Ch.160Marry That Child (3)

Arnold hurried back when he heard that Zernya would be leaving soon.

It wasn’t a particularly good choice. The woman he avoided was at home.

But Arnold had no way of knowing that fact.

“……”

“……”

The two encountered each other in the living room.

Seeing her, his thoughts froze, and for a moment, he couldn’t say anything.

She seemed a bit surprised too, pursing her lips.

Her expression said, “Why are you showing up here?”

Amid the awkward silence, Arnold was the first to speak.

“…Why at this hour?”

“Am I not allowed to be here?”

Rezein shot back sharply. She was sitting in a dining chair, peeling something like an apple.

“Do you have a problem with me being in my own home?”

“I’m just surprised to see someone who should be at a distant hospital suddenly appearing.”

“Even I need to rest sometimes.”

Rezein pouted her lips.

“And what about you? Why are you home so early? You’ve left the frontline management to me, and now that you’ve become a professor, are you not doing your job properly? How irresponsible.”

“Do you think you and I are the only military doctors at the front? And if we’re discussing responsibility, fulfill your duties as the lady of the house first, then we’ll talk.”

“I gave birth to Seti. I did everything the elders of both families demanded. Isn’t that enough to fulfill my duty?”

Before the conversation could spiral into disaster, Arnold closed his mouth.

Though it had been over a decade since they established their second household, she remained a woman difficult to understand. He clicked his tongue and changed the subject.

“Where did you leave Brian who was with you?”

“He was living fine on his own?”

“Don’t make your son do too many harsh tasks.”

Rezein’s brows furrowed together. It was the expression she showed just before raising her voice. Arnold hastily patched up his words.

“We’ve been married for over a decade. Though it wasn’t what either of us wanted, let’s just accept it now. The children are growing up, aren’t they?”

“I see you do care about the children growing up.”

Rezein snorted. She put down the knife and divided the fruit onto plates. Arnold’s gaze fell on those plates.

“There’s none for you.”

As she was about to turn and go to her room.

The front door opened once more, and Eidel and Zernya entered.

The two were munching on hot bars made of artificial meat, one in each hand. They had bought them from an unmanned convenience store on their way home from school. The cute sight reminded him of himself and Leika during their school days, making him feel warm.

“We’re home, Father. You’re home early?”

“Circumstances changed, so I left work early. By the way, Zernya, you said you’re leaving next week, right?”

“Yes.”

Zernya is leaving.

As soon as those words fell, Rezein stopped in her tracks.

“We have our family succession ceremony soon. I need to go back and take care of the household. There’s not much time left.”

“I see. Do that.”

“Head of the family, thank you for everything during my stay.”

“Wait a moment.”

Arnold held out a medicine packet.

“Take this with you. It’s medicine for sleepwalking. Try it for a week, and if your symptoms improve, I’ll prescribe more.”

“Thank you very much.”

Zernya bowed her head once more.

“I thought she’d stick around forever, but she’s finally leaving after all.”

Rezein muttered as she closed the door to her room. Arnold was about to say something but seeing Zernya’s indifferent expression, he shortened his words to an apology.

“I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s fine. Well then, since it’s final exam period, I’ll go first…”

“Go ahead. Son, I need to see you for a moment.”

“Huh?”

Eidel, who had been chewing on his hot bar while surveying the chilly atmosphere, opened his eyes wide. His expression was like that of a commoner hit with a winter heating bill bomb.

“Why me?”

“I have something to talk to you about.”

Arnold entered Eidel’s room and locked the door.

“Son, as you just saw.”

He intended to give his son, whose head was filled with nothing but physics, some life education as a father. This was also a reflection on his neglect of family matters.

“Marriage is never an easy thing. The honeymoon period might be good, but there are countless husbands who live under their wives’ thumbs. It’s hard when values don’t align, and it’s hard when personalities don’t match.”

“I’m sure it is.”

Eidel’s expression was composed, as if saying, “Why state the obvious?”

“Actually, I was planning to arrange a strategic marriage for you.”

“With whom?”

“Zernya von und zu Trisha Adelbein.”

Eidel slightly opened his mouth. Whether he liked it, disliked it, or was simply surprised, Arnold couldn’t tell.

“Rezein and I were also joined in a strategic marriage.”

“You told me not to gamble before, but it seems you’ve gambled with your life as the stake.”

“Hey, you rascal. It wasn’t by my will.”

Arnold murmured in a low voice. Eidel chuckled softly.

“Why Zernya specifically?”

“If you want to become the head of the family, marrying her would increase your chances.”

“Didn’t you ask for Zernya’s opinion?”

“I already did.”

“…Oh.”

It was something he had to tell eventually.

Arnold pondered anew what marriage was.

Something infinitely happy when done with someone compatible, and unbearably painful when forced with someone unwanted.

So without delay, he asked.

“Do you have someone else in mind?”

“I… do?”

“If you don’t want it, then don’t. Being the head of the family isn’t necessarily the best thing.”

Arnold thought it was quite good advice.

Whoever becomes the head, they’re still a child of the Rheinland family.

Arnold wished for all his children to live happily. Rather than becoming the head of the family and being unhappy, living a simple life wasn’t so bad. He could say this because he had experienced it all.

“But Father.”

“Hmm?”

“I think the current Zernya is fine too.”

Eidel asked.

“Are there any planetary systems that allow polygamy?”

Arnold’s thoughts came to a halt.

“Huh, huh. What a rascal I’m seeing.”

Arnold was a pure-hearted man who believed one should not love two women at once.

***

While Arnold was explaining to Eidel why one shouldn’t love two women at once in a clear and concise manner.

Rezein was slowly but steadily growing closer to Rustila.

From her brief observation of Rustila, Rezein felt two main things about her.

First, the child is very diligent.

Second, the child has feelings for Eidel.

It was evident from the topics of conversation Rustila chose.

When Rezein asked why Rustila, who aimed to be a soldier, had such a dream, she answered that she wanted to protect the person she loved. And she frequently mentioned Eidel, shyly smiling or fanning herself with her hand.

“Do you like Eidel?”

“W-What?”

Rustila, who had been nibbling on an apple, choked and thumped her chest hard. She wavered.

Rezein was certain.

This child is a joker card.

Not just any joker, but a color joker.

“I’m not thinking about marriage yet…”

“I never mentioned marriage?”

“Ah…!”

Rezein burst into laughter for the first time in a while. How could every single thing she did be so cute? It was hard to believe that at just eighteen, she was a genius who had mastered the multi-sword technique.

“Marriage is something to be decided carefully. What I’m talking about is dating. Do you know what dating is?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never done it before…”

“Dating, simply put, is primarily about marking your territory. It’s like saying, ‘This person might become mine, so don’t touch them casually, and don’t mess with me either!’ It’s a warning to others.”

“Ah, I see. So…”

Rustila seemed to be recalling something. Soon, a single word slipped from her lips.

“…Stray cat.”

“Exactly. If you don’t claim it in time, another cat might have its eye on it. You need to let people around you know that you’re dating someone. Dating is a promise for that.”

“It’s about trust then.”

“That’s right. Trust.”

Rezein added to that.

“Also, dating helps you determine whether the other person is suitable as your lifelong partner. It’s definitely important. Without dating before marriage, you might end up having difficult days together.”

She recalled both the past and the present simultaneously.

That’s exactly how her life had been. Rezein blurted out a single sentence condensed from years of experience.

“Strategic marriage. Never do it. When choosing a partner, always date first.”

“I understand.”

“Good. So, do you like Eidel?”

“Ugh…!”

Rustila nodded her head up and down while keeping it bowed low. Rezein’s lips curved upward as if they would pierce the ceiling.

“If you want, try confessing. Pick a meaningful date. For example, to celebrate the new year. Ah, yes! Since you can be treated as an adult when the year changes, how about preparing some alcohol?”

“A-Alcohol?”

“Yes. Chill the glasses in advance, and prepare ice and whiskey. Set everything up, make it beautiful, and invite only Eidel. When the mood is right, any man would get the hint.”

“Uh, ah…”

“Then confess right there. If it goes well, you can even get married.”

Rustila’s face turned as red as a carrot after Rezein’s rapid-fire suggestions. Alcohol, inviting to her home, confession. Marriage.

Her face seemed to wonder if something was missing between confession and marriage.

“Ah, I understand. I’ll try it!”

Rustila quickly finished the remaining apple and dashed out. Rezein then called for Seti.

“Seti, my daughter.”

“What?”

Seti was indifferent. Rezein knew. Her daughter neither disliked nor liked her.

“You said you’re close with Rustila.”

“So?”

“Would she be okay to become family?”

“Suddenly?”

“You never know in the future. You might end up calling that sister your sister-in-law.”

Seti slightly opened her mouth. Whether she liked it, disliked it, or felt something else, it was hard to tell. Rezein judged that Seti liked the idea.

“What do you think?”

“It’s fine. Very much so.”

Seti answered nonchalantly. Soon after, she opened her 4D tablet and displayed two windows.

One was a stock chart.

The other was a wedding venue reservation site.

Seti’s expression as she browsed the wedding venue site looked somewhat tired.

***

“The bride and groom enter!!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Wooooah!

Amidst the bursting fireworks and cheers, a couple dressed in wedding attire walks down the red carpet.

The woman holding the wedding bouquet had an expression of having everything in the world, and the man, with a flushed face, was matching his steps with his partner.

It was a beautiful, harmonious scene, dripping with sweetness.

Rezein stared at the ceiling in a daze.

“Do the groom, Richard Feynman, and the bride, Callis Stranov, swear to a love that will never change?”

“Yes, I swear!”

“Your voice is too soft, honey!”

“I SWEAR!!!”

How did I end up attending this?

“Professors, kiss! Kiss! Kiss!”

“Kyaaaa!!!”

“The future of the Federation’s physics community looks bright!!!”

Eidel was giving the congratulatory speech.

Yes, come to think of it, it was because that child had sent out the wedding invitation that she ended up here.