Chapter 319: Education(3)
Chapter 319: Education(3)
Since the revelation of Isaac’s identity, Arwen’s schedule had become busier, never lighter.
Even if the title of being one of the few who knew Xenon’s secret was gone, the fact that she was close to him remained unchanged.
In fact, Arwen had openly displayed her friendship with Isaac in front of everyone during the informal social gathering.
Since it was an official setting, they had maintained proper etiquette, but one had to consider who else was there. The room was filled with nothing but political veterans who possessed keen insight, sharp observation skills, and the ability to parse human psychology in minute detail.
On the other hand, that event was essentially Isaac’s debut in high society, and he had struggled even to manage his facial expressions. Although Marie had done her best to assist him, his lack of experience compared to the others made his tells inevitable.
Despite that, Isaac had treated Arwen like a truly close friend. Not only did their conversation flow without a hitch, but they even exchanged jokes.
Most importantly, there was the desperate final outburst from Piren, the head of the Senate. He had shouted that Xenon—that is, Isaac—was Arwen’s lover and had even written her speeches.
Setting aside the lover part, the key point was that Isaac had written a speech for Arwen. This was a case where Isaac himself had provided direct assistance, rather than through the Xenon Biography.
While the Demon race had also been saved through the Xenon Biography, it was somewhat ambiguous to say Isaac had helped them directly in that instance.
Person to person.
In other words, it implied that Isaac was close enough to Arwen to lend her his personal wisdom. It was fortunate that Marie was there; had he not had a fiancée, rumors of them being lovers would have surely run rampant.
Of course, anyone who needed to know already knew that Arwen harbored romantic feelings for Isaac. They simply kept quiet to avoid unnecessary chaos.
At any rate, Arwen had been spending her days in a whirlwind of activity since Isaac’s confession. She was used to the mountain of work, but the problem was that cursed 'gift.'
In her heart, she wanted to offer herself as the gift, just as Albenheim desired. However, as time passed, she found herself hesitating more and more.
Timing was one thing, but the deciding factor was her embarrassment. It was essentially no different from making a public confession in front of everyone.
She would be confessing to a man who already had a fiancée—could she handle the aftermath? Especially when that man was Xenon.
She could. In fact, it was what she wanted. It would show that Albenheim was willing to do anything for their benefactor.
Would that leave the throne vacant? There was no need to worry about that either.
She could simply use her immense magical power to travel back and forth. She would work in Albenheim and enjoy a sweet married life at Isaac’s mansion.
Though she was currently working overtime nearly every day, such a life wouldn't be impossible once she settled internal affairs.
The only issue was that Arwen kept delaying the confession. Even the representative group she had proposed pressured her, asking why she was hesitating.
At this rate, wouldn't they fall behind the Demons? Why hesitate when they needed to keep the newly empowered Helium in check?
However, after grasping Arwen’s feelings, they told her to do as she pleased and left the choice to her. The characteristically easygoing nature of Elves, who lived for nearly a thousand years, also played a part.
Time flowed on, and Arwen continued to watch for the right moment, yet she remained hesitant.
What if this causes trouble for Isaac? What if he finds it burdensome? What if he has no interest in me at all?
There are women by his side who are as beautiful as I am—perhaps even more so. Is it right for me to wedge myself in?
She was a Queen who had stood firm in her philosophy and implemented policies despite the Senate’s opposition.
She was a wise ruler who had once again elevated Albenheim to the status of a hegemony after the Race War.
She was an Elf who was currently integrating with the Dark Elves, supported by the strength of the Xenon Biography.
"Your Majesty. Isaac-nim wishes to meet with you—"
"I shall go at once!!"
But even she was just an ordinary woman in front of the man she loved.
"But Your Majesty, your work is still—"
"What could possibly be more important than a summons from Xenon! I am leaving immediately!"
In truth, Arwen’s words weren't wrong in the slightest. No matter how great the Queen of Albenheim was, she couldn't quite compare to Isaac.
One only had to recall what had happened in the past because of a single letter from Isaac. One didn't have to look further than the Ters Republic.
Thus, it wasn't strange at all for Arwen to cast aside all her work and head for Isaac’s mansion.
Even the people assisting her with her duties could understand. They just couldn't express their complaints openly.
"What should I wear? No, before that, do you know why he called for me?"
Arwen asked about the reason for the summons even as she fussed over her appearance.
Isaac knew she was busy. He wouldn't call her unless it was important, so what could it be?
At that, Siris stared blankly at the joyfully flushed Arwen before speaking quietly.
"It is a matter related to the Xenon Biography. He said he would explain the details in person."
"Related to the Xenon Biography?"
"Yes."
Arwen felt a sense of curiosity at the answer that it was related to his work rather than something personal. It seemed it wasn't a private matter after all.
Still, it had been a while since they met privately, so she had to prepare. She nodded and spoke.
"Tell Isaac I will be there shortly. Is it an urgent matter?"
"No. He said you may take your time."
"I see. Tell him I'm coming."
"Yes."
With those words, Siris concealed herself using Stealth. She would likely arrive at Isaac’s mansion via Teleport soon.
Arwen watched this in real-time and checked for her presence using magic.
Nothing. No matter how many times she checked, she couldn't sense Siris at all.
"...There's nothing out of place, right?"
As soon as she was certain Siris was completely gone, Arwen checked her clothes.
It was a silver dress with daring cutouts at the sides. It was an outfit she had worn consistently ever since Isaac complimented her, saying it suited her well.
It would surely please his eyes, highlighting her slender waist and the curve of her hips below.
If another man had looked at her with lecherous eyes, she would have ignored it, but with Isaac, it was a different story.
Just imagining it made her heart pound with excitement. The thought that he might see her as a woman rather than just a friend.
He won't be able to back out now.
Arwen was certain that Isaac had come from another world. Even during his public confession, he had only omitted the part about coming from another world.
This one fact made him special to her. Whatever he had experienced in that other world, it must have been something a mortal could scarcely imagine.
And he must have poured all those experiences into the Xenon Biography. The reason he said it just 'came to him' was likely due to a 'restriction' that she could only guess at.
"Whew. Now is not the time for this."
Arwen tapped her cheeks as if washing her face to snap herself out of it. It didn't matter if he was truly the Xenon from the book or Kair.
What mattered most now was that she had fallen for the man named Isaac. His kindness toward her, combined with his considerate behavior.
And finally, a face that was handsome even by Elven standards. Of course, that was just a bonus, but she included it anyway.
"I should be fine like this. Should I put on some perfume just in case?"
Though she was a bit later than intended because she was overthinking things, Arwen headed to Isaac’s mansion with a heart full of anticipation.
Since it was related to the Xenon Biography, they might not be able to talk much about private matters, but just seeing his face was enough.
Living a life plagued by daily overtime, this alone was a great healing experience for her.
And so, arriving at Isaac’s mansion and meeting the object of her unrequited love, Arwen...
"How do Elves usually spend their first night?"
"...Eh?"
She momentarily broke down at the somewhat suggestive and unexpected question. What had she just heard?
"Wh-wh-what did you say? F-first night? So suddenly?"
Arwen’s silver-grey eyes went wide as she stammered.
Her face turned red in an instant, and her long Elven ears twitched up and down restlessly.
Isaac thought the reaction was quite cute, but since he understood how she felt, he gave an awkward smile.
Asking how they spent their first night right off the bat was a mistake. He had been debating how to ask, and this disaster was the result.
"Sorry. I phrased that poorly. Please don't misunderstand. I'm asking out of genuine curiosity."
"He's right, Your Majesty. He spoke without any context, but it really is related to the Xenon Biography."
Marie offered a defense that wasn't quite a defense from the side. She didn't forget to glare at him in the middle of it.
Only then was Arwen able to compose her startled heart. She had almost interpreted it in a very strange way.
"I-I see. I thought... Is that really true?"
"It's true. I'm planning to include such a scene at the end of Volume 24. Xenon and Mary. And Jin and Lily."
"Ah! Are they finally getting together?"
At Isaac’s additional explanation, Arwen’s eyes widened in surprise. Her face was still red, but this time it was a different kind of surprise.
Isaac nodded and handed her the manuscript paper he had prepared in advance.
Of course, he didn't give her everything; it was just the manuscript describing the situation right before the main event.
"It really is true. Then the reason you asked me..."
"I can get help from Cecile regarding the Demons, but I don't know much about Elves. And among my acquaintances, there's no Elf I'm as comfortable with as you."
No Elf I'm as comfortable with as you. Those words entered Arwen’s ears and were distorted into a different meaning.
There's no one I'm as comfortable with as you. As soon as she heard that, Arwen felt her heart thumping and stared blankly at Isaac.
Her silver-grey eyes also began to glisten with moisture. Finally, she even clasped her hands together softly.
It was the expression of a woman in love, plain for anyone to see. Cecile, who quickly spotted that expression, hurried to intervene.
"Ahem. Ahem. So, I hope you can help us, Arwen-nim. To be honest, I only have a superficial knowledge of Elves; I don't know the details."
"O-oh? I-I understand. However, I hope you keep this in mind. I am not a pure-blood, but a mixed-blood. While I am steeped in Elven culture, my way of thinking has many similarities to humans."
"That's even better. As you know, Mary wandered through human society while hiding her identity. Plus, she has a bit of an eccentric side, so she'll be similar to you."
Similar to you. Those words triggered another delusion in Arwen.
I won't explain in detail what it was, but I can tell you that her heart skipped a beat.
Following that, she swallowed hard to suppress her nervousness. Her mind felt like it was spinning in various ways, but she had to explain.
Only then would the future(?) be easier. With eyes that looked like they were about to spin, Arwen slowly began her explanation.
"Th-then, shall I start now?"
"Whenever you're ready."
"I see. Ahem. Ahem."
Arwen cleared her throat once more to suppress her racing heart. She felt like she would keep stammering if she spoke now.
Soon, when everyone’s eyes were on her, Arwen closed her eyes and took a deep breath in and out.
If I were to have my first night...
Was her head too hot? Instead of an Elf accustomed to human society, she found herself imagining her own first night.
Then, with a smile she wasn't even aware of, she spoke quietly.
"As you all know, these ears are the most important thing to an Elf. Long ears are more precious to an Elf than life itself. No one must ever touch them unless they are a loved one."
"I see."
It's a similar yet different concept from a Demon's horns. Isaac took notes as he listened to Arwen’s lesson.
Actually, this much was common knowledge, so he knew it well. However, the part about the 'ritual' was what concerned him most.
"Then what about treating sexual intercourse as a ritual? Is it possible to do it without that?"
"It is possible. Even if it is called a ritual, in the end, it is nothing more than keeping the body clean. In Albenheim, 'Dew' is given to couples spending their first night. It is literally a liquid made by diluting the Dew of the World Tree. It is applied to the couple's bodies before they share their affection."
"Hmm... The World Tree was destroyed, but it wouldn't matter if I say Mary brought some secretly. Is it just ordinary water?"
Isaac asked as he took notes. This was a fact he hadn't known at all, so he was glad he asked Arwen.
"It is not ordinary water; it has a bit of viscosity. How it is used... depends on the couple."
She trailed off, but Isaac realized what she was trying to say. Since she said it was viscous, it was probably similar to gel.
He was planning the plot while receiving the education step by step.
"They apply it to each other's bodies, and after confirming their feelings, they embrace. While doing so, they gently touch the ears and whisper that they love each other."
"Hmm... Is there anything to be careful of?"
"Things to be careful of... It would be most important not to leave any scars on the ears. I hear some humans bite them with their teeth, but I suppose it depends on the person. I'm fine with it, though."
"..."
I'm fine with it, though? Not just Isaac, but everyone else felt a sense of dissonance at those words. She seemed unaware of it herself, lost in her fantasies with her eyes closed.
It was a bit strange, but he decided to let it go. Isaac blinked and spoke quietly.
"......Alright. What's next? Do they pray to a god?"
"Praying wouldn't be a bad idea. To spend the first night with a man as wonderful and lovely as Xenon... it would be a truly joyful thing. To have those hands touch my ears, how..."
"Um... Excuse me, Arwen-nim?"
"Yes?"
Cecile, sensing something was off, cut in. At that, Arwen opened her eyes and looked at her with a questioning expression.
Cecile scratched her cheek as she faced Arwen. She wondered if she really had to say this, but she had no choice if she wanted to prevent an accident.
Arwen’s current state of mind was very similar to her own right before her first night.
"Are you perhaps projecting yourself onto Mary?"
"......Huh?"
"I just got that feeling... I'm just mentioning it just in case."
Did she realize it only then? As soon as she heard Cecile’s words, Arwen blinked her silver-grey eyes a couple of times.
And then her gaze went straight to Isaac. Isaac was also looking at her with blank eyes.
At the same time, the scene she had been imagining in her head shifted rapidly. The man who was Xenon became Isaac, and the woman who was Mary became herself.
Everything she had just said was, in fact, no different from describing the first night she desired.
"......!!"
The moment she realized this, Arwen’s ears shot up toward the sky.
"Hauuuh..."
She melted away, turning limp like soft-serve ice cream.