By Zephyria “So when is Ernhardt coming?”
“There’s no Magic Tower, let alone a house or an inn right now. I plan to install the portal first, and then go in two or three years when the Duke’s castle is fully built. How far along is it?”
“Progress? We haven’t even finished the walls yet. Still, the walls should be up in about half a year, and building houses will be quick compared to the walls. Have you seen the aerial view of the Ernhardt Duchy?”
“Ugh! Emperor really loves his squares. Even if it’s a planned city, it’s a bit much to have absolutely no dead ends, isn’t it? It lacks humanity.”
“I even asked if they were showing me a Magic Circle at first. Even if they’re building on an empty lot, the thought of building a city exactly as it’s drawn with a stencil makes me dizzy, dizzy. They put a height limit on buildings, so the perfectly triangular shape is truly grotesque. It looks like a hat placed on top of the Duke’s castle.”
They talked about things like that,
“When did you hear he’d be opening the portal next?”
“It seems like he’ll be staying here for another month or two. It’s usually taken about that long every time I’ve visited the Duchy. He randomly selects 20 lower nobles who had difficulty meeting the Emperor directly for surprise inspections, and asks if they need anything. He also builds some rapport with the current Dukes.”
“For someone doing all that, you haven’t seen him leave the guest room.”
“Hey, they’re newlyweds. Usually, after settling in like this, they don’t come out for about two days. It’s a good excuse. The King Consort’s Mana consumption was high from setting up the Sacred Tree, so he’ll rest well before attending to business.”
“Oh, dear.”
“Still, it’s a shame. All the Goblins are gathered near the Python Plains, so I won’t get to see them this time either. Boulder has been counting down the days until his reunion with Kkokko.”
“The Python Plains are just a stone’s throw from the capital. You can visit after all your work is done.”
“That’s true, but still.”
They talked about things like that too.
Among the many stories that passed, the most interesting was about Marianne and Benjamin’s wedding.
“So, when are you two getting married?”
“When the Temple is built in the Ernhardt Duchy. We’ve put in a reservation because we want to be the very first newlyweds to get married there. Emperor himself has agreed to officiate!”
“He’ll do that?”
“Of course! Who do you think I am? He’s grateful for being entrusted with it, you know. Honestly, how many things is His Majesty grateful to me for? Talents like me should be properly recognized.”
“Right, you’re so great.”
“That’s why you should treat me well too, senior.”
Benjamin, who had been quiet the whole time, smiled and nodded.
It seemed that while I was living apart from Hugh for a while, Hugh alone had received Marianne’s letters. I, who knew about their romance but not how far it had progressed, was surprised.
“⋯You’re getting married?”
“Yes. It’s because I am a perfect woman who possesses intellect, beauty, and wealth. I could have wooed five sons of Marquisates, but out of courtesy, I’ll only take one.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, there are things like that. So, as a celebration! Today, I’m truly, truly paying, so put your wallet away.”
“No, what money do you have to pay for something like this?”
“Hey, I’ve really earned a lot!”
“Did you get a patent or something? I haven’t heard anything like that.”
“I acquired some dark funds through a rather secret route. After all, I am the absolute, absolute, absolute closest confidant of the King Consort, aren’t I?”
Marianne puffed out her chest, holding her head high. Hugh, who had been chuckling at her, teased her again.
“⋯Did you embezzle?”
“Hey, it’s not like that, so accept it with confidence. Okay?”
“Children should eat well and grow well. That’s their job.”
“I’m all grown up now, so I’m going to respect adults.”
“You never back down. Fine, Sarah, buy it. I ate well.”
“Hee hee! Help me out a bit when you build your house later. I’m drawing up the blueprints for the mansion I’ll live in every day.”
“Sure. You’re not using this to skip the wedding invitation meeting, are you?”
“Ah, do you see me as such a stingy person? No!”
The gathering, which started with an early lunch, broke up as evening approached. As we stepped outside, the sky was darkening in one corner, and Magic Lamps were beginning to light up one by one. The two energetic youngsters were sent off to play more, and only Hugh and I walked towards the Duke’s castle.
Hugh was beaming the whole way.
“Still, in a few years, we won’t have to worry about being bored. What should we get them as a wedding gift?”
“Hmm.”
“Should you and I pool our money? If it’s Marianne’s taste, a large rug suitable for a newlywed home might be nice. They usually take about a year to order, right?”
“Okay.”
“You’re just giving a vague answer. Right, a rug or carpet would be good. I should look into it next time I go to the capital. You remember too, if I forget, tell me we’re going to buy a rug.”
“Okay.”
In my eyes, I could only see if there were people on the road or not.
There were still many people. We passed through a narrow alley lined with stalls. Still many people. Hugh said he needed a snack to cleanse his palate, so we bought a monster skewer.
Hugh continued to chatter excitedly. My gaze kept drifting to his lips, slightly shiny with oil. Still, there were many people.
We came out onto the gravel path, and Hugh’s footsteps echoed softly. We greeted the Knights at the entrance of the Duke’s castle. We were almost at our lodging.
And now, there were no people within a 500-meter radius.
I stopped dead in my tracks.
“What? Why…”
“…”
“…What is it, what’s going on?”
If they don’t avoid my gaze after I look at them steadily for three seconds, I’ll gently lower my head and ask them to come closer. If they still don’t avoid it, I can kiss them.
I calmly lowered my head. But Hugh gasped and stumbled back three steps.
…Is it not now?
“Wh-what… What were you trying to do?”
“…”
“Oh. …Huh?”
Hugh’s cheeks started to flush. His cheeks, ears, forehead, chin, and neck turned bright red. I thought about trying again and took two steps forward, lowering my head. But Hugh pushed me away with both hands.
“Hey.”
“…??”
“I, I just remembered I have something to do. I’ll go somewhere. You go in first.”
“…”
“Hey, go in!”
“Okay.”
Another failure.
I did as Hugh told me and waited in the room. Hugh returned to the room after about two hours.
Because of my large build, most sofas didn’t fit my knee height well. As always, I was sitting on the bed, but Hugh hesitated and didn’t come close, even after closing the door behind him.
Hugh slowly examined my face. He stared for a long time, making me wonder what he was trying to read.
“Hugh?”
“⋯Ah, well. Hmm. Right.”
Then he ruffled my hair and swept it back, then came over and flopped down on the bed. I noticed his feet were still touching the floor, not fully on the bed. He was ready to run away at any moment. Why?
Does he not want to kiss me anymore?
I stared intently at Hugh’s knees. Then, taking a deep breath, Hugh fully sat down on the bed again. He reached his arm towards me, so I leaned my cheek on his shoulder and hugged him.
Hugh, who had spread his arms wide and patted my back, let out a sigh as deep as the breath he had swallowed.
Is it now?
But I couldn’t see his eyes as I was held in his arms. I wriggled my forehead and cheeks against Hugh’s shoulder. Hugh’s hand gently stroked my back, pausing intermittently. His breathing slowly subsided. Hmm. It feels good. Let’s stay like this a little longer… I’ll look for an opportunity…
Knock, knock.
Someone knocked on the door. Hugh pushed me away abruptly and stood up.
“Who is it?”
“Lord Hugh Benson. His Majesty wishes to see you briefly.”
“⋯At this hour?”
“Yes. He has some questions regarding internal personnel matters in the Withrow Duchy.”
“…”
Damn it, that bastard is useless. The person outside the door couldn’t hear me muttering that, but I did.
Hugh rubbed his flushed face several times and pushed me to stand up. I wanted to go too. As I stood up to follow, he pushed my shoulder again, making me sit back down.
“Why?”
“You stay here. It might take a while.”
“…”
“Don’t wait up and go to sleep first.”
“Okay.”
Then our eyes met. Ah. He’s glaring. I understand. This means ‘wait for me.’ I hastily changed my words.
“I won’t sleep.””
“…”
Then Hugh groaned, ‘Ugh,’ and started tearing at his face. He opened and closed his mouth a few times, then opened and closed it again. Did he have something else he wanted me to do? I just stared, and he abruptly turned and left.
Bang. The door closed.
I waited.
And waited some more.
While waiting, I thought about various things.
Vincent explained that the reason for licking the inside of the mouth was to stimulate the mucous membrane and make one feel good. How does it make one feel good? I was curious.
Sucking or gently biting the tongue. Just hearing the explanation, kissing felt similar to eating candy. When I attended the Academy, Hugh often gave me candy. He’d earnestly tell me not to bite it because it was expensive.
Pretending to bite, just licking. I was good at that. Hmm. I felt like I could be good at kissing too.
I also thought about sexual intercourse.
When males and females mate, it’s common to insert the reproductive organ into the other’s body. Even if the shape of the reproductive organs differs, it’s usually like that. So how do males do it? No matter how much I thought about it, there was no hole to insert into.
Vincent said he didn’t know that either. Would Hugh know? I hope he does. No, it’s fine. He said that even if we’re clumsy, we’ll figure something out as we go. I decided not to worry.
But if possible, it would be better to have one that can produce offspring.
So, I let several hours and many thoughts pass while sitting just as Hugh had left me. From far away, familiar footsteps approached me somewhat hurriedly. Ah. It’s Hugh. He’s running. He was quite close now. The door burst open.
Hugh Benson and I made eye contact. Hugh was panting.
The door slammed shut. Hugh strode over and climbed onto the bed. Then he cupped both my cheeks.
“⋯Honestly, you’re good at making people worry.”
“…”
Three seconds. Our eyes met.
Hugh closed his eyes. Now. It’s really happening now. I tightly gripped Hugh’s waist.