Ch.184Boycott (3)

    “What does that mean?”

    “Eidel still loves you.”

    “You must be mistaken. He told me he’s fallen for Zernya.”

    Ireh shook her head.

    “Polygamy.”

    “Polygamy?”

    “He’s considering having multiple wives.”

    Ireh snickered.

    “Funny, isn’t it?”

    Rustila frowned.

    Polygamy. A system where one husband has multiple wives.

    There wouldn’t be any legal issues under federal law. But Rustila had never been fond of such a system.

    “Did Eidel really say that?”

    “Yes.”

    “That’s basically saying he wants to cheat openly.”

    “It’s not infidelity if all wives consent. Infidelity is done in secret.”

    “Either way, it’s cheating by my standards.”

    Rustila replied with a pout.

    “I’m not in a relationship with Eidel. If he chooses Zernya, I should respect that. But if he’s considering polygamy because of me, I’d rather tell him to forget about me.”

    Ireh couldn’t say anything.

    “Really, would you be okay with that?”

    “I’ll be fine.”

    “No, you won’t.”

    “I’m telling you I’m fine.”

    “Then why are you crying?”

    At that moment, Rustila realized hot liquid was streaming down her cheeks. She quickly wiped her eyes with her sleeve, but it was too late.

    “Ahaha… Why am I… I’m sorry.”

    “…Rustila.”

    Ireh pulled out a tissue and handed it to Rustila. Then she spread her arms wide. The intention behind the gesture was clear without words.

    As if drawn by a strange attraction, Rustila burrowed into Ireh’s embrace. Her sobbing grew louder.

    “It’s okay. It’s okay.”

    As Ireh comforted Rustila, she thought:

    Indeed, she’s still fragile.

    Even the hero who would one day be called the Sword Saint was just a woman in front of the man she loved.

    Fate, the constellation, and Eidel. Everything was so cruel.

    After some time had passed…

    “Are you feeling better now?”

    “…Yes.”

    Rustila nodded.

    “I have a question.”

    “Go ahead.”

    “If it’s polygamy, does that mean Zernya and I would share the master bedroom?”

    Rustila glanced at Virgo as she spoke.

    Fortunately, since she was merely asking a question, the constellation’s power didn’t disappear.

    “I suppose so.”

    “Then it would be difficult.”

    “Why?”

    “I don’t want to live with someone I’m not close to.”

    Rustila momentarily erased Virgo’s existence from her mind. She imagined herself standing beside Eidel with Zernya, both holding wedding bouquets.

    No.

    She absolutely hated it.

    “So you’re saying if a girl you’re really close with liked the same guy as you, polygamy would be okay?”

    “I’d still dislike it, but it would be the next best option.”

    Ireh was surprised by Rustila’s words.

    “Just a moment ago you said you didn’t like it at all.”

    “Talking with you has calmed me down a bit. I thought about it—what if Seti and I liked the same man? Then there would be no other way.”

    Rustila smiled sadly.

    “I wouldn’t want to see Seti sad because of me. And Seti would surely feel the same way. Rather than one of us getting hurt, in that case, it would be better if we both found happiness.”

    In a short time, Rustila’s thoughts had reached that conclusion. It was a logic she had just created to understand Eidel, or rather, the polygamy system.

    Ireh inwardly cheered.

    This was her chance.

    “Would you consider reconciling and becoming friends with Zernya?”

    “No. I can guarantee that will never happen.”

    Rustila gritted her teeth.

    “Zernya insulted my dream. She said with my skills I could never become a swordswoman. If it weren’t for Eidel, I might have given up on becoming a soldier then.”

    A fighting spirit gleamed in Rustila’s blue eyes.

    “So I’ll never forgive her.”

    Ireh sighed.

    Making these two get along seemed too difficult.

    Was Eidel meeting with Zernya by now?

    Ireh gazed out the window, lost in thought, wondering what to say next.

    ***

    After finishing work today, I quickly rushed to the student council room. As usual, Zernya was there, immersed in her studies.

    She waved her hand with a yawn.

    “Welcome, honey.”

    “Honey?”

    The only “honey” I know is the sweet stuff bees make.

    “We’re going to be married soon. Whether you like it or not, we need to get used to using such terms in public, don’t you think?”

    Zernya smiled casually.

    “And we shouldn’t forget to express affection for each other.”

    She wiggled her finger. I approached her timidly like someone who had committed a crime.

    “Shall we practice?”

    “What?”

    “This.”

    Zernya whispered in my ear.

    “I love you.”

    “…”

    “Now it’s the vice president’s turn.”

    I was too dumbfounded to say anything. Zernya smirked.

    “Hurry up.”

    How impudent.

    I flicked her forehead with a snap. She let out a short groan. She hadn’t expected me to hit her. Zernya frowned and protested.

    “Why did you hit me?”

    “Because you’re cute.”

    “…”

    “Now it’s the president’s turn.”

    Zernya froze like a statue. And just like that, the play she had started came to an anticlimactic end. I said:

    “Rumors spread around the college the very day after our engagement was decided. That was your doing, wasn’t it?”

    “Why do you think that?”

    “Because at that time, only you and I knew that Kashu Adelbein was alive.”

    “…”

    “You were afraid. Afraid that the Rheinland main family wouldn’t sit still after such a heinous criminal came from Adelbein. You spread the rumors before our family could cancel the marriage.”

    I looked at Zernya after saying that. Her pupils were trembling.

    “…How did you know?”

    “So it was true.”

    “Huh?”

    “Actually, I didn’t know. I was just guessing.”

    I tapped Zernya’s head with the edge of my hand. She started trembling. Before she could open her mouth, I spoke first.

    “Don’t worry. Even if the council of elders and my father oppose it, I’ll take you with me till the end.”

    “Vice President, but…”

    Zernya blinked and said.

    “That’s not why I spread the rumors.”

    “What?”

    Strange.

    I thought my reasoning was quite logical.

    “Then why did you spread them?”

    “Who knows? Try to guess.”

    Zernya stood up and tapped my shoulder with her foot. She smirked.

    “So, you didn’t come looking for me just for that reason, did you?”

    I nodded.

    “Polygamy.”

    “Polygamy?”

    “It’s the only way for me to avoid becoming a son-in-law who marries into your family.”

    When a man marries into a powerful family, it’s common for him to become a son-in-law who lives with the bride’s family. However, if the man has two or more wives, the principle is to keep the main house at the groom’s home.

    Using this fact, I could naturally overcome the trap that Jerome had set.

    For this, I needed Zernya’s consent.

    “Polygamy, you say.”

    She laughed.

    “Ha.”

    Very coldly.

    “Eidel. We just announced our engagement, and you’re already talking about taking another wife? Are you in your right mind?”

    “I’ll bow my head in apology, President.”

    “Yes. Bow. Keep bowing like that.”

    Zernya strode toward me as I was bowing down. She took out a glucose candy from her pocket.

    The packaging looks familiar. Now that I look at it, it’s a product made by a Rheinland family affiliate.

    “Suck on it.”

    Zernya put the candy in my mouth.

    “Maintain this position until it dissolves completely. Keep your back straight, yes. If your posture collapses or if you chew and swallow it, I’ll give you another one. Understand?”

    I nodded desperately. Only then did she smile with satisfaction, stroking my back with a sardonic smile.

    “Oh my, what a convenient chair for studying.”

    “What, ugh!”

    Zernya sat on my back.

    “Urk.”

    “Keep your back straight. What kind of man are you if you can’t handle this?”

    Suddenly having weight in the middle of my back is nerve-wracking. Even though Zernya is light, it’s still like carrying two sacks of rice. And she’s holding books, making it even heavier.

    “I knew polygamy was somewhat common among the upper class. But I never dreamed I’d hear such words from your mouth, Vice President.”

    “…”

    “So, who’s the other person? Rustila?”

    I nodded.

    “Well, if it’s Rustila, I don’t mind. The question is whether she can accept it. It’s also a problem that she dislikes me… Above all, Virgo doesn’t bestow the blessing of the stars on married people.”

    Zernya answered surprisingly nonchalantly.

    By now, the candy in my mouth was almost dissolved. Zernya checked my mouth to confirm. She grinned and fed me another candy.

    “Mmph!”

    “This is fun.”

    Suddenly my mouth had become like a coin slot in an arcade game.

    As time passed, I felt warmth rising from my back. Come to think of it, Zernya was wearing a skirt today. Once I became conscious of it, my mind went blank.

    It was then that a knock sounded at the door.

    “President, about the agenda you mentioned before… Kyaah!”

    Ah.

    My life is over now.

    “What?”

    “Ah, well, that is…”

    “What about the agenda?”

    Zernya casually waved her hand. She naturally received the documents from the junior.

    “Then I’ll be going! Enjoy your time!”

    The junior fled like an arrow. Only then could I save my back. Zernya stood up, clearing her throat. Her cheeks were slightly flushed.

    “Well, I’m merciful, so I’ll forgive you this time.”

    “I think that’s not the issue right now.”

    The next day, a rumor began to spread secretly around Stellarium College.

    A somewhat inaccurate rumor that the president and vice president were so close they enjoyed SM play…

    And before long, I learned that the rumor had crossed over to the Military Studies Department.

    “Eidel.”

    Rustila.

    She had returned to the lab.

    “Is the rumor I’m hearing really true?”

    To interrogate me.


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