The night of the preparations completion.
Roxy finally made the announcement.
"I think it's about time to say this. I'm pregnant."
Tonight Norn is home too.
Before dinner starts.
While the whole family's here.
"Congratulations!"
The first person to answer is Lilia.
Even though normally she's expressionless, but right now she's wearing a smile.
The first congratulations.
For a moment, I thought she was being considerate for Aisha, but then I have my doubts.
Roxy must have already discussed this with her.
It's easy to guess looking at the better than usual cuisine on the dinner table.
"Congratulations, Roxy."
Sylphy probably has a clue as well.
She accepts this reality with a smile.
Seeing at that smile, I feel something indescribable.
The current scene is different from when Lilia was pregnant.
Obviously, very different.
Zenith and Lilia are both present. Nor was I cheating with Roxy.
Sylphy has accepted Roxy.
Not like when Paul got slapped, nor when Zenith raised hell, nor Lilia in tears.
Pure happiness.
"R-Rudi?"
Roxy becomes uneasy with me so silent, with a delicate voice she turns to me.
My answer is the same.
"From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Roxy."
"Eh? Thank me for what?"
Roxy tilts her head and forces a smile.
But, that expression isn't one of unhappiness.
"Rudi please. You said the same thing when Lucy came, [Thank you.]"
Sylphy says giggling.
That's the case, eh?
But they might be right, why did I thank them?
Em...
"How do I explain this? Telling me when you're pregnant, I feel like that's proof that I have been accepted."
"I have always accepted Rudi... Wah!"
I pick up Roxy and put her on my lap.
Showing affection in front of Sylphy isn't a good idea, but please forgive today as Roxy's Day.
"Sensei taught me many things, helped me many times, and not just now, now has my child... Just thank you alone won't show you my gratitude."
"Rudi hasn't called me Sensei for a long time..."
Roxy rubs her tummy.
Around three months.
I can see a little bump.
The same thought as Sylphy's pregnancy: wow, amazing...
She has my child.
"Rudi is my husband now, and I also want Rudi's child, so I think saying [Good job] or [You did it] would be enough."
"Isn't that a bit bossy?"
"Well, you should spoil me once a while."
"Fine... G-Good job."
"Haha, of course!"
With that, Roxy presses the back of her head against my chest with a little roll.
How calm.
I remember how nervous Sylphy was back then.
Say, Elinalise already knew about Roxy's pregnancy.
By consulting people around her, Roxy has settled down in her own way.
But I was busy.
What I mean is, I feel like I'm not there for her.
Busy, busy, like a father who neglects his family.
... Well, I am a father.
And I'm not even busy making money either.
Thinking that, I hug Roxy tightly, burying myself in her hair.
Roxy's scent smells wonderful as usual.
Calming.
"Nii-san, please don't flirt so much during dinner."
Norn knocks on the table, her face flushing red.
"Once in a while is fine. For Roxy-ane it's service, today only."
The follow up came from Aisha.
Naughtily, she kept her elbows on the table, holding up her face.
A full smile on that face.
"Norn-ane, are you raising a fuss because Onii-chan hasn't been paying attention to you?"
"N-no! Not even. Just that Sylphy-ane and Lucy are present, it would be inappropriate to do as he pleases. What I mean is, they should just get a room."
"Ugh, Onii-chan, I'll tell you later, but recently Norn-ane has been rather popular at school. A few days ago, a boy even dropped off a letter here."
"Aisha! That's not nice, no telling!"
Yes. Norn is popular.
Cute, and a hard worker too, turns out there's a few guys at school with good eyes.
Norn will eventually find a boyfriend, get married, and move out.
When that happens I have no choice but to support her... But I will not allow anyone superficial to touch her..
Norn won't bring someone with dyed hair, earrings, and a teardrop tattooed under his eyes home that says, [Please allow my true love with your sister] right?
If that happens, I'd go crazy...
"Norn, do you have someone you like?"
"S-someone I like?"
Norn turns to hide her face.
"N-no."
She does.
She has reached puberty, and she's at that age, huh.
It's normal.
Even so, to be liked by my Norn, what a lucky bastard.
"Well, if it works out, bring him over to visit."
"I said I don't!"
If she did, I need to vet him thoroughly for Paul's sake.
For Paul, I will tell him [I won't hand my daughter to the likes of you!]
Obviously.
"Also... Aisha, didn't you say you have a good harvest of your rice crop recently? And how happy Nii-san is going to be?"
"Argh! I was going to announce it myself later, Norn-ane is the worst!"
"Ha, that was payback!"
Aisha stands up in panic. Norn stares at her like nothing happened. But I can't just pretend I didn't hear anything.
"Rice harvest from the yard... really?"
"Ah, um. For the time being. Maybe it's the cold, but it wasn't a lot. But if we recrop right now, by Fall..."
"By recrop, you mean you have... rice seeds? There are rice seeds?"
"Em. We do. It tastes a little weird, is that okay Onii-chan..."
"No, that's fine. So next year, and the next year too?"
"O-Onii-chan made soil with magic for me... Onii-chan's soil is the best!"
I gently pick up Roxy, place her back to her position.
Then I get up and follow the table until three steps before Aisha, I kneel with one knee.
With my arms raised, waiting on her like a knight.
"Aisha, you did it!"
"O-oh... Hey, can I, jump?"
Aisha spies at Roxy behind me, slowly walks up, and finally jumps into my open arms.
Then I lift her up, and we spin together.
"Wah! It's Aisha Rice!"
"Wah!"
I can eat rice!
Of course, a trifle compared to Roxy's child, but I really love rice!
Slow cooked, pure white rice.
With a side of well salted grill fish and eat a mouthful.
Those happy meal days will soon be upon us!
With a little exercise, happiness again blossoms inside me.
Roxy has a child.
Will she be Lucy's little sister or brother?
Lucy will be 2 soon.
A mixed blood with Migurd ancestry, will she get bullied?
What color will her hair be?
Lucy will be a good sister.
Norn and Aisha too...
Ah, I can't wait.
And the name... Right, I should decide on a name.
And, and...
All my words are jumbled together.