182 – After the First
Sylphy hugged a giant plushy modeled after Rudy and let out a deep sigh. "I know it's selfish and an... but I can't help but be upset. You understand, right, Rolo?
Roland nodded. "I understand, Mother." He gazed off into the distance, reminiscing on the past. "Even when I was a kid, although all of my moms got along well, there was still a bit of jealousy at tis."
"Right?!" Sylphy jumped to her feet and said, "It's only natural!"
"...Yes." Roland slowly nodded.
Sylphy was in her room with Roland.
After going through the draining events of the day, she needed so quiet ti to relax, recuperate, and recharge.
And of course, she dragged along her son to help her with that.
Well, Roland wasn't *really* her son, but he was proof that she and Rudy were ant to be one way or another.
Unlike Eri, who didn't have physical proof that she and Rudy were ant to be together.
...Ah. That was the jealousy speaking again.
Sylphy would need to get better at that...
Rudy wouldn't like it. And she couldn't live if Rudy started to hate her...
Not that he would.
Rudy was nice, and kind, and loving, and understanding.
Even though he knew that Sylphy was a bit broken, he still accepted her, flaws and all.
So she would try to be better- No, she would BE better.
For him. For the man she loved more than anything else in this world...
Except for Roland, of course. She loved her son too, even if he technically wasn't hers.
So that was fine.
Even so, Sylphy couldn't help but think about it.
Sylphy was in Rudy's house. But he wasn't here right now. And Eri wasn't either.
Instead, the two of them were off sowhere else being intimate in a ho that the two called their own.
It was only for a few days.
Sylphy knew that. And she also knew that it would be her turn to have Rudy to herself next. But even so...
She let out a deep sigh and looked at Roland. "I don't understand how your mother did it, Rolo. Even after eting and talking to her..."
That Sylphy was the first wife, and yet she compromised for Rudy and allowed more. Not only that, but she had been content with just being Rudy's wife, even if she couldn't stand beside him.
A saint. Sylphy couldn't help but think that Roland's mother had been a true saint.
Because Sylphy couldn't comprehend it.
That Rudy had been in even more dangerous situations. Faced more terrifying foes while being far from as strong as her Rudy.
Even so, that Sylphy stayed ho and just waited for him.
She was content to just be the 'anchor' in his life. The one constant.
...But Sylphy couldn't do that.
The thought that Rudy might disappear again sowhere she couldn't see. That she would be left alone again, even though she KNEW that wouldn't happen...
Sylphy let out a deep sigh.
Roland looked at Sylphy and then nodded. "My mother was indeed a saint." He paused and then said, "Technically a goddess too, according to my father. But I wouldn't discount your own efforts, Mother."
Sylphy smiled at Roland and then said, "You're too nice, Rolo." She set her plushy of Rudy aside and then walked over to hug Roland. "...But thank you."
Roland hugged Sylphy back and said, "You're welco, Mother."
Sylphy paused and then stepped back, frowning. "...Are you really fine with calling
and Rudy your parents though?"
Roland let out a relaxed smile. "Of course. Even if the ti may be different, you two are still my parents. And besides, I'm needed here more than I ever was before."
Sylphy stared at Roland for a while and then said, "I hope my son is even as half as reliable as you, Rolo."
Roland shook his head. "I would hope my younger brother be seen for himself, not what he could be." He paused and then said, "...Though a few faint expectations would be good. It's easy to mistake freedom for indifference."
Sylphy nodded. "I'll rember that, Rolo."
Roland smiled and then said, "In any case... Are you finished with your preparations, Mother? Is there anyone you wish to invite or anything I can do to help?"
Sylphy placed a hand on her chin and humd. "I don't think so... Everyone in my family is here for the wedding, and the preparations are mostly done for the ceremony. I guess I could invite so friends...?"
Sylphy didn't have many friends, but she had a few acquaintances.
There was that small adventurer party she helped back when she was crossing the Northern Lands. Counter Bow or sothing?
Then there was that Sol... Sold it? Soldier? Sothing like that.
He said that he owed her a favor, so maybe he could co visit?
It might make Rudy a bit jealous too.
That was a bit an, but Sylphy would like it if he did get a bit jealous for her, like he did for Eri with that Luke guy...
Roland nodded and said, "Alright. Should I round up the knights to go look for them?"
"No." Sylphy shook her head and said, "It's fine. I'll go get them myself."
Roland blinked. "Right now?"
Sylphy waved her arms, changing out from the formal dress she wore for Eri's wedding into an adventurer outfit.
A loose white tunic, furry white boots, a gray scarf, light blue gloves and leggings to cover her arms and legs.
After holding her arm out again to summon a glittering blue ice sword that she hung on her left side, she smiled and said, "Yep! Mommy needs to get her mind off so things, and an adventure to find so friends sounds like just the thing!" She paused and then said, "Do you want to co with, Rolo?"
Roland hesitated, but then he said, "Father would be upset if I just let you go off on your own, so I will."
Sylphy pouted and said, "Do you like Daddy that much more than Mommy?"
Roland shook his head. "No. I just don't want to get lectured by him later for leaving a lady alone even though she's more than capable of protecting herself."
Sylphy laughed and said, "Rudy IS a bit of a hypocrite like that... But okay!" She ran over to grab Roland's hand and said, "Let's go on a trip to et Mommy's friends!"
-SNG-
It was the day after Onii-chan's wedding with Eri nee-chan.
The adults were busy cleaning and reorganizing the house for Erofu nee-chan's wedding, so there wasn't much she could do inside.
Not to ntion that Onii-chan and Eri nee-chan were off sowhere doing loveydovey stuff too, so the house had a weird atmosphere.
So, instead of hanging around all day, Stella imdiately left the house to go hunt down Akito.
It could be a look alike. Weirder things had been happening in Stella's life. But even so, Stella wanted to confirm it.
He was easy enough to find. With Fai, Wata, and Wyn sweeping through the city in spirit form, it only took a short while for her to locate him.
It turned out that Akito had rented a ho not far from Onii-chan's house.
Or maybe Onii-chan rented one close by for him? Onii-chan definitely knew how and why Akito was here, so that was probably likely.
But in any case, it was ti to confront him.
Wearing her usual clothes, a loose black t-shirt and jeans, along with her usual adventurer bag filled with useful tools, she headed over to Akito's house with Leo in tow.
Fai, Wata, and Wyn were there too, but Stella made sure they were in spirit form for the day. Just to make sure they didn't raise any weird flags by accident.
Not to ntion that a cute toddler with a puppy was more disarming than a toddler with a bunch of spirit pals.
Stopping at the house, Stella tried the door and found it unlocked.
"Hah..."
Akito was still as reckless as ever.
Still, since it was unlocked, Stella let herself inside.
The house was small. Just a single floor with a living room and a pair of bedrooms. There was also a door that led to a bathroom or sothing too.
There was basic furniture there, like a table, chairs, and stuff. But it was pretty empty otherwise... except for all the random notes and paper laying all over the ground.
Glancing at it, Stella felt a bit nostalgic.
Even though it was a different place, Akito acted the sa.
And just like back then, Akito was sitting at a table, idly sketching out notes amidst a ss of books and papers.
Stella closed the door behind her.
Akito flinched and glanced over. For a second, he was panicked. But then he saw that it was Stella and let out a relieved sigh. Smiling, he stood up and said, "Good morning, Stella! What are you doing here? And where are your friends?"
Stella walked over, plastering on her best cutesy toddler smile and said, "Morning Mister Akito!"
Leo wagged his tail and then ran up to Akito. "Wan!"
Akito smiled and crouched down to scratch Leo's ears. "Hello again to you too, Leo. Keeping Stella safe?"
"Wan wan!"
Stella adjusted her bag and then said, "Can I play here today, Mister Akito?"
Akito picked Leo up and then said, "Sure! But..." He frowned and said, "Are you sure you want to play here? It's kind of boring."
"It's fine!" Stella smiled and said, "I don't think Mister Akito is boring! ...And everyone else is busy."
"Oh. Right..." Akito nodded. "I bet they would be... Well, you can hang out here if you want." He set Leo back down and said, "I'm working on a project your brother gave , but feel free to look around. I think there's so snacks in the fri- icebox if you're hungry too."
"Kay~! Thanks Mister Akito!"
Akito smiled and then walked back to his table, looking back over his notes.
Stella took the ti to walk around the house, looking at everything like a curious toddler would.
Wata's voice echoed in Stella's head.
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