Chapter 232: Two Kinds of Happiness
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 232: Two Kinds of Happiness
"Pfft..."
Hearing An’s words, Muen nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. He stared at her, his gaze fixed and his voice trembling.
"Wh-what? Did you say... an engagement ceremony?"
"Yes."
An nodded and said, "Did you forget, Young Master? According to the common agreement, the engagement ceremony was always meant to be held after Princess Celicia turned eighteen."
"I know that, of course, but this is so sudden," Muen stammered.
Celicia had mentioned before that she was a year younger than him. He had only just celebrated his eighteenth birthday and coming-of-age ceremony three months ago, which meant that in a few months, Celicia would also be turning eighteen.
For a typical noble girl, that age wasn't considered young, but Muen hadn't expected things to move this quickly.
No, it was more accurate to say he hadn't thought about it at all. He had been so preoccupied with so many other things that hearing this now caught him completely off guard.
"When exactly is it?"
"On the day of Celicia’s eighteenth birthday. The ceremony will be handled by the Imperial Palace. The Duke’s Estate only needs to provide some logistical support and... for you to attend, Young Master."
"...That’s too fast."
Muen murmured, somewhat dazed, "I’m not ready yet."
"I was startled as well, but according to the messengers from the palace, this was an order personally issued by His Majesty."
An sighed. "The entire Duke’s Estate went into a panic when the news first arrived. Fortunately, based on the timeline, the Lady should be able to make it back by then, so we’ll have someone to take charge. As for the Master... I’m afraid it will be difficult for him to return."
"I see. Father will definitely be disappointed."
Muen sighed along with her.
But then he snapped out of it. Wait, is my old man the one who should be worried?
I’m the one who should be worried!
I’m getting engaged! Engaged! Engaged!
Just moments ago, he had been worrying about how to stay alive and avoid being swatted to death by an Evil God, and in the blink of an eye... he had to consider the biggest milestone of his life.
It had only been a few months since he transmigrated, yet it felt as long as several centuries. Having experienced so much, he had unknowingly fully integrated into this identity and this world. Looking back now... he couldn't help but feel a sense of profound irony.
"That’s the first thing. What’s the second?" Since there were still a few months left, there was no need to fret now. Shoving those complicated thoughts to the back of his mind, Muen continued his questioning.
"There are letters from the Master and the Lady."
An handed Muen two envelopes sealed with wax bearing the Campbell family crest.
"Letters?"
Muen was taken aback. He immediately took them, tore them open, and read every word carefully.
Two letters. One from his father, one from his mother.
It was clear they were handwritten; the styles of the calligraphy and the tone of the writing were worlds apart.
In the letter from his so-called father, most of it was filled with the bold, overbearing spirit of military life—how many miles he had pushed the front line forward, how many demons he had slaughtered, or how he had punched out several teeth of an enemy Demon Grand Duke during a recent duel.
Only at the very end of the letter did he mention: "Kid, I’m relieved you managed to score an eighty. Also, hurry up and find a good-looking woman to give me a grandson—a granddaughter is fine too. Don't spoil that princess too much. What’s wrong with a real man having a few more women? If anything happens, I’ll back you up..."
But looking at that single sentence, Muen could clearly see numerous marks of revision on the paper. It was as if those few dozen words were harder to write than the thousand-word boast that preceded them.
The letter from his so-called mother was much more fluid, mostly because the entire page was packed with dense, motherly nagging: "Are you eating well? Are you sleeping well? Are you resting enough between your studies? Don't overwork yourself... Also, your father is right. Don't worry too much about that princess. If something goes wrong, he’ll handle it."
It was a perfect illustration of the saying "a doting mother spoils the child."
Yet, every ordinary word drew Muen in, making him read on involuntarily.
After a long while, Muen finished reading both letters thoroughly, folded them carefully, and tucked them away. He tilted his head back and took a deep breath.
Truly, the written word was the most moving thing in the world. From just two simple family letters, Muen felt an immense warmth in his heart.
He turned to look out the window, a sudden, inexplicable emotion rising within him.
Come to think of it, although the injuries in his body hadn't fully healed and he still felt a faint sense of emptiness...
His Senior Sister had been saved.
The Moon was dead.
The Evil Gods likely wouldn't be causing trouble again for a while.
At this moment, the years were peaceful, and the sun was shining bright.
So...
"An."
"Yes?"
"Does this count as me being... happy?"
"...I don't know. However..."
An stared at Muen’s face and said softly, "You look very pleased right now, Young Master."
"Is that so?" Muen smiled. "It does feel pretty good."
The things he had been chasing had suddenly appeared within arm's reach. Muen leaned against the window, admiring the quiet scenery outside while savoring these pleasant thoughts.
If only it could stay like this forever.
...
But the peace didn't last long. Suddenly, the sound of shifting machinery rang out. The carriage windows snapped shut, transforming into black curtains that blocked out all light and sound from the outside world.
"What’s going on? An ambush?"
His pleasant thoughts vanished instantly. Muen’s nerves tightened instinctively. He stood up in a flash, looking around warily, his hand moving to draw Elizabeth.
But he stood there for a long time without finding an enemy. He only saw An, sitting opposite him, leisurely unscrewing a precious Night Pearl. In the cramped space of the carriage, it emitted a seductive, pink glow.
"Don't be nervous, Young Master. It’s not an attack."
The small table between them used for tea had disappeared at some point. An stood up and pressed Muen back into the large, soft sofa, saying softly:
"It’s safe here. No one will come to disturb us."
"Safe? Disturb?"
Muen’s lips twitched. Why did he feel like An’s words were a bit non-sequitur?
But he didn't have time to process that, because by the pink light, he suddenly noticed that An’s dignified, pretty face was flushed, and her breathing was heavy.
Wait, she isn't about to...
In that instant, the survival instinct alarms in Muen’s head blared again. He instinctively wanted to flee...
But An had already pressed herself against him. Her soft body clung to him, her fragrance swirling around him. The exquisite sensations—tactile, visual, and olfactory—continuously stimulated Muen’s nerves.
"An..."
Muen swallowed hard with difficulty. "Wh-what are you trying to do?"
"Aren't you asking the obvious, Young Master?"
An chuckled softly. "Didn't you want happiness? I’m just going to make you a little more happy."
No, no, no, doing this right now isn't just happiness—it’s a one-way ticket to heaven!
Literally!
No, I have to run. I have to get out of here!
Muen looked around, searching for a way to escape.
But An seemed to see right through him. She wrapped her arms around Muen’s waist, her firm, rounded chest pressing tightly against him.
"Young Master, I told you before that I wouldn't imprison you anymore. You could simply punch through the carriage and run away. But there are so many people outside right now... do you really want them to see me like this?"
An’s tone was unusually coquettish.
Muen instinctively looked down and realized that An’s tied-up hair had been let down. The first two buttons of her maid uniform were undone, revealing a glimpse of flawless skin and deep purple lingerie.
Amidst her usual purity and dignity, there was now an extraordinary sense of bewitchment and temptation.
Dammit.
Helplessly, Muen’s hand on his blade slowly relaxed.
"Don't worry. This carriage is specially made. No movement or sound from inside will leak to the outside. I belong only to you, Young Master."
An leaned into Muen’s ear, her voice tinged with excitement.
"It’s just... I want to taste the feeling of doing it with you in a place where no one can disturb us—even though there are so many people outside, and even that Princess who is about to be engaged to you hasn't even left yet."