“What’s wrong, Ouga? You look great.”
”…… A pleasant thing happened.”
This morning’s story.
I’d slept with Karen alone, but woke to find Mashiro and Reina also in bed.
I don’t know how it happened, but waking surrounded by my loves was bliss.
Alice came for morning training; I beckoned her to bed-dive, but with everyone there she was too shy. Regrettable.
I want mornings like this to become routine — them beside me with good morning.
I’d come to discuss making this happiness real…… and the moment I sat, Father’s sharp eyes softened.
“Hoh…… the girls, right?”
”…… That obvious?”
He blinked rarely, then opened wide.
“Ahaha! Of course! I’m your father. I sense my child’s feelings. Glad to see age-appropriate cute side.”
A father-skill from being a doting parent.
If every parent had it, the world would brim with happy kids.
…… I want to be a father like him someday.
I felt his bony, rough hand on my head and silently swore.
Successive Veret happy families come from each child inheriting such kind parenting.
Satisfied, he withdrew his hand, sat heavy in the leather chair, gently broached the topic.
“So, what’s the talk with your beloved son?”
”…… My marriage partners. Mashiro, Karen, Reina, Alice…… all four as wives.”
“Four wives from first marriage! One alone couldn’t contain your love.”
“You’d object?”
“You’d force it anyway.”
“Glad my father understands me.”
“You’ve gotten sarcastic. Ready for ducal head anytime.”
He laughed often today, in good mood.
I want to delay taking over.
My hands are full with the Floné problem.
“Knowing you, all as official wives?”
“Of course. Even if all accept, I won’t rank them.”
”…… Typically treating a commoner equal to a ducal Karen would draw pushback. But the King recognized you as [Saint]. Because it’s you, declaring all as primary wives — first wife — should be accepted, I think.”
I’d anticipated walls for the marriages; relieved the biggest seemed surmountable.
Father confirmed my hypothesis.
As [Holder of Saintly Heart], I can love regardless of rank.
The [Saint] title proved useful here……!
Suppressing a fist-clench, I addressed concerns.
“Still, behind the scenes, noble-classists will rebel. Will this affect House Veret’s work?”
“Ahaha! Funny, Ouga. House Veret is already [Corrupt Lord] — hated.”
”…… Father, that’s not a punchline.”
“Just have the King witness. He’d gladly do it.”
“You can’t request that for a personal matter……”
“What? For Karen’s engagement he witnessed already.”
“Then was different!”
My father says wild things.
Anyway, status-difference solutions needed.
If cleared, no one can stop our marriages.
“Back to topic — I’ll approve. Ouga, take responsibility heavier than ever.”
“Of course. I’ll protect their futures with my life.”
“Your case worries me — you’d literally stake your life.”
He shook his head.
Can’t argue. I already sacrificed my right arm.
“And — that resolve fails.”
”……?”
“A husband leaving wives by dying? Burdening them with loss into the future?”
”!…… Reworded. Whatever the obstacle, I’ll walk with them.”
“Yes, carve it in. ……You’ll fight the greatest evil soon.”
“Yes. By House Veret’s crest, I swear.”
Father’s brow softened.
”…… That’s all?”
“No. One more — important like the marriage announcement.”
“Hmm? Not reached me yet……”
“Hadn’t leaked it. I’ve made a promise — please close the Veret private beach……”
“Fine, but…… that promise is what you want to tell me?”
I nodded.
“The demon dragon I ‘killed’…… is alive.”
”…………”
His brow rose subtly.
Even he couldn’t hide surprise.
If true, future Enkalton attacks remain possible.
How much budget needed? How to tell the King?
To pre-empt his anxieties:
“And that dragon is coming to Veret territory tomorrow.”
“Mobilize immediately, Ouga!”
Crap!? Created more anxiety!?
I grabbed his limbs to stop him from running out, hurried to explain the full story.