Inside Ethan’s Room…
Lily sat on Ethan’s lap and looked at him with an affectionate gaze.
“I missed you,” Lily said softly.
“I missed you too, Lily,” Ethan replied.
The handsome young man then wrapped his arms around her waist before pressing his lips to hers.
The two shared a long, sweet kiss, baring their feelings for each other.
When the kiss ended, Lily rested her head on Ethan’s shoulder, and his arms were still holding her close to him.
“How are you?” Ethan asked. “Did your Fans Club miss you?”
“Jealous?” Lily asked as her hand lightly caressed Ethan’s chest.
“A bit.”
“Good.”
Lily smiled as she closed her eyes, enjoying Ethan’s warmth and presence. It had been several days since they arrived at the academy, yet they never had a chance to be with each other behind closed doors.
“My entire Manor already knows the story about how we traveled to the past,” Lily explained. “Of course, I told them that we were just two people swept up by the series of events that happened in the Lands of Alastor. I didn’t tell them that you were the Tide Bringer. I only told them that you were his sidekick.”
A giggle escaped Lily’s lips, which made Ethan shake his head helplessly.
“Also, they kept on pestering me about what our relationship is,” Lily added. “Have you heard the rumors that are spreading as of late? They’ve turned it into an epic love story between us who overcame all odds just to be together and return to the present.” 𝒐𝒱𝓁xt.𝑐𝞸𝓂
“Well, they’re not wrong. Just misinformed,” Ethan replied. “About our relationship—what did you tell them?”
“I’ll tell you if you kiss me again.”
“You’re acting spoiled.”
“Spoil me.”
Ethan smiled and obeyed, kissing the cutest girl in the academy thrice to make her happy.
“I told them that we are more than friends but less than lovers,” Lily answered. Satisfied with Ethan’s kisses. “Also, I told them that you confessed to me, and said that I would only accept you as my lover once you become a Magistratus.”
Ethan sighed. “You’re making things more complicated.”
“Well, if I told them that you never made a move on me, wouldn’t that make our relationship more suspicious?” Lily asked back. “Also, my honor and dignity would have taken a hit if I told them that you didn’t fall for my charm. I can’t let that happen. In everyone’s eyes, I am the cute and popular Lily. I can’t ruin my image.”
“I guess I will just have to punish you then,” Ethan said with a devilish smile on his face.
“… I should have asked to meet you outside the academy.” Lily smiled bitterly. “I didn’t bring extra underwear, and there are two witches trying to eavesdrop outside of this room, so we can’t do anything too intimate. Next time, I will ask my Raven to send you a message to meet up at Limeburgh Town.”
Ethan nodded. “Sounds like a plan.”
Both knew that they couldn’t spend too long “talking in private” because there were eyes following Lily’s every move in the academy.
“Tell me, have you talked to Chloe and Luna about us?” Lily inquired.
This was one of the reasons she had come to visit Ethan. She hadn’t met with him for the past few days out of consideration so that he’d have enough time to sort out his feelings with the two young ladies who had always been with him.
“I did,” Ethan replied.
“How did Chloe react?” Lily asked. “Did she hate you? I’m guessing she did. As for Luna… she is a noble, so she will be more understanding. Men with influence, power, and money tend to have more leeway when it comes to the number of lovers they can have. Unfortunately, you don’t have those things right now.”
Ethan nodded in agreement. He was just a country bumpkin, and right now, he neither had influence, power, nor money.
The money he received from the Academy as a monthly stipend was good, but compared to the money that the nobles in the Magical World had, it was a pitiful amount.
As for power… well, his power had conditions attached to it, so he couldn’t say that he was powerful.
Influence? Aside from being handsome and being able to use Partial Resonance, he still hadn’t formed connections with powerful magical families who could help him in his time of need.
“Chloe didn’t like it,” Ethan replied. “Even now, I think she has her reservations. However, she told me that she wanted to talk to you with Luna.”
“Oh? Since she wants to talk to me, then it means that she is considering it.” Lily chuckled. “You are loved, Ethan. I’m glad I took your first.”
“Well, I took your first too, so I have to take responsibility.”
“And you will. Otherwise, my father will skin you alive. He can be a bit scary, you know?”
The two talked as they cuddled with each other while being mindful of the time.
Several minutes later, Lily told Ethan her second reason for visiting him in the Dud Manor.
“Before I came here, I had a meeting with the Headmaster in his office,” Lily stated. “Kurt was with me, and he told us about the student exchange program of Nightfall Academy. Since he plans to send two pillars, he wanted to ask us if we are interested in going.
“Ethan, although I wish to go, I can’t. My family will not allow me to challenge a Legacy Gate right after leaving a Nexus. They can be overprotective at times, but they only wish the best for me. I’m sorry, but I can’t go with you.”
Lily’s tone was sad. Clearly, she’d been meaning to spend more time with Ethan, especially after developing their relationship in the Lands of Alastor.
“How about Kurt?” Ethan asked. “Did he agree?”
“No.” Lily smiled. “He said that he didn’t want to be in the same group as you. It seems he still carries a grudge after you defeated him in the Clash of Manors.”
“Is he even the type of person who carries a grudge?” Ethan asked with genuine curiosity.
The young lady pondered for a bit before shaking her head.
“No,” Lily answered. “He does seem too casual about it. I think he’s just too lazy to care about the Student Exchange Program.”
“So that leaves only one other candidate…” Ethan smiled.
“Mmm.” Lily hummed. “Nicole. Knowing her, she will jump at this opportunity. That girl is a battle junkie. That’s also why I avoid her like a plague.”
Ethan chuckled because he wholeheartedly agreed with his “wife”. Just an hour ago, Nicole was pestering him to have another spar with him.
If not for the fact that he had spent the year constantly training and fighting against Monsters and Warriors in the Lands of Alastor, he wouldn’t stand a chance of winning against her.
But now… it was different.
Ethan had overcome some of his weaknesses, as well as gained a bit of maturity during the war against the Necromancer.
This was why his view on things changed.
Just like how he dealt with Langston when the latter taunted him. The past Ethan might have challenged him in a duel just to prove a point.
However, the current Ethan could see the bigger picture and had the confidence to handle this sort of thing with grace.
“Well, then. I need to go and talk to my future ‘sisters’,” Lily said before pecking Ethan’s lips thrice. “We need to create countermeasures to screen the last two women that will join our family. Also, we need to create a surefire way to prevent you from cheating on us.”
“Very well, Princess,” Ethan replied. “Make sure to lock this prince in a cage.”
“Don’t worry. We will tie you to our bed with ropes if we have to.”
“… Just do things in moderation, okay?”
Lily giggled before reluctantly standing up to walk towards the door.
Her time was up, and in order to prevent future problems, it was necessary for her to talk to Chloe and Luna.
She needed to make sure that these two young ladies, who supported Ethan, would not leave the side of the man she loved.