Chapter 220: A New Star(2)
Chapter 220: A New Star(2)
While this world permits polygamy, it doesn't mean one can simply take in women at random. For a husband to take another woman—a concubine—he must absolutely obtain his wife's permission. Otherwise, it is undeniably an affair.
However, nobles generally possess a "chosen people" consciousness that distinguishes them from commoners, and their immense power often results in relatively low moral standards. This tendency only strengthens as one's power grows.
For this reason, high-ranking nobles, well aware of their own authority and influence, frequently commit immoral acts. In a marital relationship, the absence of a moral compass inevitably leads to grave consequences.
This is why affairs are rampant in aristocratic society, and also why rumors surprisingly don't spread very far. It’s simple enough to take measures to ensure no one blabs.
Of course, while the percentage is high, many couples in arranged marriages still cherish one another. Arranged marriages are bound by a type of contractual relationship; if one side commits a wrong, the resulting losses return to them twofold.
Furthermore, there are surprisingly cases where the wife encourages the husband to take a concubine. This might happen if the wife has difficulty producing an heir, or if the husband's stamina and affection are so vigorous (...) that she finds it difficult to handle him day after day.
The former is one thing, but the latter might sound a bit comical; nevertheless, it happens quite frequently in this world. Even Isaac, who had only received basic knight training, possessed enough stamina to overpower Cecile on their first night, though his divine power certainly played a part.
He even managed to hold his own when Marie, whose jealousy had exploded over the Leona issue, and Cecile, who found the situation amusing, launched a joint attack. Though it was exhausting, he endured it handily. Perhaps his father Hawk's genes were manifesting late as his body matured, but his physical abilities were increasing by the day.
To digress for a moment, Marie, the one who felt that jealousy, couldn't help but feel somewhat dissatisfied. It had been a struggle since the moment she accepted Cecile, and now, because of that damn culture, she had to accept Leona as well.
There was even Kate, who, despite having zero sexual knowledge, had bluntly asked for his "seed." Fortunately, her interpersonal relationships were a disaster in a different sense, which provided some small relief.
However, as Isaac's first lover and the woman who would become his first wife, it was only natural for her to complain. In the distant future, if it were revealed that Isaac was Xenon, he might "unavoidably" have to take in more women, but that wasn't the case right now.
Cecile was satisfied just being connected to Isaac, but Marie always felt a sense of crisis. With the atmosphere surrounding the guard knight Adelia also being suspicious, she flatly refused to see the number of women increase any further.
Once one tasted the sincere affection Isaac gave during the day and the pleasure mixed with love at night, it was impossible to forget. The idea of having to divide that with others was unacceptable to her.
At the same time, she felt lucky. She was the first person to truly know Isaac. If someone else had known him first, she would have been the one trying to squeeze her way in.
Furthermore, her background as part of the Rekilis Duke family served as a sturdy shield. Thanks to that alone, other women didn't even dare to think about approaching Isaac.
Moreover, though Isaac himself might not know it, he was already quite famous within the academy. A year ago, he drew attention because of the unique combination of red hair and golden eyes; now that he had grown into a dashing young man, his beauty had reached its peak.
It had reached the point where rumors circulated among the female students that he was a man they wanted to sleep with at least once. Isaac, busy with his life as a teaching assistant, was completely unaware of this, but the occasional scandalous rumors only served to spike Marie's stress.
Of course, even that stress melted away the moment she saw Isaac's face. This was also the reason she occasionally bit his cheek.
"......So, which number wife is this one?"
"It's not like that."
However, she hadn't expected a freshman. Marie asked in a resigned voice as she looked at the pink-haired girl, Cherry, standing next to Isaac.
Isaac protested vehemently that it was a misunderstanding and that she was just a junior he wanted to introduce, but Marie—as well as Cecile and Lina, who were watching—looked far from convinced.
There was a difference here: Cecile, who was in a similar position to Marie, wore a bitter smile at the ridiculous situation, while Lina, strictly a third party, watched with great interest. As they say, watching a fire across the river is the best entertainment, and that was exactly Lina's situation.
Meanwhile, Marie crossed her arms in dissatisfaction and looked Cherry up and down as the girl hovered hesitantly. Her height was average... but her chest was exceptionally large.
Marie glanced at Cecile's chest next to her; they were almost neck and neck. Both of their uniforms seemed to be screaming for mercy.
Marie's own chest was by no means small—it was larger than average—but these two were simply on another level. What did they eat to grow like that?
Even Leona, who had boldly declared she would become his wife, seemed to be about the same size as Marie at a glance. Realizing something, Marie asked Isaac bluntly.
"Isaac, do you like women with big breasts?"
"Where did that question suddenly come from?"
"Just answer me first."
"......I do."
He really was terrible at lying. Or perhaps he just didn't bother anymore since he always got caught.
Marie smirked as she watched Isaac, whose face had turned slightly red. She had always liked how honest he was. His face was just a bonus.
In any case, her earlier question about which number wife this was had just been a joke. A bit of revenge, one might say. She was just teasing him a little out of jealousy because so many women had been flocking to him lately.
Except, Cherry's condition seemed a bit unusual. Marie shifted her gaze from Isaac, who was scratching his cheek sheepishly, to Cherry.
Given the pink hair and eyes, she was certainly from the Roseberry family, famous within the Minerva Empire as a family of philosophers. While the Rekilis family was known for hair as white as snow, the Roseberrys were known for pink.
But how should she put it? It was as if there was no life in her eyes, or perhaps a total lack of will; she seemed gloomy. Marie, unaware of Cherry's circumstances, wondered if she was just naturally like that.
"You said your name is Cherry? You're a freshman?"
"Ye-Yes..."
Her voice was as pretty as her appearance, but it held no energy. Not just Marie, but the others as well, looked puzzled, sensing that something was off.
However, since they didn't know her situation, they brushed it off as a personality trait. Since Isaac said he wanted to introduce her, the priority was to find a place to sit.
"Let's move for now. We're going to the usual place, right?"
"Let's do that. Cherry?"
"Yes..."
At Isaac's call, Cherry glanced around cautiously and waited until they moved first. It seemed she intended to let them lead while she followed behind.
Although the Academy operated under the creed that everyone was equal, authority was unavoidable. Marie was the daughter of Duke Rekilis, Lina was the Imperial Princess, and Cecile was the Princess of Helium.
Seeing this, Marie wanted to tell her to just walk with them, but Lina was present. To blindly tell someone whose character she didn't know to stand beside them would be disrespectful to Lina.
As a result, Cherry ended up trailing behind the group. They didn't ignore her, striking up conversation every now and then, but something caught Marie's eye.
It was the way Cherry followed right behind Isaac like a baby bird. She wasn't keeping her distance; she was so close that she was practically pressed against him. Her hands were even twitching as if she wanted to grab Isaac's long, swaying hair.
It was a sight anyone would find suspicious. Not only Marie, but even Cecile watched with strange looks. Isaac and Lina were busy talking to each other and were completely unaware of Cherry's close proximity.
At this, Marie and Cecile looked at each other simultaneously. No words were exchanged, but as women who were incredibly quick on the uptake, they knew exactly what the other was thinking.
That girl, Cherry, definitely had romantic feelings for Isaac. As women who loved the same man, it would be stranger if they didn't notice.
For now, they would stay quiet since Isaac needed to introduce her, but they would interrogate her the moment they got the chance. With that intent, the two women headed toward their favorite restaurant.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, just before opening the door to go inside, Marie made her first move.
"Oh, right. Isaac. Can I ask a favor?"
"What favor?"
"I think I left my pen in the lecture hall. If Lina goes with you, she'll know which one it is."
As she spoke, Marie gave Lina a subtle look. Though she had been singled out out of the blue, Lina cleverly grasped the situation and nodded.
"That one, right? Got it. Isaac and I will go find it. If it's not there, we'll just come back."
"If it's not there, then that's fine. You said your name is Cherry? You wait here with us."
"Ah, I..."
Was she anxious about being suddenly separated from Isaac? Cherry hesitated, looking back and forth between Marie and Isaac. Her trembling pink eyes were quite pitiful, like an earthquake was happening inside them.
However, unlike before she met Isaac, her mind was functioning to some extent. After agonizing over what to do, Cherry answered quietly.
"......Understood."
"Right. Then we'll head inside first."
"Got it. We'll be back soon."
They had bought some time. Marie waved as Isaac and Lina walked away.
Then, looking at Cherry, she gave a bright smile and invited her.
"Shall we go in, then?"
"Yes..."
Cherry looked uneasy, but she followed Marie's lead without a word. They took a room with solid soundproofing magic, as they always did, and took their seats.
Marie and Cecile sat side-by-side, leaving the middle seat empty, while Cherry sat across from them. Perhaps her self-esteem had plummeted now that she was sitting with people other than Isaac, but Cherry's head dropped low.
Marie looked puzzled, while Cecile simply stared at her. From the first impression, she seemed to have absolutely no self-esteem.
How did such a girl end up acting so dependent on Isaac? With growing curiosity, Marie spoke in a quiet voice.
"You said your name is Cherry? Cherry Blossom Roseberry. I've heard much about the Roseberry family. It's a family famous for philosophy."
"......Yes."
Cherry flinched and answered at the mention of her family. Her hands, resting in her lap, gripped her skirt tightly.
Marie could see the tension even from across the table and watched her silently. In the past, she had met Count Roseberry when he visited the Duke's estate; he was an ordinary noble like any other.
A unique man who possessed aristocratic pride yet tried to inject his own philosophy into everything. But if Cherry's reaction was this intense, it seemed his qualifications as a father were lacking.
"How did you get to know Isaac?"
"......The letter."
"Huh?"
"In the letter... there was red hair..."
At first, Marie didn't understand, but she quickly realized what it meant. She was saying there was a strand of red hair inside a letter.
During the winter break, while she was staying at Isaac's mansion, she had helped him read through the mountain of fan letters. Cecile, beside her, had done the same.
Among those letters was one sent by the girl before them. Isaac had mentioned she was one of the fans who wrote to him consistently.
He had written back to her, but his clumsy nature must have gotten the better of him, and a strand of hair must have fallen in. It wasn't entirely impossible, which made it all the more absurd.
"Don't tell me you know who Isaac really is?"
At Marie's bewildered question, Cherry nodded silently. At her confirmation, Marie and Cecile looked at each other.
How? Their eyes reflected the same question. To be certain based on a single strand of hair was a stretch, no matter how you looked at it.
"Just from one strand of hair? That doesn't make sense. No, wait—did you keep the hair?"
"......Yes."
The more they dug, the more unsettling this girl named Cherry became. To keep a strand of hair that most people would have thrown away was by no means normal.
It was impossible unless she was truly a stalker. Marie followed up with more questions, her tone becoming slightly urgent.
"You didn't realize it just from that. Right?"
"......The handwriting."
"Handwriting?"
"The handwriting in the letters and Isaac-nim's handwriting were identical..."
Isaac's handwriting was elegant, as befitting a noble, and meticulous, as befitting a writer. Every word was clear, and even when he scribbled, it carried an air of refinement.
But this wasn't exactly normal either. There are so many people in the world; to be certain based on handwriting alone...
It was becoming increasingly clear that Cherry was far from a normal person. Just as Marie was left speechless and dumbfounded...
Cherry, who had been fidgeting with her hands under the table, raised her head to face the two women. Then, in her characteristic gloomy voice, she spoke.
"......In the first place, Isaac-nim practically admitted it. He read my manuscript, said it was interesting, and said he would help me."
"Huh? Manuscript? What do you mean by that?"
"Were you a writer too?"
At the mention of a manuscript, both Marie and Cecile showed curiosity. It seemed this was the reason Isaac had wanted to introduce Cherry.
Cherry looked at the curious expressions of the two women, but unable to find the courage to face them, she lowered her head again. Still, she seemed to want to speak, as she opened her mouth to a volume that was barely audible.
"My father... he didn't even look at my manuscript before tearing it to shreds and trampling on it. But I endured, piecing it back together somehow, with the heart to show it to Xenon-nim..."
"......Wait. You 'endured'?"
"Yes... If Isaac-nim hadn't been Xenon, I probably..."
She didn't finish the sentence, but Marie and Cecile could guess what she was going to say. That lifeless voice and the deep darkness in her eyes were proof enough.
This girl was in a much more serious state than they thought. This was why Isaac had intentionally revealed his identity.
If even Isaac had turned Cherry away, a grim rumor about a cold corpse being found in the dormitory might have spread. He had revealed his identity to literally save a life.
"...I see. So that's what happened."
"If that's the case, there's not much we can do."
That explained why she had developed feelings for Isaac. He hadn't just mended the dream her family had torn to shreds; he had encouraged her and even offered help.
Furthermore, Marie couldn't help but wonder how much persecution she must have faced from her family to be broken like this. To turn a person into little more than a doll, the pressure must have been beyond words.
Marie felt pity for her, but pity was one thing and this was another. Even so, she wanted to decline having her become one of Isaac's women. There were already too many.
She had to ask her opinion, though. Marie stared at Cherry with a complicated expression before asking tentatively.
"So, do you want to say that you want to become Isaac's wife too, or something like that?"
At that question, Cherry slowly raised her head. She blinked slowly, languidly, and tilted her head.
Then, her rounded lips parted.
"Me?"
As if asking why she would even ask such a thing.
"How could I dare?"
It revealed her state of mind, her self-esteem having hit rock bottom. Marie couldn't help but flinch at the answer "How could I dare?"
How lowly must she think of herself to not even consider the possibility? Honestly, she could afford to be greedy, but something in her was warped.
Just as Marie was beginning to feel a slight sense of dread, Cecile, who had been watching from the side, spoke in her characteristic alluring voice, as if she had sensed something.
"Hey. Weren't you the one following Isaac around all this time?"
"Yes. That's right."
She confessed to stalking him without any intention of hiding it. But there wasn't a hint of guilt on her face.
A heart that had been completely shattered and then barely restored could never return to normal. It was a simple fact.
Cecile thought it over after hearing Cherry's answer, then asked another question.
"Then what about the gifts? Isaac has been smelling like cherry blossoms lately. Was that your doing?"
"I gifted him cherry blossom sap from my family's estate."
"And yet you say you have no feelings for him?"
"Someone like me?"
Once again, her self-esteem hit the floor. Cherry stared intently into Cecile's red eyes and spoke word by word.
"I am happy just having Isaac-nim exist. His hair, his scent, his voice, his face, his warmth, and so on. Just seeing, hearing, and feeling him is enough for me."
"..."
"But I must not have him. Even though I chose Mary as my pen name, it's impossible for us to truly be together. Just knowing that he knows I exist makes me happy."
"Mmm..."
At the succession of terrifying statements that felt almost like madness, Cecile let out a low groan and looked at Marie. Marie, seemingly getting scared, was slowly pushing her chair back.
Cecile shifted her gaze back to Cherry and thought to herself.
...She's like me.
She had just received salvation too late.
*
Meanwhile, Isaac and Lina headed toward the lecture hall as Marie had requested. Having improved their relationship, the two spoke comfortably to each other without any awkwardness as they walked.
To onlookers, it was a conversation between a Baron's son and the Imperial Princess, so some passersby stared strangely, but they were able to ignore such looks with ease.
Isaac was glad that he had become comfortable with Lina, and Lina also felt at ease, sensing that her relationship with Isaac had truly improved.
However, as relationships improve, personal questions tend to follow. Lina looked Isaac up and down as he had grown into a fine young man and asked out of curiosity.
"By the way, Isaac. Is your waist okay now? Last time, Marie and Cecile attacked you together."
"Ah, that's fine... Wait a minute."
Isaac paused and recalled the past after hearing Lina's question. Before Marie and Cecile's joint attack, it wasn't Lina who was there, but Leona.
Lina had often heard about the sex lives of her friends, so she wasn't embarrassed to mention it anymore. But asking a question like that was a bit strange. It was as if she knew everything about his sex life.
At this, Isaac blinked and looked at Lina, asking with suspicion.
"How do you know that?"
"E-Eh?"
"You weren't there then. I think Leona was there instead of you. Didn't you step away for a moment?"
"Ah, th-that's... I mean..."
It seemed to be an unexpected counter-question, as Lina began to stammer. Her face even turned as red as a tomato.
Isaac watched her reaction, raised an eyebrow, and asked tentatively.
"Lina. Did you, by any chance..."
"No! I didn't watch! I'm serious! I'm not a pervert!"
"..."
They say a strong denial is a strong affirmation. He hadn't even finished the question.
Still, Lina wasn't actually a pervert, and she wasn't the type to peep, so he decided to let it go.
"Phew..."
Lina let out a sigh of relief beside him, but he decided to ignore that too.