We reached the point of no return. The only thing left is revealing my identity as Xenon to Adelia. Since the manuscript happened to be in my room, proving it won’t take long. However, I have no intention of disclosing it right now. Even if we’ve became lovers, it will take time for her to fully fall for me.
I need to wait until I’m sure she will choose me without any hesitation after I reveal myself as Xenon. To ensure not to make a mistake in a moment’s choice, not to hold any lingering regrets.
Look at the present moment. Despite having just experienced the deep, intense first kiss moments ago, she was still wearing an uneasy expression. With an anxious look in her eyes, she repeatedly asked confirming questions, as if she couldn’t believe the current situation.
I responded to those questions with a warm smile, and in a low, soothing voice, I opened my mouth.
“If it’s too unbelievable, should I give you another kiss?”
“··· ···”
As soon as I said that, Adelia’s face turned as red as a volcano about to erupt. Her lips trembled like the waves, expressing her feelings in an instant.
As I mentioned before, Adelia was starving for “affection.” Being born as an illegitimate child, her family environment was truly the worst, and during the exhibition, she even faced worse.
So, instead of playing pranks, giving Adelia warmth would be better. But there’s one thing that I can’t quite understand.
“Noona, why did it have to be me? There are plenty of guys with affection like mine in the world.”
As I said, there are many men in the world similar to me. Rather than a man like me with many women around, it would have been better for Adelia to meet a man who only had eyes for her.
In response to my question, Adelia blinked her sky-blue eyes and then replied with a complex smile.
“Even if I revealed that I’m illegitimate, would they really treat me like you?”
“···”
“Illegitimate children are treated much worse than you think. Among nobles, they are seen as a threat to power or as cause for discord in the family, tainted with impure blood. The commoners treat illegitimate children as nobles. It’s a status that’s neither here nor there.”
The treatment of illegitimate children is indeed as Adelia described: not good at all. It could lead to significant discord within families and is entrenched with strong negative biases.
Above all, there’s a clear distinction between “legitimate children” and “illegitimate children.” Legitimate children, even if they are born from concubines, receive a certain level of noble treatment. However, illegitimate children are born from relationships outside the family. There inevitably exists a difference.
The reason Adelia calls herself an illegitimate child rather than a legitimate child is also because of this. If she isn’t acknowledged as part of the family, she would have to label herself as an illegitimate child rather than a legitimate one.
I reached out and gently stroked Adelia’s head as she stood there, lost in melancholy. Startled, she slowly lifted her head to look at me with surprised eyes.
“…Isaac?”
“You don’t have to blame yourself anymore. I’ll make sure you forget everything about being an illegitimate child. Understand?”
“··· ···”
At my words, Adelia bit her lip hard, tears welling up in her eyes. Soon enough, she leaned into me. Just looking at her like this, she seemed so tearful and fragile. They say people who laugh a lot often carry many inner wounds, and it seems to be true.
I intend to cherish Adelia until all those wounds are healed, and I’m willing to provide her with ample affection as a remedy. The scars might remain from deep wounds, but the healing itself will be sufficient.
“…Isaac.”
“Yeah, noona?”
“Do we really have to meet them now? Will they even allow it?”
She’s probably referring to Marie and Cecily. Normally, she would have referred to them as ‘those kids,’ but now she spoke of them in a more elevated manner as ‘them.’Please visit https://novel-next.com website to read fastest update
Even though the line has been crossed, permission is still necessary. Adelia herself being of illegitimate birth makes it even more daunting.
Even if Nicole were to go and insist, the moment she faces rejection, Adelia’s heart will quickly burn down like a piece of paper on fire. And once again, new wounds will be etched.
I’ll do whatever it takes to stop it. I’m already prepared to take several hits.
“Don’t worry. I’ll try my best.”
“…Can I trust you on that?”
“Yes.”
I said affectionately while gently stroking Adelia’s head to reassure her worries.
“I might get scolded a lot, but it’ll be okay.”
Knock knock.
As soon as I said that, the sound of someone knocking on my door reached my ears. Adelia and I immediately turned our gaze towards the door upon hearing the sound.
‘They’ve come.’
Checking the clock, it’s already half-past five. The last class ended around 4:30, so we must have talked for an hour before they came.
I said it would be fine, but I couldn’t help feeling nervous. I stroked Adelia’s head once again and got up from my seat, walking towards the door.
“Yes. I’ll go.”
It’s a tense moment. I took a deep breath, lowered the doorknob, and slowly opened the door.
It’s probably just a misconception that it feels like the gates of hell are opening. While briefly having an unnecessary thought, I checked the person who knocked.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw very familiar faces. Not only Nicole in a uniform, but also Marie and Cecily standing beside her.
I could roughly guess why they had come. My intuition about the Gates of Hell was precisely accurate. Awkwardly, I chuckled, but feeling the chilly yet intense aura, I couldn’t help but shudder.
The source of that energy was none other than Nicole, who had knocked. She gazed at me with cold, sunken golden eyes.
“Uh… you’re here? Did you… talk?”
Something was dangerous. My instincts were screaming. As I awkwardly chuckled, Nicole slightly lifted the corner of her mouth. However, the problem was that while her mouth was smiling, her eyes were not.
It was an unmistakably eerie atmosphere and vibe. I slowly stepped back in unease, but…
“Hey, you…”
Nicole widened her eyes and then exclaimed.
“You rascal!!!”
She kicked me right in the chest, a very precise and clear kick that could have appeared alongside a roaring battle cry in a movie from a past life.
It’s a flaw that I took that kick. Naturally, due to the strong pain I felt in my abdomen, I couldn’t help but roll backward.
Fortunately, she hadn’t kicked me hard enough to cause serious harm, but it was painful nonetheless. As I’ve not encountered many opponents since reincarnation, the pain feels even sharper.
“W-What?!”
“N-Nicole!”
Suddenly, everyone was startled by Nicole’s abrupt kick and hurriedly approached. Whether I said anything or not, Nicole relentlessly stomped on me while I lay collapsed on the ground.
She seemed to be controlling her strength to some extent, but I could sense intense anger with each kick.
“I thought there was only Adele, but there’s one more?! And she’s even a beastwoman, not to mention the chieftain’s daughter?! You’re quite the princess collector, huh?”
“No-noona, just a moment…! Let me explain…”
“What explanation! That elf you claimed to be friendly with… seems like you’ve gotten quite close! No, maybe you’re already beyond ‘close’! If you collect one person from each race, you’ll go down in history as the greatest playboy, just like that! Xenon is said to be a pure lover who only cares about one person, but he’s being a damned playboy!”
However, Marie smiled casually and opened her mouth.
“Don’t worry. I might be a little grumpy, but we’re not rejecting you, Unnie. Cecily has similar thoughts.”
“Yes? Then…”
“Instead, there’s a condition.”
At the mention of a condition, Adelia restrained her expression instead of being moved. She must know well that the condition is the most important.
Then, Marie, holding hands with me, showed a kind smile and spoke.
“Unnie should also understand that ‘officially’ marrying is only between me and Isaac for now. Cecily is still ‘unofficial.’”
“Marie?”
“Why? It’s true, isn’t it?”
“Do you have to emphasize it like that?”
It seemed Cecily was upset when the word “unofficial” was mentioned. However, Marie pushed forward diligently, not wishing to be deprived of the title of the first because Cecily didn’t have any desire for it in the first place.
“Anyway, I don’t know which of us will inherit the title, but it’ll probably be Isaac who receives it from his father. Or the royal family might confer a separate title. If that happens, you might become Isaac’s concubine.”
“Yes, that’s true.”
“But if you become a concubine, there’s a high chance of constant surveillance from the Ters Kingdom. Even if you renounce them, there might be things that could be traced back to you.”
“Ah…”
Adelia sighed at the somewhat realistic conversation. It clearly meant that she was officially designated as a ‘concubine.’
The situation would become complicated if the Ters Kingdom recognizes Adelia not as a bastard but as a ‘child’ in the future. Even if the Minerva Empire and Adelia refuse vehemently, ‘lineage’ holds immense power in society nowadays.
In other words, it’s difficult to accept Adelia even as a concubine. That damn lineage continued to torment her like a shackle.
Around the time when even Adelia and perhaps I felt a sense of pity, Mari unexpectedly made a proposal.
“So, I have a suggestion, Unnie. How about becoming a personal maid instead of a guard knight?”
“A personal… maid?”
“Yes, a maid. Not just an ordinary servant but a personal maid who attends to Isaac and me.”
A maid and a servant mean the same thing. However, a personal maid performs a role similar to a ‘secretary.’
Managing the employer’s schedule is basic, but they also act as an assistant, following around and fulfilling the duties of an attendant.
When you first glance at it, it may seem similar to being a maid, but a personal maid is undoubtedly a noble. One common misconception is that a personal maid is not a servant but has rather a companion-like relationship with a high-ranking noble. Adelia is certainly qualified to become a concubine, but it might be easier for her to become a personal maid rather than risking trouble with the Ters Kingdom.
Just as everyone was astonished by the proposal that could be considered cunning, Marie continued confidently.
“In the mansion, you’ll play the role of a maid, and when you go outside, you’ll return to being a knight escort. That way, you can be close to Isaac and even receive love as you wish. How about it? Does it sound good?”
“Well, becoming a maid is not exactly… I don’t dislike it, but I’m not sure if I can do well…”
“It doesn’t matter if you do well or not. Knowing Isaac’s personality, he’ll do his own tasks. It’s the same for me. What do you think?”
“… … “
Adelia hesitated at Marie’s proposal, then shifted her gaze to me. It was an indication of whether it was acceptable to be appointed as a personal maid. In response, I nodded my head.
Honestly, I’m curious. The always carefree Adelia, welcoming me in a neat maid outfit. In various ways, my thoughts were drawn to that side.
When I nodded my head, Adelia opened her mouth with a surprised expression.
“…Alright. I’ll accept it.”
“Great. I’ll give you the necessary books, so study hard in your spare time. Oh, and…”
Marie paused for a moment, then reached out her empty hand and grabbed Adelia’s hand. Adelia, momentarily startled by Marie holding her hand, looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Then, with warm eyes fixed on Adelia, Marie spoke with a voice filled with sincerity.
“Welcome to the family, Adelia-unnie.”
“…”
“Now, don’t suffer anymore and live happily. You’re worth that, unnie.”
Perhaps that one sentence struck a chord in Adelia’s heart. She initially had a vacant expression, then her lips trembled slightly before she slowly nodded her head.
Finally, placing her other hand over Marie’s hand that held hers, Adelia spoke with a choked voice,
“Thank you… really… thank you…”
“Yes, unnie.”
“I will definitely… sniff… I will definitely protect you.”
She really was someone who sheds tears easily. It’s probably because she has been through a lot of pain.
As a warm atmosphere began to settle, Marie slowly stood up. Adelia looked at her with a tear-stained expression, puzzled. I felt the same way.
In the midst of this, Marie ignored those looks and called out to Cecily.
“Cecily?”
“I’m coming.”
Did they synchronize their movements in advance? At the call from Marie, Cecily rose from her seat without any hesitation.
By the way, Marie held my hand, and since Cecily had linked arms with me, my two arms involuntarily lifted upwards.
As the bewildering situation continued, Marie looked down at me and spoke coldly.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you getting up?”
“Uh, what?”
“If you have any sense, wouldn’t you get up?”
What on earth is happening? I really have no idea.
However, I could understand the situation from Cecily’s subsequent words.
“Isaac.”
“Ye-yeah?”
The chill in Cecily’s voice was far colder than the freezing wind.
“Did you really think we would just move on like this?”
It was much colder than the northern winter.
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