Ch.250-10. Release (4)

# -10. Release (4)

“Kyaaah!! Isn’t that too provocative!? Is that even allowed there!?”

Lu was making a huge fuss despite being the one who arranged it all.

Elizabeth ignored the commotion and narrowed her eyes as she observed the scene.

“Seeing it with my own eyes makes it really… disgusting.”

“What happened to the composure of the official wife?”

“That’s a separate issue, this is…”

Although she had given permission, actually seeing it in person felt different.

She wanted to rush over and stop it, but it was already too late for that.

‘What can I do now that I’ve given permission…’

Her heart ached a little, but it was bearable enough.

“Your Majesty is showing jealousy, which is somewhat unexpected.”

“Of course, I’m just an ordinary person too…”

“Still, please don’t hate her too much. When you get to know her, she’s actually quite pitiful.”

Elizabeth knew her fairly well.

As a comrade in the same boat, she had taken interest in her, and he had told her about her too.

Perhaps that’s why she couldn’t bring herself to say anything harsh.

“Knowing that makes it hard for me to say anything…”

***

When I came to my senses, an unfamiliar ceiling greeted me.

I stared at that ceiling, recalling yesterday’s breathtaking events.

‘Wow… really… what should I do…?’

I no longer had the face to brazenly return and look at her. No matter the atmosphere or situation, it was clearly an act of adultery.

And so soon after getting married…

I looked at her sleeping soundly beside me.

Her horns, noticeably longer than usual, combined with yesterday’s memories, made her look even more enchanting.

“Yesterday was… [Enchantment]?”

The name “succubus” suited her perfectly yesterday.

I was truly, literally bewitched.

“Yes, [Enchantment] is correct.”

“!?”

“Don’t be so surprised, I’ve been here for a while now.”

The suddenly appearing succubus smiled brightly, clearly pleased about something. Then she looked back and forth between me and her.

Lu saw my expression and said:

“Don’t worry too much, we did it with permission, after all.”

“Permission?”

“Yes, permission.”

“From whom?”

Only one person came to mind, but I had to make sure.

Lu answered with a look that suggested my question was obvious.

“From your wife, of course. Who else?”

“You got permission? Really?”

“Yes, do you have any idea how much trouble I went through to get that permission?”

“…”

The relief that yesterday’s actions could be justified because permission was granted was overshadowed by questions about the fact itself.

Why did she give permission?

I thought she used to really dislike people like that…

Lu spoke as if she had read my mind.

“If you’re that curious, you can just ask her yourself. She’s here.”

“Huh?”

“She should be having breakfast right now.”

***

At first, I thought it was absolutely impossible—that I would never give permission, no matter who it was.

But gradually… gradually my thinking changed.

The turning point was probably then.

Around the time we were preparing for the wedding, that succubus came to visit. That must have been when it happened.

-Would you consider sharing him with me? Even just a little… please.-

Come to think of it, she seems to have liked Albert for quite a long time.

Even if she hadn’t been aware of her feelings of affection herself.

As I listened to Lu’s story bit by bit, my thinking changed.

‘Could it be because I was his first?’

If I hadn’t been the first… if someone else had recognized Albert’s potential… what would have happened?

Even then, my thoughts were still relatively firm.

So what? In the end, I was his first, and ultimately, I was the one Albert loved and still loves, wasn’t I?

Then the wedding began, and the expression I saw on her face was almost… frozen.

She looked sad.

She wasn’t crying or showing anger.

But she looked sad.

‘That could have been me…’

The thought that I could have been that pitiful and miserable gave me chills.

If I had been in that state…

It was too horrifying to even think about. But she was clearly experiencing those emotions.

That fact created a change.

‘Maybe… it’s right to share a little?’

It might be mere sympathy or hypocrisy.

But if it could fill her emotional void… wouldn’t that be good?

Afterward, although I gave permission, I had many concerns.

But now it was time to end those worries.

“Um…”

Albert stood before me, not knowing what to do. If he was going to be like this, why did he even show up?

Still, I liked even that aspect of him.

I felt jealous about yesterday’s events, but seeing him like this didn’t make me feel too bad.

“It’s okay.”

“Re… ally?”

“Yes, really.”

After giving him that assurance, he blinked twice.

Then he carefully picked up his spoon and began eating.

He looked somewhat uncomfortable.

“Do you have any questions?”

“Um… can I ask?”

“Of course, and please speak casually.”

“Why did you give permission?”

I had expected this to some extent.

I thought Albert would almost certainly ask such a question.

“Because Miss Lilith likes you too.”

“You’re very… open-minded?”

“I thought it was unreasonable for her to continue living like that.”

“And chasing after someone else’s man is reasonable?”

“More reasonable than the former, and…”

I trailed off, and he put down what he was eating and stared at me blankly as I continued.

“Anyway, you love me, don’t you? That’s enough for me.”

“Well, that’s… true, but then… what happens now?”

“Miss Lilith becomes Albert’s concubine, that’s all.”

“Is that allowed?”

He is a Grand Duke, not an Emperor.

While there are countless cases of Emperors taking concubines, it’s extremely rare for Grand Dukes to do so.

“No? I don’t think it’s allowed. We could do it, but… we’d face a lot of criticism.”

“We could keep it private.”

“That’s fine with me.”

The criticism would be directed at her, not me.

And I didn’t think the criticism would be that severe. After all, he’s a hero who saved the country, isn’t he? People would probably overlook this level of immoral behavior.

“Something feels off…”

“What feels off?”

Another succubus appeared in the dining room, wearing clothes that reminded me of yesterday’s dizzying memories.

Behind her, the orchestrator of this situation was smiling brightly.

She at least had the conscience to sit in a chair away from both Albert and me.

I said, looking at her:

“You can sit next to my husband if you want.”

“I’m sorry…”

“What are you sorry for?”

“I’m sorry…”

It was amusing.

Seeing her trembling and whimpering made her fun to tease. There was a certain pleasure in teasing her.

She glanced at me repeatedly and said:

“I’m really… sorry. I originally intended to just endure it, but…”

“But?”

“When the situation arose… it was difficult…”

“It’s okay, I understand. I might have done the same in your position.”

“R-really?”

A ray of hope, like rain in a drought—that was her reaction.

That reaction… for some reason, I felt like betraying that hope.

“No? I think I would have endured it.”

“…”

Lilith whimpered at my serious expression.

She looked so cute, it was hard to believe she was a high-ranking demon who had lived for hundreds of years.

The other two were trying to hold back their laughter at the somehow funny situation.

“I’m just joking. Let’s get along well from now on.”

“Yes…”

Albert scratched his head in that awkwardly uncomfortable situation.

***

A chilly and quiet night.

The sour smell of alcohol permeated the air, and my head was throbbing. As my consciousness grew dimmer, an absurd statement hit the back of my head like a slap on my shoulder.

“Must be nice these days? Living the good life, huh?”

Whether drunk or out of his mind… at least he wouldn’t say such things while sober.

Even knowing that, it was quite an infuriating comment.

“Take it easy.”

“No…! It’s true, isn’t it?”

“Haha… if you want to get hit, keep talking like that.”

“Why…? Don’t you like it?”

When he asked again like that, I couldn’t easily open my mouth.

It was certainly difficult.

Going back and forth… receiving my fair share of criticism and having plenty to do.

But… I didn’t dislike it at all.

“So you do like it…! You bastard!! Who do you think you are…! Taking a concubine like you’re some Emperor!!”

“I know…”

“So… have you tried that?”

“That?”

“You know…! Since there are three of you… Aargh…!! Why are you hitting me!?”

Raykle, who had suddenly shut the mouth spewing nonsense, asked me:

“But did you like her originally?”

“No…? I’m not sure.”

“Then do you like her now?”

“Now…”

Originally, there was quite a distance. It was more like camaraderie between colleagues than affection.

But from the moment she revealed her feelings, the situation changed significantly.

Because of her position as a concubine, I didn’t dislike how she would be mindful of Elizabeth’s feelings, or how she would agonize over whether to call me when my schedule allowed, or how she would be overjoyed at every bit of physical contact.

“I think I love her now.”

I used to be someone who loved only one person… but I’ve changed a lot.

Still… it wasn’t so bad.

The thought that if those people are happy and I’m happy, then it’s good—that thought had grown and taken root in me at some point.

Of course, that thought wasn’t particularly moral.

“It’s rationalization, but… what can I do?”

The water was already spilled.