Chapter 191: Leonard's Night of Awakening
Brave Bar.
Leonard had been coming for three consecutive nights, but each time he failed to meet Miss Séraphine, nor did he encounter hastur.
If it weren't for his trust in hastur's character, he might have thought hastur and Séraphine had eloped behind his back.
Hahaha, how ridiculous.
He had become so anxious and insecure.
At eleven o'clock in the evening, Leonard ended another disappointing day, sighed, and left the Brave Bar, wandering aimlessly along the street, his eyes skimming over the shops.
As for the passersby, he no longer paid them any attention, lest they remind him of his sorrow.
It was only now that he realized how little he knew about Miss Séraphine, not even where she lived.
To meet her, he could only come to the Brave Bar and try his luck; he had no other way to find her.
"Old man, am I beyond saving?"
Leonard, full of worries, could only lower his voice and talk to the old man residing within him.
"Don't worry, you'll meet her again soon."
"I know you're just comforting me."
"Heh, she'll come to find you herself."
"Really?"
"If you don't believe me, why ask for my opinion?"
"It's not that I don't believe, but I dare not believe. Maybe she's already forgotten about me."
"Didn't you always think you were very charming?"
"..."
Leonard was silenced by this mockery and stopped chatting with the old man to avoid further distress.
After wandering aimlessly for more than ten minutes, a familiar figure suddenly appeared ahead.
Still in that distinctive black dress, even in the dim street, Leonard could recognize her at first glance.
"Miss Séraphine!"
Leonard's spirits lifted, and he quickly approached.
Séraphine stood quietly, waiting for Leonard. Her eyes were not as clear as before but carried a hint of coldness.
Last time, she had suffered a bit from hastur Campbell, and this time she intended to make his good friend pay.
If one wants to experience love, how can they miss tasting its bitterness?
The flower of love nourished by pain is the most beautiful!
"Séraphine, I thought you didn't want to see me anymore."
Leonard's breath quickened, his eyes reddened, and he looked helpless.
Séraphine said nothing, just looked at him with the same deep gaze, then reached out to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
The gentle and affectionate gesture turned all of Leonard's pain and sorrow into sweet spring water, flowing continuously through every part of his body.
Every cell seemed to be nourished, starting to cheer.
"Séraphine..."
Leonard called her name in his softest voice.
Séraphine gently placed her right index finger on his lips, signaling that he didn't need to say anything, she understood everything.
Séraphine!
Every corner of Leonard's heart was calling her name.
No need to speak, no need to think, just let her lead him forward.
When Leonard gradually regained consciousness, he found himself in a room with a somewhat ambiguous adult decor, far from the street.
In the dim light, Séraphine stood in front of a full-length mirror, seemingly admiring her stunning beauty.
By this time, the atmosphere had already been set.
Even if Leonard was slow, he knew what he should do now.
Silence speaks louder than words.
He walked slowly behind Séraphine, ready to wrap his arms around her slender waist, when a mocking voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"The person you want to embrace now is a witch."
"??!"
Leonard's body stiffened, his outstretched hands stopped in mid-air, and the ripples in his heart were frozen by a cold current.
"And she's not just any witch, but an ageless witch who has lived for at least a thousand years."
"..."
Leonard's eyes became vacant, as if he had lost all vitality.
A witch at least a thousand years old?
An ageless witch?
He didn't know what rank an ageless witch held in the witch pathway, but he understood that she was definitely not someone he could provoke!
"If you don't want to be drained by this ageless witch, find a way to escape from her."
Leonard no longer cared to criticize the old man for revealing the truth so late; he was now fully awake.
Yes, it had only been a few days!
He had been a free-spirited wanderer, but suddenly he met someone he loved, and he even considered marriage and settling down for her.
There was no other possibility but enchantment!
Leonard's face turned pale, his expression complex, and he took a small step back.
"What's wrong?"
Séraphine, still admiring her beauty in the mirror, noticed Leonard's small movement and asked in confusion.
"Nothing, I just think you look best from a distance."
Leonard smiled, observing her while slowly moving towards the door.
"I find you most beautiful from this distance."
After praising her, Leonard prepared to open the door and escape.
But no matter how hard he pulled the doorknob, the door wouldn't budge.
"What are you doing?"
Séraphine still hadn't turned around, her previously innocent tone now sounded harsh to Leonard.
"It's a bit stuffy in here, so I thought I'd open the door for some air." Leonard came up with a clumsy excuse.
"Open the door to let others see? What a strange habit you have."
"..."
Leonard was speechless and just wanted to open the door and escape.
But the door seemed to be against him, no matter how hard he tried, it wouldn't open.
"Is it really that hot?" Séraphine's pleasant voice came.
"Yes, very hot." Leonard's forehead and temples were sweating profusely.
"If it's so hot, why not take off your clothes?"
As she spoke, Séraphine gently removed her dark outer garment.
Taking advantage of this moment, Leonard pulled the doorknob with all his might, trying to seize the rare opportunity, but the door still wouldn't open.
"Can't open the door?"
"Yes."
"Need my help?"
"If you're willing to help..."
Before Leonard could finish his sentence, he felt a chill on the back of his neck, a fragrant breeze blowing.
He knew Séraphine had come up behind him, and his body instantly stiffened.
By this time, he fully understood that his intention to escape had long been seen through, and Séraphine had been toying with him.
"Your posture is wrong; you should use this posture."
Séraphine pressed against him from behind, her hands guiding his on the doorknob.
Leonard tried to stay calm, "You don't seem to be able to open the door either."
"Yes, I only know how to open people's hearts."
Séraphine's fingers traced from Leonard's hand up his arm, then shifted to his heart.
"I've heard that witches like to maintain their youth by eating young people's hearts." Séraphine's words seemed to have a deeper meaning.
Leonard, now completely stiff, said seriously, "Nonsense, witches are kind people who like to help others and don't kill, let alone eat hearts."
"Are witches really that good?"
"Of course!"
"Then why are you in such a hurry to run?"
"I'm not running, I just wanted to open the door for some air."
"You're not being honest."
"..."
Leonard felt the conversation was going nowhere. He desperately called for the old man's help, but it seemed the old man had left his ears in the witch's bosom, ignoring his calls.
"What would a man do when he sees a beautiful woman undressed?"
Séraphine's right index finger had pierced Leonard's chest and was slowly going deeper.
"Of course, he would get clothes for her and tell her not to undress in front of men, or she might not be able to dress again."
"Enter the dream!"
Leonard shouted, trying to pull Séraphine into a dream, but failed.
Séraphine rested her head on Leonard's shoulder, smiling, "My dream can't be without you."
"None of my business!"
Leonard's forehead veins bulged, and he elbowed backward.
To his surprise, his powerful elbow strike actually hit Séraphine's beautiful face, causing her to step back in pain.
Seizing the opportunity, Leonard tried the door again, and this time it opened. He rushed out and closed the door behind him.
Inside the room, Séraphine was full of confusion and fear. In that instant, all her extraordinary abilities had vanished, as if stolen.
(End of Chapter)