Chapter 346: Side Story — Harem Confession (1)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 346: Side Story — Harem Confession (1)
Patter, patter.
A light drizzle fell from the leaden sky.
With every step, fallen leaves crunched underfoot, and the occasional puddle splashed against her boots.
Kaya Astrea, her hair tied in low pigtails, glanced back over her shoulder. The forest path she had traversed was marked by a trail of damp footprints.
It was summer. Several months had already passed since her graduation from Märchen Academy.
Isaac was currently working tirelessly to stabilize the internal affairs of Düpendorf. According to the experts, the imperial laws he was restructuring were being hailed as astonishingly systematic.
Luce Eltania was planning to study in the magical city of Asverica to become a Tower Master. No matter how powerful Luce already was, it was an unavoidable step, as the position of Tower Master was a prestigious rank on par with an Archwizard.
Her goal was to rewrite magical history. Declaring that she would achieve this feat on her own, without Isaac’s help, it seemed Luce was more determined than ever.
Dorothy Heartnova was preparing for a journey around the world. She mentioned she would visit several destinations with Isaac, fulfilling a promise they had made about two years ago.
Alice Carroll had returned to Wonderland for a brief period to attend to the affairs of the Heart Kingdom. Though she would return soon because Isaac had summoned her, she would have to head back once her business was concluded and wouldn't return until the following spring.
As Isaac’s most devoted follower, Alice was set to become his closest aide. It was painfully obvious what that deceptively innocent yet sly woman would try to do to Isaac in the privacy of his office.
Snow White Von Kairos Elfieto was still enrolled at Märchen Academy. Rumor had it she had been promoted to Class A starting in her third year.
From being the academy’s weakest in her first year to reaching the top class by her third—she had achieved results similar to Isaac’s. However, the significant difference was that Isaac had only been pretending to be weak, while White had truly started from the bottom.
While the power of the Night Fairy played a major role, the results of her relentless training could not be overlooked.
“Everyone has a plan and is living their life...”
Lately, Kaya Astrea had been troubled. Everyone seemed to be moving forward with their lives, but what about her?
In this world, the applications of magic were incredibly diverse. Even if one dreamed of being a wizard, the profession was subdivided into various specialized roles. Among them, Kaya’s original goal had been to become an Imperial Wizard of Zelver.
Her father was a former Imperial Knight, and her sister, Merlin, was one as well. Wearing the royal uniform and showcasing her magical talents was a goal she had always held dear.
It’s tricky. This place has become a kingdom now, and if I work here, I’ll definitely grow distant from Isaac.
If she became a palace wizard in Zelver, she would inevitably drift apart from him. However, Isaac opposed her becoming an Imperial Wizard of Düpendorf; he didn't want Kaya to be treated as a mere soldier. This aversion extended even to the highest positions, like the Legions.
And so, she had returned to the Astrea Duchy and wandered the forest paths to contemplate her future, but her worries remained like smoldering embers that refused to die out.
[We could just play around, you know?]
Dark Kaya spoke.
With blood-red eyes that contrasted with Kaya’s own, she walked alongside her with her hands clasped behind her back. She was a vision only Kaya could see.
Dark Kaya tapped her lips with her index finger.
[The world has changed, and it’s become hard to live the life you planned anyway. It doesn't really matter if you just mess around. So, why not just hang out with Isaac every day and live happily?]
“It’s not that simple.”
[Even so, how about putting your worries aside for now?]
“Huh? Why?”
Dark Kaya leaned toward Kaya, narrowing her eyes with a fox-like grin. Even though no one else could see her, she shielded her mouth with her hand and whispered conspiratorially.
[While everyone else is away, you could have Isaac all to yourself. This might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, right?]
“...”
[You could hug Isaac from behind in his office, nibble on his ear, and kiss those adorable cheeks of his whenever you want. When Isaac goes to bed, you could sneak under the covers and snuggle up to him. Let him touch you while you whisper ‘I love you’ and stroke his hair... and did I mention the kissing? Either way, we could stay up all night together! Ah, it would be pure bliss...!]
Dark Kaya, seemingly overstimulated by her own imagination, covered her flushed cheeks with both hands and beamed. With her eyes closed, lost in a world of fantasy, she was unmistakably a creature of desire.
The reason was simple: all the sexual curiosity Kaya had suppressed during her student days had manifested and focused entirely on Isaac.
[It would definitely feel good, wouldn't it?]
She tempted Kaya.
Since her imagination was entirely Kaya’s as well, Kaya found herself momentarily swayed, forgetting to breathe as she drifted into the sweet fantasy.
“Gasp!”
Kaya quickly regained her senses and shook her head vigorously. She glared at Dark Kaya with sharp eyes.
“It’s not that simple. I’d feel like I’m falling behind, and my charm would lose its appeal, wouldn’t it?”
[Oh? Sharp, very sharp. Thinking long-term, I see?]
Dark Kaya covered her mouth, feigning a look of being impressed.
[Whether it’s Luce Eltania or anyone else, they’re all lifelong rivals, right? A fair point.]
“You’re just full of lust...”
[Why criticize me? I’m you, after all.]
“Enough... Let’s think rationally.”
Dark Kaya snickered like a little demon, while Kaya held her head in distress. Listening to the rhythm of the pouring rain helped calm her racing heart.
“...”
No matter how much one decided their own path, there was no guarantee the destination would remain the same. The world was constantly changing, and it was necessary to keep pace with it.
Ah.
Her thoughts took a new turn. Unexpectedly, the solution was simple.
[Looks like you’ve made up your mind?]
Dark Kaya bent over to look up into Kaya’s face. Her every action was full of playfulness.
“I think so.”
Kaya nodded and looked at her reflection.
“Shall we head back?”
[To go dote on Isaac?]
“Stop it...”
Dark Kaya laughed mischievously.
*
I had no expertise in politics.
I wasn't a legal expert, nor had I ever set foot in a judicial training institute. Because of that, I had been feeling the weight of my inadequacies lately.
Inside the Blue Imperial Palace of Düpendorf, I groaned and held my head in my hands.
“There’s just too much to do...”
Even though I was positioned at the peak of human power, the tasks that had accumulated over the millennium of the Ice Sovereign’s absence were overwhelming.
The constant blizzards in this frozen land had blocked trade routes and made diplomacy impossible. Under an enforced isolationist policy, Düpendorf had focused on a self-sustaining system. Now that the blizzards were gone, the most pressing environmental issue was resolved, but it was time to dismantle that isolation.
I had to open trade routes, encourage commerce, and overhaul the legal system. I was so consumed by state affairs that I often skipped sleep. Even then, sleeping for just one hour would fully restore my energy like a superhuman, a constant reminder of how monstrous my body had become.
Knock, knock.
The knock I had been waiting for finally sounded. Thanks to my ability to sense even unmanifested mana, I knew exactly who it was.
“Come in, Alice.”
The door opened, and a graceful woman with radiant hair entered the office. She was once an enemy I had fought to the death, but now she was a woman I intended to make my wife.
“Hello, darling.”
Alice Carroll.
She was dressed in a red uniform I had never seen before. Is that from the Heart Kingdom? It suited her remarkably well.
“Welcome back. It’s been a while.”
I greeted her with a warm smile. Alice suddenly moved behind me and rested her ample chest on top of my head. The sensation of something soft and yielding enveloped me.
Alice lowered her hands and wrapped them around my shoulders, pressing the back of my head against her abdomen.
“What are you doing the moment you get here?”
“My baby, it looks like you’ve had such a hard time while I was away.”
Alice’s gentle voice filled the room.
“You went to take care of your own business, didn't you? Isn't it still unfinished?”
“Yeah, so I’m comforting myself by hugging you.”
Alice squeezed me even tighter.
“I missed you, baby.”
“Me too.”
“Does this feel good?”
Alice slowly swayed her upper body from side to side. The soft flesh felt as though it might slide right off as it brushed against my head. Lately, I felt like the intensity of the seduction from the women I loved was steadily increasing. Perhaps it was because the Evil God was defeated and the heavy burdens had been lifted.
“I can’t deny it.”
“Heehee.”
When I spoke honestly, Alice giggled cutely. Still, I couldn't help but wonder why the sensation was so... direct.
“Are you not wearing underwear, by any chance?”
“I am.”
“Then why does it feel so soft...?”
“Only on the bottom half.”
“...”
“It’s the same color as my outfit right now.”
An unnecessary, yet vivid, detail.
“Oh.”
An exclamation escaped me. Was it a sound of surprise or awe? I wasn't entirely sure.
“Baby, did you invite Princess Snow White too?”
“Ah, yeah. I have something to say to everyone.”
I had decided to gather the five women I loved in one place. White had replied that she would definitely come since it was the academy’s vacation season, and Kaya had already sent a letter saying she was on her way. Luce and Dorothy were already living with me in the palace, working on their own plans for the future.
“I see.”
Alice didn't ask any more questions. It seemed she had already figured out what I intended to say by gathering them all.
“Huh?”
At that moment, I sensed mana. Dorothy Heartnova, who had been preparing for her travels, had left her room and was heading this way. Outside the palace, Kaya Astrea had just arrived and was also approaching.
“Are they coming?”
As expected, Alice noticed immediately.
“Yeah, two of them.”
“Really?”
“Wait, what?”
Suddenly, Alice started crawling under my desk. She sat in the knee-well, looking up at me. Since the desk was massive, there was plenty of room.
“What are you doing all of a sudden?”
“Shh.”
Alice peeked out from between my legs with a grin, putting her index finger to her lips. Her smile was a mix of mischief and pure playfulness.
“Don't do anything weird, just—”
Click!
“Oh.”
Just as I was about to tell Alice to get out, the door swung open.
“President! I came to bother you because I was bored!”
A lively, energetic voice echoed through the room. A woman with lavender hair, wearing a charming witch’s outfit, tilted her wide-brimmed hat back.
“Senior...”
“Nee-hee, is it okay if I interrupt?”
It was Dorothy, my lover, breathtakingly beautiful as always.
“That’s a bit of a problem,” I answered with an awkward smile.
Dorothy approached me.
“Then can I tickle you?”
“No.”
“Can I blow in your ear?”
“No.”
“Why can’t I do anything...?”
Dorothy pouted. Normally, I would have welcomed her with open arms, but Alice was currently hiding under the desk.
And I haven't even confessed yet.
I hadn't officially expressed my feelings to the five of them. Today, I planned to confess that I loved them all. Even though they had already noticed my feelings and seemed to have reached a tacit understanding, a direct confession was a world away from leaving things unsaid.
That was why I was gathering them.
I need to make the harem official with a proper confession.
It was a serious matter. If I showed flirtatious behavior with one of them before officially declaring the harem... whether intentional or not, it risked creating resentment.
Confessing to a harem is already a high-risk move...
I couldn't afford to ruin such an important day. It would be best to handle Dorothy for now, send her off, and quickly get Alice out from under the desk.
“Shall we plan a trip, then?”
“Plan a trip?”
“You’ve been working so hard. I thought it might be good for you to clear your head.”
It was Dorothy’s way of being considerate. Living with me, she must have felt sorry seeing me buried in paperwork.
Suddenly, I remembered the social gathering during my first year at Märchen Academy. At the time, Dorothy was convinced she was going to die. But as we danced, she had softly talked about the things she wanted to do in the future. Now that the fear of death was gone, she was trying to fulfill those dreams.
It was also one of the reasons I immersed myself in work. I wanted to finish so I could enjoy a relaxing trip with her.
“Well, I worked hard to research travel spots, but it still feels a bit lacking...?”
“If we visit all the places you’ve already found, that would be an amazing trip...”
“It’s not enough to quench my thirst!”
“Ahh...!”
“Huh? President, what’s wrong?”
I flinched involuntarily as I felt a soft touch glide along the inside of my thigh.
Alice, I knew you’d do something.
“Oh, I just remembered something about work.”
“Is that so?”
Dorothy looked at me calmly. As Alice’s hand moved closer to my groin, I reached under the desk to push her away.
“...”
Something warm enveloped my index and middle fingers.
Did she just bite me...?
She had. She bit my fingers.
A slick warmth coated my fingers as a soft tongue skillfully licked them. Alice then grabbed my wrist with both hands. I couldn't pull away; if I moved too abruptly, Dorothy would definitely notice.
A faint sucking sound reached my ears as she took my fingers into her mouth. A strange sensation spread from my hand throughout my body, and a bead of cold sweat trickled down my temple.
“Anyway, about the new places I looked into...!”
“Isaac, I’m here.”
“Oh, Junior! Hello!”
Of all times, Kaya chose now to show up.
“Ah, Kaya. Welcome.”
Peeking cautiously through the open door, she looked incredibly cute, but I didn't have the luxury to appreciate it. First, I needed to get Dorothy and Kaya out of the room so I could deal with Alice.
Alice took my fingers out of her mouth and began licking the spaces between them. I could feel her gaze from below. I could vividly imagine her watching my reaction with a mischievous smirk.
This is seriously...
I struggled to maintain a composed smile. One of my eyebrows twitched involuntarily, but Dorothy and Kaya didn't seem to notice.
This is driving me crazy.
Alice was being incredibly bold. She must have come prepared to tease me like this today. The sensation of her tongue was heightening all my nerves.
“Oh, Dorothy, you were here? Should I wait in the hallway?”
“It’s fine, I just came because I was bored.”
“Is that so?”
Kaya stood next to Dorothy.
“It’s good to see you again. You must be tired from your journey, so why don't you go rest for a bit?”
I spoke to Kaya with a kind smile, but she seemed unusually serious. She hesitated for a moment, then cautiously spoke.
“Isaac, I’ve finally found the answer to my dilemma. Will you hear me out?”
“Really?”
Can’t you tell me later...?