Ch.88Newlywed Home (2)

The warm, pleasant sunlight tickling the back of my hand naturally put me at ease.

Since I had been somewhat tense, this comfortable atmosphere was truly as sweet as honey.

Of course, that didn’t last long either.

“Crow, now that I think about it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves yet. If I had known we would meet again like this, I should have at least told you my name that day. I am Sylphene, Elin’s mother.”

Sylphene bowed her head lightly in greeting, and I nodded my head in return.

“I honestly didn’t expect to see you again like this either. I’m Crow.”

After our belated introduction, an awkward atmosphere began to flow between us.

Surely when we were in the Great Forest, we had pleasant conversations…

Perhaps it’s natural since our positions have changed.

Back then, I was just a professor leading students, and Sylphene was merely the mother of a former party member.

But now, I’m facing her as someone who wants to become Elin’s husband.

Anyway, it felt like sitting on pins and needles.

It wasn’t as uncomfortable as when I went to the Duchy of Gideon, but I still felt uneasy.

Then, Sylphene broke the silence.

“Crow, I’ll be straightforward with you. As you saw earlier, my daughter is quite lacking. The term ‘refined lady’ suits her less than ‘tomboy’ would.”

Certainly, as she said, Elin has a bright personality and is honest with her emotions.

Some might even think she’s childlike.

“That’s why I’m worried. Riano, Derin, and Lael are all such excellent ladies that it’s almost unfair to compare my daughter to them. I worry that Elin might be disliked by you among them… Even though I know you wouldn’t do that, I can’t help but worry as a mother…”

This is somewhat unexpected.

I never thought Sylphene, who always appeared as a strong mother in front of Elin, would speak so directly.

She must really cherish her daughter a lot. That’s probably why she had to be stricter with her.

If I ever have children, I might be similar.

So that my child can be a bit more impressive outside.

So they can be confident in front of anyone, I would probably be stricter.

“It’s true that Elin has somewhat childish aspects as you mentioned, but I actually think that’s a good thing. Being honest with one’s emotions is much harder than hiding them. And Elin is a much more impressive woman than you think.”

Since I’m saying this as someone who has fallen for Elin, it might seem less credible, but objectively speaking, she is an impressive woman.

Not only is she skilled in cooking, sewing, laundry, and all household chores, but she’s also a proper member of an S-Rank party.

And above all, she’s someone who appreciates kindness and knows how to repay it.

With all that, isn’t it okay if she’s a bit of a tomboy?

Such a minor flaw is more than covered by her virtues.

Hearing my answer, a gentle smile appeared on Sylphene’s lips.

“It seems I didn’t need to worry after all. I can clearly feel how much you love our daughter.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I was quite nervous inside.”

“Of course you should be nervous. You’re trying to take four women as wives at once. And all of them are beautiful women… Well, now I think I understand how this happened.”

“What do you mean…?”

Before I could finish speaking, Sylphene stood up from her seat. Her golden hair, identical to Elin’s, swayed.

I wanted to ask what she meant by that last sentence, but it seemed she had no intention of answering.

“I must be going now. My husband was so worried about me coming here… He was quite alarmed.”

“It’s a shame. Elin would be so happy if you could stay longer.”

“It can’t be helped, even if it’s regrettable. She needs to become a proper wife now, and it’s time for her to graduate from missing her mother’s embrace.”

With that conversation as our last, Sylphene and I left the room and went down the stairs. After a brief exchange at the door, she departed alone.

It would have been nice if she had at least said goodbye to Elin…

— I feel like I might get emotional if I see her. We’ll meet at the wedding anyway, so it’s okay to leave quietly today.

I don’t know the feelings of parents sending their daughter off to marriage.

I don’t have a daughter yet. That’s natural.

But I know very well the feeling of someone you’ve spent a long time with suddenly leaving, so I could somewhat understand the fragments of emotion she was feeling.

It probably feels bittersweet, like your heart is empty.

As I stood there blankly staring at the firmly closed door…

“Huh? Crow, where is my mother?”

Turning my head at the voice beside me, I saw Elin slowly approaching.

In comfortable clothes with her hair neatly tied down, she looked like the perfect image of a wife doing household chores.

“Ah… well…”

“She left already, didn’t she?”

“Yeah, she left.”

“I thought she might do that… Mother seems strong, but she’s actually very sensitive. Still, it’s a bit disappointing.”

“I actually asked if she wanted to stay longer, but she declined.”

“It’s okay. After all, she’s my mother. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

Saying that, Elin grabbed my hand and started pulling me somewhere, saying, “Everyone is waiting!”

The place we arrived at was a sunny outdoor terrace.

Everyone except Elin and me was seated around a large table.

Riano spotted me and waved, saying, “Crow, welcome. You must be tired.” And Derin, sitting next to her, greeted me with, “Crow, it’s been a while. No problems, right?”

“I’m glad you both seem to be doing well. And no, nothing special happened with me.”

After I casually returned their greetings and sat in an empty seat, Elin placed a teacup in front of me and poured tea with a gentle stream.

Sitting around the table like this, I suddenly realized how many we really are.

So this is what it feels like to become a family of five.

There surely won’t be a single quiet day. It will be really lively when the children are born too.

Just then, Riano, sitting next to me, poked my side with her finger.

“Why are you grinning like that? Did something good happen?”

“No, just… I’m happy thinking about us becoming a family.”

“I feel the same way. I used to only think about growling and chasing others away, but now that we’re living together, it’s enjoyable… Anyway, that’s how it is.”

At those words, everyone’s gaze turned to Riano.

They probably found it surprising that Riano would say such things.

“W-what? Why is everyone looking at me like that?!”

Riano flailed her hands in embarrassment.

But I knew this would happen. Riano only grumbles on the outside, but inside she’s more sensitive than anyone.

Then I suddenly remembered something I wanted to ask Derin.

“Derin, um… perhaps…”

Should I ask this…?

Everyone has things they want to keep hidden.

Even if they’re people who will soon become family.

Derin tilted her head at my words.

“Crow, what is it? If you have something to say, go ahead.”

As expected, she’s quick-witted. Her skill at reading people’s expressions as a thief hasn’t dulled.

“Is there anyone I should visit and greet?”

“Someone to greet…?”

After pondering for a moment, Derin waved her hand dismissively and answered, “It’s okay. There’s no one.”

Then she added:

“My parents passed away a long time ago. I don’t even know their faces.”

The atmosphere instantly became solemn at Derin’s words.

I asked because Derin said it was okay, but if I had known, I would have asked privately.

“W-what? Why are you all like this? I really don’t mind?”

Of course, Derin herself seemed genuinely unbothered.

“Derin, it’s okay. I, Lael Gideon, swear on the name of Gideon to be your true friend.”

“That’s right. Derin, we’re already friends. There’s nothing to be sad about.”

“If… you miss a parent’s embrace, would you like to be hugged by me…? I raised Crow, so it might be similar…”

As everyone took turns offering words of comfort, Derin looked at me with bewilderment.

She probably wanted me to help her out.

But it feels a bit awkward to interrupt such a warm atmosphere.

And anyway, it will settle down on its own soon.

At any rate, it seems there’s no one else I need to meet and greet, so there’s only one thing left.

Setting the date for when the five of us will become a true family.

“Alright, everyone, let’s decide on the wedding venue and date. We’ll need to have custom outfits made for each of us, so it’s better to set a date with plenty of time.”

At my words, everyone nodded and began an enthusiastic discussion.

“How about two months from now?”

“I prefer as soon as possible.”

“I’d like a season when many flowers are blooming.”

“I don’t really mind. As long as I can be with Crow, anything is fine.”

By the way, am I really getting married…?

I’m going to be a married man now!