A Brighter Future (Kuroinu) - Volume 1 Chapter 23: Do as You Please

Why didn’t you say you wanted to sleep with her?

Claudia wanted to ask this question, but if she did, Rhodes would know what she was thinking. Then, all the excuses she had prepared, and her supposed intention of collaborating on ideas, would be exposed.

In such a situation, it would certainly cause Rhodes to have some negative feelings towards her, or even to trust her less.

Thinking this, Claudia couldn’t help but sigh. In her plans, she hadn’t fully considered how Rhodes would feel about spending time with the dark elf. Watching the dark elf receive treatment she had never experienced, Claudia felt extremely annoyed, especially when she thought about the elf’s nasty attitude.

Meanwhile, Rhodes, seeing that Claudia wouldn’t relent, was also very conflicted. He didn’t expect to be obstructed like this, but he wasn’t planning to be reckless. After all, he still had a way to get what he wanted, but this method might complicate things later on.

Rhodes thought of acting coy. Relying on Claudia’s current doting attitude towards him, a bit of coyness and sweet-talking would surely make her agree. However, this could easily change her attitude towards him.

So now, Rhodes was also in a dilemma. Deepening Claudia’s feelings for him would complicate things with Celestine in the future.

Both lost in their thoughts, the atmosphere between them became strange. Neither spoke, each wearing a complex expression, lost in thought. After a while, it seemed they both realized something, and Claudia and Rhodes spoke at the same time.

“Um…” “I think…”

Both speaking at the same time made them stop and listen to the other. After a pause, Claudia continued.

“You go ahead and speak first.”

“I still hope, Claudia, that you can agree to my earlier request. I just want to spend more time with her, so please, will you?”

Rhodes finally chose this approach, getting closer to Claudia, hugging her, and speaking in a coquettish tone that embarrassed him. This approach, which he found shameful, was actually quite enjoyable for Claudia.

But with a somewhat helpless expression on her face, Claudia stroked Rhodes’s head, looking unsure how to respond to him, yet her heart was already wavering, leaning towards agreeing.

“Fine, since it was part of the plan anyway, and Rhodes is being so coquettish with me, it’s hard to refuse. I just hope the end result is as I wish, using this dark elf to change Lady Celestine’s impression. But I can’t just watch things happen without intervening.”

With these thoughts, Claudia, looking resigned yet amused, agreed.

“I understand, I’ll agree to it.”

“That’s great! I knew you would agree, Claudia!”

Rhodes, relieved by her consent, hugged Claudia even tighter. Although he was constantly thinking of Celestine, holding Claudia’s body made him involuntarily entertain certain thoughts, leading his hands to caress her back and waist.

Claudia didn’t react much to this, instead she continued, “I haven’t finished speaking yet. You also need to sleep with me frequently, because if there’s no progress between us, my father will surely suspect something. If he raises objections, it will be hard to change his mind, you know?”

“That’s true…”

Claudia’s words made sense, especially considering Graf’s eager nature. He might indeed raise such issues, and then Rhodes might end up having to sleep with Claudia regularly. Anticipating and managing this situation would keep Graf from meddling in their affairs.

“But can’t we avoid it?”

“Do you dislike sleeping with me?”

Claudia looked saddened, and Rhodes quickly shook his head, indicating that wasn’t the case.

“Since you don’t dislike it, there’s no need to talk about avoiding it, right? And this also aligns with our previous agreement to try out new partners, to better understand the differences and which is better, right?”

Rhodes had already agreed to this, so backing out wasn’t an option. He reluctantly nodded, agreeing to sleep together to avoid a worse outcome.

After all, the earlier version of Claudia, with an almost dark aura, was too frightening.

Seeing Rhodes nod, Claudia smiled joyfully, her face beaming with the satisfaction of achieving her goal.

Later, the two walked together in the garden, hands clasped. Their closeness brought a pleased smile to Graf’s face, who watched from a window. He hoped that by next year, Claudia would bear a son, resolving the continuity concerns of the Rebon Taine family.

At night, Chloe, who was starting to feel sleepy, suddenly perked up at the sound of the door opening. She anxiously looked towards the entrance, knowing anyone visiting at this hour couldn’t be good news. However, seeing Rhodes enter, her tension eased.

“It’s you. Why are you here now?”

While asking, Chloe wondered if Rhodes had some intentions towards her, recalling his peculiar gaze when he left marks on her chest during their ruse. She hadn’t minded then, so she wouldn’t be surprised if something happened now. In fact, if it did, there would be no need for pretense or worry about exposure.

“If you’re thinking of doing that kind of thing to me, go ahead. I’m too tired and will sleep first.”

“Ah?”

Hearing Chloe speak so bluntly, Rhodes, who was about to say something, was taken aback.

What exactly was she talking about?