Mushoku Tensei — Chapter 134 - The In-Laws 2
"Welcome, welcome!"
The moment they stepped inside, Zenith greeted Loin and Lorijia with warm enthusiasm.
Paul and Lilia offered their welcomes too. Then Paul immediately tried to throw an arm around Loin's shoulders, until Zenith's foot came down on his, and he straightened up fast.
Lorijia smiled.
"Oh, hello to you both."
"You must be Roxy's mother. You're just as lovely as your daughter."
Zenith clasped Lorijia's hands warmly.
"Hehe, thank you for that."
The two mothers hit it off immediately, heading toward the dining table hand in hand. Lilia followed behind them with a helpless smile.
"Rudeus! Come eat already!"
Eris's voice rang out from the kitchen. Looks like she really put in the effort today.
"Coming."
After answering, I watched Paul sidle over to Sylphiette and me with a cheeky grin. He spread his arms wide and turned to Lara Greyrat.
"Lara Greyrat, come to Grandpa~"
"Oh!"
Lara Greyrat very naturally crawled right out of Sylphiette's arms and into his.
"So, how is it? Has your dad been giving you any trouble lately? You tell Grandpa — I'll sort him out for you."
"Uu...... Dad won't let me eat snacks from the street......"
"Hey, you little brat!"
Paul wheeled around, ready to come at me.
Sylphiette and I traded a helpless smile.
Roxy spoke up, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
"Lara Greyrat~ what did you just say?"
"Uu...... Grandpa!"
Lara Greyrat put on her best frightened face and buried her head in Paul's chest.
This daughter of mine.......
I wonder who she learned that from......
"Alright, enough fooling around. Let's eat."
------
The dining table was covered in dishes, all kinds.
As Eris's husband, though, I had no trouble picking out exactly which one she made, and made sure to compliment that one specifically.
After we'd worked through everything, we settled into drinking and talking.
None of my wives were in the mood to drink, so on our side, I was the only one having a little.
"So you've decided not to settle down here?"
Zenith asked, her expression carrying a trace of regret.
Lorijia gave a rueful smile.
"Mm, we're not quite used to the environment here. And we can visit anytime."
"That's true. This arrangement suits everyone fine."
Zenith nodded and raised her glass.
While the elders were drinking, Roxy tugged at my sleeve.
"Hm? What is it?"
"Windsor fell asleep."
I glanced down. Windsor was sitting on Roxy's lap, drooling, completely out.
I reached over and stroked Windsor's little cheek.
Sylphiette said softly, "Lucy Greyrat's fallen asleep too."
"Mm. And Lara Greyrat?"
"She's still with Papa Paul. Seems pretty energetic."
"Alright. Should we let the children sleep here tonight?"
"Okay."
Roxy and Sylphiette stood, gathered Lucy Greyrat and Windsor in their arms, and headed toward the spare room.
Lara Greyrat noticed and looked up at Paul.
"Grandpa..... I'm sleepy too."
"Lara Greyrat's sleepy? Want to go sleep with your little sisters?"
"Mm mm!"
Paul set down his glass and smiled over at Loin.
"My granddaughter needs to sleep. I'll carry her in and be right back."
"Mm."
Paul scooped up Lara Greyrat and took her to the same room as Windsor and Lucy Greyrat.
There were plenty of rooms in the house. But my three daughters aren't exactly brave. Without their parents nearby, they'd rather pile in together.
That's normal, though. They're only a few years old......
"Rudi."
A gentle voice from across the table.
Lorijia.
"Hm? What is it, Mother-in-law?"
"Thank you. For saving me. And for making Roxy so happy."
"It was the least I could do...... As for Roxy — I'm the one who should be thanking you both. That such a perfect daughter would actually choose to marry me."
Loin downed his glass in one go and turned to me with something like indignation.
"Smooth talker! No wonder Roxy would get angry at me on your behalf!"
"Father-in-law......"
"I know, I know. I'm grateful to you too!"
Lorijia patted Loin's back.
"You're drunk."
"Mm...... Mm, uuu...... Roxy is happy...... That's wonderful......"
His voice cracked as he said it.
Zenith rested her chin on her hand, watching the whole scene with a soft smile.
By the time Paul, Roxy, and Sylphiette had settled the children and come back to the table, Loin raised his glass again.
"Come! Keep drinking!"
I smiled and let him have it. A little shift in perspective and you understand him completely.
Roxy and Sylphiette settled back down beside me. This time Eris, who'd been sitting closer to the mothers, came over and joined us too.
She leaned her head against my shoulder without a word.
Mm......
Something Lara Greyrat had said today drifted back into my mind.
Eris is pregnant......?
I reached out and rested my hand on Eris's stomach. Let a thread of magic flow outward, feeling carefully.
Nothing.
Not pregnant.
I was overthinking it.
"Rudeus~"
Eris's voice came soft and drowsy against my ear.
"What is it?"
"I want to go home......"
I glanced left and right at the other two. They both nodded.
"Then let's go."
I stood and turned to Paul and both sets of in-laws.
"Fathers, Mothers — my wives are tired. I'm taking them home."
Paul waved a hand.
"Oh! The granddaughters are staying with us tonight, then."
"Mm. I'll come pick them up tomorrow."
"Let them stay a few more days!"
"That's up to them. Father-in-law, Mother-in-law, there are still rooms here if you'd like to stay the night."
Loin and Lorijia nodded.
Then Loin pointed at Paul.
"Continue! I'm drinking you under the table tonight, Paul."
"Bring it on, Loin! Hahahaha."
After saying our goodbyes to the mothers, I led my wives out of Paul's house.
------
The moment we got home, Eris cupped my face in her hands and kissed me.
"Rudeus...... tonight's fine, right?"
"Of course."
Roxy smiled over at me.
"Rudi~ you had quite a bit to drink. Sure you can keep up?"
Sylphiette joined in.
"Rudi~ the children are all away tonight~"
They were teasing me.
I smiled and played along.
"So?"
Sylphiette brushed her fingers across my lips.
"Lucy Greyrat wants a little sister~"
Eris lifted her chin.
"I want a boy!"
Roxy put both hands on my back and gave me a push.
"Alright~ bedroom?"
➤ Next: Variables — Face to Face