Ch.291291. Bigamy

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Fortunately.

Despite all that chaos, the situation was somehow resolved.

While Faynol and Darwood engaged in an awkward battle of nerves, everyone was safely escorted back to the lord’s castle thanks to the border patrol personnel who had quickly followed.

Of course, where there is light, there is shadow. Fortune was immediately followed by misfortune.

At least for Beatrix.

“I should apologize first.”

Beatrix stared at Elnore, whose face had turned deathly pale as she spoke.

She was bowing her head to Beatrix in apology. A polite and respectful gesture.

“I never imagined such an accident would happen. I’m glad there were no serious issues, but this was clearly my mistake. I knew you were vulnerable to cold, after all.”

Beatrix had no reason to doubt the sincerity of those words.

As soon as they had returned to the castle, Elnore had been the first to thoroughly check all her vital signs, meticulously ensuring there was nothing wrong with her body.

“…No. It’s fine. Nothing serious happened, so I don’t feel like complaining.”

“I see. That’s good.”

However, the reason she couldn’t let her guard down even while hearing those words was…

“Well then.”

Because they both knew perfectly well what topic would follow next.

The moment Beatrix said she was fine, Elnore raised her head sharply, causing Beatrix to flinch.

“I’ve heard several rather interesting descriptions of the ‘state’ in which you and Darwood were found.”

“…”

“I’ll give you a chance. Explain yourself.”

“…”

Beatrix maintained a forceful silence.

Of course, she could say various things, but the sight of Elnore glaring at her convinced her that keeping her mouth shut was the wisest decision right now.

“Nothing to say?”

“…I’m sorry.”

Elnore nodded calmly at the apology that came without any resistance.

“Then you shouldn’t have done something to be sorry for in the first place.”

“…”

Why did she even ask, then?

Such a thought crossed Beatrix’s mind, but once again, she lacked the courage to voice it.

“Let me ask you one thing straight.”

Black flames shot up beneath Elnore’s eyes.

“Did you do it?”

“…Do what?”

“Make passionate babies with Darw—”

“…We didn’t.”

Beatrix barely managed to answer while clutching her throbbing head.

Wait.

Is this really the same person who was apologizing with such courtesy and formality just moments ago?

“Are you sure?”

“Really, I swear on the honor of House Kilgore, we didn’t.”

At this point, even Elnore had to purse her lips and sigh.

Swearing on the honor of House Kilgore, a traditional noble family of the Empire, was in some ways pledging more than one’s own life. It’s not something one could easily refute.

“…Then let me change the question.”

“Huh?”

“Answer me on your family’s honor. Can you guarantee that such a thing won’t happen again?”

“…”

Um.

Well.

About that.

Seeing Beatrix hesitate without answering, Elnore’s eyes narrowed rapidly.

“…That guy. Well. He doesn’t seem as bad as I thought.”

“…”

“I, I wouldn’t cross any lines. But maybe it wouldn’t be bad to just be friends from now on—”

“…”

As Elnore’s eyes grew increasingly narrower, Beatrix jumped up.

“R-really! It won’t go as far as you’re thinking! I don’t have that intention!”

“…Beatrix.”

Rarely, it was Elnore who rubbed her forehead as if she had a headache instead of Beatrix.

“Weren’t you the one who recently complained about why women are attracted to such a good-for-nothing?”

“…”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying at all…”

“…”

Facing Beatrix who had become mute as a fish, Elnore heaved a deep sigh.

“…Well, whatever. Women who meet Darwood ending up like this is similar to a natural disaster.”

“…”

No.

What’s even more absurd is how naturally she’s accepting this.

“No, it feels like the sexual tendencies of women around Darwood are gradually changing in strange ways.”

“…”

“I’ve heard passing rumors about what happened to Miss Yuria and the Holy Maiden recently. Something about enjoying being leashed and dragged around.”

“…”

“I’ve heard reports that His Imperial Majesty has become particularly obsessed with Darwood’s ‘scent’ since that… unfortunate incident.”

“…”

“And that Faynol character who was with you has apparently developed a tendency to get excited when beaten by Darwood.”

“…”

Good heavens.

As Beatrix tried to hold onto her fading consciousness amid this continuous stream of increasingly shocking information, a chilling suspicion suddenly crossed her mind.

“Hey, Elnore.”

“Hmm?”

“I hate to ask, but…”

Beatrix swallowed dryly before speaking.

“…Have you also developed one of those strange sexual tendencies?”

“…”

Elnore briefly met her eyes.

Then fell silent.

And naturally turned her head away, as if she hadn’t heard anything.

“…Well, get some rest. I need to attend the formal dinner hosted by Margrave Kendrid.”

“…”

Excuse me?

“Elnore?”

“Despite everything that happened, I was specifically asked to attend.”

“…”

Hey.

Beatrix’s eyes began to narrow in turn, but Elnore deliberately avoided her gaze and continued to delay answering.

“…”

It seems no answer would be forthcoming.

And since the topic Elnore had just brought up was quite concerning, Beatrix eventually sighed and joined in changing the subject.

“…They’re still going ahead with the formal dinner after all that chaos?”

Elnore’s expression wrinkled as Beatrix spoke in an incredulous voice.

To be fair, this side didn’t understand it either.

“…Apparently there’s something important to discuss.”

Muttering the only explanation she had received, Elnore rose from her seat.

Whatever they wanted to talk about so urgently, she would have to go and hear it for herself.

●

“It’s about the legal amendment regarding polygamy. I’ve obtained His Imperial Majesty’s consent.”

When Elia dropped those first words at the dinner table, everyone present showed various reactions.

Some choked, some dropped their utensils, and some gripped their wine glasses so tightly they nearly cracked.

“…”

My reaction was, well.

I just kept eating my food.

Tagliatelle, with a pleasantly salty taste thanks to the added salt. The long, flat noodles paired quite well with the meat sauce—

[Are you trying to escape like that?]

“…”

I raise my head after burying it in my plate as if analyzing the molecular structure of the food, responding to Calivan’s sharp comment.

But the liquid nitrogen-level coldness pouring over the table still showed no signs of dissipating.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Elnore, Faynol, and Elia exchanged glances.

If gazes had physical force, the intensity with which their eyes met would have caused explosions.

“Since I’ll be telling everyone else the same thing when they arrive, I thought I should inform those of you here first.”

Breaking through the silence, Elia spoke again.

Meanwhile, her gaze was fixed directly on Elnore.

As if telling her to listen carefully.

Elnore’s face wrinkled severely in response.

“…I was under the impression that polygamy isn’t that unusual among high nobility. Why specifically designate it by law—”

“No, that’s not it. The polygamy practiced by noble families clearly separates ‘primary wives’ and ‘concubines’ with distinct hierarchies, right? The difference in authority and various rights between primary wives and concubines is quite significant.”

“…”

Elnore’s expression grew even more distorted.

She clearly had an intuition about what was about to come out of Elia’s mouth.

“…Perhaps that’s why you tolerated all the other women in that form. Isn’t that right, Lady Duchess?”

“What are you trying to say?”

“I’m talking about a special legal designation. To grant ‘equal rights’ to all women who marry Darwood, specifically for him.”

Smiling brightly, Elia placed a document containing the relevant details on the table.

And then.

A small “gift box” was additionally placed on top of that paper.

“…”

A terrible foreboding came over me as soon as I saw it.

The already freezing atmosphere began to solidify even further.

“Teacher.”

And then, those words dropped.

“Would you like to open it?”

“…What is this?”

“You’ll know when you open it.”

“…”

I pick it up with trembling hands.

Surely not.

I hope it’s not what I think it is.

“…Ah.”

My head spins as soon as I see the contents.

A ring.

A ring that looks incredibly expensive at a glance, clearly imbued with special meaning.

“…This—”

“It’s exactly what you’re thinking, Teacher.”

“…”

Before I could say anything, Elia continued.

Completely disregarding Elnore, whose face was transforming into that of a demon beside her.

And then.

“Well.”

As casually as could be.

“Let’s just get married, shall we? As your ‘second primary wife.'”

She dropped that bombshell.

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