Silvia surrendered her weight to me—
I could understand why she was so heartbroken. Her opponent was her own mother, a woman of cold, rigid discipline. Silvia had surely been under far more pressure than I ever was.
As far as I was concerned, I was more than willing to support her after everything she had done for me. If a bit of encouragement or a simple conversation could cheer her up, it was a small price to pay.
That being said—
Wasn’t this a bit too much in the way of physical contact?!
Silvia kept her slender body pressed against mine, her face flushed with an enchanted expression as her hands wandered over me. Every so often, she would affectionately nuzzle her cheek against mine.
I could feel my resolve wavering.
Deep inside, the Essence of Albert von Kronstadt licked its lips in anticipation. It was savoring the scent of her hair and the warmth of her skin.
"Silvia, I think that’s enough—"
"No... I don't want to stop. Just a little longer."
She gripped my clothes, pulling her soft body even tighter against me.
"Let me be a little selfish today. Is that so wrong?"
"............"
I couldn't find the words to answer her immediately. It wasn't that I wanted to say no, but I knew exactly where this path was leading—
"You know, Albert-kun."
"What is it?"
"Physical touch is actually quite... soothing."
"So they say."
"Don't you want to try touching me, Albert-kun?"
Silvia gazed up at me with upturned eyes through the stray strands of her silver hair.
"............"
My right index finger twitched. The Essence of Albert von Kronstadt surged with desire, reacting to the honeyed tone of her voice.
—I want to touch her.
—I want to pull her into my arms.
The emotions crashed over me like a tidal wave.
"It’s fine if you touch me, really. It wouldn’t be fair otherwise, would it? Since I’m touching you this much."
She stroked my chest again, looking genuinely happy.
"I want you to experience how good it feels to touch someone too, Albert-kun."
Silvia took my right hand and gently pressed it against her cheek. The smooth, silken texture of her skin radiated through my palm.
"...Silvia, what’s gotten into you today? You’re acting strange."
"You’re so mean, Albert-kun."
"How so?"
"When a boy protects me like that... how could I not fall for him?"
The directness of her confession made my heart leap. I felt as though I were losing my balance, my world tilting on its axis. Just hearing those words made a profound affection for her well up inside me.
"Si... Silvia...?"
"I’m using every bit of courage I have left to stay this close to you. I’d be so happy if you’d just... accept me."
With a faint smile, Silvia guided my right hand downward. She moved it toward the generous curve of her chest, prominent even through the fabric of her uniform—
The soft sensation of her reached my hand.
Blushing deeply, Silvia leaned in and whispered into my ear.
"...This is my thanks for today. You can do whatever you want with me."
The word "seduction" must have been invented for a moment like this.
With that single sentence, my ability to think rationally was snuffed out.
The moment my self-control crumbled, the Essence of Albert von Kronstadt surged to the forefront.
"Is that so? Then I’ll do exactly as I please."
The words had barely left my mouth before I pinned her down. Silvia lay flat on her back as my shadow fell over her, my body hovering over hers.
I lowered my head, pressing my lips against the nape of her neck. I sucked at the soft, pale flesh and gave it a sharp, sweet bite.
"Ngh... ah... haah..."
A melting, breathless moan escaped Silvia’s lips.
The sound only added fuel to the fire within the Essence of Albert von Kronstadt. As I grew more fervent, Silvia’s voice rose, and her hands began to white-knuckle the bedsheets.
—This is my woman.
—I’ll devour her however I want, and I won't let her complain.
That predatory consciousness began to dominate my mind.
I pushed myself up slightly. Looking down at Silvia, who was gazing up at me with a feverish flush, I lowered my voice.
"I’m going to give you what you want."
"Please... make me yours, Albert-kun."
Her glazed, lustful eyes pleaded with me.
I reached for the buttons of her uniform. My movements were rough as I began to undo them. The sight of her white lingerie only fed the lecherous hunger of the Essence of Albert von Kronstadt.
That was when it happened.
My fingertip clicked against the bird brooch pinned to her chest. It was the one she had begged me to buy for her during our date.
In that instant, a memory—one that definitely belonged to the real Silvia—flashed through my mind.
"I’ll take really good care of it!"
I saw her face again, radiant with a beaming, genuine smile.
I had realized then why Silvia had chosen the Brooch of a Taking-Flight Bird. It was a physical manifestation of her deepest desire.
—She wanted to live freely.
"An 'anything goes' attitude chips away at the soul. You should value yourself more."
The words I had told her had apparently become a core principle for her. That was why she had rejected the kiss her mother had tried to force upon us.
At the time, Silvia had apologized, saying:
"But, um... I realized I hated doing it that way. I felt like the timing wasn't right, and that’s why I reacted like that."
"The old me could have just gone through with it..."
That was proof that she had gained a "free will" of her own. She was changing.
If that were the case—
Was this current behavior really the result of Silvia’s free choice? Did she truly want to share her body with me right now, following the whims of an uninhibited heart?
No. That wasn't right.
Because she had also said this:
"I want you to know more about me, Albert-kun, and I want to know more about you. That’s what this is about. You see, I’m a Romanticist!"
I still didn't know nearly enough about Silvia.
And she didn't know enough about me.
Was this rushed development really what the "Romanticist" Silvia wanted?
—Something felt wrong.
There was a jarring lack of harmony here. Something was missing.
It was Silvia’s heart. Her behavior now was completely inconsistent with everything she had said and done until this moment. For a split second, the beautiful woman lying beneath me felt like a total stranger.
An impostor? No, that wasn't it.
It had to be the "Will-Reaping Curse" from the original story. That black sludge smeared on the dagger—that was the source. Damn it, I let the word "curse" throw me off; I didn't realize it acted like a drug!
"Albert-kun, what’s wrong? Please... hurry. I can’t take it anymore...!"
Rubbing her thighs together, the woman who looked like Silvia pleaded in a saccharine voice.
—Who cares! Just do it! Claim her right now!
The Essence of Albert von Kronstadt screamed inside me. The lecherous lust was trying to hijack my body.
—Shut the hell up!
If Silvia’s will was drowning in the darkness, then I would have to be the one to scream. I was the only one who could protect that "Romanticist" smile of hers!
I guided Silvia’s hand toward the brooch, then pressed my index finger against the center of her chest—right over her heart.
"Silvia, you self-proclaimed Romanticist! This isn't romantic at all! Snap out of it and tell me how you really feel!"
I didn't actually think such a cliché gesture would work, but—
Silvia let out a sharp gasp, her face contorting in pain.
"A... Albert-kun...?"
The spark I knew—the real Silvia—returned to her eyes.
"...Silvia, are you back?"
"No... only for a moment. I’ve been... hit by the Will-Reaping Curse. I can’t... I can't control my own body anymore."
She spoke in ragged, pained gasps.
"I’m not myself. I’m forced to... either ensnare you... or kill you. Please, Albert-kun. I’m begging you—"
Wrestling with her own breath, Silvia forced out one final request.
"Kill me."