Chapter 342: Chloe’s Confession
Chapter 342: Chloe’s Confession
"You suffered a lot, child," Rhea said as she wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "But, if you didn't do all of that, you wouldn't be the way you are now. Frankly, this world is never fair.
"The strong oppress the weak, and the High-Ranking Nobles bully those whose ranks are lower than theirs. The only reason why our family isn't bullied is because my husband has strong ties to the previous king. If not for his umbrella, we would have been bullied long ago."
"Don't worry, Grandma," Ethan replied. "I am part of the Oswald Family now. If they bully you, I won't just stand idle and watch from the sides."
"You're a good boy, Ethan. How soon can you give me my great grandkids?"
"How soon would you like them, Grandma?"
The old lady laughed after seeing Luna stand up to hug her, preventing her from saying anything.
"Well, I believe I can still live for a few more years," Rhea said after she stopped laughing. "But, it will be nice if I can hold my great grandkids sooner. I am not getting any younger, you know?"
Luna's gaze softened as she continued to hug her grandma. Truth be told, despite feeling embarrassed, she also wanted Rhea to see her baby before she got too old to hold them.
"Leave it to me, Grandma," Ethan said with a smile. "I'll let you hold your great grandchild after Luna graduates from Brynhildr Academy."
"So… two to three years left." Rhea nodded. "I can still live that long."
"Why are you talking as if it's already a done deal?" Bruce interjected. "He's also Chloe's and Emma's lover. There is also this girl Lily. He said he planned to have five wives, and one mistress. Are we just going to overlook that?"
"Remember the donation I sent a month ago?" Ethan stated. "That was only a very small part of the fortune I currently have. I can fill this entire living room with gold coins, and it will still only be a tenth of my total funds."
"Did you say something, son?" Philip looked at Bruce with a frown. "I didn't hear you earlier. Can you repeat it?"
"Father, I also forgot what I said earlier," Bruce replied. "I think I am suffering from amnesia."
"That might be the case. Make sure to rest early tonight."
"Good idea."
The ladies of the family couldn't help but cover their faces in embarrassment. Although they were Barons, their family didn't have that many funds, and the extra they got was used to help their people in times of need.
Because of this, at the mention of great fortune, Bruce decided to take a step back.
Who wouldn't want to have a handsome, powerful, and rich son-in-law?
Because of this, Philip and Bruce, changed their attitude to Ethan completely, making even the boys of the family look at them in disdain.
Gold Diggers.
This was the collective thought of Rowan, Dennis, and Erik, as they looked at the two old men, who were now starting to warm up to Ethan.
Now that the family was no longer hostile to him, the young man truly enjoyed his stay, and after dinner, he decided to take a stroll with Chloe and Luna.
The angelic beauty had also summoned Selene, who was currently residing inside her Sea of Consciousness, similar to Sebastian and Ethan's Other Half.
Because of their contract, the Carbuncle was able to hide herself inside Luna's body, and come out whenever she felt like it, or when her Master wanted to make her appear.
The moment she was summoned, Selene transformed into her demi-human form, making Irene, Briana, and Rhea squeal due to how adorable she was.
Selene didn't even have a chance to defend herself as she was hugged from all sides, making her unable to join her Master on her late-night stroll.
Emma talked to Ethan in private before he went out. She then handed him the Tree House, which had transformed into a small wooden box.
"If you press this over the bark of a tree, it will turn green if it's compatible," Emma explained. "If it's not, it will turn red. If you decide to make the tree house merge with that tree, you just say Engage. If you want it back, you just say Disengage."
Ethan nodded. "Why are you giving it to me?"
Emma smiled and moved closer to the young man.
"Because you might need it," Emma whispered. "There are things that you can't do here in the Oswald Residence that you can do inside the Tree House. Don't worry, it has anti-scrying protection, so no one will be able to spy on you, Chloe, and Luna while you are inside it."
Although Emma didn't specifically hint on anything, Ethan understood what she was trying to say.
Because of this, he thanked his Promised One for her foresight, and left the house with his two lovers to take a stroll.
Walking hand in hand, the three of them chatted about what happened during the day. Chloe told Ethan how worried she was when he faced off against the members of Luna's family.
She was unable to say this earlier because of the situation, but now that she was with him, she made her feelings known.
"I know you are strong," Chloe said. "But, I still worry whenever you fight. Although Luna's family fought you seriously, they didn't really fight you with the intention to kill. At most they just want to beat you up."
Luna nodded because she felt the same way as Chloe.
"I'm sorry that I made the two of you worry," Ethan replied. "But, I cannot promise that I will not face a similar situation in the future. If I was only living on the farm and remained ignorant, I think I would be able to live a carefree life until I reached my early twenties.
"But, now that I am part of this world, I have no choice but to adapt to it. Also, can I ask you an honest question, Chloe?"
"What is it?" Chloe looked at him with curiosity.
"If I didn't ride the wrong train and end up enrolled at Brynhildr Academy, would you have chosen a Wizard to become your lover instead of me?" Ethan inquired.
This was something that had been on his mind ever since he met Chloe in the academy.
Among the girls he knew in the past, he was closest to Chloe. He would be lying if he said that he didn't think of her as a potential candidate to become his girlfriend.
Although they were cousins, he knew at an early age that he was adopted, and his grandma and Chloe's mother seemed to not mind matchmaking the two of them.
"I don't know," Chloe replied honestly. "I always liked you, Ethan. But, after discovering that I can use magic, everything changed. Although I still held strong feelings for you, and might not have even considered finding a partner for a year or two, I think eventually, I would have chosen to have a Wizard as a lover."
The young lady knew that Ethan wanted to know the truth, so she told him what she truly felt. She didn't want to sugarcoat things and say that she would have continued to love him, even if they were worlds apart because she would be lying to herself.
"Fortunately, you also became part of this world," Chloe said as she looked at Ethan with a smile. "The day I saw you in the academy I was truly delighted because the two of us would be spending time with each other.
"Even if you were a Dud, I was willing to overlook it. But, lo and behold, the Dud that everyone thought was powerless has become one of the most powerful Wizards in the academy.
"Did you know, Ethan? There is a rumor going around that you are the reincarnation of Fortis Dud. I wouldn't be surprised if the Witches start a Fan Club for you."
Ethan smiled after hearing Chloe's reply. "I am also glad that I was able to go to the academy with you. Now, the two of us can walk hand in hand like this."
Chloe also smiled and even lightly swayed her hand, that was holding Ethan.
Luna, who was also walking hand in hand with Ethan lightly tugged on his robe.
"Why are we headed towards the Forest?" Luna asked. "Are you planning to hunt some magical beasts?"
Ethan shook his head. "You'll find out in a bit."
After saying those words, Ethan led his two lovers inside the forest, looking for a tree he could use to activate his Tree House and spend some time with them without worrying about being spied on by the Oswald Family.
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(A/N: If this is the last chapter you are seeing this year, it means that the second chapter entitled "Once Every Two To Three Months Is Fine." is not showing. I have tried to fix it in my end, but for some reason, the chapter just wouldn't appear no matter what. If you see the second chapter, ignore this rant.)