Chapter 8: Where Are You Touching?
Witches…
Selena’s eyes gleamed. She turned her head to look out the window at the new moon hanging high in the sky. The moonlight spilled down, pure and clear.
*Eileen, of course I know we are witches, and there will be no good outcome between us and Lord Luo Xiu… But now, besides this path, do we have any other choice?*
Selena thought self-deprecatingly. At the age of twelve or thirteen, Selena had already experienced too much of the world’s wickedness and endured too many cold glances. Precisely because of this, her heart was much clearer than others her age. Now, she had to grasp this sliver of light that suddenly appeared, a chance to survive in the cracks, with all her might. For herself, and for Eileen.
Unlike the transparent Eileen, Selena was more mature. She did not voice her thoughts, as it would only make Eileen more anxious and serve no other purpose. She simply smiled and shook her head gently. Moreover, Selena actually had many favorable impressions of Luo Xiu. The man’s warmth and attentiveness did not waver even when Eileen was cold. These small details showed that he was not a bad-tempered person.
Thinking of this, Selena patted the girl in her embrace, “Eileen, can you promise me one thing?”
Eileen blinked her beautiful eyes, “What is it?”
“Promise me first.” Selena was persistent.
Although Eileen was confused, she nodded heavily, “I’ll do anything Selena asks me to!”
Having obtained the girl’s promise, Selena smiled again. “Then, be a little nicer to Lord Luo Xiu in the future. Don’t act so unreasonably anymore.”
Upon hearing this, Eileen’s little face instantly fell. She mumbled, “Selena, but I hate him. Don’t be fooled by his suave appearance; he’s actually a pervert in secret! I don’t want him to defile my body.”
As she said this, she suddenly remembered kneeling for Selena when she first woke up that day. So Eileen silently added in her heart, *except if it’s for Selena.*
“Mhm, Eileen, what are you thinking? How could I possibly force you to do something like that?” Selena’s tone was gentle. “I just want you to not be so hostile towards him. I’m not asking you to deliberately try to please him.”
*I’ll handle that kind of thing myself.* Selena did not say the latter half of the sentence aloud.
Unsurprisingly, on this matter, the two girls’ intentions were remarkably consistent. The premise for them willing to offer their bodies was for the sake of the other, not themselves.
Selena continued, “Besides, think about it. Lord Luo Xiu hasn’t done anything to us, has he? Instead, he’s been helping us all along, hasn’t he?”
Eileen’s delicate eyebrows furrowed. She hesitated to speak, wanting to refute but unable to find a good excuse. Because the facts were just as Selena said; at least so far, the man had not forced them in any way, and could even be said to have indulged them. But she still couldn’t overcome the hurdle in her heart, wriggling and acting spoiled.
“Selena~”
Selena was amused by her demeanor and was about to speak when a knock suddenly sounded at the door. The two looked at each other and got out of bed together to open it.
When the room door opened, it wasn’t the man they expected, but a tall maid. She had long, reddish-brown hair with a slight natural curl, and stood under the moonlight, looking exceptionally beautiful and elegant. As for why she was a maid, it was obvious from her attire. This was the first meeting between Selena and Anna.
The girl looked somewhat wary, instinctively shielding Eileen behind her. Anna saw their nervousness and gave a slight smile. After all, judging by the host’s special hospitality, he must be quite fond of these two little witches. She was not a sharp-tongued person to begin with, and knowing the host’s attitude, she was even less likely to bully them.
“Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Anna. I am the Head Maid and housekeeper of this manor,” Anna introduced herself.
Seeing that the visitor seemed to have no ill intentions, Selena’s expression softened, and she stated her name. “Is there something you need?” Selena asked.
Anna said softly, “Lord Luo Xiu has prepared hot water for you early. I’m here to ask if you need to bathe. If you do, I can take you there.”
Upon hearing this, Eileen, who had been hiding behind Selena, suddenly poked her head out. Her eyes lit up, “Really?”
Selena also felt a little excited upon hearing this. After all, living in constant hiding for years, taking a comfortable hot bath was almost an impossible dream. They nodded repeatedly and followed Anna. As they walked through the serene manor, the exquisite landscaping with large rockeries and the meticulously trimmed garden made the two girls subtly grip each other’s hands tighter. Compared to their experiences in the slums, it was like a different world.
After escorting the two to the bathing area, Anna tactfully took her leave. Beside the steaming large wooden tub, their black dresses slowly came off, revealing two pristine bodies. Their skin was snow-white and ethereal, possessing a captivating beauty. However, one of them had her chest bandaged, slightly marring this unique beauty. Years of living in filthy places had not made their skin rough. It remained smooth and lustrous, like a newborn baby’s, as if it would ooze water with a gentle squeeze.
“Ugh… Selena, I’m sorry.” Suddenly, Eileen’s eyes welled up with tears, and she rubbed them. Every time she saw Selena’s chest wound, she was overcome with guilt. That sword blow should have been hers to bear, but Selena had taken it for her. She reached out and gently touched the wound, on the verge of tears. “Selena, does it still hurt?”
Selena caught her hand, a gentle smile on her face. “It stopped hurting long ago, thanks to Lord Luo Xiu’s magic…” She said softly, her thoughts drifting to a certain man. Recalling the man’s words at the dinner table, she inexplicably blushed. *”I want your heart more.”* His faint tone still echoed in her ears.
Eileen, of course, had no idea her friend was on the verge of betrayal. Seeing that Selena seemed fine, she then extended a fair, bare foot and cautiously tested the water temperature. Her eyes flashed with joy, and she sat down. Then she beckoned her good friend, “Selena, come quickly.” “You have an injury and can’t move easily, so let me help you wash.”
Selena, lost in thought about other things, nodded and let her have her way. However, a minute later, an indignant shriek erupted from the wooden tub.
“Eileen, where are you touching!”
(End of Chapter)
