Chapter 417
After dragging behind the heavy karma, I finally managed to speak up.
“…I’ll do my best.”
Unfortunately for Erzebet, I couldn’t guarantee that her turn would come today. No matter how important the order is, expressing obligatory affection feels a bit off. Seriously, “The fifth one is waiting, so let’s wrap up the second, third, and fourth quickly!” — that’s just a crazy thought. Even a supermarket nearing closing time wouldn’t throw that kind of clearance sale.
Not to mention, forcing a high-intensity expression of affection like a kiss without setting the mood is just rude. Even with my limited romantic experience, which only includes Hecate, I’ve learned the importance of atmosphere.
“Since the Executive Manager is here, I have to leave! Or else I won’t see you until break!”
But as I avoided giving a solid answer, Erzebet puffed her lips out in a pout, making a protest that was way too heartfelt and persuasive to counter.
“If it’s going to be like this, I’ll just change my age! I’ll re-register my birth so I can also be 18! Then I can stay at the Academy!”
“No, I didn’t live a long life just to be a bureaucrat…”
Eventually, Erzebet started lying on the floor and throwing a fit, and even Mar, who was in my arms, subtly moved away to put some distance between them.
Her desperate struggle continued until Beatrix finished her class and arrived.
What a regretful sight it was.
While battling on the floor, Erzebet ended up complaining in Beatrix’s embrace.
“You were at the Academy last year, so you understand how I feel, right?”
“Of course, I do.”
As Beatrix comforted Erzebet, she spoke in a soothing voice, just like a mother would to her child.
I felt like I might lose my mind. Sure, I call Louise the pink capybara, but maybe Erzebet is the real capybara out here? After becoming friends with the quiet Penelia and the dignified Duchess who has ruled for a hundred years, she’s got an extraordinary ability to connect with people.
Of course, it’s the same for other lovers and me getting close to Beatrix, but Erzebet is the only one who has broken down those walls so much.
“But it’s clear you’re also uncomfortable. You wouldn’t discriminate against us, right?”
As I blankly stared at the white capybara, Beatrix’s heartfelt words moved me.
She was right. I’ve been silently trying to ensure none of the six get discriminated against. Just knowing someone acknowledges my efforts makes me want to cry.
‘You feel that way too, huh?’
Without thinking, I looked down at my hand. The half ring sparkling in a pitiful manner seemed to say it’s feeling the same way.
For the sake of a non-discriminative relationship, I’ve made a lot of sacrifices for you… I’m really sorry…
“So please understand. The sadness you feel now will transform into happiness during break.”
With that, Erzebet, who had been burying her face in Beatrix’s chest, slowly lifted her head. Then she looked at me with sparkling eyes.
I couldn’t help but chuckle. I felt like I understood what she was thinking — asking for confirmation that Beatrix’s words were true.
“When you return to the Academy, let’s spend time together in the office.”
So I said it. Under the premise that if it were purely a boss-employee relationship, I’d want to bite my tongue, but considering we’re in a romantic relationship, it was a shy confession of “I’ll spend more time with you during break.”
“Is it true you’re working late every day? I’m looking forward to it!”
Thanks to that, Erzebet responded with a giggle and a playful retort.
I instinctively shivered at the mention of working late, but it was probably just a joke.
…Right?
*
Seeing Eri, who was still cuddled and smiling in my arms, made me smile without realizing it.
She was the first of the five kids who had been hesitant around me, and now the nickname “Eri” feels more natural than Erzebet.
And while her world is effervescent and unique, she’s actually quite deep and caring.
‘She could get jealous you know.’
What a commendable child. I’m lucky to be the second, but despite getting close to her faster than anyone else, she became the fifth. While she knows I’m not a person to discriminate by order, she still might end up affected by such situations if I had to pay attention to order.
In reality, Eri might feel wronged and upset. Louise and Irina met me after Eri, so they got to spend time with me afterward.
However, Eri has never shown any discontent. This tantrum is just a means of seeking attention, not a sign of negativity toward others.
“Sis?”
‘Oh.’
Before I knew it, my hand was stroking Eri’s head. I must have acted on the thoughts I had about her being such a commendable kid.
“Your hair feels nice. It’s so soft, I couldn’t help but touch it.”
“Right? I take care of it every day!”
After a brief moment of surprise, she hurriedly made an excuse. But perhaps it was a compliment that resonated well with her, as she started to giggle and shrug her shoulders.
Thank goodness. Even if Eri doesn’t show jealousy, saying “Other kids met you before me and they also didn’t get mad, good job!” would be a cruel statement. I’d have to humbly accept it even if Eri would start tearing my hair out.
“While I might not be as good as you, among my peers─”
Just as she was cheerfully continuing her sentence, her face suddenly turned serious, and she became quiet.
She must have realized it was a little insensitive to mention age, given that she’s deliberately tried to avoid it. Probably worried I’d feel sour because of that “peer” comment.
But reactions like that can hurt more. It would be better to continue the chat naturally; pausing only makes it painfully obvious she’s checking my mood.
‘The age of elves is just a number.’
It’s a bit disappointing. Just because I’m a hybrid, I can’t apply only 10% of my age like my mother but I can use about 20%. Going by that, I could claim I’m in Eri’s age group.
Yet I didn’t feel the need to argue about it. Months ago, when I mentioned to my grandmother that my age was 20% of an elf, I still can’t forget the shocked expression she had.
She was trying to act calm but clearly showed a cultural shock that a foreigner would experience.
…Seriously, what does age even matter? It’s not like I tricked these kids into thinking I was younger.
“Oh, by the way, Executive Manager! We decided we’d talk comfortably with Mar, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Then Eri, who had been fidgeting, suddenly turned her gaze toward Mar.
“Well then, let’s talk comfortably with sis too!”
At that, I tilted my head in confusion.
Comfortably? But Mar and I had already been speaking comfortably—a—
“Calling your lover ‘baby’ is weird, don’t you think? What’ll you do if kids are born?”
Wa…?
*
When Erzebet brought up the topic of age in front of Beatrix, she expressed her total embarrassment in body language and suddenly shifted the subject to me. It was a pitiful struggle for survival, almost comedic.
“Lovers calling each other ‘baby’ is weird, right? What will you do when kids are born?”
‘Oh.’
But that was actually a pretty decent topic change.
‘That’s true.’
It’s something I need to address eventually — organizing how I address Beatrix. Since I’ve told her before that it might be good to change from “baby” to something else after having a big fight and making up.
I had invoked the idea of future children as a reason to change nicknames, just like Erzebet. Sadly, though, I couldn’t find a suitable title, so it got put on hold.
And judging by my past experiences, discussing postponed matters can take a very long time. What if I’m still calling her “baby” after marriage and then her “little baby” after we have a child? That sounds terrifying.
‘It’s better to decide now.’
I glanced sideways and saw Beatrix blinking with a blank expression.
Yeah, this is the moment. It’s the perfect time, now that I can speak informally to Mar, and can kiss her as a romantic act. If I fail to discuss titles now, I might miss out on this completely.
“I think Erzebet is right. What do you think, Beatrix?”
“U-umm?”
Beatrix flinched and began to flap her ears in surprise at my question.
Her reaction wasn’t exactly rejecting either. I assumed Beatrix had just used “baby” out of habit, and it wasn’t tied to any deep affection.
“If we have a child, calling them “little baby” would be fine, but I don’t think we can settle for just one. We should aim for more kids for the Katoban Ducal House.”
At that, Beatrix’s ears fluttered faster. I could almost envision little quarter-elves chasing each other around the garden in her mind.
In truth, I imagined it too.
‘…No way.’
That thought brought a surge of responsibility as a future head of the family. I can’t just name those adorable children “Little Baby 1”, “2”, and “3”.
“It’d be better for a more horizontal and gentle nickname since we’re soon to be husband and wife.”
“Y-yeah. That makes sense.”
Beatrix nodded along, lost in thought, while Erzebet, snuggled against her, breathed a sigh of relief.
Then when their eyes met mine, Erzebet gave a little smile and nodded. Even though she had shifted the topic for her sake, she seemed to want praise for creating a space where we could discuss titles.
Of course, instead of praise, I shot her a firm glare, telling her not to just sit there, and to leave. Of all times, to be thinking about kids while she was snuggled so close to me made me flinch.
“Um, so then…”
Erzebet, pouting her lips, managed to leave my embrace the moment Beatrix’s face turned crimson, and she cautiously opened her mouth.
“About everything we talked before, how about calling you just ‘my lord’?”
“My lord?”
I almost burst into laughter. That’s a term we’ve discussed before, but because it sounded so outdated, I had pretended not to hear it.
“That’s—”
“Grandma called Grandpa ‘my lord’. Mom did while she was alive, and I like calling you ‘my lord’, so it seems to be an elven tradition or instinct.”
“Romantic.”
Seeing Beatrix smile shyly made me hastily correct what I was about to say. Just a bit quicker, and I’d have been thrust into a familial discussion about elven names.
‘…What do I do now?’
This is tricky. If I wanted to enforce another title after hearing that, it would need to be something that could convince Beatrix.
But honestly, I couldn’t think of anything. Just calling each other ‘husband’ or ‘dear’ would be doable, but anything beyond that was beyond my expertise.
‘Should I go with “my lord”…?’
It’s a common title, alongside the one used by my grandmother. If I had to choose between them, the latter’s justification is much stronger.
Anxiously, I swallowed hard and subtly looked around for some help, hoping Mar or Erzebet could assist me out.
‘Nope.’
Sadly, there was no one. Both Mar and Erzebet averted their gazes the moment they locked eyes with me.
It seems I’ll have to tackle this situation all on my own.
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