Chapter 418
The title debate sparked by Erzebet was wrapped up due to the insane cheat code of the ethnic unit Talula and the denial of three generations of memories. Anyone who challenges that cheat code ends up being human trash, no question about it.
I can’t bear that future. Showing my ugly nature in front of three lovers? That’s a tactic for those with no future.
“Well, ‘My Lord’ sounds nice, but it feels a bit grand for before marriage. Let’s call each other by our names for now.”
“Really?”
Maybe the heavens hadn’t completely abandoned me. I managed to secure a brief grace period.
Sure, I could use ‘My Lord.’ I mean, Beatrix’s mother and grandmother used it, so it’s not completely nonexistent.
But her mother was a figure from a hundred years ago, and the grandmother lost her husband centuries before. It’s practically a term from history. It’s quite awkward coming from Beatrix, who’s sensitive about age.
‘Why am I digging my own grave?’
It’s a bit disappointing. While it’s subtle, her age consciousness is leaking out through her small words and actions.
“Calling each other by names would definitely work too.”
Beatrix nodded at my suggestion. She even wore a shy smile, looking satisfied enough with just calling each other by names.
Honestly, anything is better than ‘baby.’
“…Kal.”
“Yeah?”
Beatrix shyly called my name, glancing down, but her face was still filled with a smile.
Seeing that made me smile back. Being called by my name rather than ‘baby’ made me feel like we were ordinary and equal lovers. Not that Beatrix treated me like a lesser being all this time, but ‘baby’ had its quirks. I only tolerated it because there weren’t any satisfactory substitutes.
“Hmm, I don’t think I’ll forget today for hundreds of years.”
“If I knew you’d be this happy, I would have changed it sooner.”
I had the same thought when relaxing with Mar, but if I had realized a small change could bring such joy, I would have done it long ago. Just speaking informally or calling each other by names was enough to make her so happy.
But wasn’t it Beatrix who got into calling me ‘baby’ in the first place? It doesn’t seem like it was my fault—
‘Wait, am I wrong?’
I quickly shook off that negative thought. Even if Beatrix had a part in this situation, it didn’t mean I was guilt-free. If my inexperienced lover were lost in the relationship, shouldn’t I, with my extensive past experiences, take the lead?
Let’s reflect. I focused too much on the present and ignored the future. Just because there was no conflict between us now didn’t mean I should’ve stopped seeking better methods.
“Trixie.”
After some thought, I called Beatrix by a nickname. She never showed dissatisfaction with being called by her name nor did she ever indicate a preference for a nickname.
Still, I decided to throw it out there. It’s a better way to express affection that brings us closer as lovers.
“Ka… Kal?”
Just using a three-letter nickname worked wonders. Trixie, who was laughing with her ears flapping, froze on the spot.
“It wouldn’t be fair if only Trixie gets a name change. I should get to call you something cute too.”
As I said that, I took a step closer to her.
“W-why are you suddenly… Kal?”
Trixie, already panicking, seemed to panic even more as I approached, stumbling back with her words getting tangled.
“Wha—”
Before long, she bumped against the wall, shaking. It was almost pitiful. What’s with this reaction over a cute nickname?
Of course, I wasn’t about to stop there.
‘Now’s the time.’
I felt it. This was the moment to lean into my affectionate expression.
I grabbed Trixie’s shoulders, with nowhere to retreat. She could only escape sideways, and that would be embarrassing.
“Huh?”
My actions seemed to have caught someone’s attention. I heard Erzebet’s voice from behind.
And just like that, Trixie’s eyes widened as if she sensed the approaching future, her ears flapping rapidly. She frantically turned her gaze away, looking for an escape route while harboring a hint of anticipation.
“I won’t forget today either.”
With that, I pressed my lips against Trixie’s.
‘Oh.’
The intense vibration I felt abruptly ceased at some moment.
It was expected, so I wasn’t particularly surprised. I really shouldn’t get used to this kind of thing.
Trixie quickly provided an excuse, her eyes regaining focus.
“I-I’m sorry. I just got a bit dizzy…”
She muttered an excuse that reeked of desperation while her arms clung tightly to me, refusing to let go.
It was quite strange. She started by bringing up ‘My Lord,’ then when I called her by a nickname, she wanted to escape, and yet her mind went blank from the kiss while her body stayed attached to me. It was an odd pattern, but at this point, it felt endearing.
“Sis, weren’t you lively just a moment ago?”
But, it seemed someone wasn’t quite enjoying the cuteness and muttered with a pout.
I didn’t even have to look to know who it was. If I didn’t, that would have been weirder.
“You’re all going to do it without me today.”
That remark made it hard to suppress my embarrassment. Not long ago, I said something like, “Once we return to the Academy, I’ll be with you,” yet here I was, showing affection for another lover. From Erzebet’s perspective, it must feel like I was throwing her into the deep end of betrayal.
“I’m sure Eri can kiss well too.”
With that follow-up jab, I bit my lip. It was such a direct comment that I was just about ready to burst into laughter, separate from my embarrassment.
“Sis, even though it’s just us, maybe say it a bit more subtly—”
“Mar doesn’t know a loser’s feelings! I can kiss perfectly fine too!”
“Oh, sis!”
And just like that, she began wreaking havoc under the ultimate justification of a situation no one could refute. In this scenario, Mar and Trixie attempting to dissuade Erzebet would only feed her confidence.
Thanks to that, Erzebet ended up throwing a fit on the floor again, and eventually, we reached an agreement to call her Eri instead of Erzebet. That specific condition included, ‘Not in private places, only in public ones.’
‘Has she developed a weird habit?’
I quietly closed my eyes as I watched Eri standing there, grinning. Perhaps having experienced being a mess on the academy floor made Eri lose her shame in throwing tantrums.
If this is my karma, then so be it…
*
As soon as class ended, I quietly got up from my seat. Usually, after regular classes, I’d rush to the club room, but recently, I’ve been packing my things during class to leave right after the final bell.
‘No need to worry about others.’
As I opened the classroom door, I felt the stares piercing the back of my head, and as I walked down the hallway, I sensed the crowd parting for me with a complex mix of expressions.
It’s a bit awkward. From the moment I transitioned from the Third Prince Ainter to the lone Emperor (皇弟) Ainter, this was my reality. As an emperor’s brother, they aren’t brave enough to approach me.
‘Well, it can’t be helped.’
I understand. A mere prince who could jeopardize the heir to the throne versus a soon-to-be-abdicated emperor is an obvious choice in authority. It’s clear which has stronger power and legitimacy. Unless there’s a purge, the latter is much more stable and commanding.
And here I was, celebrating the new Emperor’s ascension with nobles, not mingling in the crowd. That meant the Emperor was acknowledging my presence and valuing it.
That’s why, after the abdication ceremony, the students kept their distance from me. It wasn’t because they expected nothing good from me – they were likely worried about offending me.
‘…I’ll be back to normal next year. Just endure this year.’
I tried to think positively as I moved forward.
But it wasn’t an unfounded optimistic speculation. To the nobles, socializing is like breathing; it’s instinctive. For now, they’re holding back as they gauge the distance, but by next year, they’ll quickly calculate and approach me as usual.
Above all, considering the time when Emperor and I were equals and everyone wondered when my death would come, the current situation feels like heaven. After all, they revere me, so their avoidance is because of that.
“Ainter.”
Lost in those thoughts, I heard Erich’s voice behind me and turned.
‘Oh boy.’
As soon as I turned, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Erich, just finishing a spar with a wooden sword strapped to his waist, was flanked as usual by Serra. I could tell it was a combination formed by chance.
“It seems you had a spar today. Good work.”
“Eh, it’s natural for a martial artist to work hard.”
“Haha, that’s true. But did you really find Serra at the training ground too? How lucky!”
“No, I just ran into her on the way.”
Well, now that I think about it, it sounds more accurate to say he stumbled upon Serra lying in ambush.
Wearing that thought, I watched Serra glance down, seeming embarrassed, while Erich remained proud as ever. He genuinely sounded like he thought he ran into her.
‘What a character.’
I laughed again. I became an emperor, my subordinates playfully treating me with caution and trying to address me formally while also insisting that it’s okay to call my name casually… Quite the variety of events took place in such a short time, yet Erich’s mindset wasn’t wavering.
Should this be viewed as consistency, or does it show stagnation?
“Well, we’re headed to the same place anyway, so it’s not surprising we’d run into each other.”
I watched Serra suffer as I nodded along. Sadly, Erich’s romantic Life is something I can’t intervene with.
Even as the subordinates subtly or overtly pushed them together, Erich firmly resisted the tension. It seems the only option remaining for him is to awaken on his own.
“Let’s talk while we walk. The supervisor’s returning today after a while, so we shouldn’t keep her waiting.”
“Oh, right.”
Erich responded late, as if suddenly realizing. It’s a bit concerning how inattentive he was about his own brother.
“Now my sister-in-law is back too.”
At that remark, I flinched. The Acting Inspector from the Information Department was filling in temporarily.
‘…That was impressive.’
I recalled the past happenings during the time she was temporarily in charge.
Twice already she’d served a temporary role, so there had been no issues operationally, but the peculiar behavior unfolding daily was mentally taxing.
“Hey, did you know? If you tear down that ceiling, there’s a secret passage?”
“This statue? If you pull its head, it’ll come off. I did it accidentally and simply stuck it back on.”
“Over there, if you dig up that clearing, you’ll find the real sword from the swordsmanship club! How do I know? I hid it with my senior! Those swordsmanship kids wouldn’t shut up!”
…
It was seriously intense.
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