CHAPTER 162: CHAPTER 162: MALENA’S LONGING (PART 1)

Watching Lisa’s figure disappear into the distance, Charles couldn’t help but sigh softly. "What a lively child."

After saying this, he glanced at the sky and prepared to leave. He had no intention of delaying his afternoon training. With the battle against the Abyssal Lord looming, mastering a new feat beforehand would undoubtedly give him an advantage.

"Ah, Priest..." Malena suddenly called out. "Are you... busy this afternoon?"

Charles paused mid-step. Was it his imagination, or did Malena’s voice carry a note of intense reluctance to let him go?

Given her earlier behavior, it probably wasn’t just his imagination...

The thought flashed through his mind, and suddenly, his feet felt as though they were glued to the ground by magnets, unable to move another inch.

"Uh... I..." His heart pounded so hard he nearly stumbled over his words. "Not terribly busy. Did you need something?"

Malena lowered her gaze, the faint blush on her cheeks deepening. "It’s nothing major, just..."

"I heard you have some unique insights into clothing design. Coincidentally, I’ve been experimenting with some new ideas lately, so..."

She swallowed lightly. "Would you like to stay a little longer? We could... exchange thoughts?"

Charles’s heart raced. He thought of the afternoon lessons Sophia had prepared for him, the training sessions, the exercises necessary to adapt to his enhanced attributes...

No, Charles. You have too many responsibilities. You can’t afford to waste time on trivial matters like this.

Burdened by these thoughts, he nodded with great difficulty. "Sure. I don’t have much planned this afternoon anyway. We can chat for a bit."

Malena’s breathing grew uneven, her nerves evident. She kept her head bowed as she sat back down on the stool, leaving just enough space beside her. "Then, Priest... please, have a seat."

Charles didn’t hesitate, squeezing onto the stool beside her. Though the stool was sizable, accommodating two adults was still a tight fit—especially with Malena’s voluptuous hips, which seemed naturally generous, perhaps due to childbirth, giving her an unmistakably "fertile" silhouette.

The awkward seating arrangement left her shifting uncomfortably, instinctively leaning closer, pressing against him.

Fortunately, she wore thick, conservative brown trousers that fully concealed her skin, and Charles’s clothing was equally sturdy. Otherwise, the contact might have ignited flames neither could control.

"Ahem, Madam, shall we begin?" he ventured, trying to steer the conversation toward safer waters.

Malena nodded faintly. "Yes. Priest, I’ve been considering how to design these stockings—the colors and patterns that would appeal most."

As she spoke, she retrieved a stack of sample stockings from a box beside her sewing machine. They varied in length, fit, and color—some black, others white. These were prototypes Charles had requested after upgrading the monastery to level two and establishing the tailor’s shop. Though he’d proposed the idea long ago, today marked the first time the garments had been produced.

He’d waited eagerly for these, not just for the potential profits but also to unlock new character art for the witches: nuns in habits paired with black or white stockings, alluring swimsuits, even breathtaking bridal gowns...

In a way, this game was quite generous—no need to pay for skins; you could unlock everything through sheer effort.

Ahem!

But at this moment, Charles’s mind wasn’t on the stockings. A delicate fragrance wafted into his nostrils, and though he tried to focus on the garments, his gaze kept drifting toward her full bosom.

His face burned as he forced out a response. "Ah, well... From what I’ve read, vertical stripes tend to create a slimming effect, while horizontal ones can make legs appear fuller."

"Similarly, white emphasizes volume, while black has a slimming effect. So, for slender or delicate stockings, white with horizontal stripes might work best. For designs tailored to mature, curvaceous, or sturdier figures, black with vertical stripes would be more flattering..."

"Of course, this is just theory. The exact proportions and stripe styles would require practical experimentation and... a touch of genius."

Malena’s cheeks flushed deeper. "So, the only way to know for sure is to try them on?"

Charles’s heart skipped a beat, his imagination running wild. "Yes, ideally with models of different body types wearing them..."

Malena’s head dipped even lower, her voice barely above a whisper as she leaned in. "Then... would you like me to model them for you?"

Charles fought to keep his expression neutral, swallowing hard before nodding. "Sure, then—"

"Master!"

A mosquito perched on his ear suddenly buzzed urgently. "Sephera is heading this way! Leave now, or you’ll be caught red-handed!"

The warning snapped him back to reality. Flustered, he stood abruptly, clearing his throat. "Ah, apologies, Madam Malena. I must go."

"I have training sessions this afternoon, and Miss Sophia is expecting me. I can’t keep her waiting."

"So, perhaps we can discuss the clothing another time."

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he turned to leave. Malena’s visible disappointment tugged at his heart. She managed a polite smile. "Of course, Priest. Don’t let me keep you."

The palpable sadness in her eyes was heartbreaking. Charles bit his lip, struck by a noble resolve.

I can’t let her efforts and hopes go to waste. And I can’t have her, like Lisa, suspecting I dislike or resent her!

With that in mind, he added, "Madam, are you free tomorrow? Perhaps I could visit then..."

The words left his mouth before he realized it was Friday—tomorrow being Saturday, her day off. His question sounded like he was asking her to work overtime.

Malena’s head snapped up, her gloom instantly replaced by radiant joy. "Yes! I’m free, um..."

The same realization dawned on her, and her heart raced. But the thrill of knowing Charles didn’t dislike her emboldened her desires, pushing her to ask for more. "Would you... come to my home tomorrow? I could model them for you there."

By the time she finished speaking, her face was crimson. She kept her eyes downcast, not daring to meet his gaze.

Charles blinked, but Andny’s urgent whisper returned. Guilt gnawing at him, he dared not linger. "Alright. Tomorrow, then!"

With that, he hurried away. Malena finally looked up, watching his retreating figure with a dazed expression.

He agreed...

I can’t believe it... He’s coming tomorrow. To my home...

I need to prepare everything perfectly... What would he like...?

Charles’s silhouette vanished into the distance. Malena reflexively stepped forward, gripping the doorframe, staring until he was completely out of sight.

Just then, a sharp voice cut through her reverie. "What are you staring at? Shouldn’t you be working instead of slacking off?"

Malena turned to see a tall, elegant figure draped in a nun’s habit, her slender waist swaying like a willow in the wind—or a serpent slithering closer.

"Are the clothes I asked for ready? Or can I inspect them now?"

Malena quickly bowed her head. Among the monastery’s nuns, Sephera was the most formidable. Her stern demeanor intimidated the others, leaving no room for error.

"Not yet," Malena admitted honestly. "Priest Charles just visited, so I showed him the stocking samples."

Sephera’s eyebrow arched.

Among the witches, the Toxic Witch was the most possessive of Charles. Naturally jealous and sharp-tongued, she could instantly detect any woman’s longing for him, and it never failed to ignite her fury.

Like now. A cold smirk curled her lips. "The Priest was here? What did he do?"

Malena kept her head low, her heart pounding like a chastened child’s. She didn’t dare evade the question. "He... just checked on Lisa. Then we discussed stocking designs. Here, these..."

She turned, presenting the stack of samples Charles had just examined. "He said the proportions need testing, so he plans to visit my home tomorrow..."

Sephera’s eyes narrowed. She glanced at the sheer black stockings on the table, then at Malena’s voluptuous, childbearing hips. The mental image of her modeling those stockings tomorrow—in her own home—sent her rage skyrocketing.

Were it not for her nun’s facade, she might have exploded.

Instead, she sneered. "How very noble of you. It hasn’t even been a week, and you’ve already devised such a clever strategy."

She picked up a black stocking, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Look at this. So charismatic. No man could resist, could they?"

"Madam Malena, you’ve outdone yourself~"

Malena frowned at the mockery—no, the outright malice.

Is she... insulting me?

For a moment, she questioned her sanity.

How?

Sephera had scolded her before, but always professionally, pointing out flaws in her work. Never like this—personal and venomous.

No, impossible. The nuns here are angels of compassion. They wouldn’t berate me just for... admiring the Priest...

There must be another meaning. Maybe...

Her gaze fell on the sheer black stockings, and suddenly, she recalled Charles’s earlier words. She glanced down at her own figure.

Eureka!

Her thighs and hips weren’t the slender type. Black would accentuate their curves, making them even more alluring. Sephera was holding the black stockings as a hint—telling her to wear these tomorrow!

Sephera, I understand now!

"Thank you!" Malena beamed. "Miss Sephera, I appreciate the advice. I know exactly what to do now!"

Sephera eyed her suspiciously, baffled by her sudden cheer. "I hope so," she said coldly. "Then you’ll behave accordingly?"

Malena nodded eagerly. "Yes! I know what to do next!"

Sephera, unaware of Malena’s misinterpretation, assumed she’d remembered her noble dignity, chastity, and honor. Satisfied, she nodded. "Good. Then I’ll take my leave. I trust you’ll manage things properly."

With that, she strode away. Having only interacted with South Harbor District officials and never mingled deeply with true nobility, Sephera had no idea that among aristocrats, extramarital affairs were commonplace. Malena had no such taboos.

Her mind was already ablaze with plans for tomorrow—how to dress, how to arrange everything, how to please the man she desired...

Oh, and one crucial detail. Lisa has no classes tomorrow. Where should I send her...?

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