C 178
We got married.
So, to be exact, we got married a year after Lillian and Enosh, who had become emperor, got married.
This was because Enosh got married first, as if what he said was a joke.
Lucilion had been going to Enosh's office every day for a while, and from what I heard, Enosh's eyes had become a bit blurry for a while.
I didn't know what happened, and Lillian didn't either.
Because neither of them told me.
Anyway, getting married didn't mean that the world changed much.
Should I simply say it feels like sharing a room with someone, rolling around in the same room, having someone's warmth beside me all the time, and having a reliable ally who will never leave me?
It's just that...
"Anyway, it seems like he enjoys being unemployed too much. I worry that my son-in-law is out there being criticized."
"No way, my wife is so outstanding that I decided to work behind her and support her. A man doesn't need to take the lead, father. Haven't you heard that the world has evolved?"
Erno Etham... Well, except for the fact that my father and Lucilion started arguing often.
When my father pointed out that he was no different from a kept man, Lucilion smiled cheerfully and told him not to show his age.
I chuckled at the now familiar sight at the table.
I thought there would never be anyone who could defeat my father in my lifetime, but Lucilion was a formidable adversary.
He tried to maintain the same nobility and dignity as my father, not retracting a word of what he said.
For my sake, Lucilion decided to remain a follower of the god Arma.
He became like a demigod. In the future, even if the person who gave his heart dies, he'll only see it.
So, I regretted it... and felt irritated about it.
I always feel desperate because I know this time will never come back, but still...
Often, when I thought that someday my father, my brothers, my grandfather, my grandmother, my uncles, Enosh, Lillian, and Richard would all be gone, I felt so breathless that I broke into tears.
"What are you going to do today, Dad?"
"I'll be here for my daughter."
Dad looked at me and replied calmly. I raised my head with bright eyes.
"... Yes, then! Why don't we go somewhere today? A picnic, a family trip, anything!"
So, I was desperate to do my best and create as many memories as I could now.
And the others seemed to know it too, so they spent time with me as much as possible.
"Today? I think it's too late to prepare."
"Ah, is that so?"
Wouldn't it be fine to just prepare a light lunch and head out? When I thought puzzled, my father smiled and reached out to ruffle my hair.
"After all, we need to start forming a cavalry, take care of the ingredients, and also need servants to carry the luggage."
"...Ah, I just want to go on a picnic for a moment. The three of us."
"The three of us?"
"You mean not just the two of you?"
"That's what I was going to say, daughter. I thought you wanted to come with me."
Did I say it was a family trip? I didn't ask for a date, did I?
When I looked hesitantly at the two, they smiled.
I don't know why their smiles are so similar.
"I think I was able to understand the hatred for the same species for the first time today."
Thinking that, I burst into laughter.
"Yes, the three of us! My brothers, my sister Sharnae, and other family members are welcome when they have time!"
What I want to do is literally something like a family picnic.
So, when I smiled cheerfully to tell them not to fight, Dad and Lucilion, who were smiling, shrugged slightly.
"Yes, if my daughter wants, we should do it."
"Yes, if that's what my wife wants, I'll do it."
The two people who spoke words with similar shades at the same time looked at each other with a smile.
Both of them are obviously smiling, but why does it feel like sparks are flying everywhere?
"But it would be better to go tomorrow instead of today. It's almost lunchtime, so it's late."
Upon my father's words, I showed my agreement by obediently nodding my head while clicking my tongue.
"Tsk, I get it."
Although I grumbled a little.
I also knew that becoming the matriarch of the Etham family didn't mean that something would happen suddenly if I wished it.
"Of course, since I'm a dragon, the risk of death is low..."
Still, it seemed that my dad was always worried.
In fact, not only my dad but everyone is overprotective of me.
And everyone always comes to me when they have free time.
Even now, I'm just trying to create more memories.
Still, I was fond of my family, who accepted me without hesitation when I acted so foolishly.
It meant a lot to me that they wanted to be by my side.
While thinking about that and laughing happily, my father, who was eating, raised his wine glass and opened his mouth.
"Daughter, why are you smiling so happily?"
"Is the reason I wasn't happy in my past life because I had to meet my father, Lucilion, and other family members?"
Dad, who was tilting his wine glass, paused.
"I was just thinking...!"
My father chuckled softly, as if he was very surprised by what I said.
I enjoyed the feeling of the large hand stroking my hair and touching my cheek. Then Dad shook his head with a benevolent expression.
"No, daughter. The reason you were unhappy in your past life was because your family in your previous life was trash."
"...Oh, that's true."
The emotion was completely shattered, and I returned to reality. I nodded absently.
"Yes, wife. It's because they were scum without conscience."
Are you an apostle of God? I didn't dare say much, so I awkwardly smiled and nodded.
"Ah, yes..."
I nodded in silence. What can I say, it was like meeting a cruel science student who shattered my sensibility.
"Now that I think about it, why do you want to go on a picnic? Don't you have any plans for today?"
"Yes, I have nothing planned for today."
"What about tomorrow?"
"For tomorrow, there's something, but if I want to go on a trip tomorrow, I can do it today."
"Let me help you."
Lucilion smiled and said in response to my words. I quickly agreed, thinking it was a good thing for me.
"Daughter, are you very busy with work?"
"No, I'm fine. Everyone is helping me... Is Dad okay?"
"Of course, there's no problem, except that the idiots can't help me properly."
What are you talking about when you say that's the biggest problem, Dad?
While I stared at my father in astonishment, he looked at me for a while without saying anything and then, as always, calmly opened his mouth.
"Now that I think about it, it would be nice to go on a picnic together tomorrow."
Dad silently looked at his wine glass, gave it a slight shake, and said.
"If you say all together..."
"Callan, Sillian, and your dear Sharnae too."
"Won't they be busy?"
Dad chuckled lightly at my words.
"Well, even if they're busy, won't they have time for you?"
"Then it wouldn't be fair..."
I didn't want to go that far if possible.
"We can all go together next time when we have time."
Therefore, I didn't want to impose an obligatory burden on them by adhering to an urgent schedule.
Dad looked at me, put down his glass, smiled, and opened his mouth.
"But those kids will be busier too. From what I heard, it seems they have someone in mind..."
My shoulders stiffened at my father's words.
"Ah..."
Now that I think about it, they're old enough to do so.
And since I got married, those who aren't heirs... have no choice but to leave the mansion.
It was a rule that had been passed down for a long time in the Etham family. Of course, I could force a change, but...
"I suppose my older brothers also have their own lives."
It was a natural desire to create a happy home with their family.
Creating a new family was natural.
Because I can't ask them to accept my foolishness forever.
Dad is telling me that.
"Before they get busier in the future, make sure to create many memories."
I felt so embarrassed that I couldn't make a sound, just pursed my lips, then slowly smiled and nodded.
"Well, then, I guess I'll have to ask them!"
When I clenched my fists dramatically and spoke, my father smiled and gently rubbed the area around my eyes with his thumb.
"Daughter."
"Yes?"
"It's okay; I'll stay by your side."
"I'll be there too, Father."
Lucilion quickly chimed in. Unlike his usual self, Dad didn't respond sarcastically or reply to Lucilion's words, but he nodded slightly and opened his mouth.
"Yes, this son-in-law will also be by your side."
"..."
"So don't think about sad things that haven't happened; just enjoy the moment."
The time we spend together is too precious to have sad thoughts.
Listening to the comment added with his sweet voice, I nodded and hugged my dad tightly.
Dad seemed to know.
They say I'm a dragon, but the truth is I'm not entirely prepared to live an eternal life.
"Yes, I understand."
In response, my father silently stroked my head. Lucilion tightly held my hand.
"Do you know that the sweeter and cozier your embrace, the more anxious it makes me?"
I took a deep breath and smiled happily.
