Chapter 140: Epilogue - A Silent Competition (Final)

The new semester had begun.

And with it, we were on our way to the academy in a carriage.

Everyone insisted on riding in the same carriage as me, so here we all were, crowded into one.

Keirsey naturally claimed the seat beside me. Since she was carrying my child, I found myself caring for her even more than before.

Keirsey seemed completely content with the situation—her smile hadn’t left her face for a second.

Even though her belly had started to swell and discomfort was inevitable, or that morning sickness should’ve made her miserable, she acted like as long as she had my love, nothing else mattered.

“Oppa, kiss.”

Keirsey puckered her lips at me whenever she got bored. Everyone tried to be understanding since she was pregnant, but Asena, the embodiment of jealousy, was clearly reaching her limit.

“Tone it down.”

Asena snapped sharply.

“...Huh?”

“How much more are you going to ask of him?”

Keirsey leaned her head against my shoulder and looked at Asena with wide, innocent eyes.

Asena clenched her fists and continued.

“...We agreed not to be all lovey-dovey when it’s just us.”

“But... I’m pregnant. Can’t you cut me a little slack?”

“...Then why make the promise in the first—”

“—Unni, just get pregnant too. Then you can be like me.”

“............”

I couldn’t help but be impressed.

“...Oh…”

It had been a long time since I’d seen Asena lose a verbal spar.

She glared at Keirsey, then turned her gaze toward me.

Her eyes sparkled with the signature greed of a Praister.

It was as if I could hear her thinking, “Fine. If I get pregnant too…”

Asena turned her head and stared out the window.

Then Daisy chimed in.

“Alright, everyone. Let’s get along, okay? There’s no need to compete—we’ll all get what we want in the end.”

She smiled as she spoke.

Then, almost casually, she brought her left hand up to cover her mouth. The ring on her fourth finger caught the light and sparkled.

“........”

I looked at Daisy. I wasn’t sure if she’d just subtly shown off her ring on purpose or if it was an accident. I couldn’t tell.

Tap.

“....?”

I felt something brush against my leg.

It was Judy. She too was staring out the window like Asena, but her leg kept tapping mine.

Tap.

It was obvious—she was trying to get my attention without letting the others know.

“What is it, Judy?”

So, I decided to tease her and responded out loud.

“Ah…!”

She flinched and immediately looked around at the other women, clearly nervous that her little plan had been exposed.

I burst out laughing.

Seeing me laugh so happily made the others in the carriage start to smile one by one. Even Asena.

Soon, we arrived at the academy.

Mels blew his trumpet, announcing our arrival.

I could see the students outside the carriage turning to look our way with interest.

Eventually, the horses came to a stop, and the carriage followed suit.

Before the coachman could even open the door, I pushed it open myself.

Then, I reached out my hand to Keirsey.

Wearing a smug grin, she gently took my hand and stepped down the stairs slowly.

Truth be told, her belly wasn’t showing enough yet for people to notice, nor was it so uncomfortable that she couldn’t handle a few steps—but I wanted to do everything for her while I still could.

As soon as Keirsey’s feet touched the ground, she leaped into my arms.

“Hehehehe…”

“What’s got you so happy?”

“You know.”

“......”

She was right. I did know.

I held Keirsey in a long, tight embrace.

Next came Judy.

She stepped close, looking flustered, and started scolding me for earlier.

“Cayden…! W-why would you do that earlier?!”

“Do what?”

“You know what...!”

She whispered frantically. I shrugged.

“Judy, you really need to stop doing that.”

“...Doing what?”

“Always worrying about what the others think. You’re my wife too, remember?”

“...Huh?”

“Honestly, if any of them had to pick who they respect the most, it’d be you. Everyone knows you saved my life.”

“........”

Judy’s face showed no sign of recovering from the surprise.

It was only then that I realized—

This wasn’t what Judy needed to hear.

So, I pulled her into my arms and spoke softly.

“...Stand tall. I love you.”

“.........”

Judy’s face flushed red, and after a moment, she finally nodded.

Next, Daisy stepped down from the carriage.

“Haah, Cayden. We’re finally here at the academy.”

“Yeah. Are you feeling alright? Any discomfort?”

“You should’ve asked Lady Keirsey that first.”

“Well, from now on, I’ll be staying close to check on her constantly.”

“...From now on?”

“Yes.”

Daisy’s expression shifted ever so slightly. She nodded in apparent agreement, but her face showed a hint of something unsettled.

“Cayden?”

She called out to me.

“Yes?”

“...You remember what we talked about before? I’ve been thinking about it... Let’s talk later.”

“What are you talking about?”

She leaned in closer, bringing her face near mine and whispering softly.

“...About... the whole mating thing... at the academy...”

“......”

“Step aside, Daisy.”

A cold voice cut in from behind her.

It was Asena.

Her face was still rigid and cold.

“Oppa, you keep forgetting.”

Asena stepped forward, stopping just a hand’s breadth in front of me.

The woman once feared as the most ruthless villainess in the world, the head of House Praister.

At the same time, my adorable little sister—

And my loving wife.

She never showed emotions to anyone else, but to me, she laid everything bare.

She looked up at me and said—

“You’re supposed to love me the most.”

The other women flinched at her words.

Especially Keirsey, whose expression turned visibly sharp.

“That’s the only way peace can be kept between us. You understand?”

“..........”

Asena’s charisma instantly seized the air around us.

I froze for a moment, unsure how to respond.

And then—

She smiled.

It was subtle.

But for someone like Asena, who rarely let anything show, even a small smile drew everyone’s attention.

“...I’m just joking.”

The others might’ve believed her.

They might’ve thought Asena was actually teasing us—especially since she smiled.

But I knew better.

Because I was the one looking straight into her eyes.

...That wasn’t a joke.

In a flash, Asena reached for me.

She pulled me in by the back of my neck and head, and pressed her lips against mine.

There was no one in this world who knew my lips, my mouth, better than Asena.

As if she were returning home, she slipped her tongue in, deep and deliberate, locking us into a thick, passionate kiss.

“Pwah…!”

She pulled away with a sultry breath, then casually wiped her lips and looked at me with cool composure.

This woman—who never showed affection openly, especially not in front of Keirsey—had just acted so boldly.

“I’m the head of the House Praister. So I figured... now and then, I need to stamp my seal where everyone can see it.”

She said with calm confidence—

“...I love you, oppa. You’re mine.”

Faced with this devilish woman’s declaration,

I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

---The End Of The Chapter---