Dungeon of Lust: Managing Otherworldly Beauties

Chapter 228: This... This Is What You Stand to Lose

After talking with Salome and Toy for a little longer, he left those two behind and headed to check up on Ximena, who had been lying in Mias’ bed.

Due to her constitution, she couldn’t sleep, but it seemed she was definitely on the path to recovery.

’Else it wouldn’t be this cold!’

The moment Vale stepped into the hallway, the cold only grew stronger and more damning. The issue he had worried about when debating whether Ximena should be given Aether was rearing its ugly head.

’No wonder Sivian and Awilix weren’t there when I woke up.’

Even Greed seemed to have fled the room she was hiding in, the golden cube not enough to block the cold front.

There was also the issue that the workers and warriors were now cut off from the Dungeon Core until Ximena moved. Though Vale had no intention of forcing her to do anything at the moment.

He’d let her rest as long as she wanted...

’Well, up to three days.’

They had a time limit of one week until Greed left and Vale’s second deal would become entirely meaningless.

As he got closer, Vale shouted.

"Ximena, I’m coming!"

In response, while usually Ximena would constrain herself, the aura of cold only grew fiercer.

’The hell?!’

Did she not want to see Vale?

Vale would respect such a wish, but unless she said it herself, he wasn’t going to back down.

Vale made the final few steps to the entrance of the room, then looked in to see Ximena holding the covers up to her head.

The cold was unbearable.

"X-x-ximena."

When Vale said her name, he spotted her shoulders jump.

’Uh...?’

Whatever...

Vale, not wanting to bear the cold any longer, rushed toward her as fast as he could. He peeled away the top of the covers and pressed a kiss to her forehead before hugging her. It wasn’t as fast as making out, but Lust kicked in and blocked Ximena’s ability.

Although... Ximena had a weird reaction to it.

"Hick!"

Her shoulders jumped again and she threw her entire head under the covers.

’What is up with her?’

Vale sat beside her and placed an arm around her, making sure Lust didn’t deactivate.

"Hello?"

Ximena shook again, then slowly dropped the covers.

Vale, when he saw the deep crimson color of her entire face, asked:

"Are you okay?"

’Is she sick?’

But she couldn’t get sick. It wasn’t physically possible!

"I-uh-wuh-I-ah!"

A wave of cold nearly blasted Vale away. Catching himself from almost falling off the bed, he scooted forward.

Then his eyes narrowed as he tried to decipher the babbling that came before the icy blast.

"Huh? Ximena?"

Despite whether she could get sick or not, Vale brought his hand to her forehead and felt it was awfully warm.

Well... by awfully warm, it wasn’t freezing anymore.

As if the blood had decided to flow, but just in her face.

Ximena jumped again, then shoved her face back into the covers.

"M-master Vale..."

Vale’s eyebrow lifted slightly. Ximena had spoken with an undertone of more to come, yet her voice faded into silence.

Vale quietly asked:

"Is there something you wanted to tell me?"

Her ears atop her head twitched each time she heard his voice.

"Uh-um..."

Ximena shyly pulled the blankets down, revealing only her eyes peeking over the edge.

"F-forget..."

Her voice trailed off again.

"What? Forget what?"

"Forget it! Forget it all!"

Ximena threw the covers up and hid herself again.

Vale couldn’t suppress a quiet giggle as he observed her innocent reaction.

"People love people... it’s nothing to be embarrassed about."

"Gyah!"

Ximena flailed under the covers.

A faint smile played on his lips, crinkling the corners of his eyes.

"I’d wager to say I love you too."

Ximena screeched again.

"GYAH!"

’Though I don’t even know what love is...’

Nor did Vale feel he could truly love. At least not yet. But saying the words? That was something he could do.

Of course, it wasn’t an empty word, but there was a vast hollowness simmering within Vale.

Vale’s shoulders shook with silent mirth.

"What, you think I don’t?"

"Abadagh!"

"I don’t exactly know what that means..."

"I-it means forget it!"

Vale’s eyes twinkled mischievously as he leaned in.

"So you don’t love me?"

"Buh! No-I?! Stawp!"

A guttural groan rumbled from Ximena’s chest, the air rushing out in a ragged torrent.

’I should probably stop...’

"Glad to see you’re doing better."

Ximena grumbled from under the covers.

"Hrmmmmm."

Vale sighed, then pulled the edge of the cover down, revealing her rose-tinted cheek once again.

"How long do you intend to hide from me?"

’You don’t exactly seem like the prideful princess right now.’

With trembling fingers, Ximena lowered her hands, revealing a face etched with mortification. She whispered quietly. So quietly Vale didn’t catch it.

"Thank you."

"What was that?"

"T-thank you!"

Vale’s eyebrow rose as he pulled her shoulder toward him.

"For what?"

Ximena’s eyes glinted, reflecting the pink in Vale’s. She looked away and muttered softly.

"For not giving up on me..."

"Why would I give up on you? I’d probably be dead if it weren’t for you."

Dragging Vale away with the last bit of strength she had ultimately saved his life.

Ximena gripped the comforter and pulled her knees to her chin.

"I mean... Thank you for talking to me. It was the only thing I had to look forward to. And thank you... thank you for not letting me die."

Vale’s smile dropped slightly.

"Thank you as well."

As her gaze swept across Vale, a peculiar curiosity was evident in her ruby eyes.

Vale leaned back against the oak headboard.

"For surviving."

With a blank face, Ximena studied Vale’s expression for a moment. Then her lips curled into a smile.

The two sat on the bed for an hour, talking about all the happenings Ximena missed. Ximena had heard the one-sided speeches before, but now she could ask questions.

And she didn’t hold back.

When her embarrassment began to fade and a bit of her usual pride seeped back in, she had questions aplenty.

’This...’

Vale looked deeply into Ximena’s eyes.

’I almost lost... this.’