Selfish Love

That evening, the lavish dining table was laden with a sumptuous spread of dishes. Overhead, magic lamps cast a soft glow. The five of them sat in a circle, enjoying dinner in a “cozy” atmosphere.

“How is it?”

“Mmh! This is so delicious!”

Lillian's eyes sparkled with delight as she savored the delicacies on her plate. Adela's gaze fell upon her, a doting smile playing at the corners of her lips.

Though the feast on the table was incredibly rich, Ain could barely hold his fork steady.

It was all because a deadly glare had been locked onto him the entire time.

Sensing the strange atmosphere, Adela nudged her husband with her toe in mild reproach. Seeing that he wasn't getting the hint, she simply stomped down on his foot without mercy. Only after seeing him wince in pain did she withdraw her foot with satisfaction.

“Adela...”

“What's wrong?”

Adela looked back at him with a thoroughly “amiable” expression.

“No, it's nothing...”

Seeing Adela stand up for him, Ain let out a quiet sigh of relief.

“I'm sorry, it's my fault...”

Erylin, sitting beside him, finally managed to speak up.

“There, there, we know. Haven't you already explained it so many times?”

“But... but Ain really isn't that kind of person!”

“He... he's really nice!”

Seeing his daughter still defending the boy only deepened Orion's resentment.

Ain couldn't help but cover his face in embarrassment.

“Yes, yes, let's eat first.”

Adela coaxed Erylin back into her seat like a child. Turning to look at Lillian, who was still buried in her food, she teased with a smile, “What kind of relationship do the three of you have back at the academy?”

Adela's question instantly jolted Ain awake.

That's right! All I have to do is clear things up and distance myself from Erylin!

Lillian and I are a couple! A real couple!

“Oh, I'm not close with him.”

Lillian pointed at Ain with a completely blank face.

“Exactly, we...”

Ain froze, dumbfounded.

Completely ignoring the frantic looks Ain was throwing her way, Lillian spoke up again.

“Erylin spends a lot of time with Ain, though. There are even rumors going around the academy lately that he's been madly pursuing her.”

“Wow, how romantic!”

Like a gossipy teenage girl, Adela chatted with Lillian in excitement.

“Then what do you think of Ain?”

“He's very nice!”

Lillian rambled on with a long list of praise before deliberately adding one final line, seemingly to draw a clear line between herself and Ain.

“But I don't like him. Yeah, not at all.”

Ain: “?”

“Lillian! What are you talking about!”

Erylin's face flushed bright red as she glared at her.

The chatter around him seemed to fade into the background. Ain's face was now pale as ash.

This was because Orion's blatant gaze had landed on him once more, the murderous intent in his eyes burning even hotter than before.

This summer vacation was truly a disaster.

...

Later that evening, having just finished his bath, Ain walked down the third-floor corridor in his pajamas.

“Lillian...”

Ain muttered the girl's name, clenching his fists.

Things had been disastrous enough today, yet she was actually trying to play matchmaker for him and Erylin?

What on earth was going on inside her head!

If she didn't give him a logical explanation, Ain wouldn't mind giving her a proper “punishment” tonight.

Just as Ain was about to turn the doorknob to Lillian's room, a voice called out to him from behind.

“Ain.”

“My Lady?”

Adela wore a gentle smile on her face. “Would you like to step outside and chat with me for a bit?” she asked softly.

On the balcony, a cool breeze brushed against Ain's cheek. The night sky was filled with a sea of stars, and Adela's silky hair fluttered gently in the wind, making for a truly captivating sight.

“You and Lillian... you're actually a couple, aren't you?”

“Cough, cough! Y-You noticed?!”

Ain was utterly shocked.

“I'm so sorry. Lillian... she just likes to say strange, nonsensical things sometimes, haha...”

Ain was so embarrassed he didn't even know how to begin explaining.

Adela didn't seem to blame him at all. Instead, she let out a soft chuckle.

“When someone is in love, their eyes can never hide it, you know?”

“You certainly have sharp eyes, My Lady...”

Adela continued, “Ain, what do you think of Erylin?”

“Do you like her?”

“No, wait. Didn't you just say you knew Lillian and I were a couple?”

Adela acted as if it were of no consequence. “It doesn't matter. Isn't polygamy quite common nowadays anyway?”

“It's perfectly fine, Ain. As long as you like Erylin, I'll give my blessing for you to be together.”

Adela placed her hands behind her back. Several faint magic circles materialized in her palms as she softly chanted a few incantations.

“Decida vorto... (Word of Judgment)”

“Veraj vortoj (True Words)”

The moment she finished her chant, Ain spoke up.

“If you're asking for my thoughts... Erylin is very beautiful, cute, and talented. I don't think anyone could dislike her.”

“Mhm.”

“She's as perfect as an angel, very popular, and has many suitors. If I could truly become her partner, I think the rest of my life would indeed be very happy.”

“It's impossible to say I don't like a girl who is so gentle and considerate.”

“My Lady, if you're willing to let me be with Erylin, I am truly grateful.”

Hearing his response, Adela cast a brief, quiet glance at the tiny magic circle in her hand. Only disappointment remained in her eyes.

Just as Adela was about to speak, Ain's next words immediately followed.

“However, I do not wish to be with Erylin.”

Adela paused, slightly taken aback.

“Didn't you say you liked her?”

Ain chuckled softly, recalling the Erylin from the game.

“Perhaps my 'liking' is a bit more complex.”

“I can't say things like 'I'll take responsibility' or 'Please entrust Erylin to me.' I can't guarantee if I'm truly worthy of her affection...”

“When I'm with her, my main desire is just to prevent her from ever wearing that painful expression again, and to stop a cruel fate from tearing her life apart until she's completely unrecognizable...”

Thinking of this, Ain couldn't help but sigh, cursing inwardly.

Every act's ending seemed designed to torment Erylin, as if deliberately playing with a pure, white angel until she was broken beyond recognition, turning her into a demon walking through the filthy mud.

Ain continued, “I don't think I'm that great of a person, and I don't know what my future holds. I don't even know if I can bear the weight of two people's love at the same time.”

Ain recalled the first image again.

“But if it's just to satisfy my own selfish desires, to take their affection for granted without giving back, then that kind of self-centered love is simply too selfish.”

“I wouldn't call myself noble, but at the very least, I have no right to ruin someone else's happiness.”

Positive Effect: Word Spirit: Prayer

Current Target: Adela Fournier

Adela instinctively glanced down at the magic circle rotating in her palm. Her eyes shimmered slightly, a bright gleam of appreciation rising within them.

“Ah, sorry, My Lady. I seem to have said some strange things.”

Ain smiled and waved his hands.

“In short, I'm probably not worthy of her. Besides, Erylin herself told me she wouldn't fall for me.”

“I'm truly sorry for causing you so much trouble today.”

“Is there anything else, My Lady?”

Adela shook her head.

With that, Ain turned and walked back inside.

Left alone on the balcony, Adela looked at the magic circle in her hand, a soft smile gracing her lips.

“What a wonderful boy...”

“As far as this aunt is concerned, you've passed the test.”

Adela looked up slightly, gazing at the brilliant sea of stars in the night sky.

“Erylin... did you really tell him that?”

“But when someone is in love, their eyes can never hide it, you know?”

At that thought, Adela shook her head with a light, helpless sigh.

“The relationship between the three of you is truly complicated...”