03. Aran

* * *

 

 

 

 

After finishing sword training and magic training with Isla, Aran returned to his room.

 

 

Although only a few days had passed, coming to the palace where his room was felt like returning to his hometown.

 

 

 

“……What are you doing there?”

 

 

Aran found Cornelia there, looking around with a rather troubled expression.

 

 

This was definitely,

 

 

“Did you get lost again?”

“Oh, Aran. It’s not that. I’m just cursed.”

 

As Aran approached, she reversed her expression.

Anyone could tell she was lost, what a brazen woman.

 

“How can you get lost in your own house?”

“Aran. I’m really cursed. That’s why I can’t find my way.”

“You’re saying that again…”

“Eish! I’m telling you it’s true!”

 

 

The way she argued was like an angry child, so very cute.

Aran, who had unconsciously reached out to stroke her hair, flinched and withdrew his hand.

 

 

“No matter how cute you are, a son shouldn’t stroke his mother’s head.”

“So you’re aware that you’re like a child.”

“Why is the story going that way! I’m not a kid.”

“I didn’t say you were a kid. I said you were a child.”

“Hmph. Isn’t that the same thing? What an impudent son.”

“Anyway, you’re lost, right? I’ll take you there.”

“Impudent, so impudent.”

 

Cornelia said that, but still followed behind Aran.

 

 

“The one who cursed me must be a dragon.”

“Yes. I’m sure.”

“I fought a Blue Dragon in the Ainu region a while ago, that bitch must be playing tricks on me.”

 

It was getting more and more absurd, so Aran shut his mouth.

 

 

“You think I’m lying, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Hmph. This is why they say raising a son is useless.”

“Sorry, but you didn’t raise me.”

“How impudent.”

 

Aran took Cornelia to her room in about 20 minutes.

 

 

“Why don’t you take a servant with you? Then you won’t get lost.”

“You! Didn’t I say I’m cursed? And how can I act freely if I drag servants around like a string of sausages?”

“So you mean you’re going to get lost in the future too.”

“You really don’t believe me.”

“Of course. Who would?”

“Eek!”

 

She got angry and flicked Aran’s forehead.

It was an achievement (?) she accomplished by even jumping, being short.

 

“Hmph. I’m going in.”

 

She stuck out her tongue with a ‘Merong’ and went into the room.

 

“…What a troublesome mother.”

 

She’s just like a child when she’s like this.

But her true identity is the Empress who rules this Persian Empire.

The gap was so big that it felt strange.

 

 

 

Aran, who returned to his room again, opened a book related to mana.

In the past, he would have had to work his ass off to get such a precious book, but thanks to Cornelia, his status rose to that of a Prince, making it too easy to get such a book.

 

“Hoo…I hope the lock is released soon.”

 

Cornelia definitely said that she would include Aran in the next expedition.

It was to launch an all-out offensive including the Imperial Family to end this war for sure, but it probably also included quelling the controversy that Aran was not fit to be a Prince.

If Aran achieves merit, those voices will naturally go away.

 

 

“What’s the standard anyway? Hey. Come out and talk. What’s the standard?”

 

When Aran called, a fairy-like being popped out from his chest.

 

 

[That’s what I’m saying. I’m curious too.]

“Are you kidding me?”

[Kidding? I think you should be bowing to me for everything I’ve done for you so far, don’t you think?]

“….”

 

Aran, who had nothing to say, turned his head slightly.

 

 

[One thing is for sure, it’s related to the ability you gained by subscribing right before the next lock is released. Think carefully about that characteristic.]

“The most recent one I got was swordsmanship…so does that mean it’s related to swordsmanship?”

[That’s right. If you think about when and in what situation that lock was released before that, you might find the answer?]

 

 

Aran thought hard.

 

‘Come to think of it, there wasn’t a separate alarm when the lock was released…’

 

 

He realized that the lock was released when he touched the bodies of Soup and Gretel.

 

[Shouldn’t you use the ability you gained?]

“…Does the lock only get released if I use the ability I gained? Then is the lock released now?”

 

 

If using it was the condition, Aran used his swordsmanship ability in his training with Iliana.

 

 

[No. It hasn’t been released yet. Your library can only hold two books yet.]

“Isn’t the area too small?”

[That’s how much the power of subscription is a power that collapses the balance of the world. Each one is a top-level book. Don’t be too impatient.]

 

Aran nodded.

He was definitely a little impatient.

 

‘Yeah…I’ve already filmed a Munchkin genre, and there’s nothing particularly dangerous, so should I take it easy?’

 

The subscription fairy (?) went back into Aran’s arms.

 

 

 

.

.

.

 

 

The next day.

 

 

Aran opened his eyes to the sensation of something wriggling in his blanket.

 

 

“Uhm…wh, what is it…?”

 

As his senses gradually recovered, he felt something heavy on his stomach.

 

“??”

 

When he pulled the blanket off with a ‘Whack’,

 

 

“…Mother?”

 

 

Cornelia was lying there curled up like a silkworm.

 

 

“Heumnya……”

 

She was fast asleep, so it was hard to wake her up, but Aran boldly pulled on her cheek.

Her chubby cheeks stretched out like dumplings, and she opened her eyes.

 

 

“Hueeek!”

“What are you doing here?”

“…Huh?”

 

 

Judging by her expression, she didn’t seem to know either.

 

 

Cornelia sent a blank stare at Aran,

 

 

“Aran, don’t tell me you’re feeling lust for this mother of yours….”

“I told you I don’t have a loli preference.”

“…You’re still rude, Aran.”

“More importantly, why are you here?”

“What are you talking about?”

“This is my room?”

“Huh?”

 

Only then did she lift her face and look around the room.

Aran’s simple room with no special furniture came into her eyes.

 

 

“…Did you kidnap me?”

“There’s no way I would do that?!”

“Heumnya. Then this must also be a curse.”

“Isn’t it just sleepwalking?”

“What do you think of me?”

 

She got off Aran’s body.

And then she said proudly.

 

 

“Guide me.”

“Where to?”

“To my room.”

“….”

 

It seems she can’t go back alone.

 

 

 

Just as Aran was about to take Cornelia out, his room door burst open.

 

 

“Aran, I was thinking of training you early in the morning…Mother?!”

 

The culprit was Iliana.

It seems she thought it would be better to train Aran early in the morning, considering his talent.

 

 

She was surprised to see Cornelia and took a few steps back.

 

 

“So, that’s why you rejected my proposal! I see…I understand if that’s the case.”

 

Iliana raised her thumb.

 

 

“As expected, Mother is amazing. Always pioneering….”

 

The pillow Cornelia threw hit her face.

 

 

“Hmph. Lewd girl.”

“N, no, is that not it?”

“There’s no way. Why do you only think about that kind of thing when you look so demure?”

“…Don’t tell me, Iliana-nunim thinks Mother and I are….”

“Do you understand, Aran? You should always look at the inside, not the outside. Even though she looks like that, her inside is full of that kind of thing.”

“You’re the one who introduced Nunim as being plain in bed, Mother.”

“Ahem. Then what on earth is Mother doing in Aran’s room?”

“More than that, Iliana, there’s something I want to ask.”

 

Cornelia made a serious expression.

 

 

“What’s this about a proposal?”

“Ah.”

“From what I heard, it sounded like you proposed to Aran.”

“You heard correctly. The talent Aran has is extraordinary. If a child is born who inherits Aran and my talents, they will surely become a Tier 6 knight.”

“So you’re saying you asked my younger brother Aran to marry you because of that?”

“Yes.”

“Mother. Please stop Nunim. She seems to be serious. No matter how much there’s that reason and we’re not blood-related, still, marriage between siblings is….”

“Indeed, that’s a good method?”

“Right?”

 

 

Aran tore at his hair.

 

‘I forgot that these two are in the same category…!’

 

 

“What. Don’t worry too much. I don’t want to force a marriage that I don’t want. What do you think I’m achieving national strength for? It’s all for your lives.”

“Mother….”

“So start by dating for now.”

“…I’m an idiot for believing you.”

“Since Mother has allowed it, we’re dating from today.”

“I leave Mother in your care.”

 

 

Aran left the room, leaving Cornelia behind.

He felt like he would be tainted if he stayed with them any longer.

 

 

“He’s shy.”

“That’s how men should be.”

 

 

Those words pierced Aran’s back.

 

 

‘…This family is weird.’