A Brighter Future (Kuroinu) - Volume 1 Chapter 32: Taking Action Herself

Just live together normally? Are you serious? Since you would be living together, can it still be considered as ordinary? And besides, do you really think the others would simply let you do that? It’s impossible for others to just watch you do something that others also want to do, right? Who can accept that situation?

Chloe was very disdainful of Celestine’s statement that her promise was almost the same as no promise. Rhodes also smiled reluctantly upon hearing it, and didn’t continue the topic further. After all, Celestine’s thoughts were already clear, and discussing it further would only make things worse.

“Well then, Celestine, I’ll head back first.”

“Okay, be careful on the way, and take care of yourself. If it’s really not possible, I can come over to take care of you.”

“If you do that, General Grave might say something, right?”

For Celestine, who basically resides in the church, if she were to run over to Grave’s residence, Rhodes wouldn’t believe that there wouldn’t be any problems.

“Yeah, you’re right.”

Celestine nodded thoughtfully, feeling somewhat helpless. After all, she really didn’t feel at ease with Chloe and Claudia around Rhodes. She worried that they might try to take her place. So she decided it was best to just stick with Rhodes wherever he went, which would definitely solve the problem.

However, without the identity of the Goddess’s spokesperson, this might have been feasible. But this identity also imposed limitations on her. It was almost impossible for her to roam freely.

“Then remember to come back and see me.”

“Of course I will! After all, I can’t bear to be without Celestine.”

Listening to this exchange, which made her feel extremely uncomfortable, especially the part where Rhodes said he couldn’t bear to be without Celestine, Chloe couldn’t help but snort, expressing her dissatisfaction.

Seeing this scene, Celestine’s lips curled up slightly, appearing very happy, but then she remembered something and called out to Rhodes.

“There’s one more thing I almost forgot to do.”

“Is there?”

As Rhodes wondered what it could be, he saw Celestine approaching and hugging his head with her hands, then their lips met in a kiss. The soft sensation made Rhodes somewhat entranced, but suddenly a chill ran down his spine, snapping him back to reality. He quickly parted from Celestine, whose face was now flushed.

Glancing at the visibly annoyed Chloe behind him, it was clear that this action had greatly stimulated her.

“Well, that’s it.”

After kissing Rhodes in front of Chloe, Celestine felt much happier and didn’t stop Rhodes from leaving.

“…Okay.”

As Rhodes and Chloe boarded the carriage and left the church together, the atmosphere inside the carriage remained subtly tense.

“That woman’s lips must be very soft, right?”

After a moment of silence, Chloe spoke, her tone devoid of much emotional fluctuation, as if she didn’t care about the matter. But beneath this calmness, Rhodes could sense an impending eruption of emotions.

“I think most people’s lips are soft, right?”

Rhodes nervously replied, “Um— did that… make you angry?”

“Angry? Isn’t that obvious! How could you let her kiss you like that! Doing something like that with someone else is so casual! That woman is shameless! I think you should reduce contact with her.”

Listening to Chloe’s words full of dissatisfaction towards Celestine, Rhodes also realized that the current relationship between them was completely hostile, and reconciliation was basically impossible. Although the key point was on his side, achieving the kind of harmonious relationship where everyone loves each other as he imagined was really difficult.

“Have you ever thought about what she said before, about replacing me or not wanting me? If it really comes to that, I’ll basically be—”

“Alright, let’s not talk about this topic.”

Seeing Rhodes’s reaction, Chloe quickly stopped, realizing that this topic was too unpleasant. She didn’t want to hear about what kind of fate she might face.

After Rhodes embraced Chloe, comforting her emotions, she suddenly turned around and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. As the carriage wheels bumped over uneven terrain, her hips bounced on Rhodes’s thighs.

“What are you—”

“I’m doing this so you won’t be swayed by that woman. I want you to get used to it, so if something like this happens again, you’ll be able to resist! If just a kiss from her can mesmerize you, what if she offers you more? Will you just obey her every command?”

“It’s not that exaggerated!”

Rhodes hurriedly shook his head in response, trying to make Chloe believe him. But obviously, he couldn’t convince her, nor could he calm her down.

Celestine’s actions made Chloe feel that she held a significant place in Rhodes’s heart. Initially, Chloe thought Celestine was just lucky to meet Rhodes first, and she even wondered if Celestine was deliberately using Rhodes for her own purposes, especially considering Celestine’s efforts to establish a relationship between Rhodes and Grave.

However, seeing Celestine now, some of those suspicions were dispelled, but Chloe still viewed Celestine as a significant threat, capable of causing significant problems and troubles.

Moreover, Celestine’s recent actions were raising Chloe’s blood pressure, making her even more averse to Rhodes’s interactions with her. She couldn’t let Rhodes be harmed by that woman!

So she decided it was better for her to take action herself. After all, compared to Celestine, she could definitely do a better job of taking care of Rhodes, being with him, and satisfying him!

“Since you seem to enjoy this kind of thing, you can just have me accompany you.”

Interrupting Rhodes before he could respond, Chloe silenced him with a kiss. Unlike Celestine’s gentle gestures, Chloe’s actions were more aggressive and assertive, taking the initiative to explore Rhodes’s mouth.