Ch.248Volume 19 (3)

Despite Marie being right beside her, when Cecilly acted greedily, Marie predictably became upset.

I thought the situation was about to get noisy again, but fortunately, Cecilly apologized first, saying it was just a joke.

When Cecilly playfully stuck out her tongue like a mischievous child, Marie reluctantly let it go, but I know the truth. That she was serious.

Whether it’s because the evil cycle is approaching, or because of the recently published 19th volume and Arwen’s comments, she’s watching for an opportunity.

Given the demonic race’s characteristics, pregnancy wouldn’t come easily, but recalling her appearance during the evil cycle, it’s not entirely impossible.

Although Marie stands as a massive barrier, Cecilly subtly expresses her desires. The increased physical contact alone makes it obvious.

Marie seems to have noticed this too, as she’s been keeping a closer eye on Cecilly, who has always been a formidable rival. She emphasizes that she’s always first, of course, and that she’ll have a child first too.

Any sense of stagnation must be my imagination. Whenever Marie says this, Cecilly smoothly lets it slide, returning to a state of temporary calm.

It’s just speculation, but I think Cecilly might be trying to provoke Marie and plant seeds of anxiety. It’s not impossible—there are students who get pregnant and marry while still attending the academy.

However, both Marie and I are exercising restraint. Even though I am Xenon, everyone has dreams and things they want to accomplish.

In my case, it’s becoming a historian, and for Marie, it’s studying political science to help me.

Since we’re already engaged, there’s no need to rush. Cecilly was just expressing her feelings, not making demands.

Above all, I need to focus on what’s happening at the Mayshall estate and the upcoming exhibition.

As I mentioned before, Leona and Cherry will also attend this exhibition. Cherry can come as a guest and stay at the mansion with my parents’ permission, but Leona is somewhat problematic.

Leona will become my wife. Though it happened rather smoothly due to the beastkin’s unique culture, it’s still awkward.

I haven’t revealed that I’m Xenon yet, and Adelia is still around. For Adelia’s sake, I should postpone the wedding night with Leona.

But that also seems impolite, so I’m conflicted. She’ll stay at the mansion, but…

“Oh, that? It’s fine. I can stay with my mother.”

“With your mother?”

“Yes. She said she’d visit the academy before vacation. Don’t worry about me—we can mate later. Just find me a decent inn.”

I had momentarily forgotten that Leona is a filial daughter. When I briefly met her at the café to tell her this, she cheerfully agreed.

Instead, she asked if I could lend her some money to enjoy the festival with her mother. I was happy to agree to that.

“By the way, I heard that temples for both Luminus and Mora are being built in your territory?”

“You heard about that?”

“Of course. I read the newspaper every day. But isn’t it a bit unfair to leave out Hirt?”

“I was actually considering inviting a sorcerer.”

As I’ve mentioned before, Hirt is the goddess of life and nature. Unlike the twin deities, she doesn’t grant divine power, but as the embodiment of nature itself, she exerts the greatest influence on humanity.

It’s simple for her to bring rain to drought-stricken land through rain rituals, or to cause devastating storms against enemies.

But this is purely natural—her sorcery is deeply connected to “natural disasters.”

According to texts, rain and snow represent Hirt’s sadness, volcanoes and earthquakes her anger, and thunder and lightning her surprise.

Occasionally, uncontrollable events occur, causing great damage.

However, it was Hirt who gave the elves the World Tree seeds during the demon war 3,000 years ago.

As long as humanity maintains reverence for nature, Hirt’s divinity will never disappear.

Above all, Hirt doesn’t cause natural disasters intentionally. Just as we sometimes get angry or cry, Hirt is a transcendent being with emotions.

Being nature itself, she’s difficult to control. It’s like how humans can’t consciously control their digestive or circulatory systems.

“I heard that if a sorcerer performs a ritual, Hirt will watch over it. Is that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. You just need to offer appropriate sacrifices to Hirt. Since Hirt is nature itself, there’s no need to build a temple. If you want, I can do it for you.”

Now that I think about it, I heard something when I visited Mora last time. Leona can use sorcery and communicate with Hirt through “possession.”

Possession requires a tremendous price, but I have the divine power to cover it.

I was wondering when would be the right time to speak with Hirt, but decided to postpone it.

It would be better to do it at the exhibition rather than at a café. I can ask Leona to perform the sorcery then.

“I’ll ask for your help then. My father might invite a sorcerer before that, but if not, we can do it then.”

“Understood. I look forward to serving you, my husband.”

“As do I.”

That concluded my meeting with Leona. Next, I met with Cherry.

I had already invited her to the exhibition, but I needed to ask what she would wear and how she would conduct herself.

And how did that go?

“Cherry, so…”

“I’ll do it.”

“I haven’t said anything yet.”

“Whatever you ask, I’ll do it.”

“…”

That’s how the conversation went. When I asked what clothes she would wear to the exhibition, she said she’d wear whatever I wanted.

Testing her, I asked if she would come naked if that’s what I wanted.

And Cherry, without changing her expression, looked me straight in the eye and answered:

“Yes.”

“…”

“If you wish, I can undress right now.”

Day by day, Cherry’s behavior toward me becomes more concerning. Before, she showed dependence, but since publishing her work, it’s become almost blind devotion.

It’s similar to Kate yet different—unsettling in many ways. Given her family background, I can understand, but something changed at some point.

It’s as if she’s a marionette I can control however I want. This isn’t just a metaphor—I strongly feel that Cherry would do anything I asked.

The situation resembles that of a master and slave. I’ve pondered deeply how she reached this state but haven’t found a satisfactory answer.

After all, she even gave me cherry tree sap as a gift recently. This shows she definitely retains some autonomy.

‘Where exactly did things go wrong?’

After finishing my simple yet complicated conversation with Cherry, I went outside. I planned to meet Adelia last, and while walking, I thought about Cherry.

Cherry’s attitude is clearly far from normal. To be frank, she’s like a doll with a personality.

She has a definite owner, but when not given specific orders, she does her own things. This perfectly matches Cherry’s current situation.

Since I’m not a psychology expert and can’t counsel her, I plan to observe her carefully for now. Leaving her in that state could lead to trouble.

‘I just hope she doesn’t do anything strange at the exhibition.’

I don’t care if she holds my hair in her mouth or smells my scent, as long as she doesn’t actually walk around naked.

As I was suppressing these anxieties and heading toward Adelia’s quarters:

“Hey.”

“Huh?”

A somehow familiar voice reached my ears. A low-toned, mature yet pleasant female voice.

The voice sounds nice, but its owner is someone I’d rather not meet.

I turned my head toward the voice, and sure enough:

“…Princess Hyria?”

There stood Hyria, Adelia’s enemy-like family member and someone I’d rather not associate with.

She was in her school uniform, probably having just attended a theory class. As expected, her figure and face gave her uniform an elegant appearance.

Though her personality is inversely proportional to her appearance. While I was thinking this, Hyria stared at my face and spoke in her characteristically mature voice:

“Where are you going?”

“I was just on my way to meet an acquaintance.”

If I said I was going to meet Adelia, an unpleasant situation would surely unfold. Although I dislike her, I’m still just the son of a baron’s family.

Compared to Princess Hyria, I’m far inferior. I could reveal my identity if things went wrong, but that would complicate matters further.

It would be like urinating on a burning house—useless. I intend to hide my identity from the Teres royal family, especially Hyria, as much as possible.

“An acquaintance… You’re not talking about that half-wit, are you?”

Despite my deliberately curt answer, Hyria seemed to have figured it out. Her eyes immediately sharpened.

I don’t understand why this woman keeps bothering me when she should mind her own business. Perhaps it’s because of the humiliation she suffered in our previous duel?

If so, the word “petty” suits her perfectly. Even Adelia, an illegitimate child, has proper character and a straight heart, so I wonder if it’s a problem with her upbringing.

I blinked without answering her question. If the situation is going to turn ugly, it’s better to appear dull and stupid.

Fortunately, that seemed to work. Hyria snickered, crossed her arms haughtily, and spoke in a contemptuous voice:

“Like master, like bodyguard—you’re both equally dull. It’s written all over your face.”

I was caught immediately. It’s a bit embarrassing.

I scratched my head while avoiding her gaze and replied:

“I apologize, Princess. I know you’re uncomfortable with my bodyguard… I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“An apology…”

Hyria muttered this and slowly approached me. With each step she took, an indescribable atmosphere began to flow.

I wanted to step back, but the pressure emanating from Hyria held my ankles in place. It felt like she was telling me not to think about escaping.

As I stood watching her approach, Hyria came right up to my face.

Then, with a smile that seemed both confident and wicked, she slowly extended her hand toward my face.

*Grab*

I caught her wrist to stop her. While I might allow this from someone I approved of, I had a negative impression of her.

Hyria’s smile instantly disappeared, and her expression hardened.

This behavior would be considered extremely rude to a foreign princess and could cause displeasure, but I am Marie’s boyfriend and fiancé.

Unlike my secret relationship with Cecilly, this is a well-known fact within the academy, so I must be careful about my conduct.

Moreover, Hyria is a princess of the Kingdom of Teres, a rival to the Empire of Minerva. This could potentially escalate into a diplomatic dispute.

So, with the gentlest smile I could manage, I delivered a line rejecting her contact:

“I apologize for my rudeness, Princess. But I have a fiancée.”

“What if I could treat you better than your fiancée? What would you do then?”

What’s wrong with this woman suddenly? Did she lose her mind after being defeated by Adelia?

I briefly showed a dumbfounded expression at her proposal, then slowly put down her hand that I had grabbed. Then I took a couple of steps back.

Even as I retreated, Hyria still wore a face full of dissatisfaction, but at least she didn’t approach further.

“I’m sorry. The woman I have is already more than I deserve, so I’m quite content as is.”

“As a man, don’t you have any ambition? Wouldn’t being the king’s son-in-law be better than being a son-in-law taken in by a duke’s family?”

What ambition? People are already calling me a saint or prophet, which is absurd. I have no such intentions anyway.

I suppressed these inner thoughts and responded with a friendly smile:

“Princess, a pine caterpillar must eat pine needles; if it eats oak leaves, it will die.”

This is not directed at me but at Hyria. She doesn’t know my identity, but I can guess what she’s thinking with such behavior.

She probably wants to return the humiliation she suffered from Adelia.

By taking me away using her position as a princess, she would naturally separate me from Adelia. This would cause Adelia terrible despair.

Hearing my comment, Hyria opened her eyes wide, then crossed her arms haughtily again:

“A pine caterpillar must eat pine needles… I like that saying.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“And I like a man with such thoughts.”

“…”

No, I have absolutely no interest in you. Regardless, Hyria looked at me while seductively licking her lips.

Her sky-blue eyes, glistening with desire, were so dull compared to the pure Adelia—the difference was enormous.

“I’ll give up this time. Instead, I’ll designate you as my guide for the exhibition. You can do that much, can’t you?”

“As I said before, I…”

“I, Hyria Ducard von Curtures, Second Princess of the Kingdom of Teres, am making an ‘official’ request.”

“…”

I twitched under my eye upon hearing those words. An official request means it’s not individual to individual, but empire to kingdom.

In other words, from my position, if ordered from above, I have no choice but to comply. It’s equally awkward for the Empire of Minerva.

If they accept, I’ll be displeased; if they refuse, the Kingdom of Teres will be suspicious. It’s a kind of trap.

I’ll try to defend with my date with Marie, but the other side has the upper hand. Feeling deeply annoyed inside, I sighed:

“…I understand. I’ll accept whatever comes down from above.”

“Good decision. Then I’ll see you at the exhibition, Issac Ducar Mayshall.”

Hyria approached me, patted my shoulder, and then left. Her ponytail swayed as she walked away.

I watched her retreating figure for a while, then looked at my shoulder where she had just touched.

*Pat pat*

I casually dusted off that area with my hand and continued walking. I wanted to meet Adelia quickly and shake off this feeling.

Recently, Adelia has been receiving maid training, as Marie had mentioned before. There’s no specific instructor; she’s learning from books.

I heard they were books recommended by Marie. My mother will teach her directly when we go to the mansion, but she’s studying in advance.

*Knock knock knock*

“Who is—Ah! Cutie!”

“Hello, sister.”

As soon as the door opened, Adelia greeted me with a happy face. The memory of meeting Hyria just now completely dissolved, improving my mood.

I entered her quarters following her guidance. Exercise equipment was still scattered around as before, but there were some changes.

Books. Familiar ones like the Biography of Xenon, along with educational books, caught my eye.

These must be the maid training books Marie had mentioned.

“Were you studying?”

“Yes. I’ll learn properly at the mansion, but I need to study hard.”

Adelia nodded vigorously in response to my question. She always exuded strength and dignity, but now she was working even harder to be helpful to me.

This warmed my heart, and her happily smiling face seemed even more lovable. How does she always do such pretty things? I’m truly a blessed man.

I picked up a book that she had presumably been studying until recently. After flipping through some pages, I asked Adelia:

“Can you show me what you think is the most important thing you’ve learned so far?”

“That’s easy. First, sit here.”

Hearing my question, Adelia patted her bed with her hand. I wondered what could possibly require me to sit on the bed.

With such questions in mind, I did as she asked and sat down. Once I was seated, Adelia cleared her throat and stood in front of me.

Then, following what she had learned from the book, she neatly folded her hands and spoke in a gentle tone:

“Good day, young master. I hope you’re having a pleasant day?”

Her husky voice and gentle tone created a strange synergy with peculiar charm. I inwardly admired this and continued watching her next actions.

“You must have had another tiring day. Relieving that fatigue is the duty of your personal maid.”

“…Huh?”

Something seems off. I blinked, looking at Adelia.

Meanwhile, Adelia looked down at me with a soft smile and sky-blue eyes.

Then, her sweet, characteristically husky yet charming voice penetrated my ears:

“Tonight, I shall personally attend to your evening needs.”

“…”

“How was that? Did I do well? The book didn’t continue after that, so I’m not sure what it means, but I think it’s just about giving massages, right?”

What kind of book did you read?