Chapter 79. Gwa, This Concubine Doesn't Want It Like This, koya!!
A crying child gets candy.
When she was little, Kaguya scoffed at this saying.
In that cold family, crying was equivalent to weakness.
And the weak would only be devoured by the strong.
But as she grew up, she realized how shallow that childhood thinking was.
Some words cannot be taken only at face value.
When she learned that her arranged-marriage partner was a boy two years younger than her, to be honest, Kaguya let out a long sigh of relief.
She wouldn't have to marry some greasy-minded politician or corporate executive.
That was great.
Judging from the teachers' idle chatter, those men were older and had twisted tastes.
Just thinking about it made Kaguya's whole body uncomfortable.
However, when she found out the other party's identity, she panicked again.
The son of Anti-Entropy's second-in-command.
On one side was a family enterprise clinging to a small island nation.
On the other was one of the largest multinational conglomerates in the world.
Even though the Moon Capital Group could be considered a giant in this country, compared with Anti-Entropy, the difference was like fireflies versus the bright moon.
Recalling those nominal elder brothers of hers, they looked well-dressed and elegant on the surface.
Only the family knew their ugliness in private.
The vile things were nauseating.
Then what about this partner whose status was many levels above even them?
Kaguya began to worry about her future.
The gap between the two sides made her understand.
So-called "marriage alliance" was merely a "little gift" the Moon Capital Group sent out to maintain relations.
You could see as much from how casually Cocolia talked about Kaguya when she went to fetch her children.
Just for fun, nothing more.
In her eyes, this was like spotting a delicate craftwork on the way to work, then casually gifting it to the child she favored.
There was no need to pay it any more mind.
The engagement had been set.
No matter how cruel reality might be, Kaguya could only face it.
That night, when she sat in her room waiting for her fiancé to arrive, no one could know the struggle within her.
She had already prepared herself for the possibility that he would say nothing upon arrival and simply toy with her as he pleased.
Even if her body were hurt.
Even if her dignity were trampled.
She would—
As expected, she still couldn't accept it.
She was even prepared to go down in flames together.
But what happened afterward completely exceeded her expectations.
Aside from that first kiss, her husband did nothing that crossed the line.
And when she scalded her hand with hot water, her husband unhesitatingly took her for treatment.
Kaguya originally wanted to say it wasn't that bad, but seeing the serious, concerned look on his face made her swallow all her words.
That concern was like a hot spring flowing into her heart that had long since gone cold and dry.
Her hollow shell seemed to take in a trace of warmth again.
Different from her friendship with Eirin, this warmth made her a little drunk.
It made her want to covet more.
A child longing for warmth encountered a warm sun.
What would happen next needed no words.
Thus, when her husband chose to leave, Kaguya burst forth with an initiative that even surprised herself.
With a playfulness she had never shown anyone else, she proactively offered up her lips.
...
"So, that's your entire inner journey?"
"Mm."
Kaguya did not dare to meet her husband's eyes.
Leaning against the headboard, the hands gripping the sheets had grown pale.
After listening to Kaguya's confession, Xander's mood was a mess—quite complicated.
Just now it had clearly been a warm scene.
He had fed Kaguya lunch.
The two had chatted happily with smiles.
Their touching bodies felt each other's warmth.
They could have spent a very cozy afternoon.
Yet at that moment, Kaguya brought up the past.
Letting out a soft breath, he leveled his voice and said, "You're laying it all out to me like this.
Aren't you afraid I'll hate you for it?"
"I am!
This concubine is terribly afraid."
Stirred by that question, Kaguya finally lifted her head.
Her dim gaze met Xander's.
Her voice trembled, but she still spoke earnestly.
"But this concubine doesn't want to hide anything from my husband."
"Truth is, this concubine has always been very envious of Seele and Bronya.
They grew up with my husband.
They naturally have my husband's trust and attention.
This concubine also hopes your gaze can linger on this body.
So this concubine wanted to present herself to my husband without reservation."
Her voice faded.
Kaguya's words slowly came to a stop.
She closed her eyes and awaited the final verdict.
She could guarantee she hadn't told a single lie.
She had exposed her entire self to her husband.
Humans have desires.
After touching warmth, she began to covet more.
She began to yearn for a place of her own in that heart already filled by others.
How was this complete confession not also a "cry" that feigned weakness before the enemy?
To savor that whole candy, Kaguya went all in.
If she failed, she would lose everything.
Just as Kaguya trembled so hard from nerves that she felt cold all over, the warmth she craved wrapped around her.
By her ear, a gentle voice flowed softly.
"I'm very glad it was me you met."
"Husband!"
Her heart, strung tight, could finally relax.
Kaguya suddenly went limp, leaning softly into Xander's arms.
"Hey, don't cry.
Honestly, you're giving me quite a headache like this."
Lightly patting Kaguya's back, Xander spoke with a bit of helplessness.
"Eh?"
Sniffling, Kaguya looked at him, her eyes still red.
"Springing this on me out of nowhere like a palace coup—I'm under a lot of pressure here."
"I'm sorry…"
"You do owe me an apology, but that's not what I meant."
Xander's expression turned a little odd.
He raised a hand to gently rub Kaguya's soft cheeks.
Amid her puzzled look, he said, "Isn't it possible you've long held a very important place in my heart?
And Seele and Bronya already see you as a member of this family."
"…But there aren't family members who don't live together."
"Wasn't it just because we didn't have enough rooms?
I couldn't keep having you share a room with Bronya, right?
A room opened up recently.
I was going to talk to you about moving in and living at home from now on."
"Ah?"
Seeing her dazed little look, Xander continued.
"And I think you're simply overthinking it.
When have I not paid attention to you?
Aren't you the one who always darts over to Seele and Bronya whenever you're free to grind their favor?
Anyone who didn't know better would think you were their fiancé."
"Th-This…"
Wasn't she doing that to better fit into this family…
"Thinking so much, yet acting like a dummy.
Think about it carefully.
If I didn't like you, would I have noticed something was off with you yesterday?
Would I be staying home with you alone?"
"So this concubine just now…"
Kaguya suddenly saw black, her face burning red with shame.
"Exactly.
After that long speech, aside from self-exposure, it did nothing.
And you wore that look like you were marching to your death.
Do you know how speechless I was?"
"Please don't say any more…"
"I had to be careful not to hurt your feelings while still making you understand my heart.
Tsk.
Honestly, you—"
"Gwa, don't say any more, koya!!!!"
Unable to endure the shame any longer, Kaguya rushed forward and pressed her lips to Xander's, blocking that mouth which still wanted to keep complaining.
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