“I like you, big sister. So, let’s date.”
“…Huh? Me, really?”
Fides nodded confidently.
“Uh, um…?”
Erin was flustered.
She had played with the children of the imperial family since she was very young.
They had been running around together since Fides had first learned to walk.
As a child, Erin was excessively energetic and physically fit.
Because of that, she was close friends with the equally lively Fides and Donum.
Before entering the academy, they used to see each other quite often.
Although they didn’t play as much now, the younger siblings who followed her were still adorable.
Her younger brother Beirin, who was two years younger, was nice, but he couldn’t match the cuteness of the younger siblings who were much younger than Erin.
It might not quite be right to call them childhood friends, but she felt that Fides was similar in that regard.
But this Fides, out of nowhere, confessed his feelings.
From his reaction, it didn’t seem like a joke.
This kid was serious.
Erin fiddled with her curly blonde hair and hesitated.
Then, a sudden curiosity popped into her mind.
“Since when…?”
“Um… Don’t you know?”
It was a topic she hadn’t really thought about.
She just felt that way at some point.
If she had to classify it, it was probably after entering the academy.
“But, is that really important?”
“Well… not really.”
Whether it was important when he started liking her or not, it didn’t matter much in the end.
What remained was the current situation they were facing.
“But Fides… do you know what dating means?”
“Yeah.”
Fides said, not wanting to be rejected by saying he didn’t know.
But Erin had already figured it out.
“What does it mean to date?”
“Well… dating means, dating…”
As Fides seriously pondered, thoughts of his parents crossed his mind.
Mom and Dad, who always wanted to be close to each other.
Isn’t dating something like that?
“Hugging and kissing?”
“……”
Erin’s face turned beet red in an instant.
‘W-wait, F-Fides is talking about that with me…’
While her head spun in confusion, Fides was serious about a different matter.
He didn’t know if his recent answer was right or wrong.
He knew words like love and lover but explaining what dating really meant was difficult.
Erin felt embarrassed for being flustered by a boy who was only 9 years old.
Gathering her thoughts, she scrutinized serious Fides.
‘What should I do…?’
It was far too serious to brush off as childish talk.
She felt that a careless answer might hurt him.
And that was something she didn’t want.
So Erin had no choice but to respond as seriously as Fides.
“I understand how you feel, Fides. I really do… but it’s so sudden. Can you give me some time to think about it?”
“Don’t you like me?”
“Of course, I do. But the way you mean it isn’t quite the same.”
Fides understood.
She said she liked him, but the emotions behind those words were very diverse.
He liked his mom and dad.
He liked his big sister Amor.
He liked Spei and Donum too.
He liked Yuel, the spotted puppies, and even dust.
He liked his classmates as well.
But each of those kinds of love was completely different.
The feeling he got when he thought of Erin was the biggest and heaviest.
It was overwhelming for him to handle alone, to the point that he wanted to tell her.
“Got it?”
Fides nodded gravely.
*
“……”
Yuda was staring across at Richard.
He found it difficult to meet his gaze directly.
Looking away, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Can you really just look at people like that? Hm…?”
“……”
In contrast, Richard directly gazed at Yuda.
“Why can’t kids like each other and confess their feelings? Isn’t this something only adults do…?”
“It doesn’t seem like you’re in a position to say that after calling Alejandro out.”
Dillon interjected suddenly.
Yuda shot him a sidelong glance, and Dillon shrugged it off as if to say “what can I do?”
Around them, the guards were all present too.
They were on the mountain slope that they frequently used for training.
They had gathered here for the sole reason of Fides and Erin.
“If you have something to say, then say it! Why are you just staring like that!”
Richard gazed at Yuda steadily before lowering his head.
He eventually let out a deep sigh.
“Hah…”
“Is it really worth sighing about…?”
“No, that’s not why… I just feel complicated. Is it really okay for someone who can’t even talk to Erin well to be like this…?”
“Um…”
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavy.
Everyone had come expecting Yuda and Richard to bicker, but Richard didn’t seem in the mood for that.
“That kid who once insisted he would marry me has grown up so fast… now he’s secretly contemplating dating…”
“Isn’t that what happens when they grow up… Don’t think too much about it. Um, it’s fine.”
Somehow, Yuda found himself comforting Richard.
Other guards chimed in with their thoughts too.
‘Though they’re still physically similar, they’ve all grown overly sentimental after aging.’
Lindell, who recently heard his 4-year-old daughter say she wants to marry daddy, especially felt uneasy.
He was worried that that sentiment might one day be echoed back to him.
“Dad could worry too, but why feel guilty about something like that?”
“Geez, this guy is really far gone. Where’s that Richard from back in the day?”
“So what does Erin think?”
“Well… since I heard it from Benita, I don’t know the details… Is Fides serious?”
“From what I’ve seen, yeah.”
Yuda felt worry about whether this guy might be trying to pick apart Fides.
He wouldn’t engage in anything bad, would he?
But he hadn’t done anything bad to Alejandro either.
He worried Richard might come up with a similar plan.
Richard, seeing right through that concern, chuckled softly.
“That’s not what I meant. I know what kind of kid Fides is; there’s no reason for me to do that.”
“Ahem.”
“Just leave it to the kids to decide.”
That was the best choice.
In the end, there was no gain from today’s meeting, but that was alright.
Meetings didn’t have to yield results every time.
And as they dispersed, Richard returned home to an unexpected situation.
Erin had come to visit him, wanting to talk privately.
“Uh, hey. Erin. What’s up?”
Things had gotten awkward since she hit her teenage years.
When Erin started keeping her distance, Richard felt lost about what to do.
As a result, the tension only grew.
“I want to talk to you about something.”
“I’ll listen to anything. What is it?”
“It’s about Fides…”
Erin candidly expressed the things she had heard from Fides.
Richard felt both delighted and thankful for the fact that his daughter was willing to share these thoughts with him.
“…So, that’s how it went down. I want to hear what it’s like from the boy’s perspective, but you’re the only one I could ask.”
“Well, I see. First of all, how do you want to answer him?”
“I’m grateful, but it just feels like Fides is too young…”
About a 6-year age gap.
It’s one thing if they were both adults.
But a 15-year-old and a 9-year-old, that was a tough bridge to overcome.
Erin wanted to reject Fides nicely, considering his feelings.
Richard understood his daughter’s considerate thoughtfulness.
He felt pride and joy at her maturity.
“From a boy’s perspective…”
He was a man, but how could he relate?
He could hardly remember what he was like at 9.
He had a vague recollection of his days in the orphanage.
‘Just silly words from a young child…’
Richard was taken aback by that thought.
He had liked his orphanage caretaker Beninita since then.
Ironically, the age gap between him and his current wife Beninita is also 6 years.
He didn’t confess like Fides did back then, but his feelings were just as strong, continuing into the present.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Richard spoke.
“Even though I’m a man, it’s difficult to just carelessly speak about Fides’s feelings. But… Erin, do you think Fides was serious?”
“Um… yeah. He was sincere.”
“Then it’s probably sincere. But you never know how long that sincerity will last.”
In that moment, Richard recalled Yuda’s words.
If he complicated things, the child would likely get even more confused.
So it wouldn’t hurt to let things flow a little, like when they were younger.
Richard intertwined a joke with a slightly nostalgic memory from those days.
“For example, like when you were little and said you’d marry me?”
“……”
Erin’s face reddened as if she were embarrassed.
Seeing this cute reaction from his daughter after such a long time made Richard chuckle.
“Exactly! Just like that. Back then, you were sincere, and Fides is too. But whether that feeling will continue into the future, nobody knows. So, how about softly replying while keeping that in mind?”
It wasn’t the most straightforward answer.
However, it was a wise response in that it allowed her to reconsider her thoughts.
Erin broke into a vibrant smile after a long while in front of her father.
She was relieved that things had eased between them.
“I’m glad I asked you, Dad.”
“Anytime, you can ask me anything at all. I’m always open.”
Though surprised by Fides’s confession, it ultimately fostered a reconnection between Erin and her father.
Richard smiled contentedly.
*
“Fides. I understand how you feel. But you know, you’re still too young to accept that. Do you really think it’s important? Yes, it truly is important. Of course, your sister likes you too. So, how about this? If you still have those feelings after you become an adult, I’ll seriously consider it then, okay?”
Fides, deep in thought, slowly responded.
He silently nodded his head slowly.
His expression was almost solemn.
Seeing Fides’s face resembling a general heading to battle made Erin flinch in surprise.
Did she say something wrong?
But it was too late to take it back.
Finally, Fides answered.
“Got it. I promise.”
“Uh, okay….”
This conversation made its way to Richard.
Richard felt a strange unease.
‘Something feels off…’
It seemed that Erin, in trying to be considerate of Fides, had unintentionally made a vague promise for the future.
She probably expected that in 5 or 6 years, they would forget or regard the words exchanged as just light-hearted trivialities.
But instead, it seemed to kindle Fides’s feelings even more.
‘…I hope not.’
He comforted himself, believing it was just worry.
This information also reached Yuda and Eliya.
The two exchanged glances at the determined Fides and whispered to one another.
“Fides seems serious, doesn’t he?”
“Yeah. No doubt about it. That kid looks like he’s determined to succeed, no matter what. No one can stop him now.”
Nine years until adulthood.
That felt like a long time.
But Fides was overflowing with confidence that he could wait.
*
Since the children started attending the academy, Yuda and Eliya have had a lot of free time.
During that time, they took full advantage of their leisurely moments.
They strolled together during the day, ate snacks, and read books.
If they felt sleepy, they took naps.
Yuda and Eliya, rolling around in bed, began feeling drowsy and fell asleep still hugging each other.
It was Yuda who woke up first.
He felt the warmth of the being nestled in his arms, using them for a pillow.
‘So cute.’
Recently, Fides had moved to his own room.
He now occupied the space right next to Amor.
The youngest two got their own rooms but ended up back in their mom and dad’s room.
Eliya was thrilled that she could monopolize Yuda in bed.
Due to sleeping with the kids for so long, she had gotten used to falling asleep snuggled close to him.
So she thoroughly enjoyed this moment of nap.
‘Why are you still so cute?’
Yuda kissed Eliya on the forehead and gently pulled back to look at her face.
‘Her round face is still the same.’
Especially those chubby cheeks.
Even past thirty, they remained plump and vibrant.
It had to be the main reason she looked youthful and adorable.
Yuda poked Eliya’s cheek softly.
It felt squishy and soft.
It was as warm as freshly baked dough.
It wasn’t just her face that remained youthful.
Her body was the same.
She had a slim figure, but her soft belly was just enticing enough to grab.
Other body parts followed suit, where things that should have shrunk stayed in place while things that should have grown had done so quite noticeably.
‘If that’s how she was born, then good for her.’
In a sense, Eliya’s physique was almost genius-like.
The fact that even without physical activity, she maintained such lively and elastic skin and figure was simply remarkable.
She hadn’t sagged even as she aged.
‘No, rather, as she grows older, it feels like she’s… maybe become slightly more voluptuous…’
When he thought about how many people go through strenuous efforts for the sake of a great physique, her body seemed unreasonable.
But no matter how she was, Yuda was just happy it was all hers.
“Uwooong…”
As he poked her cheeks and playfully pinched them, Eliya crept closer towards him, seemingly asking for a hug.
Yuda embraced her tightly and pulled her closely into his warm embrace.
The warmth spread everywhere through the points of contact.
There was a gentle and sweet smell wafting from near the top of her head.
“Hmm, hmm…”
Eliya buried her face into his chest and giggled lightly.
Yuda felt dreamy as he caressed her warm body.
It was a lazy and easy-going afternoon.
Then, in her muffled voice, Eliya said, “Kiss… kiss me…”
Yuda gave her a kiss on the cheek while patting her bottom.
The body heat of someone just waking up is always higher than usual.
That’s why Eliya’s lips were incredibly warm and soft just then.
“Oh my, you wanted a kiss.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Our little Eli.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Now, she proudly accepted being called cute and an infant.
She had acquired a different type of adorableness that wasn’t simply due to embarrassment.
“So cute.”
“Mm-hmm. Since I’m cute, give me more kisses.”
Eliya wrapped her arms around Yuda’s neck and pulled him closer.
Their lips met once more.
The warmth and moistness mingled.
It had already been about 14 years since they married.
During all those years, how many times had their lips touched?
He couldn’t keep count.
But even now, it felt as if they were still newlyweds.
Though they had gotten used to it, it never bored them.
Whenever they kissed, the heat rekindled at once.
As Eliya wrapped her legs around Yuda’s waist for support, she slightly pulled back.
“What time is it right now?”
“It’s just shy of 11.”
“Looks like we still have plenty of time before we pick up the kids.”
She had checked to see if it was okay for them to enjoy their time alone a little longer.
With that relief, they kissed again.
Their breaths merged heatedly, growing dense and warm.
Bodies pressed tightly against each other.
As Yuda intended to slide his thigh in between her legs, Eliya slowly pulled back her lips.
“I want to try something.”
“Uh? What’s that?”
Eliya produced something from who-knows-where.
Yuda’s mouth dropped open at the sight of what she had brought.
It was the academy uniform.
One for boys and one for girls.
“I want to wear this… and do something.”
Watching his shy wife blush, Yuda finally managed to voice something.
“…Wow.”
There was absolutely no reason to refuse.
Turning their backs to each other, they fumbled about, changing into the uniforms.
The sound of fabric brushing against skin filled the quiet bedroom.
It was a sound that stimulated one’s imagination.
Yuda donned the uniform with an awkward and shaky feeling.
He tied his tie haphazardly out of hastiness.
“…Are you done?”
He asked while still facing away.
“Just a sec, the shirt’s caught a bit…”
“……”
That was a response testing the limits of his patience.
“Now, I’m all set.”
Finally, she turned around.
Yuda stared blankly at Eliya, now fully dressed in the uniform.
Her skirt reached just above her knees.
Inside a beige blazer, she wore a white shirt and tie.
The expression that ‘it just fits’ was very much the right one.
…And suddenly Yuda understood why the shirt got caught.
Eliya’s face turned beet red from the embarrassing outfit.
She couldn’t keep her gaze still and stepped closer.
“You need to tie your tie properly.”
As Eliya fixed his tie, Yuda found it hard to rip his eyes away from her face.
He couldn’t bring himself to move.
She smelled nice.
Calmly adjusting the tie, she too seemed embarrassed as her face turned bright red.
Suddenly, he thought.
Even though their age gap was a bit, she was also like a childhood friend of sorts to him, just like Fides and Erin.
Looking back, he and Eliya had been in a similar relationship too.
They had seen each other since they were 13 years old.
‘Though that beginning was quite nerve-wracking…’
Wearing the uniforms made him ponder a lot.
“All done.”
As Eliya stepped back after adjusting her outfit, she took a moment to fixate on Yuda.
Perhaps because of his tall stature, Yuda looked good in whatever he wore.
Although he had aged and softened a bit, his youthful face remained unchanged.
His sharp yet wild vibe still remained strong.
Dressed in a uniform, he oddly emitted a rebellious air, rendering him somewhat provocatively alluring.
“You look good.”
“…Eliya, you look good too.”
“R-really? I’m a little too old for the kids’ uniforms now…”
“No way, you… you look nice. Truly.”
“What does that even mean? Sounds kinda perverted.”
“Are you saying you’re not?”
Just teasing each other lightly as they usually did.
But the silence that followed felt different.
It was a strange kind of tension and atmosphere that wasn’t usual.
Just switching outfits caused the mood to change dramatically.
They cautiously inched closer, tenderly touching their lips together.
Like it was their first kiss back in their childhood days.
They hesitated to move their hands, feeling slightly awkward.
Yet, they naturally found their way to the bed.
Yuda gently pushed Eliya down onto the bed.
Her face, lying on the sheets, turned a bright hue as her eyes trembled with anticipation.
As she swallowed hard, she reached out to wrap her arms around her neck.
“Don’t just watch, hug me…”
Yuda gladly obliged.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
