Chapter 726
Idiot (2)
# The Chronicles of Zenon
I wanted to help Gartz. Just the signed copies he’d lost so far would fill an entire truck.
But Cecily emphasized that while she understood, she couldn’t allow desertion of duty. I understood her position, but it was still unfortunate.
If only he’d had signed copies to begin with, this wouldn’t have happened.
“This incident should be a wake-up call for Lord Ballack. Besides, this isn’t the only fan signing event, right?”
“…I was planning on just doing it today. Doing it once a year seems like it would be disastrous.”
“…I’ll secretly give him one when I get the chance.”
It seems Cecily also felt sorry for Gartz. I could tell by how she responded when I said I wouldn’t hold any more signing events.
Though desertion of duty was clearly wrong, the situation was still unfair. But I had a question.
“By the way, how did he get caught? Gartz just got my signature and left. Couldn’t he have just said he went to the bathroom?”
“One of his colleagues happened to be in the bathroom. Just bad luck, I guess.”
I really feel sorry for him. As a Reaper, he must be quite intelligent, so why did he do something so foolish?
Perhaps it’s because he’s in the military. Even with a noble mission, the essence of military life remains the same.
Anyway, I should secretly give Gartz a signed copy soon. Someone who likes me enough to desert his post deserves that much.
‘If he loses it again, I’ll just call it fate.’
I had these idle thoughts as I headed toward the royal palace.
As I mentioned earlier, Descal was currently away dealing with work and Gartz’s disciplinary case.
So I was scheduled to have dinner only with Icilia, Cecily’s mother and my mother-in-law.
“Thank you for your hard work, everyone. It’s not much, but I hope you enjoy the meal.”
My mother-in-law looked remarkably similar to Cecily. The main difference was their bangs.
Icilia had a hairstyle that revealed her forehead, while Cecily had neatly trimmed bangs.
Adelia and Kate, meeting her for the first time, looked back and forth between the two to tell them apart before nodding.
“Seeing you both up close, you’re both so beautiful. You’re every bit as lovely as my daughter.”
“You’re beautiful as well, ma’am. If your partner weren’t here…”
Thump-
I nudged Kate’s thigh with my knee before she could make another verbal slip.
She realized her mistake, cleared her throat, and spoke again.
“I can see where Cecily got her beauty from.”
“Hoho. Thank you. By the way, Cardinal Kate? Are you also connected with Zenon?”
Icilia already knew about my relationship with Adelia.
Between what Marie had spread to the media and simply seeing Adelia by my side, she must have been certain.
But Kate was different. Kate had only recently become connected to me.
“Yes. I plan to dedicate myself to Zenon from now on.”
“I see. Zenon?”
“Please call me Isaac, Mother-in-law.”
Icilia used to call me Isaac. But this time something was different.
While Zenon is also my name, there was a strange difference in tone—a sense of respect.
“I’m afraid that would be difficult. Now that you’ve shown us a miracle, we demons will show you eternal respect.”
“Hmm… how about just until I ascend? Only in private settings like this.”
“That would be fine. Then, Isaac?”
“Yes. What is it?”
“Forgive my boldness, but please don’t turn your back on my daughter.”
She was speaking not as a demon, but as a mother. I met her gaze.
From Icilia’s perspective, Cecily’s connection with me was cause for celebration. But she couldn’t help feeling anxious.
She worried I might treat Cecily harshly or neglect her.
That wouldn’t happen, but it’s a natural concern for a mother with a daughter.
“Desserts come in many varieties, each with a different taste. But most people tend to pick and eat only specific desserts.”
“…Yes. That’s true.”
I answered awkwardly, caught off guard by her suggestive comment that showed her years of experience.
Come to think of it, Icilia had told me on my first night with Cecily that dessert was prepared for me. That dessert turned out to be Cecily herself, wearing garter belts and seductive lingerie.
Since she had arranged everything, the dessert metaphor made sense.
“You have nothing to worry about, Mother-in-law. Having many desserts can actually be an advantage.”
“What kind of advantage?”
“Even someone who loves sweets will get tired of eating just one. But with a variety of flavors, you can enjoy different things.”
“Oh my.”
Icilia looked at me with an impressed expression after my clever answer. I avoided her gaze and just sipped my tea.
I felt a bit guilty, but there couldn’t be a better answer. Since I’ve already been labeled a playboy, I might as well go with it.
‘Though the reality is different… ’
I’m not the one choosing desserts. The desserts are finding their way into my mouth on their own.
I’m devouring them all and even asking for more because it’s not enough.
Things have gotten to the point where we’re discussing adding more desserts.
“That’s reassuring. I asked because I was genuinely concerned.”
“I understand. You must have been especially worried about someone like me.”
“Thank you for understanding. So, when do you plan to have children?”
I was wondering when that question would come up. I had suspected it since her suggestive comment earlier.
I answered calmly, showing no sign of being flustered.
“We plan to have children after everything is resolved. Since demons can only conceive during the evil cycle, we still have some time.”
“I see.”
Icilia nodded and seemed deep in thought. I quietly continued eating until she spoke again.
After some time, just as the meal was nearly over, Icilia finally spoke up.
Unlike her previous relaxed manner, her tone now seemed quite cautious.
“Um… Isaac?”
“Yes. What is it?”
“I don’t know if you’ve heard, but are you aware that a demon woman you blessed is now pregnant?”
“…What?”
I couldn’t help but be stunned. Was she talking about that demon woman from before?
It’s not strange that news from three days ago would reach the palace. But I never expected she would actually become pregnant.
I had simply granted the demon woman’s wish with sincerity. To be honest, it was closer to superstition.
“She visited the temple and confirmed she was pregnant. What concerns me is whose child it might be.”
“…”
“I wanted to ask Mora, but strangely, there’s been no response… Is everything alright?”
I don’t know either. Mora’s absence has snowballed into this situation.
If that child is really mine, it would be terrible. I’d be the worst kind of trash.
Of course, the possibility is very low. Even gods need direct union between male and female to conceive children.
Luminous mentioned this. Without the union of male and female, birth is impossible.
Even the Father of All Things had to unite with Hirt, the Mother of Nature, to give birth to Luminous and Mora.
‘We can leave Hirt’s birth to mythology.’
Anyway, I needed to answer. Looking at Icilia’s worried expression, I calmly replied.
I’m not actually trash, and I would never do such a thing.
“There’s no need to worry. I didn’t… do anything directly, I just gave a blessing. Even gods cannot go against the laws of birth.”
“That’s a relief.”
“But why did you ask…?”
“Ah. Well…”
Icilia looked slightly embarrassed and glanced at Cecily. Cecily seemed to have noticed something and just curled the corner of her lips.
While I was wondering what this was about, Icilia made her request in an embarrassed voice.
“I was hoping you could bless me too… I want to have more children with him.”
“…Do you also struggle during the evil cycle, Mother-in-law?”
“Since I inherited strong succubus blood, it can’t be helped. Once, I nearly absorbed all my husband’s vital energy, and Mora almost had to take his soul…”
“…”
Hearing that, I immediately looked at Cecily, silently asking how I had survived.
Cecily read my expression and answered with a mischievous smile.
“Mora gave you holy power then. Now you know why?”
“…”
So Mora really did save my life.
* * *
After granting Icilia’s awkward request, I went straight to bed.
Tonight, only Cecily would be sleeping with me. It wasn’t a dangerous day for Adelia and Kate.
Cecily had asked them for this favor. She wanted to be alone with me just for tonight. She asked if they could grant her this request.
“Why did you make such a request?”
“I just wanted to be with you.”
In reality, Cecily just held me close without pouncing on me. It seemed her goal was emotional comfort.
I don’t dislike this atmosphere either. In fact, it’s comfortable to be able to focus only on Cecily.
I stroked her horns while she embraced me, wearing only seductive lingerie, silently enjoying the atmosphere.
Cecily seemed to enjoy me caressing her horns, as she rubbed her face against my chest.
“Isaac.”
“Yes, noona.”
“When everything is over, will you give me a child like you did for Marie?”
This was so typical of Cecily. I looked down at her slightly.
Now I understood why she wanted us to be alone tonight. What an adorable concern.
I stared at her somewhat dejected face. She must have buried this worry deep in her heart until now.
Moreover, seeing the blessing I gave to the demon woman must have troubled her. Her desire to have my child is much stronger than Marie’s.
“Of course. By the evil cycle, everything should be finished, so it will be possible.”
“What about the wedding?”
“If you want one. Isn’t it demon culture to have quiet weddings?”
Demons have a culture of quiet weddings regardless of social status.
Mora wasn’t suited for weddings due to her domain, and demons themselves tend to be quiet.
“Yes. I don’t want something more grand than Marie’s, and I prefer it quiet. But I’d like to invite people we know, including our parents.”
“I’d be happy to do that.”
“And…”
“And?”
She seems to have something else to ask. I looked at her and asked.
But she didn’t answer and maintained silence for a while. It must be something difficult to bring up.
I waited patiently for Cecily to speak. Since she would share all her worries tonight, waiting wasn’t difficult.
“…A wedding song.”
“A wedding song?”
“Yes. I’d like you to sing for me too. Like you did for Marie.”
I didn’t expect this. I looked at Cecily with a surprised expression.
She must have thought it was an embarrassing request, as her cheeks were flushed red.
“I really liked the song. And… I was so envious when you sang like that in front of everyone.”
“Were you?”
“Yes. Is that not possible?”
There’s no reason it wouldn’t be. Honestly, I’ve had a song in mind for Cecily for a long time.
It’s not as sweet as Marie’s song, but it’s still suitable for a wedding.
Perhaps it’s the perfect song for Cecily.
She confessed to me despite all the risks and criticism.
She especially worked countless times to gain Marie’s approval. Though she made mistakes along the way, she never stopped pursuing me.
“Of course it’s possible. Why would you think it wouldn’t be?”
“Just… out of envy? Is that too shameful a feeling?”
“It’s natural, so don’t blame yourself.”
That’s just how people are. Jealousy isn’t a shameful emotion.
Jealousy can be a driving force for growth, but it becomes ugly when it causes harm.
Cecily had kept that jealousy deep in her heart. Though she acknowledged Marie as the first wife, she couldn’t help having such feelings.
“You’re such a fool. You should have just said so.”
“…Don’t say that, it’s embarrassing.”
“But you brought it up first?”
“…”
Thump-
Having nothing to say, Cecily hit my chest with her hand. Her face was already bright red.
I smiled weakly at her cute rebellion and then looked up at the ceiling. The soft lamplight revealed its shape slightly.
“…Don’t worry too much.”
“Isaac?”
“I’ll live proudly for all to see.”
Then, in a quiet but clear voice, I sang a song just for her.
It’s one of those songs from my previous life that’s not difficult but perfect for a wedding.
Though she won’t understand without translation, I can at least share the melody.
[I cried again yesterday.]
[I was sad again yesterday.]
[Why did you love such a fool?]
This song is really perfect for Cecily. Why did she fall in love with such a foolish man?
Though I may not be now, back then I had nothing going for me. I was even hiding The Chronicles of Zenon.
But she started developing feelings for me before she knew I was the author of The Chronicles of Zenon.
She just couldn’t be as forward as Marie because she was a demon.
Furthermore, after being suspected as the author of The Chronicles of Zenon, she even made mistakes. We both acted foolishly.
[This fool loves you too.]
[This person you sent to me.]
[I won’t cry anymore.]
This song is much simpler than the one I sang at Marie’s wedding.
That’s why I could sing it smoothly without difficulty.
Since I didn’t translate it, Cecily wouldn’t understand. But I could give her assurance.
That I had been preparing for her for a long time. This alone would be enough to comfort her heart.
[For our love.]
[I’ll hold your hand and never let go.]
[My beloved fool.]
The lyrical atmosphere matched perfectly with her demon identity. That’s why I chose this song.
After finishing the last part, a dead silence filled the room for a while.
I had been staring at the ceiling, but now I turned my head to look at Cecily.
She was gazing at me endlessly with somewhat dreamy eyes.
“…That’s roughly the atmosphere. What do you think?”
“…I love it. It’s so… moving…”
Cecily answered in an almost tearful voice. I turned my body and quietly embraced her.
Or rather, I tried to. Until she pushed against my chest.
Then she slowly climbed on top of me and looked down at me.
Below her beautiful face, I could see her voluptuous chest. I tried my best to keep my gaze fixed on her face.
“What song is it? You said Marie’s was from a foreign country by your standards.”
“It’s from the country where I lived.”
“So that’s why you could translate it into our language right away.”
“That’s ri… Huh?”
Wait. What did she say? Translation?
I definitely sang in Korean, so what does she mean by translation?
Before I could complete that thought, Cecily pressed herself against me and moved her body up and down.
Since I wasn’t wearing a top, I could vividly feel her chest. At the same time, my lower body reacted automatically.
“I can’t stand it. I was going to let it pass tonight… but I can’t hold back.”
“…”
“I will… I will definitely get pregnant. Somehow…”
“Uh… noona? It’s the evil cycle right now…”
“Shh.”
Cecily placed her index finger on my lips. Then she spoke in a seductive voice.
“This is an accident, okay?”
“…”
“It’s your fault for stirring up a demon’s desires.”
After saying that, she slid her index finger down from my lips.
Eventually, she placed it on her lower abdomen and asked in a sensual voice.
“You’ll make me pregnant, won’t you?”
“…”
It wasn’t a hot night. It was just a deep and sticky night like a swamp.
Looking at Cecily’s desperate plea, I quietly spoke.
“…Could you bring me a pen?”
I can deal with the consequences… later, right?
Cecily smiled brightly at my permission and raised her upper body.
Then, placing both hands on her lower abdomen, she drew a heart and asked.
“If possible… could you draw a heart?”
“…”
This is truly maddening.
* * *
Meanwhile, at the Marshall mansion.
“Huh?”
“What’s wrong, Ariel?”
Ariel perked up the sprout on her head and looked in another direction. Marie asked with a puzzled voice.
Ariel stared intently in one direction for a while before turning her head back. Then she answered as if nothing had happened.
“Nothing, Mom. Where’s Grace?”
“Grace is sleeping now. Why do you ask about Grace?”
“I want to look after my sibling.”
It was a somewhat ambiguous expression.