Mei, Tina, and Wiska, who had been watching over the Black Lotus while I was away, joined Chris, me, and the others for a tea party. Well, it wasn't anything as grand as that, but we did take a break together. We had plenty to talk about with Chris, from sharing recent news on both sides to catching up on events, though the conversation never entered into serious topics.
「It's quite tricky, isn't it? There are a lot of things that are difficult to talk about due to our positions.」
「That's inevitable because of our respective status… But once we get married, I think those issues will mostly go away.」
「Marriage with Chris, huh… Tell me the truth, is the Earl really in favor of it?」
「Yes, Grandfather is supportive of my marriage with you, Hiro-sama. After my parents passed away, and my uncle… well, died from illness. Grandfather decided to pass his title to me, since then I have received countless marriage proposals. However, Grandfather didn't entreat any of them, he said that all of them had the ulterior motive of exploiting the Earl Dareinwald House.」
「So rather than giving Chris to such people, he thinks it would be better to have Chris marry Hiro, who has no strings attached, and support Chris until she becomes independent?」
「Although he didn't say it outright, I think that's probably the case. There is some concern that Hiro-sama's ties with Marquis Holz are stronger than we expected, but since Serena-sama did not object to Princess Luciada's ranking, we should be able to come to an agreement… Besides, Lord Laurenz didn't seem interested in excessively meddling with the Earl Dareinwald House. At least, not openly.」
「Um, if we're talking about nobility, isn't Elma-san's family also part of it?」
「My family? We're fine. We don't hold any territory. While we're not completely free from power struggles, those are confined to the court. We're on a different playing field compared to the landed nobility, who wield significant influence over people, resources, and money outside the court. Well, if Earl Dareinwald House wants to interfere with the court or the central government in the future, my family might be able to offer some support, but don't expect me to get involved in that…」
Elma shrugged her shoulders as she said this. Indeed, if she were a lady who participated in tea parties and balls in the imperial capital's social circles, it might be different. But asking Elma, who left the capital when she was young to become a mercenary, to play court politics…
「That's true. Well, we'll probably end up discussing this further when we visit the Willrose family tomorrow… Chris, you're coming too, right?」
「Is it alright if I come along as well?」
「Of course, it's fine. I want to introduce you to my parents. And of course, Tina and the rest of you as well.」
「We were quite busy last time…」
「Ahaha… Looking back now… it's not really a fond memory.」
The light seemed to vanish from Tina and Wiska's eyes. Back then, they were literally swamped with work given to them by the Imperial Capital branch of Space Dwerg Company.
「I'm looking forward to meeting your family, Elma-san. What kind of people are they, my Lord?」
「I've only talked to them a little myself… This time, there won't be any annoying events like those trial matches, so I'd like to take my time and get to know them. I owe a lot to Elma's brother.」
Elma's brother, Ernst, had helped me get in touch with a specialized armor shop when I was acquiring my ninja armor. He might not think too highly of me, but despite everything, he always responds kindly when I seek his help.
We wrapped up today's tea party with plans to meet Elma's family tomorrow, and I made arrangements with Chris for our meeting time. Today was mentally exhausting… I just want to take a bath and relax thoroughly.
☆★☆
After filling my stomach with the dinner prepared by Tetsujin and taking a bath, I decided to spend a relaxing evening with Tina and Wiska. Since they had been left behind on the Lotus today, it was my way of making it up to them.
「Good job today, Boss.」
「It's more of a mental exhaustion than a physical one… But I guess it's my own doing, so I can't complain.」
「I don't think it's as bad as you say, Big Brother. You haven't done anything wrong, after all. I think that Chris-sama and Serena-sama fell for your kindness, character, and bravery.」
Wiska, who was lying beside me on the bed, chimed in to reassure me. I was lying on my bed in the captain's quarters—my room—flanked on either side by Tina and Wiska. Thanks to their small sizes, there was still plenty of space on the bed even with the three of us lying there.
「True, I wasn't actively trying to seduce anyone, so maybe saying it's my own doing is too harsh. Still, I'm feeling a little defeated. I tried to avoid getting romantically involved with them, but it seems I got caught in the end.」
「 Serena-sama didn't seem like she was gonna let you escape from the start.」
「I felt her determination alright. She felt like a predator hunting its prey.」
「So, ya finally got caught, huh, Boss? Or maybe it's more like ya gave in to her feelings and let her in?」
「In the meaning that your kindness backfired, then maybe it really is your own doing, Big Brother.」
Don't analyze it so calmly. That hits a bit too close to home. Well, it is what it is. If I have a weakness, it's that I can't be heartless, especially to those close to me. Of course, I had the option to abandon Serena, but whether I could have taken that option is another matter… I guess it's just fate. I don't believe in destiny or anything like that, but maybe it's just how the stars aligned. Let's just leave it at that.
「I'll make sure not to let things drag on and increase the number of women involved with me… The thing is… there are already two candidates who want to join us.」
「Linda and Neve, right? It's a sure thing with Neve, but what about Linda? Maybe 'bout fifty-fifty?」
「You think so, Sis? Despite everything, she seems like the type to stick to her commitments.」
「She's still young, and she'll meet a lotta people, so who knows what might happen. Her feelings could change.」
「I agree with Tina about Linda, but as for Neve… it's pretty much a done deal, huh?」
「You can't just abandon someone in a situation like hers, right Big Brother?」
「If ya can do it with us, then ya should be able to do Neve too.」
「Alright, I give up. Please, stop attacking me both emotionally and physically… So, while we're at it, do you two have any issues with this whole situation? It would help if you told me any grievances you have.」
When I posed the question, both of them fell silent, deep in thought. They are really cute when they close their eyes and hum contemplatively. The fact that they are so similar even when doing these small gestures makes them even cuter.
「In the end, looks like Chris-sama's gonna be the main wife, with Serena-sama and Elma-neesan as the second and third. And we, includin' Mimi, will be further down the line, right?」
「I don't like the idea of ranking people as higher or lower, but for appearances' sake, I guess it has to be that way.」
「We're commoners, so we don't really mind. We don't have any desire to compete with them. We just want to have your children.」
「Honestly, we don't care 'bout marriage papers as long as we can stay with ya. But like Wee said, we do wanna have kids.」
「Isn't that a bit too convenient for me?」
「I think I've mentioned this before, but we're fine bein' your convenient women. Even if ya were to leave us after we had kids, as long as we're together, we can live anywhere.」
「I would never do that.」
I replied, feeling a bit offended by her words. The thought that they might think I would abandon them after having children was truly hurtful.
「We know, ya wouldn't do that. It was just an example. What I'm tryin' to say is that we've got plenty of money saved up from the rewards you've given us, and we've got plenty of skills to rely on. We could even lean on our mom if we needed to. So ya don't need to worry 'bout us. As long as ya need us, we'll be right here by your side.」
Tina explained with a smile, snuggling closer to me. Wiska did the same.
「Please do as you like, Big Brother. We'll follow you. We're satisfied just being cared for like this from time to time.」
「It feels more like I'm the one being cared for by you two rather than the other way around…」
I looked up at the ceiling while feeling their warm bodies pressed against me.
Come to think of it, these two have pretty intense emotions. There's something… heavy about their feelings, or rather, there is something clingy about them. No, it's just my imagination. Definitely. I'm overthinking it. Yeah, that's it.
In any case, it's a joy and a source of pride that they feel this strongly about me. I just need to make sure I never betray their trust.