Episode 31
It was the first free time I had in a while. I sat on the sofa in my room, reading a book and crunching on the cookies Claire had left me as a snack. One of the perks of having healing powers in my saliva is that I don’t have to worry if I accidentally bite my tongue while eating. In my past life, my immune system was weak, and I often got mouth sores, but since entering this novel world with this power, things have been so much easier.
Sometimes when I get too into a book while snacking, I end up biting my tongue really hard.
“Ow.”
Blood sometimes comes out along with a groan, and it hurts so much it brings tears to my eyes, but it heals quickly.
The book I was reading was titled [To Have You All to Myself]. It had a very romance-fantasy-style title, and the story matched the genre too. I had found it in a bookshelf full of old books, and it was like a beam of light shining on my exact taste.
The male lead in the novel was super powerful, the strongest in that world. But he had one weakness—he couldn’t fully control his powers. That’s where the female lead comes in—she’s like his brake. Only she can calm him down.
The part I was reading now was one of the highlights. The female lead had stopped the male lead from going on a rampage and brought him to the bedroom.
When she quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him, the still-excited male lead crashed his lips into hers. She was shocked at first, but then gave in to the strong arms wrapping around her waist, and the two deeply felt each other’s presence.
Ah, this is the joy of reading romance novels. It’s like a thrilling secondhand experience.
I swallowed a bit of saliva and smacked my lips. I’m learning about my first kiss through books because I’ve never experienced one myself.
At the same time, I was a little disappointed they didn’t go further than kissing.
The original novel I entered, [Taming the Mad Emperor], also had plenty of steamy content besides the Grand Duke’s presence, which is part of what attracted me to it in the first place.
I wish it had gone further or been more direct in its descriptions, but I guess I shouldn’t expect too much. Oh well.
Anyway, I wasn’t just reading this book for fun—I honestly believed it could help me. And no, this is not an excuse to make myself look better.
Because in the book, it’s after that kiss that the male lead fully awakens.
That’s how powerful the female lead’s kiss is. And I started wondering—could this apply to me too?
A kiss…
My saliva has healing powers, and when I kiss someone, my saliva would enter their body, right? So maybe… a kiss could heal internal injuries? Maybe even fully recover their whole body?
With that wild thought, I shut the book. Thud.
Today, I had plans to go out. So I invited a special guest to the duke’s mansion.
“Eilene, hey! You called for me?”
Adrien had just arrived, smiling brightly. Though he didn’t visit as often as he used to, he still came frequently. And I had been using him as my convenient escort whenever I wanted to go out—like today.
“Welcome, Adrien.”
Claire had told me there was a large bookstore in the city center. My plan today was to go there and find history or magic books related to the power of kissing. And while I was at it, I’d also grab a few romance-fantasy novels like the one I just read.
Of course, this is purely for research on the effects of kissing and how to expand my healing powers. Definitely not because I want to read more kissing scenes. Definitely not.
“Come with me to the bookstore.”
“The bookstore?”
“Yeah. I want to look at the books myself and buy them.”
“Alright, let’s go.”
Adrien nodded easily.
“Should I call our carriage? Or do we take yours?”
“I didn’t bring a carriage.”
“Huh? Don’t tell me… you walked?”
“No way. Of course I came on horseback.”
“Oh.”
Right, Adrien would ride a horse.
Riding alone on a horse is much quicker and more convenient than a carriage. And since he’s skilled enough not to need a bodyguard, it made even more sense.
Besides, there wouldn’t be many people above low-level thugs who’d dare attack him. Still, no one is invincible to surprise attacks.
His horse reminded me of the fond memories of riding with Raymond.
I want to ride a horse too. If I knew how, I could go see him anytime I wanted.
As I was thinking that, Adrien somehow read my expression and made a suggestion.
“Wanna ride with me?”
“Really? Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Yay! Then let’s do it!”
Awesome. That would be great.
I’ll ride with him at first, and once I get used to it, I can learn to ride properly.
Excited, I practically bounced up and down. Adrien smiled widely and led the way, and I followed behind him like a little puppy.
After getting permission from my mother, who was in the office, we got on the horse.
When I rode with Raymond, I sat in front. This time, I sat behind Adrien and wrapped my arms around his waist. My cold hands made him stiffen a little, but as the horse started moving, our bodies bumped and swayed together.
“This is fun! Let’s go, Kant!”
“You like it that much? Haha.”
The horse’s name was Kant. Like a carriage, it followed set paths, but it was much faster. We got to the city quickly. In the center stood a huge, fancy building—it was a three-story bookstore!
We dismounted near a corner of the store where staff handled nobles’ horses and carriages like valet parking. We left Kant with them.
“Wow! This is amazing.”
I gasped in awe, staring at the grand bookstore.
“It’s been a while, huh? Let’s go in.”
“Y-Yeah, let’s.”
Honestly, I was just stunned by how beautiful the store looked, but Adrien might’ve taken it differently. I followed closely behind him.
The inside was even more impressive than the outside. It felt like a kingdom of books, with shelves packed full.
I always pick books based on flashy covers. Just like in the duke’s library, I trusted my instinct. If something caught my eye visually, it must be right for me. Like magnets pulling me in.
I headed toward the bright, colorful section—pink, yellow, orange—and started picking out books. Genre novels really are irresistible both here and back on Earth.
Titles I picked included:
- Don’t Touch the Tower Master’s Lover
- Your Highness, If You Act Like This, I Can’t Kill You
- The Most Perfect Timing
- The World of Marriage
…and many more.
Caught up in the web-novel vibes, I grabbed them without hesitation. Before I knew it, I had over ten books.
“All done?”
“Yep. You?”
Feeling shy, I tried to hide my books with my body. I didn’t want him to read the titles. But since I had so many, he naturally reached out to help carry them.
“Give them here. I’ll hold them.”
“N-No, it’s fine.”
But saying no was pointless. Adrien stacked the books and carried them easily to the counter. Usually, a servant would do this, but since it was just the two of us, we ended up handling everything ourselves.
Now how are we supposed to carry all this home?
That’s when I finally realized why people normally bring a carriage. But thankfully, the store clerk said they’d deliver the books to the duke’s mansion.
“Please hide the titles when you deliver them.”
“Of course.”
I whispered that to the clerk, and she nodded with a knowing smile.
After that, we left the bookstore and went into a nearby dessert café. We sat by the window, chatting and sipping juice, when I suddenly noticed a strange shape in the big tree across the street.
I could feel its intense gaze.
When I looked more closely…
Oh… Oki?!
I was so shocked my eyes went wide.
“Eilene, I’ll be back in a moment.”
“Oh, okay.”
Right then, as if by miracle, Adrien got up and excused himself. It felt like a sign from above.
I nodded casually and, the moment he was out of sight, dashed over to the tree. As I got closer, I could clearly see Oki’s urgent expression and frantic movements.
What could be so urgent that she came all the way here in broad daylight?
“Oki, what’s wrong? What happened?”
“Oki, oki!”
She flapped her wings and flew ahead, as if telling me to follow.
I hesitated. If I suddenly disappeared now, Adrien would be so worried. But I didn’t have time to hesitate.
It was Oki. She’s nocturnal, yet she came out in the middle of the day. It must be really serious. If I hurry and come back quickly, it’ll be fine.
With that decision made, I ran after her without a second thought.
Wearing pants to ride the horse today was a lifesaver. If I’d been in a long dress, I couldn’t have run through the forest like this.
Luckily, the path Oki took wasn’t too far. Eventually, she flapped her wings and gently landed on the ground—where I saw a glowing figure.
When I got closer, I realized it was a fox.
But it was no ordinary fox. Its ears were long like a rabbit’s, and its body was pure white. It glowed like it had light shining from its back.
I didn’t know what it was, but one of its hind legs was caught in a trap set by humans. The glowing fox whimpered in pain, crying out sadly.
