They Say an Age Gap Like This Doesn’t Even Need Matching - Chapter 65

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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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Physical training had indeed proven invaluable in simplifying all the complexities that weighed upon my mind.
Having faithfully completed the tasks Kei had set before me over these past days, Elhart felt a lightness settle within him.
‘Problems that refuse to yield must be conquered through greater effort.’
The conviction that had dwelled in his heart since childhood held the answer.
[Do you harbor any thoughts of surrender?]
To Kei’s question, Elhart finally answered with certainty.
“None.”
Though he had arrived at this answer after prolonged deliberation, truthfully, it required no deliberation at all.
“From the beginning… there were none.”
The option to surrender had never existed in the first place.
Had it not been counsel from an Expedition Team member worthy of respect, he would not have given it a moment’s thought, let alone pretended to listen.
Instead, he would not allow his own feelings to become an excuse to hinder her.
Iserna’s way.
Her choice.
He would respect all of it thoroughly and allow her to proceed as she wished.
That was the conclusion he had reached.
He understood well what it meant.
It meant he would do nothing, even as he watched Iserna grow closer to another man.
The mere thought of it caused the tendons across the back of his hand to stand prominent.
And yet.
‘The one who remains at her side until the end will be me.’
Whatever circumstances arise, whatever the outcome may be.
When Iserna returns, it will be he who stands in that place.
‘That much is enough.’
Having reached his conclusion, Elhart ceased his training.
The heat emanating from him seemed to have raised the temperature of the room to an oppressive warmth.
“….”
To ventilate, he first needed to address his sweat-drenched body.
He entered the bathing chamber and rinsed away the perspiration that covered him thoroughly.
Afterward, he dissolved one of the fragrant oils that filled the display case into water and immersed himself.
He was aware that Iserna occasionally buried her face against his body and inhaled deeply.
‘It would be troublesome if I smelled of sweat.’
He brought his forearm to his nose several times to test the scent.
“…?”
Uncertain whether the fragrance had properly permeated his skin, he repeated the action multiple times.
‘…this should suffice.’
Only after the water had completely cooled did he conclude his bath and begin his preparations.
He selected his garments with care and groomed his face and hair meticulously.
Though he would inevitably venture out again once darkness fell to search for the mechanism, he had always shared the evening meal with her.
Investing effort for that single hour was not wasteful in the slightest.
‘It’s about time I headed back.’
I was checking my appearance once more in the mirror.
The Crown Prince had followed Iserna all the way to the Separate Palace, insisting on escorting her there himself.
That alone was enough to make my heart burn with jealousy, but then the Crown Prince began flirting with her in the corridor outside the bedchamber.
Standing before the door, Elhart listened silently to the conversation drifting through from beyond.
‘I decided to leave it to her choice.’
She responded in a soft tone, as though they were intimate, and seemed ready to accept the Crown Prince’s proposal at any moment.
‘If she truly does accept….’
I repeated my vow that jealousy would not cause me to bungle this.
[I can do far better than that prince. Aren’t you curious what kind of pleasure you might experience?]
…!!!
There was a moment of crisis there.
I nearly burst through the door, seized the Crown Prince by the collar, and threw him down.
I barely managed to restrain myself when another crisis arrived.
[I’ll give my bedchamber to Ser. Let’s stay together, us.]
When those words reached me, my breath caught.
If Iserna accepted the Crown Prince’s proposal and left the Separate Palace.
If I could no longer even be by her side.
What would I do then?
My mind went blank as I waited for Iserna’s answer.
[Mikhail, I don’t think you can teach me that.]
I heard her voice rejecting the Crown Prince’s proposal.
Iserna had made her decision.
She would not entertain the crude advances of a debauched man who claimed emotions and physical responses were separate things!
Elhart raised his hand and pressed it against the door.
Only then did I realize my body was trembling with anxiety and fear.
‘Ser….’
Her voice resonated through the door and vibrated through my body.
It seemed she was leaning against the door on her side.
‘That was close.’
Had I lost control and broken through the door, she might have been hurt.
Elhart pressed my forehead against the door and listened to her gentle voice.
The content hardly mattered.
It was only to appease the Crown Prince and send him away.
Now there was only one thing I needed to do.
If the Crown Prince did not respect the decision she had made, I would intervene.
Following Iserna’s choice and her way was ultimately about that, was it not?
To watch silently over her as she walks the path she desires.
And when someone tries to break that will, to step forward in her stead and make them submit.
The blessing the Goddess bestowed upon this body was surely for this purpose.
‘I’ll finally get to see if the Grand Mage’s magic is faster than my fist.’
However.
[Ser’s judgment is correct.]
Whether fortunate or unfortunate, the Crown Prince did not override Iserna’s will.
This was likely the ‘self-imposed rule’ that Kei had mentioned.
He said he rarely crossed the line, yet his surrender came swiftly compared to how brazenly he had tried to seduce her.
After exchanging brief pleasantries, the Crown Prince turned to leave.
His footsteps grew increasingly distant.
Beyond the door, Iserna exhaled softly.
Perhaps even she, who always appeared composed, found this moment uncomfortable and burdensome.
Her opponent had exploited the body of Mikhail, the one closest to her.
It was an act that defiled the affection she held.
Even facing that visage would be agonizing.
For it would stir both hatred and longing simultaneously.
That was why.
The moment I sensed her turning, I flung the door open and pulled her into my embrace.
‘I can do nothing for you, nor can I even be your support….’
Yet I still wished to be her solace.
Even if only for this single moment.
I wished I could be someone she could lean on and find rest.
Click.
The sound of the door closing echoed.
The subtle tremor transmitted through my back would have reached her as well.
Yet neither of us spoke.
I simply held her without letting go, remaining still.
If I tightened my grip any further, she might shatter; if I loosened it even slightly, I might lose her.
Within that ambiguous boundary, I listened to her breathing.
The tension from facing the Crown Prince had not yet fully dissipated; her heart was beating faster than usual.
Elhart hesitated for a moment.
Whether I should release her now, or if I could hold her a little longer.
“Ser.”
In the end, I spoke first.
“Are you alright?”
My voice came out low and subdued.
After a brief silence, she nodded.
“Yes.”
At that single word, the tension drained from my shoulders.
Just as I had resolved to release her, unable to move easily, she stirred slightly.
She withdrew her hand that had been trapped in my embrace and gently wrapped her arms around my waist instead.
“…!”
It was clear that she too had been struggling.
She must have been exhausted, having faced the Crown Prince for so long without letting her guard down.
And even after that, she hadn’t rested comfortably, exploring various corners of the Imperial Palace each night.
I found myself wondering how best to relieve her fatigue effectively.
She pressed her nose against his chest and sniffed softly.
“There’s some kind of scent mixed in….”
“It’s probably from the fragrant oil.”
“The one I left in the bathroom?”
Elhart nodded.
“Yes.”
“Now that I think about it, I brought it to give you a massage, but I never got around to it.”
A massage.
So that was what those were meant for.
“Would you like me to?”
Elhart asked her suddenly.
“Huh…? You’ll do it for me?”
“It would help ease your fatigue, and we have quite a bit of time before dinner.”
He wound her hair around his fingers, tickling the back of her hand as he whispered enticingly.
“It will definitely feel good.”

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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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