You! Don’t Press that Button! - Chap 106

Now that I had unbuttoned the vest, only a thin shirt protected Karhan’s sides. Perfect weather for tickling. I placed my fingers on his firm sides and moved them as if scratching vigorously. As I enthusiastically attacked, even shaking my arms, Karhan’s body flinched slightly.

“You can still surrender and grant my request.”

“I don’t think there’s anything worth surrendering for yet.”

Karhan’s voice was full of laughter as he spoke confidently, raising the pitch at the end of his sentence. He was clearly ticklish but trying hard to suppress it and lie. I’m not fooled.

Realizing that mere scratching wasn’t enough, I moved my fingers nimbly, lightly tickling Karhan’s ribs. This is usually where people start squirming, but Karhan still only let out a soft chuckle.

I lifted my head to check his reaction, and strangely, he seemed completely at ease. Is this not working? As I tilted my head in confusion, rolling my eyes, Karhan’s hand grabbed my arm and pulled me into his embrace.

“Eek!”

I let out a short scream, squeezing my eyes shut as I fell onto Karhan’s chest. I could feel his warm body temperature and firm chest against my palms. As I slowly opened my eyes, I saw Karhan beneath me, wearing a playful smile.

“Hmm… Aren’t you ticklish?”

“A corner of my heart is ticklish, I suppose.”

But I tickled your side, not your chest. I finally realized that my tickling had no effect on Karhan at all. As I let out a deep sigh, the arms encircling me tightened even more. I could hear Karhan’s heart beating rapidly.

Feeling awkward, I squirmed, and Karhan exhaled deeply before saying:

“How about we go together?”

“That won’t work.”

At my firm refusal, I felt his arms tense, muscles rippling. Though he was already embracing me, he seemed unsatisfied, slowly moving to caress my back.

“I’m going with Doel, so you don’t need to worry.”

I whispered softly, looking up at Karhan. His sharp jawline was right in front of my eyes.

“I heard your leg hasn’t fully healed yet. Do you really have to go?”

The knee I had injured when I tumbled spectacularly in front of Luzel and Karhan still hadn’t healed completely. Though the visible wounds had healed perfectly, it still ached and throbbed when I walked or ran for long periods. He seemed worried about me going on an overnight trip in this condition.

But I had no intention of backing down this time. Although the next Athlena wouldn’t be the last, I wanted to make our relationship more stable than it was now. To reassure Karhan.

“I won’t do anything dangerous… I’ll just look around the village a bit and come back.”

I muttered in a small voice, rubbing my forehead against Karhan’s shoulder. Karhan chuckled softly.

“So this is how people fall for seduction tactics.”

“Huh?”

Seduction tactics? Did he know I was trying to use them? How did he know? I looked at Karhan questioningly, but he didn’t say anything more, just returning my gaze with affectionate eyes.

“When you look at me like that, I can’t refuse your request.”

“So you’ll let me go on the overnight trip?”

As I widened my eyes, unable to hide my joy, Karhan’s hand, which was embracing me, moved to the back of my head and pulled it gently. Then he pressed his soft lips against my eyelids. One second, two seconds. For a brief yet long moment, he stayed still with his lips on me, as if leaving a mark.

“In return, promise me this. Don’t come back injured.”

“Don’t worry.”

Karhan seems to think I’m like a leaf that will blow away at the slightest breeze. I’m a proper adult who can take care of myself. I need to return safely this time and instill some trust in Karhan.

Whether I had persuaded Karhan as a tickle terrorist or through seduction tactics, I wasn’t sure, but I had obtained permission for the overnight trip with Doel. As I excitedly packed my bags, the servant sighed softly, unable to hide his concern.

“His Grace the Duke is very worried. He’s concerned about you traveling with your leg not fully healed…”

Although I had received permission, Karhan tried to persuade me until the end to go after my leg had healed. Of course, going after a full recovery would be the best option, but I couldn’t just sit and wait indefinitely, not knowing when that would be.

Seeing Karhan’s dejected expression like a rain-soaked puppy, I firmly told him that I would take care of my business outside and return, so he should stay put, keep himself clean, and wait for me. I think I saw Karhan burst into laughter when he heard that.

🐤

The next day, I went to the main gate with my heavily packed luggage, where Doel was already waiting for me. I raised my hand high and waved it excitedly from side to side, and he responded with a refreshing smile.

Doel rushed over to me and took the luggage from the servant who had followed me. Looking at his bag attached to the back of the horse, I noticed it was much smaller than mine. Feeling a bit embarrassed that I might have packed too much, my face slowly turned red.

“What did you say to His Grace to get permission so quickly? I didn’t expect you to get it this fast.”

Heh… I shook my head gently and let out a light laugh. Just as I was about to open my mouth to boast like a general recounting a fierce battle experience, Doel patted my shoulder and pointed behind me.

“Huh?”

“Looks like someone’s here for you?”

As I turned around, I could see a servant running towards us from afar, breathing heavily.

“L-Lord Seol…!”

“Oh!”

It was none other than the servant who had offered to deliver the letter to Lyras on my behalf. To think I’d run into the person I had been searching for so desperately, right here like this. I opened my eyes wide and broke into a big smile.

I slowly approached him, careful not to strain my leg, and the servant rummaged through his clothes and handed me a crisp-looking envelope that appeared to be new.

“I-I’m sorry for the delay… I meant to give it to you earlier, but… I suppose it’s because it was a letter delivered by a mere servant. Haha…”

He spoke with an awkward laugh, seemingly apologetic for bringing it so late. After glancing around nervously, he bowed his head. Through his swaying hair, I could see his bright red ears. As he was about to bend at the waist, I quickly took the envelope.

“No, no! It’s fine!”

I was grateful just for him bringing it. After bowing my head in thanks, I examined the envelope front and back. The servant began to slowly back away.

“I-I’ll be… going now.”

With those words, he retreated before I could say anything more, disappearing into the mansion in no time. He must be quite shy. Turning back, I saw Doel tilting his head and asking:

“What’s that?”

“Oh, this? I asked that servant to look into something for me. I’m glad he helped.”

The letter was crisp, without a single crease, as if it had just been written. Since we needed to depart now, I’d have to check it later when we rested. It worked out well, as I had planned to choose a birthday gift on the way back from visiting Asmil. A smile spread across my face, my heart fluttering with excitement.

I tucked the letter into my chest and mounted the horse with some familiarity. Doel climbed up right behind me, sticking close. It was my first time riding with someone other than Karhan, and it felt strangely odd. Still, both were equally comfortable and cushiony.

Karhan and Doel’s muscles felt like luxury car seats, if I were to make a comparison. I suppose it’s thanks to their diligent exercise that they’re so soft? If I exercise consistently, I might be able to develop impressive muscles like the other knights. As I imagined my future self, the corners of my mouth turned up involuntarily.

The journey to Asmil’s hideout wasn’t particularly arduous. Although we had to pass through a dense forest of trees and vegetation, there was a small village midway, like a highway rest stop, where we could obtain a modest room to spend the night. It wasn’t as luxurious as the rooms I’d stayed in while traveling with Karhan, but I was grateful just to have shelter from the cold night air.

Early the next morning, as soon as we woke up, we followed Doel’s guidance into an area without human paths. As we ventured deeper into the mountains, the path became increasingly winding and steep, reaching a point where we could no longer ride on horseback. Doel tied the horse to a tree stump, saying it would be fine on its own for a while.

Looking up at the cliff, I could see a cave exuding an eerie presence, even from a distance. Anticipating that climbing to such a high place would put considerable strain on my leg, I bit my tongue slightly. Swallowing the sigh that tried to escape my lips, I took a step forward.

Halfway up the hill, my knee began to creak and scream in protest. The sensation of bones not aligning properly and rattling around was far from pleasant. As my eyelids trembled, Doel, who had been walking ahead, turned back and reached out to me.

“Want me to carry you?”

Doel asked me in a worried voice, but I shook my head and declined. I had insisted on meeting Asmil and dragged busy Doel along; I didn’t want to burden him further.

Still, I couldn’t help but furrow my brow slightly due to the pain, and Doel’s gaze shifted to my knee. Even though it was covered by clothing, I felt as if he could see through it, and I instinctively bent my knee slightly and stepped back. Suddenly, Doel approached and knelt in front of me.

“What are you doing?”

“I’ll stabilize it with this.”

Doel said as he lowered the bag from his shoulder. I thought he might have bandages inside, but he immediately detached the strap from the bag.

“What about your bag then?”

“There’s nothing important in it. Don’t worry.”

Saying that, he firmly secured my knee with the bag strap to prevent it from wobbling sideways. It was a bit uncomfortable, but the pain subsided.

After confirming that it was well-secured, Doel smiled faintly. He tucked the now strapless bag roughly into his waistband and started moving again.