Chapter 119: What Are You Two Up To Behind My Back? - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

## Chapter 119: What Are You Two Up To Behind My Back? In the garden on the first floor, Lucius spotted Eilene and Selina. They stood amidst the flowers, their faces carrying faint, ghostly smiles. Occasionally, they exchanged a few words, all in a lighthearted manner. Their demeanor was a far cry from the time they first arrived at the manor, when they seemed burdened by deep sorrows and grievances. The two girls had grown rapidly, now embodying the graceful aura of young women. At fifteen or sixteen, they were no longer mere girls but on the verge of womanhood. Lost in thought, Lucius quietly stood at a distance, admiring them. The appreciation of beauty is a common human trait. And he was certainly not an exception. There can't be many who would refuse the chance to witness, first thing in the morning, two exquisite young women, like characters stepping out from a two-dimensional world. Of course, Lucius's thoughts remained pure. He understood his place well. Just like in his previous life, he was aware that his stay in this world would not be permanent. This awareness was why he chose to evade Selina’s courageous confessions time and again. Ultimately, he believed a good outcome was impossible between them. To avoid disappointment, Lucius prevented any possibility from arising. His quiet moment of admiration didn’t last long before the two girls noticed him. Selina's eyes lit up, and she quickly lifted her skirt, skipping over in a soft run. Actually, it was Eilene who first spotted Lucius, but upon seeing her friend’s reaction, she subtly retracted the step she had just lifted. Selina’s slender figure, with her pale, tender skin exposed, radiated an enchanting glow in the morning light. Her eyebrows were long and fine, and her eyes curved gently, her beautiful face adorned with a genuine, gentle smile. The girl had grown tall, and the clothes Lucius had initially provided for her at the manor had long since become unsuitable. Now she wore an elegant purple dress, noble and refined. This dress was a custom piece made by Anna, perfectly fitted to highlight Selina's outstanding silhouette. Holding the sides of the skirt, she walked towards Lucius, resembling a floral fairy from an oil painting. As she approached, the girl didn't slow, attempting to fling herself into the man's arms. But Lucius was prepared. With a calm demeanor, he extended a single finger, gently pressing it against the girl's forehead, halting her in her tracks. Selina's eyes shifted, her face feigning a pitiful expression, “Lord Lucius, you’ve changed. You used to never refuse my hugs.” Lucius responded with a cold chuckle, “That's because the old Selina didn't fidget like she does now when in my embrace.” His response was filled with a hint of resentment. Once, caught unsuspectingly by Selina's antics, he nearly made a grave mistake. It was no surprise, given that this girl carried the title of ‘witch,' her growth was not only physical but also involved an increasingly audacious mindset. Lucius occasionally wondered if his mentorship had been too lax, contributing to Selina’s nature. But he quickly reasoned that it was a feat not to have been led astray by her yet. Hearing Lucius's words, Selina’s face flushed. Reflecting on her previous audacity during a hug made her cheeks sizzle with warmth. Nevertheless, Selina stubbornly mumbled, “Lord Lucius, you're talking nonsense, it was just an accident…” From behind, as Eilene approached leisurely, she overheard these words and asked curiously, “Selina, what are you talking about? I don’t understand…” She shot a skeptical look at Lucius and then at her seemingly flustered friend. “What did you two do behind my back?” Selina’s expression froze, and she coughed lightly, hastily waving her hands in denial. “No, no, I didn’t secretly... uh.” Selina stopped mid-sentence, as if realizing she’d said too much, her reaction that of a kitten whose tail had been stepped on. Her strange words and demeanor only deepened Eilene’s suspicion. Her gaze shifted towards Lucius, her eyes carrying a judgmental glare. “Selina is still so young, you pervert…” The young girl remarked coldly. Despite the increasing time spent together, the relationship between Lucius and Eilene hadn’t significantly progressed, at least on the surface. In Selina’s presence, Eilene maintained her chilly demeanor. Only when alone with Lucius did she reveal a softer side. Lucius questioned her about this once, but the answer he received was both amusing and enlightening. Eilene claimed that it was clear Selina harbored feelings for Lucius, her heart evidently entirely invested in him. As her friend, Eilene sought not to bask in his presence, lest it cause Selina’s heartache. She understood that the closer she grew to Lucius, the more uncomfortable it might be for Selina. How Eilene gained this insight wasn’t explained in detail. Perhaps, in the past, her opposition to Selina’s closeness with Lucius was due to cautious concern, for she couldn’t then discern the man’s true intentions. Was he a protector or just someone who might discard them at will for his own desires? Maybe Lucius was right; only time would tell. Presently, when seeing Selina close to Lucius, Eilene couldn’t ignore the twinge of discomfort in her own heart. The feelings were mutual. Eilene was possessive by nature. She initially wanted to possess Selina, unwilling to see her cherished things divided by others. Yet, the object she wished to possess seemed to be subtly shifting... Only Eilene knew best the intricacies of her feelings. Thus, she deliberately maintained a distant demeanor in front of Selina, hoping to spare her the torment she herself knew too well. That kind of internal struggle was unsettling. Back in the present, Eilene sensed Lucius's gaze. His eyes were slightly teasing. “Of course, Miss Eilene must absolutely despise a pervert like me, right?” he remarked nonchalantly. Today, Eilene wore a black dress. Unlike Selina, she always dressed this way. Upon hearing Lucius’s comment, her expression was one of vexed exasperation. In the past, she might have immediately agreed. But now, the words just couldn’t come out. Fortunately, Lucius didn’t press further, swiftly changing the topic. He smiled, “Alright, you two should go have breakfast. I need to visit the church.” His words tightened both girls' hearts momentarily. The church? In their peaceful lives, they'd nearly forgotten that this man standing before them was indeed a priest… By nature, he should have been the arch-enemy of witches… Noticing their unease, Lucius softly reassured them, “Don’t worry too much. I’m just dropping by.” (End of Chapter)