Ch.59Debutante (1)

## Good Morning, Beloved

It had been half a year since I became lovers with Irefi.

The knife-like cold winds had subsided like melting frost. Now gentle spring flowers accompanied by warm breezes were softly coloring the empire.

The grand mansion where I lived was no exception, as the servants’ attire had become noticeably thinner and more flowing.

In this unnecessarily large and lavish interior, there was a man stretching lazily. He was truly a pathetic fellow deserving to be called a degenerate noble.

His body and mind, grown soft from enjoying a peaceful daily life, sank deeply into the bed sheets.

I casually turned to my side, and was gifted with the strange experience of my heart fluttering.

Though I should be getting used to it by now, the blue lake before my eyes was precious and exciting no matter how many times I saw it.

“Good morning, Nepy.”

“Good morning, Irefi.”

Irefi Justitia. Those were her eyes. We had been spending our nights lying side by side in the same bed for half a year already. Yet every morning I greeted with her remained fresh and warm.

“How was it today?”

“I didn’t have any nightmares. I can’t remember the last time I slept so soundly…”

“With the Holy Memory, it seems controlling your Malice is relatively easier.”

“It’s because you help me so well, Nepy.”

She began staying at the mansion right after returning to the empire. It was an unavoidable consequence caused by Irefi’s Malice.

The presence of Malice is threatening enough to bewitch ordinary people just by being near them.

That’s why, for Miren’s safety as well, I became responsible for Irefi’s well-being from that day forward.

Though it seemed Miren was actually pleased about it…

“Mmm, Nepy.”

Rustle, rustle.

Irefi’s eyes sparkled with a smile. She curled up like a hedgehog finding a corner and burrowed against me.

Irefi’s body heat directly seeped through my skin. She would casually make such stimulating gestures without a second thought.

The task of constantly enduring and cultivating mental strength was entirely mine.

“Nepy.”

“Yes?”

“Shall we just stay like this today?”

“Like this?”

“Yes, Nepy?!”

So I decided to launch a counterattack for the first time in a while.

I stretched out my arm, wrapped it around Irefi’s slender waist, and pulled her close.

Her soft, smooth skin pressed completely against mine, and her fragrant scent tickled my nose. Additionally, the sound of her breathing beneath my chin was sensually audible.

“I like it, Irefi.”

“Uuugh… Th-that’s unfair…”

At Irefi’s reproach, I playfully pulled away with an exaggerated gesture.

“Well, if it’s too much for you, I suppose we should get up.”

Just as I was about to withdraw my arm from around Irefi’s waist.

“I don’t want that! Stay still, Nepy!”

Irefi’s arms desperately wrapped around my spine and pulled ‘hard.’

Yes, ‘the’ Irefi pulled desperately.

And Irefi’s extraordinary strength always leads to the same predictable result.

Crack-crack-crack!

“KUHEEEEEEK!!!”

“Nepy! Kyaaaah!?”

Irefi’s transparent skin became covered in bright red bodily fluid. Even her snow-white hair was dyed redder than the sunset, creating a horrific scene reminiscent of a crime scene.

“Nnggghhhh!”

“Nepy, Nepy! I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I made another mistake!”

“It hurts…! Pain block, pain block!”

Only after shutting off all pain sensations throughout my body could I finally regain my senses. I would restore my sensations after my spine was completely regenerated.

This wasn’t the first time such an incident had occurred while truly living together with Irefi. If I were a mortal, the consequences would be too horrifying to imagine.

“Truly, in both bad and good ways, no one but me could handle you.”

“Even in this situation, Nepy is being so… embarrassing…”

“That wasn’t meant to be romantic, you know? It was actually a very grim observation? Honestly, this is kind of scary?”

Irefi, who had been lost in her own ecstasy and embarrassment, had her mood reversed in an instant.

I sensed the air growing heavy and turned my neck to face her.

The appearance of a blood-covered virgin ghost sent chills down my spine. When Irefi opened her mouth, I was struck by the illusion of seeing frost.

“So you dislike it? Is it just annoying now? If I’m making you uncomfortable, let’s sit up properly and talk about it. Us. Nepy. Nepy. Nepy!”

“W-wait a minute! Huh, is this my fault? Is this really my fault?!”

Irefi’s face gradually distorted into an endless grayscale. An untimely chill ran through my newly repaired spine. I even felt as if dark, malicious energy was rippling around us.

Witnessing her unfocusing pupils, I had to desperately declare:

“I love you more than anything in the world, Irefi!”

“Fufu, I love Nepy more than anything in the world too. We’re on the same page!”

“Y-yes. That’s wonderful. Irefi… your mood swings having more extreme temperature differences than seasonal changes is your charm.”

“That’s a compliment, right?”

“I swear it is.”

I wonder if she just created a one-way passage with Rakshasa Pierce, but what does it matter? Even if Irefi shatters my spine, I love her.

…It’s truly a genuine feeling welling up from the deepest spring of my heart, not a learned emotion. Really.

“Well, we can’t just lie around all day today.”

“That’s right. It’s been a while since we’ve seen Miren. Time really flies, doesn’t it?”

“This is probably the first time since Miren turned fifteen, right?”

Additionally, we had reached twenty-seven, proudly entering our late twenties.

“That’s right. I’m relieved she still gets along well with the Chester twins. I was worried since I couldn’t look after her directly… I should send appropriate gifts to the twins too.”

“How about ceremonial swords for both?”

“Not a bad idea. Though someone turned mine into a disc.”

“…Do you even need a sword?”

“Of course I do. Compressing energy to temporarily create a sword consumes a tremendous amount of power.”

‘You created those twin blades and went on a rampage with them.’

“But I don’t want to wield a sword anymore. Of course, I won’t need one made specifically for me either.”

“Why?”

“Because I have Nepy. Instead of a ceremonial sword, I have a reliable lover who will stay by my side for life, right?”

“Irefi… you…!”

I also thought ‘but you’re still stronger,’ but kept it to myself. The sensation of sweet cream filling my chest dominated all my nerves, leaving no room for quips.

I felt like I would melt from the trust and love she showed me.

“We’ll discuss the gift specifications later. Let’s get ready now.”

“I need to change clothes first. Would you like to watch, Nepy?”

“I’ll change in the room across the hall.”

“Nepy has no passion.”

“Instead, I have a precious life.”

Irefi chuckled at my concise answer. I neatly organized my slightly tempted heart and opened the door.

“Oh right. The blood I vomited needs to be cleaned properly…?”

“…Yes. It does.”

And so we awkwardly completed our morning preparations.

◇

Within the grounds of the Chester Estate, there was a modest greenhouse built in the garden.

It was a place recently established due to the emerging need for simple tea times in the garden.

In the greenhouse where Bartlant’s sad circumstances lay dormant, Miren spoke.

“So you were late because Nepy’s blood wouldn’t wash off?”

“Yes…”

Miren apparently had no intention of hiding her opinion that this was pathetic.

During the time we hadn’t seen each other, she had grown noticeably taller. Perhaps because of that, starting a conversation felt somewhat awkward.

Irefi fidgeted with her hair shyly while directly facing Miren’s piercing golden gaze.

“Now that I think about it, maybe I shouldn’t have washed it off. Hair dyed with Nepy’s blood… isn’t that romantic?”

“Are you in your right mind, sister?”

“Sometimes I’m scared of you…”

How strange. Her Malice is clearly being well-controlled…

“Anyway, about the letter I sent last time. Are you serious?”

“I am serious, Miren. Starting with this debutante, you will become the junior marchioness of the Justitia family.”

“Haah…”

A gloomy shadow fell over Miren’s eyes. It was completely understandable that she would be bewildered by such shocking news.

‘Previously, there were no plans to pass on the family headship.’

Miren had suffered greatly with her soul trapped in the Eldchain. Irefi, taking pity on her, had intended to support Miren for her entire life.

But Irefi was a sinner. Officially nothing had happened, but she herself believed she was a sinner beyond redemption.

Therefore, Irefi gradually decided to let everything go. She made up her mind to pass on her noble title, wealth, and achievements.

She said that in the end, she only needed me to remain.

Her intention was to prepare so that even if she retreated to a remote mountain cabin, she could live as long as I was with her.

‘My honorary title is also limited to my generation anyway.’

If there was one thing that bothered me, it was that I am immortal. Could anyone not be uncomfortable with the asymmetrical power of living eternally?

I wonder how I would be viewed if the current emperor passed away, the next emperor took power, and then his descendants ascended to the throne.

I might someday leave the empire of my own accord.

And when that time comes.

No one will exist by my side.

Miren, Bartlant, the Chester twins, Charle, the Emperor, the servants, and finally… even Irefi.

Even she, strong and beautiful, will inevitably fade with time. The moment when the river of time flows into the sea and loses its source will certainly come.

I fear the disappearance of precious relationships one by one. Even while knowing it’s still a distant future, as time passes, the fear of loss takes shape and threatens me.

‘I think I understand the old man’s feelings.’

In an era where everything precious has completely vanished, he lives in the memory landscape of what was once most precious to him.

Forever, in the mental world containing the most glorious prime of his beloved relationships…

If it were me, I might have gone mad every time I recognized the disparity with reality.

Unable to die due to the immortality caused by Malice, living a life forcibly continued in a mental world. The old man is surely receiving divine punishment.

“…… This debutante… Nepy? Are you listening? Nepy!”

“You don’t look well. What’s wrong, Nepy?”

Emerging from my thoughts and looking around, I found two sisters staring at me with concern.

The cute and adorable Miren, about to have her debutante. A vast future stretches out before her as she now steps up to become a lady.

My lover Irefi, sometimes frightening but lovable and precious. There’s too much time left to build memories to fear the future.

I shook my head and apologized honestly.

“Ah, um. I’m sorry. I was just having useless thoughts for a moment.”

That’s right. It’s a meaningless assumption.

Aren’t Irefi, Miren, and everyone else still by my side?

It’s still just a distant future.

For now, at least.