145 - I Became a Gallery Manager in Another World
The Day After the Shocking Revelation on the Terrace "Let's revisit the situation once more." Valentine said, crossing her legs in a dress that provocatively accentuated her curves. "You can't seem to get excited by this vulgar appearance of mine, can you?" "...Valentine." "Believe me, it's not pleasant for me to ask such questions. But keeping silent solves nothing. So please, be honest. Is it that I can't excite you no matter what I do?" "...Yes... I'm sorry." As Terrass confirmed with a meek voice, Valentine let out a short sigh and continued. "...I knew it, but hearing it from your own mouth is a bit saddening. To think I'm a woman who can't even arouse the man I love..." "Th-that's not your fault!! It's all... just me, you're the most beautiful!" "Yet, you only get excited at the thought of me being with another man, don't you?" "...." "No answer. Is there perhaps something wrong with what I said?" "No, you're right. I just... seem to get excited at that idea." "Understood... Then let me ask just one thing. If I were to be with another man, would you finally be able to give me your seed?" "V-Valentine? What do you mean...?" "It's an important matter, so think carefully before you answer. Of course, I've never considered being with any other man than you, nor do I wish to. However... if such an act would arouse you to the point where with your seed, we could have a child... then I could endure it." Terrass pondered for a moment, caught by Valentine's serious gaze, before speaking. "...I can't be sure, but it seems it might work." "So be it... Then I shall lay with another man for your sake." "But Valentine!" "Shh." As Terrass shouted, Valentine placed a finger on her lips. "Don't take it too seriously. I dislike this situation as well, but the more seriously I take it, the more strange thoughts I seem to have." With a swift gesture, Valentine crossed her arms behind her back, hiding her trembling fingers from Terrass's view. Although she replied as if it was nothing, in her heart, the very thought felt repulsive to an extreme. Just imagining herself with some unknown man was enough to make her nauseous. 'Yet... bearing an heir to continue the imperial line is an heir's duty.' Having been born as the first princess, Valentine Mapleflower led a life full of privileges. Naturally, with those rights came certain obligations as well. "So... think of this as merely treating your condition, or consider it a form of my self-gratification. You become excited watching my self-gratification. It's slightly depraved but doesn't it make it acceptable?" "...But Valentine. The mere idea of you with another man..." "It's nothing to fret over. I'll ensure a thorough physical examination before any encounter and ensure complete confidentiality afterward. If that's still insufficient, I'll take further measures..." "...." Valentine sighed deeply, realizing she had to start considering who the man would be. "Sigh... Now, then. Do you have any conditions for the man I will be with?" "Valentine? Are you saying I should choose?" "Isn't it obvious? This whole affair is for your sake. If it doesn't meet your approval, it won't mean anything." "...But it's you... being with someone, right? What do you think? Is there anyone you feel drawn to?" At Terrass's words, Valentine frowned for the first time. "Don't speak foolishness. Should I choose someone who appeals to me, wouldn't that be considered infidelity? Are you saying you wish for me to have an affair?" "Th-that's...!" Terrass's knees shook slightly as Valentine displayed a hint of irritation. Alongside the fear of losing Valentine was an anticipation that caused a swelling in his lower body. "How appalling. Have you been aroused by the idea of me having an affair?" "...I'm sorry." "Is the thought of this body you alone know being ravished and defiled by another man so enticing to you?" Crush— As Valentine posed the question, mimicking the act of another man handling her body, Terrass bit his lip. Though it was something he could never admit, deep within, a part of him longed for it. " I... I..." "...No need to answer. Your lower half has already spoken." "I'm sorry... Valentine... Do you... disdain me?" "Ha! If our love were to wane over such trivial matters, we wouldn't have begun in the first place! ...It's just intriguing. That you remain unaffected by all forms of lewdness I displayed, yet some mere words leave you so aroused... you truly do want to see me violated." "...Guh...!!...Valentine... don't say things like that..." "It's alright. If you're inclined, engage in self-pleasure." "...W-what?" "I would offer my hand to assist if only that wouldn't make things worse... So, if you so wish, indulge yourself. Your happiness is mine as well." "...But..." "We are, after all, spouses. Soon you'll witness my self-gratification too, so there's no need for shame." Terrass, emitting a low moan, slid his hand inside his trousers as Valentine's gentle voice resonated with a soft smile. "Ugh...! I'm sorry...! Ugh! Valentine...!! But... I can't hold it back..!!" "It's fine, enjoy it as you tell me. Who would you like to see me ravished by?" "I... I... Haah! A man way superior to me... I want him to violate you!" Perhaps due to his own self-indulgence. Intoxicated by pleasure, crude words flowed from Terrass's mouth without hesitation. "...From the start, that's a difficult condition. In my eyes, there's no man better than you." Valentine genuinely believed this. It wasn't a statement made merely because Terrass was her husband. Terrass, the second son of the prestigious Blue Tulip family, possessed a well-mannered appearance, towering height, and excellent character. Except for the peculiar kink that led to wanting his wife with another man, there was hardly a flaw in him. "Haah!...No!...Ugh!...What I meant was!...a man more superior physically!" "...Hmm. To my eyes, you're the most handsome in the world, though?" "...Ha...haah!...Being ‘physical’ isn't just about looks!" "Then what do you mean? His physique? I'm quite satisfied with yours." With a tilt of her head, Valentine genuinely looked puzzled, and Terrass's gaze shifted downward between his legs. "Ha!...Haah!...Th-size!" "...Hmm?...Sorry, could you say it again?" "Th-the thing is!...Ugh!...I want him to have a...larger size!!...Even if of lower status than me! Tall, handsome, and...most importantly, large-sized, I want to see you pant beneath him!" "...Huh." Valentine let out a dry laugh at Terrass's blatant declaration. "To want to see me panting underneath another... truly a twisted kink... I wonder how my husband developed such a trait." "…I-I'm sorry...Ugh!...Valentine...In my excitement, I just..." "It's alright. No need to apologize. Truth is, I mentioned self-pleasure because I wanted to know your true desires." "...I'm...I'm sorry...ha...but! The thought of you with someone...else possibly taking you away is...ugh...!...utterly...unbearable!" "I understand your desires, but fulfilling them is impossible. How long do you think I've loved you? My heart would not waver from a mere few encounters." "…Right? Valentine, no matter... what happens, you wouldn’t leave me, right?" "Of course. The only one I love is you. Would a slightly larger man really steal my heart away?" "...Thank you." Hearing Terrass's seemingly uncertain response, Valentine chuckled lightly. "Ha! I was oblivious! You actually wish to see me taken from you, don't you?" "...N-no! That's not it!" "It's fine, speak truthfully. You wish for me to be taken away?" "...." Terrass was unable to answer. He harbored both a desire to see Valentine taken away and one to keep her to himself. "...You have truly complex desires." "I-I'm sorry, Valentine... But! As much as I want someone to take you, I genuinely want you to choose me! T-that's the truth!" Desiring her to be with another, while simultaneously fearing a deeper bond with someone else. Valentine's head shook at Terrass's baffling and contradictory feelings. 'Thus far, I thought being with someone else would be enough...' With Terrass in that state, showing any lack of enjoyment likely wouldn't excite him. 'I want to avoid that.' Not being able to excite Terrass even after being with another man would be the worst outcome. But... How could she possibly feel pleasure with another man when she hadn't even felt it with her loving husband? '...In the end, I might have to act.' It's undesirable to go beyond just being with someone to actually acting, but there seemed to be no other option. Luckily, she had often pretended 'to feel pleasure' for Terrass's sake up until now. 'It’s best not to reveal that I'll be acting... It might be distressing for Terrass, but that would excite him more.' Watching Terrass intently pleasing himself, Valentine steeled her resolve internally. **** "...So that's how it is, Ian." "I see, I get that Terrass Blue Tulip has this kink of being usurped, but why, of all people, me?" "Well, because you meet the... requirements, Ian..." "And how exactly did you come to know that? Surely the royal family isn't measuring people, right?" At my question, Laplace hesitated before answering. "I... recommended you... There's a well-known... person in the academy who... happens to meet... my sister's... criteria..."