Chapter 174: Unexpected Situation(1)
Chapter 174: Unexpected Situation(1)
Not every honeymoon is the same, but most are so lovey-dovey they’re practically dripping with sweetness.
The story might be different for those who have dated for a long time, but the term is usually reserved for that delightful period of discovering all the little things you never knew about your partner.
My life in the royal palace with Cecile was much the same as it had been with Marie. The only difference was that while Marie and I had spent a very brief "honeymoon" at my mansion, Cecile and I were together for the entirety of the break.
Technically, Marie and I were only engaged, not married, so calling it a honeymoon was a bit of a stretch. The same applied to Cecile; unlike Marie, she wasn't even in an officially recognized relationship with me.
However, we spent our days cherishing and caring for one another with an intensity that rivaled any newlyweds. Since we were at the height of our passion, a simple locking of eyes was often enough to send us straight to the bedroom. Even when we weren't there, we spent the vast majority of our time in physical contact.
If there was one thing that set her apart from Marie, it was that while Cecile enjoyed pleasure, she sought emotional stability even more. On our first night, she had preferred pleasure due to her Evil Cycle, but from the next day onward, she focused more on the simple fact that we were connected.
Because of this, she was satisfied with just a hug. The problem was that I found it hard to restrain myself when those massive breasts of hers pressed against me.
In any case, if Marie—having recently awakened to her libido—craved pleasure, Cecile sought emotional intimacy. I couldn't help but feel that their roles should have been reversed, and I was certain that wasn't just my imagination.
"So, compared to Marie, who feels better?"
"Now, now. You shouldn't ask questions like that."
I gave Cecile’s cheek a playful pinch and scolded her sternly. I knew she was joking, but I preferred to avoid such sensitive topics.
Currently, the two of us were enjoying a date in the palace gardens. We had found a secluded spot to take a short break.
Once we settled in, I lay down comfortably, using the lap of the demurely seated Cecile as a pillow. The soft sensation of her thighs through her clothes traveled through the back of my head.
"Hehe. Was I being too mischievous?"
Cecile asked, gently grasping my hand as I pinched her cheek. As soon as she took my hand, I flattened my palm and began to caress her face.
As I stroked her cheek with affection, she leaned into my touch as if to savor it further. The soft texture of her skin felt vivid against my hand.
As I mentioned before, Cecile was exceptionally fond of skinship. She prioritized our emotional connection even without the act of intimacy.
Apparently, just being able to feel my presence was enough to put her mind at ease. It made me realize all over again just how deeply she had fallen for me.
Originally, I thought she had offered her body and soul to me because I was the author of the Xenon Biography, but as time passed, she—much like Marie—had come to love the person I was.
I continued to gently stroke her cheek, then shifted my head slightly down her thighs to see her expression. At the moment, my view was completely obstructed by two massive mounds of flesh standing proudly in the way.
But because of their sheer size, it was difficult to see Cecile's face even after I moved. Her chest truly boasted an incredible volume.
Did she say she can't see her feet when she looks down?
It was a grievance I had heard from Marie as well. She had mentioned having to be extra careful when going down stairs because she couldn't see the steps; I could only imagine how much worse it was for Cecile.
Even while lying on her lap, I couldn't see her face, which meant she had essentially sacrificed her downward field of vision.
"Noona."
"Yes?"
"Can you see my face?"
"Your face?"
Cecile murmured in a momentarily puzzled voice at my question, then slowly leaned her upper body forward. Naturally, that massive chest of hers descended toward my face as well.
Anticipating what was about to happen, I slowly closed my eyes.
Squish—
In the end, Cecile’s breasts completely smothered my face. The sensation, vivid even through her black dress, brought a different kind of peace.
After a few seconds of this, Cecile seemed to realize what was happening and pulled back in a fluster.
"O-Oh, I'm sorry! Are you okay? You weren't suffocating, were you?"
"Don't worry. I was holding my breath because I knew this would happen."
"What? You really are..."
Realizing I had let it happen on purpose from my cheeky reply, Cecile grumbled with an exasperated look. A faint laugh escaped me.
Since she was always playing pranks on me even after we became lovers, I wanted to tease her for once.
However, I quickly realized that I was no match for Cecile when it came to mischief.
Grab—
"How about it? Want to keep joking around?"
"Mmph! Mgh!"
Cecile leaned down again, this time with full intent. Caught off guard, I could only flounder as I was pinned beneath those two massive mountain peaks.
Feeling like I might actually suffocate at this rate, I tapped her arm repeatedly. At my urgent reaction, she let out a sultry hum before finally lifting her upper body.
"Phew!"
"I can do more if Isaac wants. But in exchange..."
While I caught my breath, she placed her hand on my chest. Then, she began to slowly and secretly slide her hand down toward my abdomen.
Finally, just as her hand was about to reach the sensitive area below my stomach, I quickly snatched her wrist.
I couldn't see Cecile's expression because of her chest blocking my view, but I expected she was looking disappointed.
"No. Please hold back while we're outside. Someone might see us."
"Couldn't we just hide ourselves with magic?"
It seemed Cecile was craving a different kind of 'connection.' However, I wanted to decline for now. I had finally received divine power from Mora; I couldn't afford to waste it needlessly.
I slowly sat up from Cecile's lap and looked her straight in the eye. She was pouting, making her dissatisfaction clear.
If she were an ordinary human woman, it would have taken some time to soothe her, but Cecile was a demon.
And there was one method that worked like a charm on demons.
Stroke—
"...Mmm."
And that was stroking her horns.
As soon as I reached out and began to stroke her horns, Cecile's expression softened instantly. She even leaned her head against my chest.
It was like a cat acting spoiled, so I smiled gently and continued to stroke them.
I'm not sure if you remember since I explained this a long time ago, but the horns have no sensation. If they break, the demon only perceives that they've broken; they don't feel any pain. For the record, a broken horn regrows in a single day.
However, to a demon, the 'horn' is the symbol of their devilish nature. To stroke those horns lovingly is to signify that you will love them passionately even if they become a devil.
It is a romantic cultural tradition that could only arise among demons who have suffered for ages.
Well, at night...
It felt a bit strange to realize I had used those culturally significant horns as 'handles.' According to Cecile, they were originally intended for that purpose as well.
I looked down at Cecile, who was purring like a cat against my chest. Her eyes were closed as she savored the sensation of my hand on her horns.
Even if there was no direct sensation, there must be a unique feeling to it, which was why she was concentrating with her eyes closed.
"Haa... Isaac's scent... I love it so much..."
"... ..."
"I want to stay like this forever. Just like this."
Cecile's voice grew thicker as she inhaled my scent. I glanced at her horns and saw they were filled with a deep black hue.
It was clear that the Evil Cycle—the period when inner evil boils over—and sexual desire were two different things. I pulled her head away from my chest before things could escalate.
Even as I pushed her back, Cecile looked at me with moist, yearning eyes. Her gaze seemed to plead for just a little more indulgence.
Seeing her like this feels different.
While Marie stirred my heart with her characteristic lively personality, this side of Cecile calmed me down.
Like ripples spreading across a still lake when a stone is thrown, even a small stimulus in this state sent a great resonance through my heart.
"Mmm..."
"Sigh..."
I let out a deep sigh as Cecile pleaded, biting her index finger. What man could refuse such a plea?
I spread my arms wide and spoke to her.
"Want a hug?"
"Yes!"
The moment I spoke, Cecile lunged into my arms. As if determined never to let go, she hugged me tightly and rubbed her face against my chest.
Apparently, stroking her horns earlier hadn't been enough. I slowly stroked her back, feeling her body heat.
She loves me this much... what will happen when I die?
Suddenly, a future where she couldn't be happy crossed my mind. I was a short-lived human, and she was a long-lived demon.
Due to the limits of my lifespan, she would continue to live in this form even after I grew old and died. Would she be able to handle that grief?
One of the biggest reasons demons turn into devils is the death of a loved one. Demons are experts at controlling anger, but not sorrow.
...I'll have to make plenty of memories for her to cherish.
As I had told her before, wouldn't she be less sad if I filled her life with fond memories rather than regrets? I slowly closed my eyes and savored Cecile's slender frame.
I wished time would stop right then and there, but cruelly, time never stops for anyone. The two of us held each other for a while, finding peace, before looking at each other again.
Cecile was looking at me with the happy smile of a new bride.
"...Isaac."
"Yes, Noona."
"I've said it before, but my body and soul are all yours. So, you can do whatever you want with me. Okay?"
Cecile spoke tenderly, placing her hand on my cheek. It wasn't just empty talk; she was ready to give me her everything at any moment.
At first, I thought it was only because I was the author of the Xenon Biography, but not anymore. She was prepared to devote herself to me as a person.
She was a woman I couldn't help but fall for, in a different way than Marie. I gave her a thin smile and spoke quietly.
"I feel a bit bad just receiving. Is there anything you want, Noona?"
"To be your primary wife?"
"That's a bit..."
Even though I was head over heels for Cecile, my love for Marie hadn't cooled in the slightest. Moreover, Marie was likely pining for me alone right now, so I felt guilty in many ways.
As I trailed off with a bitter smile, Cecile giggled. Then, with her usual mischievous air, she spoke.
"I'm joking. I should leave the primary wife position to Marie. After all, I was only able to be with you because Marie stepped aside."
"Thank you. For yielding."
"Don't thank me. I'm the one who's more grateful. Mwah."
Cecile said that and gave me a light kiss. A faint laugh escaped me at her adorable display of affection.
"Still, I do wonder sometimes. What would it have been like if I had met you sooner?"
"Well, honestly, I don't think much would have changed. Marie liked me even before she knew I was Xenon."
"That's not what I meant. I meant it would have been nice to meet the person you are sooner. That unbiased gaze and considerate heart of yours would have been the same back then. Oh, of course, I don't mean meeting as children—just maybe three years earlier."
If Marie had heard that, wouldn't she have been appalled? It was likely half-joking, but it seemed she was constantly looking for a chance to push Marie aside and take the spot next to me.
Of course, knowing Cecile's personality, I was certain she wouldn't actually do that. If she had been determined to push Marie out, she would have done it long ago.
She knew better than anyone that they had each yielded to the other once. But the fact remained that I had to balance the two of them.
"Try not to say things like that in front of Marie if you can. Once suspicion takes root, it tends to grow endlessly."
"I have some tact, you know. But shouldn't I give her a sense of urgency? That if her affection for Isaac cools, I'll snatch him away in a heartbeat. I'm just trying to stir up a little jealousy."
"Hmm..."
The image of a jealous Marie... just imagining it was lovely and cute. So much so that I wanted to run to her and hug her tight right now.
I doubted Marie's affection for me would ever cool, but then again, why did 'slumps' in relationships exist? Cecile would faithfully play the role of preventing such a slump. And vice versa.
Come to think of it, this really was the mindset of a playboy. But I had to get used to it; if I wavered, I might end up in a situation where I couldn't satisfy either of them.
"It sounds like a decent method... I'll have to look into it gradually. It's not like her affection is going to cool down anytime soon."
"For the record, I can swear that my feelings for Isaac will never change. I think life would be dull without you."
"If you're already feeling that way, what are you going to do later?"
"I'll have to soothe my heart by looking at Isaac's children. Or maybe the children born between you and me?"
"You have it all planned out, don't you, Cecile-noona?"
"Hehe."
Cecile laughed bashfully at my impressed praise. Then, she cupped my cheeks with both hands and asked with a look of pure greed.
"Maybe during the next Evil Cycle, without contraception..."
"No."
"Tch."
Still, no meant no.
When I firmly refused, Cecile made a sulky face before moving on to another question.
"Then what about the illustrations? Not even the illustrations? You said you were going to include them."
"It's difficult given the current situation. It might cause trouble for you. What if there's a demon who looks just like you?"
As everyone knows, Lilith, the personification of Lust in the Xenon Biography, was modeled after Cecile.
So, I had planned to include illustrations of her to improve my drawing skills, but I had to put that on hold due to the current state of affairs.
As long as the Xenon Biography was treated as a semi-prophetic book, there was no telling what would happen if I included illustrations. People might persecute her, claiming she was someone who could become one of the Seven Deadly Sins in the future.
One might ask if that wasn't taking things too far, but given the era, it was entirely possible. You only have to look at why the term 'witch hunt' exists to understand.
"...Fine. Then are you not going to include illustrations at all?"
"Probably? But by the time the story ends, all the misunderstandings should be cleared up. I think it'll be okay to include them then. Not just for Lilith, but for the other Seven Deadly Sins as well."
"When is the finale? Looking at the story, it feels like the real beginning has only just started."
"There's a long way to go. It'll take at least half a year."
"It only takes half a year?"
"Ah."
Right, this woman was a demon. To a demon, for whom even a year felt short, half a year would pass in the blink of an eye.
"For now, yes. If there are no major accidents in between, it'll take about half a year. I have plenty of time since I've been appointed as a Recommended Student."
"An accident... what kind of accident?"
"Well, you know..."
I rolled my eyes, thinking about accidents that could delay publication.
"Like my hand getting seriously injured? Even if the rest of me is fine, if my hand is hurt, the serialization will inevitably be delayed."
"Your hand..."
Cecile trailed off, then nodded as if she had made a decision.
Then, looking at me with a determined glint in her red eyes, she spoke in a grave voice.
"If anyone ever dares to injure Isaac's hand... they will pay for it with their life."
"Hey, now. It's not that serious..."
Before I could even finish my sentence, Cecile shook her head. She folded my right hand between both of hers and spoke to me with a serious expression.
"This hand saved our demon race; it's only right. I'm sure others feel the same way."
"... ..."
"More than anything, if the man I love gets hurt, I'll be the one in more pain. I might not be able to protect you every second, but I will make sure the revenge is thorough."
Coming from Cecile, who was slated to be the next Queen of Helium, her words carried weight. Since she had said she could blow away a mountain with a few gestures, revenge would be a piece of cake for her.
But more than anything, I loved her mindset. Who wouldn't fall for someone who said such things?
I stared into Cecile's red eyes, which were filled with resolve, and then gave her a bright smile. Cecile smiled back as I did.
"Thank you, Noona. Hearing you say that makes me feel at ease."
"Don't thank me. If you're really grateful, take off your pants."
"Again, so suddenly?"
"I want to be teased. I've already set up a barrier, so don't worry."
"Sigh. Fine, fine."
It seemed the fire in Cecile's heart burned brightly not just at night, but during the day as well.
*
In a dark space where not a single ray of light entered.
Within that space, two men sat facing each other across a round table.
Darkness blanketed everything, making it impossible to see their faces clearly, yet they exchanged words with an air of familiarity.
"Here is today's letter. Seeing as the Publisher sent it from his home, it must be quite important."
"Hmm."
When the man placed a simple envelope on the table, the man opposite him stared at it.
Though it was a darkness where nothing could be seen, his golden eyes shone vividly. Like the eyes of a predator glowing in the dark of night, his eyes emitted an intense light.
Just as the golden-eyed man was about to reach for the delivered letter...
"Ahem. Cough."
The messenger suddenly cleared his throat. The golden-eyed man flinched, his hand stopping mid-air.
Then, he slowly lifted his head to meet the messenger's gaze. The messenger exchanged a brief look with the golden-eyed man before placing his hand on the table.
Tap-tap, tap—
"By the way, how has life been lately? I heard your daughter joined a high-tier knight order."
The messenger asked about his recent well-being, tapping the table with his fingers as if it were a habit.
Noting this, the golden-eyed man replied as if it were no big deal.
"No news yet. What about you? How is your son?"
"He's probably struggling right about now. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much talent."
Tap, tap, tap, tap-tap—
Even as he answered, his fingers did not stop tapping the table. But they soon went still.
The golden-eyed man shrugged and tucked the letter the messenger had provided into his coat. It was time to go.
"Anyway, I'm always grateful. It must be a hassle to go through all this trouble."
"Don't mention it. Think of how much I owe you. Besides, it's not like it's boring."
"I always thought so, but you really have a peculiar personality. I'll be going now."
"Take care of yourself."
The golden-eyed man stood up and walked away with long strides. Once he had disappeared, the messenger also stood up.
"I might not be able to do this for a while."
Muttering that, the man scratched his head vigorously.
Meanwhile, the golden-eyed man who had received the letter from him...
An Elf is tailing me... This doesn't look good.
He was on his way home, deducing the signals the messenger had sent with his fingers rather than words.
It's a good thing Isaac isn't at the mansion; it would have been a disaster if he were. I'll have to handle this myself for now.
The lion with red hair began to lure the hyenas away. The problem was...
"...Isaac? And Princess Cecile? What brings you to the mansion so suddenly..."
"I didn't think it was good to stay only in Helium. We came to see your face, Father."
"Hello, Baron Hawk. Oh, or should I call you 'Father-in-law' now?"
"... ..."
Unexpected situations can happen at any time.