Chapter 894 – #195_Proposal
#888
1.
The anxious feeling didn’t easily fade.
I didn’t have any grand memories of receiving anything, but it was still my hometown where I was born and raised.
Memories of my parents and the people I had bumped into and met came to mind.
To think that those people might become a mere meal for a homunculus.
To think that the place of my memories might crumble down.
“……”
Of course, there are my lovers on the other side.
Not just some random help, but a splendid lineup packed with great witches.
However, according to what Ms. Sua said, this crisis is an unprecedented event.
It means that it’s impossible to say for sure when and what might happen.
If I could just send my girlfriend to an unpredictable battlefield and be at ease, would I even be a man?
“Siwoo, I know what you’re thinking, but it’s not going to happen.”
“I know.”
“Then, instead of pacing around like a dog that needs to pee, can you sit down?”
I was scolded by my eldest mother-in-law and sat back down on the sofa.
She was acting as a watchdog to prevent Siwoo from rushing to the mortal realm without a plan.
There was a part of me that felt a bit wronged.
It wasn’t like I was planning to jump into the mortal realm without any countermeasures.
If I went out to help and got kidnapped by the enemies of Hexennacht, it would be a huge nuisance.
“Haa, Siwoo?”
“Yes.”
“Come here and have a drink.”
I know that my eldest mother-in-law, who seems like she has no blood or tears on the outside, is actually quite warm-hearted.
She must have thought I looked pathetic, sitting there unable to do anything.
“I don’t want to be called a boomer either, so I try not to say these kinds of things… but life doesn’t always go as planned. If you’re obviously going to fail and you put your money on the table out of greed, you’ll always end up with a stomach ache.”
My eldest mother-in-law filled my glass with a voice that had lost some of its stiffness.
“Everything will be fine. They’re Siwoo’s girlfriends, you know? They’re all capable. Siwoo being so dejected is actually a lack of faith. Isn’t that right?”
“You’re right.”
My mother-in-law, who even had a mix of proper manners and charm in her tone, gave a wry smile.
Every time I see this side of her, she reminds me of Odile.
It seems that the sisters and their daughters have many similarities.
“Ahem, anyway, Siwoo.”
My mother-in-law, who seemed to think her tone was too frivolous, composed herself and asked a question.
“I couldn’t ask you earlier because you were with Deneb. How are things with Deneb these days?”
“Didn’t Deneb tell you?”
It was a truly perplexing question.
After the 4P with the twins at the outpost.
The dangerous relationship between in-laws was concluded with Deneb’s clean finish.
I expressed my apologies for not properly controlling my feelings for the twins and my gratitude for Deneb’s generosity in allowing her deviation with her broad-mindedness.
I naturally thought that my eldest mother-in-law would know that fact…
“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but things with Deneb have been resolved.”
“Ah, I know that.”
She knew, but she’s still asking how things are?
Could it be that she thinks it’s a smokescreen breakup?
“Ah, it’s not that I suspect a secret rendezvous or anything. I’m just a little worried about Deneb’s condition. I can check if there’s a problem or not, right? I’m still her older sister.”
“She seems the same as she did at dinner. How should I put it… it feels like she’s back to her old self.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
As if nothing had happened between the two of us, she became scary again.
Right now, she’s practically in charge of Siwoo’s etiquette education.
“Can I ask you one more thing?”
“Of course.”
“Was Deneb happy?”
“……”
I thought it was just a passing question, but the content was getting deeper and deeper, and I suddenly felt scared.
Could it be that I’m about to get a sudden shouting match?
“…From what I saw.”
“Really? Tell me honestly.”
“I’m serious.”
“Hmm…”
My mother-in-law nodded her head.
I’m starting to lose track of where this conversation is going.
Just as I was starting to mentally prepare myself, watching my mother-in-law silently empty her wine glass one after another, what was coming finally came.
“So, how was it for you, Siwoo? When you were… sleeping with Deneb.”
I couldn’t know what my mother-in-law’s intentions were in asking such a difficult question, but I could see that my mother’s words, who always told me to live a good life, were absolutely right.
If I hadn’t committed any sins in the first place, I wouldn’t have had such a question thrown at me, would I?
“I’m sorry.”
“No, really… I don’t want to hear you say sorry, I’m asking for your opinion. So, let’s just put it this way. Was it good? Or was it not good?”
It was a life-or-death either-or choice where I felt like I would get scolded if I said it was good, and I would get scolded even more if I said it wasn’t good.
But it was pointless to make excuses or lie in front of my mother-in-law.
“I’m a man, so of course I was honored.”
“What was good about it?”
“Well… her warm kindness, or her overflowing dignity? It goes without saying that she’s beautiful.”
“Hmm, is that so? Hmm…”
It was a stroke of luck that there was no time limit on my confession.
As soon as I heard the question, all sorts of soft parts, including my small mother-in-law’s scent, came to mind as if a drop of water had fallen into whiskey.
“I’m really sorry to say this, but do we have to continue this conversation?”
“Ah, that’s enough. So, Siwoo, well, that is, you see?”
“Yes, I’m listening.”
“Haa…”
She hesitated and pondered for a long time, then ruffled her hair.
“Aah! I hate being indecisive, but why am I doing this? Okay! I’ll just say it straight.”
After a deep breath, her next statement was…
“How about you meet with Deneb until before the succession? Is that okay?”
It was a bombshell declaration that exceeded all expectations.
“I know. I know it’s a ridiculous thing to say. Honestly, I’m furious even as I say it? But I’ve been having a lot of complicated thoughts lately. If we use that great imprint replication ability, we can be together forever, or something like that. No, well, even if that’s secondary, Deneb has suffered a lot, so I also want her to be able to do whatever she wants at least for the last time…”
It was the first time I had seen her speak so flustered.
“Anyway, Count Yesod said that he needs a witch’s research sample with an apprentice witch. If it’s for the purpose of an experiment, it’s okay from time to time, right?”
Albiereo, who was pouring out words like a rain shower and making awkward hand gestures, closed her eyes tightly.
“I’m crazy…”
Then, she seemed to have a deep moment of self-reflection and let out a long sigh.
She took the strength out of her shoulders, leaned back on the sofa, and suddenly let out a weak chuckle.
“It’s difficult. Life is.”
“Is that so?”
“Even though I’m a bit older and I lectured Siwoo as if I knew everything, I still hesitate when I see another option in front of me. Let’s forget what I just said. It seems like the priority is to have a proper conversation with Deneb.”
I didn’t know the exact situation, but I nodded my head for now.
“I was a little surprised. I didn’t think you would say something like that, no matter what.”
Honestly, I thought I would hear a high-pitched soprano lion’s roar from the middle, but it ended with such a light atmosphere.
“Well, what can I do? It’s already happened. I was definitely angry when you brought Sharon and Duchess Tiferet, and even the witch of the deep sea as your lovers. It’s not just one or two, but a whole bunch of lovers… Now, I don’t even have the feeling of ‘let it be’.”
Watching her give a candid wry smile, something flashed through Siwoo’s mind.
“A whole bunch?”
“I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?”
That’s right.
Why didn’t I think of that?
“Albiereo, I have to go to the mortal realm.”
“Are you drunk? You know you can’t. Sit down, Siwoo.”
“Can’t we just go as a group?”
“Huh?”
2.
As witches who enjoy aristocratic culture, social gatherings are important events.
When it comes to the pinnacle of Gehenna’s social gatherings, the first red-roofed salon in Ars Magna Town is undoubtedly the first to be mentioned.
As its name suggests, the salon, which is more closely related to French salon culture than British, hosts discussions and debates on magical research, as well as various events such as tea parties, performances, lectures, and auctions, leading the latest trends in Gehenna.
However, the atmosphere of the salon at night is quite different from that of the day.
If the salon during the day is an arena where noble ladies prove their own beauty, a symposium where academic discussions on magic take place.
The salon at night is a place for free encounters in a relaxed atmosphere with less formality.
Secret glances are exchanged, and in the dark lighting, in secluded sofas, there are exchanges of saliva rather than technology.
“Haha, it tickles…”
“I’m dying from a headache because of research funds these days…”
“I heard that homunculi have formed an army in the mortal realm?”
“Really? That’s amazing.”
Even though that chaos is happening in the mortal realm, it’s only mentioned in a few short words.
The late-night salon was flowing with a daily life that combined a bit of sensuality and relaxation, as usual.
Just as everyone was getting into a languid sense of boredom, wondering, ‘Isn’t there anything fun going on?’
-Tap tap tap
A person appears, drawing the attention of the witches.
Even the witch who was kissing passionately like a snake while their bodies were intertwined.
Even the witch who was looking through research materials like a cafe-goer.
Even the witch who was smoking a water pipe with wine.
Even the witch who was giggling and chatting.
Even the witch who was having a secret conversation on the second-floor terrace leaned on the railing and focused their attention on the new arrival.
Actually, there was no need to look closely to see who it was.
He was a figure with a unique personality that stood out among the many witches gathered in the salon.
“Huh? It’s Shin Siwoo.”
“It really is?”
“Did he come to pick up girls?”
The salon, which had been silent due to surprise, quickly became chaotic.
The man, who appeared in a stylish suit jacket with a handsome appearance, was the celebrity Shin Siwoo, who was a regular topic of conversation in the salon after the thesis review incident.
It was natural that he would attract attention, as he rarely engaged in external activities and had entered the salon well-dressed on this late night.
“Wow… his fit is insane. I’m going to nominate myself. I want to be pinned down by my hair and get pounded.”
“What are you saying, you crazy bitch. I’m in too.”
“But is he really here to pick up girls?”
“Probably, why else would he come at this hour?”
“But I heard he’s the son-in-law of the Geminai family.”
Amidst the sensual sex jokes and the curious question of ‘Why did he come to the salon at this hour?’, he calmly accepted the pouring gazes and waited for the commotion to subside.
“It’s an honor to meet you all. Some of you may already know me, but I am Shin Siwoo.”
The greeting, which began with a deep, resonant voice that made you want to keep listening, continued with a word that aroused even more curiosity.
“I would like to make an attractive proposal to you all in this place.”
