Chapter 39: Trick

“I won’t… force you like that again.” Donia said softly.

Adele’s skin flushed with an unusual blush, as if a scorching airflow surged within her body.

Her heartbeat quickened rapidly, and her head felt light, as if floating.
‘Why won’t you force me…?’

A voice bubbled up like air.
Adele lightly bit her lower lip, feeling a strong unwillingness gush out like a bursting dam.

But she didn’t dare to think, didn’t dare to deeply consider why she would say such a thing.

The more she tried to trace the source, the more she would recognize what kind of person she truly was, what her true nature was.

“But…”

Adele opened her mouth but didn’t utter a single word.

“It’s okay…” The bright white sunlight fell on Donia’s profile, her long eyelashes trembling continuously.

She forced a faint smile.
‘But can I do nothing about all this?’
The golden mark on the back of her hand appeared; that was the ‘Mimicry Command Seal’.
Supervisors could use this as a bridge for a mental link to help executives bear the mental impact.

“No need to use the Mimicry Command Seal… use it for more crucial matters.” Donia whispered softly.

“Just let me… lean on your shoulder for a bit.”

A soft sensation came from her shoulder.

Donia’s head gently rested on Adele’s shoulder.

The girl’s silky hair lay scattered casually, a few strands inadvertently brushing against Adele’s skin, bringing a subtle ticklish sensation.

Her heart, which had just sunk to the bottom of a lake and gone silent, was stirred once more.

Adele tilted her head slightly, complex emotions flickering in her gaze.

In those gray eyes, tenderness and affection slowly seeped out, and hidden painstakingly at the corners of her eyes were unspoken feelings.
She hesitated, slowly raising her hand, her fingertips gently curled, but ultimately only rested on Donia’s soft, silvery hair.

Donia’s dewy eyes were half-closed, her thick eyelashes gently trembling, her delicate face tinged with a faint blush.

Adele again gently curled her fingertips, slowly lowering them in hesitation, completely unaware that her shadow had already exposed her innermost thoughts.

‘Sometimes… the awkward Miss Adele is quite cute too.’ Donia secretly sighed in her heart.
‘Then I’ll… help you add fuel to the fire~’

A delightful sensation blossomed in her heart.
Donia slightly curved her lips.
Practical combat aside, she had the theoretical skills down pat~ Hehehe~
“Miss Adele.”
“Hm?”
“Although I shouldn’t force you, can I sit on your lap?” Donia asked cautiously.

Adele’s eyes widened slightly, a flicker of liveliness in her gray eyes.
Perhaps normally she would ask, “Is that necessary?”, but now… her heart offered her only one answer.
‘Agree to her.’

“Mm… If it’s just that, I can bear it.” Adele opened her arms, giving her answer.
‘What am I saying?!’
‘What do you mean “can bear it”… it’s clearly… it’s just me…’

Adele, ashamed of her lie, wished she could bury her head in the couch cushions, but she couldn’t show the tumultuous emotions in her heart.

Only her fair, translucent cheeks glowed even redder in the sunlight.
Donia slowly shifted her body, carefully sitting on Adele’s lap.
Their gazes briefly and quickly met for a moment, then swiftly darted away.

The air seemed to be filled with a faint, ambiguous scent.

“Ahem, this should be fine.” Donia said.
‘This should be fine…?’
Adele couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

She hesitated, then wrapped her arms around Donia’s slender waist, her fingers gently touching her skin.
Her fingers unconsciously tightened and relaxed, seemingly restraining some inner impulse.

Adele twisted her head, her gaze fixed on the receding snowy landscape outside the window, but her thoughts were entirely occupied by the person on her lap.
Adele couldn’t help but bury her head, sniffing greedily at Donia’s hair.

The little thing in her arms was trembling slightly, seemingly a little scared.

Clang, clang.

The moving train swayed slightly, causing Donia to inadvertently brush lightly against Adele.

Each contact was like a splashing spark, igniting an indescribable warmth in both their hearts.
Adele’s breathing gradually quickened.

She clearly heard Donia’s strong heartbeat.

Thump-thump, thump-thump—

‘Isn’t her accelerating heartbeat proof that Donia also feels something…?’

Donia adjusted her “seat” uneasily; she felt Adele’s tense heart suddenly relax.

Adele bit her lip, suppressing the emotions that were about to overflow.

The struggle intertwined in her heart was about to break free, but it was just a little short… just a little.
‘Heh heh, fell into my trap, didn’t you?’

‘Called you to beat me up the moment we met, and now you’re so anxious you want to cry, aren’t you~~’ Donia said proudly in her mind.

After provoking Adele, she naturally chose to ignore her~

What did a volcanic eruption have to do with her?

It wasn’t her fault anyway~ Blech~
Donia, feeling perfectly justified, flipped through the Forbidden Book, completely disregarding Adele, whose face was flushed beside her.

Seeing her immersed in her cultivation, Adele could only silently endure this sweet torment.
‘Be more proactive… you can totally be more proactive!’
‘You’re the supervisor; she should be obedient to you.’

Thoughts like steaming bubbles surfaced.
Adele’s cheeks grew redder and redder.

Her gently curled fingertips lifted and then fell.
“What’s wrong with me…”
“I can’t possibly like her… that’s absolutely impossible. My feelings for her are just… ordinary…”
Adele, constantly making excuses for herself, only felt a part of her heart becoming softer.

Clang—

The train suddenly entered a curve.
Inertia caused Donia’s body to lean slightly backward.
Adele subconsciously held her tighter.

The two embraced tightly, as if merging into one.
Adele’s breath gently brushed against Donia’s ear.
She fearfully shrank her slender neck.

“It… it’s enough, isn’t it? No need to hold so tight anymore.” Donia said, blushing.

But Adele didn’t loosen her arms; instead, she pressed even closer.
‘This, this is a bit different from her plan!’
“Haven’t we had a outfit check today?” Adele asked with a teasing smile.

She clearly felt the little thing in her arms stiffen, as if encountering something terrifying.

“Ah… Ah!?” Donia’s heart went cold.
‘Crap, I forgot about that!’
‘Once Miss Adele finds a reason, it will be hard for her not to lay her hands on me, given how she is now!’
“Donia, just focus on training your mental tolerance; leave everything else to me.”
“Adele… stop!” Donia was genuinely a little panicked.
“It’s alright, I’ll do my best to help you practice.” Adele said gently.
“After all, you’re my executive.”

Donia covered her crimson face with her hand.

She vaguely heard the purplish-pink liquid in the Chalice of Malice sloshing around.
Goo-choo, goo-choo.