City of Witches Chapter 187

Fortunately for Sharon, Deneb had not come to collect a debt or to seize the bounty upon hearing that the debtor had obtained a massive reward.

In truth, the 58 billion she had lent Sharon ten years ago was mere pocket change compared to the vast wealth of the House of Gemernai.

After all, the Gemernai Family’s purpose in lending money to Sharon was not to engage in debt collection but to secure and access the accumulated Magic Research materials Evergreen had compiled over the years.

Thus, unlike Sharon, who was trembling with anxiety, Deneb simply offered a light nod of greeting and entered the living room.

Siwoo cleared the living room table, which was cluttered with various items, and guided Deneb inside.

Sharon, sensing the atmosphere, took some fruit from the refrigerator and washed it.

Deneb glanced briefly at Sharon, then at Siwoo, before handing over the paper bag she was holding.

“A housewarming gift.”

“Ah, thank you.”

The shape of the paper bag, its weight, and the sloshing sensation when received clearly indicated it was alcohol.

In any case, Siwoo felt oddly self-conscious.

Housewarming events were usually filled with bright smiles and lively celebrations, but Deneb sat there with an expressionless face the entire time.

Another reason was that Deneb, who had been rather fussy, was slightly more difficult to deal with compared to Albireo, who had been considerate of Siwoo’s circumstances.

“Ahem, thanks to Countess Gemernai’s kindness, I’m living comfortably.”

Siwoo cleared his throat unnecessarily to break the awkward silence and start the conversation.

Deneb, who had been scanning every corner of the room with her eyes, responded in kind.

“I was uneasy when you insisted on leaving for the Mortal Realm despite our offer to host you as a guest. I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”

It was unclear how sincere she was, but Deneb was being polite.

Something about this made Siwoo sweat.

The decisive reason Siwoo had been half-expelled from Gehenna was the concern that he had formed an overly close relationship with the Twins.

And now, less than a year later, he was living with another Witch...

He couldn’t help but wonder how this would appear in Deneb’s eyes.

“Are there any difficulties in your daily life?”

“Thanks to your consideration, I’m living quite comfortably.”

“I see.”

But Deneb did not make an issue of it.

Thinking back, even before this, she had drawn a line but had treated Siwoo quite respectfully.

In this situation, Siwoo wasn’t tactless enough to add, “Well, it was you who half-expelled me...”

“P-please, have something to eat while we talk.”

“Thank you.”

At that moment, Sharon, who had been peeling fruit in the kitchen for a while, placed a platter heaped with sliced pears and apples somewhat stiffly on the table.

Unaware of the detailed circumstances, Sharon felt as though she were sitting with a beast that might devour her at any moment.

“I’m grateful for your visit, but... what brings you here?”

Sharon held her breath quietly upon hearing Siwoo’s question.

Deneb crunched into an apple, sighed, and answered.

“Hoo... I think it would be quicker to show you directly.”

“What do you mean...”

Siwoo was bewildered by Deneb’s cryptic words.

Deneb hesitated several times before rising from her seat.

Then, she lifted the wide, dignified dress that gave her the aura of a refined noblewoman.

Siwoo couldn’t even cover his eyes at the sudden panty reveal.

But he would never get to know the color of the esteemed Countess Deneb Gemernai’s underwear.

As Deneb suddenly lifted her skirt, familiar faces emerged from beneath it as if in a magic show.

“..........”

“..........”

The two people nestled like baby birds within the folds of Deneb’s skirt were none other than Odil and Odette.

Instead of their trademark half-bonnets, their hair was braided into multiple strands and styled into a princess-like updo.

Their mature black dresses harmonized with their doll-like features, showcasing their unchanged cuteness.

Siwoo was astonished.

Not only was the location from which the Twins popped out surprising, but he had never imagined that the doting Countess would bring the Twins to the Mortal Realm.

“For the sake of my honor, I must say the planning and execution of this surprise were entirely the work of these troublemakers.”

“I think I could have guessed that without you saying it...”

Deneb awkwardly smoothed her skirt as soon as the Twins emerged, as if she had temporarily applied spatial distortion.

Seeing her expression soften slightly, it seemed her stiff demeanor earlier was merely her reluctantly playing along with this event.

“.........”

“.........”

However, Odil and Odette, who seemed as though they would rush toward Siwoo at any moment, stood frozen as if lagging.

As if struck by a great shock, they stared at Sharon with their jewel-like purple eyes wide open.

Odette even had her mouth half-agape.

“Girls?”

Deneb tilted her head in confusion.

The Twins had been so excited to meet their Assistant that they had stayed up all night wandering the corridors and had been fussing about dressing up since dawn.

Yet, despite finally meeting the Assistant they had endlessly talked about missing, they offered no greeting.

Clearly a breach of etiquette, Deneb tapped the Twins on their backs.

“Assistant, it’s been a long time.”

“We’re glad to see you’re well.”

Prompted a couple of times, the Twins offered a polite, refined greeting that even an etiquette instructor would find flawless.

It was a grace that only ‘nobles,’ who had honed an innate nobility from birth—something not everyone could achieve even with instruction—could display.

“Oh, yes. It’s nice to see you. It really has been a long time.”

“Indeed.”

“Yes.”

Perhaps they were restraining themselves because Deneb was present.

Siwoo was both pleased and slightly flustered by the excessive formality.

After waiting for the three to exchange greetings, Deneb spoke.

“The Twins made such a fuss about wanting to see their Assistant that I brought them along while on official business. They plan to stay here for about four days.”

“Huh?”

“Originally, I intended to book separate accommodations... but, well, I’ll be staying here too, so it shouldn’t be a big issue. I intend to compensate you sufficiently for hosting us.”

“Yes, but are you really okay with this?”

“Okay with what?”

Siwoo explained the reason for his surprise to Deneb.

“Isn’t the Mortal Realm dangerous? There are Exiles, Homunculi, and all sorts of things...”

That’s right.I am well aware of Albireo and Deneb's feelings of worry and love for the Twins.

However, I couldn't quite understand why they would take on the risk of an outing to the Mortal Realm just to indulge the Twins' stubbornness.

"If they were going to live here permanently, that would be one thing, but the Mortal Realm isn't exactly a complete lawless zone, is it? While Siwoo's case is a special combination of various circumstances making him particularly vulnerable, there are plenty of Exiles raising Apprentice Witches in the Mortal Realm."

To put it simply, Deneb added, a trip to the Mortal Realm with an Apprentice Witch is about as dangerous as wandering the streets late at night during an overseas trip—not like touring a conflict zone in a third-world country.

"I would appreciate it if you could show the Twins some local sightseeing once it's daylight. I'll likely be too busy with work to accompany you. Gaining various experiences during their time as Apprentice Witches is important too."

"Yes, understood."

"And could you two come with me for a moment? Odil, Odette."

"Yes, Master."

"You two behave and wait here quietly."

"Yes."

Leaving behind the most subdued version of the Twins Siwoo had ever seen, Deneb and Siwoo went up to the rooftop for a moment.

The harsh wind and rain still blew, but with a single gesture from Deneb, a thin membrane formed, blocking both the wind and raindrops.

"You smoke, right?"

"Yes, I do."

"Shall we talk while having one?"

Deneb naturally put a cigarette to her lips, and Siwoo also turned his head to light it.

The exhaled smoke drifted away, scattering violently in the wind.

The beautiful Deneb signaled the start of the conversation with a deep sigh.

"How is it? Living in the Mortal Realm."

"It hasn't been without trouble, but thanks to all the considerations, it seems livable. The ring you gave me back then has been a great help too."

"That's a relief. Honestly, I wished you had stayed in Gehenna. If anything were to go wrong, my sleep would have been restless."

Given that the last memory Siwou had of Deneb was her angry scene (as Deneb understood it) after finding out he had kissed Odil, her tone was more amicable than he expected.

"No. It was me who stubbornly insisted on returning."

"...Actually, I heard from Albireo later. That you were more or less forced to leave."

"Ah, that..."

"I'm sorry."

It seemed Deneb hadn't heard the full reason why Siwoo was driven out, as she appeared calm.

After a brief pause, she asked.

"What is your relationship with the person you're living with?"

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Siwoo hesitated slightly.

It was a dilemma born from not being able to pinpoint exactly how to explain it.

"I'm sorry for bringing someone into the house without permission."

"Siwoo, I'm not trying to reprimand you."

"...We're friends. The circumstances just aligned, and we ended up living together."

At Siwoo's response, Deneb wore a thoughtful expression for a moment.

"So, you're not formally dating or in a romantic relationship or anything like that?"

"No."

He considered adding 'not yet...' but decided against it.

Deneb's expression grew even more troubled.

Truthfully, Deneb had a lot on her mind.

While she hadn't had any particularly deep relationships with men, she had lived a long life.

Pondering the scene when the Twins faced Siwoo, she felt something.

It was abundantly clear, needing no further proof, that the Twins had taken a liking to Siwoo.

In Deneb's view, Siwoo was also a good man whom she would gladly allow to have a deep relationship with Odil or Odette in the future.

Moreover, now that he had a Spirit Body, there was no need to worry about the man's lifespan; he could be a lifelong partner.

But because the Countess's family didn't trust Siwoo and acted hastily...

It resulted in 'driving him away', 'robbing the Twins of a chance to form a good relationship', and 'that opportunity possibly passing to another Witch'.

The thought that she had done him a great wrong resurfaced, and she felt ashamed before the Twins as well.

Of course, she had absolutely no intention of allowing a reckless relationship that could threaten the Apprentice Witches' safety itself.

That would be like leaving the Twins to play with a dud shell.

But aside from that.

For instance, if the Twins spent intimate time with Siwoo and left a good impression.

Or if they built good memories together, so that even if separated for a while, Siwoo would remember the Twins—that was the kind of approach she had planned.

"I'll be busy with work, so I won't be able to stay by the Twins' side for long. Please take good care of them, Siwoo."

"Huh?"

"Since it's been a long time since you met, it would just be awkward if I were in the way."

"Not at all. Both Odil and Odette would enjoy their time with Countess Deneb."

Deneb was satisfied with his answer.

If he were a man filled with ulterior motives, he wouldn't have passed up the chance to be alone with the Twins.

Deneb acknowledged that her judgment had been clouded that day by the shock of Odil having a boyfriend.

A man who had risked his life twice for others couldn't possibly be such a pathetic human as to thoughtlessly reach for the Twins and ruin their Vessels.

"I've sent gifts for the Twins, so please make good use of them. I'll be staying at a nearby hotel, so if you need to contact me, call this number. Ah, could you tell the Twins I had an urgent matter and had to return first?"

"Yes, understood."

Deneb handed her business card to the bewildered Siwoo and went down the stairs first.

Author's Note (Afterword)

I've been feeling a bit gloomy, so writing each part is taking twice as long as usual.

Sorry for the lack of frequent updates ㅜㅜ