[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
Chapter 172
“…Karl? What did you just say?”
“Master. I think I didn’t hear you correctly…”
“Senior? Um, uh… that’s a bit…”
Three women sat before me.
From left to right, Eloise, Lav, and Lefia.
All three looked flustered, or perhaps extremely embarrassed.
“You’re making it seem like I said something weird by reacting like that.”
“You did say something weird! Suddenly! And out of the blue!”
At Eloise’s words, I looked at Lav and Lefia. Do you think so too?
As if confirming my suspicions, neither of them could hide their ‘maybe a little bit’ expressions.
“Let me ask you this. Do you three intend to remain just friends with me?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Definitely not.”
“Th-that, uh… n-no!”
You feel the same, right? Me too. Maybe it’s because we’ve been inseparable. It feels like we’re practically family now.
Just like Selena, these women haven’t hidden their affection, and now, both I and those around us feel it’s natural for me to reciprocate.
Right. That’s why I’m doing this. But why are they reacting like this all of a sudden?
“Even so! To suddenly want to meet my parents now!”
“Master. My parents might actually find it burdensome.”
“Those in Lasker might not be happy about my visit…!”
“First, Karl? Why are you doing this? Explain that first!”
Why am I doing this? Hmm. Why did I bring this up? Ah, right.
The start of this whole story goes back two days ago.
* * *
As my niece was born, and cheers of joy echoed throughout the empire welcoming the newborn princess…
“Congratulations, son-in-law. The princess has gained a very dependable uncle.”
“Hahaha! Thank you, Marquis.”
“Ahem.”
“…Yes, Father-in-law.”
I was sharing a cup of tea with Marquis Nafplion. Or rather, my father-in-law.
For the record, I’m not married yet. I’m single. It’s in the plans, but it hasn’t happened yet.
Neither I nor Selena are married. We’re both still students, so we thought it was too early.
However, our parents didn’t seem to think so at all.
“The wedding will be the year after next. But it’s as good as done, so let’s just be like family.”
Selena’s grandfather, the eldest in both families, said this on everyone’s behalf.
Our families already had a friendly relationship and interacted often, but now, even though their children weren’t married yet, the parents were already calling each other ‘in-laws.’
It’s not that I dislike it or find it burdensome. It’s just that I haven’t quite adjusted to it yet.
“How do you feel seeing the princess? Don’t you want to have your own children soon, son-in-law?”
“Ah, I don’t think it’s something that happens just because I want it to. Selena’s opinion is most important, and there are other factors as well…”
Is he testing me as a father? I should always be careful.
From a father’s perspective, a son-in-law can always be seen as a thief who kidnapped his daughter.
“Hmm? Selena probably feels similar to me, son-in-law.”
“Yes?”
“I heard recently that she wants at least one son and one daughter.”
“…”
This is the first time I’m hearing this. When did she say that?!
I’ll have to ask Selena if it’s true when I get back.
“Anyway, that’s why I’m saying, let’s have your wedding with my daughter right after you graduate.”
“I heard from Mother. You’ve already set the date and place for the wedding.”
“That’s right, that’s right. Women are much better at household matters than men, after all.”
Suddenly, I feel like all of this has been a long introduction to something.
I haven’t made plans for a child with Selena, but it’s only natural that it will happen.
I already have finalized the plans for our wedding with Selena, so there is no need to even mention it.
Yet, Marquis Nafplion, my father-in-law, insists on bringing it up.
“Father-in-law, is there something you want to say to me?”
I asked directly, and my father-in-law let out a short laugh, ‘Haha!’
“Our son-in-law is quite perceptive. Unlike me. When I was young, my wife constantly scolded me for being clueless.”
“I’m just a clueless man in front of women too.”
“Is that so? Well then, that’s exactly what I wanted to talk about. Women.”
Women. At that word, the teacup I was holding trembled slightly.
It’s always an awkward topic.
Especially when it’s brought up by Selena’s parents, of all people.
“Don’t feel pressured, son-in-law. Honestly, it’s a bit disappointing to have a son-in-law with many women, but what can you do? We should actually be proud that our Selena was the first, the fastest to catch you.”
“Th-thank you.”
“Let’s cut to the chase, son-in-law. Have you met the parents of the other women?”
“…Pardon?”
For a moment, my mind goes blank as if I’ve been hit on the head with a hammer.
Parents? The parents of the women? Eloise’s, Lav’s, and Lefia’s parents?
Putting aside the question of why this is coming up now, it actually makes sense, doesn’t it?
“Judging by your reaction, it seems you haven’t yet.”
“Well…”
“Are you planning to just leave the three women besides Selena? That can’t be right. You should greet them soon. At this rate, you’ll end up visiting them after your wedding with Selena is over.”
“…”
“Go visit them soon, son-in-law. It’s already disappointing that their daughter isn’t the first, but it’s even more problematic if the man who stole their heart hasn’t even shown his face once.”
Marquis Nafplion, my father-in-law’s words, certainly had a point.
My marriage with Selena is certain. That’s why I’m meeting my father-in-law like this.
But then, what about Eloise, Lav, and Lefia? Are they just passing acquaintances?
No, they’re not.
At first, it was a bit flustering and even absurd, but now, they’ve become as special to me as Selena.
After solidifying my relationship with Selena, my first, I will give them a chance too.
But if that happens, what about their parents and families?
‘What about them? They become family too.’
Right. Family. But I haven’t met these new family members yet.
In Lefia’s case, I did see her briefly when I visited Lasker, but it was just for a short while.
Moreover, at that time, we only met as a host and a guest, so it feels even more unfamiliar.
“Karl.”
My father-in-law sets down his teacup with a gentle smile.
“Don’t have any regrets. There’s nothing good about them. Are you worried about Selena? Then love her more. That’s all you need to do. Not love the others less.”
Well, Father-in-law. You only have Mother-in-law, so you shouldn’t be giving advice like a seasoned player!
[TL/N: This mf definitely got a 2nd wife I’m telling you.]
[PR/N: Right. Bros way too experienced lmao.]
* * *
So that’s it.
That’s why I suggested to these three, ‘Let’s go visit your parents.’
Too early? No way. It’s way too late already. Time flies, and two years will be gone in a flash.
Look at me now. I just returned to school, and I’m already a third-year! Next year I’ll be a fourth-year, and the year after that, I’ll graduate. And then, I’ll marry Selena.
That means the weddings with the others will happen either that year or the next at the latest.
On top of that, around that time, I’ll be taking over as the head of the family, so I’ll be even busier.
Meeting their parents at that point would be the most difficult mission imaginable.
“That’s why I want to meet them now, while we still have some time. See, Eloise? Does that make sense now?”
“It makes sense, but… still, there’s no need to go that far, is there?”
“Don’t elves care when their children get married? Of course not. So, it’s only natural to go and meet them.”
“Well… that’s true, but… Karl, are you really okay with this?”
Are you really okay with this? Only then did I finally understand why Eloise was acting this way.
“What? Are you worried I’ll be haunted by old nightmares if I go to a place full of elves?”
“Honestly, it’s a bit of a concern. Even if Hyzens was an ally, they’re still elves like Luzernes.”
“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have you by my side.”
I still dislike the Kanfras. Their unique accent, behavior, and atmosphere still make me want to reach for my greatsword.
But that’s only when it comes to the Kanfras.
The elves who are actively working to improve relations with the Empire are good elves. Absolutely.
“Don’t worry and just set a date. I’ll even skip my Friday classes to make time for three days. Lav, the same goes for you.”
“Yes, Master. Understood.”
“As for Lefia… well, hmm.”
Currently, Lasker is a more delicate situation than Hyzens. And Lefia, of all people, is a former princess who relinquished her status.
If she returns to her homeland, it’s uncertain whether she’ll be welcomed or labeled a traitor.
“I’ll talk to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
“Please don’t worry too much about me! It’s really okay!”
Even so, I should at least make a gesture of getting permission.
* * *
One month later.
Karl and Eloise visited Hyzens over the weekend.
It was a personal matter.
There was no diplomatic intent whatsoever. The Empire made that clear.
However, Hyzens couldn’t see it that way.
“Something’s up.”
“Something’s definitely up.”
He’s the Crown Prince’s brother-in-law. The Crown Princess’ brother. The princess’ uncle.
A war hero of the Empire, a favored individual of the Church, and an unofficial powerhouse.
Such a person is visiting Hyzens for personal reasons? There’s no way!
The Hyzens leadership immediately went into discussions to formulate a response.
[Translator – Angel Dust]
[Proofreader – Prototype]
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