Chapter 81
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Innocent Even If Eaten
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“Lea! Why are you so scrawny? Here, eat this!”
“This looks super expensive…”
“It’s fine, it’s fine! We’re friends, right?”
Every time she hit a bottleneck in her cultivation, he’d provide her with spirit pills.
“Lea… Amplifying the rune there is making your spell unstable… Here, look at this.”
“Whoa… How’d you do that?”
“I’ve been watching you on the sly. Here, I’ve noted down the essentials up to page 14, advanced stuff to page 42, and read through to the end once you’ve mastered it all.”
“You’ve been watching me… Hehe…”
He helped her grow stronger.
“Lea… What’s with these history scores?”
“W-Well… I got caught up studying magic alongside the exams and…”
“Tch, you dove in too deep again… Pace yourself with the power-ups and study first. Come on, I’ll teach you.”
“J-Just the two of us?”
“Who else?”
He tutored her studies too.
“Hey… Why do you always eat alone? Plenty of guys seem into you.”
“They’re a bit intimidating.”
“Tch, with table manners like that… You’ll get indigestion. Come on.”
“This is fine though…”
“Nope! Hey!”
He treated her to fine dining.
“You! A commoner like you getting too close to His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“Know your place, wench!”
“Must’ve seduced him with that body of yours!”
“What fun gossip while I was away?”
“C-Crown Prince…”
“Bother my friend again, and I’ll erase your name from the noble registry. Scram.”
“S-Sorry!”
“Lea… Why’d you just stand there?”
“Sob… Sob! I-I just…”
“Tch… Next time those types show up, just drop my name.”
“H-How could I…”
“That’s an order. Do it.”
“Waaah!”
“Geez… Don’t cry…”
-Pat pat.
He protected her.
-Kroooar!
“Huff… Huff… I won’t… budge no matter what…”
-Groooar!
“Haaa!”
-Crack!
-Crunch, thud!
“Phew… Cut it close.”
“Liam…”
“Sorry I’m late… Why’re you bleeding so much… Open up. There, gulp it down.”
“I… held on…”
“Good girl… You did great…”
He rescued her.
“Waaah… Mommy…”
“Didn’t I tell you not to cry alone?”
“Li… Liam! How’d you…”
“Your sobs echoed through the whole academy.”
“R-Really?”
“Nah, kidding. Come here. Sniffle away!”
“Waaah… That’s kinda…”
“Sniff!”
“Sniff!”
He comforted her.
It was only natural that the girl thought of him all day, her heart raced at the sight of his face, and her body burned with desire every night.
He affirmed her without asking for anything in return, always giving her courage.
The man who told her she was doing well.
The man who always smiled when their eyes met.
The man she fell in love with.
One day, the Crown Prince paid a surprise visit to where Lea lived.
“You… live in a dump like this?”
Even casually surveying the room with hands behind his back, his nobility shone through.
He ran a finger along the table and sighed.
“Sigh… You’ll catch something. Move to the dorms. I’ll set you up in the best one.”
Everything changed so easily in his presence, making her feel utterly inadequate.
“No, Liam… The food here’s amazing! Wanna try? Granny! Two bowls of soup, please!”
Steaming red soup.
He frowned slightly and said,
“Don’t eat stuff like this. I’ve got a restaurant reserved. Let’s go.”
She stopped him from dragging her to yet another lavish place—guilt weighed too heavy.
“No! This is good! And it’d be a waste. Slurp! See?”
“Hm…”
The Crown Prince reluctantly picked up a spoon, poked around, then took a sip…
“…?!”
-Slurp! Slurrrp! Chew chew.
His furrowed brow relaxed as he forgot manners and emptied the bowl in seconds.
“To your taste…?”
-Nod nod!
“Granny! Another bowl here!”
Seeing the Crown Prince devour it eagerly, her own belly felt full.
A swell of satisfaction rose within—like watching a starving pup wolf down kibble.
Lea’s lips curved into a goofy grin. As he dug into the second bowl, she propped her chin and stared blankly.
For the first time, she’d pleased him. Her heart fluttered with thrill.
“First time trying commoner food…?”
-Nod nod!
The Crown Prince nodded while munching.
Taking the “first” of the empire’s second-noblest man sent a delicious shiver through her.
A woman in love is beautiful; one actively loving, even more so.
After the meal, their eyes met.
“It’s good, right?”
Her cheeks flushed bright, eyes crinkled sweetly, blue irises sparkling between.
The Crown Prince stared blankly for a moment, then cleared his throat.
“Ahem! Yeah… it’s good…”
His embarrassed blush and averted gaze—why so adorable?
“Pfft!”
“…Don’t laugh…”
“S-Sorry… Pffft… You’re so cute…”
“You brat! Insolent.”
“Eep…! Sorry, Your Highness… Pfft!”
“Sigh…”
That day must’ve been the start—the day they couldn’t stop thinking of each other.
But reality wasn’t kind.
“You, a commoner? Think you belong by his side? For the empire’s future, vanish.”
Some scorned her.
“Ha! So, caught the Crown Prince’s eye? Using that body! Hahaha! A guy like me wouldn’t cut it, huh!”
Some sneered.
“Kyahaha! How long’ll his favor last? It’ll shatter post-graduation… Think you can handle it?”
Some intimidated.
“I… envy you so much… And hate you… Why… why not me…”
Some jealously hurt her heart.
Former laughing, chattering comrades… My friends…
“Lea… Why crying again?”
Whenever she looked up sobbing, her beloved filled her empty heart.
“…Wanna sniffle?”
Seeing him fidget before her made tears flow harder.
His warmth melted her frozen heart.
-Thud.
He sat beside her on the bench of their first meeting.
“Hm… Wanna talk?”
What to say…? Yet his meaning felt crystal clear.
“Y’know, Liam…”
She’d grown strong to hide weakness, but melted before him.
Self-loathing bared her insecurities.
Liam listened calmly. Would he scold her frailty?
Call her pathetic for such trifles…?
Anxiety churned, but she couldn’t stop—hated hiding from him.
“Just… stuff like that. I’m such an idiot, right?”
She gauged his face.
After spilling, fear gripped her—he might leave.
His interest fading? Inevitable.
She wasn’t enough to brazenly stand beside him.
Dreading the pain, she’d armored her heart.
This time… it’d shatter her for real.
Eyes shut, his rejection vivid in mind…
“How many demon subjugations was it? Rewards only from academy? Hm… You could get a barony.”
“Huh?”
“And that punk’s name? Ha! Need to bust some kneecaps. Which kingdom?”
“Uh… Wait…”
“Hey.”
He grinned mischievously, like first class.
“I’ll handle it.”
Defenses crumbled; relief flooded. Her warming heart pounded, heat overtaking her mind.
Dazed…
“…”
“Lea? Why’re y— Mmph! Mmmph!”
“Chuuuurp! Haa…”
“Guh! Hold on! Hol— Mmph!”
“Churp! Haa… haa… Kiss! Mwah…”
She plunged into the oasis to vent the scorching heat—or die.
‘Ah… sweet…’
“You bra— Mmph! Get a… grip… Why’re you… so strong…”
That day’s “mutual consent(?)” kiss was too sweet—unforgettable forever.
Mutual? Obviously her seduction started it.
Who knows.
Not my fault, anyway.
“Pervert…”
“That’s…”
“I told you to stop…”
“…”
“It was my first time…”
“Haa! Heeng…”
“…?”
“Ahem! S-Sorry! No excuses…”
For reference: man, then woman’s lines in order.
His swollen, red lips tempted more… No, what to even say?
Snapping to, they were locked in mad embrace.
“Ahem… Romance is a luxury for the imperial bloodline…”
Despair from his flushed lips.
“Ah… Right… Yeah…”
“Marry after graduation?”
“Huh?”
“Title ceremony over break, announce you, prep engagement, next break engagement, then wedding. Sound good?”
“For real?”
“Imperial events aren’t ‘slapdash.’”
That wicked mouth, toying with her heart again.
“…”
“Hey! Hey!”
“Mwah!”
That again.
More urgent than woes: acts needing no restraint now.
Time felt short despite length. After resolving major incidents, in the academy’s graduation banquet hall.
Two shone amid splendor.
“Lots of eyes…”
“Top student skipping… okay?”
They grinned at each other.
“Part-time gig…? Bolt?”
“Hehe… Yeah!”
-Snap!
Teleport to moonlit sky in a blink.
“Teleport improved a lot… Time flies, huh.”
“Yeah… It really does.”
Floating, feeling each other.
He sensed her warmth nestling close; she his enveloping embrace.
“Dance?”
“Yeah!”
They danced joyfully under moonlight, unconcerned by void below.
Their trust unbreakable.
Gazing, dancing bright—then he knelt.
“Liam?”
From his pocket, small red case: gleaming ring revealed.
“First to kneel a crown prince? You.”
His playfulness drew tears.
Her life’s master knelt and spoke.
“Marry me?”
Answer? Obvious.
“Yes!”
“Lea! I’ll fall!”
“Hya!”
“Ah… Nooo!”
Straight to wedding post-graduation…
“Haa… Perfect weather today, honey…”
“You’re better…”
“Eek! Cheesy!”
“Wow… You used to laugh back then…”
“Still love it!”
Whispering love in palace gardens under sun.
“Slurp! Man… Missed this.”
“Hehe… That good?”
“Yeah, gotta indulge sometimes… Why no match in palace?”
“Hehe, dunno… Secret recipe?”
“Getting cold. Eat up.”
“Okay~”
Sneaking out occasionally.
“Ugh… Dying.”
“Rough day?”
“Yeah… Extra work today…”
“…Wanna grope?”
“Yes!”
“Kyaa!”
Playful antics.
“M-Master… I’m dying! Seriously!”
“It’s fine… Good girl?”
“Oof…”
? This one’s… a bit…
“Haa… haa… Our boy’s cute, right?”
“Yeah… Adorably so…”
Happy days rolled on.
“Father, something I don’t get…”
“Oh? Where?”
“Here: entropy aiding order?”
“Ah, means predicting most probable state…”
“Honey? Son?”
Worried over precocious boy.
“Slurp!”
“Nom nom…”
“Hehe…”
Yet so like his parents…
They say fiery love fades; theirs never did.
Thought eternal bliss…
“Aaaah! Liam! Liam!”
-Crash! Shatter!
“Waaaah! Mooommy!”
Precocious son’s cry snapped her awake.
“S-Son… Mommy’s sorry! Mommy’ll… bring Daddy back for sure…”
One day, seeing Liam trapped in crystal, she went mad…
‘My baby’s crying…’
Clutched empty heart.
Endured for pretty son—now her world.
-Bang bang bang!
“Veronica! Please open! Please!”
“E-Empress! You can’t!”
“Stand down! Fetch the Saintess! Saintess!”
-Creak.
Irritated Veronica emerged.
“Lion resurrection impossible. Beat it.”
Cold rebuff—but true goal elsewhere.
“Goddess! Need to speak to the Goddess!”
Veronica scowled at “Goddess.”
“Tch, quiet down? Cardinal, erase this from memory. You… come in.”
Cold room, devoid of warmth.
-Bang!
Veronica slammed Lea against the wall.
“Haa… Should’ve lived better! Goddess now? Useless!”
Tears of rage from Veronica.
“That’s… not it…”
“Knew this’d happen… Shouldn’t befriended you… Him… dying like an idiot…”
“He’s… still alive…”
“What? Then that funeral?!”
Lea’s deranged state gave pause.
“Explain later… First… how to meet Goddess… Please… beg you… Liam… can save Liam!”
“Haa… True? You listening?”
Still, Veronica invoked the Goddess.
Suddenly, idol glowed…
Memories cut; Lea awoke, trembling, scanning around.
“Where…”
Impossible to forget… My hometown, burned by beasts…
“Wh… My baby… Our son □□… Huh? Liam… Ah…?”
‘What’s this?’
‘Last… with Goddess… memory?’
‘Our son then…’
Blood chilled instantly.
Son’s calling, smiling face and name faded from mind.
‘Son… My baby… Must see again… Aaah…’
Heart-wrenching pain, but hope glimmered.
“Hic… From start… again… Mommy’ll… go back again…”
“Back then, I was half-mad… Tried different approaches, same actions, getting stronger…”
Illusion shattered; eyes opened to Lea beside, tears streaming.
“Lea…”
“Don’t look sad… My love looks best smiling…”
“You too, no crying… Breaks my heart…”
Lea’s wide eyes quivered finely.
Lips trembled; throat tight—yet craved those words.
“D-Do… you love me?”
“That a question?”
“Please…”
Only this for her plea.
“Yes, I love you. Definitely.”
She collapsed into his arms.
“Waaaah… Once more…”
“I love you.”
“Keep saying!”
“I love you.”
“I… suffered so much.”
“I love you…”
“But… you were always there to endure.”
“Yeah… I love you.”
“I loved you more!”
“I love you.”
“Flaunting in other girls’ arms!”
“I love you…”
“Waaaah… You jerk…”
“Sorry…”
“Say you love me!”
“I… love you…”
Thus, holding her, whispering love for ages.
“Hehe… hehe… Phew… Now, let’s start!”
“Huh? Situation? Time’s…”
“What? Gotta make a baby?”
What…?
Kids? Time passed? Forest monster…?
“You! Today, only ‘I love you’! Punishment!”
“…No…”
“Hey!”
“I love you…”
Lea smirked slyly at his confession.
“Hehe! Open wide! Ah~”
“I lo— Mmph!!!”
Questions shelved; better humor Madam.
Thus, the two overlapped.