Side: Seraria
"Ah—uh—"
There is an angel in my arms.
With her eyes wide open, she's playing by grabbing my fingers with her tiny hands.
It's already been nearly three months since she was born, but Sakura's cuteness knows no bounds.
The first time she opened her eyes fully, I honestly thought my daughter's eyes were the most beautiful in the entire world.
"U?"
"What's wrong, sweetheart?"
Following Sakura's gaze, I saw Ratz and her daughter, Shansu.
The name Shansu apparently means "happiness" in some country on Earth.
Sakura's attention was probably fixed on a certain part of Shansu... Honestly, if I weren't already holding Sakura, I'd want to touch them myself.
No, I don't mean choosing between Sakura and Shansu. They're both precious daughters—mine and Ratz's... However, there is one distinct difference between Sakura and Shansu.
Bunny ears.
Naturally, as the daughter of Ratz, a rabbit beastkin, Shansu had the long rabbit ears and fluffy round tail unique to her race.
I knew, of course, that beastkin children would inherit those traits. But knowing something and actually seeing it were two entirely different things.
That tiny, adorable face... With those impossibly cute rabbit ears... The very first time I saw her... I had a nosebleed. She was simply too adorable.
Sakura undoubtedly loved cute things just as much as I did, eh? That was probably why she couldn't take her eyes off Shansu.
I really think Yuki made the absolute right choice in taking Ratz and the others as his wives. Seeing such a cute baby and not being able to touch her would be pure torture. I almost caught myself understanding why beastkin kidnappings happen.
Also, since Tori, Riel, Kaya, and Sheila's children will have kemomimi too, I'm really looking forward to it!!
"Uuu~"
"Oya? What's wrong, Shansu?"
It looks like Shansu is looking this way too.
Ratz turns her gaze toward us.
"I see, you're interested in your big sister?"
"Aaah~"
Shansu reaches out toward us, and seeing that, Ratz nods and comes closer.
"Is it okay, Seraria? Shansu seems very interested in big sister Sakura."
"It's fine. But do they already recognize each other as sisters at this age?"
"Who knows? Here, Shansu, this is your big sister~"
"Sakura, this is your little sister Shansu. She's so cute."
We let Sakura and Shansu meet face to face.
"Uuu?"
"Aaah?"
It's not their first meeting, but for the children, every day is fresh.
They stare at each other with their cute eyes wide open... Gosh, even this simple scene is just too adorable.
I have to take a picture, but both of my hands are full—Isn't there someone around?
Just as I look around the room, a sharp click-snap sound echoes.
Ratz and I hastily turn toward the noise, only to find my beloved husband smiling at us with a camera in hand.
Ever since we had children, the camera has become essential.
...Beside him, my little sister Elju was also holding a camera, panting heavily.
Yeah... as her older sister, I really don't think that level of excitement is healthy. I'll need to have a little talk with her later.
"Aah!"
"Ooo!"
While I had turned my eyes away from the children for just a moment, something seems to have happened.
When I look back, Sakura and Shansu are touching each other and playing?
Ratz and I were watching the scene unfold with warm, fond smiles, but then...
"Oo!!"
"Ahu!?"
Sakura suddenly reaches out toward Shansu's bunny ears and grabs one with a firm, full-hand grip.
"Auuu!!"
"Fugyaaaa!!"
Beastkin ears were incredibly sensitive.
Even adults disliked having them touched.
For a baby, it was naturally much worse.
Shansu burst into loud, heart-wrenching tears.
"Sakura, no!"
I hurriedly scolded her.
"Fue!? Fugyaaaa!!"
Startled by my voice, Sakura let go of Shansu's ears and started crying too.
Taking the opportunity, Ratz and I quickly put some distance between us.
"There, there, your ear is perfectly fine. It doesn't hurt anymore~"
Ratz speaks gently, soothing the weeping Shansu.
I comfort the crying Sakura—who got scared after doing something bad—and bow my head toward Ratz in apology.
"I'm so sorry, Ratz."
"No, no, please don't apologize. Honestly, it's impossible to predict how children will move. You really can't take your eyes off them for a second."
"Yes, truly."
She can't even crawl yet... so how on earth did she manage to grab that bunny ear so firmly?
If she really does love cute things that much, her future is almost terrifying to imagine...
* * *
Still, as young as our daughters are, playing for just a little bit exhausts them, and they soon drift off to sleep.
After tucking each of them into their own dedicated cribs, it's time to head back to work.
Naturally, there are dedicated caregivers like Killue as well as the wife on duty for the day to look after the children.
Today wasn't my assigned shift, but by pure chance, I happened to be left alone in the nursery.
"Eria, what's wrong?"
"Fugyaaah—!!"
Eris's daughter, Eria, has suddenly burst into tears.
I pick her up right away to check on her, but it doesn't seem like she needs a diaper change. What could it be?
The mystery is solved almost immediately.
As I hold her, Eria reaches her tiny hands toward my chest, clutching frustratedly at my clothes as if they're in the way.
Ah, I see. Understanding what she wants, I promptly offer my breast to Eria.
"Gulp, gulp..."
Just as expected, Eria immediately latches on and quietens down.
Yup, she was just hungry.
Drink plenty and grow up big and strong, okay?
Gently stroking Eria's head, I smile down at her as she frantically suckles.
I wonder if my own mothers felt this exact same way... It's a thought that has crossed my mind countless times ever since I was blessed with children of my own.
And how terribly must they have grieved, knowing they were passing away and leaving us behind at such a young age?
If I were in that situation, I don't think I could have borne it. I probably would have cried and screamed, begging for a way to survive just to watch my children grow up.
Yet our mothers never showed a single trace of such despair, remaining our gentle, loving mothers right until the very end.
"One day, I'll have to take you all to meet them."
"Oo?"
"I'm sorry. Take your time, go ahead and keep drinking."
"Oo—gulp, gulp..."
Yes, someday, we will visit the royal tombs of Roshure so our mothers resting there can see our children.
Going there in person naturally carries some safety concerns, but I'm sure my husband won't object.
After introducing our children to them, I'll tell them so many stories.
Stories about my absurd first encounter with my beloved husband... how, despite having spent my whole life swinging a sword, he completely turned everything upside down in an instant... how before I knew it, I had resolved to walk alongside a husband who carries the fate of the entire world on his shoulders... and how he casually chats with Gods as if it's the most normal thing ever...
Fufu, I wonder if our mothers could even keep up with such unbelievable tales?
"Ara? Were you on duty today, Seraria?"
While I'm lost in thought with Eria, Eris enters the room without my noticing.
If I recall correctly, today's shift was supposed to belong to Eris and Ria.
"No, Killue just stepped out for a moment, so I'm stepping in until she gets back."
"I see... Ah, is that Eria? I'm so sorry for the trouble."
"Don't be silly. You look after Sakura all the time too, don't you? Besides, all of them are our daughters."
"That's true."
Chatting casually like that, Eris pulls up a chair and sits down beside me.
"Even now, it feels so surreal. To think this child came from my own womb... and that her father is Yuki-san."
Eris smiles gently as she watches Eria drinking from my breast.
"What are you saying? Out of all of us, you were the one trying the hardest with Yuki, weren't you?"
Yes, this Eris—despite her quiet and gentle appearance—goes so wild in bed that she leaves Yuki completely drained. I've caught glimpses a few times, and honestly, even I don't think I could match her.
"N-No, that's not what I meant...! Um, well... it's only been a little over two years since I was freed from slavery. To think that not much time has passed since then... it just feels so magical."
"Ah, I see what you mean... Indeed, it really has been a whirlwind, hasn't it?"
"Yes."
Just as Eris says, these past few years have been a non-stop flurry of activity.
Honestly, haven't we already surpassed the legendary deeds of past heroes?
In just six months after I first set foot in the dungeon, we gained independence from Roshure, founded our own nation, defeated the Demon King, and launched an expedition to explore a brand-new continent.
"And yet, despite how overwhelmingly busy things have been, we were able to give birth to our children and raise them like this. It's truly amazing. Our husband accomplishes things that aren't even recorded in the ancient collective knowledge of the Elves."
"Yes. Normally, our children would be left entirely to wet nurses while we were buried in endless work."
"In fact, I probably would have never even met you, Seraria. The moment I fell into slavery, my life was essentially over."
"Normally, yes. But we had our husband."
"Yes. Back then, I was the one who spoke to Yuki-san on behalf of everyone. I was so terrified, thinking that if I incurred his wrath, he'd execute me on the spot or force me to deal with wild beasts."
"If I remember correctly, Labyris realized he was the Dungeon Master, and you ended up talking to him right after, right?"
"Yes. Thanks to that, I didn't feel like I was even alive while talking to Yuki-san. But after preparing for the absolute worst, what awaited us was a luxurious life of comfort at the inn."
"Ahaha, that must have been a huge shock. Honestly, our husband hasn't changed a bit since then... Oh, looks like Eria fell fast asleep. Eris, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Ah, yes. Good luck with your work."
Saying so, I gently transfer Eria over to Eris and step out of the room.
"Alright! Now that I've been recharged by the babies, time to tackle that work!"
I give a light fist pump and head off to clear out the mountain of backed-up paperwork.
Still, Yuki's ultimate goal has barely made any progress.
No, it's a monumental mission that will take a staggering, almost dizzying amount of time.
If handling this work helps him in any way, then I'll give it my absolute all.
After all, I know it will lead to a happy future for our children.
