Ch.97Epilogue – The Wolf I Thought I Could Devour (2)

After my conversation with a red-faced Narin ended, I waited for Rahilt at the Academy’s back gate a short while later.

The main entrance had too much foot traffic and drew attention. Now that my engagement with Rahilt was official, rumors about us were constantly on people’s lips. Not only that, but wherever we went, all eyes were on us, making me feel like a caged animal.

That’s why our journey home always began from the back gate.

Of course, the back gate didn’t completely shield us from people’s attention, but at least it wasn’t so obvious that we felt self-conscious.

“Ah…!”

I couldn’t help but exclaim.

The colors of the man wearing a monocle that emphasized his intellectual charm were simply breathtaking.

If I had to describe them: a cool blue and rich gold.

His eyes were like the most beautiful sea spray gathered into perfect spheres.

His hair was like a golden wheat field swaying in the sunset glow.

This lovely man, who was about to become completely mine, walked toward me.

“Lian!”

“Have you been waiting long, Serin?”

“Not at all. I haven’t been waiting at all!”

“That’s a relief, then.”

Rahilt extended his hand naturally with a bright smile. I gladly took it, closing the distance between us.

Though I was merely holding a hand slightly larger and thicker than my own, that small hand seemed to contain the entire world.

The warm temperature transmitted through his soft skin. A gaze as warm as that heat. And the wind blowing from the sunset sky, brushing through Rahilt’s golden hair.

I could confidently say there was no greater happiness than this—Rahilt’s thick hand held a happiness that was difficult to describe in words.

“Did anything special happen today?”

“It was an ordinary day, like any other. If I had to mention one thing, it would be about Eshtiel.”

“Tiel again?”

“It’s not something to be taken lightly.”

“What happened?”

“Something definitely happened.”

Only then did I notice Rahilt’s troubled expression and gently pressed him.

“Did Tiel cause trouble?”

“Trouble would be one way to put it…”

“Why? What did she do?”

Rahilt seemed to have difficulty opening up.

What could his adorable sister-in-law have done to make Rahilt so anxious?

By this point, I was getting curious.

Rahilt finally spoke after we had walked in parallel for at least ten more steps.

“It seems… Eshtiel has shown remarkable talent for gambling.”

“G-gambling…? You mean, actual gambling…?”

“It’s difficult to say out loud… but yes, that’s right.”

“Oh my.”

How old is she to be gambling?

Even in my previous world, youth gambling was such a problem. I guess people are the same everywhere!

Rahilt continued:

“It started when I entered the elementary class a bit early. The children were placing thin books on playing cards and flipping them.”

“…Huh?”

“They would slap the book to make the cards bounce, and if about four cards showed the same face, they would win.”

“Wait, this is…”

It was ddakji.

A folk gambling game played by elementary and middle school students with minimal economic means in modern times. I never expected to encounter a description of ddakji in this world, which was quite bewildering.

“I think they usually hide it when professors are about to enter. But they were caught by me when I came in a bit early.”

“Wasn’t there a lookout?”

“They’re not quite that cunning yet. Anyway, that’s not the important part…”

“What is?”

“The problem is that Eshtiel was holding a rather heavy coin purse and cheering in victory.”

“How cute…!”

“It’s not cute at all…!”

“Ahem!”

After momentarily letting out an exclamation at the scene I’d imagined, I quickly composed myself after noticing Rahilt’s expression.

Rahilt looked truly distressed.

“Eshtiel… if she needed more allowance, she could have just asked… I would have given it to her… though I should limit her candy…”

‘Even in this situation, he’s still restricting her candy…’

Even this made the siblings doubly adorable.

“The Academy may not discriminate based on social status, but how could a count’s daughter be gambling with playing cards? I… I… simply cannot understand Eshtiel’s psychology.”

“Well, that’s…”

It’s probably because you’re the embodiment of a righteous scholar.

Rahilt likely couldn’t understand people who gamble at all. He probably couldn’t comprehend how games of pure chance with money at stake could be enjoyable.

Besides, I couldn’t exactly comfort Rahilt wholeheartedly since I had played ddakji myself in my previous world.

“I think… Tiel wasn’t gambling for money.”

“Was there another motive?”

“Pure fun. The satisfaction of making all the cards show the same face through her hand movements! The money just amplifies that satisfaction.”

“You… seem to understand their psychology very well. I hope this doesn’t mean that you also…”

“Hey now!”

This is why I dislike perceptive people.

I tried to soothe Rahilt with the heart of an alchemist attempting plausibility.

“It’s just a guess. Come on, Lian must have played some addictive games too, right?”

“I’ve never tried such games.”

“…Did you just study at home all the time?”

“Most of my schedule was filled with Rodrick’s private tutoring.”

“…”

I suppose that makes sense. That’s how he became an Academy professor at such a young age.

I also lived intensely with the sole ambition of becoming Emperor, but Rahilt’s life difficulty was set to extreme hard mode.

Can’t be helped. I’ll have to help him now.

“Listen, Lian.”

“Yes?”

“Despite appearances, I’m quite human. I believe people need something they can immerse themselves in and enjoy.”

“Even if it’s ddakji?”

“Did you just say the word?”

“…”

This time, Rahilt pitifully closed his mouth. Every single one of his actions was adorably cute.

“So, let’s find something together.”

“Something we can enjoy?”

“Of course! Let’s find something both of us can enjoy!”

Rahilt’s gently curved eyes widened slightly.

My confident declaration must have struck a chord in Rahilt’s heart.

As if to prove my momentary speculation wasn’t arrogance, Rahilt smiled broadly.

“That… sounds quite exciting.”

How bewitching. It was a devilishly charming smile that made me want to pounce on him immediately.

I had to deliberately make a fuss to shake off that impulse.

“Right? Isn’t it exciting? Just wait. I’ll find something so fun that you’ll have dark circles under your eyes.”

“That wouldn’t be desirable no matter what.”

“We’ll see. I wonder how you’ll react when I scold you for being undesirable later.”

“We shall see.”

It was a brief answer infused with clear determination that he would maintain his standards regardless of what activity I introduced.

This was subtly provoking my competitive spirit.

“Tomorrow begins the Academy’s long holiday, right?”

“We have four days off for the Academy’s founding day.”

“Great. Perfect timing. Let’s spend a whole day together then. I’ll definitely find the perfect enjoyment for you.”

“I’m honored, Serin.”

Rahilt really can’t lie.

Even if dirt got in his eyes, he couldn’t say he was looking forward to it. Rahilt truly wasn’t betting on finding addictive fun.

And he didn’t know that this only provoked my stubbornness more.

‘He’s lived that way all his life… what can I do? I should be grateful just to have secured four consecutive date promises.’

For now, it was time to part ways.

Two carriages came into view, crossing paths.

One was headed for the Imperial Palace, and the other for Count Elenot’s Estate.

As we exchanged farewells and parted, Rahilt casually added:

“I’ll see you again soon.”

At the time, I thought he was referring to our holiday date.

True to his word, our next meeting happened much sooner than expected.

◇

“Mother.”

After returning to the Imperial Palace during dinner, I suddenly turned my gaze toward my mother. I noticed her appearance had clearly changed from before.

“Your belly has grown quite a bit.”

“Seriniel, you think so too, right?”

“It shows.”

Considerable time had passed since my mother had conceived. During that time, her once slim belly had visibly swelled with the seed of life.

Father was awkwardly shy beside Mother.

Both of them are quite remarkable at their age.

Especially Mother, who unlike me doesn’t have a strong physique and is just an ordinary woman…

Right at that moment, both Father and Mother suddenly stared at me as if they’d stopped breathing.

“Don’t tell me, Seriniel…?”

“Seriniel… I know you don’t usually look with such a sentimental gaze.”

“What are you both talking about?”

I asked out of genuine curiosity. In place of my pregnant mother, Father lowered his voice gravely.

“That time… was ‘that excuse’ actually real?”

“What excuse?”

“Well… you know, when the Grand Duke came to discuss territory matters…”

“Ah~ You mean when Lian took my virginity?”

“PFFT!!!”

The most dramatic reaction to my casual response came not from Father or Mother, but from Tesser.

“S-Sister… I hadn’t heard about this…!”

“Oh dear.”

Perhaps the stimulation was too strong for Tesser, who was in the midst of puberty.

Your face has turned into an apple, my dear brother.

“I’ll leave the details for Father to explain… hmm.”

Come to think of it, Father and Mother are being too much.

Can’t I show some interest when Mother’s belly is growing? What an impolite reaction!

‘Or is this karma for my past neglect of family…?’

Suddenly at a loss for words, I quietly put down my utensils.

“…… I’ve lost my appetite. Please excuse me. Father, Mother.”

“Lost your appetite…? Seriniel, could that be morning sickness…!”

“Shut your mouth, dear!”

Father jumped to an absurd misunderstanding while Mother feared his words might leak out.

In the midst of this confusing dinner, only Tesser’s mumbling faintly reached my ears.

“Sister… how could you…”

No. That’s not it, you little brat.

… Everyone was being too dramatic.

◇

By the time darkness had completely enveloped the sky, I was leaning against the terrace railing.

The Imperial Palace at night is surprisingly beautiful.

The Mansion of the Sorcerer had developed LED-grade lamps ages ago, yet many spaces in the palace still stubbornly used oil lamps. This classic obstinacy brought a contradictory coziness to the splendid palace.

Looking down at such scenery while enjoying the night breeze had long become my daily routine.

As I was taking in the cool air deeply.

“Are you out here?”

“Gasp…!”

Rahilt’s melodious voice shook my brain waves chaotically.

“L-Lian…? Are you crazy? If I had recognized you even 0.1 seconds later, I might have collapsed…!?”

“That’s truly frightening. I’ll be more careful in the future.”

“Never mind being careful, how did you get here…? The Imperial Palace security is quite substantial.”

“I came because I missed you.”

“Don’t try to smooth things over with such sweet talk. How did you get here…? The security level of the Imperial Palace is quite high.”

“If I want to do something, there are always ways. You know that, don’t you?”

Rahilt said this while conjuring a fog.

The billowing fog settled to the ground, spreading out like a cloud. Only then did I realize how Rahilt had arrived here.

“You’re truly amazing.”

“I’m glad you think so.”

Somehow, this wasn’t like Rahilt—it lacked context.

I tilted my head in confusion.

After the cool night breeze caressed us for a while.

He extended his hand first.

“How about a walk under the night sky?”