Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Elf Princess Vine (2)
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“Hehe, don’t be so tense. I’ve come here properly as your wife, you know?”
Vine poked at my terrified chest.
“Since I couldn’t see your face or character beforehand, I was a little worried, but thankfully, you seem like a good man, Baron.”
“Thank you…”
“I’ll do my best to be a good wife, so please take care of me from now on.”
Just hearing those words made me happy.
But I reminded myself of the high chance she was a spy and made sure not to fall for it completely.
At the same time, I tried to politely convey my refusal.
“Um, Princess? I’m sorry, but I haven’t thought about marrying you yet…”
However, before I could finish, Vine beat me to it and spoke to Laura, who was frozen stiff beside me.
“Hehe, you must be Lady Laura. It’s an honor to meet you like this.”
“…Ah… Yes…”
The immature Laura seemed completely overwhelmed by Vine’s radiant, overwhelming energy and turned docile.
It was a scene I couldn’t believe even seeing it with my own eyes.
“I heard you’ve come to our territory for a five-year vacation.”
“…”
“As the future lady of Daven Territory, I’ll make sure you can enjoy your rest without any discomfort!”
“…”
Laura’s mouth twitched like she had a lot to say, but she bowed her head and avoided Vine’s gaze.
She’d been so confident that the Elf Empire couldn’t compare to the Mastain Ducal House.
But Vine’s overwhelming social aura had flipped Laura’s loner mode on— she didn’t have a single friend, after all.
Oh, Laura…
Even though Laura had been utterly defeated, Rainie remembered her own declaration to take charge of Vine’s education and stood with her eyebrows raised stiffly.
As expected of my best friend.
She wasn’t swayed by Vine’s outward appearance and kept her guard up.
Truly the saintess.
She must have instinctively sensed the demonic aura.
Go for it!
Vine kept her gentle smile toward Laura and approached Rainie to speak to her.
“You’re the saintess, right…?”
“Y-Yes, that’s me.”
“Hehe, I’m truly delighted to meet God’s faithful daughter like this.”
With that, Vine took both of Rainie’s hands in hers.
“You probably don’t remember, Saintess, but four years ago, I attended a service you led?”
“R-Really?”
“Seeing you preach so passionately about how precious children are and the virtue of sharing… I nearly cried for real.”
Rainie, you gave sermons like that too?
“Ever since then, I’ve wanted to meet you at least once, and now that the chance has come, it feels wonderful!”
“Heh…”
“If it’s not too rude, could I hear more of your wonderful stories later?”
“A-Anytime… hehe…”
How long had it been since she declared she’d handle the education?
Rainie was already melting under Vine’s blatant praise, grinning from ear to ear.
As her best friend, it pained me to watch her fall so easily after just a bit of flattery.
Oh, you weakling…
On the other hand, my fear of Vine only grew.
How did she know that Rainie, who’d lived so harshly in that trash church, was weak to praise?
That was my secret weapon…
As I stared at Vine in horror, she glided lightly to my side like a true elf.
“Hehe, everyone here is so nice. Shall we head inside then, dear?”
I almost absentmindedly said yes.
But I snapped back to reality.
“Um… Princess, we haven’t gotten married yet…”
“Ah, if that made you uncomfortable, I’m sorry… I guess I got a little excited about the marriage.”
“No, that’s not it… The thing is, I don’t really plan on marrying you…”
“Yes…?”
Vine blinked at me, staring straight at my face.
“Am… am I being rejected?”
“W-Well, not exactly, I just mean let’s take more time.”
Vine’s eyes welled up as if she were genuinely depressed, and she nodded.
“I… I see… Well, we just met today, so it must feel burdensome to you…”
Seeing her so fragile made me want to hug her.
But I’d endured even the succubi’s magic.
I held firm with my iron will.
“I’ll work hard to win your heart, Baron! If you change your mind, just let me know anytime!”
Vine wiped away her trickling tears and boldly extended her hand for a shake.
Seeing my chance, I quickly took it and subtly infused it with holy power.
Demons and holy power are polar opposites.
If this woman was a demon, she’d react somehow to my holy power.
“Wow… Your hand is so warm, Baron! Just holding it makes me feel good.”
“Really…”
Even with the holy power pouring from my hand, Vine reacted as if it felt pleasant.
From this, she didn’t seem to be a demon.
So, is she an insider spy then?
I guess I’ll have to ask Nania.
Sniff sniff…
What’s that smell?
A bitter, grassy scent mixed with pine needles wafted from her, tickling my nose.
Must be her elven body odor, like fresh herbs.
Hmm… It was strangely intoxicating.
***
Back at the residence, I shooed the dazed, useless Rainie and Laura to their rooms and showed Vine around the interior.
“This is the kitchen. Feel free to use the tools whenever you like, Princess.”
“Wow…! So many fruits I love! Baron, let me show you the power of elves!”
No sooner had she spoken than Vine picked up an apple and closed her eyes.
A sparkling light emanated from the apple, transforming it into something even more luscious.
“Try it!”
Vine handed me the altered apple.
“…”
Worried it might be poisoned, but unable to avoid her sparkling gaze, I took a bite.
Tears streamed down my face.
‘It tastes like the apples from my past life…’
Apples in this world were somewhat improved from wild varieties, but compared to the scientifically bred ones from my past life, they were more astringent and sour.
They were smaller too, and vulnerable to pests.
But this elf-enhanced apple tasted almost exactly like the sweet ones from my past life.
So sweet.
Sweet enough to bring a happy smile to my face naturally.
“Could… could you enhance other fruits too?”
“Of course. Hand them over, and I’ll do as many as you want.”
I pulled out every fruit in the kitchen and gave them to her.
In my past life, fruits were uniform in appearance and size thanks to technology.
But in this underdeveloped world, they varied wildly even in size.
“Oh my, you must like my blessed fruits. I’m glad.”
Vine smiled lightly and enhanced each fruit in the basket one by one.
With every touch, the fruits grew uniformly larger, gained a glossy sheen, their worm-eaten spots naturally filled in.
Even the soft flesh firmed up.
I picked a grape that now had a solid pit as a test.
And cautiously popped it into my mouth.
Lightning struck my brain.
Sweet. Sweet. Sweet.
The grapes from our territory were more sour than sweet compared to my past life’s, with strong astringency.
But this elf-treated grape had high sugar content, firm flesh, and a subtle tang that was just pleasantly refreshing.
‘With these grapes…’
Our territory’s specialty was grape wine.
No one was more sensitive to grape quality for winemaking than I was.
So I was certain.
Wine made from these elf-enhanced grapes would be extraordinary.
We could produce the continent’s finest vintage.
Excited, I tasted the rest of the fruits.
Each one matched the improved flavors I remembered from my past life.
I’d given up on ever tasting them again in this era.
But now I could.
I was happy.
I devoured the fruits greedily while glancing at Vine.
Vine watched me eat with a pleased expression.
Unlike Laura’s, her smile held no malice.
The faint grassy scent wafting from her soothed my mind and made me feel fuzzy and relaxed.
‘Was I… a bit too sensitive?’
My spy suspicions seemed over the top.
How could such a kind elf be a spy?
I must have overreacted due to main character syndrome.
I felt a little sorry for her.
I’d have to treat her well in our territory from now on, make sure she’s comfortable.