Chapter 75: Return to the Alfred Mansion
Ferzen, returning to Uriel Wayne Daina Alfred's mansion, checked the time. 8:40 a.m.
'A bit delayed...'
Entering the bedroom, he saw Euphemia still fast asleep. Was she unaware it was morning because of the overcast sky? Or perhaps... it was due to the changes in her body from the pregnancy.
Thud.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Ferzen gently brushed aside her soft hair and caressed her belly.
Marriages for political gain and polygamy were accepted without reproach in this era's context, and Euphemia understood that well. Yet, whether due to Lee Seojin's sense of self or not, the guilt gnawing at him felt burdensome. Ferzen pressed a tender kiss to her cheek.
'She was knitting...'
Next to the pillow lay a single sock sized for the baby's foot, with its unfinished mate atop it.
Euphemia el Lerenne Ruerg.
No matter what, she was steadily preparing to be his wife and the mother of his child. How could each of those efforts not be utterly endearing?
"Mm..."
Lying softly beside her, he pulled her into his arms and stroked her cheek. Perhaps sensing his familiar scent and warmth, Euphemia wriggled closer, burying her face against him.
"..."
Did she know? That fiddling with her body like this was like an addiction to drugs—nearly impossible to stop.
"I'm back..."
Though she was asleep and wouldn't hear, Ferzen murmured the words before surrendering to the fatigue and drowsiness from his duty shift.
Rustle.
After tossing a little, Euphemia opened her eyes and gazed down at Ferzen sleeping beside her, just as she'd anticipated before drifting off. Yes, gazed down at him.
Normally, he would hold her in his arms, face buried at her bedside. But today...
His face was nestled in her bosom.
"Not a single day without marks..."
She lifted her hand mirror. Reflected in it, her neck bore a fresh kiss mark that hadn't been there before.
He must have toyed with her body before falling asleep. Since getting pregnant, her breasts seemed a bit fuller, and she'd gained a little weight.
This man... what was so captivating about her body that he obsessed over it like this?
"..."
Carefully tidying his disheveled hair as he slept, Euphemia suddenly—for reasons unknown—slipped down the right strap of her negligee, exposing one breast, and drew his face to it.
Then, as if nursing him, she gently stroked his lips apart and guided her nipple into his mouth.
Just... a secret desire to treat this man like a baby, perhaps.
"Ah..."
As Ferzen's lips, even in sleep, nibbled softly at her nipple, Euphemia let out a lewd moan and shivered.
She'd imagined him suckling innocently like an infant.
"Mm, ahmm..."
But Ferzen merely gnawed at her nipple with his front teeth, as if grinding his molars on it.
Yet for Euphemia, rather than pain, a chilling pleasure raced up her spine. She clutched the back of his head tightly, her voice breathless.
'Me too...'
Was it desire, dissatisfaction? She felt her underwear slowly growing damp below.
Embarrassment surged belatedly, but with the patter of rain outside as her veil, Euphemia continued this intimate moment in secret.
"Ha, hmm..."
Soon, a faint climax washed over her. The lingering afterglow left only a sense of regret.
Still latched to her breast, she reached out and tentatively traced his firm chest.
'I want to...'
A sudden impulsive thought. Euphemia flushed red.
Swish.
Regaining her composure, she gently removed her nipple from his mouth and readjusted the strap.
Then, as if nothing had happened, after a long while, she began knitting again—for the baby who would soon arrive.
Ferzen awoke from deep sleep at 3 p.m. Groggily rising from the bed, he headed to the bathroom for a thorough bath, instructed the maids to bring food to the bedroom, then returned to Euphemia's side for a late lunch together.
Afterward, as the rain outside intensified, he attended to personal work while listening to it... but then set down his pen and turned his gaze.
Euphemia sat quietly on the bed, knitting.
"Why...?"
Finally noticing his stare, she looked at him steadily.
"Once your belly starts swelling a bit more... I plan to hire a painter to capture each moment every month. Until the child is born and grows a certain age. It would serve as a sort of parenting diary."
"...?"
His somewhat unique idea made Euphemia tilt her head momentarily, but upon reflection, it didn't sound bad, so she consented. Fidgeting with her hands, she hesitantly spoke.
"I can't get used to it... You don't seem like yourself..."
"..."
"Are you really the man who raped me that first day, tormented my lower belly when bored, and tried to tame me like a beast...?"
"To you, I'm hardly a good husband."
No intent to deny it, so Ferzen accepted it fully.
"But... I'll strive to be a good father to the child."
At that, Euphemia pouted her lips.
"You admit it... but you won't repent."
"..."
"Ferzen von Schweig Ruerg."
"..."
"Be... a good husband to me too..."
"..."
Her words, utterly unforeseen, brought a faint smile to Ferzen's lips despite himself.
"Ah... yes. Euphemia el Lerenne Ruerg."
"..."
"I'll... make the effort."
Two days later, a letter arrived at the residence confirming the promotion verification had been successfully arranged. Finishing his afternoon lecture, Ferzen headed to the Magic Research Society.
Promotion verification.
Grand in name, but the process was exceedingly simple. For instance, to verify promotion to Euclid rank, if a lower Keter-rank mage couldn't comprehend the spell formula, the proof was complete. Nothing clearer.
It would take scarcely five minutes at most.
Bang.
As the carriage halted and he pushed open the doors to the Magic Research Society, the interior seemed unusually bustling today. Numerous people in the lobby. Ferzen noticed that ignoring them wasn't feasible—their positions weren't trivial.
The two imperial princes, Elder Teor el Binheim Roswell of the Roswell ducal family, and...
"..."
Coleone Wayne Barreta Alfred, the Alfred family's old monster, was there too.
"Lord Ruerg."
"Are you the mage assisting my verification?"
"Yes... Melvin. It was planned that way, but... it seems the information leaked, so there's discussion about altering the method slightly. I'd like your opinion on it..."
Altering the method.
Ferzen swept his gaze around.
"Surely you're not suggesting opening the third layer?"
"Yes. The costs... all the distinguished guests here have offered to cover them fully..."
The Netherworld's third layer—Pratāpana.
This world's history was long, yet known information on its monstrosities was scant. Even clan-exclusive intel rarely exceeded three or four pieces.
In short, those gathered here would pay to open the third layer and access its trades, in exchange for intel on the lurking monstrosities beyond.
"I accept."
"Ah... Understood!"
No real loss for him. Ferzen himself wanted to experience the abilities of a third-layer monstrosity once.
If the first layer was like a sword's durability, the second its sharpness, then the third was akin to imbuing that sword with aura.
"Then let's head up."
The Magic Research Society's top floor. Its vast rooftop. Ferzen stepped out first, and the others quietly followed.
They were uninvited guests today, so they exchanged only brief greetings, revealing no further displays of status.
But one alone.
Ernes Empire's Second Prince sidled up beside Ferzen.
"Count."
"...Speak, Your Highness."
"I have much to discuss with you regarding the Robelium Kingdom."
"My apologies. I'll set a date soon and visit promptly. Unwanted schedules are currently occupying my time..."
"I understand. But not empty words—I truly hope it's very soon. In Robelium... seating the First Prince smoothly on the throne may not be easy."
...There, Ruerg receives Brutein's support.
The Second Prince surely knew that. Considering that and still saying this...
"...Understood."
"Good. I'll await you."
Finishing, the Second Prince slowed his pace back to the rear, following behind Ferzen.
Reaching the top floor, Ferzen opened the door, held an umbrella against the drizzling mist, and beheld a rare sight: opulent items piled densely in one place.
'Roughly estimating... 450 million Bern.'
Per known info, renting a third-layer Netherworld monstrosity's ability cost 100 to 200 million Bern. Direct manifestation demanded 400 to 500 million.
With valuables of that caliber assembled...
They sought direct manifestation.
'No need to drag it out.'
Confirming those behind settling into positions, Ferzen approached, swept the items into his subspatial storage, then stroked the ring-altar to open the Netherworld's gate.