After Kyle’s marriage announcement, the North became incredibly busy. The immediate priority was resolving the barbarian tribe problem that Kyle and his group had dealt with.
“—That is all.”
[…Duke, when did I ever wrong you?]
“No, Your Majesty.”
[Then why did you only inform me about allowing the Northern expedition after it had already ended? Are you planning a rebellion?]
At the emperor’s words, the Duke shook his head, indicating that wasn’t the case. Even as a Duke, he felt a bit wronged in this situation.
He hadn’t ordered it, nor had there been time to report it. The expedition had finished so quickly that there wasn’t even time to properly wrap his head around it before reporting back.
What could he do? There was no time for embellishments—just straightforward reporting.
“Anyway, because of this, I believe we need to expand our territory.”
[Why didn’t you just go ahead and establish your own country first, then report it afterward?]
“Your Majesty, stop whining. You’re making me want to punch you.”
[…What did you just say?]
“If I wanted to, I would’ve gone after your neck long ago. Stop acting like a spoiled brat.”]
At the Duke’s words, the emperor tightly closed his mouth, having nothing to say. After a brief silence, Langrey cautiously scratched his cheek and carefully asked:
[Was it really that bad?]
“Yes, it was that bad.”
[Hoo—alright, I guess I’ve been overly sensitive lately. I’ll be more careful from now on. Duke, you should be careful too.]
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
With those words, the Duke cut off the communication and returned to his office with an unfazed expression, continuing his paperwork.
There were several reasons why the Duke could remain so calm despite hurling insults at the emperor.
The current emperor had been close friends with the Duke since childhood, practically like family. Moreover, Kyle Meyer was completely under the Duke’s wing.
‘In fact, over half… Even if the emperor twists things, there’s nothing he can do.’
Currently, there were officially seven Masters in the Empire. Excluding himself and Kyle, that left five.
Two of them were past their prime and focused on teaching at the Academy, while the other three were tied to the Imperial Palace.
Even if he and Kyle declared independence as a duchy, the Empire couldn’t do anything about it. And now, Yuri—a new Master—had appeared.
Three Masters. Including Merlin and Rizelotte, whom Kyle had summoned, that made five.
More than half of the Masters in the Empire. In the Duke’s mind, the emperor should be grateful he didn’t covet the throne.
“Hmm—how should we proceed with the ceremony…?”
Having resolved the immediate issues, the Duke began pondering the upcoming wedding of Kyle and Yuri.
Before being the marriage of two Masters, it was his daughter’s wedding. His only child. Naturally, as a parent, he wanted to make it grand.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t mentioned it yet.”
Realizing he hadn’t informed Count Meyer about the wedding, the Duke carefully picked up the communication device.
“Ah, Count? It’s Duke Grace here.”
Aware of how many people he needed to contact, the Duke hastily got to work.
* * *
Kyle, resting in the guest room prepared for him, slightly raised his head as Yuri naturally opened the door and entered.
“What’s up?”
“Move further in.”
“Huh? Oh…”
Pushed by Yuri’s pressure, Kyle rolled deeper into the bed. He chuckled as Yuri naturally snuggled into his arms and claimed the bed.
She wasn’t usually this affectionate—something must have changed her mood.
Held tightly in her embrace, Yuri looked up at him with slightly damp eyes.
“Kyle, was that true?”
“…What?”
“What you said to my dad… About wanting to marry me?”
Yuri bit her lip, clearly embarrassed to voice it herself. Watching her, Kyle lightly kissed her forehead and spoke:
“Does that answer your question?”
“…No, it doesn’t.”
“Huh? Not enough?”
“Yeah, not at all.”
Saying that, she suddenly lunged forward and captured Kyle’s lips. Feeling her soft touch invade his mouth, Kyle reciprocated by exploring hers.
Their passionate exchange continued, and Kyle gazed at Yuri, who was now panting and blushing.
“Something on your mind?”
“…What?”
“You seem more aggressive today.”
“Just… hmm.”
Yuri, finding it difficult to speak, raked her heated gaze up and down Kyle’s body. After a moment, she hesitantly opened her mouth:
“You look especially handsome today?”
“Oh, are you complimenting me? I’m the same as always.”
“…Right, Kyle, you’re always the same.”
Only she had changed. Realizing this, Yuri stopped moving her lips and buried her face in Kyle’s chest.
As Yuri entwined her legs and entire body around him, Kyle felt a spark ignite within him.
“Yuri.”
“Kyle…”
Yuri slightly raised her head, and their eyes met again. Her beauty was as mesmerizing as ever.
If he hadn’t been an Aura Master, living recklessly without restraint—if he were any ordinary man—he might not have been able to resist taking her right then and there.
But Kyle held back. After forcing himself to restrain, he whispered while holding her:
“—You’re not yourself right now.”
“…Maybe not.”
“Well, you’ve just become a Master. It’s only natural.”
Shortly after reaching the Master level, Kyle had suffered sleepless nights. The heightened senses that came with becoming a Master tormented him.
The smallest noise, flickering light, the ticklish sensation of blankets, mild arousal—all tortured those newly ascended to Masterhood.
It wasn’t until he set out for the Academy that Kyle finally escaped it.
‘So the emotions Yuri feels towards me now are illusions caused by the heightened sensitivity of becoming a Master…’
A faint heartbeat could feel like overwhelming love. Sexual desire, which could usually be ignored, might feel uncontrollable like a drug heating up the body. Every emotion she felt towards him would be amplified beyond anything she’d ever experienced.
Knowing this well, Kyle stepped back to ensure she wouldn’t regret acting impulsively on fleeting emotions later.
“What you’re feeling now is all an illusion. So later…”
“—Does it matter if it’s an illusion?”
However, Yuri pushed back against Kyle’s restraint, reversing their positions and straddling him. Meeting her burning gaze, Kyle swallowed hard.
“Even if it’s an illusion, I don’t care. I’ll regret it later if I must… But the emotions I feel now are something I can only experience right now.”
No man could resist such words from a woman. Kyle immediately flipped their positions.
Her pounding heartbeat seemed to echo in his ears. Kyle hardened his expression as he looked down at Yuri beneath him.
“It’s too late to regret it now.”
“…Come to me.”
Kyle pounced on Yuri. A wave of fiery passion began to fill the room.
A single flower wilts.
* * *
Afterward, everything proceeded smoothly.
The two, consumed by desire, burned even hotter and began seeking justification to continue their flame.
Marriage provided ample justification, so the ceremony was hastily arranged in the blink of an eye.
“Kyle, I hoped you’d have children someday… but I didn’t mean for it to happen so suddenly.”
“Father.”
Kyle gave a wry smile to Count Meyer, who looked less than thrilled.
He had only informed him of the marriage a few days ago. Count Meyer had dropped everything and rushed to the North.
“I’m sorry, it was a bit sudden, wasn’t it?”
“A bit? This is… never mind. No use complaining on such a happy occasion.”
Silently, the Count offered his blessings for their marriage. Kyle thanked him and promptly headed to where the groom was supposed to be.
As he moved, strangers whose names and faces he didn’t know approached, pretending to be friendly.
As befitted the wedding of the Grand Duke of the North’s daughter, many guests had come to celebrate. Very many. Despite the hasty nature of the wedding, which meant more than half couldn’t attend.
After greeting each and every one of them, Kyle was utterly exhausted even before the ceremony began and took a breather in the groom’s waiting room.
“—Phew, I’m never getting married twice.”
Not that he could, anyway. No matter how much of a successor to the Meyer County or an Aura Master he was, nobles didn’t take two wives. Unless he took a concubine, perhaps.
While resting, Kyle sensed something brushing against his awareness within the room and cautiously stood up.
“Who’s there?”
The room was silent. Yet Kyle continued speaking without pause.
“Show yourself now. If you don’t, I’ll cut you down.”
Reacting to his words, the presence he had felt began to cautiously fade. Kyle immediately exited the room to check outside.
For some reason, it was chaotic outside. Heading toward the commotion, he found the Duke stabbed and writhing on the ground.
“Father-in-law!?”
Rushing over in shock, Duke Walter pointed weakly somewhere with his fading voice.
“—Yu, Yuri…”
“Yuri? What about Yuri!?”
“She’s… been kidnapped—”
With those words, the Duke collapsed. Seeing his face turn pale, Kyle realized he had been poisoned.
Never had he been more thankful for the divine stigmata he bore. Using it, Kyle healed the Duke’s wounds. Confirming the Duke’s improving complexion, Kyle carefully handed him over to nearby soldiers and stood up.
‘Kidnapped?’
On the day of the wedding, the bride had been kidnapped.
