Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: The Ball (11)
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Before doing anything, I surveyed my surroundings.
The elf girl who had left earlier was now by the Second Prince’s side.
She must have already been bragging to her companions.
As if to prove it, the princess suddenly asked.
“Did something happen with Ilensia? Her face is much brighter than before.”
“Well, did she say anything strange…?”
“Not really. She just looked at us, smiled, and left.”
“…”
She said it was annoying, like she was mocking us.
Of course. It’s exactly as I expected.
A sudden concern arose in my mind.
I wondered what my companions thought of the elf girl.
They seemed to view her not as a comrade, but as a nuisance.
Well, things would get better over time.
For now, I needed to clear up this awkward atmosphere.
My little cutie and I quickly got on the same page and told the truth.
I did the explaining, and Aruru’s role was to nod along.
“I knew it.”
“See? It was nothing.”
“To act like such a fool again… She’s really hopeless.”
Though a certain girl’s reputation was plummeting.
I felt not a shred of guilt.
Wasn’t it already at rock bottom?
Nothing was going to change, anyway.
It would be a problem if that trend continued, but it would probably be fine.
When someone with low expectations does one thing right, their reputation skyrockets.
It was similar to being a scoundrel, a truth that also applied to me.
A talented person, on the other hand, carried everyone’s expectations, so a single screw-up was a major blow.
From my perspective, it naturally felt unfair.
How much easier would it have been to possess the body of a pure scoundrel?
For example, even if I suddenly started hurling profanities at someone.
‘Ah, the young master only cursed ten times today!’ they would marvel.
Even when I was beating the hell out of someone I didn’t like.
‘Oh, to finish with only an eight-week recovery… He’s becoming more like a nobleman.’ Such absurd rationalizations would occur.
A picture where I caused trouble and was still praised by those around me.
I was confident I could do it well, but reality was the exact opposite.
Of course, my current situation wasn’t bad either.
It had its own set of advantages.
Above all, the existence of my fiancée was the greatest advantage of all.
A blissful flow where we could skip the process of resolving misunderstandings and conflicts and go straight to sharing our love.
Who would ever dislike that?
There might be other opinions, but as long as I was happy, that’s all that mattered, right?
Anyway.
I needed a natural excuse to slip away.
Hmm, what would be good?
No matter what excuse I came up with, they would be suspicious.
It was a truly difficult problem, but I soon realized an unexpected fact.
My fiancée was a prepared woman.
True to her meticulous nature, she was already carrying out her plan.
Her cheeks were flushed as if she were getting tipsy.
Ceria leaned against me and whispered softly.
“I think I’ve had too much wine. I need to get some fresh air to clear my head. Would you take me outside?”
The girl claimed to have had a lot to drink.
It seemed she had put in some effort while I was away.
It was a little obvious, but… this might be good enough.
Indeed, sometimes a direct approach is the best method.
I naturally pulled Ceria’s shoulder closer, playing along.
“How about we go back to the villa and rest?”
“It’s not that bad.”
“Alright. A walk in the garden should help.”
My tone was cautious, as if I were worried about my fiancée.
It was very natural. Of course, that was what I wanted to believe.
The girls all narrowed their eyes.
*Are they… they’re not really going off to do… that, are they?*
*I get how they feel…*
*And I know there’s no better day for it than today… but still!*
That seemed to be the gist of their protest.
But I did my best to ignore their reactions.
I’ve been considerate of you all this time…
Just let it slide this once!
Isn’t that what camaraderie is all about?
“Oh my, I see… There’s no rush, so take your time and rest ‘leisurely’ until Ceria feels better.”
For once, Lady Martina provided some covering fire.
It must have been a mother’s affection for her son and a desire to look after her future daughter-in-law.
Judging by the emphasis on ‘leisurely.’
She had clearly seen through our entire scheme.
She gave a suggestive smile, as if telling us to go have our fun.
And so, I unintentionally received my mother’s permission as well.
With nothing left to hold me back, my steps felt light.
I escorted Ceria toward the garden.
Soon, the cold night air greeted us.
The girl used the chill as an excuse to press closer.
“Winter will be here soon.”
In truth, she doesn’t get cold.
For someone of A-rank, neither cold nor heat is a major issue.
Of course, even such pretense was nothing but lovely in my eyes.
That aside… when should I make my move?
Should I wait until the right mood is set?
This part is tricky.
There are times when you should just go in for a kiss.
And there are times when you need a slow build-up.
Women, unlike men, are very delicate creatures.
In a situation like this, a man thinks of only one thing.
But a woman’s actions change based on her mood from moment to moment, not on instinct…
Huh? I’m wrong?
I should stop pretending I know what I’m talking about?
If you disagree, you’re right.
I’m not being sarcastic; I’m actually quite confused myself.
Should I start by holding her hand to set the mood?
Or maybe whisper sweet nothings naturally.
If I had my way, I’d want to make a sort of pact.
That we could freely show affection to each other whenever the mood struck.
It felt like it would be too advantageous for me… but what’s good is good, right?
Anyway.
This wasn’t the time to drag things out.
Whatever I did, it was better to just do it with confidence.
In fact, there was no need to worry at all.
As long as I wasn't doing something blatantly stupid, this body's dignity correction would make it look cool.
But, I was too late again.
Ceria was the first to slyly take my hand.
The girl’s face was flushed red.
It didn’t seem to be just from the wine.
She looked me straight in the eye and smiled.
“How do I look right now?”
A fantastical figure, beautifully dressed in her gown.
This must be what they mean when they say it makes your heart swell.
The other girls were beautiful too, but from my perspective, Ceria was inevitably the prettiest.
I honestly showered her with the highest praise.
And in response, her smile grew wider.
“Do you… have any particular thoughts that come to mind?”
I was glad to be born…
No, the dominant thought was that I was glad to be transmigrated.
That was my usual thought, but right now, I just wanted to do *something*.
Let me say this in advance: this is purely instinct.
It’s a matter to be discussed at the level of human genetics, not because there’s something wrong with me.
“I feel an urge to do all sorts of things to you.”
“—!”
Ah, ahh!
When you come at me so suddenly like that, it makes my head spin!
At the same time, I felt an overflowing sense of happiness and relief.
I knew it. Our feelings were the same.
After all, whether man or woman, we’re all just human…
The girl who didn’t shy away from provocative words when we were alone.
I felt like I would never get used to that sly charm, no matter how much time passed.
Alright, then…
Is it okay to start now? Huh?
“There’s something I want to say before that.”
A weak voice.
As if she had never been excited, she was suddenly steeped in sorrow.
That was a close call.
My decision to exercise a little self-control just in case was a stroke of genius.
Judging by her darkened expression, a serious conversation was about to begin.
“Is it… really right for me to follow you?”
The girl revealed her sorrow.
Pressing down on her surging emotions, she slowly continued.
That she was the one who lagged behind the most among the group.
She said she felt like she would be a burden since everyone else was S-rank while she was only A-rank.
“From now on, I might put you in danger. If you were to be in peril while trying to save me… just thinking about it is terrifying.”
I understood her worries.
The difference between A-rank and S-rank was absolute.
Viewed objectively, the possibility existed that she could become a burden, just as she feared.
However.
That was spoken from a place of ignorance.
Ceria was a powerhouse at the top of A-rank.
Later, she would reach S-rank and stand on par with the Demon King’s Four Heavenly Kings.
It would be difficult for her to surpass the hero candidates who had awakening events planned, but she would undoubtedly pull her own weight.
Of course, I couldn’t be certain.
In the original story, with Jace’s fall from grace.
She would have tried to pass judgment on her lover, who had become a traitor to humanity, with her own hands.
Unlike that time when she grew strong through repeated effort, she now lacked the same resolve.
A girl who, holding back tears, resolved to execute her former lover.
A girl who strives to become strong to be a source of strength for her lover, the hero.
The former would have been a mix of love and hate.
The latter would be 100 percent pure love.
Which would have a greater impact?
For now, I couldn’t know. I could only watch.
Optimistically, she had the potential to grow stronger even faster than in the original story.
Such a case already existed.
A grateful friend who considered Jace his rival but ended up helping him a great deal.
Largo had already reached S-rank.
Originally, it should have taken at least another six months.
My very existence had significantly altered the flow of the original story.
Thus, the conclusion was that Ceria could become stronger as well.
“You’re worrying for nothing.”
I spoke with sincerity.
The one person I could rely on.
Just having her by my side was a great help.
My little cutie may provide the healing.
But the sense of stability Ceria gave me was something else entirely.
I had already become completely immersed in her warm embrace.
Combat power wasn’t that important.
The hero’s party is held together because of Ceria.
As they say, when the tiger is away, the fox is king.
For now, the girls were holding back while watching Ceria, but without her, I could foresee a rebellion.
I could picture them engaging in a catfight to claim me.
It was too much to dismiss as a delusion, given the high level of affection I had built up so far.
“I need you.”
Her eyes wavered for a moment.
Then, as if wanting to feel her lover’s embrace, she subtly pressed closer.
“Is it really… okay for me to be with you?”
Lovers who had been together for so long.
Could she accept a separation with no end in sight?
Even a long-distance relationship is unbearable.
She would be consumed with longing for her lover.
Moreover, in my case, I was planning to fight for my life.
Longing, anxiety, worry, guilt, and so on.
Could she overcome that nervousness and fear?
“No…”
She couldn’t hide her lack of confidence.
As if the mere thought was sad, she unknowingly grew sorrowful.
Toward this endlessly delicate girl, I offered a gentle smile.
“Me too.”
“—!”
“That’s enough of that talk.”
The more I look at her, the more strength surges within me.
Because her existence was so precious, my desire to accomplish something burned brightly.
Well, perhaps…
Ceria could become my weakness.
Even so, it didn’t matter.
Our bond will overcome any trial.
As a man, it’s only natural to take responsibility for the woman I love.
It’s a problem that can be solved by simply trying harder.
I will become strong enough to protect her from all threats.
“You are my everything. That is the only fact that matters.”
To confess carefully… she wasn’t *everything*.
It goes without saying, but my little cutie had a pretty big stake too.
Anyway, Ceria accounted for more than half, so it was basically the same thing.
Perhaps because my sincerity was conveyed.
The girl, though shy, quietly revealed her inner thoughts.
“…It’s the same for me. I want to love you forever.”
An intense gaze passed between us.
Without needing to decide who went first, we kissed.
Then, with affectionate touches, we began to explore each other’s bodies.
Given the time and place were not ideal, the situation was bound to be exciting.
A thrilling outdoor encounter.
The key was to enjoy it in moderation while staying within bounds.
As I was engrossed in this thrilling tightrope walk, Ceria’s affections suddenly became more intense.
“—!”
An unexpected situation had occurred.
Ahh, if you come at me like that… I won’t be able to hold back either!
“You feel especially lovely today. So, just a little more…”
“…”
I realized it belatedly.
I had been overlooking a certain fact.
My fiancée was slightly drunk, and because of that, she was bolder than usual…
And I love it!
The girl’s ecstatic face mercilessly stoked the desires within me.
The level of affection was steadily rising.
I felt like we had slightly crossed the line, but for today, I decided to enjoy this thrilling deviation.