City ​​of Witches 620

Chapter 620 – #125_Albiereo’S Frenzy (2)

#620
1.
Albiereo, enjoying her afternoon tea while feeling the gentle breeze caress her cheeks through the wide-open windows and curtains.

For the past week, Albiereo’s face had bloomed like the flowers in a spring garden.

“Hehehe~”

She was in such a good mood that she couldn’t help but hum a cheerful tune. The pen nib, pleasantly scraping against the paper, moved with a flourish. If she could maintain this condition, she felt she could continue her business tasks for more than 20 hours a day.

There were two main reasons for the sharp rise in Albiereo’s quality of life.

First, Deneb stopped masturbating as soon as she realized that pleasure was linked. It was only natural for Deneb, who had a more delicate sensibility than she appeared.

At any other time, she would have felt a pang of guilt for taking away her younger sister’s secret pleasure. No, in fact, she still felt a little sorry.

However, when she recalled the days she suffered because of Deneb, and her younger sister’s absurd declaration that she would casually engage in a relationship with her son-in-law, even the slightest guilt vanished.

It wasn’t that she didn’t miss the dessert-like pleasure. It was certainly a considerable sensation on a primal level. But what was there to miss when she no longer had to force herself to eat cake that she couldn’t keep?

“By the way, he still hasn’t come.”

And the second reason was that her son-in-law, Shin Siwoo, hadn’t visited her once since she gave him the elixir. Not even once in a whole week!

This was a record-breaking event. In the Jemena mansion, Siwoo was not the only one staying there; his lovers, Sharon and Duke Tiferet, were also residing there.

Without even having to spy, one could easily tell how debauched his nights had been by observing the frequency with which the bed sheets were laundered. After all, Albiereo was the mistress of this mansion.

Considering that the twins also mysteriously disappeared at night once a month, his average number of encounters per week was roughly four to five. For him not to ask for the elixir even once!

“He’s finally learned some self-control.”

How could she not say that?

Of course, it was possible that he was reluctant to visit Albiereo to get permission for his already overflowing relationships with his lovers, or that he interpreted the meaning of this procedure as a recommendation for self-restraint.

Either way, Albiereo was pleased. To add a bit of calculation, this was also beneficial for the twins.

It was an open secret that the twins were having nightly fun with Siwoo, but that didn’t change the fact that they had to do it secretly. And Albiereo’s honest feeling was that she didn’t want them to do it until they had properly inherited.

However, the physical attraction between men and women was notoriously vicious. Even the sharp-witted Deneb was out of her mind and dazed.

If Albiereo were to step in and completely ban the relationship, it could be a penalty for the twins, who were already behind the starting line. Albiereo’s calculation was, ‘If that’s the case, let’s all not do it together.’

“Ah, my stomach hurts.”

Albiereo suddenly felt a surge of anger.

It was already infuriating enough that one man was taking both of her darlings at the same time, but to be caught up in a battle for the position of the main wife? Could you believe it? The great Jemena, of all people. The thought of her son-in-law’s clueless face made her stomach churn.

-Knock knock

Albiereo, who had been grinding her teeth, straightened her posture at the sound of the knock and put on a gentle expression. Hiding raw emotions was also a virtue of a noblewoman.

“Come in.”

The person who entered was quite unexpected.

“Oh my, Ms. Marigold. Would you like to have some tea with me? I have some freshly baked scones and cake.”
“Thank you, Countess.”

Albiereo, rising from her seat and personally offering a seat, had a gentle smile on her face.

She liked the perfume that Amelia had given her as a token of gratitude, but more than that, she sensed potential in her perfume. It was already priced at an eye-popping amount, but the perfume was selling like hotcakes despite its astronomical price.

If she could persuade her to form a collaborative relationship, she could expect another lucrative source of income.

“But what brings you here at this hour?”

She had recently been working tirelessly on her perfumery to raise funds for compensation. She had already wasted about a month looking for the missing Siwoo, so her reservations were piling up.

For her to come here like this, when it was hard to even see her face in the mansion…

“Perhaps you’ve come about the perfume business I mentioned?”
“No. As I said before, I don’t need that much.”
“It’s very commendable for a witch to research magic, but the business of the present world is also quite fun. Thanks to it, I don’t have to worry about research funds at all.”
“It’s okay. I’ll think about it a little more.”
“Yes, I’m not trying to rush you either. So, what is your business…?”

It was a shame, but today wasn’t the only day. Albiereo cleanly gave up and asked her purpose.

“……”

However, Amelia, who didn’t answer the question and just kept stroking her blonde hair, opened her mouth after clearing her throat a couple of times.

“I understand your concern, but it’s a bit harsh.”
“Pardon?”
“Is it really necessary to go that far? Sharing love is up to the discretion of the lovers. I don’t think a third party can interfere.”
“Huh…?”
“I enjoyed the tea. I’m busy with work, so I’ll get going.”
“Ah…”

Although she didn’t explicitly say it because of the nature of the content, Amelia’s purpose was short and concise. She was also one of Siwoo’s lovers, and she had succeeded in a long unrequited love since she was an associate professor at Trinity Academy.

As a lover, she was expressing her dissatisfaction that Albiereo’s restrictions were excessive.

“…What did I just witness?”

And this was something Albiereo had not anticipated.

An elegant and aristocratic witch, with few words and expressions, and a subtly fierce personality. That was Albiereo’s image of Amelia.

Especially thanks to her predecessor’s education, she was so rigid about etiquette and manners that she was almost pedantic.

Even if the problem was inhumane treatment, she would have politely protested in writing. For her to directly mention the word ‘love’ and express her dissatisfaction with the sexual relationship itself.

“Good heavens…. Is it that good?”

What on earth was sex that made Amelia put aside her dignity and directly appeal? Albiereo had experienced it indirectly through Deneb, but she couldn’t understand it at all.

Was this the difference between someone who was in love and someone who wasn’t?

Just as Albiereo was about to pick up her slightly cooled teacup.

-Knock knock

A second guest arrived.

“Hello, Countess.”
“Welcome, Ms. Sharon. But isn’t it class time right now?”
“Ah, it’s self-study time. Is it okay if I come in?”
“Of course.”

It was Sharon, who was in charge of the twins’ elemental lectures. When she first brought her in after she was injured in the present world, she thought, ‘Is Siwoo into this kind of commoner woman?’ because she seemed a bit shabby.

But once she got a good job and started wearing nice clothes, it was like a booster was added to her natural beauty. With her naturally good personality and voluptuous figure, she had become a dark horse threatening the twins.

“So, what brings you here?”
“Ah, it’s just that… um…”

As soon as Albiereo saw Sharon start to drag out her words, she had a hunch. The words that followed matched her hunch perfectly.

“Can I… get the antidote? No, the elixir.”
“Hmph…. Did Siwoo tell you to?”

Albiereo was slightly disgruntled. She thought that son-in-law of hers, Shin Siwoo, was too embarrassed to come himself, so he was encouraging his lovers.

“No! Absolutely not! Actually, he’s been avoiding relationships lately, so I kept asking him persistently… and I found out a little bit.”
“Hmm…”

Sharon’s face was red, but she was waving her hands vigorously in denial. Well, she wasn’t the type to do that.

“What did he say?”
“He said he was a little concerned… that it seemed like a message to be self-restrained, so he was going to hold back for a while, but I’m a little… struggling…”

Sharon was a guest of the mansion, but in many ways, she was a more comfortable guest than Amelia. First of all, she was also an employer. Therefore, Albiereo decided to find the answer to the question she had just heard from Amelia from her.

“Ms. Sharon, can I ask you something?”
“Yes? What is it?”
“Is it that important?”

Sharon, who was twisting her side hair awkwardly at the direct question, smiled bashfully.

“Yes, it feels like a process of confirming love. You know, it’s also grounds for divorce.”
“Hmm. I understand for now. But I can’t give it to you right away. Tell him to come and get it himself.”
“Yes? But…”
“It’s also for the sake of the twins. I’m sorry. Please understand.”

She had no intention of changing her plans. Sharon, sensing that from Albiereo’s firm tone, nodded obediently and retreated.

“Haa…”

She had received two guests during her tea time.

More than the tea time itself, the purpose of the guests was causing her considerable stress. Perhaps the clever plan she had come up with wasn’t such a good idea after all.

-Bang!

This time, the door burst open without even a knock. There stood Lulue, the most recent addition to Siwoo’s harem, with her eyebrows furrowed in anger.

“Hey there! Big Mistress!”

Contrary to her terrifying witch name, the Witch of the Deep Sea, she had a rather light and frivolous personality, making her one of the most unique witches Albiereo had ever seen. In her own worldview, she was the best, so she was truly reckless and rash. Her attitude was the same towards Albiereo.

However, she played very well with the twins, and she was said to have a large number of oil drilling rights around the world. In addition, she was ranked 23rd in the hierarchy, so Albiereo was trying her best to match her rhythm.

Lately, however, her patience was starting to wear thin.

“Haa, welcome. Would you like some tea?”
“No. This one has no interest in the water you steep with weeds.”
“Then what brings you here?”
“You must immediately lift the evil curse placed on Siwoo. Otherwise, you will witness the tragedy of my waves floating this mansion on the water! The deadline is tonight!”
“That’s a bit…”

-Bang!

The door slammed shut before Albiereo could reply. Albiereo, clenching her fist, closed her eyes and felt her eyelashes trembling with anger.

“Haa…. That young thing, I should just…!”

It was one thing to humor the immature actions of a witch who was clearly young, but this was too much. She decided that she would have to give her a stern talking-to one of these days.

By the way, did even she come to get the elixir?

This was happening in just one week?

She couldn’t deny her mistake. This was only going to add to her stress as time went on.

-Stomp stomp

Albiereo sighed at the sound of familiar footsteps coming from outside, followed by a knock. She should be grateful that at least the twins hadn’t come to whine openly.

“Come in, Duke Tiferet.”
“I apologize for coming without notice.”

Duke Tiferet, who had left his usual martial spirit somewhere, entered hesitantly. Now, she could see the conversation before it was even spoken.

At that point, Albiereo cleanly admitted her mistake.

“I am always grateful for the many conveniences you provide. However…”
“Duke, take it.”
“What do you mean?”
“The elixir.”
“Really? Ah, no. That’s not why I came.”

The Duke’s face immediately brightened. He belatedly denied it, but what was the point of saying it?

“I’ll give you this. Could you please tell Siwoo that he doesn’t have to come back for the elixir?”
“Of course.”

To think that even the stubborn Duke Tiferet had been melted away. Albiereo shook her head in shock and took out the elixir from the drawer.

“Huh?”

And she immediately noticed. The amount of elixir was slightly reduced. It was subtle, but there was a difference of about one dose.

This was Albiereo’s office, and her drawer had a security lock. It meant that one couldn’t rummage through it at will.

If it had been Deneb, she would have taken a drop or two and easily replicated it, so there was only one pair of people who would do such a sloppy thing. It was the twins who had stolen it.

“Really…”
“Why, why are you suddenly crying?”

Tears welled up in Albiereo’s eyes.