CHAPTER 62: THEIR FUTURE

After lunch, the afternoon passed by without many more disruptions. Much to Lila’s annoyance, Rosana was now accompanying their every step.

The teasing that flew her way annoyed her to no end, as Lila desperately juggled her attention between her notes, her lectures, and her smirky Mel.

Eventually, as the sun set, she and Mel finally walked back hand-in-hand to the dormitory.

"That Rosana was not even listening to the lecture..." Lila grumbled before darting her annoyed glance at Mel. "And don’t respond to her flirt every time, Mel... she keeps getting carried away with it!"

The Witch of Lust let out a chuckle. "It’s alright. I’m also carried away too."

"Don’t admit to it." Lila pouted, her cheeks growing sore from all the times she’d pouted today. "You’re only irritating me, even though I did accept you to be like this."

As if on routine, Mel also squeezed Lila’s cheek. "I didn’t forget, Lila. I’m so glad I have a lover like you."

"You better be..." Leaning into Mel’s tender touch, Lila then muttered. "Just...um..."

Mel raised a brow. "What’s wrong?"

The Witch of Envy shook her head, blue hairs flailing before she hung her head in shame. "Just... if you find my jealousy annoying and stuff... please tell me..."

Lila bit her lips. She was more than willing to accept Mel’s perverted nature, but couldn’t help but complain more.

She was Mel’s first of everything, in a sense! She was even a little scared that she wouldn’t be Mel’s first wife when their marriageable age arrived...

A breath hitched in her as her right hand’s thumb glided over her fingers. The Storage Ring still rested quietly on her ring finger as an unspoken agreement.

A blush crept onto Mel’s cheek. Despite her lover’s inconfidence, Lila’s blushing, fidgety self was too adorable for her to admire.

Gulping, her hand slid through Lila’s hair, cupping her gently to pull for a kiss.

Lila gasped as the palm on her cheek moved to her back, soft whimpers escaping as Mel’s lips pressed deep into hers.

As the Witch of Lust pulled back with a satisfied hum, she collided their chests together before whispering. "Feeling comforted, Lila?"

Lila’s breath hitched in her throat before nodding with what remained of her strength.

Mel gently patted her back, smirking. "Never again call yourself annoying, got it?"

Mel’s possessive tone echoed in Lila’s mind, occupying its every corner.

The Witch of Envy murmured with hushed breaths. "Mmm."

The obedient response stoked Mel’s lust, and just as she leaned in again to taste Lila, a sudden breeze fluttered beside her.

With regret, the Witch of Lust pulled back to glance above her.

Flying in the sky is a bird-sized, blue paper crane summon, its neck dangling a huge leathery bag with a strap.

Mel watched as the leather bag clicked itself open to reveal a stack of letters, along with a familiar fruit basket.

Mel’s face beamed as she received both, watching as the Paper Crane crossed its wings on its tummy as if gloating, before flying back to where it was stationed.

"Is that...?" Lila inquired, curious.

A satisfied huff escaped Mel’s lips as Lila received the fruit basket. "From the Heima Village! I left a Paper Crane behind before we left the village."

Lila’s emerald eyes flicked between the stack of letters in Mel’s hand and the fruit basket in her arms. A hesitant look crossed her face.

The basket was lighter than she imagined last time, despite containing more fruits.

She muttered. "Are those letters for celebrating our success in the Entrance Ceremony?"

Mel beamed with pride. "Absolutely! I’ve told them via letters that we even entered the Elite Class, so everyone must be excited."

The Witch of Envy eyed Mel’s wide grin and squinted a little.

Before she knew it, her hand stretched out to pinch Mel’s nose. "Don’t be too arrogant."

"Alright, alright..." Mel slid against Lila’s touch. "Oh, right. Want to write back to them?"

The Witch of Envy’s eyes blinked before shaking her head. "I’m not as close to them as you are, so no need."

Lila’s both hands over the basket loosened a little, her grasp emptier than usual.

She has always admitted that she was selfishly possessive, yet she couldn’t quite put a name to this feeling in her chest.

Mel glanced over Lila’s downtrodden stare, freezing for a moment. As Lila’s gaze flickered over to the stacked letters on her hand, she had an idea of what Lila was feeling.

After a moment, she leaned in with her teeth open.

"Hic!"

As her ear was clamped gently, Lila’s trance was broken in an instant.

Her eyes watered as she tilted towards Mel’s biting, the tongue slithering to poke at her earlobe.

Pulling back slightly, Mel spoke with her hot breath hitting Lila’s reddened ear. "Don’t hold the basket with both hands."

The Witch of Envy glanced back down at the basket. Her village’s hopes, expectations and blessings, all contained within a simple straw-lined basket.

Yet her left hand clanged at the basket’s handle, before the other clutched around Mel’s hands at the side.

Mel’s fingers threaded through hers, clasping around their ring.

She lifted her gaze, meeting the golden eyes that glimmered with the promise: their future.

"Mmm." Her hand tightened over hers. "Let’s go back now."

The emptiness in her chest disappeared, as if it had never existed.

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Mel received a Telepathy from Nyxia as the nightly moon rose.

Settling aside the basket and letters, she greeted off Lila before exiting the academy.

Her steps were light as she explored, yet her heart was excited.

As she petted the Doll Hound beside her, she murmured to the air.

Nyxia. I’m going to track down Wrath now.

A slight pause dangled in the air, as if the other side hesitated.

I understood. Please stay safe while I wait with the Skeleton Merchant here, Master.

She let out a delighted chuckle. First was her Lila’s reflective voice. Now her maid’s trembling, nervous tone.

It would seem more changes were sparking before she knew.

A sense of pride swelled within Mel before she turned another direction into the alley’s shadow.

"Switch: Witch Form."

But now, time to meet another figure that changed a little too much out of her expectations.