Chapter 88
Chapter 88
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 88
Chapter Title: Crodain Family (5)
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Lying in the same bed with Ceria…
No, isn't this development a bit too sudden?
It's not that I dislike it, but you should've at least used your turn signal!
“……”
“……”
Our eyes met.
I could feel Ceria's delicate breath.
Thanks to my enhanced vision, the darkness wasn't an issue.
The better I could see, the more embarrassing it became.
Her suggestive attire fueled a young man's fantasies…
The faint glimpse of her skin beneath shook my reason to its core.
*I'm going to devour you this time!*
I could sense that vibe from her, and it didn't seem to be just my imagination.
What is this? A surprise event?
Maybe it's a main quest I have to clear?
Well, there was no need to be *that* flustered.
We love each other; we're even engaged.
We've sworn to spend our lives together.
Therefore, this situation could be seen as perfectly natural.
What was bound to happen has happened. I just need to handle it calmly.
I tried to control my emotions, but given the circumstances, it wasn't working.
The trembling in my chest was already beyond my control.
It had gone past a simple flutter and was practically pounding.
Yet, through it all, the girl's gaze remained steady.
She was clearly nervous, but her face showed she had made up her mind.
It was as if she were desperately pleading for me to hold her.
I don't know much about a woman's heart, but I could guess to some extent.
The more I hesitate, the more anxious she'll get, right?
I should just entrust myself to my instincts for now.
I slowly pulled Ceria into an embrace, our faces close.
I gently stroked her hair and gave her a light kiss.
How should I describe that sweetness?
A jolt, like electricity, ran through my entire body from head to toe.
The heat gradually intensified.
Through the thin fabric, I could vividly feel her soft touch.
“Jace……”
She called her lover's name in a tender voice.
The girl felt even more lovable today.
Before I knew it, the desire to respond to her feelings had taken over my mind.
How could I possibly resist this?
This was heading in a direction where a shotgun wedding might be on the cards.
It wasn't really a problem, but I needed to confirm something first.
“Did… my mother put you up to this?”
“—!!”
Her eyes wavered violently.
Her startled flinch was clearly conveyed to me.
Just as I thought.
It seemed Lady Martina had been putting ideas into the innocent girl's head.
“Um, she didn't say it directly.”
“Then?”
“She said she wanted to see her grandchild…”
“……”
She surpasses my expectations in so many ways.
Is this also a mother's love, wishing for her son's success?
I'm grateful, I guess, but this is too stimulating. I can't handle it.
Well, I had no intention of stopping now.
What's to fear when everyone approves of our relationship?
Though the wedding is still a ways off.
But that didn't mean I could just sit still until then.
I cautiously mentioned that the wedding schedule had been postponed.
Wary of her reaction, I subtly threw my dad under the bus.
I told her it was Gerard's decision.
Contrary to my expectation that she'd be shocked, her reaction was calm.
“I see. If that is your father's will…”
“I'm sorry about that.”
“No, I understand completely. You're the Hero now.”
That war would soon break out.
She understood that I, too, would inevitably become busy.
“I'm really fine.”
A genuine, bright smile.
She said she was simply proud of me.
She always puts my heart at ease like this.
Just as my desire to hold her reached its peak, she whispered with a shy expression.
“Truthfully… I'm a little disappointed, but that just means you'll love me even more, right?”
Truer words were never spoken.
I was planning to do my best so she wouldn't feel neglected.
“In that spirit, tonight… let's make it a hot one.”
“—!!”
A hot one? What on earth does that mean?
I'm just an innocent boy, so I wouldn't know.
As if to say, “Don't be ridiculous,” she caressed my chest, openly seducing me.
She struck an alluring pose, as if she was truly determined to go through with it.
Hmm, a decisive battle I have no choice but to accept.
There's no reason to avoid it, so I'll face it bravely.
Suddenly, Lady Martina's wish for a grandchild came to mind.
She might have said it to Ceria as a joke, but it must have been a hint of her true feelings.
Then there's no helping it.
This is a golden opportunity to be a good son to my mother just by making love to my girlfriend.
I won't know how far we'll go until we do it.
But it was certain that this would bring our relationship even closer.
“Alright, fine. I'll prove that I love only you.”
“—!!”
The atmosphere heated up.
The lovers' act of affection for one another began in earnest.
My heart burned hotter than ever before.
I was only holding one girl, but it felt as if I were embracing the entire world.
***
The next morning.
I felt particularly refreshed today.
Shall I say the world looked beautiful?
There's no need to explain why.
Soon, everyone gathered for a simple meal.
Gerard seemed to have urgent business and was absent.
But Lady Martina spent time with us.
She barely touched her food, instead seating Aruru on her lap.
“Try this, too.”
“Aah, it's so sweet!”
“……”
She fed her all sorts of desserts to her heart's content.
Since she ate everything she was given, it was only natural to be delighted.
My little cutie.
So you've completely switched sides now, huh?
I suppose she used her beastkin senses to identify the real power in the house.
Well, she's family, not some stranger, so I just let it be.
Normally, I would've been a little hurt.
But beside me was Ceria, who had become even more lovable.
The events of last night were still vivid in my mind.
She, too, seemed to be basking in the afterglow, smiling from ear to ear.
She didn't even care about her future mother-in-law's favoritism, doting only on Aruru.
Everything was flowing as it should.
I could probably ignore the sight of a dozen servants bringing out desserts just for Aruru.
Just as Ceria and I were exchanging a warm glance.
Lady Martina suddenly called out to me.
“You look to be in a very good mood. Did something happen?”
As she finished speaking, she gave a gentle, smiling-eyed look.
For some reason, it felt mischievous.
She was clearly probing, even though she already knew everything.
Just as I thought.
Seeing Ceria's blushing face, her smile deepened.
Hmm, should I call this a noble lady's minor vice?
The situation itself was awkward, but as her son, I was nothing but pleased.
A person who knows how to enjoy life.
That must be the secret to her youth.
In any case, thanks to her, the atmosphere of the entire family seemed to brighten.
“My son, hurry up and answer.”
“……”
No, wait a minute…
Why is she so persistent? Does she really have to see this through to the end?
Isn't asking about *that* quite rude?
Even if she's my mother, that's not okay.
I could just brush it off and say nothing happened.
As a lady, she'd have to maintain her dignity, so she couldn't ask outright.
Just as I finished that calculation, my little cutie blurted it out.
“Oh, right. I forgot to ask. You two, how far did you go last night?”
“……”
Ah, right…
She's the type with a frank and open personality who doesn't hesitate to say rude things.
The world's cutest little thing had already gone over to Lady Martina's side.
Well, it was always like this, so it wasn't anything new.
Anyway, that comment triggered various reactions.
“—??”
“—!!”
The elf girl tilted her head, feigning innocence.
The princess's face turned pale, as if she'd heard the sky was falling.
Ceria, though embarrassed, glared at Aruru.
But out of everyone, my mother's reaction was the most spectacular.
“Oh, my…”
Even though she was the one who caused this whole situation.
She covered her mouth with her hand and smiled contentedly, as if she knew nothing.
In technical terms, it was an ‘Ara ara, ufufu’.
I never thought I'd see that in real life. And she pulled it off perfectly.
It was a moment that truly highlighted Lady Martina's character.
She stroked my little cutie's head and gently soothed her.
“Aruru, if you want to become a fine lady, it's best to be a little more careful with your words.”
“But… I'm so curious!”
“I suppose one can't help but be concerned about their companions' private lives.”
“That's right. He and I are already in *that* kind of relationship, so I don't know why he's trying to hide it.”
“—??”
Lady Martina looked at me with a surprised expression.
*My son. You're all grown up now, so I wasn't going to interfere, but this is a bit…*
It seemed like she was chiding me.
But perhaps because of the thought of acquiring a fox beastkin, she gave a meaningful smile.
Their timing is perfectly in sync.
At this point, it seems like she and Aruru are cut from the same cloth.
The misunderstanding seemed to be getting worse, but I thought it was best to just ignore it.
We're going to be living under the same roof anyway.
She'll soon realize it's nothing more than the relationship between a master and a pet.
My little cutie.
Why do you keep staring at me?
How far did we go? We just held hands and slept!
“Hmph, so that's how you're going to play it? Well, fine. There'll be plenty more chances.”
“……”
Is it because she's switched masters?
She's gotten subtly impudent.
You, are you sure that's okay?
When we leave the estate in a few days, you'll come back to me, right?
I'll have to give you a good scolding then.
I'll show you the greatness of your master.
Anyway, for now, it was Aruru's world.
Backed by Lady Martina's authority, she was enjoying everything.
A moment later, the butler approached and gave a somewhat suspicious report.
“The preparations you spoke of are complete.”
“Already? We must begin at once.”
The butler, as if he'd been waiting, snapped his fingers.
At that, a group of servants rushed in.
They had brought clothes perfectly sized for Aruru.
“……”
No, is that even possible?
Just how serious is she about this?
The power wielded by the matriarch of a great family when she sets her mind to it.
The more I thought about it, the more I wondered if this was right, but it was soon proven that my mother's judgment was correct.
My little cutie, dressed in a frilly dress, wagged her tail wildly.
The sight of her striking all sorts of poses and showing off her cuteness was the pinnacle of healing.
To be honest… I wanted this too.
Not just the girls, but even the butler and the servants were mesmerized by the fox beastkin's charm.
“How could she be so cute? You did well to bring her here.”
She smiled warmly, as if she had received the best gift.
Seizing the opportunity, I mentioned Aruru's friends.
“Is that really true?”
“Yes. When the time comes, they will visit this place.”
“In that case…”
“My plan was to give them the best treatment and then gently coax them, but I'll have to leave that process to you, Mother.”
“—!!”
The plan is to hire them as maids.
I must use any means necessary to get them to sign the contract.
Indeed, she seemed extremely pleased, as if impressed by her son's plan.
“Could it be that you were thinking of your mother?”
“Well, something like that…”
When I gave a vague answer, she looked at me proudly.
She then added that she had raised a truly fine son.
It was something she couldn't say to Gerard.
But Lady Martina welcomed it with open arms.
Managing the servants was the matriarch's job in the first place. I could trust my mother with it.
“H-Hold on! This is the first I'm hearing of this!”
Aruru jumped up and down on the spot.
Her reaction was quite dramatic, as if she had been betrayed.
My little cutie.
What's wrong? There's no need to be so serious.
You'll be less lonely with one or two of your own kind around.
Besides, they're your friends, so you'll get along just fine.
“Ugh, but then my presence will be cut by more than half…”
“……”
So that's what you were worried about?
You're the Hero's party's mascot; I think you're worrying for nothing.
“Anyway, no!”
As if wishing to be the only fox beastkin, she shook her head vigorously.
Then she finally put on a tearful face, as if begging me to be satisfied with just her.
Yeah, not a chance.
I've already brought Lady Martina over to my side.
And with that, Aruru's one-woman show came to an unceremonious end.
A more or less peaceful flow of events.
I gave a faint smile.
I was going to be busy from now on, so this was the only time I could relax without a care.
***
Before long, the last day of my stay here arrived.
The master of the Crodain Family spoke gravely, putting on a serious air.
“Draw the Holy Sword.”
“……”
He wants to have a go.
I had hoped to get through this without incident, but it ended up like this after all.
Well, maybe just once would be okay.
Gerard is a powerhouse capable of taking my full strength…
It wouldn't be a bad idea to test my limits by facing him.