Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Condom
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The time when blue light enveloped the world.
Luna slept peacefully atop me, her face serene.
Yesterday... we really only did it once, right?
Unlike usual, we made love in a normal way, without her turning into a beastly version of herself.
-Snore... Snore...
Her steady breathing and scent made me want to get hard again.
Even though we've been doing it a lot lately, the fact that I'm still rising to the occasion... maybe men really are simple beasts?
I glanced at the clock. It was approaching 7 a.m.
I thought she always woke up at 6.
In the novel, Luna suffered from insomnia due to numerous assassination attempts.
There were many descriptions of her waking at the slightest movement, yet here she was, sleeping with the most peaceful expression on my chest. It was fascinating.
But shouldn't I wake her up soon?
I didn't know for sure, but she always rose early to prepare for morning duties.
-Poke. Poke.
I lightly prodded her soft cheek.
"Mmm... just a little longer..."
Tch. Whining like that?
Amused by her reaction, I poked a bit more.
-Poke. Poke.
"Mm... let me sleep a little more."
-Snore... Snore...
Why did her breath feel so sweet?
For a moment, I wondered if she was a succubus instead of the Grand Duchess, but I quickly dismissed the thought.
If she were a succubus, she'd have devoured all her suitors by now.
Whatever the case, it was time for her to head to the office for work.
I whispered softly into her ear.
"Your Grace. Don't you have early morning work to attend to?"
She rubbed her eyes and sat up.
"Ugh... what time is it?"
"Seven."
"Huh? Seven? What?! Seven?!"
Luna abruptly straightened her upper body.
She glanced at the clock and jumped out of bed.
"I'm screwed. I have to prepare for this morning's work..."
As she hurried to her feet, her sculpted curves and flawless white skin came into view, but she quickly slipped into her nightclothes.
She flung open the window and said in a frantic tone,
"Aiden? I'll head out first. See you later?"
Watching her vanish, I decided to sleep a bit more.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Luna rushed back to her room, washed up, and headed to her office.
"Yawn..."
She covered her mouth with her hand and let out a small yawn.
For some reason, she felt more energized today than yesterday.
'Is it because I slept so soundly?'
Luna rarely slept deeply.
But today, she felt like she had gotten a full night's rest for the first time in ages.
Having watched court intrigues from a young age,
She had seen the countess who often shared tea times with her die from poison, and the maid she gave snacks to meet the same fate.
Luna knew full well that those deaths were meant for her, botched attempts that killed them instead.
For someone with such a traumatic childhood, falling asleep with a peaceful heart was no easy feat.
As she opened the familiar door to her office, Luna murmured softly,
"Thanks to you, I overslept big time."
-Creak.
Looking at the pile of documents, she smiled faintly.
Normally, she'd sigh, but today her condition was excellent.
'Gotta finish this quick and watch Aiden's sword training.'
With a smile, she began her day's work.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ After lunch. I sat lost in thought for a moment.
This won't do.
Yesterday too, and every time with Luna, we never used contraception.
I considered pulling out at first, but once she got into the mood, all thoughts of that flew out the window.
I'd heard from Jeff before that condoms existed here.
Not modern rubber ones, but made from animal intestines.
The material being animal guts felt a bit gross, but better than getting her pregnant.
Worst case, if a child were born...
Her suitors would find out for sure and come after me.
And even if marriage were possible, given Luna's personality, she wouldn't break her oath just to marry me.
The kid would probably grow up as a bastard, scorned by her family, far from becoming the future Grand Duchess.
Plus, I'd likely be dead soon...
It was obvious everyone would end up miserable. The thought alone was horrifying.
So condoms were practically a must.
But where do I buy them?
No way there's a convenience store like in the 21st century.
I'd heard they sold condoms here, but never where.
I needed someone knowledgeable about this stuff.
"Hmm~!"
I heard someone humming cheerfully.
Jin, whistling a tune while scribbling on paper, looking surprisingly carefree for a kid.
He probably knew about contraception. I asked,
"Jin. Where do I buy condoms?"
"Pardon? Condoms?"
Jin looked puzzled, then wore a knowing expression.
"Ahh~ Worried about knocking up your lover, huh?"
His blunt words made my face heat up.
"Ahem... yeah, so where do they sell them?"
Jin pondered for a moment before speaking.
"Wanna go buy some right after work today?"
"Sure?"
I had sword training with Luna, but that wasn't the priority.
Getting condoms was more important now.
When quitting time came...
Jin and I slipped out of the Grand Duchess's palace quickly.
The vibrant night streets of Vain.
Despite the biting cold, crowds filled the roads.
Luxurious carriages and wagons lined the main streets.
The place definitely buzzed with more life than before.
Especially noticeable: several buildings wrapped in metal sheets for demolition.
"A lot more buildings getting torn down, huh?"
"Yeah, the old structures can't handle the merchant guilds and companies."
Merchant guilds buying up properties in earnest.
Some even relocating headquarters, so they'd need plenty of land.
Hope it works out...
Whether they'd settle here and pay substantial taxes was uncertain.
I could predict the future, but it wasn't guaranteed.
If their taxes fell short...
What would happen to me?
As I worried, Jin spoke up brightly.
"Ah! There it is. Right there!"
The shop Jin pointed to was a butcher's.
"No way... they sell condoms here?"
I'd heard about animal intestines, but a butcher shop? Unimaginable.
Is this hygienic?
While I stood stunned,
"Hey, what're you waiting for? We need condoms!"
Jin grabbed my wrist and dragged me inside.
"Uncle David?"
"Oh? Jin? What brings you here?"
The muscular butcher greeted Jin warmly.
"Nothing much, but my respected Aiden needs some condoms, so we came to buy."
At Jin's words, David eyed me with interest.
"Oh? You're that famous Captain Aiden?"
"Former captain. Now I'm the Grand Duchess's secretary."
"Haha, thanks for taking down those Alphao bastards! If I were ten years younger, I'd have fought them to the death myself."
"Come on, you would've reported them ages ago if so."
"Would I still be alive then?"
The Alphao Family was notorious for relentlessly hunting down and killing anyone who reported them.
They dressed it up as some "code of silence," but to me, it was just revenge.
"Captain Aiden, here for condoms? Perfect timing. Fresh animal intestines just came in."
David pulled out translucent membranes and asked,
"Sheep or cow?"
"Uh... is there a big difference?"
"Of course. Sheep lets you feel the warmth, but tears easily. Cow's thicker, holds up better."
"This one's lamb, and this is calf-made."
He handed me two squishy condoms.
"Uh..."
The lamb one seemed more transparent...
Setting aside my thoughts, was this really how it worked?
"Um... these are properly cleaned, right?"
The butcher nodded with an obvious smile.
"Naturally. Clean enough to stuff with minced guts and cook. Don't worry."
Fair point, thinking of blood sausage...
Edible, sure, but using it like this? I hesitated.
"Since I owe you for the Alphaos, special discount for you, Captain."
Staring blankly at the intestines, I felt like I was losing a piece of my humanity.
"I... don't think I can use these."
It turned my stomach.
Wrapping my junk in animal intestines and sticking it in a woman?
Worse, intestines—the dirtiest part where poop passes through.
No thanks...
But the two protested.
"What? Then if she gets pregnant? Don't you know marriage is a man's grave?"
"He's right. Skipped condoms in my youth, now stuck with the wife and seven kids. Prevent it young."
"Exactly. Contraception's crucial. No choice—give me one sheep and one cow, Uncle."
Jin suddenly ordering shocked me.
Aren't you a minor?
"Here you go."
David handed over the stitched-end intestines, and Jin paid.
"Here! Secretary Aiden, life's precious. I won't let my respected boss get tied down by some girl so soon!"
Jin shoved the condoms at me, leaving me dumbfounded.
Is he nuts?