Chapter 217

Chapter 217

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 217: Honeymoon (1)

Before I realized it, the second semester of my second year had ended, and graduation was approaching.

“You’re the only undergraduate who published as the first author in for your thesis.”

Welton remarked while placing the carpaccio on the grill. The meat sizzled as its juices began to flow, prompting Matus to cry out in alarm.

“You idiots!”

“What’s wrong?”

“I can’t believe I didn’t notice sooner! Why are you grilling carpaccio?! It’s supposed to be eaten raw!”

Welton clicked his tongue dismissively.

“How primitive. Meat is meant to be grilled.”

“Exactly.”

“You’re both insane!”

We were dining at a meat restaurant, just the three of us – myself, Welton, and Matus. I had merely mentioned completing my thesis, but they had misinterpreted it as my submission to the conference, which had sent them into a frenzy of excitement.

To calm them down, I reluctantly reached for my wallet (or, rather, my corporate card). My poor research funds…

“So, gentlemen, what do you think of this traditional Eastern meat restaurant?”

“I’ll serve you as my master for life…”

Welton clapped like an enthusiastic seal while Matus watched with obvious disgust.

Feeling the effects of the alcohol, I ordered another round of drinks. Tonight was just of the guys, after all.

As our conversation deepened, that inevitable topic surfaced.

“So, when are you going to do it?”

“Do what?”

“Sex.”

Welton made an elaborate hand gesture while Matus choked on his drink, spitting it out. When I remained silent, Welton gave me a pitying look.

“You mean to tell me this virgin hasn’t made a move yet, with two girls around him?”

“Been busy with research.”

“Impotent.”

“I am not.”

I’m a man, after all. Of course, I respond to stimulation, and naturally, I’d welcome an intimate night. The issue was that cursed Virgo constellation. Unlike with Zelnya, I couldn’t progress further with Rustila.

“Since I’ve entered a polygamous marriage, I need to treat them equally.”

“Ah, so you’re waiting until you can fire both barrels of the shotgun?”

Matus sprayed his drink again. It took me a moment to grasp Welton’s meaning. I shook my head, rubbing my forehead. No, that wasn’t quite it. Similar, but not exactly.

“It’s not like that.”

“Come on, you’ve got the stamina for it. You’ve been working out more lately. What’s holding you back?”

Just then, Matus tapped the table as if struck by revelation.

“Honeymoon.”

“Oh! A honeymoon? Well, well… Turns out you’re quite the romantic.”

The two of them began chattering, creating their own interpretations. They theorized about how premarital purity was essential for a noble family’s head and how I must be waiting for the women to make the first move.

“So, when are you planning to have kids?”

“Kids? I haven’t given it much thought, to be honest.”

Perhaps it was because I came from a country with an extraordinarily low birth rate, but even after marriage, the idea of having children rarely crossed my mind.

Of course, being a Reinhardt meant continuing the family lineage was expected. But having never experienced life in the upper class, I was uncertain about the timing or number of children that would be appropriate.

How many children did these silver-spoon families typically have anyway?

“I’ll figure it out eventually.”

There was no point dwelling on it here. These were matters I could discuss properly with my wives later and work out a suitable timeline. If necessary, I could always seek my parents’ guidance.

Besides, shouldn’t I focus on getting married first?

While Aidel was chatting with his friends, Rustila was wrestling with the exact same dilemma.

What should I do?

The wedding is only four days away.

After the ceremony would come the honeymoon – a week of passionate nights. However, the issue was Zelnya’s presence. She would undoubtedly try to get close to Aidel, leaving Rustila feeling left out.

She needed a solution – a way to maintain purity while sharing intimacy and even having children…

“And that’s the situation…”

Rustila concluded, her cheeks flushed crimson as she confided in Merlin. If anyone could offer an unexpected solution, she thought it would be someone with Merlin’s extensive knowledge of biology.

“That’s easy.”

“Easy?”

“You’re overthinking it.”

Merlin leaned in and whispered her suggestion into Rustila’s ear.

“How about this?”

“Oh! Oh my!”

Her mind exploded like fireworks with the possibilities. As expected of a genius, she thought.

After expressing her gratitude, Rustila departed with steps that managed to be both modest and excited – truly befitting a pure maiden. Merlin watched her go, sighing as she scratched her head.

How can someone be so innocent?

In truth, the solution she’d suggested was something anyone with even a hint of worldly knowledge would have considered.

“No wonder the ‘Virgin Maiden’ wasn’t bestowed upon just anyone.”

The promised day finally arrived.

I spent two exhausting hours on makeup alone, leaving me drained before the ceremony even began.

“Have you considered taking more wives?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Really? With looks like yours, you could easily have four or five.”

Their casual chatter made me uncomfortable. As head of the Reinhardt family, even casual remarks could become media fodder.

After the lengthy ceremony came the immediate task of entertaining guests. My position required me to acknowledge countless people, many of whom I barely recognized – apparently connections from my father’s era.

Friends from the academy attended, and we exchanged brief greetings.

And then there were the professors. So many professors.

The physics and astronomy departments were especially well-represented all familiar faces.

“I can’t believe Aidel is getting married.”

“I feel like I’m sending off my own child… I’m getting emotional…”

Professor Kallis Stranov dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief while Professor Feynman gave my shoulder a gentle pat. Why do these people seem more like my parents?

“Are you Mr. Reinhardt?”

“Ah, Professor Feynman. You’ll be my son’s advisor…”

My father and the professor exchanged handshakes.

“Having a son study under an Arkia Prize winner is a lifelong honor for our family.”

The Arkia Prize, as I’ve mentioned before, carries even more prestige in this world than the Nobel Prize. Awarded annually in autumn by standard time, this year’s recipients were Professors Feynman and Stranov.

“Oh ho ho. What honor? Such awards mean little.”

Professor Feynman waved his hand dismissively.

“The true honor belongs to the father who raised such a remarkable student.”

This exemplified why I respected Professor Feynman so deeply. He remained humble about accolades and maintained his composure even when facing someone as influential as the former head of the Reinhardt family.

For people like the professor and myself, the pursuit of science was reward enough.

“And this must be the mother?”

“Yes.”

Rejane, who stood nearby, responded with a gentle smile.

“Please take good care of our son.”

Her words touched me deeply. Though I’d heard Rejane call me “son” several times over the past two months, this was the first time she’d declared it publicly. She seemed to have fully embraced her role as my mother, which filled me with joy.

The meeting between the professor and my parents concluded naturally.

Distinguished guests, please take your seats inside the ceremony hall.

It was time for us to move to the designated waiting room.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all guests who have taken time from their busy schedules to attend the sacred wedding ceremony of Groom Aidel von Reinhardt and Brides Zelnya von Reinhardt and Rustila von Reinhardt.

The announcer’s voice carried through the hall.

The moment was drawing near.

I glanced at the two women holding my arms. In their pure white wedding dresses, they looked like elegant swans.

I could feel slight tremors from both hands holding mine.

“Nervous?”

“Oh, not at all.”

“I’m, I’m not nervous at all.”

Adorable. Both are so cute and lovable.

“Having three people instead of two at a wedding… Aidel, you’re really something.”

“Who do you think agreed to this just to be with you?”

Even on our wedding day, the two women couldn’t resist their playful bickering. Though I felt a twinge of guilt, I was mostly grateful. I made a silent vow to myself: I wouldn’t bring any more women into our relationship. Having these two was already an overwhelming honor.

Will the groom and brides please enter!

At the host’s announcement, the ceremony hall doors swung open.

Everything moved in a blur: walking down the red carpet amid applause, exchanging vows, presenting wedding rings, Professor Feynman reading the marriage declaration, listening to our parents’ congratulatory speeches, the celebratory song, and the toast.

Finally came the moment everyone was waiting for.

“Kiss! Kiss!”

The traditional finale.

I met the eyes of my two wives standing before me.

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ shows interest in your and your wives’ feelings.

The question of who to kiss first wasn’t really important. What mattered was that I loved them both equally. Without hesitation, both women simultaneously pressed their lips against mine.

A sweet floral scent filled my senses.

So it was possible to kiss two people at once.

[This concludes the wedding ceremony. Please proceed to the reception venue after the photo session. Events, including the garter toss and meal service, await, and we hope all guests will join in the celebrations.]

Our prolonged kiss finally ended. The girls had transformed into women before my eyes. Their half-lidded gazes were enchanting.

“Honey.”

“Darling.”

At last, we were bound as husband and wives.

To think I’d end up married before earning my doctorate.