Black-Haired Dad Isn’t Something You Reap - Chapter 125
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 125. A Red-Haired Friend Is Not Something to Adopt (2)
Winter came around again, and this time I spent it with Luruella. She found me waiting at the entrance to the Apple Orchard and asked kindly, “Why haven’t you died yet?”
I declared proudly that I’d endured even on the Battlefield just to see her again. In response, Luruella told me affectionately, “You should have died.” I was happy.
“Oh, that’s right! I have a gift!”
“This lunatic was definitely a torturer in the military, so how is she still alive?”
“Ta-da!”
When I pulled out the item, Luruella’s face grew puzzled. I explained that this respirator would make things easier when she had sudden asthma attacks. Luruella accepted it with a reluctant expression.
“You’re not holding something weird, are you?”
“Trust this genius Yuprina!”
“Hmm….”
Luruella looked unconvinced, but my sincerity seemed to reach her, and she broke into a grin.
“Well, thanks, I guess?”
She was beautiful. My heart pounded. I decided we should get married.
“Let’s get married.”
“Women can’t marry women.”
“Heh heh, that’s why Chiron Territory is like this.”
“Shut up.”
Anyway, Luruella had an attack after that, and thinking it was worth a try, she used the respirator I’d made and felt much better. Not only Luruella but her parents came to Lorowi Mansion to thank me.
I thought, ‘This is it!’ This was like a formal meeting between families, wasn’t it? Luruella’s parents, my parents, all gathered in Lorowi Territory—it was practically a marriage registration ceremony. This had to be marriage. Once our parents signed as witnesses and we filled out the marriage certificate, we could submit it to the government office as soon as we came of age.
With that thought, I synthesized a diamond ring myself and thrust the marriage certificate at Luruella.
“Luruella! Will you marry me!”
“I prefer men.”
Ah, I see. So she likes men. Okay, okay. I understood. If that was what Luruella wanted, I had a solution.
Mother laughed at how thoroughly I’d been rejected, but I still had a chance. All I had to do was become a man!
I could sacrifice divine power and various other things in exchange, then simply brew potions through alchemy to become male. That winter, I spent it cozily with Luruella while dedicating myself to researching a potion that would make me a man.
The following winter. At fifteen years old, I received a letter saying Luruella was coming for recuperation, so I pitched a tent at the entrance to the Orchard and waited. After three days of sleeping outdoors, a carriage carrying Luruella approached with a clatter. When I stepped in front of it to stop it, I heard Luruella’s cursing voice.
No matter how many times I heard it, her voice sounded like jade marbles rolling. If her asthma were cured, what an even more beautiful voice she would have.
“You crazy bastard! Do you have a death wish?!”
“Luruella! I’m a man now! Will you marry me!”
Luruella stared at me as if I were insane for a long moment, then her face went pale as she realized I was Yuprina.
“You crazy bitch, you’re actually insane.”
“I’m the kind of man you like now! Marriage is possible!”
Luruella let out a deep sigh, then got down from the carriage and embraced me. My heart raced so hard I thought it would burst. Was this acceptance? Should we go have a wedding right now? Wouldn’t that be too hasty? But I have to take this potion every day—what if Lorowi runs out of divine power?
“Hmm….”
While holding me and evaluating various things, Luruella seriously raised her finger and made an X mark.
“It seems what I like is cisgender heterosexual men.”
“Gasp! Cisgender heterosexual men!”
What is that! That’s something you can’t overcome through effort! As I fell into despair and cried out, Luruella sighed and grabbed my collar.
“Geez, you’re so noisy about marriage. I’ll be your friend, so just shut up.”
Kyaaaaa! Luruella sometimes made people’s hearts race like this! She’s so cool! That’s what makes her so attractive!
“That’s right. Obsessing over marriage isn’t even trendy anymore.”
“Don’t suddenly calm down, you lunatic.”
Living cozily with a friend is its own charm in life. If we grow fond of each other sharing an estate, that’s fine too, and if we get bored being just the two of us, we can always adopt children. That kind of life wouldn’t be so bad. I sketched out my happy future and threw myself into completing Luruella’s asthma medicine.
Seasons passed and passed again, and by the winter I saw Luruella once more, the asthma cure—purchased with Lorowi’s divine power and my baseless confidence—was finally complete. Drinking this would cure all of Luruella’s ailments. She could settle in Lorowi without a single worry.
Luruella hadn’t expected much, but after drinking the medicine, she hugged me tightly. Wait, I didn’t make an aphrodisiac, so why is Luruella clinging to me?
“I’ll never forget the days I spent with you.”
Hold on, why is Luruella talking like she’ll never see me again? Surely we’ll see each other again, right? When I asked her this, she shook her head and said something strange.
“It’s only half a day’s journey from Chiron Territory to Lorowi, so we can meet whenever we want.”
That meant… she wouldn’t be coming to Lorowi regularly anymore? Why? Did her condition improve so much she has no reason to come south? Should I have never made that asthma medicine?
“You haven’t heard the news? I’m engaged to Chiron Duke’s Eldest Son.”
“Huh?”
“Until we’re formally married, I won’t have reason to leave my territory.”
“Wha—what?!”
What are you saying? You’re supposed to live with me in Lorowi, and we’re supposed to have a daughter who looks like you and a younger daughter who looks like me!
I was devastated and locked myself in my room for days. Grayson fussed over me, begging me to at least eat, so when hunger finally drove me out, I’d dip bread into soup and eat it half-heartedly, then scratch my head and go back to sleep.
“What does that cisgender heterosexual man think he’s doing!”
I couldn’t let it end like this. I had to find a way. No—I would find a way. I had a long consultation with Lorowi and made a choice.
Let it die. Our childhood dies here. The memories and emotions that slip away from us, our hearts—I’ll seal it all away and keep it precious.
This is how to preserve eternity. Our beautiful days will be cut away by alchemy and remain in Lorowi. They won’t go anywhere, won’t run from me, won’t return to that damned Chiron Territory, and I can have young Luruella all to myself.
I struck Luruella on the head with my staff and dragged the woman who couldn’t resist.
“You bastard! Have you lost your mind!”
I wept as I dragged Luruella toward the Workshop. In the brightly lit Workshop, Lorowi was waiting for me.
“The furnace is ready!”
“I just… put her in, right?”
“Of course! It’s wider inside than you’d think, so there’s plenty of room!”
I hurled Luruella into the furnace and stirred inside it with my staff. All the memories we shared, gather here. All the emotions directed at her, those beautiful days—I’ll lock them all away in this recipe.
“Next is Yupi’s turn. Will you be alright?”
“I am ready.”
“If we seal away all the emotions Yupi felt toward Luruella, it will be inconvenient in many ways. People around you will think it strange, and you’ll find it difficult immediately.”
“Just put me in with her. Right now, I’m… I’m suffering too much.”
Seeing me weep, Lorowi held me close. Though formless, I could feel that warm heart.
“If it’s unbearable now, then do it. I love you no matter what kind of Yupi you are.”
“Sob… yes.”
After the preparations were complete, I too plunged into the furnace. I don’t remember much after that. I remember sealing something away, but I can’t recall exactly what it was.
There used to be a guest who would come to our house and spend the winter, but apparently they won’t be coming to Lorowi anymore after this. I don’t think I ever saw their face as they passed by—how little we must have cared about each other.
Anyway, I followed Mother’s call and saw the guest off. It seemed sufficient to exchange farewells at the Lorowi Mansion, so I gave a light goodbye and turned to leave, but Grayson grew restless and said something strange to me.
“Miss Yupi, are you truly certain about this?”
“About what?”
“About sending Miss Luruella away like this.”
“Who is that?”
Grayson’s eyes widened. He glanced around Lorowi’s Workshop, then looked at my face. His expression grew tender, as though he might weep.
“Forgive my presumption, but would it be alright if I held you for a moment?”
“Go ahead.”
“Thank you…”
Grayson embraced me, gently stroking my back as he assured me that everything would be alright. I didn’t understand what he meant, but his words brought me unexpected comfort.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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