episode_0058

There was a time when I thought like that.

I opened my eyes again from a long, long recollection.

The memory of sweet love gradually fades to the other side of the mind, and the reality I had ignored arrives.

What I see is not the face of the one I love

Yes.

This is my reality now.

It is a miserable reality, where I was robbed instead of winning love in the end, and am left grieving alone.

Just as I was about to fall into sadness again, a piece of the memory I saw earlier came to mind.

…Artifact.

That object directly bestowed by Principal Lium Kitokal as the championship prize for the sparring test.

‘Mujin Argiro’

The effect of this artifact, which is in the form of a necklace, is an oath.

It is truly a knightly artifact, whose effect only works when worn by one’s own will and used by one’s own will.

It is said that a hero from history kept the content of the oath made on this necklace until their death.

When I first checked the effect of that artifact, I didn’t pay much attention to it, although it was a great object.

After all, the effect of that artifact was something that neither I nor Ropel immediately needed.

It wasn’t that I had never used it a few times, but mostly I just kept it carefully stored in the Serion family’s treasure vault.

…

Thinking about it a little differently, it seemed there might be another way to use it.

Hah…!

For an instant, just for an instant, an extremely ugly and evil thought flashed through my mind.

No. That won’t do.

Even if it’s for love, that’s not right.

For a person who is the young lady and next head of the Serion family,

Especially for someone who had inwardly sworn to only have a straightforward form of love for him, to harbor such a thought, even if it was just for a moment.

My heart lost, I became too depressed and ended up thinking something strange.

For a while, I should increase the time spent swinging my sword.

It would also be good to gather all the family matters and dedicate myself to household affairs for some time.

…Because for his love and happiness, I must now step back.

And if I don’t do something, I feel I won’t be able to erase thoughts of him at all.

I was about to go to the training ground in the mansion late at night.

Just then, the family’s treasure vault in the distance caught my eye.

Initially, I had clearly thought I would empty my mind by swinging my sword, but for some reason, I changed the direction of my steps.

When I opened the door using the master key, the place was filled with various dazzling treasures.

All were objects acquired by the people of the Serion family over generations, having built numerous merits and achievements.

And there was the treasure that I was most proud of.

The artifact ‘Mujin Argiro’, awarded as the first prize of the sparring test, was also there.

Perhaps it was because of the thoughts I had just had.

I 괜히 touched that object in the form of a necklace once.

Indeed, I felt guilty.

I was trying to use an object that past heroes had used for noble purposes and the public good for my own personal, vulgar desires.

My mind seems to have become too disturbed.

But why on earth?

The image of Lilith and Ropel that I saw today flashed through my mind.

Lilith’s touch, freely fondling and enjoying his body.

Her body, constantly pressing close to him as if rubbing against him right in front of me.

The vulgar kiss at the end, making a sound loud enough to be heard by those around.

I don’t know why this scene came to mind at this moment, but as the memory of that time flooded in, my teeth clenched and my hands trembled.

…

..

I know.

I know it won’t do.

I know it is adultery.

I know it might snatch away his happiness and bring him pain.

If I give up on him like this, he will be happy.

Somewhere… where I don’t know…

…

But..

What does it matter how happy he is?

If I am not by his side… what good is it anyway?

Even if it is the happiness of the one I love.

If it is happiness with someone other than me…

It would be far better to destroy it.

Ah.

My apologies.

Ropel.

A vacant space appeared in the Serion family’s treasure vault that would not be filled for a while.

And now, the naive image of her, who thought it didn’t matter as long as Ropel was happy, was gone.

Only a cold rose, ready for anything for the sake of love, was setting its thorns.

. . .

Having caused a disturbance at Seraphina’s mansion yesterday, I am heading back to her mansion.

The reason, of course, is that I had taken the matter with her to heart and wanted to apologize.

I thought it was because I hadn’t understood her feelings until now, and that Lilith had acted a bit rudely yesterday.

Actually, since I was going to meet another woman, I did think about whether I should go with Lilith again this time.

But still, in the current situation, I thought it might be a bit awkward for Lilith and Seraphina to meet directly.

Since Seraphina also had feelings for me, she probably wouldn’t like meeting my girlfriend.

Coincidentally, Lilith also said she had some family matter come up and had to rush off.

I heard she had something to do with her father… it seemed like a personal family affair, so I didn’t inquire deeply.

For now, she was hesitant to explain, and I could always ask when she returned later.

While thinking about what to say to Seraphina again, I had already arrived in front of her mansion.

It’s not really surprising now, but as expected of the Serion family, who have suddenly achieved several accomplishments recently, it was a considerable size mansion even as a villa.

Standing in front of the main gate, I entered the mansion without difficulty with the help of the servants who had come out to greet me.

And soon, Seraphina

“Ah… hello Seraphina.”

“Ah, it was you, Ropel. I didn’t expect to see you again.

What brings you here today?”

Contrary to my expectations, her reaction upon seeing me was calm.

Honestly, I was very worried because the last time I saw her, she seemed so distressed.

For some reason, I felt relieved that she seemed to have overcome it well.

“Uh, well… actually, because of what happened yesterday, I thought I had to apologize to you…”

“Apology… What are you talking about?”

“For not knowing your feelings all this time. And also, yesterday… Lilith was quite cold, wasn’t she?

I didn’t actively stop her either and acted rudely. So I felt I really had to apologize.”

“…Heh. Was that what it was?

It’s alright. I don’t pay much attention to things like that anymore.”

“…! Really?”

I had spoken cautiously, but I didn’t expect her to show this kind of reaction.

It didn’t feel like she was saying it out of politeness, but rather that she was sincere.

At least when she said this, she didn’t show any reluctance.

“Of course. By the way, I didn’t expect you to visit again so soon.

I was thinking of meeting you again sometime soon anyway.”

“Huh? Me? Why?”

“I also resolved my feelings.

So I plan to bless your marriage with that bitch… ahem, Lilith.

Since it’s the love of a friend, isn’t it only right to cheer you on?

I can even help you find a wedding venue and a new house.”

“…What? Really?”

No, no… uh… it’s not like there’s another misunderstanding like last time, is it?

You’re really going to help Lilith and me?”

“Heh heh. I haven’t misunderstood this time.

Well, since you’ve come here anyway, it would be best to hurry.

Won’t you follow me for a moment?”

With that, Seraphina took my wrist and headed somewhere.

She gripped my wrist tightly as if she would never let go, in such a hurry about something, and we moved quickly.

. . .

“Wow… this… isn’t this expensive clothing?

The material is completely different from anything I’ve worn so far, starting from the fabric…!”

I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration after trying on the suit she gave me.

Although I am a noble myself, I had never worn clothes this luxurious.

“…It fits perfectly… and… it really suits you…”

The room Seraphina led me into by the wrist was none other than her bedroom.

Of course, I was startled when I first realized this, but it seemed there were only things for me there, and no ill intent.

…Although the look in her eyes as she watches me, wearing a wedding suit right now, is somewhat unsettling.

Anyway, she suggested we practice the wedding ceremony that would one day happen between Lilith and me.

She said that the currently popular form of wedding is quite complex and absolutely requires practice.

Although I thought it might be quite early, considering Lilith’s behavior lately… I might end up marrying her right after graduation, so I thought it would be good to at least imitate it beforehand.

By the way, Seraphina also seemed quite excited.

To the point where she wore a wedding dress herself to show me the design of the dress Lilith would wear.

Seeing a young man and woman like this, wearing wedding attire in the same room, someone might misunderstand that they are about to get married.

“Uh… Seraphina? Can you tell me what’s next soon?

You said you would teach me the popular way of getting married these days.”

“…Ah… Ah! Uh… that’s right. It’s actually quite simple. First, here… please wear this necklace.”

“Necklace? Do you need a necklace for a wedding ceremony?”

“Yes, they say it’s the popular style these days. Come on, quickly. Try it on quickly.”

The necklace Seraphina handed me looked quite expensive.

But why… I definitely felt like I had seen a necklace similar to this somewhere…

“Ugh… Phew… Okay, so what now?”

“Ugh… Yes… Yes… Hah… You did well. Here…! Can you read these ancient characters here.”

“Eh… Ancient characters? I know how to read them… but I don’t really know the meaning…”

“…! That doesn’t matter, as long as you know how to read them.

Come on, quickly. Read them quickly…!

This is the most important part of this wedding ceremony, where you make the ‘oath’ of love, so read it clearly.”

Seraphina handed me a piece of paper on which some ancient characters were written.

I could pronounce them, but as expected, I didn’t know what they meant.

“Uh… so these characters…”

And so, I read the ancient characters haltingly.

Whenever I mispronounced something in the middle, Seraphina would detect it uncannily and correct me.

“…Alright! I’ve read it all!”

Phew, as expected of ancient characters, the pronunciation was difficult.

If the groom couldn’t pronounce the words corresponding to this oath during the actual wedding ceremony, he would be a laughingstock.

It was definitely good that I practiced beforehand.

And into my mouth, which had just uttered the ‘oath’ she spoke of,

Entered her tongue, stickily wet and burning with heat.