Chapter 253: Vacation Again(5)
Chapter 253: Vacation Again(5)
As I scrambled to pick up the fruit fragments scattered in every direction, one thing became certain: the reason my father fell for my mother was undoubtedly rooted in her terrifying strength.
It is incredibly difficult for even a well-trained adult man to crush a piece of fruit with his bare hands. To be clear, she didn't just split it; she crushed it.
Having a fruit explode as if flattened by a hydraulic press is a feat beyond most world-class strongmen.
Is it only possible because this is a fantasy world? From what I’ve heard, my mother has never undergone a single day of training in her life. According to my father, she was just an ordinary country girl.
The most plausible hypothesis is that her bond with my father had some sort of influence on her, but I didn't dare ask. The most pressing matter at hand was Volume 20 of Xenon’s Biography.
If I were to release Volume 20 without revising the story, that fruit could very well represent my future. However, I couldn't just change the plot.
In Volume 20, Jin is killed when Beelzebub pierces his chest, but he doesn't stay dead. It’s a stepping stone for the "awakening" cliché that is so common in my previous world.
You know the one. The story where another entity dwelling within the protagonist emerges at a moment of crisis to save them.
Specifically, I had dropped hints everywhere that Jin is a half-human, half-demon hybrid, distinct from other demons. So, Jin isn't going to stay dead for long.
The real question is whether I can survive until Volume 21 comes out. If my mother truly decides to hunt me down, seeking temporary refuge might not be a bad option.
"What are you thinking about?"
My mother, who had washed her hands and returned to her seat before I noticed, asked me a question. I stared at the fruit pieces I had gathered and spoke quietly.
I almost let slip the contents of Volume 20 that were swirling in my head, but I managed to suppress it just in time.
"I just didn't realize you were so strong, Mother. How can you burst a fruit with one hand like that?"
"This much is basic."
"If that’s basic, everyone’s going to die."
At my half-serious joke, my mother covered her mouth and gave a refined laugh.
"I’m teasing. There were so few people where I grew up that everyone helped out with the chores, regardless of whether they were men or women. From milking cows to carrying hunted game... Ah, I even carried a bear once."
"...Didn't you say you enjoyed writing in your youth?"
"That and labor are two separate things."
She said that, but talent is something that doesn't change. Some people's strength remains the same no matter how hard they work; you don't just gain that kind of power from simple manual labor.
Perhaps Nicole’s innate physical strength was inherited from our mother. Since Dave was more about technique than raw power, this theory seemed highly credible.
Even I, though my abilities bloomed late, possess a level of physical strength that is quite impressive despite only having undergone basic knight training.
Knock, knock—
"It is Adelia. May I enter?"
Just as I was lost in thought regarding my mother’s past and talents, Adelia knocked on the door. It seemed she had finished washing up and changing her clothes.
When my mother gave her permission to enter, Adelia appeared, dressed in casual attire.
Even though she had changed, she was still wearing a dress shirt and leather trousers. It seemed she had no intention of dressing sloppily for her meeting with my mother.
"Come in. Sit next to Isaac."
"Yes. Understood."
Adelia followed my mother’s instructions. I watched her expression as she approached.
She looked slightly tense, likely anticipating the conversation that was about to take place. The way her lips were pressed firmly together made it obvious.
Even though I had explained the situation to my mother and spoken with Adelia, the tension was unavoidable.
Although she had said she was satisfied with just watching from a distance, my mother’s perspective might be different. Specifically, the biggest obstacle for Adelia was none other than her social status.
The Kingdom of Ters would surely try to use her by spouting nonsense about family ties. They’d flip their stance in a heartbeat.
Concerned about this, I hadn't revealed my identity to Adelia. Sometimes it’s better not to know; I didn't want to burden her.
After all, she didn't love Xenon, the author of Xenon’s Biography; she held feelings for the man named Isaac.
Snikt— Snikt—
"I’ve heard the story. You intend to become Isaac’s concubine and his exclusive maid at the same time?"
As soon as Adelia sat down beside me, my mother cut straight to the chase while calmly peeling fruit. Adelia flinched for a moment at the question before nodding heavily in response.
"Yes. That is correct."
"And you’ve received permission from Princess Mari and Princess Cecile?"
"Yes."
"I see. Then I leave our Isaac in your hands."
"Yes. Of course... Wait, what?"
Adelia started to answer mechanically before stopping to question her ears. Well, she had no choice but to ask.
She had surely expected a deep, heavy conversation, but my mother had given her approval so easily.
The permission was so cool and concise that it made her previous nervousness feel foolish.
"Why that look? Since you’ve already received permission from Princess Mari and Princess Cecile, what’s the difficulty?"
"No. It’s just... My Lady. As you know, I am..."
"That you’re an illegitimate child of the Kingdom of Ters? Our family doesn't care about things like that. My husband was a commoner before being promoted to nobility, and I also became a noble after meeting him. Since you two have already confirmed your feelings for each other, it’s not my place to tell you what to do."
At my mother’s relaxed answer, Adelia stammered, but followed up with another question to satisfy her curiosity.
"But you said that a day would come when I would have to make a major decision..."
A day will come when you have to make a major decision. Since I hadn't heard that part, it must have come from a private conversation with my mother.
Upon hearing the question, my mother glanced at me and smiled brightly. She then placed a neatly sliced piece of fruit on a plate.
"From where I’m standing, it looks like you’ve already made your decision. Would you go back if the Kingdom of Ters told you to return?"
"I—I swear that will never happen. I’ve realized that sharing blood doesn't make everyone family."
Adelia shook her head vigorously, as if the mere thought was repulsive. She had already shed most of her lingering attachments through her duel with Hiriya.
Even if I were to reveal that I am Xenon, she wouldn't return to her biological family. I had already resolved to make sure of that.
"Then that’s that. What more is needed? From now on, make sure to take your maid lessons seriously and don't forget your duties as a guard knight. I’ll ask Dana to handle your education, so start working hard tomorrow."
"..."
Faced with a conversation that was moving along as smoothly as a snake over a wall, Adelia looked like she didn't know what to do with herself.
Even I was bewildered by the situation, so I could only imagine how she felt. As I picked up a piece of fruit with my fork, Adelia spoke in a cautious voice.
"Um... Baroness."
"Yes. Go ahead."
"Is it... really alright? Unlike the other two, I have nothing to my name..."
Acceptance was one thing, but Adelia lowered herself by using Mari and Cecile as examples.
At the same time, she was being realistic. Unlike the other two mentioned, all she had was her trained body.
Mari was the daughter of Duke Rekilis, and Cecile was the Princess of Helium and the future Demon King.
It was only natural for Adelia to feel infinitely small in comparison. That was likely why she asked such a question.
To that inquiry, my mother maintained her signature gentle smile as she answered.
"Even if you have nothing, you can still be of help to Isaac. Our Isaac is smart, but his body is relatively weak."
"I’m not exactly weak, though?"
"Keep your mouth shut. Read the room."
"..."
I tried to lighten the mood but only ended up getting scolded. I’ll just stick to eating this delicious fruit.
"B-but Princess Cecile also protects Isaac..."
"That girl isn't by Isaac’s side every single day, is she?"
It wouldn't be Cecile, but a knight dispatched from Helium who would guard me. However, since Adelia wouldn't know this, I let it slide.
"But you are different. As an exclusive maid, you can support Isaac by his side. Furthermore, you can protect him immediately if a crisis occurs. Why would you say you have nothing?"
"..."
"Don't belittle yourself so much. It’s not that you have nothing; you just don't realize what you possess. Just keep that in mind."
"...Yes."
Perhaps moved by my mother’s warm kindness, Adelia answered in a voice thick with emotion. I lowered my head slightly to look at her face.
Moisture was gathering in her clear blue eyes, and she looked like she was on the verge of tears. Truly, she might be tough on the outside, but she’s incredibly soft-hearted on the inside.
It’s a common trait among those who have been hurt a lot. Adelia had grown up with countless scars in her heart, so even a little touch could trigger tears as an automatic reflex.
I haven't revealed everything yet, but...
I exchanged a glance with my mother while Adelia composed herself. My mother simply gave a bright smile and a nod, signaling that this was enough for now.
It was a sign that it wouldn't matter even if I revealed I was Xenon. Seeing that, I chewed on my fruit and pondered.
Given the situation so far, Adelia has absolutely no intention of returning to the Kingdom of Ters. I was certain of that.
She was head over heels for me and had even received my mother’s permission, so there was nothing left to hesitate about.
The same would apply even after revealing my identity. In fact, she might even feel a sense of pride knowing the person she serves is Xenon.
But that was just my thought; given Adelia’s personality, she might find it burdensome, as I mentioned before. The prestige of Xenon’s Biography was currently soaring through the heavens.
So, for her not to feel burdened...
...A 'seal' is the only answer.
I’d have to stamp her as mine, like a seal! Clang! If I did that, Adelia would be able to shed her burden bit by bit.
Of course, I couldn't do it right away. There was the matter of the exhibition, and during the vacation, Mari and Cecile would likely team up to pounce on me, leaving little room for Adelia to intervene.
Unless one of the two decided to 'concede.' But since both of them were terrifyingly greedy when it came to me, that would be no easy feat. Even if I wanted to persuade them, I felt like I wouldn't even be able to open my mouth.
While I was lost in useless internal worries, my mother spoke to Adelia.
"Then it would be best for you to start your maid lessons today. Since you also have to undergo knight training, we’ll need to draw up a timetable. We’ll have to set your working hours as well."
"Sniff. D-don't exclusive maids have to be by their master's side from morning until night?"
"Hmm? What are you talking about? Even for an exclusive maid, there are strictly defined working hours. Usually, it starts at 7 AM and lasts until dinner. There are personal break times in between, so it won't be too taxing."
"B-but in books, they say they also provide night service..."
"......?"
At Adelia’s bombshell statement, my mother blinked a couple of times before tilting her head. She looked puzzled as to where Adelia could have possibly acquired such knowledge.
Sensing something was wrong from that reaction, Adelia turned her gaze toward me.
Why are you looking at me all of a sudden? You’re the one who self-studied with the books Mari gave you.
Contrary to my internal thoughts, Adelia spoke quietly in a voice full of doubt.
"I-is that not it? I learned from books that maids provide night service to relieve their master's fatigue. It said the master would be very satisfied..."
"..."
"Whew... Isaac."
My mother let out a sigh filled with complex emotions and called my name. I replied with an awkward smile.
"Yes, Mother."
"Go wait outside for a moment until I call you back."
At my mother’s instruction, I stood up without a word and went outside. It seemed she intended to instill some 'common sense' and explain 'euphemisms' to Adelia.
Even as I left, Adelia began to fidget restlessly, looking as if she had done something terribly wrong.
She looked like a Golden Retriever about to be scolded by its owner. Still, it was a necessary step, so I forced myself to ignore it.
How much time had passed since I stepped out? My mother told me to come back in. As soon as I entered, I checked on Adelia’s condition.
"Adel?"
"..."
Just as I expected. I immediately saw Adelia with her head buried in her hands, slumped forward.
Furthermore, her ears were dyed a deep red. I didn't even have to see her face to know what it looked like.
Even if it was based on incorrect knowledge, she had basically told me she would provide 'night service,' so she must be feeling every ounce of embarrassment possible.
Despite her cool and easygoing personality, she showed a surprisingly clumsy side at times like this, which gave her a certain 'gap moe' charm.
"By the way, what was Mari thinking, recommending a book like that?"
"Knowing Mari’s personality, she probably gave it to her to tease her. But since Adel doesn't know much about euphemisms..."
"That could be it. I’ll have to have a word with her when I see her later."
"About what?"
At my question, my mother looked at Adelia, who still couldn't lift her head, and smiled brightly.
"To tell her she recommended a truly wonderful book."
"Awoooo..."
That was the first finishing blow.
"So, Adel. When are you going to give me that night service?"
"Ugh... You...!"
And then I landed the second finishing blow.
There truly was nothing cuter than an embarrassed Adelia.