Chapter 185: Interpretation Over Dream(1)
Chapter 185: Interpretation Over Dream(1)
The fact that the Senate was the true culprit behind the injury to Xenon's right hand was shocking enough, but an even more eye-catching rumor began to circulate.
It was the claim that Xenon and the Queen of Albenheim were lovers. In other words, that Arwen and I were dating.
As someone who had been watching the drama unfold from a distance while metaphorically munching on popcorn, I found the rumor utterly absurd. I had no idea how it started, but the newspapers claimed that Piren, in a final act of desperation, had screamed it out for all to hear.
However, it was a misunderstanding that was easy enough to make. It was true that I had delivered the speech to Arwen and provided her with various conveniences.
There was absolutely no benefit in making an enemy of Arwen, and she had been providing me with a great deal of help as well. It seemed Piren had jumped to the conclusion that we were lovers based solely on those facts.
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[Ters Kingdom. Xenon Cloud was not in the Hask region. Village residents say they have never heard the name...]
[The Albenheim Senate has begun dissolution procedures. Council Member Piren Gerrit Stormwalker has been sentenced to have both ears severed. Additionally, Kalas and two others who directly attacked Xenon have been sentenced to life imprisonment...]
[Kalas’s Confession: The pledge was a forgery, and all personal information regarding Xenon was a lie. If so, what is the current state of Xenon’s right hand?]
Investigations were launched into the personal details Piren had blurted out in his final struggle, but naturally, nothing turned up since it was all fabricated.
The Ters Kingdom must have been giddy with excitement as they headed to the Hask region, only to be left feeling hollow when they found nothing. They probably muttered something like, “What the hell?”
Piren had essentially been blindsided once again, and Xenon’s identity returned to being a complete mystery. While it was true my right hand was injured, I had framed the situation to look like Kalas’s group had attacked and been defeated instead, which likely added to the confusion.
[The Queen of Albenheim likely noticed the truth in advance and informed Xenon. All that was needed was a pretext.]
[Will it end in tragedy like Kair and Elisha, or will they be united like Xenon and Mary?]
[With the attention of many, including the citizens of Albenheim, focused on the matter, Queen Arwen is avoiding a direct answer, stating that state affairs come first.]
Of course, more than half of the public was focused on the relationship between Arwen and me. At first, I thought it was just a baseless rumor that would vanish like sea foam after a while.
However, as time passed and neither side offered a clarification, signs began to emerge that people were starting to accept it as fact. Fearing that everyone would truly conclude that Arwen and I were a couple, I hurried to seek advice.
First, I turned to Mari and Cecile. Mari hadn't stayed at the mansion but had returned home, only to rush back as soon as she heard the news.
In the end, since no one knew what might happen next, it was decided she would stay at the mansion for the time being. My parents, understanding the situation, readily agreed.
"I don't think it's a bad idea to use it to our advantage."
After the three of us put our heads together to deliberate, Mari surprisingly offered a positive opinion.
Since she was someone who had already made a significant concession just by accepting Cecile, I couldn't help but be surprised. Cecile seemed to feel the same, her expression mirroring my own.
"For what reason?"
"It's not like you're actually dating, right? We can just use it politically. It'll be a benefit to the Queen, not a loss. It’s easier if you think of it like a political marriage."
I nodded, understanding Mari's explanation immediately. Indeed, since political marriages were a thing, there was no reason we couldn't use the rumors appropriately.
It was good for Arwen because it could maximize public support, and for me, it was... well, manageable. However, I definitely had to clarify things before revealing my identity.
If I revealed who I was, the fact that I was engaged to Mari would come to light, and I would also have to go public with Cecile. If handled poorly, nasty rumors could spread like wildfire.
"But Mari, Isaac is only seventeen. Wouldn't he be considered too young to be in a relationship with an elf?"
Cecile, who had been deep in thought, voiced a slightly negative opinion. Just as she said, the reason the rumors of a relationship between Arwen and me were circulating was that my identity hadn't been properly revealed.
While some speculated I was an elderly sage, after the incident with the pollution of the World Tree's roots, opinions were gradually shifting toward the idea that I might be surprisingly young. After all, a prophet or a regressor wouldn't necessarily need to be old.
Cecile was a demon, so that was one thing, but for Arwen, the narrative probability of a romantic connection was somewhat lacking, and the timeline didn't quite add up.
"Again, I never said they were in a romantic relationship. They just have a 'special bond.' They don't necessarily have feelings for each other. The timeline isn't an issue either. Didn't Isaac and the Queen meet by chance at the last exhibition? We can just spin a story based on that."
"A story?"
"Yeah. Something like you met Arwen when you were around ten and have been in contact ever since. The Queen likes reading, right? That’s perfect. Just say you've been recommending books to each other until now."
"Hmm..."
I felt like this would only lead to even stranger rumors. For example, that I had grown up and confessed to Arwen, or vice versa.
Such scenarios were common even among humans—the story of a child growing up and confessing to an adult they had long admired. It was a situation often described as a 'Reverse Grooming Romance.'
In my previous life, people would have looked at it with all sorts of judgmental eyes, but in this world, most people just accepted it. Furthermore, with the increasing number of romances between different races, it wasn't entirely impossible.
Still, there was no better solution to overcome the current situation.
"It seems like a good idea. But I'll have to ask Arwen for her opinion as well."
"Are you going to call her right now?"
"Yeah. But first, I need to get permission from my parents."
"Be careful not to let Adelia find out."
As I stood up to head outside, Mari made a cautious request from behind. She had just learned that Adelia had become my guard knight.
She had a subtle expression on her face, likely because she was sharp enough to notice that Adelia had developed feelings for me.
For now, they might get along like close sisters, but I wasn't sure how she would react once she learned Adelia's true identity and circumstances. Knowing Mari's personality, she would probably feel sympathetic.
‘But not yet.’
My mother had dropped a hint. If I truly wanted to accept Adelia, I should wait until I revealed my identity in the future and then decide after hearing her choice.
I wasn't a fool; I knew exactly what that choice would entail. It likely had a close connection to the Ters Kingdom.
Though she was currently keeping her distance and watching from afar, human hearts are driven by desire. Moreover, given that the Ters Kingdom was a cultural powerhouse, they would surely try to establish a connection with me by any means necessary.
There was a high probability they would grant Adelia a royal surname instead of leaving her as an illegitimate child to link her with me. Furthermore, since there was evidence of our prior closeness, it was a strategically sound move.
‘Things are going to get really difficult once I reveal my identity.’
There had been a crisis recently, but fortunately, I had navigated it well and even created the best possible outcome—though the rumors between Arwen and me were unexpected.
Afterward, I explained the entire situation to my parents. They told me to do as I saw fit, saying they would respect my choice.
When I asked where Adelia was, they said she had finished her training and was currently bathing. Since there would be plenty of time to talk later, I decided to save it for then.
Having received my parents' full permission, I returned to the bedroom where the two women were waiting. They seemed to have been chatting while I was gone, as their expressions were as bright as sunshine.
"What were you two talking about?"
"Nothing much. So, did you get permission?"
"Yeah. They said we should discuss it among ourselves. My father said I can handle matters related to myself on my own from now on."
After this incident, my father had stated that he wouldn't interfere unless I directly asked for help. After all, he had only been a supporter and hadn't been the one to formulate or execute the plans.
I trudged over to the desk and picked up a sheet of summoning paper to call Siris. Cecile had seen it often, but it was Mari's first time, so she watched with a look of wonder.
"If you tear that, she gets summoned?"
"Yeah."
Rrip—
Answering briefly, I tore the summoning paper in half without hesitation. The torn paper soon turned into blue light particles and scattered into the air.
"Did you call for me?"
Before long, Siris was summoned from the void. She greeted me politely in her characteristic husky voice.
Mari looked at the dark elf, a sight she had never seen before, with wonder for a moment, but then she flinched upon seeing Siris's revealing attire. Since it was essentially underwear despite the armor, it was only natural for her to be shocked.
"S-She really is a d-dark elf. But her clothes..."
"It can't be helped because of a dark elf's abilities. You'll get used to it."
"Ugh..."
Perhaps she was weak to such things, as Mari looked away in embarrassment. However, because Siris's figure was so striking, she couldn't help but steal glances before eventually just staring openly.
Cecile, finding Mari's reaction cute, smiled broadly and gently stroked her hair. Siris herself remained indifferent.
I was momentarily distracted by Siris's consistently impressive physique, but I cleared my throat to break the atmosphere and made my request.
"Siris. Could you bring Arwen here for a moment? If it's too difficult, you can just act as a messenger. The conversation might get a bit long."
"Understood."
Siris used teleportation immediately upon hearing my request. While waiting for her return, I didn't forget to tease Mari.
"Mari. Are you actually embarrassed?"
"I-I mean... that kind of outfit is..."
"You wore something even more extreme on our first night."
"I-I at least covered what needed to be covered! That's not armor, it's just underwear!"
Mari shouted, her face flushed deep red. Cecile, watching this, wore an inscrutable smile.
I wondered how Mari would react if she found out Cecile had worn a garter belt on our first night. I felt like playing a mischievous prank, but I decided to leave it at that.
"...Isaac."
"Yeah?"
"Do you... like that kind of thing?"
"I don't dislike it."
"...I see. So you like that kind of thing..."
I felt like I had given Mari some unnecessary motivation, but I decided to let it go.
"Isaac."
"Ah, you're here."
A moment later, Arwen appeared alongside Siris. As soon as Arwen arrived, Mari quietly stood up.
Even though it was a private meeting, Arwen was still the Queen of another nation. Furthermore, since this was their first meeting, showing proper etiquette was necessary to leave a good impression.
"Hello, Your Majesty. I am Mari Hausen Rekilis, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Rekilis. It is an honor to meet you."
"I am Arwen Elidya, Queen of Albenheim. It is a pleasure to meet you."
The two women exchanged greetings according to their respective national etiquettes. Since Cecile had met her once before, they settled for a brief nod.
Soon, everyone took their seats around the circular table. Siris, however, did not sit and instead stood by Arwen's side.
"So. What is it you wished to discuss that you called me here?"
"Actually..."
I relayed everything Mari and I had discussed to Arwen. She flinched as soon as she heard the rumors currently circulating, but she soon listened intently to my explanation with a serious expression.
After the explanation was over, Arwen seemed to deliberate for a while. Occasionally, she would meet my eyes and her lips would quiver as if she wanted to say something, but I waited patiently.
After about a minute had passed, she nodded, having decided it was a reasonable plan. It was a sign of agreement.
"It is a good method. Not denying the rumors, but clarifying that it is a special bond rather than a romantic relationship..."
"Just showing that we have mutual goodwill is enough. But we do need to draw a firm line."
"In what way?"
"By mentioning that I have a fiancée?"
"A fiancée..."
At the word 'fiancée,' Arwen looked at Mari. As soon as their eyes met, Mari gave a beautiful smile and bowed her head.
It was a bit funny to see her trying so hard not to be distracted by Siris. Her clenched fists under the table were trembling slightly.
Meanwhile, Arwen stared at Mari with a subtle expression before turning her head to look at Cecile on the other side. Her expression became even more complex and nuanced.
I wondered what she was thinking. I waited quietly for her to speak.
"...I understand. Then let us proceed with that plan."
"No concerns?"
"Concerns... Isaac."
"Yeah?"
In response to my question, Arwen looked me straight in the eye with her galaxy-like, silver-gray pupils. Her lips quivered once more before she spoke with some effort.
"What do you think... when you see a glass that is half-filled with water?"
"What?"
"I asked what you think when you see a glass half-filled with water. I would like to hear the opinions of the others as well, not just Isaac."
Arwen sought the opinions of Mari and Cecile as well. Since it was such a sudden question, the two women on either side of me, as well as myself, looked slightly bewildered.
However, Arwen was not one to waste words. There was surely a meaning behind that question.
While I was deep in thought, Mari shared her thoughts without hesitation.
"My knowledge is lacking, so I do not know the intent behind your question, Your Majesty. Does it have a specific meaning?"
"Let's just call it a divine oracle for now."
"An oracle... I will cautiously offer the opinion that it might mean 'drink a glass of water and clear your head'—as in, get a grip."
"... ..."
Mari had spoken her mind without mercy. Arwen's reaction to those words was quite a sight. Her already pale skin seemed to turn even whiter.
In the meantime, Cecile, who had been thinking it over, offered another opinion.
"Could it be saying that it depends on one's perspective? One could think the glass is half empty, but one could also think it is half full."
"Mmm..."
Arwen let out a low hum and nodded at Cecile's answer. It was a sign that it was a decent answer, but not quite clear enough.
I was the only one left. Since she called it an oracle, it definitely had a meaning.
I wondered if Lord Luminous was playing another prank, but as they say, a good interpretation is better than the dream itself. I felt I should at least say something positive. Otherwise, she might end up feeling depressed for no reason.
So, looking straight at Arwen, who seemed to be expecting something, I voiced my opinion.
"It's ambiguous, but it could have various meanings. You could fill the rest of the glass, or you could pour the water out onto the floor. Doesn't it mean that you can fill it or empty it depending on your resolve?"
"Fill it, or empty it..."
"It could be an indirect way of telling you to make a choice. Instead of filling it with water, you could even break the glass entirely. It's so vague that I'm not entirely sure myself."
"... ..."
After hearing my answer, Arwen seemed to fall into deep thought for a while before raising her head to look at my face.
For some reason, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and she looked relieved.
"I see. I am glad I sought your opinions."
"So, can you tell us what question you asked that resulted in such an oracle?"
At my question, Arwen gave an even deeper smile.
"It is a secret."
She gave an answer that sounded somewhat... enchanting.