Chapter 48 - Family
"Well, even so. Seeing the two of you who will become husband and wife standing side by side, my expression just can't help but loosen up."
Elgis-san said, looking like he truly couldn't help but be happy.
Because he said it with such a genuinely happy expression, like a father purely rejoicing in his daughter's growth, I couldn't even complain.
Flora also seemed to feel Elgis-san's pure joy as a father, as she didn't complain anymore. She just looked down to hide her embarrassment and rubbed her thighs together.
If it were teasing words thrown with smirking gazes like the villagers, I could talk back somehow, but when they're this happy for us...
Besides, I also find my cheeks loosening just by looking at Flora next to me, so I feel the same way as Elgis-san.
Just thinking that such a wonderful woman will become my bride makes my expression turn into a very slovenly one.
It's like something warm is welling up from deep within my chest. Anyway, I'm just incredibly happy.
"Flora's long-held feelings have finally borne fruit."
Elgis-san said with deep emotion.
And Fiona-san, who was next to him, quietly set down the teacup she had been holding to her lips.
"When Flora found out that Aldo-san had left, she wailed so terribly—"
"Aah!? M-Mother!"
Flora raised a panicked voice as if to cut off Fiona-san's words.
Apparently, this was a story about after Flora and I parted nine years ago. I'm a bit interested in that story, so I'd like to hear it in detail.
Seeing me leaning forward and Flora panicking, Fiona-san looked even more amused.
"Oh, it's fine since she's already become a bride, isn't it? I want you to know at least a little of the trouble I went through soothing Flora, who kept crying for days, saying, 'I was planning to have him make me his bride!'"
From my perspective, it was nothing but a happy thing. So Flora had been thinking of me single-mindedly for nine years since then.
I had known she had thought of me single-mindedly since she confessed, but hearing a concrete story like this really hits home.
While my cheeks loosened uncontrollably from happiness, I turned my gaze toward Flora and met her eyes, which were dyed with an expression of shame.
"Flora, thank you. I'm happy to have been thought of so single-mindedly since long ago."
"Y-Yes. ...I'm happy too."
When I said that with a grin, Flora looked down with a face so red it looked like it would spit fire.
Elgis-san and Fiona-san's expressions had become the best possible. I'm sure mine was too.
That's how lovely and adorable Flora's bashful figure was.
"By the way, Fiona-san. How was the young Flora after that?"
"Uugh! Honestly!"
When I leaned forward and asked again, Flora repeatedly patted my shoulder as if protesting.
I think it's only natural to want to know about Flora's cute figure as a child, so it can't be helped.
"Let's see, she seemed frustrated that there was a question about flowers you asked that she couldn't answer, so she pestered me quite a bit to teach her about flowers—oh my, if I say any more, she'll really get sulky."
Just as Fiona-san said, Flora next to me seemed quite offended, puffing out her cheeks. Her puffed cheeks looked soft and I wanted to poke them with my finger, but if I did that, she would really get sulky, so I refrained.
Looking at Fiona-san with a wry smile, she mouthed, "Next time."
I'm very curious about Flora's cute actions as a child, but it can't be helped. I'll come here alone next time to ask.
"At any rate, thanks to Flora getting a husband, the next Village Chief has also been decided, and the things I was worried about have all vanished at once."
It was a topic change by Elgis-san to soften the atmosphere, but I couldn't keep up with what he meant. I know Flora's husband is me, but Next Village Chief?
"...Aldo-san is the Next Village Chief, you know?"
Perhaps noticing my puzzled face, Elgis-san said it again.
"Eh? Ah, I see! Elgis-san is the Village Chief and Flora is his only daughter, so as her husband, I'll be the next Village Chief!"
When I raised a voice of surprise, Fiona-san and Flora shared a wry smile.
I had momentarily forgotten that Elgis-san was the Village Chief.
"...Aldo-san, you forgot for a moment that I am the Village Chief, didn't you?"
"Since I recognized you as Flora's father today, it slipped my mind."
I bowed my head and apologized to Elgis-san, who narrowed his eyes.
"Aldo-san has some rather airheaded parts to him."
"Fufufu, Flora will have to support him firmly, won't she?"
At Flora and Fiona-san's words, gentle laughter echoed in the living room.
Flora, if you knew, I wish you had told me sooner. Or rather, she probably thought I understood without needing to be told. I'm sorry for being airheaded.
...Even so, is this what a real family conversation is like?
Elgis-san and Fiona-san have always treated me with friendliness, but perhaps because it's been decided that I'll marry Flora and become family, there's even more friendliness than usual.
The fact that there's no hesitation in their words compared to before is proof of that, I suppose. Though in exchange, Flora and I are being teased relentlessly.
However, worrying about each other like this, sharing memories, and talking with our true feelings is incredibly fun.
This must be what family conversation, a family space, is like.
It might be just an ordinary daily life, but to me, this scene with everyone looked like something sparkling and warm.
I want to protect this peaceful scene. I want to be immersed in it forever. That's what I thought.
Before I knew it, the gentle laughter had stopped, and everyone was looking at me with surprised expressions.
What in the world happened?
"Aldo-san, are you okay?"
Along with Flora's worried voice, I felt a warm drop trailing down my cheek.
"...Huh? Am I crying?"
Naturally, to the point where I hadn't even noticed, tears were flowing from my eyes.
While surprised by that fact, I wiped the tears away with my hand.
During that time, Flora leaned in close to me and stroked my back as if to stay by my side.
"Sorry, I've never had a family before, so this scene made me so happy..."
At my words, an air of relief drifted from Elgis-san and Fiona-san.
That's true. Since I suddenly started crying, they would wonder what was wrong.
"We are already family. You can depend on us as much as you like, you know?"
"Yes, I'm happy as well, as if I've gained a big son."
Elgis-san and Fiona-san's kind words soaked into my heart.
If they say things like that, my tears are going to stop even less.
"...It's okay. We are here for you."
Flora, leaning against me, whispered so.
That voice was full of maternal instinct and brought a great sense of security to my heart.
"Yeah, thank you."
When I said that while wiping my tears, Flora gave a small nod and smiled.
Fiona-san and Elgis-san were watching us with satisfied looks.
I'm sure they're thinking something like how Flora is firmly supporting her husband.
Ah, it's pathetic to keep sobbing even though I'm a man.
I sniffled while quickly wiping away my tears.
Then this time, my stomach growled, protesting its hunger.
Everyone except me had blank expressions, then their shoulders started shaking.
Crying and then having my stomach growl, I'm a really busy guy. I could only turn red.
"Ufufu, Aldo-san is really worth supporting. Since you're becoming his bride, it'll be tough from now on too, you know?"
"Yes! But that's what's good about it!"
"I see. Well then, shall I show off my skills for my new son?"
"I'll help too!"
"Yes, since you're becoming a bride, you need to polish your cooking skills more."
Fiona-san and Flora moved to the kitchen while having a pleasant conversation.
From the side, they looked like sisters, which was heartwarming.
"This is nice. This kind of thing. My wife and daughter cooking, and waiting for the food while talking with my daughter's husband. And then, when the food comes, everyone drinking and talking happily together. It's been my dream for years..."
Elgis-san said as if murmuring with deep feeling.
I wonder if I'll feel that way too once a child is born.
"...Aldo-san."
"What is it?"
"When will there be grandchildren?"
"Elgis-san, you're a bit too hasty."