marie-Chez said my silver hair was too noticeable— But I forgot to return it when we parted. I’m on my way to return it now.”

“At this hour?”

“It’s still far from curfew. Besides, I don’t even know how to take it off.”

At Sigrid’s words, Morris chuckled, but then his face suddenly hardened.

“Morris?”

“Why were you crying?”

“Huh? Can you still tell?”

“Yes.”

Morris said in a low voice, and Sigrid said “It’s nothing” while lightly rubbing her eyes. Morris found himself asking:

“Beramund?”

Sigrid’s shoulders flinched.

“How……”

“A hunch.”

Morris answered. Sigrid doesn’t cry. She’s always brave and forward-looking, never yielding.

Except, for one person.

If there’s an exception, it would be that man.

“It was nothing.”

Sigrid shrugged and smiled. Morris said in a low voice:

“If it were me, I wouldn’t make you cry.”

“Well—”

She started to speak with a smile but then closed her mouth. Morris’s eyes looked unfamiliar. He said:

“So choose me, Sigrid.”

Choose what? The stupid question flashed through her mind. As she stared at him blankly, Morris smiled.

‘Ah, there’s the usual Morris.’

She felt relieved, but then he continued:

“It’s not very stylish to confess like this. But I’ll do better. So, choose me.”

“Morris……”

Sigrid immediately felt her cheeks flush. Was there still alcohol in her system? Maybe her poor physical condition was preventing the alcohol from being metabolized properly.

“You, me? Since when?”

“I just found myself liking you at some point.”

“Like—”

Sigrid swallowed hard. Her head was spinning.