"No, I won't. Rather I want you to be happy and take some sister for me to share the burden. I can't handle your little beast," Janet snorted.
"My beast isn't little," Roland shouted and showed his vigorous attack once again.
Finally defeated by Roland's attack, Janet lay down helpless on Roland's chest breathing heavily, with her bountiful chest swaying up and down tickling Roland but seeing her look, he didn't want to push her anymore.
"Honey, so do you agree?"Janet spoke in a coarse voice, clearly exhausted.
Roland gave her a solemn look and then looked up at the ceiling.
Roland naturally took a glimpse of Janet's thoughts as he dragged her into the war and let Janet speak his mind.
The real reason Janet was working hard was because she was starting to feel afraid. While she was just an ordinary girl Roland had already reached the advanced Master stage and his lifespan was already beyond a hundred years but it wasn't the case for Janet.
She was afraid of Roland being alone if she left due to some misfortune and with the things going on, she was sure Roland would go through more while she would have stayed behind so she didn't want to drag them behind.
Naturally, Roland felt helpless. Despite searching around, he hadn't found anything to increase Janet's aptitude. As for training her and making her work hard.
Even if she tried all her life, at best she would be at 1st rank or 2nd rank which hardly increases the lifespan.
Maybe he can do some things if he can contact the big empires after all their Kingdom was nothing but a backwater wasteland.
And for all,he needs to get stronger and for that, he needs more children.
After a few moments of thought, Roland opened his lips.
"Before that, I wanted to finish things with Priya….I won't lie to Janet, but from childhood, Priya had been my first love. It was an innocent love without any deep sense and vulgarity but after marrying, I got rid of thoughts so…"
Hearing this, Janet, who didn't have any more energy left in her body, showed a ferocious expression and bit Roland.
"Ouch…."
"I am not angry at you for loving rather I am angry because you didn't act on her. Do you know now it felt for her to see you not snatching the food even when served?"
"I…I…"
"Shut up…"
Janet felt both angry and happy but the guilt for Priya outweighed her heart so in anger, she took a few more bites…
.....
For now, Roland decided to accept them. Being noble daughters, they were still educated so it wasn't suitable for them to be used as maids so Roland gave them work of administration.
He had been carrying the burden alone, and as for Janet, she was too occupied with giving birth and taking care of children to do other jobs so all new help was welcomed.
Seeing that his wife's arrangements were clear, Roland could only reluctantly accept.
After all...
In the situation where his wife has agreed, would he still be a man if he refused? Moreover, he needed to increase his strength otherwise he would share the same fate as his parents which was a big no.
Without children, he wouldn't be able to receive the system rewards.
And, he has to say.
Janet found a pretty woman for him.
Murphy has a sweet and charming appearance but Roland decides to ignore her.
While Leila has a more cold and captivating appearance, giving a sense of conquest.
It perfectly matches his aesthetic but first, he needed to improve things with Priya so….
As for the other two, Murphy was crossed out for now, and about, Leila…
...
In the Baron's bedroom quarters…
Priya moved gracefully, changing the sheets and tidying up the room. As head maid taking over her mother who served the previous generations it wasn't her work to change the sheets but she took it upon herself.
As she changed the sheets, the past memories of her childhood flooded into her mind.
She was 13 when she met Roland who was around 5 but at first glance, Roland had taken a liking to her calling her Big Sister.
Many reprimanded him but no matter he was adamant about calling her big sister. And he would burst into anger if anyone except her cleaned his room and clothes.
Their interactions grew and soon the day when Roland's departure to the army arrived. It was a depressing day for her. Before leaving, Roland cried for a long time on his shoulders.
The sadness was overwhelming and his departure made her life bland, tasteless, and colourless.
Nevertheless, she persisted…
The reason…
It's because Roland promised to return and marry her but so many things have happened and so much time passed.
They were finally united, but a large gap had yet to remain that seemed unlikely to be filled. Then, as her mind was elsewhere, lost in thoughts of recent events.
Unbeknownst to her, the door creaked open slightly, casting a sliver of light across the floor. A shadow darted in, causing Priya to startle. Before she could react, strong hands enveloped her, causing her to gasp in pain. She turned, ready to give a stern warning, only to find herself face-to-face with Roland.
Her heart raced as she saw the infatuated look in Roland's eyes. His presence both unsettled and intrigued her, but memories of their recent meetings left a bitter taste in her mouth.
"My Lord," she managed to say in a hoarse voice.
Roland's expression softened slightly and his gaze locked hers. "You were the one leaping into my arms earlier," he remarked with a playful smirk, stepping closer.
Priya took a step back and tried to escape.
"That was different, and you know it," she retorted, her tone firm yet tinged with uncertainty.
A flicker of hurt crossed Roland's face, quickly masked by determination. "Is it?" he challenged gently, taking another step towards her. "You can't deny there's something between us."
Priya hesitated, torn between the attraction she felt and the reservations that held her back.
"My Lord, isn't it you who avoided me first," she murmured as her eyes glared at Roland with a bit of resentment and anger.
He reached out tentatively, his hand hovering near her cheek. "I know."
"Priya, you know what I always wanted but I didn't want to break my mother's last wish and then didn't want to behave like a scum and betray Janet secondly…''
Roland's eyes Priya, with an inexplicable, "Isn't it you who pushed me to this marriage.."
Hearing this, Priya felt a stabbing pain. Roland had given her many signs previously that she wanted to marry her but she didn't dare to expect too much.
As a maid, she can't take the main position and stain Roland's honour. Naturally, Roland didn't want to push and force her which resulted in this.
"But sometimes, you have to follow your heart."
She closed her eyes briefly, conflicted emotions swirling within her. "I…I.."
"Lord, what—" Priya began, but her words were cut off as he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a passionate kiss. She gasped in surprise but melted into the kiss, her hands instinctively finding their way around his neck.
Their kiss deepened, a rush of emotions flooding through Priya. She felt Roland's arms wrap around her waist, pulling her closer, their bodies pressed together in a tender embrace. Time seemed to stand still as they shared this moment of intimacy, their hearts beating as one.
When they finally pulled apart, Priya's cheeks were flushed, her breath coming in soft gasps. Roland gazed at her with a mixture of adoration and longing, his fingers gently brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"I've wanted to do that for so long," Roland confessed softly, his voice filled with sincerity.
Priya met his gaze, her own eyes shimmering with unspoken feelings. "I... I didn't expect..."
Roland smiled gently, his thumb caressing her cheek. "I know," he murmured. "But I couldn't resist anymore."
And then Roland took the final step.