Ch.303Bait (2)

I’ve uploaded Marie’s illustration! I’ll post it as the cover later, but I’m sharing it here first!! As everyone knows, it’s their first night together!

*****

The rumor that began spreading from the Kingdom of Teres, specifically about Xenon’s identity, spread like wildfire.

What’s more, it wasn’t even anonymous—a noble, and not just any noble but a count who could rightfully be called one of the country’s power players, had staked his reputation on this information.

It was a gamble that could severely damage his reputation or earn him scorn for deception. Truly a risky move.

But Count Kamar had sufficient grounds to make such a revelation. First, he had maintained neutrality during the trial and, while being cautious, never spoke ill of me.

Compared to other nobles, he had at least some goodwill toward me, plus he had an escape route. He could always pin the blame on me.

The possibility that the kingdom might be destabilized? Perhaps he secretly planned to use that instability to replace the royal authority or something similar.

Of course, this would be tantamount to a coup, so it’s just a possibility and not something I should dwell on.

Honestly, coup or not, if a country is about to be destabilized, a wise leader should prioritize addressing that issue.

Anyway, the news Count Kamar shared through the newspaper was roughly this:

[Xenon is from the Empire of Minerva.]

[Xenon is not a sage but possesses wisdom comparable to one.]

[Xenon is a man with red hair and golden eyes.]

Although these are only three clues, there aren’t many people in this world with red hair.

Moreover, mentioning the golden eyes and his origin narrows down the possibilities considerably.

However, I’m not sure where the claim about having wisdom comparable to a sage came from. Perhaps he wanted to imply that he had met me personally.

Still, it wasn’t entirely a lie, so I just needed to wait for the bait to gradually heat up.

“Hmm……”

“… …”

“Hmmmm……”

“……What?”

It had been three days since the rumors spread to the Empire of Minerva and Halo Academy.

While I’d grown accustomed to others staring at me, I couldn’t get used to Leona scrutinizing me so intensely.

Leona was scheduled to work with me as an assistant, and as such, we’d been meeting more frequently than before.

Today was no exception. I’d planned to treat her to steak, which she loves, and have a conversation, but she just kept staring at me like this.

She would take a bite of steak while looking at me, crunch on bones while looking at me, and lick the remaining sauce off her lips while looking at me.

“Red hair… golden eyes… hmm…”

“… …”

“Wisdom comparable to a sage… that seems right too…”

Why not just ask me directly? I realized what she was suspicious about and let out a hollow laugh.

She’s known publicly as a model student who only studies, but in reality, she’s quite interested in worldly affairs.

I heard she reads the same newspaper I subscribe to. Even as the third wife’s daughter, it would be strange if she had no interest in politics.

I spoke casually, unfazed by Leona’s suspicious gaze.

“What? Wondering if I’m Xenon or not?”

“Yes. The description in the newspaper fits you perfectly.”

Leona answered while munching on her steak. With her animal ears and tail fully visible, she looked truly adorable.

I smiled weakly at Leona, who resembled a pet, and rested my chin on my hand. When I did this, Leona swallowed her steak and said:

“Why are you looking at me like that? Just finish your steak.”

“You look cute when you eat so heartily.”

“… …”

As everyone knows, Leona is particularly weak to compliments about her appearance. Even now, when I called her cute, her face reddened and her perked-up ears twitched.

Her tail swished back and forth, clearly expressing her happiness.

‘Come to think of it, she was never good at hiding her emotions either.’

Leona may appear cynical on the surface, but the moment she reveals her ears and tail, she becomes very honest.

In fact, her personality might have become harsh due to the pressure of having to hide her identity.

Unlike me, Leona has to suppress her actual personality as well, which in some ways makes her situation more difficult than mine.

Fundamentally, people need to fulfill their desires or show their true selves unreservedly to maintain mental health. In Leona’s case, she’s finding release while eating steak with me.

“By the way, what would you do if I were Xenon?”

“Uh, what?”

“I asked what you would do if I were Xenon.”

“I don’t have any particular thoughts about it.”

Judging by her blank expression, she seemed sincere. Well, unlike others, Leona is connected to me because of that custom.

The issue isn’t her but her mother. I couldn’t predict what attitude her mother would take.

Even as the third wife, she wouldn’t lack political insight. I’ve never met her directly, but I remember Leona proudly saying her mother was wise.

I’m not sure how that wisdom would manifest, but there’s a high possibility she would try to separate Leona from me.

She’s already displeased about Leona becoming my wife. This isn’t something I heard directly, but information Leona shared with me.

“Doesn’t your mother disapprove of our relationship?”

“She does. But I like you.”

“In what sense?”

“Everything except your face.”

“That’s… what?”

I was about to accept it calmly when I was startled by her comment about “everything except your face.” I’m embarrassed to say this myself, but objectively speaking, my face is handsome.

Even by elven standards, who are celebrated as the epitome of beauty, I’m considered striking. Add to that my rare red hair and golden eyes.

Leona looked puzzled by my bewilderment, but then she seemed to realize something and explained:

“To be precise, by beastkin standards. By beastkin standards, you look like a female, so your face isn’t particularly popular. Above all, you don’t look like my brother or Chinoa Crochuker.”

“… …”

“But I like your red hair and eyes, so don’t worry. I’m just more accustomed to beastkin culture than human culture.”

I can understand Leona’s reaction since beauty standards differ across cultures. Still, I couldn’t help but feel dumbfounded.

“Um… Issac?”

“Y-Yes?”

“You don’t dislike me, do you?”

When I was still recovering from the shock, Leona asked in a cautious voice. That question immediately snapped me back to reality.

I’d heard the same question before. Back then, I’d answered that I didn’t dislike her; rather, it was the opposite.

But the fact that she’s asking the same question again suggests she still harbors doubts.

“Absolutely not. As I said before, what man would reject a beauty like you clinging to him?”

“Then when will we mate?”

“Uh… mate?”

“Yes.”

The word “mate” made my mind go blank. Like humans, beastkin place significant meaning on mating, or sexual relations.

It’s an act where the male gives his seed to the female and simultaneously marks her as his possession, a so-called branding.

Given the somewhat barbaric customs maintained by beastkin culture, it’s considered the most effective way to dominate a female.

In other words, Leona wants me to dominate her. This gives me a lot to think about.

“See? You’re hesitating to answer because you have no intention of dominating me.”

“Dominating a woman doesn’t mean you like her. That’s not love or similar emotion; it’s possessiveness.”

“Then what should I do to make you like me?”

“What?”

“I’m asking what I should do to make you like me, and further, to mate with me. I can do whatever you tell me to.”

Leona spoke with a serious face, without a hint of jest. She had even calmly set down the knife and fork she had been using to eat her steak.

I met her intensely serious gaze and gave a bitter smile. How could I convince her?

While I was pondering this, Leona’s ears, which had been waiting for my answer, perked up.

That reaction is a habit of Leona’s that only appears when she has a good idea. Judging by her tail standing straight up, she must have thought of something clever.

“I got it! This method should work!”

“What method?”

I’m anxious because Leona has a completely different set of common sense from what I’m familiar with.

Then, with her eyes already changed to golden, she excitedly told me:

“If you’re uncomfortable with possessing me, why not make yourself want to?”

“Huh?”

“Make yourself feel possessive towards me. What do you think? Isn’t that good?”

If I had to describe it as beastkin-like, I would. Her simple and straightforward solution left me dazed.

At the same time, I wondered: why did she choose me over other men?

Even by beastkin cultural standards, I had indirectly indicated my reluctance several times, yet she never gave up.

Even her mother thought negatively of it, which made it all the more difficult to understand.

“Does it have to be me? There are more impressive men…”

“You’re Xenon, aren’t you? Is there a better man, no, a better person than you?”

“… …”

“I knew you’d say that. Just watch. I’ll follow you to the end, even if I have to bite your balls with my mouth.”

Leona declared proudly, smiling so widely her fangs showed.

Why am I imagining a male lion with a pained expression as a lioness bites his testicles?

I let out a hollow laugh at her expression and then shook my head. One way or another, she doesn’t seem like a woman who will give up easily.

“So what actions will you take to make me feel possessive? I’m curious about this.”

“I’ll have to think about that slowly.”

“Hmm… can I ask for one thing?”

“What is it?”

It was something I wanted to see at least once. After hesitating a bit, I cautiously asked Leona:

“Can you stand up for a moment?”

*Screech*

Though she looked puzzled at my request, Leona obediently stood up. Her swishing tail betrayed her feelings.

I stared at her, with her distinctive beauty that was captivating no matter how many times I saw it, and then cleared my throat.

I felt embarrassed to say it out loud, but since Leona had made the first declaration, it should be fine, right?

After cautiously gauging the situation, I also stood up. Then, facing her directly, I voiced what I wanted:

“First, raise both hands…”

“Raising both hands.”

“And act like you’re showing your claws.”

“Like this?”

Following my instructions, Leona made a threatening gesture as if showing her claws like a beast. To top it off, I made my final request:

“And roar ‘GRAWR!’ while showing your fangs.”

“GRAWR!”

The impact of a single action should never be underestimated. She might have taken it seriously, but to my eyes, she looked like nothing more than a large cat being cute.

If she’s such an adorable and lovable “pet,” wouldn’t it be acceptable to take her in? Especially when she herself perceives herself as a possession.

I suppressed the possessiveness gradually rising within me and cleared my throat again. If I asked for more, I might end up making strange requests.

“…That’s enough. This should be sufficient.”

“Hmm… really? Do you feel possessive?”

“A little.”

“GRAAAAWR!!”

Pleased with my honest answer, Leona repeated the same action without me asking.

When I gave her a lukewarm expression, she seemed embarrassed and stuck out her tongue while scratching her head.

“Hehe. That wasn’t good, was it?”

“… …”

I wanted to pull that protruding tongue but barely restrained myself.

A few days after revealing my identity to Leona like this.

[Issac. Return to the estate as soon as you read this letter.]

I received a message from my father.

[Everyone is mistaking me for Xenon. Forget about your studies and come back quickly.]

Truly, I couldn’t help but laugh at the content.