I Won't Stop What's Coming, But No Reconciliation (2)
"You're here, are you?"
I turned my gaze and saw Michelle, my former mother-in-law, standing there. She looked at me with the same somewhat imperious tone and sharp eyes as before.
"It would have been so much better if you'd come early and greeted the guests with us."
Her sudden scolding brought back memories of the past unbidden.
'Where's Ashley? The eldest son of the Gisur Count's family came by, so she went to meet him for a bit. What? Why meet a man? Do you have some wife-jealousy complex? Even if you're married, she can still meet people here and there. She's not locked in a cage.'
I later found out that my mother-in-law had been setting up blind dates for Ashley with sons from prominent families, all with divorce in mind. The men all balked at taking on the Laphone family's curse or stealing the hero's wife, so every match fell through. But the shock of learning it had all happened behind my back was immense.
'Why would you do that!'
'Don't raise your voice like some uncultured brute! If only you'd done your duty as a husband properly!'
I was furious, miserable, filled with self-loathing. I nearly abandoned my bet with Vera right then and there. But I gritted my teeth and endured like a stubborn ox, believing without doubt that better days would come someday.
"We have a lot to talk about, so stay in Ashley's room tonight."
"Yes, dear. I even had them bring in a bigger bed for you."
As Ashley naturally tried to link arms with me, I just as naturally unlinked them and stepped a pace to the side.
"I've got a lot of work today. Even at night. I have to head back."
"You're at your in-laws' for once—people will talk if you just show your face and leave. Stay the night at least. You're not legally divorced yet, after all."
Not wanting to tangle words any further with Michelle, who was clinging on in her overbearing way, I wrapped up the conversation appropriately and excused myself.
"Dear! Wait for me!"
Ashley trailed after me persistently, nagging at my side, but I let her words flow in one ear and out the other.
"Oh, Sir Naru! Come over here a moment—we need to talk!"
Before the main event kicked off, I wandered the hall with a glass in hand, exchanging greetings with various people. Amid that, I felt someone's gaze on me. I hadn't made eye contact, but from passing by earlier, I had a hunch who it was.
'Aquina.'
She was staring at me intently. It wasn't a welcome gaze, so I deliberately avoided approaching her. Still, she kept fixating on me, as if beckoning me over.
'Does she have something to say?'
It was probably adventure talk. I was exhausted today from draining my stamina with the queen. Here, I only wanted to handle Laphone family matters. Besides, I had no real rapport with Aquina. Our only encounter had been a casual "hello" about two years ago.
'Must be that my ceremony with the queen today made her uncomfortable.'
As an adventurer myself, I knew the feeling well. Aquina was clearly burning with competitive spirit.
Suddenly, Ashley tugged lightly at my arm.
"Dear, the girls are here."
"Who?"
Turning around, I saw Serena and Roberini standing side by side in dresses that showed off their cleavage, wearing awkward smiles. They looked like they'd been forced to grin.
"B-brother-in-law, long time no see."
Serena glanced around nervously and extended her hand.
"You've gotten even prettier since last time."
I lightly kissed the back of her hand. At the same time, her venomous barbs from the past resurfaced.
'Brother-in-law, if it's tough, why not just kill yourself? Top artists kill themselves a lot, right? If you offed yourself young, posterity might think you were something special. Like a genius hero who burned with justice till the end? What do you say? Want my help? Dying's super easy. Don't overthink it.'
'Ugh, seeing you limp like that ruins my tea. I'm going somewhere else.'
'That guy's utterly useless. Embarrassing just to look at.'
I gave a bitter smile and looked up.
"Good to see you again."
"I-I'm glad too."
"Serena. What did your sister say would happen if you met brother-in-law?"
"Ah... B-brother-in-law. I'm sorry for talking shit before. Sis chewed me out hard, and I realized. I was really wrong."
Was really wrong...?
"Dear, she says that. Forgive her."
"It's fine. I didn't take it to heart."
"See? That's you—such a big-hearted guy."
As Ashley beamed cluelessly, I turned to Roberini.
"Miss Roberini, long time no see. Doing well?"
"Pardon? Ah, yes. Y-you've gotten even more handsome."
Roberini gave an awkward smile and timidly offered her hand. I calmly kissed the back of it, memories flooding back.
'D-don't come this way! Go around that side. Got it? What if that limp you got from Vera's curse is contagious?'
Ashley's same-age friend Roberini wasn't the type to shoot barbs openly to my face. She was the sort who secretly badmouthed me to Ashley behind my back.
'Aren't you embarrassed walking around with that husband? I don't like it, so don't bring him out when I'm here.'
'If you hate your husband, just separate. Lots of couples do. Separate rooms starting today.'
'When he tries to touch you, get annoyed and dodge. Make it obvious you hate it, and he'll suggest divorce first. Or provoke him into violence.'
She was the puppet master pulling strings behind Ashley. But from her current demeanor, clearly wary of Ashley's watchful eye, she'd undoubtedly gotten a stern talking-to from Ashley before coming here.
"Like Serena, I'm sorry too. For treating you so harshly, Sir Naru... I won't do it again. I hope you and Ashley get back together. No, please get back together. Please."
Hmm... Standing here was getting harder by the minute. I hated dredging up old nightmares, and it was awkward being pressed to change a settled decision.
"Dear. I'm desperate too. Let's get back together. Okay?"
Even Ashley was clinging to me pleadingly. Tears welled in her eyes, on the verge of spilling.
"I'll obey you perfectly from now on, so stop wandering outside and come home. I'll be really good. For real."
As she leaned into me, riding the emotional wave, Melissa's voice cut in abruptly.
"There you are."
"Melissa. You came too?"
"Of course. I was invited."
I pulled away from the close-clinging Ashley and lightly clasped hands with Melissa.
"Figured schoolwork would keep you late."
"Wasn't too busy today."
She said it casually, but her party outfit—a short skirt and blouse—was blatant office wear. It didn't fit here at all. She'd clearly rushed over. She must have been inwardly anxious I'd go back to Ashley. Don't worry. No reconciliation, I said.
"Oh, right. Naru, I've got something to tell you. Mrs. Ashley? Mind if I borrow Naru a sec? School stuff."
"Can I come too..."
"No."
Melissa cut her off sharply and grabbed my arm.
"Come here."
"What's up?"
"You'll see when you do."
Her voice had a determined edge. She dragged me by the arm to a corner, then—out of others' sight—deliberately ground the heel of her high heel into the top of my foot.
"Ugh...! That hurts. Get your foot off. You're stepping on me."
"Shut it."
Like a demon granny? She glared at me murderously and shoved her face right up to mine.
"Spill it honestly. You messed with the girls, didn't you?"
"M-messed how? What're you talking about?"
"Playing innocent, huh?"
Crunch. She pressed harder with her heel, pain stabbing like it might pierce through.
I shuddered.
"Ow, it huuurts...! Stop...!"
"You won't die. Relax. Anyway, Hazel and Lydia. You touched their bodies, right? Admit it."
Damn. Busted...!
Painfully forcing a grin, I managed, "Impressive. Quit teaching and become a detective."
"So you admit it?"
Crunch.
"Aaaah...! Hurts!"
"I bought the Hazel thing at first. But seeing Lydia? Figured it out. What was it—some mysterious elixir from an adventure? I've adventured with you, known you for years, never heard you mention any such elixir. So that's bullshit. It was your damn cum that changed them."
"W-well, good results are what matter...!"
"Who said you could secretly fool around with students? Forgot what I told you?"
"Wh-which...?"
"Your dick is mine exclusively."
That was the issue?!
Melissa smirked wickedly, her eyes glinting dangerously.
"You come at me every night full of energy, so I figured you're cheating outside. Can't have that."
She brought her lips to my ear, whispering hotly.
"From tonight, strict management starts. Got it?"
"Wh-what management?"
"Dick. Manage. Ment. Six times at night, twice before morning work, once during school breaks. You'll be too exhausted to think of other bitches."
"Melissa, calm down. That's tough on you too."
"Don't you know I'm a sex maniac?"
She licked her upper lip as if to say, "Watch me."
At that moment, the butler's voice rang from the far end of the hall.
"Attention, everyone! The ceremony is about to begin! Our proud son-in-law of the Laphone family! Our truly excellent son-in-law! Sir Naru, please take the stage!"