Chapter 150: Don't go
{TL: By Creed}
A Week Passed...
Today, we decided to leave Leafland.
With large backpacks stuffed with belongings, Sofia and I took on the load. Aisha, wanting to help, carried a small backpack of her own.
Licorice rode atop Aisha’s head.
“We're so grateful for everything you’ve done.”
I bowed my head to Edward and Emilia, who had come to see us off. We had relied on them for so long, and I was truly grateful.
“Hehe, it's all right. After all, Stuart-kun, you’re our future son,” Emilia said with a smile.
“Well, um…”
While I appreciated her sentiment, I couldn’t help but wonder if Edward was really okay with this.
When I glanced over at him, he looked slightly displeased, but he wasn’t objecting as loudly as he used to.
Maybe he’d accepted me... at least a little?
If that’s the case, I’m happy. But I’ll have to work even harder to earn his full approval.
“Father, Mother, we’re setting out again, so please stay well.”
“Sofia, take good care of yourself, all right?”
“Don’t forget to train every day.”
“Yes, of course.”
“...And you, kid—take care of yourself, too, okay?”
“Ah... yes, sir!”
I was happy. If I’d had a tail like Aisha’s, it would surely be wagging side to side in joy.
“Hmm... so Fate’s being stolen by Father? That’s...”
Sofia seemed to have the wrong idea entirely. I decided to correct her later; bringing it up now might just add to the confusion.
“Grandpa, Grandma!”
“Oh? What is it, Aisha?”
At her call, Edward’s expression softened immediately; he seemed completely charmed by her.
“Is it okay if I come to visit again?”
“Yes, yes, of course!”
“Please do come visit anytime.”
“Or... you could stay here with us instead? Traveling with these two is dangerous, you know? Really, staying here is better. Yes, do that.”
“Haa...”
As Edward desperately tried to convince Aisha to stay, Sofia and her mother both sighed at the same time.
“Husband, I understand you don’t want to be apart from Aisha-chan, but don’t be selfish.”
“I-I’m not being selfish! It’s safer for her to stay at home than go on this journey...”
“That’s just an excuse.”
“Yes, Mother is absolutely right.”
“Grr...”
“This journey is to learn more about Aisha-chan, so we really need her with us.”
“B-but it’s dangerous…”
“Being by my side is the safest place for her,” Sofia declared confidently.
For some reason, Licorice copied her stance proudly.
Fairies really do seem to live by the mood of the moment, don’t they...?
“Mmm…”
Edward likely understood the logic, but he couldn’t let go emotionally, his gaze lingering on Aisha again and again.
“Well, well, he’s a handful, isn’t he? He goes to great lengths to summon his daughter back, and now he’s completely smitten with his granddaughter!”
“Shh... Licorice, he’ll hear you!”
“Hmph! Leave it to the genius, beautiful fairy idol Licorice-chan in times like these!”
“Um… please, go ahead.”
Should I really ask?
I hesitated for a moment, but since I couldn’t come up with any better ideas, I decided to ask.
Licorice fluttered up and landed near Edward’s ear.
“Hey, hey, old man.”
“Hmm? What is it, fairy who’s always with those two...? What do you want?”
“I have something to talk to you about…”
They whispered secretly to each other.
It seemed like a secret conversation, but Licorice was wearing a rather mischievous expression.
“What…!? Ugh… ughhhh…”
After a moment, Edward’s face twisted with shock, and he sank to his knees on the ground.
Seeing this, Licorice seemed satisfied and flitted back over.
“See? I shut him up. Now there shouldn’t be any more problems.”
“…Licorice…”
“What did you say to Father?”
“Hehe, it was simple. I told him that if he kept being selfish, Aisha would start to dislike him. And I also imitated Aisha and said, ‘I don’t like Grandpa!’”
““Ugh…””
Sofia and I were both taken aback.
For Edward, those were words that could potentially be a fatal blow. I couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him.
“Um… Father? I’ll try to come home more often from now on…”
“O-Of course, Aisha will come with me too!”
“…”
No use. It seemed our voices weren’t reaching him, and Edward remained slumped, lost in thought.
It was a little sad, but at the same time…
It was a sign that he had truly grown fond of Aisha.
And that made me happy.
Even though Aisha wasn’t connected to us by blood, she was our precious daughter.
The fact that he had accepted her and grown to love her meant so much to me. Thank you.
“Husband, stop zoning out, and be sure to see them off properly. Perhaps…”
Emilia whispered something softly into Edward’s ear.
Suddenly, life seemed to return to his eyes.
“The Blue Island is far away. Be careful and stay safe. If anything happens, don’t hesitate to rely on us.”
He stood up as if nothing had happened and spoke with great dignity.
…Although, there wasn’t much dignity left in him at this point.
“…Mother, what did you say to Father?”
“…Well, I mentioned that we might have a second grandchild soon, and maybe we can look forward to that.”
“…M-Mother!? T-That’s… I mean, um… aah…”
“…Hehe. Sofia, do you not want that?”
“…N-No! It’s not that! In fact, I’d say… right now, I wouldn’t mind at all…”
I think I just overheard something outrageous…
Yeah.
I didn’t hear anything.
“Fate, are you looking forward to it?”
Licorice grinned slyly, but I pretended not to hear that either.
“And….”
Edward looked over at us, awkwardly shifting.
But then, he clearly spoke.
“Fate-kun.”
“Ah…”
He called me by my name for the first time.
“…You should come visit again sometime. You’re always welcome here.”
“Yes!”
I nodded firmly, and Edward gave me a small smile in return.
TL Note: Family planning in the making.
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