Volume 6 Chapter 35 Cianie, The One Who Commands the Women
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”For seventeen years… no, for a total of twenty-two years, I’ve had eyes only for him. When you say it like that, I have no words to answer.”
Cianie’s ash-gray hair swayed gently as she turned her gaze toward the window. Outside the inn, tall trees rose to about the height of a two-story building. The wind stirred their branches, and the rustle of leaves whispered through the air in a steady fwaaa-shhh.
”Still, status isn’t decided by the number of years.”
The room was heavy with a dim, oppressive stillness. From the white porcelain cups set before them, a sweet aroma rose and curled in the air, yet when sipped, the drink left only a bitter taste on the tongue. No one seemed to find comfort in it.
In the small chamber of the inn, three women sat facing one another—one human, one demonkin, and one beastkin. Their birthplaces, homelands, and even species differed, but today they shared a single purpose: to talk about one man.
”If he has shared a bed with you, a woman he met after my reincarnation, then I must accept that as his acknowledgment of you,” Cianie said, folding her hands. “If he has recognized you, then I have no place. …Perhaps I should step aside.”
”Mī… I…” Mina’s soft voice faltered.
The outcome of the conversation had been decided almost from the start. Only a few minutes had passed since they had sat together, yet already the demonkin and beastkin looked defeated. In contrast, Hero Anna—better known now as Cianie—radiated a composed, clear presence. Running her fingers through her gray hair, she spoke without so much as a change in expression.
”Calm down, both of you. This isn’t something that can be solved by feelings alone, nor is your leaving necessarily the best choice.”
”…But,” Mina began.
”Klock still has other women,” Cianie said, her tone sharpening. “And if you leave, he will almost certainly bring in others.”
The one who reacted first was the horn-concealing demonkin.
”…Doesn’t that make him far too much of a womanizer?” Suzette asked bluntly. “To be loved so devotedly and still behave that way—it’s simply cruel.”
Her words rang with reason. Among all the nonhuman races, demonkin were the closest in values to humans—perhaps even more upright, with a strong respect for duty and honor.
Mina, the small beastkin girl with twitching ears, said nothing. She had shrunk into herself, almost erasing her presence, but her alert ears flicked attentively at every sound. Among beastkin, hers was not a race that questioned going along with the stronger side. Their taboos were their own, different from both humans and demons.
”He was born a noble,” Cianie explained, her voice steady. “It’s not outside reason for him to want multiple women. Besides, in our previous lives, he was steadfast and sincere. The man he is now may be because I died.”
Her words made the other two frown. Cianie had just spoken of the root cause of Klock’s downfall—the murder in his youth that forced him to flee his home. He had lost everything: family, shelter, and the life he knew. From there, his path had been nothing but survival.
If she had lived, she would never have allowed him to suffer that way. She would have found him, taken him back, held him when he cried, and stayed by his side when he confessed his loneliness. Croce would have approved his protection, recognizing his political value. His hardships could have been far less.
But was Klock’s suffering Cianie’s fault? No. It was no one’s fault. And yet, as someone bound to him, she still felt the weight of responsibility.
”I died, leaving him behind, never even to share a grave,” Cianie said softly. “If we could have stayed together, maybe he wouldn’t have fallen into banditry. Even if he chose the wrong path, I can’t help but feel it was because of me.”
”That’s… a bit overprotective,” Suzette murmured. “You’re shouldering too much.”
”No,” Cianie said, her eyes unwavering. “That’s what lovers do. I never became his wife, never supported him, only caused him hardship and left him. …This time, it’s my turn to fight for him.”
The memory before her eyes was a dazzling fragment of the past—her lover’s warmth in a world where she had been nothing more than a pawn for political marriage. As a noble’s daughter, she had been human capital, a piece in someone else’s deal. Hartmann had given her to Croce purely for its survival, binding her as Sylvia to Livorno in a political engagement.
She had expected her life to be consumed in service to her house. Yet Klock had shown her something else—kindness, excitement, and genuine affection. Those memories had never dimmed, not even after death.
”From now on, I’ll answer his efforts,” Cianie declared. “For him, and for you—his women—I will take responsibility.”
”…So, you acknowledge us?” Suzette asked, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. Mina’s face, by contrast, brightened immediately.
”I’m thinking of suggesting we move,” Cianie said. “I’ll prepare a grand house, enough for Klock and all of you to live in. I want it to be worthy of the life I once had as a noble.”
Among nobles and wealthy men, having both wives and concubines was normal. She intended for Klock to have a home worthy of Livorno, and for these women to have safety, comfort, and status—welcoming them into the family.
”…I’m sorry. That was the pretty version,” Cianie admitted. “The truth is, I think it’s more convenient to have you around.”
Her words were blunt, but the other two were no children. Even if Mina was still young, she was still a woman. Women could sense the designs of other women. If Cianie wanted a future relationship with them, she had to show her cards.
”I don’t yet have Klock’s full affection,” she confessed. “If I let go, I know he’ll slip away. I’ve been… forceful, because I could see his confusion since my return. Honestly, I want to keep you close because—”
”Because you want to appeal to him as the convenient woman,” Suzette finished for her. “That’s fine. If it improves his impression of you even slightly, then I’m glad.”
Cianie blinked in surprise at Suzette’s quick understanding. Demonkin valued clarity in dealings, and Suzette was no exception. She was someone who could accept being used if it served her own ends.
”…Mī’s fine as long as we can be together,” Mina added brightly, her ears flicking.
For a cat beastkin, what they desire more than a bond with a husband is a comfortable place to belong. It is an instinctive truth—and Mina was no exception. Conversely, if that comfort could not be provided, such women could leave without a second thought. To welcome a cat beastkin, one needed capability and means. Klock had been able to welcome Mina only because her life beforehand had been far from ideal.
”So. I’m glad. You two feel like people I can safely welcome as family,” Cianie said, her voice calm yet tinged with sincerity. “If I’m honest… I used to imagine it would be just the two of us. Traveling with him, showing him sights no one else could see, sharing romantic moments… But that was just wishful thinking. By now, of course, he’d have other lovers. I’m sorry, Suzette. I suppose I’ve been the one guilty of harboring feelings I shouldn’t.”
”…No,” Suzette replied softly, folding her hands in her lap. “Even if you say you pressed him, it was he who accepted. That makes us equals in this. In truth, I’m grateful to be accepted. I thought you might try to cut me down.”
If the Hero had looked unfavorably upon demonkin, it would have been understandable. That thought had been on Suzette’s mind, and she had steeled herself before entering this conversation.
Cianie allowed herself the faintest smile. Suzette’s understanding nature brought her a quiet sense of relief. She could read Suzette’s thoughts; after all, she had spent a lifetime being feared. She could sense such feelings better than most, and had even calculated how to steer the conversation to gain the upper hand.
Normally, it was plain enough—relationships between men and women were meant to be one-to-one. Any other woman was simply in the way. For the powerful, taking by force was not uncommon.
Yet, when mutual benefit could be found, cooperation could be far more advantageous.
Suzette could read the room. Mina’s race meant she carried little cause for jealousy. If both women could understand that jealousy existed and choose to work toward harmony, then there was no reason not to expand the family. From there, the matter of what happened next would be in Klock’s hands.
”By the way,” Cianie said, tilting her head slightly, “if possible, I want him to become a noble again—restore Livorno.”
”What? Are you serious?” Suzette’s eyes widened. “Even if he was once a noble, do you really think he’s that kind of man now? Or… do you mean you want him to hold a position befitting your husband?”
”…I don’t want the story to be ‘he fell to a thief because I died.’ I want it to be ‘because I was there, he could be happy.’ That’s what I wish for… Is that selfish?” Cianie’s voice softened.
Mina and Suzette exchanged glances. What Cianie wanted was for Klock to feel he owed his standing to her, to not want to let her go. Gold was no issue—Klock already had enough to last a lifetime—and with three women in his life, the only things she could still offer him were land and title.
”…That’s spoiling him… though, if it’s what you want, I suppose it’s fine,” Suzette said with a small shrug. “Still, I can only imagine he’d dislike it.”
”…You’re right,” Cianie admitted. “Many commoners admire those in power, but Klock, having experienced nobility, knows its hardships.”
Then what could she give him? If what she wanted was his affection, perhaps it would be best to simply build that slowly.
The atmosphere grew lighter as they spoke. The conversation shifted from their positions to strategies for “winning” Klock. The topic looped, sometimes diverting to the tea Suzette had poured or the fact that Cianie had baked the cookies they were nibbling, before returning to the original subject again.
After some time—
”Hey, hey,” Mina leaned forward suddenly, “Hero, doesn’t it bother you if Sir Klock gets involved with other women? With your power, you could leave him and have men flock to you—probably without even trying.”
The abrupt question caught Suzette off guard, her eyes snapping toward Mina. It was essentially asking whether she would ever leave Klock for another man—a topic most would never dare broach, lest it be taken as a veiled suggestion to leave.
”…Mina,” Cianie began gently, “I have one thing—one boast—that no one else can imitate. Even after living through two lifetimes, I have loved only one man.”
She smiled softly. This boast had nothing to do with her power as the Hero. Wealth, rank, rare treasures from across the world—these were all things others envied her for. But none of them came to mind when she thought of what she truly treasured. People boast of what they believe to be rare. For someone who could have anything, the only thing worth boasting about was something even a hero could barely obtain.
”Even if I were to die once, and still love the same man again, that would be proof of true love,” she said. “No matter the twists and turns, this heart of mine is my greatest pride. That’s why, no matter what happens, I will never abandon Klock. Even if he gets angry, even if we fight, even if he’s unfaithful or comes to dislike me—still, I will love him. My resolve is for my soul to remain by his side for all eternity. Loving him is my pride. Being loved by him is my goal. And keeping that vow matters more to me than my own life.”
If only he would tell her he loved her and propose, her life would be complete. That was how Cianie saw it. To love and be loved by the one you cherished—that was a treasure beyond measure. Even for a living legend, the greatest desire was often the rarest human joy.
”…Lady Hero… so cool…” Mina murmured, her eyes shimmering.
”Lady Hero—no, Lady Cianie… you truly are…” Suzette’s voice trembled.
A pause hung between them—then, as though a dam had burst, both women leaned forward.
”What a magnificent sentiment! You are the pinnacle of womanhood—the very definition of a true wife. I’m ashamed… Ashamed that a woman as base and soiled as I dared to stand in your way,” Suzette said, bowing her head.
Mina’s eyes glistened with unrestrained admiration, and Suzette’s hand trembled against her lips.
”There’s no need to be so formal,” Cianie said warmly. “Now that we’ve spoken, I see that Mina is a sweet girl, and Suzette a truly good person. It’s no wonder he wished to be involved with you. In fact, I’m proud that women like you care for Klock.”
”…Proud, you say…?” Suzette echoed softly.
”Yes. Thank you for protecting him. Rest assured, I won’t cast you aside. You’re family now.”
”Lady Cianie…!!”
”Lady Hero…!!”
Part of why Cianie treated them well was because they had saved Klock’s life. For the woman who cherished him most, neglecting the two who had protected him was unthinkable.
”But, for now, let’s not tell him anything,” Cianie continued. “The last thing I need is for him to collect more women. And there’s still another girl I have to speak with. First, let’s close the gaps between us.”
Neither Mina nor Suzette argued. It was important to remember the truth—this was a partnership of convenience, and reckless assumptions could destroy it.
”…You mentioned another woman earlier,” Suzette said cautiously. “Do you have someone in mind?”
”Adelina,” Cianie replied. “She’s waiting for him to come for her.”
”…What?”
From the moment they’d met, tensions had been high, yet the women had managed to reconcile. Their positions were now clear, with Cianie holding the initiative. By the time Klock returned from Lord Boorinel’s estate, they were committed to cooperating.
The next day, however, the center of their discussion vanished. Klock went out saying he would take a walk—and never came back. Morning passed into noon, and still he did not return. Cianie told herself he might just need time to think, and she waited.
One tier after another, the afternoon tea she had prepared was eaten away. When the third tier’s desserts—the ones she most wanted Klock to try—were gone, unease began to build like a weight in her chest.
Something was wrong.
She decided as much, and by nightfall, she was searching frantically.
Notes:
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Mina – She is a golden-haired catgirl employee of the beastman (Larana the cat woman) Inn, appeared performing fellatio, desperate and tear-streaked, with an inexperienced yet earnest approach to her work.
• Anna – The legendary Hero, chosen to defeat the Demon Lord. Her past life is Sylvia Croce. She is described as a heavenly being with overwhelming skill and a merciless attitude.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Sylvia – The hero who accuses Klock of abandoning her in her past life. She was reborn as Anna after dying in a fire and holds a grudge against Klock.
• Adelina – The slave girl.
• Boorinel – A town east of Ryzan, where Lord Cattleya’s manor is located; said to be a long journey from Ryzan.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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