153 – Back to the Academy. (4)
“Ahahahaha! What’s going on here!”
As expected by Frach, Asti was watching the situation Frach was in. That is, Aris and Adrian pulling Frach’s arm and dragging him along.
“That’s right. It’s a men’s thing.”
At some point when Asti was fueling Frach’s possessiveness, she mentioned that he would be tormented by women. And her prediction was spot on.
“Well, it’s not my concern anymore.”
While other women are just now getting to the starting line, didn’t Asti already leave her mark on Frach? She didn’t seem to be stirring up jealousy now.
She was already Frach’s first woman. That was a title other women couldn’t even dream of.
“Go on, give it your all.”
Muttering, Asti cheered them on. If these women really want Frach, it would be more comforting to keep them beneath her by all means necessary than to push them away in annoying ways.
As someone who understands others’ emotions well, Asti knew how much he liked her even if he didn’t show it.
Perhaps, in the future, women trying to get Frach’s attention will have to pass Asti’s judgment first.
* * *
It’s tough. It felt mentally exhausting for no apparent reason. As I was about to return to the mansion with that feeling, a familiar touch firmly grabbed my arm.
There was no need to see who it was. It was Asti.
“How did it go? Did you have a good chat?”
“It went well. It was a bit of a headache, though.”
“hehehe. I saw it all. You were trying to split your body in half by pulling your arm so hard?”
As expected. She had already seen it all.
“Well, you should have stopped them.”
“Oh, me? What power do I have to stop those lovesick fools? I don’t want to get my hair pulled out by hanging around them, and it’s not like I don’t listen to you. I do listen well.”
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“It was more painful than I thought. When I said something, to get a look like a rejected puppy from the master…”
“What can you do? Accept it. It’s the fate of a man with many sins.”
“……Ha.”
“Well, it’s a joke. If things get too out of hand, I’ll handle it. Those who’ve lost their minds need to come to their senses. And at that time, you should also behave properly.”
“Of course.”
“Honestly, I’m not welcoming other women clinging to you or anything like that. The desire for exclusivity is the same as any other woman’s. But, it’s inevitable, since you chose me first. If you don’t take my side in front of them….”
At that moment, Asti’s eyes dangerously gleamed. Meeting those eyes, I swallowed nervously.
“You know?”
“Sure. Better than anyone.”
Cold sweat trickled down my back. Fear is a terrifying thing. I could now realize that anew. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll be able to mediate well between them. This is where Asti’s help is absolutely necessary.
Damn it. I never thought I’d end up with a harem out of nowhere. But there was no choice. To prevent the destruction of the human world and maintain a peaceful life, key figures must not be lost.
If they don’t receive care from me, there’s a high possibility they won’t achieve growth as significant as the original. So, I had to pay attention to them in various ways, and as long as they fell for me, I had to take responsibility for them.
Because the human heart is so complex, once someone is embraced in one’s heart, they see only that person. If that person is rejected by the one they hold dear… they’ll undoubtedly lose their skills or be disheartened.
In that case, not only their survival but even my own cannot be guaranteed. Whatever my initial goal was in this world. Isn’t it simply survival?
I wanted to survive and see the end of the story. So, I had no choice but to keep them within my fence. Even if it meant deceiving their hearts.
However, it’s still unknown. By interacting with them, I might end up accepting them deep in my heart, just like Asti did.
“Ha. It’s complicated.”
As I sighed, Asti chuckled lightly.
“No need to see it as complicated. Just enjoy it.”
“I’m not someone who can do that. My mind is already complicated, and now this…. I’m short of having two bodies.”
“Well… then I’ll help a bit.”
“How? How can you help?”
“Just have a chat with them. Those kids.”
With a mischievous smile, Asti said to me. As if preparing for some amusing prank.
“Please be gentle.”
“Oh, what are you saying? Ah, the carriage is here.”
“Let’s go quickly. I’m tired and want to rest as soon as possible, even for a moment.”
“Alright, let’s go. By the way, Prax.”
“Yeah?”
As soon as we got on the carriage, Asti closed the small window slightly and glanced at me, tapping my lips lightly.
It was now a scene from the familiar everyday life.
“Seems like our evening greetings are a bit late today.”
Seeing her smile as she said that, I couldn’t help but find her adorable even when she was like this. I’m truly in deep trouble.
I wordlessly held her face gently and our lips met. This small greeting was the joy of my current life.
* * *
The next day. Aris couldn’t help but swallow nervously as he looked at Asti standing in front of him.
“Hello, Aris.”
“Hello, Asti. What’s up?”
“I wanted to talk for a moment… Is that okay?”
“Uh, sure. Go ahead!”
‘What’s going on?’
In an instant, Aris’s mind spun rapidly.
Was it because of the conversation with Prax yesterday?
For some reason, Asti’s cheerful smile gave off a sense of foreboding. However, Aris had already reassured Asti that everything was fine.
It would be strange to suddenly fall silent.
“Is there something going on?”
Even that thought was fleeting.
The moment Aris saw Adrian standing hesitantly at the place Asti had taken him, a sense of alarm rang in Aris’s head.
“Come on, I heard a really interesting story yesterday.”
A chilling atmosphere swept in like a sudden frost. It was only early autumn, yet why did it feel like winter’s chill was creeping in?
Not just Aris, but Adrian too, had a grim expression, rolling his eyes around.
“W-what story?”
As Adrian inquired, Asti, still smiling, replied, “A story of two people holding Prax’s arms. You saw someone there yesterday, right?”
“Y-yes?”
“What nonsense is this? There was no one there except us yesterday… Unless.”
“Yes. Prax told me.”
Although Asti was the first to catch a glimpse, eventually Prax also shared the story, so that must be it.
With subtle pressure, Asti continued, “You surely know that Prax and I are in a relationship, right? So why is that guy interfering?”
A sharp question. However, Adrian, somewhat boldly, responded to the question.
“Because he likes you. And after all, you two are only ‘dating,’ not married, right? I believe the Empire is a country where polygamy is allowed.”
“Well, you’re right about that. We are ‘still’ just dating. But listen. Just because Prax publicly confessed his feelings for you, doesn’t mean he likes you. What’s the point of having a mistress? Prax won’t make someone he doesn’t care about his wife.”
But Adrian’s boldness wilted in the face of Asti’s sharp words. After all, Asti held the upper hand in their current relationship.
“That’s not it, but…”
“And Aris. Frankly, I can’t understand you the most.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You.”
At Asti’s words, Aris wore a resigned expression.
“You insulted Prax, hurt him, and that guy as well. Of course, I’m not trying to justify what Prax did back then. But I know why your relationship turned out like this. If you weren’t going to accept it in the first place, why did you play with his feelings?”
Under this almost reprimanding speech, Aris bit his lip. Each point was valid, leaving him with no counterargument.
“…I didn’t know.”
“What?”
“I didn’t know that I couldn’t be without Prax… So I acted that way. Right. I must seem strange to you. Can any woman love a man who tried to rape her? If I were a normal person, everyone would find me strange.”
“Then why?”
“I couldn’t imagine a future without Prax, nor could I erase him from my past. I realized that then. I had always relied on Prax. I didn’t want to erase the time I spent with him. So I couldn’t give up. Even if the relationship was on the brink of collapse.”
“…”
“So I can’t give up. Even if Prax already loves you.”
Upon hearing those words, Asti smiled even more.