Ch.305Bait (4)

I had never gotten used to the world going into an uproar over just one of my letters.

It was burdensome, and the reactions were far greater than what I thought I was worth.

I kept telling myself I needed to get used to it, but the weight on my shoulders was still heavy. Except in certain situations, I didn’t have much courage.

Moreover, I was like the eye of a storm—while chaos swirled around me, I was busy living a peaceful daily life.

Reading newspapers to check for interesting reactions or wondering if another “why is this happening” controversy had erupted. Even when controversies did break out, I only felt bewilderment.

But this time was different. I had to step out of the eye of the storm and walk straight into it.

The value of “Xenon” that I had cultivated through my writing. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it had reached the realm of divinity, beyond that of an ordinary great writer.

With a bit of exaggeration, one word from me could potentially flip an entire country upside down.

Helium during Sacran’s sacrifice and demonization.

Alfheim during the corruption of the World Tree and the half-blood issue.

Finally, Papal Kingdom of Sabre with the fallen Cardinal.

All these achievements were accomplished through the Biography of Xenon, so it’s not difficult for my words to move nations.

Simply saying that a certain country did something wrong? People would charge forward without considering the circumstances. The Kingdom of Teres might suffer the same fate.

Walking directly into such a storm was frightening in many ways, but ironically, my heart felt like I was just going for a stroll.

I should normally be tense, but instead I felt completely calm. Perhaps because I had already revealed my identity in the Kingdom of Teres.

It was a truth that needed to be revealed eventually, and hiding it any longer might cause people to develop absurd misconceptions.

The stakes were already piling up, and if it became known that it was all a bubble, the backlash would be severe.

Above all, after what happened in the Kingdom of Teres, it was only a matter of time before my identity was exposed.

Count Kamar had probed by revealing it in the newspaper, but it was already half true, and my father was in a very awkward position.

To resolve this, I sent a letter. For reference, I sent it through Gartz Balack, not Cyris Lunatic.

Cyris was a messenger connecting Arwen Elidia and me, not a real errand boy.

Especially with Gartz, I could be more at ease since he would gladly fulfill any request I made.

[Xenon, who hid his appearance even in the whirlwind. Is he really revealing his identity?]

[A great man who changed the course of the era in less than two years. His identity in Mayshall territory…]

[Leaders from around the world begin to gather at Mayshall territory.]

In this chaotic world, the most notable news was that leaders from various countries were gathering.

Officially announced attendees included Helium, Alfheim, Dutchy of Bellua, and several smaller countries.

The Empire of Minerva, Kingdom of Teres, and leaders from Kingdom of Makina and Kingdom of Animus sent representatives instead of attending themselves.

However, this couldn’t be criticized because sending a representative meant revealing who would be the next ruler.

It was a situation that couldn’t be ignored, but as always, certain news appeared at times like this.

[Why is Xenon, who has been quiet until now, revealing his identity?]

[A joint operation between the Empire of Minerva and the Kingdom of Teres?]

[Perhaps it could be a plan by demon worshippers…]

The so-called “conspiracy theories.” From a third-party perspective, the current situation was more than enough to create conspiracy theories.

It wasn’t something taken out of context but seemed to have fallen from the sky, so it was impossible not to be suspicious.

This was also why some country leaders sent representatives instead of attending themselves.

No matter how safe the territory was, if a demon worshipper pretended to be crazy and committed a large-scale terrorist attack, the world would fall into chaos.

Of course, with not only the Church of Luminus but also the Church of Mora present, the probability was close to zero, but “what if” still existed in the world.

As incomparably more important figures than those at the exhibition gathered in the developing territory, fear began to creep in.

[Papal Kingdom of Sabre. “Evil,” not darkness, will never be allowed in.]

[Cardinal Kate Louise Angelica and numerous clergy begin to gather at Mayshall territory…]

[Not only the Church of Luminus but also the Church of Mora joins. We know dark places better…]

And not long after, news that completely dispelled such conspiracy theories reached my ears.

The Church of Luminus and the Church of Mora would join forces to prevent any incidents.

Unlike the other two churches, the Church of Hirt had no hierarchy and wasn’t formalized, so there was no news, but the general consensus was that they wouldn’t remain idle.

Thus, my coming out alone had created a large-scale event worthy of being recorded in history books. But strangely, I didn’t feel burdened.

Rather, I felt relieved at the thought of being able to clear up the knot in my heart. The only thing that made me nervous was how to reveal it.

This was also true when I returned to the mansion. While outside was busy welcoming various dignitaries, the mansion was quiet…

“How about this outfit? Wouldn’t this be good?”

“Wouldn’t a simple white t-shirt and dress pants be enough?”

“What are you saying! How many people will be seeing you from now on!”

…or not, as they were very busy choosing my clothes. I smiled bitterly at the women who were enthusiastically selecting my outfits, including my mother.

Not only Marie Housen Reckyless and Adelia Cross, but even Cecilly Drat Isillia Vin, who had rushed to the mansion after hearing the news, was choosing clothes.

I wanted to dress modestly, but they strongly opposed, saying it would be disrespectful to wear such clothes at a gathering of national leaders.

I had originally planned to dress simply, but mother said that would give a bad impression.

Wearing modest attire to an official event could be seen as disrespectful.

Until now, I had met people as equals, but every small detail carried meaning in these situations.

“If I had known this would happen, you should have told us earlier! And you should have given us at least a month. Do you have any thoughts at all?”

Mother scolded me while selecting my clothes. Not just mother, but the other women, even Adelia Cross, nodded in agreement.

I scratched my head in embarrassment at their reactions. I had sent the letter thinking a week would be enough, but it was clearly insufficient.

The reason I chose the theater as the venue was because I planned to simply reveal my identity and say what I wanted to say, rather than giving a speech.

“Have you made plans for afterward? It’s going to get much more complicated than it is now.”

Marie Housen Reckyless, who was fitting my clothes like the other women, asked about my future plans. I nodded at her question.

If I reveal my identity and it’s proven true, things will get much busier than they are now.

Having knights assigned by the state to protect me would be basic, and demon worshippers might pose threats.

Even political attacks would come without hesitation. I’ve taken all this into account.

“Yes. First…”

I trailed off and looked at Marie, who was busy fitting my clothes in front of me.

She was so focused on her work that she didn’t even realize I was staring at her.

“I should set a date for our wedding, right?”

“…Huh?”

Was my statement quite shocking? Marie stopped what she was doing and opened her eyes wide.

Her big blue eyes, widened in surprise, were so cute that I wanted to hug her tightly.

I smiled weakly at the surprised Marie and then looked elsewhere.

Mother was busy selecting clothes regardless of what I said, and so was Adelia. But there was one exception: Cecilly.

She abruptly stopped what she was doing when I mentioned the wedding, which was expected but not something she could easily ignore.

“Wasn’t it scheduled for after academy graduation?”

Mother asked casually while neatly arranging clothes. I answered while Marie was still trying to regain her composure.

“That was the original plan, but I think it will be difficult. Someone like Princess Hyria Ducard von Curtures might try to interfere, and Marie could be in danger. It would be much better to get married quickly and live together.”

“Hmm. I see. That would certainly be better. But rather than doing it right away, it would be better to wait until the situation has calmed down somewhat. Things will be complicated for about half a year, so it might be better to do it a year from now.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

While answering, I didn’t forget to glance at Cecilly. She had stopped abruptly earlier but was now back to selecting my clothes.

Although she was pretending to be calm, her mind must be complicated. Cecilly’s desire for me has been as strong as Marie’s all along.

She has repeatedly provoked by saying she would bear children first, and even made a bombshell statement last time.

For someone like Cecilly, hearing that I would marry Marie first must be bitter. Even though she knows it’s normal, it’s natural for her to feel disappointed as a human being.

In a polygamous system, having multiple wedding ceremonies is fine. Rather, skipping the wedding ceremony and treating it like a contract would not build trust.

In other words, a wedding ceremony is essentially like stamping a contract. Even in a political marriage, a wedding ceremony must be held.

“Are you okay with this, Marie?”

“Uh, yes? O-Of course I am! Hehe. Wedding. Wedding.”

Marie’s face lit up when I made the definitive statement. If I were to suggest having children too, her face would probably melt completely.

I patted her head once and looked at Cecilly. Then I spoke to her, who seemed somewhat depressed.

“What about you, Noona?”

“Huh? What?”

“When would you like to have the wedding ceremony?”

So I set a wedding date to cheer her up.

When I said that, Cecilly blinked her eyes and then answered with an expression full of happiness.

“Right now! Aren’t we choosing clothes for the wedding day?”

“Hey! You’re doing it again!”

“Hehe.”

The mischief doesn’t stop here. I smiled contentedly as I watched the two of them start bickering again.

Arguing about who will have children first, saying that weddings and children are separate matters—seeing them like this puts my mind at ease.

I wonder how lovely their children will be. It seems I’ve fully accepted it now.

“By the way, Issac.”

“Yes?”

“Are there any other daughters-in-law who need to have wedding ceremonies besides the ones here?”

“Why do you ask?”

“If there are more, it might be better to drop out of the academy. You’d be getting married about once every six months, would you have time to study?”

“…”

I was at a loss for words. At minimum, there were already two, and if more were added, time would disappear as mother said.

“Sigh. Did you act without thinking again? Adelia.”

“Yes, Lady Baroness.”

“From now on, you schedule Issac’s activities on a yearly basis. Otherwise, this kind of thing will happen again.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“By the way, don’t you want to have a wedding ceremony? You can have one even as a concubine.”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll decline. What I have now is enough.”

After a busy day of preparations…

“I wonder what I should say first?”

“Just do whatever makes you comfortable.”

The day of reckoning had arrived.