Elinalise interrupted me.
Then, quietly, continues.
"At our night out, I overheard that Roxy's didn't come this month."
"... Eh?"
Her period?
No, no point pretending. It's definitely that.
Eh, but that.
"Well, we don't know for sure yet..."
No, but we did it.
If it's that, then it's possible.
Afterwards, that day, Roxy punched my chest without any power.
Was that a hint?
Elinalise spies at me for a bit, continues.
"Rudeus, if Roxy is pregnant, what would you do?"
Hearing that, Paul's image suddenly comes to my mind.
Yes, that was the Paul from when Lilia was pregnant.
The Paul that doesn't deserve any sympathy.
Completely lost at what to do, I helped him.
Paul was also someone that deserves respect.
But I can't copy the him back then.
"... I would take responsibility."
"How?"
"Marry her."
Marry, so I say.
Somehow I felt forced.
Even so, I can't really say it.
Besides, after saying it, I suddenly feel a weight off my shoulders.
I like Sylphy.
But, I also want to marry Roxy.
I don't want Roxy to be stolen from me, I want to make her mine.
I'm so selfish.
After telling Sylphy those words, and even having a child.
Then suddenly wanting another woman.
Unforgivable.
Considering all that, I'm basically the scum of mankind.
Until now, I always said that Paul is scum.
But, I'm also a man.
I fell for two women, and I want them both.
If I get them both, what's wrong with that?
Just like Paul.
If this led to falling apart with Sylphy and Roxy leaving me.
Then I would lose them both, just like that.
Em, that's right.
This isn't just my problem.
"... If Roxy-sensei and Sylphy would agree, then that's another matter."
"Alright, then I'll go call Roxy over."
"Eh?"
Elinalise stood up as she said so.
And suddenly went into a nearby tent.
How fast.
Soon after, Roxy came out alone.
Doesn't look like she has been asleep.
She looks at me nervously.
Maybe Elinalise already said something to her.
"Do you have something to tell me, Rudi?"
Roxy sat down in front of me.
As a result, I also straighten up.
What do I say.
Isn't this too fast?
I haven't thought about what to say yet.
No, no point in worrying anymore.
"Well, it's about what I said before."
"Oh."
"I... like Sensei. From the start I always liked Sensei. Not only like, but also respect. Although Sensei may worry that your magic may not be as strong as mine, but that doesn't matter to me. The magic that Sensei taught me saved my life many times. It's because of Sensei that I'm still alive."
Roxy's face flushes red.
My face probably is flushing red now too.
Face-to-face like this is really embarrassing.
"That, I'm really grateful that you felt this way."
"But, well, I already have a wife."
"Oh, so I have heard."
Please be my second wife.
Can I say that?
Isn't that really inappropriate?
Can't I say it any better?
What do I do?
But, I still have to say it.
No matter how I say it, the results will be the same.
I won't separate with Sylphy, and I also want to have Roxy.
Also, I need to prepare myself to talk to Sylphy afterwards.
To do something like this before Sylphy knows it.
I'm truly scum.
But, if I don't say it now.
Roxy might leave.
She's the kind of person to leave for a new journey immediately after.
If I don't keep her back beforehand, I might not have another chance.
-- That's enough.
Even if I get called scum afterwards, I don't care.
"My wife, her name is Syphiette Greyrat. Originally, she didn't have a last name, just Syphiette."
"Oh, so I have heard."
"Roxy, would you also change your name to Roxy Greyrat?"
Roxy looked shocked all the sudden.
Yet, soon she understood what I meant and bit her lips.
But, quickly her face returned to her usual seriousness.
"... For you to say that, I'm really grateful, but shouldn't you gain your wife's approval first?"
Of course, I need to discuss this with Sylphy.
To become family with someone she never met before.
I need to explain it to my sisters as well.
Lilia too, I need to tell her also.
"I need to gain her approval."
"In that case--"
I was rejected.
Of course, Roxy wished that I only pick her.
Just when that thought came to me,
"Then, after you do that, please ask me again."
In the flurry of snow, Roxy said in her usual seriousness.
[After that, ask again.]
The fact that she didn't refuse me warms my heart.