Chapter 110: A Night at the Mansion(1)
Chapter 110: A Night at the Mansion(1)
After that, we headed back to the mansion. Even on our way back, the town was still buzzing with the heat of the festival, showing no signs of slowing down.
I saw some delicious-looking food along the way and wanted to buy some, but considering the time, we went straight back to the mansion. Walking back with Cecile affectionately clinging to my arm was a nice bonus.
With our arms linked, the sensation of her breasts was transmitted directly to me. I exercised every ounce of my patience as my suppressed desires began to steadily pile up.
I hope I can handle this well...
The thought of returning to the mansion and telling Mari everything made me feel a bit uneasy. Even if this was a world where polygamy was accepted, everyone had their own feelings on the matter.
In particular, Mari was the one who had confessed to me first, and since I had accepted that confession, her sense of betrayal would likely be significant. I truly hoped the situation would resolve itself smoothly.
"Are you nervous? About telling Mari the truth?"
"Of course. You know how good my relationship with Mari is, Cecile."
"Hmph. Well, you two did look so close it made me jealous. But don't worry. The disaster you're fearing won't happen."
Cecile looked brimming with confidence, as if she were certain she could persuade Mari. I was skeptical, but since she was so sure of herself, I planned to trust her for now.
Even if Mari got hurt, I would just have to coax and comfort her until the wound healed. And since Cecile mentioned they had already spoken privately before, the persuasion might be easier than I thought.
Thus, we returned to the brightly lit mansion, and Cecile went to find Mari before greeting my family. I wanted to follow her and meet Mari as well, but Cecile stopped me.
When I looked at her with a questioning expression, Cecile gave a bright smile and said something difficult to parse.
"You should go take a bath and get cleaned up first. I'll give Mari a heads-up."
"A heads-up?"
"Yes. You two are going to talk at nine anyway, right? Just the two of you, in the 'bedroom'."
Cecile placed a particular emphasis on the word "bedroom." Speaking with half-closed eyes and a seductive voice, she made my imagination wander in a strange direction.
The only reason I was calling Mari to the bedroom was to be alone; I wasn't planning on doing that sort of thing. I was sure Mari wouldn't be thinking that way either.
Of course, with my libido pushed to the limit by Cecile, I didn't know what might happen, but things surely wouldn't play out exactly as Cecile imagined.
"Alright. But you're going to say goodbye to my parents before you leave, right?"
"Yes. I'll greet them and then head back to Helium. Oh, and tell your parents this: I've invited them to visit Helium in a week. Well, I'm off."
"Goodbye."
"Ah. Before that..."
Smooch—
Before leaving, Cecile suddenly leaned in and planted a light kiss on my cheek. My eyes widened at her unexpected attack(?), and I instinctively reached up to touch my cheek.
Between the lingering moistness and the warmth, there was no doubt she had kissed me. Cecile was grinning mischievously, though her face was slightly flushed.
"That's a token of my gratitude. I'll save the kiss for after you get permission from Mari."
"... ..."
"In over a hundred years, I've never had a day as happy as today. I'll never forget it for the rest of my life. Well then—"
Cecile placed a hand over her heart and bowed elegantly. Then, giving me one last beaming smile, she turned around and walked away slowly.
I couldn't easily snap out of it, even as she walked away. I just stood there dazed until her back disappeared from view.
But soon, a chuckle escaped my lips. That playful side of her was certainly typical of her character.
A day as happy as today...
Those words carried a lot of weight. It meant that Cecile cherished me that much.
I rubbed the cheek she had kissed and started walking. For now, I intended to follow Cecile's advice and get cleaned up.
Ah. Come to think of it, I didn't get my handkerchief back.
I could just get it back after arriving in Helium. Before heading to the bath, I asked a passing maid to prepare some coffee and refreshments.
The maid bowed politely and agreed, and I made my way to the bathroom to wash up.
*
A while later, I was relaxing in my bedroom, reading a book while waiting for Mari.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Isaac? Are you inside?"
"Huh?"
Along with the knock, my mother's voice drifted through the door. There was still time before Mari was supposed to arrive, and I had assumed it would be the maid, so I couldn't help but look up in surprise at the sound of my mother's voice.
I wondered why my mother, of all people, was visiting, but I set my book down and granted her entry.
"Come in."
"Pardon me, then."
Creeak—
My mother opened the door and entered the bedroom. Since it was night, she was wearing a flowing nightgown, but what caught my eye wasn't her dress—it was what she was holding.
My mother had personally brought the refreshment set I had requested from the maid. I was so startled that I jumped to my feet before I could even process my confusion.
Regardless, my mother maintained a somewhat gratified expression as she asked me, "Should I put the refreshments here?"
"Y-yes, for now, but why did you bring them yourself, Mother...?"
When I asked, my mother set the tray on the table and gave a cryptic reply.
"Our Isaac is all grown up now. I thought you were still just a child."
"Pardon?"
"Just in case, make sure to take this medicine. You never know."
While I was bewildered, my mother placed a single pill on the table. It was a small, round, snow-white pill that looked like a bead.
I stared blankly at the round pill and then looked at my mother's face. I was asking what kind of medicine it was.
My mother kept her beaming smile, waved her hand dismissively, and teased me.
"You really are your father's son, aren't you? So slow on the uptake. I suppose it's genetic. Poor Mari is going to have a hard time."
"Mother?"
"The effect kicks in after thirty minutes, so take it now. Hurry."
As my mother urged me to take the medicine, I picked it up with a hesitant feeling. It was round and small enough that I didn't think I'd need water to swallow it.
I scanned the round pill back and forth before looking at my mother again. She seemed to be waiting for me to take it.
"...It's nothing weird, right?"
"Oh, please. Would a mother give her own son something weird?"
"I guess not."
Gulp—
I was a bit suspicious, but since it was from my mother, I felt safe enough to swallow it. As soon as I took the pill, my mother's smile deepened, and she spoke.
"Our Isaac certainly is capable. Where did you find such a girl?"
"It was just by chance. Do you like Mari too, Mother?"
"Of course. Setting aside the fact that she's from a Ducal house, her character is wonderful. She's the perfect bride."
Seeing her say such things, it seemed she had taken a real liking to Mari. Then again, Mari was flawless and, like our family, far removed from any sense of elitism, so it was natural for my mother to like her.
Her status as a Duke's daughter wasn't an issue either. The moment I revealed myself as the author Xenon, our positions would essentially flip.
Of course, even without revealing that, the Rekilis family would likely accept me given their nature. In the first place, the fact that she visited our mansion with her family instead of a noble-only inn was as good as sealing the deal.
A bride, huh...
At the mention of the word "bride," I began to fantasize. Marrying Mari amidst everyone's blessings, spending a sweet honeymoon together, and then a passionate night...
...Damn it.
I didn't know why my thoughts kept drifting in that direction. It was probably because my desires had been stoked by Cecile's provocative behavior.
I forced out a dry cough to hide my inner thoughts. Because my long-suppressed urges had been stimulated, it was becoming difficult even to hold back. I felt like I'd have to find a way to relieve the tension after my talk with Mari.
My mother, perhaps interpreting my reaction differently, teased me.
"Oh my. Are you blushing? You don't have to be so shy. An engagement at your age is perfectly natural."
"...We've only been dating for a month."
"The fact that you've started dating is what's important. Why do you think political marriages exist? In the first place, romance is rare among nobles. Usually, it's common for families to agree on an engagement through mutual consent."
It was no use. My mother had already marked Mari as her future daughter-in-law. Seeing her go on like this, she wouldn't listen to anything I had to say.
I waited quietly for my mother to come down from her flight of fancy. I didn't think she'd take anything I said to heart right now.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Isaac. It's me. Can I come in?"
It seemed it was already nine o'clock. I heard Mari's voice through the door, knocking and asking for entry.
At this, my mother snapped out of it, turned toward the door, and then turned back to me with words of encouragement.
"Anyway, do your best. The first time is always the hardest. You don't have to feel pressured. Understood?"
"...Yes."
At my answer, my mother affectionately stroked my hair and walked toward the door. Soon, she opened it and came face-to-face with Mari, who was waiting outside.
"Oh! Hello. You were inside."
"Yes. It looks like you're... all ready?"
"Of course. I even got permission from my mother."
Since they were far away, I couldn't hear exactly what they were discussing. Mari's figure was also obscured by my mother.
"What about Isaac? Does he still not know?"
"It seems so. He takes after his father when it comes to being dense..."
"It's okay. Well then, I'll head inside."
"Have a good night."
Before long, my mother stepped out, and Mari gave her a polite bow. When I saw Mari through the doorway, I couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
If the dress she wore during the festival emphasized her figure, the white evening dress she wore now was something else entirely. Even so, that dress was a fashion choice that triggered a man's primal instincts.
As expected of an evening dress, her shoulders, arms, and chest were all exposed, but the neckline was particularly bold. It was cut so low that her cleavage was clearly visible, barely covering what needed to be covered.
I used to think Mari was far from the "sexy" type, but after seeing her like this, I had to completely retract that thought. If Cecile emphasized a blatant sexiness, Mari offered a completely different, so-called "gap moe" charm.
Wow... seriously...
She wasn't just pretty; she was breathtaking. I couldn't take my eyes off her as she approached.
Before, I would have looked away out of embarrassment, but now, the thought of turning away didn't even cross my mind. I wanted to engrave her figure—for which the word "beautiful" was insufficient—into my mind.
Meanwhile, Mari walked up to me, tucked her hands behind her back, and spoke with her signature beaming smile.
"I'm here. But..."
She trailed off for a moment, scanned me from head to toe, and then...
"What did you want to talk about that you even prepared coffee?"
She leaned her upper body forward slightly and spoke in a suggestive voice. Thanks to that, I could see her deep cleavage even more clearly.
My desires had already been piling up because of Cecile, and this level of stimulation was beyond intense—it was enough to make me lose my mind.
...I'm screwed.
I felt the blood beginning to rush to my lower half.
Men are truly pitiful creatures, but any man would find it impossible to hold back after seeing his girlfriend looking this sexy.
I alternated between looking at Mari's face and her chest for a while before covering my face with my hand and barely managing to speak.
"...Mari."
"Yes?"
"...Never mind."
No matter how dense I was, I finally understood. I also realized the true nature of the medicine my mother had given me.
In my previous life, it was usually a pill women took...
"...Shall we sit down first?"
But in this world, there were contraceptive pills for men, too.