Ch.86I Am the First Wife! (4)

I can’t sleep.

Despite having spent countless hours sleeping on dirt floors as an adventurer, I found it impossible to sleep at my lover’s family home.

No one was making me feel unwelcome, but it still felt awkward and uncomfortable.

Phew─.

I turned my head at the sound of a long exhale to see Lael sleeping peacefully.

At least Lael is sleeping well.

Thinking I might end up staying awake all night, I carefully got up from the bed. I placed a gentle kiss on Lael’s forehead and slipped out of the room.

In the dark night, the empty, wide corridor felt not just cool but eerily desolate.

The feeling was enough to make my spine tingle.

As a Warlock, I had some immunity to creepy things, but I could never get used to this ghost-like atmosphere.

That’s when I heard it.

Rustle─.

A sound came from the end of the corridor.

Who could it be at this hour…?

The sound came from the direction of the garden.

But with the strict security in place, it couldn’t be an intruder.

That means someone went to the garden at this hour….

Could it be Jane…?

With that thought, I followed the sound as if entranced.

After passing through the long corridor and turning a corner, I was greeted by a brightness that seemed impossible for nighttime.

Tonight, the moon was exceptionally bright.

Under that bright moon, a woman was looking at flowers while sipping tea.

“Lady Jane.”

At my voice, Lael’s mother, Jane, turned her head and met my eyes.

“Oh my, is your bed uncomfortable…?”

She spoke with concern, but I shook my head.

“Not at all. It’s actually too luxurious for me.”

“That’s good to hear…. But if you’re having trouble sleeping, would you like to chat? I have many things I want to say and ask.”

At her words, I nodded lightly and took a seat a short distance away.

“Beautiful, isn’t it? I love how the garden has a completely different feel at night.”

Indeed, as she said, the garden at night had a new feeling.

It didn’t shine with vibrant colors like during the day, but it had a soft, subtle charm.

The bright full moon probably contributed to that.

As we were appreciating the flowers, Jane continued speaking.

“When she was young, Lael loved this garden tremendously. Sometimes she would pick flowers and make flower crowns.”

“I see….”

Lael picking flowers and making flower crowns instead of wielding a greatsword and shield….

It’s impossible to imagine the current Lael doing that.

Still, hearing stories about Lael that I didn’t know was pleasant.

“Back then, she would run around everywhere and sometimes get stung by bees. When her face swelled up, my heart just… Whew, it’s frightening just thinking about it.”

“I played similarly when I was young. Children don’t like being constrained.”

After my words, a brief silence followed.

It wasn’t awkward.

Rather, the silence suited this subtle atmosphere better.

Then, in a low voice, Jane spoke.

“Even though we’ve been apart for a long time… she’s my precious daughter.”

“I know.”

Lael certainly has a willful personality.

Even I feel that way, so her parents must feel it even more.

But despite that, when Lael arrived at the mansion, they came out to greet her.

They welcomed her with smiling faces.

For someone like me, whose birth parents are both gone, it was almost enough to make me jealous.

“Four people, was it…? Do you truly believe that’s possible?”

“I’ll make it possible no matter what.”

At my words, Jane let out a sigh, “Huh….”

She probably thinks it’s absolutely impossible.

“Why should my precious daughter, who deserves to monopolize her husband’s love, receive love divided into four pieces…?”

At her slightly resentful words, I kept my mouth firmly shut.

She’s certainly right.

No matter how hard I try, it won’t be as good as monopolizing love.

The time spent together, sharing love—everything.

“Crow, how would you feel if your child were in the same situation? Would you gladly permit it?”

“That’s….”

I couldn’t answer easily.

I know better than anyone that such a life won’t be smooth sailing.

“I feel the same. I thought the same way. It will be difficult. Definitely difficult. But you know what… I saw it.”

“Saw what…?”

“I saw my daughter, who had been losing her smile as she grew up, smiling happily. Today, my daughter’s smile was like when she played in the flower garden as a child.”

Jane said this and took a sip of the tea in front of her.

Her eyes were filled with sadness.

“That’s when I realized. Ah─, she loves him so much. So even though I really, really don’t like it, I decided to approve.”

As soon as I heard those words, all the worries deeply embedded in my heart disappeared completely.

I felt so good I wanted to shout, but…

I shouldn’t do that.

She probably didn’t approve of this marriage because she was happy about it.

“Please make our daughter happy. If she sheds even a single tear, I won’t stand by quietly.”

With those final words, Jane rose from her seat.

A cool night breeze blew, and white steam rose in waves from the black tea on the table.

Tears….

Unfortunately, I don’t think I can keep that promise.

Tears don’t only come when you’re sad.

I stared blankly at the full moon before turning my steps toward the room where Lael would be sleeping.

Creak, as I opened the door and entered, Lael was sitting on the bed with a drowsy face.

With half-closed eyes, she looked at me and said,

“Crow─. Where did you go─.”

Her voice trailed off like a child whining.

“Ah…um…. I went out for some fresh air.”

“If you’re having trouble sleeping, come here.”

Lael spread her arms wide.

It looked like she was saying, “Come here and hug me─.”

Without hesitation, I embraced her tightly.

She’s small and soft. And she smells nice too.

“Jane said she’ll approve our marriage.”

“Mmm…? Mother diiid─?!”

Was she that surprised by my words?

Lael made a loud noise and pushed me away by my shoulders.

“R-really?!”

Lael asked with wide eyes, and I nodded lightly.

“Yes, really. I think Lord Bern will somehow come around too…?”

“T-then we can get married…?! All four of us together?!”

Is she that happy about it?

Without answering, I hugged her and lay down on the bed.

I just want to sleep now.

I rode in a carriage for a long time today, and I was tired in many ways.

“Are…are you just going to sleep…?”

“Why, is there something else you want to…?”

Seeing her eyes, I gulped.

A cat eyeing its prey was staring at me.

Surely not here…?

I think that might be a bit inappropriate….

* * * * *

“My, Crow, you look very tired.”

At the breakfast table, where everyone had gathered again, Jane asked.

“I’m fine. The bed was so soft and springy that it was comfortable.”

It was incredibly soft.

Thanks to that, my knees didn’t hurt last night?

But why does the very person who made me tired seem more energetic than usual…?

It seems unfair somehow.

Just then, as if noticing my gaze, Lael quickly turned her head.

She definitely seems in better condition.

She looks much prettier than yesterday.

“Crow, is there something on my face?”

“No, nothing.”

At my words, Lael made a “hmm” sound and then stabbed one of the pieces of meat left on my plate and brought it to her mouth.

“That was delicious.”

“That was delicious, right?”

“Well… think what you want.”

While I was thinking that she might be a bit short-sighted due to her excellent condition, Bern spoke.

“Lael, if you ever have any difficulties, just tell me. This father will rush over and take that fellow down.”

“Not ‘that fellow,’ but Crow. You shouldn’t call your daughter’s husband ‘that fellow,’ should you?”

When Lael snapped back, Bern flinched.

He really does love his daughter.

He just couldn’t express it well because he’s not good at showing his feelings.

Indeed, parents can’t help but love their children.

No matter how disobedient or tomboyish they are, they still love them.

“Youngster…”

“No. Please call him properly by his name, Crow.”

“Lad…”

Aren’t “youngster,” “fellow,” and “lad” all pretty much the same…?

As Lael and Bern continued their bickering, breakfast came to an end.

Yesterday, I was so nervous I couldn’t even taste the food, but today I could actually taste it.

That’s how much the atmosphere had softened.

Anyway, it’s time to go back now.

I should meet Elin’s parents at least once, though I’m not sure about Derin’s.

“Father, Mother, we’re leaving now.”

Before boarding the carriage, Lael bowed her head in greeting.

“Alright, my daughter, be sure to let us know when you set a wedding date.”

“A-ahem…. Lael, be happy.”

After saying that, Bern quickly turned his head away.

As much as he loves his daughter, it must be sad to let her go.

“Thank you for your hospitality. I promise to make her happy.”

“Yes, please do. Please make our daughter happy.”

Jane said with a smile, but Bern seemed to have no intention of responding and just kept his back turned.

It can’t be helped.

It’s already a lot that he gave his approval in the first place.

So I gave up and was about to board the carriage when I heard a low voice.

“I’m counting on you.”