Rather Than The Son, I’ll Take The Father

Trapped in Aedis’ arms, I told him what happened today.

There was nothing special about the day, except for spending time with the two ladies, friends and guests.

The people I met there were from there, except for two.

Besides, Aedis knew who the handmaids serving me were. The name, the impressions, and the shift time. In any case, my husband’s thoroughness was remarkable.

“…… And when I met the Lord, I was worried that he might not have been able to enjoy his time here. So I took him to his room.”

My husband was quick to notice.

“I don’t think you just talked about that with Regen.”

Are you sure you didn’t eavesdrop?

“Well, the Lord asked me to keep it a secret.”

In front of Aedis, my zealous conscience hardened my lips.

As I inadvertently stammered the words, Aedis promised to relieve me.

“I will keep it a secret from Regen too.”

Excuse me?

With an absurd heart, I raised my head and looked at Aedis.

Aedis smiled and started to say something, but suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

The blue eyes dimmed faintly. It was only a fleeting moment. He was afraid that I would be nervous and said casually.

“…… My connection with Raven has been lost. It’s obvious who broke it.”

I thought of the bird, small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, but with puffy fur.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Raven in a while.”

“I sent it to the desert because it looked like he was idle. So you’re talking with Regen.”

What?

Aedis spoke as if he had sent Raven within a stone’s throw, and then he returned to the previous subject. But it was not the time for him to be so casual.

I knew that Aedis had sent a familiar to the desert. But I didn’t know it was Raven.

“Why did it have to be Raven? It may not have been the case just because he looked idle.”

I wondered why he thought Raven was the best fit for that, but Aedis only made a bewildered expression.

“It was just because he looked really idle. He also has the best eyesight among the familiars.”

Just because he’s free? Aren’t spying skills more important than sight?

I couldn’t help but worry for the little crow, who looked weak, and asked.

“Will it be okay?”

“He’s not dead, he’s just stopped functioning as a familiar.”

“Isn’t that too serious?”

“But the wife comes first.”

No, it’s your familiar and also mine.

In the end, I gave a rough hint in a whisper. Even though I didn’t say everything in the least, Aedis seemed to know what Regen was thinking.

He came up with a solution in a no-nonsense way.

“Then why don’t you give him a chance?”

“Yes?”

“It sounds like he was trying to do something for the wife, so just leave it to him.”

“And what if he gets hurt?”

“There will be something to gain instead.”

Aedis laid me down. I had no intention of falling asleep, so I opened my eyes.

“Can I talk about Raven now?”

I wonder if it was funny how I gave my eyes a lot of strength, Aedis explained with a smile on his face.

“I have to go, but I can’t get to the base.”

“Then I will also …… not go.”

As soon as I started to speak the phrase ‘also go,’ Aedis’ expression turned pale, so I turned the word.

“How about taking Shaula with you?”

“She is the wife’s escort knight.”

“I have Paimon.”

“Tolyman is enough.”

I nodded my head in response to the answer. Shaula and Paimon were also somewhat unreliable, but not as much as Tolyman Elliot. And he was not in the castle now.

“I heard that the Count is in the Kingdom of Rivet.”

“I have to pick him up on the way.”

I tried to estimate the locations of the North and the Kingdom of Rivet and the desert.

Yes, he’ll have to cross the continent.

Calculating the distance was pointless.

So I turned to the cat-mad Count.

He must have a reason to take Tolyman with him.

…… There is, right?

“Are you going to leave right away?”

“After making sure the wife is asleep.”

“Aedis, aren’t you too laid back?”

“Because I was able to do that.”

It’s a bit silly, but he’s my husband, so I’ll let it slide.

Aedis covered me with a blanket and completely relieved the worries that remained in my mind.

“Raven is no ordinary beast.”

“…… Beast?”

“It’s not like he was born with a normal process, but you can see it that way.”

All of a sudden, a feeling of anxiety took over.

“Is the Count also a beast?”

“I’m afraid he’s just human.”

I was contemplating whether I should regret this or whether I should be relieved, and Aedis lay down next to me. The intention was clearly not to leave until I fell asleep.

“I’m not sleepy.”

“If you say that in 10 minutes, I will believe you.”

Aedis didn’t trust me at all and even gave me an arm pillow. He was kind as usual, but today, he was even more affectionate.

Because he was leaving for the desert?

No, it was probably because I cried.

Something similar had happened several times before.

He would be wary of me, but when my mood seemed to have subsided, he would come straight to me, sweet as honey.

As if soothing my heart was the most important thing in the world.

“Aedis, if you’re too late, I might use a ring to chase after you.”

It was obvious why he summoned Aedis near the desert by using Raven as a hostage. It must be a trap, and Aedis should have known that.

“He must have left the desert already. I’m only going to bring Raven, so I guess it depends on Tolyman’s stamina.”

I didn’t know if Tolyman would be able to withstand the continuous movement magic.

Oh well, then.

“You don’t want me to go after you?”

“I will come back soon so there will be no need for that.”

“Excuse me, you just made a very villainous look.”

“I’m used to being treated like a villain, so it’s okay.”

“I’m not okay.”

“…….”

I turned on my side and burrowed into Aedis’ chest.

“You know, aren’t you worried about me being alone without you?”

“There are a lot of people in the castle.”

“Hey, you know that’s not what it means.”

Aedis gasped and laughed, then said something completely absurd.

“There is an artificial hunting ground behind the castle. It’s nothing compared to the forest, but it’s not bad. I think it would be good to spend the daytime there with the ladies actively tomorrow.”

Right. He’s trying to set the atmosphere.

I called for the husband who was extremely considerate of his wife in a way that I did not want.

“Aedis.”

“Yes, Eve.”

“I miss you already.”

“…… .”

His hand stroking my back stopped for a moment.

“I will be back as soon as possible. I’m not going too far.”

“If it’s the desert on the other side of the continent, isn’t it far enough?”

Aedis’ laughter reached my ears.

“You should sleep now.”

I nodded.

One minute? Maybe a few more minutes than that. A pleasant drowsiness spread throughout my body. With the excuse of sleeping and being drunk, I confided a story that stayed in my heart all day.

“Monica…….”

“…….”

“Well, Monica was worried about me. It’s about you and my life span. A little bit extreme.”

“Before being dragged away by another lady.”

Thanks to listening to my routine earlier, my husband seemed to have a rough idea of the situation.

I poked my head out of his arms.

“So, how old do you want me to live?”

“Are you giving me a choice?”

“I won’t give it to you twice, so think carefully.”

He had a rather solemn expression, but Aedis’ lips touched my eyes.

Are you saying this because I think I won’t be able to remember it tomorrow because of alcohol?

The soft touch pressed against the corners of my eyes and disappeared. After that, a voice so low that it hurt my heart filled my head.

“As long as the wife wants to live. After that, I will go with you.”

“…… huh? Are you going with me?”

Did I hear it wrong?

It felt like my intoxication had suddenly disappeared, but Aedis spoke in a voice that even seemed naive.

“My wife remembers her previous life, so I will try as much as I can.”

“Well, what are you trying to do?”

“Can I become the wife’s first love in the next life?”

“…….”

Aedis smiled as he looked at me, who looked dazed and confused.

“You must sleep. That way I can go and return quickly.”

However, I had not yet been able to get out of the moment when I heard Aedis’ bombshell announcement.

“I must have drunk a lot. I just heard a word that makes my mind go blank…….”

“Eve.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for saying you miss me.”

“…….”

“I won’t make you wait long. Not just this time, but at any time.”

“…….”

“So you don’t have to give me a choice.”

My face heated.

Ah really. If I forget this, I will cry.

No matter how weak I was, I gently lowered my eyes, hoping that I would never forget what happened tonight.

“Then can I ask for something else?”

“Anything.”

“A farewell kiss… … .”

As soon as he said that, Aedis admitted his mistake.

“I was talking nonsense. I shouldn’t have told my wife to do anything.”

Somehow, it seemed to be the same as what I said to Regen.

* * *

When I woke up the next day, Aedis was gone.

As a substitute, a dragon-shaped spirit was wallowing next to me, shrinking a lot.

“Ah, Eve’s eyes are open.”

“Paimon?”

“I’m telling you in advance, but the demon king said it was okay to come in?! I’m not afraid of the consequences!”

In the morning, his voice was as loud as ever.

Ummm. My most important memory seemed to remain the same. My memory worked very hard.