The Academy’s Weakest Became A Demon-Limited Hunter
Chapter 358: Side Story — King Carlos

“Where did you go with Luce yesterday?” while I was working in the office, Dorothy, who was sitting at the desk next to mine, asked with half-open eyes.

“We just went somewhere to hang out. It’s a bit hard to explain.”

“Why?”

Yesterday, I spent an intimate time with Luce in the basement of an annex far from the main building.

We lost track of time, simply indulging in each other.

There was no need to explain the time we spent to the attendants since Luce had already mentioned that she would be spending time with me outside the palace.

It made sense why there wasn’t much commotion in the palace regarding my whereabouts.

Naturally, that news had also reached Dorothy’s ears.

She probably already knows my feelings… but it’s hard to answer honestly.

I scratched my cheek lightly.

It’s impossible to hide the truth from Dorothy. She sees right through my emotions.

But directly saying, “We had an intimate moment in the annex,” would just give her an excuse to interrogate me.

Especially since my fiancés had this superficial pact of premarital chastity.

“It’s a secret. Just like I don’t brag about what we did on our trip.”

I smiled gently and met Dorothy’s gaze.

“That… ugh.”

Dorothy folded her arms and pondered.

She must have already guessed.

If Luce and I spent time alone, what happened would be as obvious as the back of her hand. Just like when Dorothy and I went on a trip and shared affectionate moments.

She doesn’t like it, as expected.

Oh dear.

Even though I had established the harem I longed for, it still felt like walking on a tightrope.

Especially since Dorothy and Luce tended to show subtle wariness toward each other, like a bomb that might explode with the slightest nudge.

I could only hope they’d get used to the harem arrangement soon.

If Alice were here, managing things would be much easier…

It would still be a while before Alice returned.

I missed her even more today.

“Ugh, I don’t like it…”

Dorothy scrunched her face and cast her eyes down, sulking. Then she glared at me with a pouty expression.

It was troublesome, but it was better that she expressed her genuine emotions rather than pretending nothing was wrong.

Back in our academy days, Dorothy often hid her feelings and pretended to be cheerful, which left me wondering, “What’s wrong?” more than a few times.

…Wait, but this.

It’s adorable…

My train of thought quickly shifted.

Can someone be this cute?

Just seeing Dorothy’s pouty face felt like a continuous, powerful blow to my heart.

Huuk!

I buried my face into Dorothy’s stomach and wrapped my arms around her slender waist.

“Nyah…!”

Dorothy flinched at my unexpected action and let out a strange squeal.

“Ssss, haa.”

“What the! I-It tickles…!”

Through the fabric, I took a deep breath near Dorothy’s navel, and the scent of her clothing filled my nostrils.

Dorothy quickly softened her expression and giggled quietly.

She wrapped her arms around the back of my head, kicking her legs lightly and tapping the desk in a cute rhythm.

“You startled me, President.”

“You’re seriously too cute…”

Since I started dating, I found myself blurting out cheesy expressions of affection without hesitation, and happiness bubbled up within me.

When I rubbed my face against Dorothy’s stomach, she giggled playfully.

“Nihihi. You rascal, are you trying to embarrass me?”

Her teasing question was full of affection.

Dorothy’s chest covered the top of my head, radiating warmth. She was holding me preciously.

After spending some time cuddling, Dorothy stopped bringing up Luce.

Though unintended, it was a good outcome nonetheless.

“I’m pregnant.”

It happened while I was doing strength training, shirtless, in the private training ground.

Luce, who had been watching me, suddenly made the comment, and I lost my balance and fell over.

“…”

I was briefly startled but soon realized that what she said wasn’t true.

“How would you know that already?”

I gave an awkward laugh and looked at Luce. She was stroking her stomach with a faint smile.

It had only been a few days since Luce and I had been intimate. It was far too soon to confirm a pregnancy.

“It’s going to happen anyway.”

“It hasn’t yet…”

“Just accept it quietly. Soon, our first daughter Adriana will be inside me. Congratulations on becoming a dad, Isaac.”

“Tell me when it happens. This feels like making a fuss over nothing, it might not even happen yet.”

Of course, I was ready to celebrate when it was confirmed. I just didn’t want to jump the gun over something that hadn’t happened yet.

As I stood up, Luce suddenly approached and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I stared blankly at Luce, and she covered her mouth with her hand and whispered in a sultry voice, “It might not happen? Then shall we make it certain, right here?”

Her tone sent a pleasant chill through my ears.

Since her first experience, she had been making bold remarks like this with an unbothered expression.

Of course, it was adorable. I couldn’t help but smile.

But now wasn’t the time to spend happy moments with Luce.

“I have an appointment later, so I can’t.”

“There’s still some time, though…”

I didn’t respond to Luce’s protest, simply waving my hand as I left the training ground. An attendant waiting outside wiped me down with a towel and helped me dress.

I could feel Luce’s gaze on the back of my head, but it couldn’t be helped.

Today was the day I was to meet King Carlos, and I wasn’t confident I could end an affectionate moment with Luce quickly before his arrival.

“I have come to see the Emperor.”

King Carlos of the Zelver Kingdom visited the imperial palace, accompanied by his royal guards. Responding to his formal greeting, I reciprocated warmly.

We sat facing each other in a meticulously decorated reception room.

Frost Knight Morcan and Zelver’s royal guard Jacule Calix stood as the respective lead guards by the entrance to the reception room.

“Father-in-law, there’s no need for formality here,” I spoke with a smile while sipping the tea brought by an attendant.

A small smile appeared on King Carlos’ face.

“Father-in-law… it has a nice ring to it.”

His words were warm and polite.

It seemed King Carlos still wanted to treat me as a superior.

Even as my father-in-law, he seemed intent on maintaining a clear hierarchy of power.

Still, it was slightly uncomfortable.

“In that case, may I refer to the Emperor as ‘son-in-law’?”

Huh? He already…

“Didn’t you already refer to me as ‘my son-in-law’ in your previous letter?”

“That was just part of the boasting I do these days. Even now, I wake up every morning asking myself, ‘Who is my son-in-law?’ Just saying it makes me so pleased.”

“Don’t you get tired of it?”

“I never tire of it. It’s thrilling. Always feels new.”

“Ah…”

I suddenly imagined King Carlos waking up in the morning sunlight, gazing out the window, and asking himself, “Who is my son-in-law?”

In that imagination, his face lit up with a smirk as he mulled over who his son-in-law was, showing not the slightest trace of concern for the future.

Well, that’s something…

It felt nice, but should I say it was a bit overwhelming…?

“Hehe,” an awkward laugh escaped my lips. For some reason, goosebumps rose on my arm.

“Thank you, Father-in-law. I’m honored.”

“Honored, you say? I should be the one saying so. The Emperor’s affection for my daughter is, and will continue to be, an indescribable honor for the Elfieto royal family.”

From then on, we exchanged many unnecessary cordialities.

It seemed he was trying to avoid talking about state matters, perhaps to ease my burden.

Of course, those words were merely preludes.

“…White received proposals from all over the world for her beauty. But none of them pleased me…! Amid that, to think White caught the Emperor’s heart. I couldn’t be happier.”

“Is that so…”

Naturally, King Carlos mainly talked about White, and I responded with a smile.

“So… Emperor,” while we were deep in conversation, King Carlos carefully lowered his voice.

Though he kept smiling, his gaze turned serious.

“May I, as your father-in-law, make one request?”

“Please speak freely.”

Is this the main point?

I decided to listen attentively.

“What do you think about moving up the wedding date with White?”

“Pardon?”

The wedding date?

It had been scheduled for next year…

“Why the sudden suggestion…?”

“I heard that the Emperor decided on a wedding next year because it aligns with White’s graduation from the academy. I wondered if there might be another reason, but I can only see it as an act of your thoughtful consideration.”

That was true. It was purely a simple decision.

To confirm King Carlos’ assumption, I explained briefly.

“Well, yes… White is already a third-year student. She should finish her studies and graduate with honors. Marrying during her studies might distract her. Besides, we plan to travel together and hold a celebration after the wedding. For various reasons, it seemed better to schedule the wedding after her graduation.”

“That’s fine. Actually, as her father, I’ve heard something from her…”

King Carlos looked down at his teacup as he spoke, “White seems eager to marry the Emperor as soon as possible. I heard she felt too shy to bring it up directly.”

“Ah.”

“Advancing the wedding date wouldn’t harm White’s future. On the contrary, I’m deeply grateful for every little consideration you’ve shown her.”

King Carlos chuckled heartily.

There was no falsehood in his words.

It seemed White truly wished to unite with me as soon as possible while still young.

I’m glad to hear that, but…

However, after using [Psychological Insight], I discerned the hidden intention behind King Carlos’ words.

“…Understood. Advancing the wedding date is fine with me.”

There was no issue.

In fact, I was eager to see the women I loved in their white wedding dresses as soon as possible.

While white wedding dresses weren’t part of this culture, I had decided to introduce them.

Seeing my wives in their wedding dresses was a monumental event.

“Thank you. Haha…”

After exchanging laughter, I sipped the rest of my tea.

This man…

His hidden intention.

King Carlos must have heard from White about the premarital chastity agreement among my fiancés.

Unlike White, who believed in the agreement sincerely, King Carlos had grasped the true meaning behind it.

If the wedding was postponed until next year, and White focused on her academy life…

He must have judged that there was a high possibility that the other four fiancés would claim me before next year.

There was no way he would tolerate his daughter being outdone by my other wives.

“Emperor, if I may, I humbly ask…”

King Carlos smiled kindly and spoke sincerely, “Please take good care of my daughter, Snow White.”

“…Of course. I will make her happy, Father-in-law.”

King Carlos’s smile was purely that of a father.

A week later.

“I’m off!”

Something came up, so I took the opportunity to visit White as I headed to the Märchen Academy.