Ch.110The Night at the Mansion (1)

After that, we returned to the mansion. Even on our way back, the village was still buzzing with festival excitement, showing no signs of stopping.

Along the way, I spotted some delicious-looking food I wanted to buy, but considering the hour, we headed straight back to the mansion. Walking arm in arm with Cecilly on the way back was an added bonus.

With our arms linked, I could feel the softness of her chest against me. I exercised patience as I felt desire steadily building within me.

‘Will I be able to handle this well…’

Now that we were heading back to the mansion to tell Marie everything, I felt somewhat troubled. Even in a world where polygamy is accepted, everyone has their own thoughts on the matter.

Especially Marie, who had confessed to me first, and whose confession I had accepted—she would likely feel quite betrayed. I sincerely hoped things would go smoothly.

“Are you nervous? About telling Marie the truth?”

“Of course. You know how good my relationship with Marie is.”

“Hmm. True, it looked good enough to make others jealous. But don’t worry. The situation you’re concerned about won’t happen.”

Cecilly seemed confident she could persuade Marie, looking quite self-assured. Though I was skeptical, I planned to trust her confidence for now.

Though Marie would be hurt, I could comfort and soothe her to help heal that wound. And since I’d mentioned having a separate conversation with Cecilly before, persuading her should be easier.

So we returned to the lit mansion, and Cecilly went to find Marie before meeting my family. I wanted to follow and meet Marie too, but Cecilly stopped me.

When I gave her a questioning look, she smiled brightly and said something difficult to understand.

“You should take a nice bath first. I’ll give Marie a heads-up.”

“A heads-up?”

“Yes. You’ll be talking with her at 9 o’clock anyway, right? Just the two of you in the ‘bedroom.'”

Cecilly emphasized “bedroom” particularly. Speaking with half-lidded eyes and a seductive voice, she kept sending my imagination in strange directions.

The reason I’m inviting Marie to my bedroom is simply to have privacy, not to do anything inappropriate. Marie wouldn’t think that way either.

Of course, with all this desire Cecilly has stirred up in me, I can’t be certain, but things won’t unfold as Cecilly seems to think.

“Alright. But you’ll say goodbye to my parents before you go?”

“Yes. I’ll greet them before returning to Helium. Oh, and I’ll tell your parents that I’ve invited you to visit Helium in a week. I’ll be going now.”

“Goodbye.”

“Ah, before that…”

*Smooch*

Before leaving, Cecilly suddenly leaned forward and planted a light kiss on my cheek. I opened my eyes wide in surprise at her unexpected attack(?) and placed my hand on my cheek.

The moist sensation and warm feeling confirmed that she had indeed kissed my cheek. Cecilly was smiling playfully, though her face had turned slightly red.

“That’s a token of gratitude. I’ll save real kisses for after getting Marie’s permission.”

“…”

“In over a hundred years, I’ve never had a day as happy as today. I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life. Well then—”

Cecilly placed her hand on the center of her chest, bowed her head elegantly in greeting. Then she smiled at me before turning around and slowly walking away.

Even as she turned her back and left, I couldn’t easily regain my composure. I remained dazed until her figure completely disappeared.

But eventually I found myself smiling. Her playful side was certainly characteristic of her.

‘A day as happy as today…’

Those words gave me much to think about. It must mean that Cecilly holds me in special regard.

I rubbed the cheek she had kissed and started walking. For now, I’ll follow Cecilly’s advice and clean myself up.

‘Ah, I forgot to get my handkerchief back.’

I can get it back after arriving in Helium. Before going to wash up, I asked a passing maid to prepare coffee and refreshments.

The maid politely bowed and agreed, and I headed to the bathroom to wash up.

Later, while I was leisurely reading a book in my bedroom waiting for Marie, there was a knock.

*Knock knock knock*

“Issac? Are you in there?”

“Huh?”

My mother’s voice came from beyond the door along with the knocking. There was still time before Marie would arrive, and I had expected the maid, so I quickly raised my head in surprise at hearing my mother’s voice.

I was puzzled that my mother of all people had come to see me, but I put down my book and granted her entry.

“Come in.”

“Excuse me then.”

*Creak*

Mother entered the bedroom after opening the door. She was wearing a flowing nightgown dress since it was evening, but what caught my eye wasn’t the dress but what she was holding in her hand.

She was personally carrying the refreshment set I had asked the maid to prepare. I jumped up from my seat in surprise, not even having time to question it.

Regardless, Mother maintained a somewhat pleased expression as she asked me:

“Should I put the refreshments here?”

“W-well yes, but why are you…?”

When I asked, Mother placed the refreshment set on the table and gave an enigmatic answer.

“Our Issac has really grown up. I thought you were still just a child.”

“Pardon?”

“Just in case, make sure to take this medicine. You never know what might happen.”

While I was bewildered, Mother placed a pill on the table. It was round like a small marble and pure white.

I stared at the round pill for a moment before looking at Mother’s face, silently asking what kind of medicine it was.

Mother maintained her smiling expression and waved her hand dismissively.

“Just like your father, you’re so clueless. Must be genetic. Poor Marie will have her work cut out for her.”

“Mother?”

“The effect takes 30 minutes, so take it now. Hurry.”

As Mother urged me to take the medicine, I reluctantly picked up the pill. It was round and small enough that I wouldn’t need water to swallow it.

I examined the round pill from all angles before looking at Mother again. She seemed to be waiting for me to take the medicine.

“…This isn’t something strange, is it?”

“Oh please. Would a mother give her son something strange?”

“I suppose not.”

*Gulp*

Though I was slightly suspicious, I trusted that it was from Mother and took the medicine. As soon as I swallowed it, Mother’s smile deepened and she spoke.

“Our Issac is so capable. Where did you find such a girl?”

“We just met by chance. Do you like Marie, Mother?”

“Of course. Being from a ducal family is secondary—her character is excellent. Perfect as a bride.”

Judging by such comments, Marie must have really impressed her. Well, Marie has no rough edges and, like our family, is far removed from any sense of entitlement, so it’s natural Mother would like her.

Her position as a duchess isn’t a problem either. Once I reveal that I’m Xenon the author, our positions will be reversed.

Of course, even without revealing that, the Reckyless family would accept me given their nature. The fact that she visited our mansion with her family rather than staying at a nobles-only inn is practically like stamping a seal of approval.

‘A bride…’

I imagined what Mother had mentioned about a bride. Marrying Marie with everyone’s blessings, enjoying a sweet honeymoon, and then passionate nights…

‘…What am I thinking?’

I don’t know why my thoughts keep going in that direction. Probably because Cecilly’s provocative behavior has inflamed my desires.

I deliberately cleared my throat to hide my inner thoughts. The urges I had been suppressing so well were becoming harder to control. I would need to find release after my conversation with Marie.

Mother seemed to interpret my reaction differently and teased me.

“My, are you embarrassed? You don’t need to be so shy. An engagement at your age is natural.”

“…We’ve only been dating for a month.”

“The fact that you started dating at all is what matters. Why do you think strategic marriages exist? Romance is rare among nobles to begin with. Usually, engagements are arranged through agreements between families.”

This isn’t working. Mother has already marked Marie as a potential bride. Judging by how she’s talking, she won’t listen to anything I say.

I waited silently for Mother to emerge from her flights of fancy. Whatever I say now, she probably won’t take it to heart.

*Knock knock knock*

“Issac. It’s me. May I come in?”

It must be nearly 9 o’clock already. Marie’s voice came from beyond the door as she knocked and asked for permission to enter.

Mother snapped back to reality, turned her head toward the door, then back to me, offering words of encouragement.

“Anyway, good luck. The first time is always the hardest. Don’t feel pressured. Understand?”

“…Yes.”

At my response, Mother gently patted my head and walked toward the door. She opened it and came face to face with Marie who had been waiting outside.

“Oh! Hello. You were inside.”

“Yes. Are you… all prepared?”

“Of course. I got permission from my mother too.”

They were too far away for me to hear what they were discussing. Marie’s figure was also hidden behind Mother, so I couldn’t see her.

“What about Issac? Does he still not know?”

“I think so. He takes after his father in being clueless…”

“That’s fine. Well, I’ll be going in now.”

“Have a good night.”

Soon Mother left through the door, and Marie bowed politely to her. I gasped in admiration at the sight of Marie beyond the doorway.

If the dress she wore during the festival accentuated her figure, now she was wearing a white evening dress. Yet even that dress was designed to stimulate a man’s instincts.

True to an evening dress, it exposed her shoulders, arms, and chest, but the chest area was particularly revealing. It was so precariously covered that her cleavage was clearly visible.

I had thought Marie was far from sexy, but after seeing her like this, I had to completely retract that thought. While Cecilly openly emphasized her sexiness, Marie showed a completely different side of herself—what you might call a reversal charm.

‘Wow… really…’

Could she be any more beautiful? I couldn’t take my eyes off Marie as she approached.

Before, I might have averted my gaze out of embarrassment, but now I didn’t even think of looking away. I wanted to imprint her beauty, which words could hardly describe, firmly in my mind.

Meanwhile, Marie approached me, clasped her hands behind her back, and with her characteristic beaming smile, she spoke.

“I’m here. But…”

She paused briefly, looking me up and down, then…

“What did you want to talk about that you even prepared coffee?”

She leaned her upper body forward slightly and spoke in a subtle voice. This gave me an even clearer view of her deeply cut cleavage.

I was already building up desire because of Cecilly, and this stimulation was so intense it was almost mind-numbing.

‘…I’m doomed.’

I could feel blood rushing to the center of my lower body.

Men are truly pitiful creatures, but no man could resist seeing his girlfriend looking so sexy.

After alternating my gaze between Marie’s face and chest for a while, I covered my face with my hands and barely managed to speak.

“…Marie.”

“Yes?”

“…Never mind.”

Even someone as clueless as me could figure it out now. And the identity of the medicine Mother gave me.

In my previous life, it was usually women who took such medicine, but…

“…Shall we sit down?”

In this world, there are contraceptive pills for men too.