Chapter 184: A Big Catch(3)
Chapter 184: A Big Catch(3)
A few days before the Senate's atrocities were brought to light.
With all the preparations complete, I was spending my vacation leisurely at the mansion. I had sent Kalas and his gang back, and the publishing company had spread the news that my hand was injured.
I felt a bit bad for the publisher, but it was a necessary move to land a big catch. I planned to say later that my hand was completely healed with the help of a passing priest.
So, for now, I was just idling around, hoping Arwen would handle the follow-up measures well.
"Thank you! Here's the money!"
Three days after the news of my ruined hand spread to the world, Marie paid a surprise visit to our mansion. Normally, she would have sent a letter in advance to announce her visit, but given the gravity of the situation, she must have rushed over.
Coincidentally, I had just stepped outside the mansion to get some exercise. As soon as Marie stepped off the carriage and locked eyes with me, she flinched before sprinting toward me.
I was a bit puzzled at first, but I soon smiled, as I could guess what she was about to say.
"I-Isaac! Your hand..."
"Here."
As Marie reached me, I immediately showed her my right hand. My right hand, characterized by its long, slender fingers, was perfectly fine without a single scratch.
Marie looked bewildered the moment she saw it. It was only natural, considering the newspapers were in an uproar while the reality was the exact opposite.
"Huh? What? The newspaper definitely said..."
"Well... I guess the story is a bit complicated. Let's head inside first."
I had already told my family, so Marie would probably feel hurt if I didn't explain the situation to her as my fiancée. As I walked into the mansion, Marie followed with a dazed expression.
"Hello, Marie. I knew you'd come."
"O-Oh, hello. Has it been... a while?"
Cecile greeted her warmly as soon as we entered, having likely heard Marie's voice earlier. She was wearing a black dress that wasn't very revealing.
Marie seemed to take Cecile's presence in our mansion in stride, as if she already knew. Still, her expression remained the same.
After Marie briefly greeted my parents, we moved to the guest room for a private conversation. Cecile followed along as well.
"...What? That's what happened?"
"Yeah. So you don't have to worry."
A short while later, after I explained the whole situation, Marie reacted as if she finally understood everything. She was startled to hear that I had formed a connection with Arwen due to the manuscript theft incident, but she soon regained her composure.
"You had me so worried. Do you have any idea how shocked I was when I heard your hand was ruined?"
Marie spoke with concern but didn't hide her disappointment. It was indeed my fault for not saying anything to her, my fiancée.
Since it was an issue that could potentially damage our trust, I apologized sincerely.
"I'm sorry for making you worry. I should have at least told you."
"No, it's okay. You probably didn't tell me because you knew I'd worry. Besides, I don't think anything would have changed even if I had known."
Fortunately, Marie let it go easily and even thanked Cecile. It was a way of thinking that was very much like her.
As I wore a warm smile, Marie looked back and forth between me and Cecile, who was sitting next to me. Then, with a sly expression, she asked in a playful voice.
"By the way, Cecile. You're sitting next to Isaac like it's the most natural thing in the world now, aren't you?"
"We promised, didn't we? That I'd yield to you during the vacation."
"You remember well. So... did you do it?"
"... ..."
Cecile gave a beaming smile at Marie's suggestive question. Seeing her cheeks turn slightly red, she seemed to be feeling shy deep down.
Marie nodded as if she understood and then turned her gaze toward me. I wanted to pretend I didn't notice, but her gaze was so intense that I had no choice but to speak up awkwardly.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Because I want the vacation to end quickly."
Marie answered with her characteristic cheerful smile. Even if she had agreed to yield, there must be a limit to her patience.
In fact, considering her enormous sex drive, it was quite impressive that she had held back this much.
"I can yield for a day. The choice is always yours, Marie. Honestly, isn't it hard to hold back?"
Cecile expressed her willingness to yield. However, Marie shook her head and firmly declined.
"No. A promise is a promise. You two should spend time together. It's true that it's hard to hold back, but I found it's okay once I suppress it for a few days. I'm planning to restrain myself at the Academy for a while, too."
"Why?"
"My grades... dropped a bit. Hehe."
Marie laughed brightly while revealing a very realistic problem. Normally, one should study even when it's not exam period, but she had been cramming only during exams.
As for the rest... well, you can probably guess. After classes, she'd go on a date with me, and at night, we'd head straight to the inn. With such a pattern continuing, there was no way her grades could go up.
Her history grades might be better thanks to my thorough teaching, but the others must be pitiful.
"I won't fail the grade, but I still have my pride. Besides, Isaac will be able to write more, so isn't it killing two birds with one stone?"
"So, once every how many days?"
"Once every three or four days?"
"... ..."
It's pretty much the same. And knowing her, she'll likely cling to me before three days are even up.
"Anyway! Enough with the vulgar talk. Isaac, what are you going to do now? Since you announced that you injured your hand, you won't be able to write for a while, right?"
"That's not a problem. I'm planning to send a letter saying I received help from a passing priest. Still, the next volume will probably be published late."
"Tsk... That's a shame. But it was something that had to be done eventually, so it can't be helped. Are you going back to Helium?"
"I will go back, but probably in a few days. I'm curious to see what news comes out of Albenheim."
The news of my hand injury had been spreading for five days. Arwen would reveal the true culprit within a week at the latest. I planned to stay at the mansion until then.
There wasn't much to do even if I went to Helium, and unexpected variables could pop up. It was better to at least have a general discussion with my family.
"Really? Okay. Then I should head back right away."
"Huh? You're going back already? Stay and rest for a day."
"No. If I'm here, you two won't be able to focus. I have some tact, you know. If you're really sorry, just give me a big hug."
When Marie made the subtle request, I glanced at Cecile. It was a silent signal asking if it was okay to hug her in front of her.
Cecile read my gaze and nodded with a gentle smile. Both Marie and Cecile were broad-minded in many ways.
To have formed such a bond with women like them—I truly must be a lucky man.
"Come here, Marie."
"Heheng."
As I opened my arms to welcome her, Marie didn't miss the chance and hopped into my embrace. My heart felt warm at the feeling of her hug, which I hadn't felt in a while.
Marie shared a deep, long hug with me for a while, rubbing her chest against my face and acting cute. She was expressing at least a bit of the desire she had suppressed during the vacation.
"Sniff. Sniff sniff. Yes, this was the scent. Isaac's unique body odor. You don't know how much I missed this."
"You can stay at the mansion for a few days if you want."
Cecile made a kind suggestion, perhaps finding Marie a bit pitiful. But Marie shook her head even as she remained in my arms.
Then, while still being held by me, she looked at Cecile and said with a bright smile.
"No, this is enough for me. I just realized that just having the person I love by my side makes my empty heart feel full."
"Aha. I think I know what you mean."
"Heehee."
As soon as Cecile agreed, Marie laughed brightly and then pressed her ear against my chest. She closed her eyes and savored my body heat, as if trying to listen to my heartbeat.
I gently stroked Marie's snow-white hair and gave her a light kiss on the crown of her head. At that, Marie squirmed her body and acted coy.
I hope this kind of life continues from now on.
Doing what I love while enjoying a happy life with the women I love. What a blessed life this was. Compared to my past life, it was something I couldn't even dream of.
The Senate, which had been causing annoying trouble at every turn, would soon be disbanded by Arwen. Now, only one thing remained: clearing up the misunderstanding that I was a prophet.
Of course, that was something that would be resolved in time, so I just had to keep publishing the Xenon Chronicle.
"Isaac."
"Yeah?"
"When did your hair get this long again?"
"It just happened. You don't like it?"
"No. Isaac is Isaac even with long hair. I love you."
"I love you too, Marie."
Was she feeling jealous of our display of affection? Cecile poked my arm repeatedly with her finger.
When I turned my head, Cecile was looking at me with her red eyes sparkling with anticipation. Looking like a cat asking to be groomed, I gently pulled her into an arm.
"Of course, I love Cecile too."
"Thank you."
I wished this happy time would continue forever, but...
[Shocking! The culprit who ruined Xenon's right hand was the Senate of Albenheim! However...]
[The Queen of Albenheim and Xenon were lovers? Nothing has been revealed yet, but there's a strange persuasiveness...]
[The speeches made by the Queen of Albenheim were all Xenon's work. Is it true?]
[As stories from the novel are becoming reality one by one, the relationship between the two is also coming under focus.]
"...?"
What on earth is this about?
*
"Sigh..."
Arwen let out a sigh of frustration. It was because of a certain fact that Piren had spread before being captured.
She didn't know on what grounds he had done such a ridiculous thing, but after the situation was over and she slowly recalled the past, it was a misunderstanding he could have made.
In fact, Isaac had been showing her kindness, so it would be strange not to think that way. Especially since he even took responsibility for the manuscript theft incident, an act that could never be forgiven.
"You're leaving a mess until the very end..."
After Piren's atrocities were revealed to the world, the Senate naturally began the process of disbanding. Not only had public opinion plummeted to the worst possible level, but the corruption they had hidden until now also began to be revealed one after another.
With the head gone, it was only natural for the arms and legs that received orders to break down as well. It was good that the leeches that had been eating away at Albenheim were gone, but the aftermath was not yet perfectly handled.
The Senate had been supported by the old generation elves, but now they were in a state of disintegration. She had to be on guard, as a second Senate might be born.
Furthermore, the biggest problem was herself. The rumors currently circulating within Albenheim grated on Arwen's ears.
Me and Isaac are in a relationship? That's ridiculous...
It was true that she was close to Isaac, but he already had two lovers. One was a human woman named Marie, and the other was Princess Cecile of Helium.
Although Cecile hadn't officially revealed it like Marie, it would become meaningless once Isaac revealed his identity. The fact that Xenon and the Princess of Helium were dating was something that could be understood in a way.
However, with such rumors circulating while Isaac hadn't revealed his identity, Arwen couldn't help but feel frustrated. But there was an even bigger problem.
...But why is Isaac showing me such kindness?
Arwen herself was beginning to feel confused about her own heart. It was a phenomenon that appeared as the kindness Isaac showed her and the events in the Xenon Chronicle became reality.
Even if it wasn't now, wouldn't it really become like that in the distant future? Such useless delusions. Since Isaac was currently suspected of being a prophet or a person from the future, her heart leaned in that direction.
Of course, it was only a 'possibility,' so she didn't jump to conclusions. But once a person harbors a doubt, it grows like weeds.
She didn't know where the destination of that doubt was, but she could be sure it wasn't a negative place.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just then, someone knocked on the office door. As soon as Arwen heard the sound, she took her eyes off the documents and turned her head toward the door.
"Your Majesty. It's Nabir. May I come in?"
It was the newly appointed aide. She was one of the capable individuals brought in as the Senate underwent the process of disbanding.
Nabir had only been part of the Senate for 'work' and was a normal person without any particular ideology. That was why she could be brought in without any issues.
Arwen cast her complicated thoughts aside and gave permission in a quiet voice.
"Come in."
Creak—
As soon as permission was granted, Nabir entered. She was a woman with an impressive blunt expression and round glasses.
"Yes. What news have you brought this time?"
"The priests say they have received an answer from God."
"What? Is that true?"
At Nabir's stiff answer, Arwen stood up in surprise. Normally, she would have reacted calmly, but not now. It was deeply related to the rumors currently circulating.
The rumor about her relationship with Isaac was something even Arwen herself was confused about. Since Albenheim could fall into chaos at this rate, she had sought help from the priests.
If it was a God who knew the future, wouldn't they give a clear answer? With this thought, Arwen had personally made a request to the priests.
"S-So, what answer did He give?"
"He didn't say it in words. Only..."
"Only?"
Nabir pushed up her sliding glasses and informed her calmly.
"He said He only filled a glass halfway with water."
"...What does that mean?"
"I don't know either. But He said that was the answer."
For reference, the question asked of the priest was roughly this:
[I am curious if I am destined to become lovers with Isaac, like the story in the book.]
However, Luminous had vaguely filled the water only halfway. Normally, the meaning of the oracle would be incomprehensible, but...
...He filled it only halfway? Does that mean He's not denying it? Because the future is uncertain?
It was a better interpretation than the dream, but Arwen couldn't help but think in a positive direction.
"...I see. You may leave now."
At Arwen's instruction, Nabir bowed her head and left the office. Left alone, Arwen sat at her desk, lost in thought, before whispering softly.
"...Really?"