I Kidnapped the Hero's Women-Chapter 217: Fire. Secret (1)

'Finally freed from the work...'

One of the important events I had completely forgotten about—the academic presentation. Until now, it seemed like a relatively insignificant event. But as the Vermond family’s status continues to rise, this academic presentation became not just a casual gathering but a big event tied to the Vermond family’s reputation.

When the topic hadn’t been decided yet, the goal was simply to finish a paper, even if it was done hastily. But now that the topic was clear, the goal was to write a proper paper. And now that the completion of the paper was approaching, my desire to successfully finish the presentation had started to grow.

Since the topic was dark magic, it was likely to attract a lot of attention. However, there was no guarantee that the attention would be entirely positive. It’s possible that the research would be condemned before it even got a proper review and be buried by academic circles.

In the past, when the Vermond family had been seen as a fanatical family obsessed with dark magic, I wouldn’t have cared if the research attracted criticism. But now that we have ties with the imperial family and are involved in various businesses, any negative attention would have a significant impact.

If that were the case, the Vermond family’s reputation would be tarnished, and the academic presentation would end in a negative light.

So, this academic presentation wasn’t just about introducing research and reading a paper. I had to show that dark magic wasn’t something we feared or ignored, but something that could coexist with the magical system. I couldn’t just present the paper and think that some brilliant scholar would research and systematize it later. I had to actively push for further research right now.

"The family is growing, and with it, the headaches are piling up."

"Hmm... Looks like Aslan’s having a tough time too. How about taking a day off, not working for once? ...Right?"

"Actually, I’ve decided to assign all the paperwork to Silvia from now on."

"Really? Then I can spend more time with you... Ah!?"

Slamming her hand on the desk, Yuria jumped up with a bright smile. But realizing her slip of the tongue, her face turned bright red, and she quickly covered her mouth.

"You really want to spend more time with me?"

"N-No!? I was just saying I could spend more time with Charlotte! My tongue just got twisted, that’s all!"

"Ah, I see. Then, could you help me with the document organization today, Yuria? I’m planning to spend the rare free time with Charlotte."

"Eh? Eh...? "

As I got up, brushing my hands off, Yuria’s pupils shook frantically, clearly flustered. After a brief pause, she grabbed my sleeve tightly, preventing me from leaving.

"Don’t... don’t go... please."

"Just now, you said you wanted to play with Charlotte?"

"I misspoke... Stay with me... please."

[The Evil God, 'Kali,' says you should stop teasing our necromancer, and scolds you!]

Yuria couldn’t meet my eyes, and her head hung low as she quietly murmured. It seemed she was too embarrassed to ask directly to stay with me. If I teased her any more, her already flushed face would likely explode, and I decided to stop.

"...."

"...."

The task of organizing the documents resumed in silence. The room was once again filled with quiet, except for the sound of paper rustling, occasionally breaking the stillness.

Though it might have seemed awkward at first glance, for Yuria, this quiet atmosphere was her most comfortable refuge. Her seemingly emotionless expression was just her way of showing comfort and happiness.

In the past, if Yuria seemed uncomfortable or upset, I would have tried to speak with her. But now that I understood her personality, I knew there was no need for that. Spending quiet time together with our shoulders brushing occasionally, with our hands lightly touching, was truly her greatest happiness.

"Ugh, I’m tired! Can we take a break?"

"Today, you can stop. The document organization is almost done, so there’s no rush."

"But the harder I work, the more time you get to rest, Aslan... please."

"That’s true?"

"No matter how much time I get, if you can’t rest, it won’t matter. It’s better to be busy together with you than to be busy alone..."

"..."

So even though she’s giving up her free time, she’d rather be busy with me. It seems like she was finally being honest and letting out words she had kept hidden deep inside. On the outside, Yuria pretended not to be embarrassed, but her increasingly flushed face couldn’t hide her feelings.

"What, why are you grinning like that? ...Huh?"

"I just smile a lot."

"That’s a lie..."

"How about you lie down and rest comfortably?"

"Where would I lie down in here...?"

"Here, of course."

"...!"

I stretched my legs out, tapping my knee and offering a comfortable spot for Yuria to rest her head. Her eyes widened in surprise.

She hesitated, muttering under her breath, unsure of what to do. To push her a little, I pretended to retract my legs.

"If you don’t want to, it’s fine."

"Ah, ah... I’m too tired to resist... It’s not like I really want to lie down here, but... there’s nowhere else to rest..."

[The Evil God, 'Kali,' says she’s never been more envious of you today, and is stomping her feet!]

Yuria quickly settled down and rested her head on my lap. A wave of happiness surged within me, and I couldn’t help but smile.

She had overcome her embarrassment and laid her head down, but if I laughed now, she’d probably think I was mocking her and run away.

I bit my lip hard and barely managed to suppress my laughter.

"Well, it feels like it’s been a while... lying next to you like this, Aslan..."

"Yeah, it does. Are you sleeping well, without nightmares?"

"Nightmares... I think I have them sometimes..."

"Then, anytime you want, you can come find me with your pillow."

"Uh-uh. I’m not a little kid anymore, Aslan. I can handle this on my own now..."

"..."

Yuria, clenching her fist, whispered that to herself.

I thought she had stopped having nightmares since she didn’t come to me anymore at night. But it seems she still gets them occasionally.

That was unexpected.

The Yuria I remembered couldn’t handle scary things and would cry and run away. But now, she’s able to face them, huh? That means she’s mentally grown a lot.

While I felt proud of her, a strange ache in my chest made me smile wryly.

Children grow up in their own way.

In the mental realm, they grow faster than physically.

And I, as a powerless human being, have no way to stop it.

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In the face of time, all humans become helpless.

All I can do is keep stroking Yuria’s head, feeling every sensation through my fingertips, engraving it into my mind.

"Ah, Aslan... Will I be able to do well at the academy? Everyone there will be older than me... will I be okay...?"

"You’ll do fine. The academy doesn’t care about age, it only evaluates by ability. So be confident. The students who are older but lack your skill should be the ones to feel intimidated."

"Hehe... I guess so... Yuria is doing well, so I’ll be okay... and Charlotte will be there with me..."

I had no doubt Yuria would do well.

The Imperial Magic Academy has had many young prodigies join in the past. No one would pick on her for her age. Even if there were such students, Yuria and Charlotte would protect her.

With the three of them together, I had no reason to worry.

'But, what if I turn Silvia into a child and have her sneak in with them?'

I suddenly had an absurd idea, but quickly dismissed it. If I did that, Silvia’s dignity would take a huge blow.

She might have been craving affection from a younger appearance due to never being spoiled as a child, but if I ordered her to play with real children, she’d probably fall into despair and suffer irreversible emotional damage.

"By the way, there’s a student at the Imperial Magic Academy that Aslan sponsors, right? I want to be friends with them...!"

"..."

Ah, here it comes.

She had finally remembered the hint I had dropped earlier.

My heart raced as I quietly stayed silent.

"Hehe, could it be that the student is Yuria?"

"..."

"Aslan? Is it true?"

"..."

Oh no. Did she figure it out?

I had wanted to keep it a secret...