Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Magic (4)
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The reception room of the mansion.
I bring Ellie over and have her sit, then take a seat in front of her alongside Ariel.
Ellie sits there rigidly, shoulders hunched tight, not moving a muscle.
Given her personality, she seems incredibly tense.
Plus, there's that slip-up from earlier.
"Ah. Ahaha. S-So, you're not a concubine. I-I'm sorry......"
"No need to apologize like that. By the way, you came with surprisingly few attendants. Honestly, I expected more companions."
"Ah. Aah. That......?"
Ahem, ahem.
Ellie clears her throat several times and steadies her breathing.
Her cheeks are flushing bright red.
What's going on?
Is she about to share something embarrassing?
"M-My dad said if you're specially summoning me, we're already close enough...... So go build a good, uh, relationship...... Ugh."
"No need to be that nervous just to say it. Sounds like standard fatherly advice."
"......That's why."
"Huh?"
I tilt my head.
Too embarrassed to say it outright, Ellie hangs her head and mumbles.
"......He told me to actually do the relationship. T-To make it a done deal with the ducal family this time...... Heek."
"......"
"Said to bring few attendants so you'd drop your guard...... And find a chance to sleep together......"
Dizzying.
Ellie blurting it out honestly, and her dad telling his daughter that.
So, in short, sleep with me while you're here to meet me.
'Head's spinning.'
I know a viscount would benefit from connecting with a ducal family.
Only one carriage came, so I figured they weren't that interested—but it's the opposite.
They've got marriage on the brain. Specifically, with me.
"No, but is that okay? Word's probably spread in the Rosnet family that my fiancée is an imperial princess. Knowing that, they're still bold enough?"
"I-I know! How could I not?! ......That's why he said even as a concubine. You're bound to rise high, so just being by your side is a win...... Hic."
Wow.
Have I become that much of a catch?
A viscount family head telling his daughter to become a concubine for the benefits.
Or was this Kline Leonhart's potential all along?
This guy without an inferiority complex toward Ariel might've had a bright future.
"Ah, so that's why you asked Ariel if you were a concubine. Seemed so random, but you'd been hyper-fixated on the word."
"Uuugh...... D-Don't tease...... I'm embarrassed too...... Heek."
Hmm.
Sudden shift to an unexpected topic—disorienting.
I sip the tea the servants brought to settle my thoughts.
Want to get to the point, but it'll have to wait.
"......"
Ariel's beside me, eyes narrowed at Ellie.
She looks dissatisfied.
Normally, Ariel would've intimidated with her presence.
But right now, she's meek as can be.
'Shocked that badly by not being able to teach magic?'
Our cute little sister who sobbed over her lack of talent.
How devastating must it be? Not even jealous of another girl.
Well, fortunate. Ellie's timid enough. Ariel's pressure would've killed the talk.
Ariel seems fine, so time for my questions.
Even if Ellie's dad schemed and sent her strategically, that's his will.
What does Ellie think?
She's a girl too. Marrying a guy she doesn't love—especially as a concubine—sounds awful.
"You okay with it?"
"Y-Yes?!"
"Your dad might say that, but you could feel different. I don't like girls approaching with those motives anyway. No plans for concubines."
Multiple legitimate wives instead? Too scummy?
"Uh. Umm. Well......"
Ellie darts her eyes around at my words.
Panicking, gaze shifting everywhere.
Cheeks beet red, she mumbles.
"......N-Not really?"
"What?"
"I-I'm not against Young Master Kline......? If anything, I like you...... Heeeeeek!"
She curls up tight, eyes averted.
Embarrassed by her own words—ears burning red.
I'm flustered too.
Could just mean she likes me platonically.
But man-to-woman, it carries weight.
Especially with her blushing like that.
This is...... straight-up flirting.
"Ugh. Ugh. Uuuugh-"
While Ellie curls and groans, I check Ariel.
She won't flip the table and yell "Scram," right?
"......"
Ariel shows no big reaction.
Though more dissatisfied this time.
Mouth opening, closing, repeat.
'Huh.'
This is worrying now?
Don't like Ariel too aggressive.
But crushed confidence like this? No.
Our sister's cutest shamelessly doing her thing.
Bad vibe as big bro seeing her down over this.
Comfort her later.
Anyway, main topic time.
"So. Heard why I called you?"
"Huhu. Huu. Y-Yes. Something you wanted to teach me."
"Not the specifics?"
"Nope."
Dad probably skipped "magic" on purpose.
Makes sense. Knight learning magic? Alien to commoners.
Blunt honesty, and no Ellie.
Thanks, Dad.
"What I need from you is magic."
"Y-Yes? Magic?"
"Yeah. Feeling the need to learn it lately."
I explain carefully why I summoned her.
Skip secrets, keep it logical.
Ellie blinks her big eyes.
"Uh. Wait. Uu. Could teach if asked."
"But?"
"It's, uh, pointless. Impossible upfront."
"?"
What?
I gesture: explain clearly. Ellie does.
"Knights and mages handle mana differently. You know?"
"Yeah."
"Body changes with mana use. Mages can't wield aura later. Not skill—body rejects it."
"Ah."
"P-Probably same for knights to mages. Can teach, but...... you'll likely fail."
"Fascinating. Never heard that."
"Healer knowledge, human body experts. That's why. Hauu......"
Hmm.
Tricky.
If true, I'm magic-incapable.
Privilege enchantment? Rely on others.
'Doesn't add up.'
Premature to assume.
Status wouldn't claim magic if impossible.
I can learn it.
Conviction, not just confidence.
"Commoner impossible"? Irrelevant.
Kline Leonhart.
I can.
"No. Teach me. I can do it."
"Yeees?! Awkward, but...... quit while ahead?"
"Worried? Test me. Viable or not."
"Uuuu. W-Well, if you insist...... Hic."
Ellie stands.
Approaches—cheeks flushing again.
"Why?"
"St-Stand up? Need to check."
"Ah. Okay."
Shift from Ariel.
Stand still. Ellie circles.
"Stay still? Breathe easy. Relax."
"Yeah."
"A-And no weird thoughts whatever I do?! Not 'cause I like your body!"
"Got it."
Long wind-up, Ellie.
Stand relaxed, mind calm.
She squeezes eyes shut, deep breath, hand out.
Brushes nape.
Fingers stroke softly, trace line down.
Past pecs, press heart.
Feel something? Lower.
Abs, then below—
"No. Hey. How far?"
"D-Don't ask! Stay still!"
"......"
Mouth shut.
Ellie's dead serious now.
Same as healing me before.
Missing only the healing thrill.
'Healer thing?'
Body checks? Dead serious.
"......Done."
Hand off lower abs, steps back.
Serious face, but red cheeks—no comment.
"Well? Doable?"
"......H-Honestly? Yes. Unbelievable, but possible."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. No clue how knight body handles both mage mana...... Ah, you're special?"
"Likely."
Ellie baffled.
Healer bias. Bodies? Mastered long ago.
My anomaly? Weird.
Doesn't matter.
"Then teach me."
Time to learn magic.