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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“However, there’s one condition I absolutely cannot compromise on.”
“…What is it?”
“My lady, Prina-nim stated she would be the first wife, at least publicly. She said it was unavoidable due to social standing and status.”
She was right. Considering her position, it would be inappropriate for her to be the second or third wife. Even if I were already married, I would have to formally divorce and then marry Prina.
Her request wasn’t unreasonable.
“I absolutely refuse to accept that.”
“…Isn’t that practically a rejection?”
Kayla shook her head at my words.
“No. As I said, I don’t object to the engagement. Accept her condition.”
Her words seemed contradictory, so I asked her directly what she meant.
“As Prina-nim said, it’s just an engagement for now. The official marriage is nine years away.”
“You…”
“I’ll use that time to become stronger. I’ll surpass Master level and aim for even greater heights.”
“Let’s see if she’ll still dare to claim the position of first wife then.”
Kayla’s face was a mixture of humiliation and anger. She seemed to believe she was being replaced due to her inadequacy. She was declaring her intention to reclaim her position through strength.
“I’m grateful for the manual and your advice. They’ve given me the opportunity to turn things around.”
Even without the manual, she would have likely reached Master level eventually.
However, it would have taken longer, and aiming for even greater heights would have been incredibly difficult. But now, she possessed the manual and sword marks of a warrior who had single-handedly slain a dragon.
She now had a chance to change her fate.
I opened and closed my mouth several times, unable to speak. While her ambition was admirable, pushing herself too hard wasn’t ideal.
However, I couldn’t voice my concerns. If I had truly intended to prioritize her feelings, I should have rejected Prina’s proposal.
However, I hadn’t.
The Goddess Religion was watching me. An engagement with Prina would be beneficial, regardless of the social advancement it offered. Therefore, I couldn’t bring myself to tell Kayla not to push herself.
“…Alright. Thank you for understanding.”
“It benefits us as well. I’m grateful you didn’t accept immediately. It means you don’t take me lightly.”
How could I take her lightly? While Athena was my first companion, Kayla had contributed far more.
‘But now… that doesn’t matter.’
Even if Kayla became powerless, I wouldn’t abandon her.
“And Athena… no, it’s not my place to say anything.”
Kayla decided against commenting on Athena’s situation.
“You must be busy, so I’ll excuse myself.”
She reassured me she would continue her escort duties.
“I can’t sacrifice my current happiness for the future. And it’s safe within Desert Shield.”
“…You’re the only one who would describe escort duty as happiness.”
“Being a proper knight was my dream. Now that it’s come true, I can’t help but be happy. Of course, that’s not the only reason.”
I understood what she meant.
‘I should help her become an official knight if the opportunity arises.’
While Kayla didn’t seem to care about social status, she would appreciate the gesture. I had been considering it for a while, but this incident strengthened my resolve to treat her better.
When I left the room, Athena was gone.
Fortunately, I found Thea, who said Athena wanted to be alone.
“She left the castle. She said she wouldn’t go anywhere dangerous…”
Even Thea couldn’t stop her. While she hadn’t gone towards the Barren Lands, I couldn’t help but worry.
“Um, brother…”
“About the engagement… what are you going to do?”
I hadn’t expected Thea to ask directly, but since it would become public knowledge eventually, I answered honestly.
“Kayla said she wouldn’t object. I’ll likely accept.”
Thea hesitated for a moment, then forced a smile.
“I… see…”
She seemed concerned about Athena.
“You can say what’s on your mind.”
Thea flinched, then spoke hesitantly,
“Even if sister objects… the outcome will be the same, right?”
I considered her question, then nodded.
“I would usually consider her feelings, but with the Goddess Religion watching me, I need to proceed with this engagement.”
If Athena vehemently objected, I might reconsider. If it weren’t for the Goddess Religion, I would.
‘I’m not romantically interested in Prina.’
While Prina was beautiful and came from a count’s house, albeit a declining one, and possessed conviction, competence, and luck, that was all.
I had Kayla, and I viewed House Lineta as a stepping stone and an ally, not a potential romantic partner.
While Kayla had said Athena had no right to interfere, I disagreed. She had the right to express her opinion, and under different circumstances, I would have considered it.
However, in this case, even her strongest objections wouldn’t change my decision.
Thea, after hearing my explanation, nodded, seemingly forcing herself to accept the situation. She couldn’t change it anyway.
Athena returned two days later, considerably calmer than before.
“I’m sorry for disappearing like that.”
“It’s alright. But I hope this doesn’t happen again.”
She took a deep breath and spoke,
“I heard you’re getting engaged.”
It seemed she had already heard.
“I… spoke with Master.”
She said with a determined expression,
“I’ll be the second wife.”
“I’ll become stronger and reclaim my position.”
Her face flushed as she declared her intentions. I was momentarily stunned, then burst out laughing.
“Alright, do as you please.”
Unable to bear it any longer, Athena ran out of the room, and I laughed again.
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< Chapter 156 > Kayla’s Night
After Athena ran off, I finished my work relatively quickly. I could manage my research and organize my knowledge within Desert Shield, thanks to the dimensional fragment and my memory, but considering the day’s events, I decided to rest early. I finished my bath before sunset and was preparing for bed when a visitor interrupted my plans.
A knock echoed on the door, and when I asked who it was, a familiar voice replied,
“It’s me, Master.”
Kayla had visited occasionally. While circumstances often prevented it, after the tower was built and I had my own private space underground, she would visit from time to time. However, she hadn’t visited since dedicating herself to training, so I was surprised.
“Come in.”
She immediately opened the door and entered, dressed comfortably.
“Were you about to sleep?”
“Yes. I was planning to rest early tonight.”
“I see. Then allow me to help you relax.”
I chuckled at her nonchalant reply. She walked past me and sat on the bed.
“Athena visited me earlier. She said she declared to you that she would be your second wife.”
“…She told you that?”
“Yes. I thought she would challenge me for the first wife position, but it seems she has no such intentions.”
I stared at her, speechless, as she removed her outer garments.
“I don’t know if she’s avoiding conflict with me or if she considers it disrespectful to Thea, since Thea will always be the first in her eyes, but that’s how it is.”
Kayla chuckled, commenting that love wasn’t about such things and that Athena lacked ambition.
“I’m satisfied that I won’t have to compete with her… hmm? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
I felt like I had become some sort of prize. Kayla, now naked, rose from the bed and approached me.
“I tried to invite her to join us, but she ran away.”
“…What?”
“If I’m not mistaken, you haven’t… been intimate with Athena yet…”
That was true. We had never been in that kind of situation. We maintained a certain distance, and the opportunity never arose. Athena seemed to have developed feelings for me, but that was all.
“Perhaps you wanted your first time to be just the two of us. I understand. So, I’m alone tonight. Perhaps next time…”
“Wait, wait a minute. What are you saying so casually?”
Kayla, having removed my shirt, looked up at me.
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“So… next time, you’ll invite Athena to join us in bed?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Isn’t it a good idea? The bastard who tried to drag me to bed had no qualms about having orgies with two or three women while I watched.”
Kayla casually remarked that some things were only possible with multiple partners.
“Do you… dislike the idea of being with multiple partners?”
“I’ve never even considered it.”
Even in my previous life, I had never experienced such a situation, whether one-on-many or many-on-one. While I had been wealthy for a brief period, I was never satisfied with my current state, always seeking ways to improve my strength and recover my body. While I wasn’t a virgin, I had never indulged in such activities.
“Then try it. That bastard seemed to enjoy it…”
“…Let’s not talk about that bastard.”
I didn’t even know his face. Perhaps she was being considerate of Prina, or perhaps she was waiting for Athena to solidify her stance. While Kayla wasn’t passive in bed, she hadn’t been proactive enough to suggest a threesome, so I suspected Prina’s proposal had influenced her.
Kayla had removed all my clothes, and we stood facing each other, naked. She gently wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me, our tongues intertwining briefly. All distracting thoughts vanished as we kissed. Having been intimate many times, the kiss wasn’t exploratory but rather a signal, the start of our night together. We forgot about the day’s events, the outside world, focusing only on each other.
Kayla, too, seemed to have put aside all other thoughts, concentrating on our actions and reactions. After the brief kiss, she knelt on the floor, gently placing her hands on my thighs and stroking them, drawing my attention downwards. She looked up, meeting my gaze. Having confirmed my focus, she slowly moved her hands, cupping my erection.
“Nn.”
Her hands were surprisingly cold. Her fingers teased the underside of my shaft, and I began to stir. Pleased with my reaction, she took me into her mouth.
A soft moan escaped my lips. She swirled her tongue around me, her gaze locked on mine. There was something strangely arousing about her doing this. She was a warrior practically unmatched below Master level, and seeing her kneeling before me, pleasuring me… it was intensely arousing, both physically and mentally.
Of course, having been intimate numerous times, she likely knew what I was thinking.
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[Your Text Here]
Eyyy! Athena finally gets her moment!