Nothing Happened
Stella finally caught her breath after the coughing fit subsided, but she was at a loss watching her father wipe his own saliva with a handkerchief. Still, she had to say what needed saying.
"Uh, Father...? What do you mean...?"
"Such a strong reaction, Stella."
"Eek—sorry...!"
"Today, I spoke with young Ian."
At that moment, Stella's heart stopped. Spoke with him? When? No, more importantly, had they discussed her engagement without even asking her opinion?
But rather than jumping to conclusions, Stella focused on her father's words.
"I told him to get engaged to you. Summoning a 3-star summon without any foundation makes him excellent material."
"...What did he say, Father?"
"He said something strange. It was just a roundabout way of accepting, of course."
"Roundabout...?"
Recalling Ian's words, the duke smiled faintly. A man of his stature had to quickly grasp the political implications in others' speech and detect any hidden secrets. To him, Ian's words were metaphorical.
The war between the Demon King and humanity had raged for centuries. Vowing to defeat it in three years was simply a request to wait that long. As long as he didn't knock up some girl from another family in the meantime, a little deviation could be overlooked.
"He asked for three years."
"...Ian really said that?"
"Yes."
No. The Ian she knew wouldn't say something like that. But only Ian and her father knew the truth of the conversation. She couldn't summon Ian here, so she'd have to ask him herself.
Gulp. Even speaking up terrified her. But charging into fear with courage and bravado—that was the privilege of the young, wasn't it?
To loosen her tense throat, Stella gulped down her water glass. A bad habit picked up at the academy, utterly unladylike. Naturally, her father's face darkened.
"Stell—"
"Father!"
Thud. She slammed the desk to draw his gaze. His wrinkles deepened. But she held firm. She endured.
"Did Ian really say that?"
"—What do you think you're doing?"
"The Ian I know isn't like that."
Her crystalline eyes trembled wildly, blurring her vision. Tears welled up as she tried to adjust the refraction. But she didn't want to show weakness.
In that moment, Stella figured out how to deal with her father. Radical words? Just don't engage. Push her own points and ignore his. Not proper debate, but at least she wouldn't lose.
Hypnos, caught off guard by her boldness—unlike her usual self—showed a flicker of surprise instead of his typical sternness.
Now was the time.
"Tell me exactly what Ian said."
"...He said he'd defeat the Demon King within three years. Then you wouldn't need to marry him, right?"
"I see."
If Ian said that, he truly intended to take down the Demon King. And if he succeeded in three years...
She wouldn't have to sacrifice her life for humanity. Not as Duchess Stella of Iritz. She could be just Stella, the academy student.
Realizing this, Stella burst into snickers.
"Father."
"...What?"
"Sorry for my rudeness. Fine. I'll marry Ian."
"—Good, as long as you understand."
"But only if he fails to defeat the Demon King in three years."
"You're saying the exact same thing as that boy."
"Of course."
She didn't want a marriage forced by family pressure. She was the Duchess of Iritz. She could snag any man with her own charms.
"Because I believe in Ian."
The school trip finally came to an end. They'd expected to face only low-grade or mid-grade monsters at best, but battling high-grade demons? Unforeseen.
That made the week incredibly dense. High-grade demons shouldn't have appeared yet—a pivotal moment that could have led to humanity's doom without me and the kids.
"Good work."
Hypnos said as he handed out stamped documents acknowledging our contributions against local enemies. We gave light bows and boarded the carriage back to the academy.
As the coachman whipped the horses to depart, the carriage jolted to a sudden halt, tumbling us inside.
"Kyaa!?"
"Eek!"
Noah and Dinua, facing each other, bonked heads, while Stella and I tangled and rolled to the floor. I shoved Stella's heavy butt off my face and sat up.
She glared with wide eyes, but she couldn't keep that weight on me forever, right?
"What's going on?"
"Uh, a carriage is coming from over there..."
"Carriage?"
Stella peeked out the window, then went "Ack" with a stunned expression.
"What?"
"...Mom."
"Mom?"
Come to think of it, Stella's mother hadn't been at the Iritz estate. Missing parents weren't rare in this world, and it was sensitive, so I hadn't asked. Turns out she was just away.
A massive, ornate carriage pulled up beside us. Someone opened its door, stepped out, and knocked on ours.
Stella shook her head stiffly, signaling not to open, but a door without a lock wouldn't obey. It swung open helplessly, revealing a red-haired beauty resembling Stella.
Unlike Stella's usual full coverage, this woman wore a revealing dress that flaunted her figure. She boarded without a care, her breasts bouncing freely.
"My daughter, long time no see, and no greeting?"
"...What are you doing here?"
"The territory was attacked—couldn't just sit in the capital, right?"
"Liar... You just used it as an excuse to slip out."
Selene grinned widely, a smile that might look grotesque on others but painted a masterpiece on her beauty.
After surveying the carriage and locking eyes with me, she licked her lips knowingly, glancing between Stella and me.
"Boyfriend?"
"...No."
"Hmm~ No messing around? If you get pregnant young, you'll end up like Mom..."
"Argh, seriously—!"
Stella's face flushed crimson as she shoved Selene with full force. Pushed back by her daughter, Selene retreated to her carriage. Pausing as if remembering something, she stuck her head out the window.
"Oh, is Dad inside?"
"...Yes."
"Really? Might get a sibling soon, so brace yourself."
"...Huh? What do you—"
Ignoring Stella's reply, Selene's carriage headed inside. In the distance, the duke awaited her, looking flustered even from afar. The iron-willed duke was just a henpecked husband before his wife.
"...Must be tough."
"...Shut up?"
"Okay."
I zipped it, watching Stella utterly drained after mere minutes. Soon, our carriage departed for the academy.
The carriage raced for hours. Dim dawn moonlight pierced the windows, illuminating the interior. Worn from the long ride, the kids were all asleep.
I cracked my eyes open cautiously and gazed outside, realizing we still had hours to go.
...Nice scenery.
The only good thing since isekai-ing: lush nature and star-filled night skies. Unlike pollution-ravaged 21st-century Earth, this world's chemical-free nature showed Earth's original beauty.
By chance, moonlight bathed Stella.
...She's pretty.
Even under crude moonlight, bare-faced, she looked like a sleeping princess. Game character perks? No blemishes, acne, or pores like real people.
As I stared, a whisper tickled my ear.
[Master, smitten?]
Theresia's voice. I frowned slightly. Usually, rising affinity made her more solemn and knightly, but she went the opposite—casual and cheeky. Anna never did this— I thought, pressing my hand to my mouth.
"...Quiet."
[My breasts are bigger, right? Wanna feel?]
"Why would I touch your—"
[Hmm, no. Actually, my face is prettier too.]
"No, Stella's prettier."
[...Master, you really are smitten?]
"I said no."
[Then give your summon some face.]
Midnight banter with a summon jolted the carriage violently. Even with magical suspension, the near-tip shake was real—Stella flew toward me from across.
I caught her and checked the others. The two with seatbelts were fine. Stella, inexplicably unbelted, had launched into my arms.
She should've woken, but breathed steadily. Honestly, heavy.
[Oh, Master. Gonna take her here?]
"...No."
Carefully sliding hands under her waist and legs, I lifted her. She twitched faintly—probably imagination—and I returned her safely, buckling her in. Back in my seat, I gazed out again.
In the distance, the academy appeared.
Stella Iritz woke to moonlight streaming through the window. Light-sensitive, she cracked her eyes and looked ahead.
Ian stared out, lost in reminiscence—like a painting. Stella couldn't look away.
Coincidentally, light hit her. Following it, Ian turned; she squeezed her eyes shut.
Did... he notice?
She fake-slept, breathing softly. Luckily, Ian didn't realize she'd been peeking.
Then, he mumbled something.
"...War."
Straining to hear, shocking words followed.
"Breasts... touch..."
Touch breasts!?
She flinched involuntarily. If she heard right, Ian just said he'd touch them.
"...Stella, pretty."
C-Crazy bastard! With the kids here...!
Sensing his sudden confession, Stella panicked inwardly. Then, the carriage bounced.
Thud—!
Her floating body flew to Ian. Only then did she remember unbuckling to shove her mom.
Ah, Mom.
Thankfully, no injury—Ian caught her safely. But.
Thump-thump.
Her heart pounded so hard she feared bursting. His sweet voice enveloped her ear.
"...Won't."
Won't...? Sorry...? Wh-Why apologize suddenly—!?
His arm wrapped her waist. No escape. It brushed under her thigh, granting access to her most intimate spot.
Thump-thump-thump!
Her heart raged. Moments later, his grip released, returning her to her seat and buckling her.
...Huh?
Nothing happened. Wait, why? No one answered her questions as the carriage reached the academy.