Chapter 285: Bombshell(4)
Chapter 285: Bombshell(4)
The speech, which could only be described as a tactical nuclear strike, had come to an end, but the heat in the plaza showed no signs of cooling down.
For now, the other nobles and I were busy conversing to strengthen our social ties, much like we did during the previous speech in Albenheim. Most of the discussions centered on Cecile’s speech and how the political landscape would shift moving forward.
Now that clear evidence had emerged that the shackles binding the Demon race could be broken, it was bound to be a headache for other nations in many ways.
The Demons were already several steps ahead in terms of magic and culture. While the Elves could at least compete in magic, the cultural gap was becoming awkward. On top of that, the potential to remove the very shackles that had held them back meant Helium’s influence would only grow by the day.
However, this didn't mean Helium had seized a total advantage. While showing off their potential was certainly good, it also gave potential enemies time to react. It was fortunate that Descal had laid a solid foundation; otherwise, Cecile might have been bombarded with political attacks the moment she ascended to the throne of the Demon King.
Still, it was an ideal situation for strengthening their internal affairs. Even if Cecile had conquered her inner evil, the road ahead wouldn't be easy.
An official decree would likely be sent out after this. Demons, in particular, go through a period of puberty known as the "Little Demon" phase. From a Demon parent's perspective, it’s the most dangerous and stressful time of child-rearing. The kids don't listen to a word you say, and they cause all sorts of chaos, claiming their inner evil is running wild.
It’s hard enough as it is, but if they start throwing tantrums claiming they’re going to "conquer their inner evil" too, it’s going to be a massive headache for the parents.
As I briefly mused on how the difficulty of parenting for Demons was about to skyrocket, I shifted my gaze toward the citizens of Helium who had been watching Cecile’s speech.
—Our light, found within the twilight!
—We shall never fall. Farewell to our shadows!
—Let us march toward the light once more!
They were singing the national anthem of Helium, arms draped over each other's shoulders. Cecile’s speech hadn't just given the Demons a hollow hope; it had given them certainty. Since Cecile had kindly demonstrated how to conquer one's inner evil, there was no more hesitation.
All that remained was to take a great leap forward, not as monsters, but as members of humanity. The inner evil that had shackled their bodies since birth was no longer something to be feared, but something that could be overcome.
Though there would undoubtedly be many incidents and accidents to follow, I believed they would manage just fine.
'And there's no worry about my identity being exposed, but...'
While talking to the nobles who had approached to build rapport with Mari, I stole a glance in another direction.
The person I was looking at wasn't Lina or Leort, but Hiriya.
As usual, she was dressed impeccably in her uniform, conversing with the nobles who approached her, but she occasionally glanced over here. I couldn't fathom why Hiriya was showing such intense interest in me, but the most likely reason was my identity.
Whether it was due to her petty grudge against Adelia or something else, she had kept her eyes on me even while Cecile was giving her speech.
'There shouldn't be anything for her to catch on to... Hmm...'
Cecile had called herself "Xenon's woman," but that was strictly in the sense that she was the model for the character. Some high-ranking nobles might interrogate her, asking if she really had no personal relationship with Xenon.
But as I said before, Cecile hadn't lied. Even if they asked the gods, the answer would be that she spoke the truth.
There was absolutely no leverage for Hiriya to grab. Except for the sheer coincidence that Hiriya happened to be looking at both Cecile and me at the exact moment Cecile looked my way. Even then, there was no proof that Cecile was looking specifically at me.
'I need to be careful.'
I should probably avoid Hiriya for the time being. If she tried to approach, I’d have to find a way to excuse myself. To do that, I needed to spend more time with Mari.
Since Cecile wouldn't be able to come to the Academy for a while due to state affairs, my time with Mari would naturally increase. Furthermore, since I had to work as a teaching assistant, it would be difficult for Hiriya to run into me unless she went out of her way to hunt me down.
"But do you all really think Princess Cecile is Xenon's woman?"
A question caught my ear just as my mind was wandering. I immediately looked toward the source. The person who asked was a young noble lady with striking wavy blonde hair and blue eyes. Objectively, she was beautiful, but standing next to Mari, she didn't particularly stand out.
"Hmm... I'm not so sure. It could be used for propaganda, but..."
"Shouldn't we hear what Xenon has to say first?"
"True. We'll be able to tell based on Xenon's reaction. If Xenon denies it, then Princess Cecile will have lied in front of everyone."
Watching them chatter about the topic, I realized I needed to write a letter.
It was an undeniable fact that Cecile was the model for Lilith, the Avatar of Lust. Her sultry appearance, her aura, and even her fighting style—all of it was based on Cecile. So, her being the "model" was the absolute truth.
Still, I had to write the letter for Cecile's sake. Since she might just openly confirm it, I had to word the letter carefully.
"But isn't it possible that Princess Cecile really is Xenon's woman?"
Of course, there are always those who won't believe easily, even with circumstantial evidence. A man in front of me crossed his arms, expressing his doubt.
He was right. Not everyone believed Cecile's speech. There would definitely be people digging into the background. She hadn't lied, but the subtle truth sandwiched between those words would spark suspicion. Cecile wasn't a fool, so she must have prepared for this, but she was still destined to suffer quite a bit in the future.
"No way. If that were the case, she wouldn't have announced it like that; she would have shown proper evidence."
"What kind of evidence?"
"Well... there are many things, but the most certain would be..."
"A child?"
Twitch—
Mari’s body flinched noticeably at the mention of such definitive evidence. Since we were holding hands, the sensation was even more vivid.
I had already slept with Cecile more times than I could count on both hands. Fortunately, we were diligent with contraception, so the chance of an "accident" was near zero.
Thus, while there was no physical evidence, Cecile had hammered in one undeniable proof by demonstrating her demonization: that she was indeed the motif for Lilith and that the inner evil could be conquered.
To put it harshly, it was wordplay or a deceptive tactic, but one could also praise it as Cecile's brilliant eloquence and rhetoric.
Anyway, after the brief meeting with the nobles ended, Mari and I moved to a different location. Adelia, who had been watching from a distance, joined us as we left. Since we couldn't stay at the Helium Palace for now, we planned to stay at an inn reserved for nobility.
"Hmph. 'Xenon's woman'... She's practically advertising it to the whole world."
As soon as we entered the inn to rest, Mari began to grumble. Since it was a high-end establishment for nobles and couples, the soundproofing was impeccable. This meant Mari’s complaints wouldn't leak outside. I gave a bitter smile as I listened to her venting.
"She kept it vague, so isn't it fine?"
"It might be fine for you, but it's not fine for me! That was practically a declaration of war against me. I’m going to have to make it clear that I’m Isaac’s number one. I thought she’d been acting a bit too bold lately, and now I see why."
Saying that, Mari began to fumble with her dress to take it off. Adelia stood by her side, helping her undress. Since it was a formal dress worn for etiquette, it was difficult to put on or take off without assistance. Adelia had been clumsy at first, but after getting used to it over the break, she was now quite efficient.
"You have something to say to Cecile too, don't you?"
"A little? I should tell her she shouldn't have done that without consulting me."
Even if she had a plan, the statement about being "Xenon's woman" was a tactical nuke with many problematic elements. If even one thing had gone wrong, it was a gamble of the century that could have ruined everything, even with the demonstration of demonization. Furthermore, announcing it without consulting me could lead to negative consequences like this.
"Don't scold her too much. I'm sure Cecile had her reasons. And..."
Slide—
Having changed into comfortable clothes, I gently grabbed Mari’s slender shoulders. Then, leaning close to her ear, I whispered.
"Even if I reveal that I'm Xenon, I'll still say you're the first."
"...You better keep that promise."
"Of course."
When I pulled my face away, I saw Mari’s face had turned as red as a beet. Her prickly reaction was so cute that I almost started the "main event" right then and there, but I barely managed to restrain myself. Adelia was right there, and starting now would lead to an awkward situation. Besides, it was almost dinner time, and I couldn't afford to get messy just yet.
'My father-in-law is probably nearby too...'
Though we hadn't met directly, Mari’s father and my father-in-law, Duke Rekilis, was also here. Given his high rank, he was likely still busy talking to other nobles. It felt wrong to be rolling around with his daughter like a slacker while he was working hard.
You ask if I ignored Descal when I was at the palace? Descal had encouraged me to ignore him and play hard with Cecile. From his perspective, I was a treasure sent by the gods, so he wouldn't care what I did—in fact, he’d probably help. Considering Aisilia herself even provided 'dessert' on my first night with Cecile, no further explanation is needed.
Knock, knock, knock—
[Isaac. It's me. Can I come in?]
As Mari and I were finishing changing into casual wear, a familiar voice came from outside the door. It wasn't Lina, but Cecile. The women in the room, including myself, looked toward the door with startled expressions.
She should have been incredibly busy after the speech; why was she here? Did she have something to say?
I was stunned, but I gestured for Adelia to open the door. Receiving the signal, Adelia walked toward the door with disciplined steps.
Click—
As soon as the door opened, Cecile appeared, still wearing the outfit from her speech. Seeing that Gartz wasn't with her, it seemed she had come alone. There was no worry about her being caught; with Cecile’s magic, she could have used stealth or teleportation.
Cecile thanked Adelia for opening the door and slowly approached us. She had a happy smile on her face, and her steps were light.
"What's going on?"
I asked with curiosity as Cecile stood before Mari and me. Adelia remained by the door, observing the situation. Cecile looked back and forth between Mari and me with that same smile before opening her red lips.
"You were very surprised during the speech, weren't you? You must have been. I said those things without even consulting you."
"Surprised doesn't even cover it. 'Xenon's woman'? Don't you think you went a bit too far, even for you?"
As soon as the expected topic came out of Cecile's mouth, Mari crossed her arms and snapped back. Her tone suggested she had been waiting for this. I felt similarly, but I remained silent and just watched Cecile.
Cecile looked at us with a deep gaze, then bowed her head and waist deeply. It was a clear sign of apology.
"I'm sorry."
"..."
"I admit I was greedy. I didn't want to consult you because I didn't want to reveal my ugly greed."
"Ugly greed?"
"Yes."
Straightening her back, Cecile gave a bitter smile. It was a sad smile, starkly different from the one she had just moments ago.
"At first glance, it might seem like it wouldn't harm Isaac, but that's only a possibility. There will be people digging into my background to avoid Helium's eyes. If they do, Isaac's safety will be at risk."
"..."
"That's why I said those things, even going as far as demonizing myself, so that people would focus solely on me."
"Why?"
"Because if I had asked, Isaac would have surely told me not to worry about it."
Cecile knew me too well. Just as she said, even if she had consulted me, I likely would have given her my blessing. Was it a form of guilt? Perhaps she felt she was only receiving from me without giving anything back.
Just as she knew me, I knew her. The devotion Cecile showed me was that strong.
"And as I achieved demonization, I came to realize my true desire. That ugly greed I mentioned."
"Desire?"
"Yes. To push Mari aside and stand by Isaac's side. My inner evil whispered it to me, but in other words, it was a greed I had been suppressing deep down."
I couldn't help but widen my eyes at those words. But at the same time, it made sense. As she grew closer to me, she had been harboring bits of jealousy toward Mari. Saying she wanted to be the first to have my child, saying the battle for the position of official wife wasn't over, and so on.
Though she said those things jokingly, they must have contained a sincerity she herself hadn't fully recognized. Having faced that sincerity head-on while conquering her inner evil, she must have felt disgusted with herself. She was by my side because of my choice and Mari’s mercy, yet she had been harboring such ungrateful, dark intentions.
Dropping that bombshell without consulting me was likely, in part, an attempt to make me lose affection for her.
"That's why I'm telling you both. Now that I've faced my true feelings, I can no longer..."
"Oh, please. Stop talking that nonsense."
Just as Cecile was about to drop another bombshell in that vein, Mari cut her off with a voice full of irritation. I looked over and saw Mari’s face filled with dissatisfaction. Cecile blinked her red eyes in surprise as she looked at her.
"You're not seriously going to say some ridiculous crap about leaving us after everything we've done in bed, are you?"
"W-well, yes, but... Mari. I tried to push you aside..."
"How frustrating! You should have just said this during your speech! 'My inner evil whispered to me. But that was my true heart. The courage to face that heart...'!"
Mari began to mockingly mimic Cecile’s speech tone, rattling off words. She must have been truly frustrated to go on like that without taking a breath. As Mari’s "speech" came to an end, she questioned Cecile.
"Does that mean you're going to leave Isaac's side?"
"I have no choice. If someone sees me with Isaac..."
"Sigh... Isaac."
"Yeah?"
"You didn't accept Cecile without that kind of resolve, did you?"
"No."
So this is the dignity of the official wife. I answered Mari’s question without a moment's hesitation.
Moving forward, Cecile might not be able to stay close to me due to political issues. If someone saw us, they would surely be suspicious. Out of sight, out of mind, as they say. And since she had mastered demonization, she wouldn't turn into a demon from the pain of a broken heart.
From Cecile's perspective, she probably thought watching me from a distance was the best way. But to Mari and me, it was incredibly stupid.
"Noona."
"Y-yes?"
"Did you... really think... you could just... leave me... over something like that?"
I told her, emphasizing every single word. I had no intention of letting her go. I was willing to accept political attacks or whatever else came our way. In the first place, I was the idiot for not noticing Cecile's feelings.
Furthermore, even if it was "dark intentions," Cecile wanted to stand by my side. That was her undeniable truth.
"I can never give you up. If you leave, I'll come find you. Understand?"
"..."
As I declared my resolve with a firm voice, Cecile’s red eyes began to well up with tears. Perhaps because she had only recently mastered demonization, she seemed emotionally unstable. Choosing this path and coming to confess to us was likely a result of that.
Her reason was screaming that she should leave my side, but in reality, she wanted to stay. These two conflicting emotions had created a state of extreme confusion.
"Ugh... hic..."
Finally, Cecile began to sob. I silently pulled her small shoulders into an embrace and patted her back. As I did, Cecile clung to me tightly as if she would never let go. Her horns pricked my chest, causing a bit of a sting, but mentioning it now would surely ruin the moment.
"Good grief. A princess, crying like a baby."
Mari looked at the back of Cecile’s head with an exasperated expression. Our eyes met, and seeing her shrug, I thought, That's so like her.
Then, she leaned close to Cecile’s ear and cracked a joke to lighten the heavy mood.
"Then don't even dream of taking the official wife spot, okay? I'm going to have the first child, too. Got it?"
And Cecile’s response came immediately.
"N-no..."
"What?"
"I'll... be first..."
It was hard to understand through her sobbing, but being close, I caught it.
And Mari’s reaction...
"The nerve of this girl!"
It was one of pure disbelief.
Thus, after the situation that served to strengthen the bond with Cecile ended...
[The Queen of Albenheim. If the motif for Lilith is the Princess of Helium, then the motif for Elisha is none other than herself.]
Another bombshell flew in from an unexpected place.