Chapter 119: Clear Mind
Kael coughed lightly, which made Arwyn look back at him with a curious glance. His eyes shifted toward her, or rather toward her figure now. Her soft chest, the narrow curve of her waist, the smooth outline of her thighs... no matter how much he tried, his eyes always ended up there. He was doing perfectly fine just moments ago, his mind calm and focused, until this troublemaker came out of nowhere and started ruining his thoughts and his mood altogether.
Meanwhile, paying him no attention at all, the troublemaker continued speaking inside his head.
[Hey, go and flirt with her. It'll help me later to get her into our side, you know.]
At that very moment, one of the tendrils handed him a glass of water, and he took it almost immediately. He drank it so fast that even he was surprised by it, then exhaled deeply as if trying to calm his nerves.
Arwyn, noticing his odd behavior, gave him a concerned look before asking softly, "Are you alright, Kael?"
Kael glanced at her and, to his own misfortune, found his eyes wandering again before quickly turning away and replying, "I'm... fine. It's just that I was... uh, a little thirsty, I guess."
Serelina's voice came right after, sharp and teasing as ever.
[Thirst of lust, of course.]
Kael nearly threw the glass away right there, but stopped himself just in time as he remembered he wasn't in his own home. He was in a place that belonged to a woman who, in his eyes, might as well be the commander of all man-hating lieutenants in the world.
He forced himself to breathe, murmuring inwardly, "Clear mind... clear mind... clear mind."
Arwyn, still focused on her task, continued cutting the meat with steady hands and replied without looking up, "If you say so."
Kael let out another quiet breath, then spoke again in his mind.
[Hey... would you mind telling me something?]
Serelina answered quickly, almost too eager.
[Sure.]
He hesitated for a moment, looking slightly puzzled, before asking.
[What the hell does the word 'harem' even mean? You keep saying that again and again, but I never really believed it or understood what you meant.]
There was a small pause, and then her voice came back, this time carrying a certain devious tone that made him feel uneasy.
[Ah, that. You see, when a man has several wives at the same time, that group of wives is called the harem. Oh, haven't you heard? There were many kings and noble heads who had their own harems. And of course, our King has absolutely nothing to do with that... he was such a gentleman, you know.]
Kael tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing.
[I see... now all of your behaviours make sense. So, you're saying you want to give me several beautiful wives, and in exchange, I'm supposed to hand Seraphina over to you. Is that right?]
Her answer came instantly.
[Yes.]
He sighed quietly and said nothing after that. The truth was, a part of him did feel a little guilty. Maybe he really did take her big sister away from her, leaving her all alone to grow up. But still, who in the world would go this far because of that?
Only the Valthrone family members could... no one else would even come close.
He glanced at Arwyn who was busy cooking breakfast, her movements calm and measured as she prepared the meal with a sort of effortless grace. Judging by the time she was taking, Kael was sure she would not be finished anytime soon, and he wanted to finish his talk before she did.
[Now, would you mind giving me the information you came to talk to me about last night... I think I have a few moments to spare.]
There was a long silence between them, a quiet that stretched until Serelina's voice finally returned, this time even and strangely composed.
[Sure... I can. But the information would be so vivid and full of details that you must stay quiet and keep listening to me until I finish and ask you a question. No complaints... understood?]
Kael nodded to himself while thinking what kind of information she had in store this time.
[Alright. I'll keep my mouth... I mean, mind shut.]
Serelina lingered for a moment before answering with a soft chuckle.
[Then, let me tell you about the candidates from the Academy. First of all, about my favorite among them all, the Student Council President of the Academy, Nerine Veyron. She is the youngest daughter of House Veyron, which is a vessel clan serving under House Emberheart. Actually, she has deep scarlet hair, vermillion eyes, pale skin, supple waist. Ah, I don't think I can give more private details besides her appearance... she's a girl like me after all. However, she is more aggressive and lethal in nature and has a strong murderous intent.]
Kael looked at Arwyn, who was still roasting the meat with delicate precision, the smell filling the kitchen like a faint wave of warmth. His expression, however, turned somewhat blank and faintly hollow. What did she even mean by she could not tell anything else? What kind of description was that supposed to be? Was there anything left to say after such a vivid portrayal? He could already imagine the person clearly enough. Serelina really had no boundaries at this point.
But before he could even gather his thoughts properly, her voice continued in his mind without pause.
[Secondly, there was Amarantha of...]
Kael could barely keep listening before finally shouting in his mind with irritation.
[Don't say anything else, damn it. First at least tell me who exactly they are. Why should I need to know about them anyway? What's so special about them? Am I supposed to kill them or someone else? Explain the reason first, damn it.]
Despite shouting in his mind, he actually felt a bit out of breath, and his breathing grew heavier without realizing it.
Serelina's voice came back, this time teasing and playful.
[One question at a time. Please understand, if you shout at me like that, I can barely hear what the professors are saying. Oh, didn't I mention it? I'm in class right now and looking directly at Amarantha. As for why it's important to know about them... well, because they're going to join your harem.]
Kael felt his expression tighten as he tried to suppress all his emotions. His fists clenched tightly as he spoke through gritted teeth.
[Are you kidding me right now?]
She didn't reply for a while, and then, quite unexpectedly, her voice turned soft, almost gentle.
[No. But, dear, would you mind telling me how to cast a twin spell at the same time?]
Kael blinked at the sudden shift of topic but still answered after a moment's thought.
[Why, sure. To cast twin spells at the same time, you have to separate your imagination into two parts, one part focusing on the first spell and the other on the second spell.]
Before he could say anything else, she replied quickly.
[Thanks.]
Kael blinked again, confused.
[But why do you need to know something like that all of a sudden?]
There was a brief silence before her voice returned, sounding a little amused.
[Oh, when you shouted out of nowhere, I twitched in my seat and the professor noticed. She thought I was sleeping in her class and asked me that question to check if I was paying attention. But after hearing your answer, she praised me and the others were completely stunned. Hey, are you sure you never attended an Academy before?]
Kael paused for a moment before answering with irritation.
[Of course I'm thousand percent sure of it. But forget it... tell me about my harem... wait, what am I even saying. Tell me why exactly you're telling me about these girls in the first place?]
Her tone grew casual again, as if she was enjoying his frustration.
[As I said before, they are going to be part of your life, soon enough. There are seven of them in my Academy. One is more beautiful than the other... ah, and be careful some might just steal your heart right away.]
Kael touched his temple and asked in a somber tone.
[I still don't get why am I even listening to your nonsense. Just tell me who those women actually are before I lose my patience.]
There was a long silence on her end, the kind that made him almost believe she had disappeared entirely, until Serelina finally spoke again in a quiet tone.
[Hero Candidates.]
What?
So that was what she had been talking about all along. She could have said that from the beginning instead of circling around like that. What a complete hassle.
Kael raised an eyebrow, rubbing his forehead slightly.
Serelina continued in that same calm tone.
[Indeed. The suitable candidates to become the Hero's successor have increased drastically after a council meeting between the great families. As it turns out, all of these clans had been secretly preparing their own candidates in the shadows. Because of that, there are now too many battle-hardened fighters, each one exceptional in a different way. If you were expecting Seraphina to take the power... just like me, then forget it. These clans are far more cruel than even my father, especially after discovering how powerful their chosen ones are.]
She paused for a moment before adding, almost as if she wanted to change the topic slightly.
[Before I go on, you have to know a few things about my family first. The truth is, Valthrone isn't our original family name. It's a name my father chose himself. And no, it wasn't a vessel clan or a service house, it wasn't even a head house. In fact, the Valthrone family has nothing to do with the great clans at all... only my father does. The real truth is, Valthrone is the family of Warden General, Eldarion Valthrone. At the same time, he was also Eldarion Everblue, the head and eldest son of the Everblue House. It sounds confusing but that's how it was for him.]
Kael took a brief pause, thinking through what she had just said before speaking again.
[So, the old man is like a hired head for a great family or something like that?]
She sighed, though it sounded more like she didn't want him to be able to see her expression.
[Yes, you can say that as well.]
Kael leaned back slightly, his voice turning calmer again.
[Now, I understand a few things. Correct me if I'm wrong. After learning about the existence of so many new candidates, your father ordered you to act as his little detective and gather as much information as possible about the ones still studying in your Academy. Then, he told you to somehow deliver all that information to me.]
[Correct.]
Her answer came quickly, but Kael still couldn't understand the real reason behind it. His brows twitched slightly before he asked again.
[Alright, now I understand your reason perfectly. But tell me this... aren't you supposed to inform me about their strength, their element, mana core rank, weapon mastery, and magic skills? Then why in the world are you describing their appearance to me instead? Who's more beautiful than the other and all that nonsense?]
She replied immediately, sounding almost proud of herself.
[Oh, about that... I thought you were going to make them your wives later. You know, I've read plenty of books where the main character goes around collecting girls... some are heroes, some nobles, some even princesses. Aren't you going to do that too? Why else would Father want me to give you information about them anyway?]
Kael dropped his head and lightly bumped his temple against the table. The sound made Arwyn stiffen where she stood, and she quickly looked back at him, her eyes full of concern. He waved a hand to assure her he was fine, so she turned back to her cooking again.
After a while, Kael grimaced slightly and muttered.
[I'm not some kind of main character, you know. I might just be a side character... if this were a book. Or maybe even in my own life.]
A soft chuckling voice filled his mind.
[What are you talking about? Everyone is the main character in their own story. That's how it works.]
He let out a tired sigh.
[Sure... sure.]
---
By the time Arwyn finally finished cooking, Kael had endured a few more of Serelina's ridiculous remarks along with some fragments of actual important information.
Though he was still uncertain why he needed to know all of it, he also knew that asking would bring only one answer... because he was a family head, so it was his duty to know that. The truth was, he didn't even know which family's head he was supposed to be, not that he particularly cared anymore.
And with that, the endless chatter in his head finally came to an end as Arwyn placed the meal in front of him.
It seemed she had made roasted meat with vegetables, and the aroma that rose from the plate had a warm and rich tone to it, something both comforting and elegant.
Arwyn took a seat beside him, resting her hands quietly on her lap as she watched him begin. He quickly took a fork, pierced a piece of roasted meat, gathered some vegetables along with it, and placed them in his mouth. As he began to chew, his eyes widened slightly without him realizing it.
The meat was perfectly roasted, its surface crisped just enough to trap the tender juiciness within, and the sweetness that lingered after every bite seemed to melt into the flavor of the vegetables, making it all the more satisfying. Even though he hadn't watched her while she cooked, he could tell from the very first mouthful just how much care Arwyn had put into this meal. But that wasn't what surprised him most. It was the taste itself. At first, he couldn't quite tell what it reminded him of, but after a few more bites, the realization struck him clearly.
"This taste... it's exactly like Seraphina's cooking. No... perhaps even better than hers," he thought, chewing slowly as if to confirm it again. "Seraphina is still only average when it comes to cooking, but this... this is perfection. If she were ever to master it fully, her dishes might taste like this, but still hold her own touch within them."
As he continued to eat, he began to understand something he had never quite been able to about his wife. He had always wondered how a noblewoman like Seraphina had even learned to cook in the first place. He used to believe she must have been taught by her mother, though that seemed unlikely given how quickly she had picked up so many dishes on her own after coming here. But now, after tasting Arwyn's cooking, the answer became clear to him.
"So, Arwyn was the one who taught Seraphina how to cook after she came to Velhart," he thought as he took another bite. "I guess... I should be grateful to Arwyn. Because of her, I can enjoy my wife's breakfast every morning."
By the time he had finished the last piece, Arwyn had already cleaned her plate as well. She dabbed her lips gently with a white napkin, then turned toward him with a curious look.
"You didn't say a word," she said, her tone teasing but calm. "Is my cooking really that bad?"
Kael quickly swallowed what remained in his mouth and took a sip of water before replying, "What are you talking about? This meal is god-tier. The tenderness, the sweetness... damn, it's been so long since I've eaten something like this. I mean, I've been eating my own cooking for so long already."
His eyes gleamed with excitement as he suddenly reached out and took her hand between his palms, holding it as if he were making a solemn vow. "Please... marry me."
Arwyn blinked once, then gently pulled her hand away with a soft laugh. "I'm glad you like my cooking," she said with a soft smile. "But I can't marry you, Kael. First, because I'm not planning to marry anyone anytime soon, and second, because there's a certain someone who would definitely kill me if I ever did. So, I'm afraid I'll have to refuse."
Kael tilted his head slightly, still smiling, "Oh, so you have a boyfriend or something like that? Or maybe a crush?"
Her expression shifted for a moment, almost unnoticeably. There was a strange hint of something in her eyes, though it vanished as quickly as it came. She straightened her posture and replied quietly, "There's no one. Don't worry, I'm definitely single."
Kael sighed softly, though it didn't matter much to him either way. "Alright then... I guess it's time for me to go home already."
Arwyn nodded and stood up, leading him toward the front door. Neither of them said much as they walked, the silence between them strangely comfortable. Once they reached the door, Kael stepped out, walked a few steps down the path, and then suddenly turned around.
"Hey, Arwyn!" he called out.
She raised an eyebrow, her hand resting lightly on the doorframe.
"We're even now," he said with a grin. "I rejected your date proposal before, and now you rejected my marriage proposal."
It wasn't just something he said for fun. Somewhere deep inside, he had been carrying a little weight from the day he had turned her down. He didn't know why she had asked him back then, nor what she had really felt, but somehow, it hadn't felt right to leave it unbalanced. This, at least, felt like closure in his own odd way.
Arwyn stood there watching his back as he walked away, her eyes distant yet calm. When he finally passed through the gate, a fleeting smile touched her lips.
"What an airhead," she thought quietly. "I still can't understand how he managed to make Seraphina fall for him... but he did somehow. Guess that means I'll have to try even harder... so that she definitely gets him."
---
A few moments later, Kael was walking along the street with both hands in his pockets, the sunlight stretching over the rooftops ahead of him. His thoughts were calm, lingering on the warmth of the meal and the quiet conversation that had followed. But suddenly, he noticed someone running toward him from the other end of the road.
The man was moving quickly, as if he had been waiting for Kael all along.
When he got close enough, Kael recognized him immediately. It was Darion, the guard assigned to protect Arienne.
Darian came to a halt in front of him, panting heavily. His face was pale, and there was something desperate in his eyes as he spoke. "Sir Kael..."
Kael's brow furrowed slightly. "What's wrong, Darion?"
Darian struggled to catch his breath, and when he finally managed to speak, his voice trembled. "It's... Arienne."
Kael tilted his head, the calmness in his tone still steady. "What happened to her? Did she lose control over her spells or something?"
Darion's expression darkened as he shook his head. His next words came out weak and heavy.
"No... she's been missing since last night. We think she's been... kidnapped."
---
(Chapter Ended)