Chapter 157: Mother’s Funeral

“What do you mean his mother died? Tell me more details.”

“I only heard rumors at the Academy, so I don’t know the specifics. But everyone’s talking about it, so it seems credible.”

While those gathered here were all nobles, they wouldn’t gossip about royal matters lightly unless there was some truth to it.

Even if there hadn’t been an official announcement, something must have happened to spark such rumors.

“Just out of curiosity, were there any rumors about how she died?”

“Well… There were whispers that it wasn’t a natural death, but that’s just speculation until the official cause is announced.”

“I see…”

The first possibility that came to mind was the Possessed. If something unusual had happened in this world, they’d be the prime suspects.

But why?

What could they possibly gain from killing Euclid’s mother?

‘Is their goal to unsettle Euclid?’

They might be trying to awaken the mysterious demon inside Euclid by killing his mother and destabilizing him.

But was the demon inside him really worth going to such lengths to awaken?

Considering how faintly Wolffang had sensed its presence and how it had gone undetected in the palace all this time, it didn’t seem particularly powerful.

‘Besides, we don’t even know the cause of death yet…’

For all we knew, she could have slipped on the stairs and cracked her head open.

Though she was young, death doesn’t discriminate by age. People die all the time, regardless of their station.

‘Maybe I’m overthinking this?’

It could just be a coincidence, and assuming they were behind everything might be reading too much into it.

“Ian, what are you doing? Aren’t you coming in?”

Lost in thought, I’d been standing still. Hori, who had already reached the mansion door, was urging me to hurry up.

“Oh, right. I’m coming.”

Yeah, there’s no point in speculating now. I’ll just ask Euclid directly tomorrow.

I felt a bit hesitant about questioning someone who’d just lost their mother, but it might be necessary for his own safety.

——

Early the next morning, I woke up to a warm body pressed against mine. I shifted down to better feel the soft, comforting sensation that gave me almost as much joy as katanas and Baldo.

Burying my face in Jessica’s breasts, I couldn’t help but smile at the blissful feeling.

‘Maybe I’ll sleep a bit more…’

Just as I was about to drift off again, feeling as cozy as a child in his mother’s arms, Jessica’s chest suddenly heaved and moved away from my face.

“Are you in heat this early in the morning?”

Despite our intimate night together, Jessica seemed embarrassed. She pulled the blanket to cover herself as she sat up, rubbing her eyes.

“What man could resist when he wakes up next to such a body?”

“There you go again with your vulgar talk… How many times do I have to tell you that nobles should watch their words?”

Despite her words, she didn’t look too displeased. My compliment about her body seemed to have made her happy.

I snuggled back into Jessica’s arms like a child seeking comfort from his mother. She sighed but stroked my head.

“Jessica… We still have time before morning training. How about a quick…”

“When have you ever stopped at just ‘quick’? Besides, after what you made me do yesterday, I want to wash up as soon as possible.”

“Then let me help you wash.”

“I know what you’re really after when you say that. Give it up and get up already.”

Jessica patted my bottom a few times, then gathered the clothes I’d removed last night and left the room.

“Last night you were begging for more and asking me to get you pregnant…”

Grumbling, I got up and took a sip of water from the bedside table before leaving the room with Jinta and Wolffang.

[Master… Mating is fine, but the female scent in the room is too strong. Can’t you open a window next time?]

[Is your intelligence that of a beast because you’re a dog? If we did that, that woman’s dirty moans would spread throughout the mansion and embarrass our master.]

Unlike Wolffang, who had been relatively friendly towards Jessica aside from the “female scent” comment, Jinta was very hostile towards her.

I didn’t need to ask why; it was clearly because Jessica had beaten me up a few days ago.

“Jinta, you don’t like Jessica?”

[I won’t question master’s choice of companion, but I can’t help but be bothered by her violence towards you a few days ago…]

“I appreciate your concern, but that was my fault. Let’s be forgiving about it.”

[…Yes, master.]

After finishing morning training and taking a quick bath in the still-warm bathroom, I found breakfast ready.

Naturally, I sat at the head of the table, with Jessica in the next highest seat. She hadn’t touched her utensils yet, apparently waiting for me.

“Hey, what do you think is the best way to casually ask someone important about the cause of a loved one’s death?”

“If you’re talking about the prince, keep your mouth shut and don’t bother someone who’s already grieving.”

“You knew about it? We’ve only been back for a day.”

“Unlike you with your lack of social skills, it only takes an hour for such news to reach my ears.”

As I was rolling my eyes at Jessica’s unnecessary boast about her social connections, Hori, who had been quietly nibbling like a squirrel beside us, swallowed her food and asked:

“Why are you curious about that?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, normally people ask how to comfort someone, not how to ask about the cause of death. Why are you interested in that?”

Ah, in my haste to get to the Academy, I’d slipped up.

What kind of weirdo would ask how to ask about the cause of death without upsetting the bereaved? I’d realized my mistake too late.

Jessica, who had also just caught on, glared at me and said in an icy voice:

“You’re not involved in this in any way, are you?”

“What are you talking about? We’ve been together for weeks. When would I have had time to do anything?”

“That’s true, but… With you, I wouldn’t be surprised by any bizarre actions.”

I’ve never done anything truly evil, so why has my trustworthiness fallen so low?

Even as we headed to the Academy after breakfast, Jessica kept insisting that I absolutely must not do anything unnecessary.

Not content with just warnings, she clung to my arm as if to keep me under constant surveillance, refusing to let go even when we reached the Academy.

“Um… Ian?”

Because of this, when we happened to run into Marina in the courtyard, she gave us a disapproving look.

“Ahem… While dating isn’t prohibited at the Academy, please refrain from excessive public displays of affection on campus.”

“No, this isn’t what I…”

As I tried to explain that it wasn’t my doing but Jessica clinging to me on her own, Jessica silently stomped on my foot and glared at me, forcing me to keep quiet.

When we entered the classroom, Rain hadn’t arrived yet, leaving just Jessica and me.

Though she finally released my arm, Jessica still kept a watchful eye on me. When I stood up, she followed suit.

“Ah, I’m going to the bathroom.”

“Then I’ll…”

“If you follow me, I’ll pee right here!! You know I’ll do it if I say I will!”

I started unbuckling my belt as if I was really going to relieve myself right there. Jessica wrinkled her nose and sighed.

“Fine. But come back quickly. And don’t do anything disrespectful to the prince!”

“What am I, a child?”

“If you were a child, at least you’d be cute…”

Ignoring Jessica’s continued nagging as if she were my mother, I headed not to the bathroom but towards the Magic Department classroom. In the opposite corridor, I spotted a familiar large figure.

“Euclid.”

I waved and called out his name. Euclid’s face lit up like an excited puppy, and he ran towards me.

“Ian!!”

“Oh? Uh…”

I froze for a moment, taken aback by his bright demeanor. It was hard to believe he had recently lost his mother.

This was my first time seeing someone who had just lost their mother, but could they really be this cheerful?

As I wondered if the rumors might have been mistaken, Euclid asked me:

“I heard you went on a trip to the Sword’s Grave. Have you just returned?”

“Huh? Oh… Yeah, I finished my business and came right back. I’ll be staying here for a while.”

“I see!!”

His bright response seemed entirely genuine, without a hint of pretense.

I glanced at Nana, who was standing like a statue beside him, but she didn’t seem to find Euclid’s cheerfulness strange either.

In fact, Nana’s attitude was as calm as ever, as if nothing had happened.

“Hey, listen… I heard on my way here that something difficult happened to you…”

“Huh? Oh, you mean that?”

When I cautiously brought it up, Euclid responded with a bright smile and said something completely unexpected.

“It’s okay! I never cared about the throne in the first place!”

…Huh?