Chapter 336: Legal Stalking(3)
Chapter 336: Legal Stalking(3)
The meeting between Cherry and Kate was nothing short of a nuclear fusion. I couldn't help but think that extremes really do meet.
It reached a point where I wondered if the two of them might conspire to do something unspeakable to me.
Fortunately, the likelihood of that was very low. As terrifying as their madness was, that madness would never be directed toward harming me.
Kate might go into estrus just by holding hands, but other than that, she was a consummate professional. As for Cherry, it went without saying—her self-esteem was so non-existent that she wouldn't even dream of approaching me of her own accord.
Above all, I could rest easy knowing that if they ever did try anything, the other women would personally see to their punishment.
"How did you and Sir Isaac become acquainted, Cherry? From what I've heard, it seems you were 'Mary.'"
"Before that, we were pen pals. And then, by chance, a strand of Senior’s hair was tucked inside a letter... Plus, the handwriting was identical."
"Ah. Then it makes sense that you noticed."
No. Don't just accept that. I only approached her because I felt like I was saving a life.
I let out a hollow laugh as I watched Kate nod in understanding. As expected, their way of thinking was beyond the imagination of any ordinary person.
"How did you... find out, Cardinal?"
"You may simply call me Kate. In my case, Lord Luminous personally delivered an Oracle. And so, I came here and met him."
"I see... Then, does Kate-ssi also love Sir Isaac?"
"Yes. Just like Lord Luminous, I love Sir Isaac, who is spreading light and hope throughout this world."
It was certainly a pleasant confession to hear, but coming from Kate, it sounded ominous. It felt as if there was a madness lurking beneath her words.
She was pure, certainly, but it was a purity of a different kind that made me slightly uneasy. It was with that pure white madness that she had purged the Fallen Cardinal.
Meanwhile, Cherry nodded at Kate's words and then gazed intently at me. Her dark eyes remained the same, but they seemed tinged with a deep sense of regret.
No matter how low her self-esteem was, she wasn't devoid of jealousy. In a situation like this, she was likely blaming herself rather than resenting me.
Just as I was about to speak to lift her spirits, Kate spoke first.
"Perhaps I am in a similar situation to you, Cherry-ssi. I, too, am waiting for Sir Isaac's choice."
"Choice...?"
"Yes. A choice. If I am chosen by Sir Isaac, then the seed..."
"Let's stop right there."
As the conversation circled back toward the topic of the 'seed,' I intervened immediately. The more time I spent with Kate, the more I felt like a cult leader.
I let out a deep sigh at the nuclear fusion that was the combination of Kate and Cherry, then glanced to my side.
Adelia’s lips were quivering as if she found the whole situation hilarious. If Mari had witnessed this, she would have been fuming.
"Noona."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"...Never mind."
It was awkward to even ask if she was enjoying this. Unlike Mari, whose position was constantly being threatened, Adelia was in a position to watch from a step back.
In a way, Adelia might be the most at peace. I wasn't the type to discriminate in love, and I had even freed her from the shackles of her past.
I gave her a sour look as she snorted while trying to hold back her laughter, then turned my head forward again. Since the introductions seemed mostly finished, I intended to ask about something I was curious about.
"So, Cherry. Are you going to keep living like this?"
"Yes. I will continue to follow Senior from behind."
Cherry boldly declared her intention to stalk me. My mind blanked for a moment, but I quickly regained my composure.
I felt truly sorry to say this to her, but stalking me would be difficult from now on. Not because it was a crime, but because of issues regarding her own safety.
It might have been fine before her identity was revealed, but now there were Demon Worshippers to consider. There was no telling when, where, or how they might strike.
It didn't feel entirely real yet since there hadn't been a physical threat, but since even a Fallen Cardinal existed, the danger remained.
"Um... can I be honest with you?"
"Yes."
"It'll probably be hard to follow me from now on."
"Pardon...?"
When I spoke frankly, Cherry had a visceral reaction. Her eyes widened, and her small mouth hung slightly open.
At the same time, her eyes began to sink into a darkness as deep as the Abyss. Sensing that things might take a turn for the worse if I hesitated, I hurried to explain.
"It's not for any other reason than your own safety. I am Xenon, after all. The Xenon who dealt a massive blow to the Demon Worshippers. You understand what I mean, right?"
"Are you saying that I might be in danger just because I'm close to you, Senior?"
"Exactly."
"Because I'm a difficult target, they might go after those around me instead?"
Cherry tilted her head as she offered her opinion. For now, that was the most likely scenario.
As one could tell from her writing despite never being taught composition, Cherry was quite intelligent.
"Right. So, rather than following me from behind, it would be better for you to just stay by my side."
"...Are you saying that I might become a hindrance in your life, Senior?"
"Huh?"
That's not what I meant. I couldn't help but flinch at the sight of Cherry's rapidly darkening gaze.
I had intended to ask her to stay with me, but I hadn't accounted for her low self-esteem.
Cherry was probably thinking something like this: If I get caught by Demon Worshippers, the damage will fall squarely on him. Therefore, I am nothing but a nuisance, and it might be better if I just disappeared.
The problem was that she was exactly the kind of person who would think that way, and it wasn't even an exaggeration. I spoke up in a hurried voice.
"N-no, that's not it at all. Why would you be a hindrance? It's actually the opposite."
"The opposite?"
"Yeah. I'm a fan of your writing, too. I've just been busy lately, but I'm always looking forward to when you'll finish your next piece."
This wasn't a lie; it was the truth. As long as it suited my tastes, I wasn't picky about genres.
And Cherry's debut work, Red Sunset Once Again, was a novel that fit my tastes perfectly.
If she hadn't revealed her identity until now, I would have continued to help her by acting as her manager. It sounded like an excuse, but I really had just been too busy to pay her much attention.
"Hehe..."
Sensing my sincerity, Cherry gave a faint smile. It wasn't the eerie smile from before, but a bright one that made her eyes crinkle beautifully.
I let out a sigh of relief inwardly. If there was one thing that could boost her self-esteem, even if only a little, it was her dream—her novels.
However, the situation wasn't entirely resolved. Even though she had followed Hiriya, who was stalking me, without ever being caught, danger was still danger.
That meant I had to persuade her somehow, but it was difficult to figure out how to go about it.
"Cherry."
"Yes."
"Do you really have no intention of coming to my side?"
So I asked. Since she clearly had feelings for me, it would be much safer to keep her close.
However, Cherry shook her head firmly, as if her mind was made up.
"It's okay. Someone like me doesn't dare intrude, and I don't think there's a place for me there anyway."
"What if I forced you to stay by my side?"
"Eh...?"
Cherry blinked slowly, clearly not expecting that. A look of 'bewilderment' etched itself onto her gloomy expression.
At the same time, seeing her pale cheeks turn a faint shade of red, it seemed she was indulging in some rosy fantasies after hearing my words.
Seeing an opening, I decided to push through without hesitation. If she regained her composure, it would become much harder.
"You said it earlier, didn't you? That you would do whatever I said. That you'd give me your body if I wanted it, or even become my slave."
"T-that's true, but I..."
"I have to keep you by my side, if only because I don't want you to be in danger. Are you still going to refuse?"
"..."
As I took a somewhat forceful stance, Cherry hesitated, lost in thought. Standing by my side was something she hadn't even dared to imagine, but if it was my request, the story changed.
She was likely experiencing a severe internal conflict right now. I waited patiently for her answer.
Mari will understand to some extent.
It wasn't like I was a true scoundrel who wanted to spend the night with Cherry. I was solely focused on her safety.
Of course, since she had feelings for me, something might develop eventually. But that wasn't something to think about right now.
And so, after a long period of deliberation...
"......I'm sorry."
It seemed it was too much for her current state, as Cherry expressed her refusal. Her voice was thick with regret, showing that she was just as disappointed as I was.
"Not yet... I don't think it's time yet."
"Not yet?"
"Yes... Instead, I promise I will never cause you any trouble, Senior. I'm not a very noticeable girl anyway..."
"...Not a very noticeable girl?"
That wasn't me; it was Adelia muttering. I shared her sentiment.
Hair and eyes that looked like they were made of cherry blossoms. Although her gloomy gaze was a negative factor, overall, Cherry was a radiant beauty.
Furthermore, her body, which couldn't be hidden even by her school uniform, was enough to stir desire in men and jealousy in women.
Just as my red hair stood out from a distance, she was a combination that one couldn't help but look at.
Moreover, her background was the House of Roseberry, a family famous for philosophy. People would surely talk to her just because of her background, so it was quite strange.
And yet, she claimed she wasn't a noticeable girl. It seemed her rock-bottom self-esteem blinded her to who she really was.
"Um... Cherry? Do you really think that? That you're not a noticeable person?"
"Yes... Aside from you, Senior, no one has ever approached me or even spoken to me."
"What about group assignments? You must have group assignments."
"They just put my name on the list and didn't give me any role at all."
"...What?"
I truly couldn't understand. A beauty of Cherry's caliber—one as stunning as Cecile—and yet no one paid her any attention?
Adelia seemed just as baffled, judging by her puzzled expression. How on earth did Cherry become someone with zero presence?
Anyway, putting that aside for now, I thought it best to state my thoughts first.
"I understand for now. But in exchange, if anything suspicious or dangerous happens, tell me immediately. That's the only way I can protect you. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Oh, and this might be a sensitive topic, but could you tell me what happened with Count Letiz?"
"He didn't say much. He just told me to try reading other books besides philosophy."
That was a relief. It seemed the fact bomb I dropped on Count Letiz had worked in a positive direction.
"Your manuscript is at your lodging, right?"
"Yes. Should I go get it?"
"No. You can bring it later. You're going to follow me tomorrow anyway, aren't you?"
"Yes."
She didn't even try to deny it anymore. I should probably give the others a heads-up.
Tell them not to report a woman with cherry-blossom hair and eyes. That she has her reasons.
'Legal stalking' was a bit of a funny way to put it, but I intended to wait quietly until she grew as a person.
"Let's wrap up the conversation here... Kate-ssi. Do you have anything to say to Cherry? Aside from the 'seed' talk."
"I do not."
"Adel Noona, you don't either, right?"
"Nope."
"Then we'll end it here... Wait, Cherry. I forgot to ask—was it you who reported Leona?"
I recalled the time Leona had been dragged before me. She had been loitering around because I hadn't visited, and someone had reported her.
Normally, she would have been punished immediately, but fortunately, it was her first report, so she was brought to me instead. That turned out to be a blessing in disguise, leading to her talk with Lucia.
So, it was reasonable to suspect Cherry was the whistleblower. Even if she was, I wouldn't scold her.
Cherry and Leona hadn't even met yet. I planned to introduce them properly later on.
"If you mean Leona... that woman with the chestnut hair?"
"Right."
"It wasn't her. I let it slide because she was someone you knew, Senior."
"I see."
Then someone else must have found her suspicious and reported her. It wasn't a major concern, so I let it go.
"Um... Senior."
"Yeah?"
"Could I... could I ask for just one favor?"
Just as I was about to end the conversation, Cherry hesitantly made a request. Her face was full of shyness.
After a brief moment of surprise, I quickly agreed. She rarely asked me for anything, so I was curious to hear what she had to say.
After a moment of hesitation, she finally spoke.
"Hair..."
"Huh?"
"Could I... have just one strand of your hair?"
"..."
"Or even a fingernail..."
Cherry was still Cherry, after all. I was glad she hadn't changed.
"Ah. If possible, I would like some as well."
"Why you too, Kate-ssi?"
"I intend to make an amulet out of it."
"..."
They were a terrifying pair of hybrids in many ways. Why was everyone so unhinged?
"Cherry-ssi. Have you ever held Sir Isaac's hand?"
"Yes. It was so soft and wonderful."
"I don't know if it's just me, but afterward, didn't your lower belly throb or feel... erotic?"
"Oh? How did you know?"
"I knew it... I wasn't the only one."
Stop it. Both of you.