After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 88
Chapter 88: Time to Confess?
The post-war cleanup and reconstruction of the disaster areas have somehow reached a conclusion, and all that’s left is to return to the capital. It’s a triumphant return, leisurely admiring the serene countryside bathed in warm sunlight. Along the way, villagers await, some cheering, others throwing wildflowers, all expressing gratitude to the soldiers who bravely fought to protect their peace.
“What happened to Count Wolfsburg?”
“Oh, well. I was just a little distracted.”
“You need to be careful. Despite earning honors for surviving that battle, it wouldn’t be funny if you lost your life from a fall off a horse on your way back.”
“Yes, thank you for the warning.”
Dangerous, dangerous… It’s clear to anyone who looks that I was quite distracted.
Indeed, I was. I’ve been absent-minded the whole time, swaying on horseback. While gazing at the blue sky and the white clouds floating above, I’ve been pondering… It’s about time I confess to my fiancées that I’m not the beloved Lutz boy they’ve known since childhood, but rather a retiree who’s had a strange life experience in another world.
Among all the time spent touching hearts and bodies, Ayaka, who has spent the most time in physical contact, has naturally noticed or, I should say, shown signs. She often comments, “Lutz-sama feels more mature than he looks,” or “Sometimes he looks like an Easterner rather than what he appears to be,” while casting curious glances my way. Although she seems to refrain from delving deeper, preferring to maintain her modest demeanor and uphold the virtue of honoring men, I can’t keep taking advantage of her kindness forever.
Wise Beatrice has long since seen through the various unconventional ideas I’ve presented, realizing they’re things people in this medieval world wouldn’t conceive of. Although there are times when a questioning light flickers in her emerald eyes… she never interrogates me. Using her “Eyes of the Spirit” skill to pry into everything would expose my lies, but Beatrice refrains from doing so. Despite the impression her cold demeanor may give, she’s a kind, ordinary girl. While I’m aware I’m taking advantage of her kindness… rather than succumbing to the temptation of using her “Eyes of the Spirit,” it’s my duty as her fiancé to confess before she does.
And finally, even the straightforward, not-so-thoughtful Gretel has noticed.
On that day, after exchanging a deep kiss for the second time, she muttered with her breath still uneven while avoiding eye contact.
“It seems like Lutz wasn’t the same Lutz I played with since I was little. Even though I’ve been telling myself that nothing has changed except for the loss of old memories… I realized today. I never felt such a tremendous power when we touched before the fall from the horse.”
“T-That’s…”
This was also my oversight. Before I took over, little Lutz was constantly being clingy with this childhood friend. Since we were both children, it was only natural for there to be physical contact between us. Gretel, who doesn’t think deeply, is incredibly sensitive to changes she feels in her body… It’s quite natural for her to notice the difference between then and now.
“Don’t worry, I love the Lutz in front of me just as much, if not more than the Lutz I knew before. So, you don’t have to force yourself to say anything now… When you’ve sorted out your feelings, let me know.”
Unable to resist her adorable words spoken with wet eyes, I hugged her again involuntarily. But by not being able to deny her words on the spot, I’m sure her internal doubts have turned into certainty.
I’m about to turn fifteen soon.
Once I turn fifteen and become an adult, Beatrice, Gretel, and I, as fiancées, will officially hold the wedding ceremony… and finally start making babies. Before that, it wouldn’t be fair if they didn’t know the real me. They might be angry when they find out they’ve been deceived, but it’s better than losing their trust after marriage.
Ah, the reason I’m agonizing over this is because I’ve fallen for those beautiful fiancées of mine… It’s the fear of losing them. Somehow, I’ve been labeled as the main wife or concubine without my consent, but being the easily infatuated person I am, I’ve already fallen in love with them. Beatrice, Gretel, Ayaka… They’re essential parts of the life I’m going to lead in this world.
Alright, once we return to the capital, I’ll tell Beatrice and the others the truth. It’s an outrageous story, and I don’t know if they’ll believe me… But anyway, they need to know this, or we won’t be able to start anew.
I’ve finally made up my mind.