The Desire to Hide (1)

Recently, Celica’s mind was often agitated.

There are many reasons.

First of all, it was difficult to accept the fact that he had become a half-human and half-god.

I can’t believe that I, a mere human, have entered the realm of God.

For her, who lived as a devout believer, it was nothing short of blasphemy.

Also, it was difficult for the divine light to flow from her body and all the attention from people around her.

I was able to figure out how to control divine power and block the light flowing out.

Every time I prayed or had faith in my heart, the light would inevitably become stronger.

Each time, Seohyun gave Celica warm advice.

“Don’t be too afraid. The goddess must be proud of you.”

Advice that seems certain.

When I heard those words, a part of my heart felt at ease.

After losing the director who raised her, the person she relied on was Seohyun.

Even now, I am receiving countless blessings from him.

‘And I was able to meet a precious person.’

There were many colleagues around her.

I had trustworthy companions named Kayla, a dragon, and Tyria, an elf.

Although she was cold and blunt, she also had a strong colleague by her side named Erina.

However, it was difficult to say that the colleagues got along well.

“Cerica. “What do you think of Seohyun?”

A question that Tyria once asked.

Even though she had a vague idea of what the question was about, Celica answered with a smile.

“It’s a benefactor. I received so much help from Seohyun.”

Because of him, I was able to survive Ragnar’s attack and live in a mansion in the capital with my children.

The answer was probably quite different from the intention of the question.

I thought Tyria would have understood this much.

‘I don’t love Seohyun.’

Also, in one conversation, Celica asked Tyria.

“Tyria. What will you do when you defeat the Demon King?”

Then Tyria answered without a moment of hesitation.

“I want to be with Seohyun.”

“Are you planning on going back to your hometown?”

“I miss my hometown, but I feel better next to Seohyun. And it’s also for the future of elves.”

Tyria often exchanged letters with her family in her hometown.

And it is said that her older sister, Iris, gave her one piece of advice.

‘He will become a hero who saves the world. If you become married to him, you will be related to the kingdom by blood.’

Considering the progress so far, it is natural.

Seohyun is the only person who can save the world.

If you become his wife, it will become a bond between the kingdom and the elf tribe.

In that sense, the elf society hoped that Tyria would be connected to Seohyun.

It is said that there are even opinions that half-elves should be accepted without discrimination.

“We are also changing little by little. Because from now on, we won’t be able to live by following closed traditions.”

Of course, political reasons could not be ruled out, but Tyria was clearly sincere.

Seohyun defeated Catherine and saved her hometown.

He allowed him to join the party and offered him a wealthy life in the capital.

There is no reason not to fall in love with him.

That’s why she honestly confessed her feelings to Seohyun.

“I don’t have to be first or second.”

“…”

“As long as Seohyun accepts me, that’s okay.”

Even as she said that, Tyria had a strange sense of anticipation.

Until now, Seohyun has always paid attention to the people around her.

Even if you have multiple wives, you wouldn’t neglect anything.

Because of that confidence, Tyria was hoping for permission from him.

“And you know. Because it can’t be the first or the second.”

Celica was immediately convinced by those words.

In the first place, as long as Erina and Kayla were there, Tyria had no choice.

Even though it was impossible to get over the two of them, she wanted to remain by Seohyun’s side.

Seohyun couldn’t readily accept her feelings, but she couldn’t reject them either.

Celica was half-convinced that Tyria would accept it soon.

On the other hand, there were people who were completely unaware of Tyria’s feelings.

“This is a gift from my lord to me.”

Kayla always smiled when talking about Seohyun.

I always respected him and was even in awe of him when I saw his dedication.

That’s why it was true that I felt envious when I saw Kayla’s ring.

From what I heard, it was said to be a ring that proves engagement.

I told Erina and asked her to keep it a secret.

The two always wore rings on their left ring fingers.

In particular, Kayla did not take off her ring even when she slept.

“Celica, Tyria. “You too will meet someone you love someday.”

Tyria agreed and agreed to Kayla’s words.

At the same time, a subtle sense of guilt could be seen on her face.

Of course, Kayla didn’t notice and passed on, but Serica noticed right away.

‘Someday Kayla will find out.’

Kayla is already deeply jealous of Erina.

If she found out about Tyria’s feelings, it was clear that their relationship would change.

In this situation, Celica was just watching.

Because she didn’t love Seohyun.

I just received help and grace, but I didn’t feel affection for him.

Until now, Celica has consistently followed him with that mindset.

Recently, I noticed that Celica’s strong thoughts were cracking.

‘Do I like Seohyun…?’

In the first place, the person that Celica could rely on and follow the most was Seohyun.

The focal point of the party was always Seohyun, and without her, the colleagues would soon be divided.

Especially because, except for Serika, all three people have affection for Seohyun.

After defeating the Demon King, Celica was planning independence with her children.

When a peaceful world came, he would return to his hometown and rebuild the monastery.

However, after a bloody fight with Catherine, Seohyun suffered permanent injuries.

Celica was determined to heal his injuries.

However, even Celica, who had reached the level of half-human and half-god, ultimately failed to heal.

I ended up concluding that a complete cure was impossible.

‘So wouldn’t it be okay if we continued to be together like this?’

Wouldn’t it be a good idea to stay with him to treat his injuries?

When that thought occurred to Celica, she had no choice but to half-acknowledge.

‘I don’t want to break up with Seohyun.’

I wanted to continue to remain by his side in the future.

Even if I can’t become his wife.

***

“Wow…”

Celica opened her eyes with a cute sound.

I couldn’t help but smile when I saw her, who only showed a neat and calm appearance, half-asleep.

When I stroked her tangled curly hair, she stood up in surprise.

“Ah…! That, that…!”

A face that turns bright red with an embarrassed expression.

He patted Celica’s head and lowered his voice.

“Everyone is still sleeping.”

“Ah…”

My colleagues fell asleep around me and Celica.

Tyria and Kayla were sleeping soundly.

On the way to the capital, we stopped by an inn in a village.

For the first time in a while, I fell into a peaceful sleep.

It’s still too early for morning.

The dim dawn light streamed in, and the sound of crickets could be heard in the distance.

It was still okay to sleep more, but Celica tried to sneak down to bed.

“Sorry. Stop without even realizing it…”

“No. Are you okay. “You can sleep more.”

It would be lonely to sleep in the room alone, so I allowed her to sleep with me.

After hesitating for a moment, Celica climbed back onto the bed and lay down.

“Seohyun, aren’t you sleeping…?”

“I was going to sleep too. “I woke up feeling a little frustrated.”

Erina and Kayla clinging tightly to my body.

Even while he was sleeping, he had his arms wrapped around my waist as if he had no intention of letting me go.

Seeing that, Celica smiled bitterly.

“As expected, should I sleep separately…?”

“No. It’s really okay.”

It’s not that uncomfortable because the bed is narrow in the first place.

Meanwhile, Erina couldn’t sleep because she was constantly tossing and turning.

“Seohyun, aren’t you uncomfortable…?”

“Well. “I’m used to it now.”

After sleeping together for a year, I feel empty without Erina.

There was a time when I forcibly dropped her, but it only had the opposite effect.

“Because it wouldn’t be Erina if it wasn’t me in the first place. “I should always be by your side.”

Then, Celica’s expression hardened a little and she cautiously opened her mouth.

“Do you really like Erina that much, Seohyun?”

A tone that seems somewhat nervous. I don’t know what the question was intended to be, but the answer came quickly.

“Okay. “I have to endure this much because I like Erina.”

“…I see.”

Celica lies down on the bed with a dry smile.

I yawned softly, saying I needed to sleep a little more.

“I’ll sleep a little longer and wake up…”

“Okay. “Try to sleep more.”

The conversation ended in such a delicate atmosphere, and Celica closed her eyes.

After the conversation ended, I looked around at my colleagues and got lost in thought.

In particular, every time I saw Erina, I was so confused that I couldn’t sleep.

If her intentions and purposes are as expected, how can we stop her?

Suddenly, I was picturing him deceiving me and urging me to kill Yeriel.

While she continued to worry, Celica lay still with her eyes closed.

I was clearly trying to sleep, but I couldn’t fall asleep and was tossing and turning.

It seems that I am not the only one who has trouble falling asleep easily.