Whispers of the Witch

Saranya learned from the conversation behind her that the Leif who came to pick them up was the steward and coachman of the Hillburg Estate, and this witch-like girl seemed to have concealed her identity, while being married to several men at the same time.

Who knows whether this man with the surname Hillburg is lucky or unlucky? As far as Saranya knew, men who married witches never ended well, either dying mysteriously or having their entire families executed by the church as a warning to others.

As for whether such men knew they had married a witch, it was hard to say. Perhaps they knew, but chose to ignore it, unwilling to let go.

There was a saying among the common people: Witches’ skills in seducing men were unparalleled. It was said that they would disguise themselves as gentle and caring big sisters, presenting a warm and virtuous image to the world, while being incredibly provocative in private, captivating both virgins and experienced men alike.

Often, when witch hunters gathered sufficient evidence and lifted the bed curtains of a noble, they would only find a naked and stiff man, while the witch they sought had long since vanished. They could only collect the body, allowing the family to maintain some dignity.

Ah, witches.

Kaelan wore a witch’s hat, adorned with a dark-patterned elegant dress, and long, semi-transparent lace gloves that covered her arms to the elbows. At her cleavage, a purple amethyst pendant hung on a black choker, glittering brightly.

After a few days of interaction, Saranya discovered that as long as she performed well and avoided touching Kaelan’s sensitive nerves, Kaelan would always maintain the demeanor of a chaste maiden, her expression serious, exuding an eerie composure, as if nothing could ruffle her.

Did Kaelan truly seduce men as rumors suggested? It didn’t seem so.

Saranya’s mind wandered.

“Saranya.”

“Yes, I’m here!”

The two were in the spacious carriage compartment, which was made of bright orange wood. From the outside, it looked ordinary, but once inside, one could feel the spaciousness and appreciate the elaborate, elegant furnishings, giving a sense of hidden wonder.

Kaelan and Saranya sat facing each other at a table by the window, enjoying pastries and listening to the clatter of wheels on the road beneath them.

“Go change into a different outfit. There’s a wardrobe behind you.”

“Yes, mistress.”

Saranya hesitated in front of the wardrobe.

“You can change right here, in front of me……?”

“Is there a problem?”

Saranya bit her lip, her first time being asked to undress by a strange girl.

Honestly, it felt a bit strange.

“……”

The fabric rustled as it hit the floor, and Saranya stood naked, her back to Kaelan, her cheeks flushed, avoiding eye contact.

But when she heard Kaelan’s footsteps approaching, growing closer, Saranya lost her composure.

“Ah…… that…… ah……”

“Thud—”

She heard the sound of clothing falling, and Saranya turned to see Kaelan standing beside her, also naked, momentarily losing the ability to speak.

“Mistress, you……”

“Don’t move.”

The sound of the wheels masked Saranya’s rapid breathing.

Kaelan’s hand traced Saranya’s lower abdomen, her fingertips cool like ice, outlining a seductive curve along her waist, pausing just above her navel.

“Mistress, wait…..”

Even with just a touch of her fingertip, it felt incredibly intense.

Saranya’s breathing grew heavier, her gaze hazy, her eyes drifting downward to her heaving chest, the subtle mounds of her breasts especially sensitive in the air.

How strange, to feel this way just from her touch? Could it be that she truly desired to be controlled by this person?

Kaelan stood beside Saranya, and when Saranya turned her head, she could see Kaelan’s beautiful body.

That body…… wow.

Saranya slowly raised her gaze.

The girl was petite, with long legs and a slightly upturned buttock, her skin as flawless and pale as moonlight stone.

Kaelan’s hair cascaded down like a waterfall, her face so exquisite it seemed unreal, her brows stern, exuding a distant aura, unlike Saranya, whose breathing was ragged and shallow, her expression revealing no hint of desire, only a cold, intense focus.

She was like a work of art.

Was she toying with her, or humiliating her?

Saranya couldn’t read Kaelan’s mind, her mistress’s attitude cold, as if she were merely playing with an object.

Finally, Kaelan leaned in, her lips brushing Saranya’s ear, whispering something in a language Saranya couldn’t understand. In her confused state, Saranya’s mind went blank.

“Don’t do this, mistress, it’s so strange……”

Saranya closed her eyes, as if resigning herself to fate.

To be honest, it wasn’t that Saranya didn’t want to. If Kaelan truly desired her, she would have acquiesced. But Kaelan showed no interest in her, and under that cold, cruel attitude, Saranya felt a deep sense of shame.

Moreover, her body felt incredibly strange, physically.

After enduring the strange sensation for a while, Saranya finally realized what was wrong.

The witch was casting a spell!

Saranya realized too late. Before she could react, Kaelan had finished, her hand releasing Saranya, who began to dress herself casually, as if nothing had happened.

Looking down at her belly, Saranya noticed a thin, purple mark that flashed and disappeared.

Oh no, a silver pattern!

Wait, according to the usual story setting, that kind of mark should be permanent. Her mark was……

“Consider it a kind of insurance. Once we reach the city, you’d better not have any ulterior motives, or you might explode.”

What a cruel woman.

“Don’t treat me like a fool. I know your little schemes. From the moment you gave up your dignity, I noticed you always had a ridiculous misunderstanding about me. I can be honest with you: I have no affection for you, this lowly s*ave, and I have no interest in same-s*x encounters. Is that clear?”

Kaelan adjusted her sleeves, her voice as cold as ice.

“Really…… really not?”

“No!”

“Are you sure?”

Saranya’s voice was barely a whisper, unsure if she was being stubborn or hopeful.

Kaelan glanced at her coldly, offering no further response.

Actually, Kaelan was right. There was a blood feud between them. A scenario like “The Villainess Falls in Love with Me” was far from reality.

“Then why did you spare me before?”

With a reckless attitude, Saranya gathered the courage to ask,

“You must have wanted to kill me directly, right?”

Forget it, since her fantasy was shattered, she had to get to the bottom of things! If she died, so be it. She had already been reincarnated, so even if she couldn’t live like the protagonist of a light novel, she didn’t want to spend her days as a s*ave, controlled by others. That would be too humiliating!

Kaelan’s expression twitched, and for a moment, it seemed she might cast a spell. But she restrained herself, her arms dropping limply, her movements stiff.

“You begged for your life then, didn’t you?”

“Saranya, I’m different from you. I have more ‘conscience’ than your self-righteous, hypocritical self. I also want to prove to you that this so-called ‘conscience’ is worthless. If you let it control you, hesitating to satisfy it, you’ll only become a powerless small fry, incapable of achieving anything, changing nothing!”

“Moreover, Saranya, you have a lot of blood on your hands. From this perspective, letting you die easily would be too kind.”

This witch seemed to know her well, and her words hinted at deeper meanings. But……

What nonsense was she talking about? Conscience? Blood debts?

How dare she talk about those things?!

Anger surged within her, and Saranya envisioned the ruins left by a magic storm, the bodies of her comrades scattered among them, innocent people hunted and slaughtered by monsters, while those powerful sorcerers stood silently, watching from afar.

“Kaelan, you’re so full of yourself.”

“Of course.”

She was overcome with a powerful emotion, Saranya, the imperial legion commander and knight, now felt her anger and sorrow as her own. Suddenly, she realized that for this transmigrator, this knight’s body was more than just a vessel.

Unfortunately, that courage didn’t last long. Her legs went weak, her heart raced, and she worried about offending her mistress, fearing punishment. Then she felt her own cowardice, remembering Kaelan’s past humiliations, her eyes welling up with tears.

Kaelan showed no intention of pursuing the matter, saying nothing. When Saranya anxiously looked at the witch, Kaelan simply turned her head toward the window, giving Saranya a view of her back.

This was all too embarrassing. She was truly a coward. Toward someone like her, the mistress probably held nothing but contempt.

Outside the carriage, Leif’s voice echoed:

“Mistress, we’re almost at Verrocity. You should hurry and get ready!”