Chapter 248: Book 19(3)
Chapter 248: Book 19(3)
Despite Mari being right there, Cecile continued to be greedy, which naturally provoked Mari’s ire.
I feared things were about to get noisy again, but fortunately, Cecile backed down first, apologizing and claiming she was only joking.
As Cecile playfully stuck out her tongue like a mischievous prankster, Mari reluctantly let it slide. However, I knew better. I knew she was dead serious.
I wasn't sure if it was because her demon cycle was approaching, or if it was due to the recently published Volume 19 and Arwen’s public remarks, but she was constantly looking for an opening.
Given the biological traits of the Demon race, pregnancy wouldn't be easy, but recalling her behavior during her last heat, it wasn't entirely impossible either.
Even though Mari stood as a formidable wall blocking her path, Cecile was subtly expressing her desires. The fact that she had become much more touchy lately was proof enough.
Mari seemed to have noticed this as well, as she had increased the frequency of her checks on Cecile, who had always been her strongest rival. She made sure to emphasize that she was always first—and that included being the first to have a child.
I hoped it was just my imagination that we seemed to be running in circles. Every time Mari made such a claim, Cecile would nonchalantly brush it off, leading to a temporary lull in their skirmish.
This was just a guess, but I suspected Cecile was intentionally provoking Mari to plant seeds of anxiety. It wasn't unheard of for students to get pregnant and marry while still attending the Academy, so it wasn't an impossible scenario.
However, both Mari and I were exercising as much self-restraint as possible. Even though I was Xenon, we both had our own dreams and goals.
In my case, it was becoming a historian; for Mari, it was studying political science to be of help to me.
Since we were already engaged, there was no need to rush. Cecile was merely asserting her feelings, not forcing them on me.
More importantly, for now, I had to focus on the events unfolding in the Maishal Territory and the upcoming exhibition.
As mentioned before, Leona and Cherry were also scheduled to attend this exhibition. Cherry could come as a guest and stay at the mansion with my parents' permission, but Leona was a bit of a dilemma.
Leona wasn't just a friend; she was to be my wife. Due to the unique culture of the Beastkin, things had progressed smoothly like a snake slithering over a wall, but the situation was still a bit delicate.
I hadn't revealed my identity as Xenon yet, and Adelia was still in the picture. For Adelia’s sake, I felt I should postpone my first night with Leona.
Yet, I worried that doing so might be "impolite" to Leona. She would be staying at the mansion, after all...
"Oh, that? It’s fine. I can just stay with my mother."
"With your mother?"
"Yeah. She said she’s coming to the Academy the day before break starts. You don't have to worry about me, so we can do the mating later. Just find us a decent inn."
I had momentarily forgotten that Leona was a devoted daughter. When I met her briefly at a cafe to tell her the news, she took it quite cheerfully.
In return, she asked if I could lend her some money so she could enjoy the festival with her mother. That was a request I was more than happy to grant.
"Oh, by the way. I heard that temples for both Luminous and Mora are being built in your territory?"
"You heard about that?"
"Of course. I read the newspaper every day. But wouldn't it be a bit much to leave out Lady Hirt?"
"Actually, I'm considering inviting a shaman."
As I’ve mentioned before, Hirt is the Goddess of Nature and Life. Unlike her twin siblings, she doesn't grant Divine Power; rather, as nature itself, she exerts the greatest influence over humanity.
Performing a rain ritual to bring water to a drought-stricken land is a simple matter for her, but she can also summon storms to inflict massive damage on enemies.
However, because she is nature itself, her shamanic aspects are deeply tied to "natural disasters."
According to the texts, rain and snow represent Hirt’s sorrow, volcanoes and earthquakes her wrath, and thunder and lightning her surprise.
Occasionally, events occur that are beyond human control, resulting in great devastation.
Yet, it was Hirt who gave the Seed of the World Tree to the elves during the Demon War 3,000 years ago.
As long as humanity holds reverence for nature, Hirt’s divinity will never fade.
Above all, Hirt doesn't cause natural disasters because she wants to. Just as we occasionally lose our tempers or shed tears, Hirt is a transcendent being with emotions.
Furthermore, being nature itself, she is difficult to control. For a human, it would be like trying to consciously regulate your own digestive or circulatory systems.
"I heard that if a shaman performs a ritual, Lady Hirt watches over it. Is that right?"
"Yeah, that’s right. You don't need anything fancy; just offer a suitable sacrifice to Lady Hirt and you're done. Since she is nature itself, there's no need to even build a temple. I can do it for you if you want."
Come to think of it, I had heard something similar when I visited Mora last time. Leona could use sorcery and communicate with Hirt through "possession."
Possession would require a massive price, but I had the Divine Power to cover it.
I briefly debated when would be the best time to speak with Hirt before deciding to postpone it.
It would be better to perform the ritual at the exhibition rather than in a cafe. I could ask Leona for the sorcery then.
"Then I'll count on you. I'm not sure if my father will invite another shaman before then, but if not, we can do it then."
"Got it. I'll be in your care, Darling."
"I'm sure you will."
My meeting with Leona ended there. Next, I met with Cherry.
I had already invited her to the exhibition, but I needed to ask what she planned to wear and how she intended to stay there.
And how did that go?
"Cherry. So, about..."
"I'll do it."
"I haven't even said anything yet."
"Whatever you say, Senior, I'll do it."
"..."
That was how the conversation went. When I asked what she would wear to the exhibition, she said she would wear whatever I wanted.
Testing her, I asked if that meant she would come stark naked if I desired it.
Without a single change in her expression, Cherry looked me straight in the eye and answered.
"Yes."
"..."
"If you wish, I can strip right now."
Day by day, Cherry’s words and actions toward me were becoming increasingly unsettling. If she had a tendency to be dependent before, ever since she released her work, it had turned into something bordering on blind devotion.
It was an atmosphere that was similar to Kate’s yet different—unsettling in many ways. Given her family environment, I could understand it to an extent, but it had turned strange at some point.
It felt as if she were a marionette, waiting for me to pull her strings. It wasn't just a metaphor; I got the strong impression that Cherry would do literally anything I asked.
The situation was virtually indistinguishable from that of a master and a slave. I racked my brain trying to figure out how Cherry had reached this point, but no clear answer came to me.
After all, she had gifted me cherry blossom sap recently. Judging by that alone, she clearly possessed some level of autonomy.
Where exactly did things go wrong?
I stepped outside after finishing my brief yet complicated conversation with Cherry. I planned to meet Adelia last, and I thought about Cherry as I walked.
To any observer, Cherry’s attitude was far from normal. To put it bluntly, she was like a doll with a personality.
A doll that has a clearly defined master, but performs its own tasks as long as no specific orders are given. That perfectly described Cherry’s current state.
Since I wasn't a psychology expert and couldn't provide counseling, I planned to just keep a close eye on her for now. If left in that state, there was no telling what kind of disaster might occur.
I just hope she doesn't do anything crazy at the exhibition.
I didn't care if she bit my hair or sniffed my scent, as long as she didn't actually walk around naked.
Suppressing that anxiety deep within my chest, I was heading toward Adelia’s quarters when it happened.
"Hey there."
"Huh?"
A strangely familiar voice reached my ears. A low-toned, mature, and pleasant feminine voice.
The voice itself was lovely, but the owner of that voice was someone I wasn't particularly keen on meeting.
With a sense of dread, I turned toward the source of the voice. And sure enough...
"...Princess Hiriya?"
Standing there was Hiriya—the woman Adelia considered a mortal enemy and someone I wanted nothing to do with.
She was dressed in her school uniform, likely having just finished a theory lecture. As expected of someone with her figure and face, even the uniform exuded an air of elegance.
Though the personality contained within was quite the opposite. While I was thinking that, Hiriya stared intently at my face before speaking in her characteristically mature voice.
"Where were you headed?"
"I was on my way to meet an acquaintance."
If I said I was going to see Adelia, a bad situation would undoubtedly unfold. Even if I didn't like her, I was still just the son of a common Baron.
Compared to a Princess like Hiriya, I was far below her station. I could reveal my identity if things went south, but that would only complicate matters further.
It would essentially be like pissing on frozen feet to warm them. I intended to hide my identity from the Ters Royal Family, including Hiriya, for as long as possible.
"An acquaintance... You wouldn't happen to be talking about that half-wit, would you?"
I had tried to answer as bluntly as possible, but Hiriya seemed to have caught on immediately. At the same time, her eyes sharpened.
I didn't understand why this woman couldn't just mind her own business instead of constantly pestering me. Was it because of the humiliation she suffered during our last spar?
Honestly, if that was the case, "petty" was the perfect word for her. Even Adelia, an illegitimate child, had a proper character and a righteous heart; I wondered if the problem was Hiriya's upbringing.
I blinked without answering her question. If the situation was going to turn sour anyway, it was better to appear dull and slow-witted.
Fortunately, that seemed to work. Hiriya let out a smirk, crossed her arms haughtily, and spoke in a condescending tone.
"Like guard, like master—you're just as dim-witted as she is. It’s written all over your face."
I was caught immediately. It was a bit embarrassing.
I scratched my head, avoiding her gaze as I replied.
"My apologies. Since I know Your Highness finds my guard knight unpleasant... I apologize if I have offended you."
"An apology, is it...?"
Hiriya murmured and slowly approached me. With every step she took, an inexplicable atmosphere began to flow.
I wanted to step back, but the pressure emanating from Hiriya pinned my ankles in place. It felt as if she were telling me not even to think about escaping.
As I stood there watching her approach, Hiriya came right up to my nose.
Then, wearing a smile that looked both confident and wicked, she slowly reached her hand toward my face.
Grab.
I might have allowed it if it were someone I liked, but since I had a poor impression of her, I grabbed her wrist to stop her.
Hiriya’s smile vanished instantly, and her expression hardened.
Such an action toward a foreign princess was incredibly rude and could be seen as offensive, but I was strictly Mari’s boyfriend and fiancé.
Unlike my secret relationship with Cecile, this was a fact publicly known within the Academy, so I had to be careful with my conduct.
Furthermore, Hiriya was a princess of the Ters Kingdom, the rival of the Minerva Empire. A wrong move could even escalate into a diplomatic dispute.
So, wearing the gentlest smile possible, I delivered a line to reject her touch.
"I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness. However, I already have a fiancée."
"And what if I could treat you better than that fiancée? What would you do then?"
What was wrong with this woman all of a sudden? Had she lost her mind after being humiliated by Adelia?
I looked at her with an expression of pure bewilderment before slowly letting go of her hand. Then, I took a couple of steps back.
Even as I retreated, Hiriya still looked dissatisfied, but she didn't approach any further.
"I am sorry. She is already more woman than I deserve, so I am quite content as I am."
"As a man, do you have no ambition? Surely being the King's son-in-law is better than being a Duke's live-in son-in-law?"
Ambition, my foot. People were already calling me a Saint and a Prophet; I didn't need any more of that. I had no such intentions in the first place.
Suppressing those inner thoughts, I responded with a polite smile.
"Your Highness, a pine caterpillar must eat pine needles. If it tries to eat oak leaves, it will die."
This was directed at Hiriya, not myself. She didn't know my true identity, but I had a rough idea of what she was thinking with such behavior.
She had tasted a humiliation that would last a lifetime thanks to Adelia, so she likely wanted to pay it back.
If she used her status as a princess to take me away, I would naturally be separated from Adelia. Then, Adelia would taste a terrible sense of despair.
Hiriya’s eyes widened at my remark, and she crossed her arms haughtily once more.
"A pine caterpillar must eat pine needles... I like that saying."
"I am glad it pleases you."
"And I like you for having such a mindset."
"..."
No. I'm telling you I don't have a shred of interest in you. Regardless of my feelings, Hiriya licked her lips seductively with her tongue as she looked at me.
Her sky-blue eyes, shimmering with desire, felt incredibly murky—the difference was staggering when compared to the pure Adelia.
"I'll give up for now. Instead, I shall designate you as my guide during the exhibition. You can manage that much, can't you?"
"As I said before, I—"
"I, Hiriya Ducard von Kerchers, Second Princess of the Ters Kingdom, am making a formal request."
"..."
My eye twitched the moment I heard those words. A formal request meant it wasn't a request between individuals, but between the Empire and the Kingdom.
In other words, from my position, if the higher-ups told me to do it, I had no choice but to comply. It was an incredibly awkward situation for the Minerva Empire as well.
If they agreed, they would be getting on my bad side; if they refused, the Ters Kingdom would become suspicious. It was a classic Catch-22.
I would try to defend myself by citing my date with Mari, but the other side held the stronger hand. Feeling a deep surge of irritation, I let out a sigh.
"...Understood. I will accept whatever orders come down from above."
"A wise choice. Then, I shall see you at the exhibition, Isaac Ducard Maishal."
Hiriya approached me, patted my shoulder, and then walked away. Her hair, tied in a ponytail, swayed back and forth.
I watched her retreating figure for a moment before looking at my shoulder. It was the spot Hiriya had just patted.
Brush, brush.
I casually brushed off the shoulder area with my hand and continued on my way. I wanted to meet Adelia as soon as possible to wash away this mood.
Lately, Adelia had been receiving maid training, just as Mari had mentioned before. She didn't have a specific tutor and was just studying from books.
I heard it was a book Mari had recommended. Once we went to the mansion, my mother would teach her personally, but she was getting a head start.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Who is i— Oh! Cutie!"
"Hey, Noona."
As soon as the door opened, Adelia greeted me with a joyful face. My mood melted away so quickly that the memory of meeting Hiriya felt like it had never happened.
I followed her inside the quarters. Exercise equipment was still scattered everywhere as usual, but there were a few changes.
Namely, books. Starting from the very familiar Xenon Biography, various educational books caught my eye here and there.
They appeared to be the maid training books Mari had sent over.
"Were you studying?"
"Yeah. I'll learn properly at the mansion, but I have to study hard."
Adelia nodded and answered energetically. Though she always exuded a sense of reliability and dignity, she was working harder than ever to be of help to me.
It warmed my heart, and her happily smiling face felt even more lovely. How could she be so endearing? I truly was a lucky man.
I picked up a book that looked like the one she had been studying just now. I flipped through the pages briefly before asking her.
"Then, can you show me the most important thing you've learned so far?"
"That’s easy. First, sit here."
Adelia patted her bed after hearing my question. I wondered what it could be that required me to sit on the bed.
Pushing that doubt aside for a moment, I sat down as she requested. Once I was settled, Adelia cleared her throat with a hem, hem and stood before me.
Then, following what she had learned from the book, she folded her hands neatly and spoke in a soft, gentle tone.
"Good evening, Young Master. Have you had a pleasant day?"
Her husky voice combined with the gentle tone created a strange, synergistic charm. I watched her next move with inward admiration.
"You must have had a long and tiring day. It is the duty of an exclusive maid to relieve that fatigue."
"...Huh?"
Something felt off. I blinked as I looked up at Adelia.
Meanwhile, Adelia looked down at me with her sky-blue eyes, wearing a soft smile.
Then, her sweet, characteristically husky and charming voice reached my ears.
"Tonight, I shall personally provide you with night service."
"..."
"How was it? Did I do well? The book didn't say what happened after that, so I wasn't sure what it meant, but I just have to give you a massage, right?"
Just what kind of book did she read?