Chương 28: Short Story: You're Too Dangerous To Be Left Alive
For Days I won't update. I decided to compensate with a bunch of omakes or a short story, please enjoy.
After an awkward conversation and some serious realizations, Nozel found himself pacing down the halls of the Silva mansion, heading toward a private wing.
He stopped outside a door, took a deep breath, and knocked softly. Thud, thud, thud.
Moments passed, but no answer came. After checking that no one else was around, he leaned his forehead against the door and spoke quietly.
"Dorothy, I know you're back. Can I come in?"
Still no response. He sighed, adding, "I'm not leaving until you let me in. I'll stay here all night if I have to."
A minute later, the door opened just a crack, revealing his fiancée. Dorothy kept her head lowered, avoiding his gaze, and quietly retreated to her bed.
As he stepped in, Nozel took in her room. So colorful, he thought, almost laughing at the sight. It was as if she'd taken her Glamour World and painted it all over the walls—lavender and pink swirled everywhere, along with an assortment of plushies, stuffies, and pillows decorated with bunnies, bears, and other cute creatures.
She really likes cute things, he mused. Maybe that should be the theme for my engagement gift.
He turned his gaze to her, sitting on her bed with her head still lowered. Nozel felt a blush creeping onto his face as he realized she wasn't in her usual attire but a nightgown that was slightly… sheer. Fighting to keep his eyes focused on her face, he moved unceremoniously forward and sat beside her on the edge of the bed.
Dorothy tensed, visibly trembling. He must think I'm a freak.
"Purple hair and blue eyes," he said softly.
Huh? Dorothy raised her head, only to find Nozel scratching his cheek, a faint blush tinging his ears. He repeated, "If… no, when we have kids, I hope they take after you. With your hair and eye color."
Nozel looked at her again, only to see Dorothy's face flushed as red as a tomato. She lowered her head, murmuring just loud enough for him to hear. "I-I hope they have p-purple eyes… and silver hair."
Nozel nodded, slightly flustered. "L-like Mother—"
"No!" Dorothy cut him off, startling him. She then softened, clarifying with a shy smile, "I love Mom, but I mean… like you. Their father. You have silver hair and purple eyes too, you know." She pouted, a hint of playfulness in her gaze.
Now it was Nozel's turn to blush deeply, an awkward gulp escaping him. "O-okay."
They sat in silence for a moment before Nozel awkwardly stood up. "I-I should be going now… Good night—"
"Nozel." Dorothy's hand shot out, clutching his sleeve. She forced herself to meet his eyes, her voice barely a whisper. "D-do you… want to s-sleep here tonight?"
Nozel stumbled backward, his poise unraveling. "H-huh?!"
Before he could say anything else, Dorothy's magic took over, swirling him into a vortex of purple and pink that spat him back right in front of her. She grabbed his collar, pulling him close, their faces mere inches apart.
"J-just sleeping, n-nothing else!" Dorothy stammered, her face burning. "W-we can save… all that for after the wedding. B-besides, w-we'll be expected to sleep in the same bed after our engagement, right? T-this is… practice." She nodded to herself, as if convincing herself it was all perfectly reasonable.
Speechless, all Nozel could do was nod. "O-okay… just for tonight."
At Galen Heights:
Just as Blue Eagle was about to explain their next move, Fanzell, Lotus, Gray Wolf, and Green Owl watched him suddenly freeze, his entire body tensing as if he'd been hit by a jolt.
Gray Wolf's voice crackled through his mask, the emotionless tone a result of the voice changer, though a trace of concern was clear. "Mast—Blue Eagle, is something the matter?"
Blue Eagle took a deep breath, visibly steadying himself, then replied in an oddly robotic tone, "I sensed… a disturbance in the force."
"Huh?" Fanzell and Lotus exchanged looks, their brows furrowed in complete confusion. The masked duo, Gray Wolf and Green Owl, also glanced at each other in disbelief. But before anyone could question him, Blue Eagle's expression shifted from stoic to furious, his fists clenched.
"Some punk is putting the moves on my daughter!" Blue Eagle suddenly roared, the voice changer doing nothing to mask his indignation.
Fanzel, Lotus, Gray Wolf, and Green Owl froze in place, shock and confusion plastered on their faces as they tried to process what he'd just said.
Nebra sat quietly, watching her mother, who was propped up in bed with little Noelle in her lap. Mother seems to be doing better these days. She can even sit up and hold Noelle again! Nebra felt a rush of warmth, clutching a comb in her hand. Maybe I can ask her to brush my hair… like she used to.
But she hesitated, stopping herself. No, that would be selfish. Mother is still so sick; I shouldn't trouble her. She sighed, glancing to the other side of the bed, where Solid was awkwardly trying to get Noelle's attention, making faces to make her smile. Even my little brother is trying to make things right with her, even if she probably didn't even notice him glaring back then. And here I am, afraid to even talk to her… Some big sister I am. I don't deserve to ask for something so selfish.
As Nebra convinced herself with a quiet nod, the door behind them swung open softly.
"F-father." She and Solid immediately stood, about to salute him, but their father's unimpressed stare stopped them in their tracks, and they settled back down with a casual nod. He smiled, satisfied, and returned the nod.
Sebastian walked over to the bed, his smile softening as he ruffled Noelle's hair, causing her to clap at him happily (and causing Solid to pout). He then turned to Acier, giving her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Acier?"
"Yes?" she responded, raising an eyebrow, sensing something on his mind.
Sebastian took a deep breath. "...Where is Nozel?"
Acier blinked, surprised. "I think he's in the garden with Dorothy."
"I see…" Sebastian clenched his fists, muttering to himself, What a good kid. Damn thief. He took a moment to compose himself, then said with forced calm, "Our son makes quite the competent lover, doesn't he?" Acier nodded proudly, while Solid and Nebra glanced at each other, embarrassed.
"He does," Sebastian nodded again, barely masking his irritation. Almost too good!
After a pause, he straightened up. "I have business with him. I'll leave you all to it."
"...Okay?" Acier replied, a bit unsure.
Sebastian turned toward the door but paused when he noticed Nebra clutching the comb tightly in her hand. He narrowed his eyes, observing her slightly untidy hair and her shy glances toward her mother. This kid… He let out a quiet chuckle. Children should act like children. There's no need for her to be so considerate—it's just sad.
He walked back to Nebra and tapped her shoulder, making her jump.
"Y-yes, Father?" she stammered, surprised, as the room turned its attention toward them.
Sebastian held out his hand expectantly. "Give it here. I'll do it."
Nebra blinked, cocking her head. "Do what?"
He held her gaze patiently. "I'll comb your hair."
The room fell silent. Solid and Nebra stared, wide-eyed, while Acier's expression softened with guilt, realizing she hadn't even noticed Nebra's disheveled hair. She moved to handoff Noelle from her lap, ready to brush Nebra's hair herself, but before she could, Sebastian had already taken the comb.
Still stunned, Nebra barely processed his words as he instructed her to sit in front of her mother's dresser, which she did robotically. Sebastian moved behind her, carefully undoing her hair bands, letting her hair fall free. Nebra froze, her heart pounding as he gently ran the comb through her hair, his left hand steadying it.
Does Father do his own hair? both she and Solid wondered, watching him work. It was the only explanation they could think of; many noblemen were particular about their hair, some even applying makeup despite church disapproval. And though neither sibling had ever seen Sebastian fuss over himself, they rarely saw him enough to know all his habits.
Acier watched with a mix of surprise and fondness as Sebastian continued, occasionally glancing at him with a soft complicated smile as he smoothed Nebra's hair. Once Sebastian had combed it thoroughly, he reached into the drawer, pulling out a hair ribbon and tying her hair into a ponytail, just like her mother's. A wave of nostalgia washed over him. I used to take care of my little sister… back when it was just the two of us after our parents were gone. Combing hair? That's easy.
He finished, catching Nebra's shocked reflection in the mirror. He coughed, slightly awkward. "It's… the first time, so I didn't know what style you'd want. I just copied your mother's. You can have her fix it if—"
"No!" Nebra's voice rang out, surprising everyone. Noelle let out a tiny whine, protesting the loudness. But Nebra only turned around in her seat, looking up at her father with wide, shining eyes. "I-I love it." Without warning, she flung her arms around him, wrapping him in an awkward but heartfelt hug. "T-thank you… Dad."
Sebastian stiffened, but after a moment, a warm smile crossed his face, and he patted her head, hugging her back for a second before letting her go. They both turned to see the rest of the family watching them with various expressions: Solid looked shocked, Noelle pointed at them with a giggle, and Acier was beaming.
Sebastian cleared his throat, stood up, and walked to the door. "I have things to do." He closed it behind him, leaving Nebra alone with her family's stares.
Ignoring them, Nebra turned back to the mirror, looking at her hair. She couldn't resist twirling it in her fingers, a soft smile tugging at her lips.
Silva Garden:
Nozel and Dorothy strolled through the private garden, all the awkwardness between them from the night before now a distant memory. They enjoyed the peaceful silence, exchanging soft smiles, until footsteps caught their attention.
Dorothy's eyes lit up as she greeted cheerfully, "Hey, Dad!" She skipped over to Sebastian, who smiled softly and patted her head over her witch hat.
"Father," Nozel greeted with a respectful nod, unaware of the tight smile Sebastian was giving him. Dorothy was too happy to notice anything unusual.
After a moment, Sebastian turned back to Dorothy, his expression gentler. "Dorothy, why don't you go visit your mom and siblings for a bit? I need to talk to Nozel."
"Alright." Dorothy nodded without a second thought—she had no reason to suspect anything. She turned and gave Nozel a small, warm smile, which he returned, neither of them noticing Sebastian grinding his teeth.
With a swirl of pink and purple, Dorothy teleported away, leaving Sebastian and Nozel alone in the garden.
"Is something the matter, Father?" Nozel asked.
Sebastian didn't answer right away. Instead, he spoke softly, "You and Dorothy seem to be getting along well."
Nozel nodded, a satisfied look crossing his face.
Sebastian's eyebrow twitched as he forced himself to sound casual. "Did… anything happen between you two while I was away?"
Nozel's face reddened briefly, but he coughed and looked away, maintaining his composure. "Not at all."
Sebastian's smile turned slightly unsettling. "I see. Actually, I'm curious about something."
"What is it, Father?" Nozel folded his hands behind his back, looking attentive.
"Your mother mentioned that on the day you and Dorothy met, you took her for a walk around the estate. What exactly did the two of you do during that walk?" Sebastian's tone grew sharp, his gaze probing.
Nozel looked at him blankly. "I was just showing her around, like any proper host."
Sebastian's eyes widened slightly, finding no trace of deceit. But he pressed further, his voice laced with irritation. "Yes, I understand. But… besides that, what else did you do?"
"What else?" Nozel looked genuinely puzzled. "Was there anything else to do?"
Is he playing dumb on purpose? Sebastian took a steadying breath, his tone turning more pointed. "What exactly did you do that made her warm up to you so quickly?"
Nozel blinked as realization dawned on him. He scratched his cheek awkwardly, then looked his father in the eye, his voice solemn. "That's between me and my wife."
Sebastian's eye twitched, his forced smile becoming dangerously tight. Your wife? She's not your wife yet, you—
Suppressing his anger, he relaxed his expression and changed the subject. "So, how's your training going?"
"Fine," Nozel replied, but his tone hardened as he clenched his fists. "But it's not enough. I need to grow stronger."
Sebastian's expression softened slightly. "Not bad. How about we head to my private gym and spar?"
Nozel blinked in surprise, pointing at himself and his father. "Spar? With you? But… Father, you're a support mage—it wouldn't be much of a fight."
Sebastian merely patted his shoulder, unaffected. "I know a thing or two. I'm decent at defense; it would give you a chance to test your attack spells."
"Alright." Nozel nodded, finding the suggestion reasonable. The two of them made their way to Sebastian's private underground training facility.
It seemed like a heartwarming father-son bonding moment—until ten minutes later.
Nozel lay sprawled on the stone podium, coughing up mouthfuls of water, drenched and disoriented. Through his blurry vision, he looked up to see Sebastian standing over him, smiling with a dangerous glint in his eye.
"F-Father, w-why?" Nozel gasped. I thought he had changed, that we were family now. And why is he this strong? Is he really a support mage?
Sebastian's smile remained as he spoke evenly. "Son, you know what you did."
Pausing a moment Sebastian continued. "Now tell me what happened between you and Dorothy." He ordered.
Nozel's eyes turned bloodshot, as he spoke defiantly. "Never!!!!"
Sebastian sighed before looking down at his son. "I'm sorry little one."
Nozel, still reeling, struggled to understand. "W-what are you talking about?"
Sebastian sighed, his face softening, but his voice resolute. "The hardest choices require the strongest of wills, Nozel. For my daughter's purity… you must disappear."
Your… rizz is too dangerous—it's over 9000!
"Haaghhh!" Nozel gasped as another faceful of water hit him, leaving him sputtering on the ground.
Authors Notes:
[1] No update for today, you should receive a new chapter every day for the rest of the week, and no updates on the weekend because I have an exam Monday
[2] If you want to hang out with this growing community, and give your input and ideas on this story feel free to join the Discord: https://discord.com/invite/s3MME8X8ar
[3] I think I'm going to start naming Omake's.
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