Their romance storyline only begins on the second playthrough?

Chapter 42 Is it okay to sneak a kiss?

Cecilia is gone.

After she left, she even closed the window.

Everything seemed as if it had never happened, yet it all felt like a heavy stone had struck Ivina's chest.

She knew that her death countdown had started again.

She really couldn't imagine that future.

That future, in which she entrusted everything to Rhodes, only to be kicked away by Rhodes out of disgust.

If this is the inevitable outcome, if he is destined to kill me, then should I really continue...?

She should have run away, she should have fiercely rejected Rhodes again, she should have acted as if tonight's events never happened, continued to treat Rhodes as a stranger, and made him give up...

But she couldn't bear to give it up, she really couldn't.

She had waited two lifetimes, the entirety of her life, for this path to appear.

She truly longed for the day when, on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, she could rely on Rhodes, on Rhodes's existence, to overcome all difficulties, muster the courage, and stand among the crowd like a normal human being.

She can wear a gown and freely proclaim that she is not a monster, and that she has friends by her side.

Even more, much more... a deeper relationship, a better future...

but.

She also imagined the scene where Rhodes would abandon her instantly after learning the truth, leaving her to wander alone among those strange monsters.

All of this was like a thorn hanging over her head.

She realized that she had fallen into a wrong path, a path leading to an abyss.

Why... why is it such a mess from beginning to end?

Cecilia, why did you have to be the villain? Why did you drag her down with you...?

the first time.

For the first time, she truly felt hatred within herself—hatred for Cecilia.

Even in the past, when Cecilia abandoned her and gained hope on her own, she had no complaints, only jealousy and blessings.

Otherwise, she wouldn't be cowering here alone, afraid to approach Cecilia's lover, because she's afraid of hurting him.

But in that instant, everything changed.

"I don't want to... lose it." Ivina bit her lip tightly, her voice choked with sobs, but she quickly reached out and wiped away her tears with her sleeve.

She raised her head, holding back the excess tears in her eyes to prevent them from falling uncontrollably.

"Perhaps," Ivina murmured, staring at the ceiling. "Daffy might be right. It might indeed be better to die sooner..."

But if I really die like this, then...

She lowered her head and looked at the young man who had been seriously injured while saving her.

Then, wouldn't all of Rod's efforts have been in vain?

He could have killed himself and destroyed the symbiote, but he didn't. Instead, he became covered in wounds for his own sake.

Ivina understood that Rhodes might just be a perverted lolicon, which was why he wanted to be a hero and save the damsel in distress.

At least back then, he chose to save her, not abandon her.

What if?

What if he's an extremely twisted lolicon, and he can't help liking her, so even knowing the truth, he still has to save her?

Even if the possibility is very small, even if you know that the knight won't come to rescue the princess after she's no longer a princess,

But I've already waited so long, so long, isn't it only natural to wait for that vague possibility again...?

And what if, when Cecilia actually takes his hand, he pulls it away after she reveals the truth?

So, if I just die quickly, I won't be sad anymore...?

Everything has settled in my heart.

"Yes... all I can do is enjoy the present and wait for judgment."

Ivina gazed at Rhodes, and she finally decided to leave everything to Rhodes' choice.

If Rhodes told her to live, she would live; if he told her to die, then it wouldn't matter if she died.

Rhodes' choice will define her ultimate life, nothing more.

Ivina wiped away the excess tears, knowing that there was only one thing she could do now.

That means staying with Rhodes, building confidence, overcoming inner psychological barriers, and leaving the Duke's mansion.

She wanted... she wanted to spend more time with him, she wanted him not to abandon her...

Ivina looked at Rhodes with gentle eyes.

now--

Cecilia's words echoed in her mind—

[Or, you could go up and experience it for yourself now.]

what……

The crimson hue of maple leaves once again stained her fair skin.

Greed began to grow in her heart.

Just like an animal's instinct, when faced with a desperate situation, one must do everything in their power to create something.

Yes.

Anyway... anyway, I don't know how long it can last, anyway, the shared senses already mean I've kissed him, anyway, he hasn't woken up yet...

Well, it wouldn't be a problem for her to experience it a little bit, right?

She bit her lip hard.

Ivina was dressed very lightly, still wearing the same simple white dress she had worn that morning.

At that moment, she bent down her slender waist, inserted her fingertips into the heels of her shoes, and took them off.

In an instant, her delicate little feet appeared in the air, still warm from being wrapped in boots.

She placed one foot on the bed, supported herself with one hand, and climbed onto the bed step by step.

At once……

It seems to be like Cecilia.

Or rather, it was because she had just seen Cecilia's movements that she was able to mimic them by sitting on Rhodes's waist.

"ha……"

As soon as she sat down, the shame on her face intensified, and she pressed her pink lips tightly together.

Her thighs were pressed against Rhodes's, and her hand gently touched his body.

The solid feeling made the tips of her ears turn red.

"If, if we really became a couple, it would actually be very bad..."

She was thinking about some really bad things.

Weighing less than 40 kilograms, she was like a chick in Rod's eyes, so if they really became a couple...

She really is going to die.

No, no, no... Don't think about those things.

I was just curious and wanted to try it out; I didn't really want to be in a relationship with this guy, okay?

Rather, he's not even a friend...

She desperately tried to deny it in her mind, then coughed slightly:

"Cough, I'm going to die anyway, so I'm just letting myself experience what it feels like. It's not that I actually want to enjoy the feeling of kissing."

She gave a soft hum, then gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with her fingertips, bending down like a dutiful wife.

Eyes closed tightly, body drawing closer, little by little...

A tender emotion welled up within her, and her breathing became warmer. Her heart pounded wildly, and then—

She felt her mouth being covered and heard a sound:

"Miss Ivina, I understand that you may be emotionally overwhelmed by the suspension bridge effect, but please calm down."

You need to understand, a girl's first kiss is very important. Actually, you don't like me; you're just grateful to me for saving you.

"Huh?"

Upon hearing the voice, Ivina's face stiffened, and her eyes opened blankly.

And at this moment, she discovered—

Eyes facing each other.

"ah!!!"

Screams erupted.