(Titus's (Ferdiad's) POV)
"Why am I even here?" Scathach's eyes twitched, veins popping as she glared at her sister.
"I should be asking the same question!" Aoife shot back, turning her gaze toward me. "Lord Ferdiad, what's going on?"
"Let's all take a moment to calm down," I replied, a sense of helplessness washing over me.
Nearly nine months had passed since Cu and Aoife embarked on their double cultivation journey. With Aoife on the verge of giving birth, I felt compelled to assist her in delivering the child. It was a promise I had made to Cu, one that Aoife had agreed to. Unaware of the intricacies of childbirth, Aoife trusted me to take on the role of a midwife. Despite the challenges of traveling to Aoife's territory, I was determined to honor my friend's wish, all the while he believed I was deceased.
And thus, I found myself in Aoife's presence.
What I hadn't disclosed to Aoife was my plan to bring Scathach, her arch-nemesis, along. Nor had I informed Scathach about the situation; I simply dragged her here. If I had revealed my intentions, she would never have come.
"Disciple, you're in for a scolding," Scathach declared with her usual impassive expression, turning to leave but I halted her in her tracks.
"Please, hear me out, shishou," I said, offering a helpless smile. I explained that I needed Scathach's assistance with the delivery. It took some time, but I eventually managed to convince her.
However, unbeknownst to me, Aoife happened to be Scathach's true sister.
"I object!" Aoife raised her voice. "This b!tch abandoned everyone who loved her without a word, and even now, she doesn't have any intention of explaining herself!"
Anger flared within me at Aoife's harsh words towards Scathach, but I chose to let it slide. I was aware that Scathach had a history of doing some messed up things in her past.
"Sigh. She's as childish as ever, despite her age being that of a grandma," Scathach remarked with a faint grin.
"You see, that's precisely why I dislike her. She's an emotionless vessel, devoid of any love for anyone," Aoife ground her teeth in frustration.
Scathach's eyes twitched as she drew her sword. "Well, how about we settle things now? I honestly couldn't care less about you or the life in your belly."
"Bring it on! I'm not a coward who flees from a fight!" Aoife unsheathed her twin swords, ready for confrontation.
As the two Celtic warrior maidens engaged in a heated argument, I attempted to diffuse the tension with gentlemanly composure. But neither Scathach nor Aoife showed any inclination to yield.
At that moment, my smile faded.
Amidst their escalating quarrel, a palpable silence of impending dread filled the air. Scathach and Aoife, engrossed in their dispute, abruptly ceased their bickering when they sensed an ominous shift. Slowly turning their heads, their gazes fixed on my face, freezing them in place.
"There's just 30 minutes left before the delivery, and I'll be stepping out of the room. During this time, I expect both of you to reconcile," I stated with a smile, albeit tinged with a sense of foreboding.
"But—"
"And I better see you two engaging in a conversation, or..." I smiled while tapping a slipper on my palm, "or I will skin both of your asses. Is that clear?"
With a slipper tapping gently against my palm, I emphasized my point. Scathach and Aoife nodded in agreement.
"Good," I said before leaving the room. "Sigh, why are these warrior queens so challenging to handle?"
If they wouldn't resolve their differences, I was more than willing to assume the role of their temporary father and impart some much-needed lessons.
---
(3rd Person's POV)
A brief silence hung in the air until Scathach and Aoife let out a collective sigh of relief. They understood that Ferdiad/Titus, though gentle, had a side that could be provoked if pushed too far—a silent force to be reckoned with.
"You've got yourself a good pupil, sister," Aoife said, a smile gracing her face as she gently caressed the belly carrying new life.
"He's also my husband," Scathach added, her gaze lingering on the spot where Titus had stood just moments ago.
"Wow, never thought the emotionless one could snag a husband, even now," Aoife raised a skeptical brow.
"Well, unlike someone's casual fling who went off to buy milk after leaving the woman with a growing belly, I think it's clear who the real winner is here," Scathach retorted with a sly grin.
"Why, you!" Aoife flared with anger but quickly swallowed her rage. Starting a fight now would only anger Ferdiad, and she certainly didn't want to give birth from a baboon like ass.
Silence once again settled in the room for the next couple of minutes. Pride held both Scathach and Aoife captive, preventing them from taking the first step towards reconciliation.
Seeing no resolution in sight, Scathach sighed and took the initiative, embracing Aoife. "I am sorry."
"Sister..." Aoife was initially taken aback but then tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged Scathach back. "I am sorry too."
And so, on that day, the royal daughters of the Celts found solace in each other's tears.
---
(Titus's (Ferdiad's) POV)
Upon my return, I found Scathach and Aoife engrossed in a cheerful conversation on the bed. A warm smile curved my lips, and I stowed away the slipper back in my inventory.
However, something caught my attention—a peculiar sight of Scathach teaching Aoife from a book that happened to be a Jojo volume.
"And thus, Hamon is a crucial breathing technique against creatures like vampires or ghouls," Scathach explained earnestly.
"Understood, sister. I'll master this technique and introduce it as a norm in my kingdom. As the second member of the Speedwagon Foundation, you have my word," Aoife pledged enthusiastically.
I rubbed my forehead, silently praying that their newfound interest wouldn't tamper with the course of proper human history.
Anyway, the baby was safely delivered, and Aoife gave birth to a baby boy, just as history dictated—she named him Connla. As a quarter demigod, he was destined to become a formidable warrior like his father. But that tale was one for another time.
"I heard from Aoife that you visited her often when Cu wasn't around," Scathach brought up.
We strolled toward the Land of Shadows, hand in hand, beneath the soft hues of the setting sun. Despite our ability to teleport instantly, we chose to indulge in a leisurely walk at the request of my Celtic wife.
"That's true. After toying with Cu's emotions by faking my death, I felt a sense of responsibility to look after his lover and assist in delivering his son," I explained.
I understood she was probing for signs of infidelity, but both of us knew it was impossible. Her possessiveness was more a display of affection than suspicion.
"Fine, I give up," Scathach finally relented, a smile following her concession. "Thank you for that."
"It's okay," I replied, returning her smile.
"But why did you go to such lengths?" Scathach inquired.
She had a valid point. Truthfully, it could have easily escalated into a bloodbath, given the intense animosity between the sisters. Yet, what was the purpose of having foresight abilities if I couldn't mend relationships? I had already used my Odin's eye, which was why I brought Scathach along.
"Well, I didn't want you to have any lingering regrets before your death, especially with a family that cares for you," I explained.
Alone in this world, I cherished the bond I had with my siblings in my previous life. We were akin to the Kamado family—a simple yet loving village household. And with the mindset of a foster father who never tolerated discord among siblings, I was willing to go to great lengths to reconcile Scathach with her sister.
I didn't know if it aligned with actual history, but I didn't think it would have repercussions on me.
At that moment, Scathach halted.
"I'm sorry, Titus," she murmured, head bowed. "You've already suffered so much, and here I am, with a selfish desire to kill someone you love once again."
I looked at her, lifting her chin gently to meet her gaze. "It's okay, Shishou. It's a lesser cruelty than the pain you'd endure for the next two thousand years. I might shed a few tears, but I'll free you from your torment."
I wasn't saying this out of duty or mission. If my sole focus were completing a mission, I wouldn't have fallen for Scathach. I knew I'd be inflicting pain on myself once more, but my determination was fixed on attaining a happy ending in this unforgiving Nasuverse.
"Thank you, Titus. I'm truly proud of you, both as my student and as my husband," Scathach said, radiating a rare genuine emotion through her beaming smile.
I smiled back, enveloping her in an embrace as we continued to stroll until the day's end.
(AN: Chapters will be now 1500+ words but updates will be regular.)
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Tamamo and Nero making an entry in the 4th volume soon. Little spoiler, I will be covering the timeline of Siegfried.
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