My Disciples Think I’m Strong – Chapter 277

“Praus~”

“Hmm…?”

A gentle voice called out to me. I pressed my stubborn eyes shut and slowly opened them. A dignified woman with beautiful blue hair appeared before me.

Princess Ella Todiah.

No, she was now my wife.

To be precise, I could say she was one of my wives.

A year ago, after confirming the feelings of the Heroes, our relationship deepened. Despite this, Ella had persistently pursued me, and I maintained my relationships with the Heroes as well.

And last year, we got married. The Heroes appeared quite dissatisfied, but reluctantly gave their approval.

Glair Todiah also permitted the marriage, considering the power I and the Heroes would bring to his influence.

As it goes with noble marriages, it was a decision weighed on benefits and losses.

“You should get up soon, darling.”

“Really…? I want to sleep a bit longer.”

Even with the power of the World Tree, there was no harm in refreshing myself with some sleep. Especially since I didn’t get much rest last night due to our steamy activities.

“No way. I can’t indulge you today.”

Ella gently patted my head as if she too felt a bit regretful.

“I don’t want to…”

“Huh?”

“Come here.”

“Kyah!”

As I forcibly pulled Ella into my embrace and lay her down, she came without resistance. It seemed she didn’t mind being held close.

“Let’s sleep just a little longer.”

“Oh, that’s not good…”

Ella buried her face against my chest, rolling her eyes around.

“Ella.”

“Yes?”

“How’s your waist doing?”

“Ah, um… Yes… It’s fine. You gave me a massage before sleeping, remember? And since I train regularly, I typically don’t get sore from this kind of exercise.”

“Still, you cried a lot during our first time, didn’t you?”

As I recalled our first intimate experience, I remembered that she did cry quite a bit. Although it didn’t seem to be as much as other women.

“Th-that was because I used muscles I hadn’t used much before…”

At the mention of our first time, Ella suddenly looked up, her face turning a bright red as she stammered.

“Y-yeah.”

“Praus… you seem kind of nice but a little mischievous.”

“Don’t like that?”

“I do like it.”

“Hyuhhyuh. Got it.”

As I continued to trail my hands down her back until they reached her rear, Ella shivered at my slow and teasing touches.

Eventually, when I gripped her butt, she let out a sweet moan.

“Ahh!”

Seeing her let out such a sultry sound seemed to surprise her as she quickly covered her mouth.

“P-Praus…! It’s morning! The servants are avoiding us, but they’re likely eavesdropping outside!”

“And so?”

“W-what do you mean ‘and so’…?”

“Isn’t it wrong for you to be so lewd?”

“W-wait! If you’re going to go there, you were more lewd than I was! Do you know how embarrassing it was when you suggested doing it from behind yesterday?!”

“Didn’t you dislike that?”

“…I-I liked it.”

She always says she enjoys it whenever I ask.

“Well, there were different places touching than usual, like… how should I put this…? It felt more enjoyable… since I didn’t have to manage my expressions since you couldn’t see my face.”

“Love your honesty, our Ella.”

I gave her a gentle smack on the rear and kissed her forehead. The sound echoed in the room. Ella, whose face had stiffened, slowly broke into a smile.

“Umhum!”

After regaining her composure, Ella cleared her throat and lightly tapped my back.

“Still, we should get up. You know father returned from the Magic Guild last night, right?”

“I know.”

Glair Todiah.

The current head of the Magic Guild, succeeding Logia.

He was a renowned Archmage but focused more on magical research than managing the Todiah Territory lately.

Currently, the one running the Todiah family was the eldest son, Benos Todiah. He had to reluctantly give up his position in the Royal Knight Order and now found himself wielding a pen more than a sword.

I knew Acker Todiah was either researching magic at the Magic Guild or living as a royal magician.

Rumor had it that he still felt uncomfortable around Seri, his former fiancée, and was at a loss over how to deal with her.

On top of that, Seri would often berate him for marrying Ella.

“You remember what happened last time when you acted lazy and got scolded by father, right?”

“I didn’t forget.”

“Then should we have a warm breakfast together since he’s home?”

“Fine.”

I reluctantly got out of bed. As I stretched and swung my arms, Ella let the servants enter the room.

*

“I heard the story.”

“Is that so.”

I replied casually while dipping my bread into the soup.

Breakfast was attended by all members of the Todiah family, except Acker and the Duchess.

“…Is this a joke? Praus Todiah.”

Praus Todiah.

It was quite an unfamiliar name.

I received the name from marrying the royal Princess Ella Todiah as her consort.

Honestly, receiving a noble surname wasn’t a bad thing, but adapting to it was a different issue.

“Praus, did I not tell you to uphold basic etiquette towards nobility? If you act like that, it would surely tarnish the Todiah family’s reputation!”

“Wasn’t it you who forced me to attend a noble gathering even though I said I wouldn’t?”

“What? You little punk…! It’s a couples’ party; I couldn’t just let Ella go alone!”

“Didn’t you also want Ella not to go? If I hadn’t gone, we would have had our date alone during that time. Aren’t you sad about that, Ella?”

“Uh, um… I see… That does sound sad.”

“See?”

Ella seriously contemplated our conversation and sided with me, awkwardly smiling.

“Why don’t we just eat instead? The soup is going to get cold…”

At Ella’s mediation, Glair stopped yelling and let out a deep sigh.

Glair Todiah. He was still a doting father.

He really couldn’t resist Ella’s words.

“Damn. Being around this guy always throws off my pace.”

“Thank you for recognizing my skills. I’m honored.”

He took my words with disdain and scowled at me.

“Only you would dare treat someone like me, the Grand Duke of the North, this way. Even His Majesty Emperor Seri wouldn’t treat me like this, you know?”

“Business is always serious.”

“You really don’t get it, do you? You little rotten thing.”

I shrugged it off casually. Benos, who had been quietly listening to our conversation while eating, set down his fork.

“How about you ease off a bit, Father?”

Surprisingly, Benos defended me. Was he trying to be nice since I was now family?

“Praus has been disrespectful for more than a day or two.”

“…That’s not a compliment, is it?”

I felt ridiculous.

“If you’d just been arrogant, I’d have thrown you out. But your advice has been quite helpful in managing the territory. You’re not just strong but smart too. That’s why I overlook your misdeeds.”

Well, he did have a modern mindset about things.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

I replied nonchalantly while tearing off some bread.

“Ella, does this rascal ever bully you?”

Glair, looking displeased, threw a question at Ella.

“Huh? Ah… Yes. He can be a bit free-spirited, but he treats me very well.”

“…Haa. Well, then it’s fine.”

He glared at me but didn’t continue to press about the noble party.

“Praus.”

“Yes?”

“Have you thought about teaching others swordsmanship or magic? Considering your achievements in raising the Heroes, there must be countless people seeking your guidance.”

“Not interested.”

The only teaching I could provide would be mere words.

Even if I could utilize magic and act differently now, it wouldn’t be beneficial to teach it.

I had simply gained abilities through the contract with the World Tree.

“Are you planning to live idly for the rest of your life? Even though you’ve entered as a consort of Todiah, you should still do some work, right?”

Somehow, I felt like I was being chastised by a father figure reminding his unemployed child.

“Father. Please don’t pressure him. Regardless, Praus has enough money to live off without using our family’s funds for generations.”

“Money isn’t the issue. I’m saying think about it: After the demon tribes have been eradicated, how could you utilize your abilities? Isn’t it a waste to let them rot away forever?”

“Understood. I’ll think about it.”

Teaching…

Is there any meaning in teaching those who aren’t Heroes?

I finished my somewhat chaotic breakfast, pondering that question.

*

After finishing breakfast, Ella and I strolled leisurely through the garden. Normally, a nobleman wouldn’t have the luxury to stroll through a garden like this.

Just look at Benos; he never seemed to have the time to relax due to the workload piled up in the Todiah territory.

Compared to that, I truly was a lazy bum. Is this what being a consort feels like?

“Praus.”

“Huh?”

“You don’t look too happy. Are you worried about what Dad said?”

“Well, it’s not that I’m worried. I just think I should eventually find something to do… but I’m uncertain what that should be.”

At my words, Ella squeezed my hand tightly.

“You don’t have to work. If Dad says anything again, I’ll try to talk to him.”

“Still, isn’t it better than living like a bum? Nobles care about their appearances. I wouldn’t want to hear rumors about the husband of Princess Ella Todiah being a freeloader.”

Back when I suggested cleaning our shared space, the servants had been horrified, saying that should never happen.

Thinking back on that made me smirk.

“But if I start working… I’ll have even less time than I already do. I wouldn’t like that.”

Ah, so that’s why…?

“Honestly, I feel like I haven’t done much since I came here.”

“Eh? You haven’t done anything? Your presence has significantly improved the peace in the Todiah territory. Brother Benos sometimes said that when he asks for your advice, he can reach a solid conclusion quickly. Though you may be laid back, you’re certainly wise enough that he wanted to utilize your support, but I stopped him.”

So she stopped him?

Ultimately, it seemed Ella played a big role in why I was acting like a loafer. I wasn’t sure whether to be happy about that or not.

“So please don’t waste your time working. There were so many things I wanted to do with you.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Since you’ve made it possible for me to live like this, wouldn’t it be best to do the things we want before we die?”

I was alive.

That statement struck my heart.

Years ago, if she hadn’t bought the Purification Stone, would I have been dead by now?

I might have committed suicide from the pain or rotted away because of the demons.

A horrid thought caused me to frown.

“Your expression isn’t good, darling.”

“…I’m just glad to be alive.”

“Hehe.”

She seemed delighted by my genuine feelings as she entwined her arms around mine, resting her head against my shoulder.

“Thinking back, I also had so many things I wanted to do back then. I was vaguely thinking that things would get better someday and just reflexively coming up with a list of things I wanted to do.”

“Is that so?”

“…Do you want to see it? I kind of want to take a look at it after a long time.”

“See what?”

“My bucket list.”