Gathering Wives with a System

Chapter 87: Alice’s Request

He planted seed, then used Sovereign of Land to make sure Tier 1 grains grew in ten hectare, and the rest were for Tier 0 grains.

Satisfied, he dusted his hands off and turned toward the house.

Inside, he took a quick shower, washing off the sweat and dirt from the farm. The hot water was a relief on his tense muscles.

By the time he stepped out and changed, it was late into evening.

Isaac walked into the study room, with an healing potion-drink in one hand. It was prescribed to him when he left the hospital.

He dropped into the chair, exhaled, and opened one of the old instructional books Professor Catherine had given him last week.

It covered a wide range of Awakener topics—battle strategy, elemental coordination, and resource planning.

He flipped to a bookmarked Chapter about Spirit Management.

As he read, his mind stayed half-focused on Emily’s training outside. He could still faintly hear the occasional thud or rustle of movement through the open windows.

He didn’t worry too much.

If she was training with Professor Catherine, she would be pushed to her limits but she would also be safe.

Isaac underlined a few sentences in the book and made notes in the margins.

It was one of the few peaceful stretches of time he had that day. And despite how much he had been through recently—assassins, poison, combat—it felt oddly calming to just sit and read again.

Behind the noise of his goals and achievements, there was still a part of him that just enjoyed learning. That part hadn’t disappeared.

It was just buried under everything else.

About thirty minutes passed when he suddenly felt arms wrap around him from behind. He blinked, caught off guard.

Alice leaned over his shoulder. ”What are you studying with so much focus?”

Isaac tilted his head slightly. Their cheeks brushed for a moment. ”Just working on that assignment Professor Catherine gave us.”

He was surprised Alice initiated the touch.

Normally, she was more reserved. What he didn’t notice was that her ears were red. S

he was clearly embarrassed but trying not to show it.

She wanted to try something like this for years. Now that she had her chance, she was determined to do it despite being embarrassed.

They stayed like that for a few seconds before Isaac spoke again.

”How was your family reunion?”

”It went... well.” Alice’s arms tightened slightly around him. ”Selene’s different now. I think everything that happened really shook her. When we talked, she reminded me of how she used to be when we were younger.”

Isaac stayed quiet.

”She even talked to me properly again,” Alice continued. ”It felt like she’s trying. I think she wants to change.”

Isaac didn’t comment. His eyes were back on the page, though he wasn’t reading anymore.

Alice could tell what he was thinking.

She knew he wasn’t someone who forgave easily, especially not when it involved people mistreating those he cared about.

Selene had mocked her before. Even if Selene was trying now, Isaac wasn’t going to just forget everything.

Still, she wanted him to see the effort.

”She also...” Alice hesitated, then tried to redirect, ”She was angry at some of the things others said about us—”

She froze.

Isaac looked up slightly. ”What things?”

”Nothing,” she answered quickly.

He raised an eyebrow. ”Alice.”

There was a pause. Then she sighed.

”Some of our relatives made comments. They said you were sleazy, and that you went after me, even though I had no Talent, just because I looked good. And now that you helped Selene, they’re saying you must be trying to get close to her since she a beauty too.”

Isaac’s expression changed.

”Who said that?”

Alice placed a hand on his shoulder and leaned forward again. ”It’s fine. Selene stood up for us, and shut them down by telling them to leave. It was quite embarrassing for those relatives.”

She hesitated, then added quietly, ”She’s changing, Isaac. I know she made mistakes, but she’s trying. So next time you see her... can you just treat her normally?”

He didn’t answer right away.

His eyes drifted back to the book. Just when Alice thought he would refuse, he reached up and gently held her hand.

”I’ll try,” he said finally.

Alice was satisfied. It was a small step, but it was enough for now.

They stayed like that for a few minutes longer.

Isaac glanced at Alice, noticing her silence stretch longer than usual.

She wasn’t pulling away, but her fingers tightened slightly, and her breathing was a little uneven. Something felt off.

”Is everything okay?” asked Isaac.

Alice blinked, her cheeks flushing faintly.

”Yeah, I’m fine,” she answered, a bit too quick.

Isaac wasn’t convinced. He used Inspect, wondering is some of her relative had said something that upset her.

If they did, then Isaac was going to make sure they–

[Status: Feeling aroused by the lingering smell of sweat on you, wants to have sex but is holding back lest you think of her as a nymphomaniac.]

Isaac read it twice to make sure he hadn’t misread.

’That’s it...?’

’I almost thought it was something serious.’

Alice was like a child who’d tasted something forbidden and now craved more.

She had never mentioned her hypersexual needs, probably worried it would come off as off-putting for Isaac.

That’s why she had been holding back.

Without a word, he tugged her gently, guiding her to sit on his lap. Alice yelped, startled by the sudden movement.

”What are you doing?” gasped Alice.

”Acting out after getting seduced by my wife,” teased Isaac.

Alice froze upon hearing the word ”wife.”

Isaac’s arms tightened around her, pulling her closer.

”W-when did I seduce you?” stammered Alice.

Her heart raced, hammering in her chest. They’d been intimate before, just once, and she’d thought the closeness would feel familiar by now.

Instead, it was overwhelming.

Embarrassment mixed with arousal, and a flicker of happiness weaved through it all. She couldn’t pin down what she felt, only that it was a lot.

Isaac chuckled, his breath brushing her ear.

”I felt seduced by your gaze.”

”What?” Alice’s face flushed deeper. ”You’re ridiculous.”

”Maybe. But I’m your ridiculous,” replied Isaac, grinning.

Even that stupid joke was funny when it came from Isaac.

He tilted her chin gently, his lips finding hers in a soft, slow kiss.

Alice tensed for a moment, caught off guard, then melted into it. After a few moments, she pulled back slightly, catching her breath.

”Isaac, we’re in the study room.”

”It’s fine. No one is coming here anytime soon,” answered Isaac, kissing her again.

Professor Catherine was busy with Emily, and Leora could sense them inside even their bedroom with her Overlord rank senses.

There was no point in trying to hide from her.

Two of them melted into each other. Sweat clung to their skin, but neither stopped.

Isaac’s ridiculous way of initiating intimacy earlier had left Alice flushed and speechless.

But in the back of her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder—did he know? Did he know she’d been holding back, afraid he might think of her as off putting?

Maybe that’s why he took the lead so casually, showing her that he felt the same, and that it was normal. It eased something in her heart.

They stayed together until both were content. No words were needed when they finally parted.

”Go take a shower and get dressed,” Isaac told her as he stood up, stretching his neck.

Alice blinked at him, and then muttered in a whisper. ”Aren’t you going to shower too? You know... together?”

He flicked her forehead. ”Tempting offer, my mad princess, but think about your body too. It needs rest. And, I need to take care of the farm before I shower. I’ll be sweating all over again anyway.”

Her eyes said no, but didn’t argue further.

Though, she seemed to be hoping to shower together... after he returned sweaty. At least that was what her status said.

Isaac left her and stepped outside.

The late evening air had cooled, and the soft rustle of leaves greeted him.

He moved across the field, checking the crops. As expected, they were ready to harvest again.

2000 Tier 1 Vitality Grain Crops harvested. Mana +1000. Constitution +1000.

You have obtained 10,000 Tier 1 Vitality Grains.

3240 Tier 0 Vitality Grain Crops harvested. Mana +288. Constitution +288.

You have obtained 16,200 Tier 0 Vitality Grains.

Once the field was cleared, he burned the stalks, spread fertilizer, and planted the next batch of seeds.

He wiped the sweat off his brow, checked the time, and glanced toward the training yard.

It was past six. Emily’s combat class was still ongoing.

He spotted her in the distance, moving in a flurry of motion.

Her uniform was coated in dust, and her legs shook slightly, but her determination never faltered.

”She’s pushing herself harder,” Isaac muttered. ”Probably because of what happened yesterday...”

He rubbed the back of his neck, thinking.

”I need to prepare a gift for her since she is working hard.”

He already had an idea of what he could gift her.

But for now, there was something else he had to do.

He headed back into the house.

The kitchen was filled with the warm scent of roasted spices and something sweet on the stove.

Leora was there, sleeves rolled up, chopping something with a blade that looked way too sharp for casual cooking.

”Hey,” Isaac said, walking in. ”Busy?”

”No.”

”Then, can you come with me? I want your help with something important.”

Leora finally looked at him. ”What is it?”

”I want to try helping Alice awaken.”