I Became the Keeper of a Suspicious Forest - Chapter 73

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 73

Unaware of Ponia’s feelings as they faced each other so closely, Sionel casually opened his mouth.

“I don’t know what you think, but honestly, I enjoyed today’s date.”

“In what way…?”

We didn’t really do anything though?

When Ponia showed a puzzled expression, Sionel smiled faintly and brushed her hair aside.

“What we did wasn’t a conventional date, but we held hands, I carried you, we cleared up misunderstandings, and now we can be alone together like this.”

Sionel paused for a moment. Since they were so close, his breath reached her as well.

Her body naturally stiffened. If Sionel had intentionally done this while pretending not to notice, he would truly be an incredible actor.

“We’re together normally too.”

Ponia replied as indifferently as possible to hide her nervousness. Sionel immediately countered.

“It’s different. Right now we’re dating as lovers.”

Ponia was about to argue that they were just avoiding the monster, but stopped herself. Sionel seemed quite satisfied with the current situation.

Sionel revealed his true feelings in his next words.

“So, in a way, I think I was glad the monster appeared. Because it allowed me to be close to you like this.”

‘Perhaps my lover might not be in his right mind, just like me.’

Her first love seemed to have disappeared somewhere long ago.

“Did you dislike it?”

Sionel asked carefully.

Ponia, who had been grumbling inwardly, met his eyes and bit her lip.

“…I enjoyed it too.”

Whether Sionel was normal or not, what did it matter?

From the moment she accepted his confession, she hadn’t been normal either.

Hearing Ponia’s affirmative answer, Sionel smiled brighter than ever.

Ponia was weak to his smile. She stared blankly and smiled along with him.

“…”

“…”

And then, silence fell between them.

This silence wasn’t because they had nothing to say to each other.

Rather, a strange atmosphere began to circulate.

All their senses became heightened.

The breathing that became clearly audible, the direction of their gazes, subtle body movements, lips that were slightly tense. Unusually red lips.

They were completely focused on each other.

Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

Ponia worried that her heart might burst out of her chest. Her heart beat faster and louder than ever before.

Ponia met his eyes, which she had rarely been able to look at directly. His deepened blue eyes contained only her throughout.

Eventually, Sionel’s hand touched her neck. That hand was more than warm—it was hot.

However, Ponia couldn’t feel that heat. Her whole body was burning just the same.

Sionel’s face, which was already close, gradually came closer.

Ponia knew what action she should take right now.

She closed her eyes, neither too quickly nor too slowly.

She tensed her hands, which had nothing to do. She wanted to squeeze her closed eyes tight too, but barely restrained herself.

At this moment, Ponia suddenly recalled the moment she realized she had been reincarnated into a novel.

Becoming lovers with Sionel, going on dates with him. And finally, a kiss.

These were all things Ponia had longed for and burned with passion to achieve.

Touch.

She felt a soft sensation.

Finally, she had achieved what she wanted.

“…”

About half of it?

Ponia slowly opened her eyes. Sionel had already moved away from her. Sionel couldn’t even look at her with his bright red face.

Ponia placed her hand on her forehead. She could still feel the soft sensation lingering beneath her palm.

‘Good, it’s good.’

But somehow, receiving a kiss on the forehead in this atmosphere felt disappointing. What Ponia had expected was something a little more than this…

‘I mean, couldn’t we have progressed a little further?’

However, Sionel seemed quite satisfied as he moved away from her.

At this moment, Ponia fell into self-loathing, feeling like trash compared to Sionel who was so pure.

They had only just become lovers, so she should take things slowly…

“I want to do more.”

What was she thinking!

Shouldn’t she just follow her heart right now!

At her straightforward words, Sionel’s eyes widened. For a moment his blue eyes deepened, then he let out a long sigh.

Then, looking at Ponia with eyes that didn’t know what to do with her, he said something shocking.

“Shouldn’t we take some time to get to know each other slowly?”

‘What?’

Ponia doubted for a moment whether she had heard him correctly, then seeing his serious expression, she was overwhelmed with a sense of betrayal.

“…After approaching me so aggressively all this time?”

If asked to name moments when Sionel had been assertive, she could easily list more than ten instances.

Sionel ran his hand over his face. His expression was full of regret.

“I never intended to act so selfishly originally. Back then, I was anxious and worried that you might leave me.”

“…”

“I’m sorry. I won’t act so selfishly again without asking your opinion first.”

‘No! Don’t ask! Just act selfishly!’

Unaware of her inner thoughts, Sionel wore a gentle expression.

“So, even now, I’ll cherish you by going slowly at your pace.”

Hearing his sincere words, Ponia realized something she had forgotten.

‘The young lady is still young. At 17, she’s around the same age as my sibling.’

That Sionel Devonham had been an incredibly conservative gentleman, rare to find in high society, even three years ago.

Back then, she had been busy liking even that aspect of him, calling it perfect.

‘Who knew that would come back to bite me!’

Ponia gulped, and Sionel turned his gaze away from her to look down below.

“The monsters seem to have gone far away. Still, we should wait a little longer before going down…”

Ponia pulled Sionel’s shirt toward her.

“…”

The two became close again without any gap between them. With Sionel more surprised than ever right in front of her, Ponia hesitated no longer.

She pulled his head down. He came to her without resistance. Ponia pressed her lips against his.

The soft yet slightly rough texture felt unfamiliar. Ponia pressed her lips firmly, then carefully pulled away.

Even while she was kissing him, he kept his eyes open. But his sparkling blue eyes had sunk deep, making their light hard to find.

It felt dangerous.

Ponia stepped back slightly from him and said firmly.

“At this point, pace and all that stuff is unnecessary.”

“…”

“Besides, the first kiss is already water under the bridge, isn’t it?”

Ponia recalled her shocking first kiss. Thinking about how she had been caught off guard while defenseless next to her feverish partner made her feel so wronged.

Sionel looked puzzled and waited for an explanation, but she had no intention of ever telling him.

‘It’s revenge for forgetting it completely.’

Ponia looked at Sionel’s lips, which showed traces of moisture, then deliberately looked away.

It would be better to end things here for today. He would need time to accept this too.

“Not enough.”

“Huh?”

Until Sionel said those words.

In his blue eyes that had been full of hesitation and contemplation, now only burning desire could be felt.

Sionel slowly took hold of her chin. It was enough time for her to avoid him if she wanted to, but Ponia didn’t avoid him.

Quietly looking at her green eyes, her smooth nose bridge, her flushed cheeks, his gaze moved toward her lips.

Before Sionel could open his mouth to say anything, Ponia spoke first.

“I like you.”

Perhaps intercepting what he was about to say.

With that, no more words were needed between them.

He lowered his head, and Ponia closed her eyes.

Though it seemed like they were simply pressing their lips together, the sensation and response they felt was completely different from before.

Ponia’s body trembled. Between her soft lips, she felt a completely different sensation. Their breath gradually grew hotter.

In that moment, Ponia thought that her own kiss might have felt like child’s play to him.

But even that thought soon flew away.

This could be considered a fairly successful first date. Ponia was satisfied with that thought.

* * *

And then, the very next day.

A visitor came to the Forest.

“Huh?”

It was truly the appearance of someone completely unexpected.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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