I Kidnapped the Hero's Women-Chapter 259: Coming of Age Ceremony (1)

'Yuri is already having her coming-of-age ceremony...'

In this world, children have their coming-of-age ceremonies when they turn 16. It's not that they become adults officially, but it marks the end of their childhood.

To my eyes, whether it was Charlotte, Yuliana, or Yuri, they all seemed like children «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» to me, and I thought a coming-of-age ceremony was far off. Yet, Yuri is already at the age to have her ceremony this year.

Wait a moment. If Yuri is having her coming-of-age this year, then next year it will be Yuliana's turn, and the year after next, Charlotte's? Are all three going to have their ceremonies within the next two years?

"Huh."

That thought made me breathe heavily, almost losing my breath.

Yuri is already having her coming-of-age ceremony. On one hand, I feel thrilled that I can finally enter the engagement phase of my grand plan. On the other hand, the despair that Yuri has grown up so much that soon her childhood will be swept away by the passage of time fills my heart.

Should I be happy or cry...

'By the way, Yuri seems to really miss the dark-haired gentleman.'

-So, I'm going to have a modest coming-of-age ceremony... You're not coming, are you?

The sentence felt somewhat poignant. A coming-of-age ceremony is a once-in-a-lifetime event. Naturally, one would want to share this moment with someone dear.

However, Yuri can't meet the dark-haired gentleman yet. Not for another three years at least. Even if she accelerates her studies and graduates early, it would still be a year and a half before they can meet.

So, unfortunately, I'll have to decline attending her coming-of-age ceremony. After all, when I reveal my identity later, it won't matter since I'll tell her I was there. But the thought of disappointing Yuri now weighs on me.

Wait. Strictly speaking, it's not that they can't meet.

A good idea just came to mind. Perhaps I can avoid disappointing Yuri and still keep my identity hidden. I picked up the pen with a faint smile. . . . "Should the coming-of-age ceremony really be held at the church? I've hardly ever been to church in my life, would that be okay?"

Chop, chop.

As Yuri rifled through the clothes in her wardrobe, she fell into deep thought. She wanted something not too flashy but dignified for her coming-of-age ceremony.

"Pfft..."

Suddenly finding her own dilemma amusing, Yuri burst out laughing. Worrying about what to wear for a coming-of-age ceremony seemed like such a trivial concern. Back in the days when her daily survival and the safety of her friends were at stake, she could never have imagined having such worries.

"I always told my friends to hang in there, believing that someday we would see better days."

I never thought I'd be living such a prosperous life... All thanks to the dark-haired gentleman. And...

"Although I hate to admit it... thanks to Aslan Vermont as well."

He had taken good care of Charlotte and Yuliana while they were apart. Not just looking after them, he had poured substantial support into them at a family level.

Of course, Aslan Vermont must have his own motives... Presumably, he was grooming a suitable bride for himself by being so nice... Yet, I couldn't help but feel grateful.

'And lately, he’s even been kind to me...'

Charlotte and Yuliana are practically slaves to the Vermont family, so that much I understand. He owns them, so any support he provides is ultimately an investment in his family. But recently, his attention to me, who is neither slave nor anything significant, just tied by a flimsy contractual relationship, puzzled me.

Why would he care so much for me? Just because he fell for me at first sight? If not...

"Because he’s sponsoring me...?"

Chills. Yuri felt a shiver run through her body.

Could it be that the dark-haired gentleman is Aslan Vermont? It was a suspicion that had started to surface recently.

"Really, it's nonsense, but why do I keep thinking this...?"

Clearly, there's no evidence, and the two are so different it's hard to find any common ground. Yet, Yuri found it hard to explain why such suspicions arose.

"Eh, no way."

Yuri scoffed, trying to quash her suspicions, but she couldn't suppress the hope that they were true.

'If they were the same person...'

This content is taken from freёnovelkiss.com.

I like the dark-haired gentleman. I don’t know his face or name, but I fell for his character through the letters we exchanged after receiving his kindness. He doesn’t seem to recognize me as a woman, but I still like him so much that I’d use any means to meet him right now.

If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.

And Aslan Vermont, clearly, likes me. From the state of his estate and public reputation, he might seem like a scoundrel, but the more I get to know him, the more admirable and respectable he seems. So, his kindness isn't entirely unwelcome.

But when I think of the dark-haired gentleman I can only meet in three years, I can’t fully accept his kindness.

The person I like. And the person who likes me. If these two were the same person... Then this agonizing dilemma would finally end.

'That's too optimistic a thought.'

The suspicion that Aslan Vermont might be the dark-haired gentleman might just be a fantasy I concocted. A desire for them to be the same person manifesting as suspicion. Otherwise, how could such a baseless suspicion feel so intensely intuitive?

Yuri sighed deeply, brushing her chest as if to sweep away the heaviness.

"···!"

Just as she stepped out for a walk to clear her muddled head, Yuri noticed an envelope in the mailbox and quickly returned to her dorm. It had been a while since she received a letter from the dark-haired gentleman! ...Or so she thought.

"Ah."

Discovering the Vermont family seal prominently stamped on the seal, Yuri let out a disappointed sigh. It was a letter from Aslan Vermont. She carelessly tore open the envelope and pulled out the contents.

-I understand you turn sixteen this year. -I heard you don’t know your birthday, but what are your plans for your coming-of-age ceremony? -If you wish, I could host the ceremony for you.

"Look at this... What kind of boss holds a coming-of-age ceremony for just an employee?"

Really, his overwhelming kindness is burdensome... I was a bit, just a tiny bit moved. If it weren't for the dark-haired gentleman, I might have even considered marrying into the Vermont family.

"Good timing, though. I was just going to ask the local church priest to hold a simple ceremony on a day off."

I was planning to just invite Charlotte and Yuliana and keep it short. Thanks to Aslan Vermont, it looks like it will be more like a birthday party. I really should be grateful.

-Just so you know, the costs will be covered by your sponsor, not me, so you don't need to thank me specifically. -And your sponsor asked me to tell you this. When your coming-of-age ceremony takes place, your dark-haired gentleman plans to attend in some way.

"What!?"

Spark! Yuri's eyes widened as she read through the letter without thinking.

The dark-haired gentleman is planning to come to the coming-of-age ceremony? In person? Really? Truly?

"Maybe, this time for sure, I can find out the identity of the dark-haired gentleman...!"

The dark-haired gentleman must be underestimating my memory. I still vividly remember the tall silhouette and the sound of his footsteps I caught a glimpse of last year. There’s no way I wouldn’t recognize him if we met again... Yuri felt a surge of confidence.

"Yes... Okay... Thank you, Count... I'll leave the coming-of-age ceremony to you..."

Yuri hurriedly took out a pen and began writing a response right away. The perfect opportunity to uncover the identity of the dark-haired gentleman! He said he wouldn’t reveal his identity until I graduate. But it doesn’t matter if I figure it out on my own.

Waiting three years just looking at the dark-haired gentleman, or accepting Aslan Vermont’s kindness. If I find the dark-haired gentleman this time, this dilemma of choice will finally end. Yuri clenched her fist, determined to find the dark-haired gentleman.