/
「By the way, Kanon. What’s up with your training in the academy?」
As if he had just remembered, Shar spoke to their son.
Then Kanon looked embarrassed, as if to say,「Oh no!」
He seemed awkward with his father, but he stood rigidly and responded in a stiff voice.
(…Did he perhaps skip classes?)
I know what it’s like to want to play with spatial and illusionary magic instead of monotonous training. If I were a student at the academy, I would feel the same way.
「Are you confident that you can be the next Count?」
I shielded Kanon and argued with Shar who started to lecture plausibly.
「Come on, he’ll do just fine. On the contrary, what kind of Count would have to go through that kind of training every day to become one? Skipping a day isn’t going to change anything. Don’t worry about it, Kanon. I’ll go with you and explain everything to your teacher.」
「Ram, you are coming with me, not Kanon. I still have something to discuss with you.」
「I have none on my end.」
As we continued to argue, Kanon said, 「I’m fine」and went back to the academy alone. I wanted to prioritize Kanon over Shar…
I hate the guy next to me who was smiling triumphantly.
「So? What’s so important you had to drive your son away?」
「Where did you learn to do all that magic?」
「…Have you been spying on me, by any chance?」
「I was just passing through the garden when I heard some cheerful voices. I’ve never seen Kanon like that before.」
「Well, I suppose it’s hard to smile when you’re under so much pressure in the academy and have to do so many boring drills」
「Training is our duty as those gathered in the House of Count Mercure. I had been there myself…I like the magic you just did. It’s a playful magic, but it requires the steady unleashing of multiple spells at the same time.」
「This class is a lot more fun than having to adjust your magic power with a sullen look on your face, don’t you think?」
「Where did you learn all this fun magic?」
Since we were back to square one, I replied that I was 「self-taught,」 just as I had said to Kanon. But as expected, Shar didn’t believe me as honestly as Kanon did.
「The daughter of a puny baronial family, who is frail and has been maltreated by her family…I wonder when and from whom she learned so much magic.」
「Te-hee-hee, I don’t remember much about it. Maybe some books on magic were mixed in with my father’s business? What’s more, did you even know the inner workings of the Baron’s family?」
「This was about the woman who would become my wife. Although, I’ve never really been that interested in it.」
「Too honest, I know you’re a jerk! I’m divorcing you.」
「Say what you want, but I’m not divorcing you. No amount of barking is going to change the fact that you are my wife, so give it up. By the way, you look like you’re feeling pretty good today. Come along and join me for a stroll.」
I definitely object to taking a walk with this lousy Count, so I decided to avoid him even if I had to use a temporary affliction.
「…Ugh! My chronic illness is acting up…」
Shar told me with a grin, as I gave a convincing performance of wobbling while pressing my stomach.
「That’s tough. I’ll carry you to your room. You should be honored.」
「No! Not a bit!」
「You’re looking better than I thought. What, don’t be shy.」
My excuses were now completely rebuffed.
I was captured when I tried to turn around to escape. So under the warm gaze of the gardener, Shar carried me sideways and moved through the garden.
(Shar, thank my being a pacifist.)
Although I’m a legendary wizard, I hate causing unnecessary trouble.
If I were to unleash my greatest offensive magic at Shar here, there’s no doubt that it would lead to a troublesome incident later on.
I dreamed of a quiet life in this life, so that was a situation I did not want to happen.
Shar, who was interested in his wife out of curiosity, would probably get bored with me after a while.
When the timing was right, I could ask for a divorce.
As I was indulging in my fantasy, Shar’s voice came down from above.
I looked up and saw languid red eyes looking down at me.
「How can you be lost in thought when I’m personally carrying you?」
「How dare you say such a thing to your unwell wife? I’m divorcing you.」
「Good grief. You say “divorce” every other word…Alright, here we are.」
Shar indicated with his chin that her room was just ahead.
He dexterously opened the door with his arm while carrying his wife in his arms, and quickly walked inside.
「Huh?」
I thought for sure he was taking me back to my room, but how could this be happening?
Shar approached the huge, crimson covered bed in the center of the room and gently lowered me onto it with a polite gesture that I could not have imagined given his arrogance.
「T-Thank…」
Shar turned to his wife, who was about to inadvertently thank him, grinned again, and then pushed her down then covered her up.
「W-Wha? W-W-W-W…?!」
I was too surprised by this sudden turn of events to string a word. My mind went completely blank. Shar whispered to me, so close that I could feel his breath on me.
「What happened to your bravado earlier?」
「I-If you’re sleepy, I’ll leave you alone. Have a nice rest.」
「I’m not so naive as to sleep easily in front of my wife. I like you more than I thought I would.」
A hand stroked my hair and rested on my cheek.
His gently heated eyes reflected my own groggy countenance. But…
Aurora, a legendary wizard, had lived her entire life alone and had no immunity to men.