episode_0028

“..Will Ropel like this outfit? No..no, he’ll dislike it if it’s too overtly revealing..

Whew.. This is difficult. If I’d known this, I would have tried wearing various outfits normally…

Or should I ask Ropel through a letter even now..?

Currently, Seraphina was standing in front of the mirror, trying on various clothes and agonizing over what to wear.

When she, who normally insisted on only wearing stiff school uniforms or uniforms, showed such behavior, the other servants in the mansion whispered.

This was because, not only was she comparing various outfits, but it went beyond being merely novel to seeming bizarre that she, who always showed only a cold and calm attitude, was displaying such emotional distress.

The reason she was acting so uncharacteristically was only one: she had invited Ropel Teufel to dinner.

As she had said when she suddenly visited his dormitory last time, it was to discuss marriage with him in depth.

In fact, she had thought about taking about a week more before talking, but she couldn’t wait to meet him at all, so she ended up calling him within two days.

And for good reason, just two days ago, Ropel had confessed right there.

…that he had already decided which woman he would marry.

Remembering that proposal from back then, Seraphina still felt a thrill, even pleasure.

“Hehehe… Thinking about it, I can’t believe things worked out so easily… I worry too much, that’s my problem.”

Actually, she had been very anxious about her relationship with Ropel during that time.

The incident at the academy where he had the sparring test with Mark Visis instead of her.

After that favor back then, they had spent countless hours together, but she felt like Ropel didn’t perceive her as a romantic interest.

Because of that, she also worried if he might not feel her as a woman.

Even to the extent of resenting her own tall physique for a woman, which she once considered a source of pride.

“Anyway, I really worried for nothing. Ropel… you weren’t a man who would choose someone based on looks…”

But now, she could shake off that anxiety nicely.

Now, all she had to think about was Ropel, the one man she would dedicate her life to and love, and her marriage with him.

Marriage with Ropel..!

She could hold his hand whenever she wanted.

She could look him in the face and press their lips together to share warmth.

She could start her day with his morning greeting.

She could have meals with him and talk every day.

And when night falls… leaping into his broad embrace, inhaling his scent, and exploring his body to her heart’s content…!

Just imagining it made her sigh roughly and sweetly, and her heart pound.

“..Ropel, if it’s you.. I’m sure you won’t insist on premarital purity… Hehehe..♡”

She had deliberately invited him to dinner late at night.

What’s more, she had prepared plenty of food like high-alcohol drinks and chocolates.

The food prepared for the banquet was also subtly selected as dishes good for virility.

If possible, she decided to have him stay the night here today.

And while they were at it, finish their slightly early first experience too.

She resolved slyly.

. . .

“How is it? It’s an outfit I haven’t worn since the social party in second year.

It’s still okay to wear, right?”

I asked, wearing a well-tailored outfit.

It was an outfit made of bluish-black fabric overall, with a design that wasn’t excessive.

Also, it was an outfit I fortunately received as a gift just when I had nothing to wear to the social party back in second year.

In a way, it could be said to be the most expensive outfit I owned.

“Of course! You look absolutely great right now!”

Lilith, one of the main heroines from the original story and in the childhood friend position, who is now my lover, replied brightly.

“That’s a relief. I don’t usually wear clothes like this, so I was worried I might look strange.”

“With any outfit, the one wearing it is what matters.

If it’s you, Ropel, you’d look decent even wearing rags?”

She linked her arm with mine and replied with a sweet smile.

Right now, Lilith and I are going to Seraphina Serion’s villa, or more precisely, the Serion family’s villa.

…Is it because both Lilith and Isabella have the title of Duke-class, perhaps?

As I thought last time too, the fact that several Ducal families naturally have separate villas or mansions on expensive land around the academy was surprising again.

Speaking of which, Elegio also had a separate laboratory building.

Indeed, it feels real that the world they live in is dimensionally different from mine, as a noble family from the periphery who could barely get into the dormitory.

Anyway, after the sudden visit to the dormitory last time, Seraphina invited me again through a letter.

She did say she wanted to meet soon, but I was a little surprised that she contacted me already, less than a week later.

This time, she invited me to discuss marriage together at a dinner banquet.

The letter repeatedly emphasized meeting just the two of us, but given the conversation with Lilith last time, I decided to go with her for now.

Even if Seraphina says she’s helping the relationship between Lilith and me, and helping my marriage, she is still a woman.

If I were to talk with her alone, it would be uncomfortable from my girlfriend Lilith’s perspective.

And as a boyfriend, it wouldn’t be right for me to meet a woman who isn’t my girlfriend.

In the first place, marriage is an affair between Lilith and me, and if it’s Seraphina, who always showed me a benevolent side, this much should be fine.

“But we’re going to Seraphina’s mansion right now, is it okay to wear that?”

“Why? Since we’re going together anyway, isn’t it good to dress up nicely?”

“Well… that’s true, but..”

No, it’s not that dressing up is the problem.

Whatever clothes she wears is her freedom, and I have no reason to interfere.

Because if you can show a good appearance to the other person by dressing up nicely, that’s a good thing.

But her outfit right now is, how should I say it…

It was an outfit close to a dress that was quite luxurious yet very revealing, unlike her.

For her, who seemed to dislike appearing aristocratic, normally wore modest clothing, and wore the most proper attire possible even in official settings, to be wearing such clothes.

Ah, of course, I don’t mean it doesn’t suit her; rather, it suits her so well that I realized she had this kind of charm too.

But how should I explain this… Should I say I feel some kind of implicit provocation?

To boot, I also felt a subtle pressure or intimidation.

Anyway, as we moved along, exchanging light chatter and jokes with Lilith, we eventually reached the main gate of the Serion family’s villa.

The Serion family’s crest, engraved with the face of a valiant lion embedded largely on the gate, was impressive.

Soon, with the help of the servants and guards, the main gate opened, and inside, Seraphina Serion, dressed in a highly luxurious dress, was waiting for me.

That dress shone pure white and, while appearing modest with no exposure, fit snugly to her body, fully revealing her well-trained, healthy figure.

In my previous life, there was a separate term for this kind of outfit… Right! It was an outfit similar to a Dongtan Dress.

“Ah..! My dear, I was waiting for you..!”

“Yes, thank you. By the way, sorry, I might be a little late than the scheduled time because I was getting ready.. Oh?”

“Ah… I truly.. truly.. wanted to see you..!”

*Hug*!

Before my words could finish, Seraphina pulled me into her broad embrace in one go.

It was possible because she was tall for a woman, her height not much different from mine.

Feeling the pressure of her large breasts, I felt a little embarrassed.

Well, this was probably one of her usual expressions of friendship.

Because after becoming close with her, it was quite common for her to hug me like this a few times.

Therefore, although I was slightly flustered, I calmly patted her back and accepted the hug.

However, Lilith Tistina, who was right beside me, did not have a good expression.

Lilith narrowed her eyes and glared at Seraphina, who was hugging me.

“Ahem! Perhaps you could slowly let go now?”

She dropped a hint with an uncomfortable voice.

“…Ah?… What is this? I don’t recall calling for you. Your name was surely.. Lilith Tistina, wasn’t it?

Forgive me, but if you don’t have pressing business, would you kindly leave immediately? Today, Ropel and I have important matters to discuss deeply for what is to come.”

Seraphina said sarcastically as if she truly didn’t know.

And then she replied in a cold voice, as if Lilith’s very presence was uncomfortable.

Oh.. this is unexpected.

To think she would show this kind of reaction.

“Sorry, Seraphina, I called for her.

You said you wanted to talk just the two of us… but it seems Lilith is absolutely necessary for this meeting.”

“What..? You… why…?”

Seraphina’s eyes widened, and she asked back with surprise.

“Shall we talk about the details inside? Surely the Serion family isn’t planning to make guests wait outside, are they?”

Lilith said, the hint of discomfort still clearly evident in her voice.

At this, Seraphina made a slightly displeased face, but soon led Lilith and me to the dining area.

And upon confirming the table, I couldn’t close my mouth.

I had been treated by young ladies from other noble families several times, but there were few banquets this luxurious.

Even though Seraphina assumed she would meet me alone, to have this many dishes, and such luxurious ones…

I didn’t think she would care this much just to talk about my marriage.

“Now Ropel, Ah~”

“Ah.. ah..~”

Seeing such luxurious dishes, Lilith started feeding me one by one.

At first, I refused too, but for some reason, she insisted as if she absolutely had to.

Maybe if it were normal times, but with someone else present. What’s more, doing this just the two of us in front of the person who invited us, isn’t it a bit against etiquette?

Indeed, Seraphina seemed quite uncomfortable with the sight of Lilith and me like that.

The grinding sound of her clenching her teeth was so loud it could be heard all the way over here.

“Doesn’t it taste better when I feed you? Huh? Ropel? Isn’t that right?”

Lilith rested her head on my shoulder and said this while softly stroking my chest with her hand.

In addition, I was surprised to feel the touch of her lukewarm yet moist tongue on my neck several times.

Is it just my imagination?

She feels particularly clingy to me today.

No, well, she was the type to stick to me like glue normally too, if possible.

Her hand, which would stroke my thigh whenever she had a chance, would soon move lewdly towards my groin area quite often.

But that was always only when we were alone; she never did this outside, especially when a third party was present.

Why is she doing this..? It’s like she’s trying to show off..

*Bang*!

“…Now, will you explain? Why is a person named Lilith Tistina here, at this moment, at this place?”

Seraphina said, slamming the teacup in her hand down hard.

“Ah..! Th.. that..!”

Shrinking back from the aura she was emitting, I stuttered without realizing it.

Interrupting my words like that, Lilith soon answered instead.

“Of course,”

She leisurely took a sip from the teacup holding black tea, then paused and said.

“Because I am Ropel Teufel’s lover, and the person who will become his wife.”