Chapter 8

"First, I would like to apologize again."

As he sat down across the table, Rias said this with a serious face.

His dark brown eyes stared at me intently.

"I am sorry for not being able to protect you and for allowing the attack to happen."

"Please stop."

It seemed like he was about to kneel.

"But the fact is, I left you behind and returned home first."

He lowered his gaze, looking serious.

"You were almost out of breath, weren't you? You said, 'It's terrible to leave me behind.'"

Wait. Are your ears a little red?

Well, never mind.

I cleared my throat modestly.

"Saying it was terrible... I was half-delirious at the time."

I do have a bit of a grudge.

But that won't solve anything.

"I didn't ask to meet you to talk about that."

When I said this seriously, he met my gaze.

He tensed up.

"I want to apologize for what I said to you from the day we got married."

His eyes widened.

"You must think I'm saying something convenient now."

There's nothing I can do but apologize sincerely. It wasn't me, but... ——or was it?

I placed my hand on my chest and bowed slightly.

"Every time I saw you, I said terrible things. I'm sorry. I can't take back what I said, but I promise I won't say such things again."

"What... What's gotten into you? Suddenly like this?"

"After giving birth to Eidan and hovering between life and death... my thoughts changed."

Let's just say that.

I don't really understand this situation either.

"I want to be a good mother. For Eidan's sake."

This is the important part.

I looked straight into Rias's eyes.

"I want you to be a father. ——To achieve that, I want us to work together as Eidan's parents."

Rias looked taken aback.

He seemed shocked and caught off guard.

"Are you... not disgusted by me?"

There's nothing to be disgusted by. We haven't had that kind of interaction yet, from my perspective.

"——I'm not sure. But we are married. I want us to move forward together."

I don't know what kind of person Rias is.

In Cynthia's memories, he was like an enemy. No, he might have actually been hated.

That's a concern, but right now, I need him to be a father.

A father who doesn't come home — that's not good for Eidan.

Rias opened his mouth a few times, trying to say something, but hesitated.

He muttered, "Husband."

It might be too sudden.

Cynthia hated Rias because he survived while her beloved brother died in battle. Her brother, the crown prince, died, and Rias, who had been with him, survived.

Then, within a year, they were married.

I think something must have happened.

Cynthia just blamed Rias and mourned. She gave birth to a child while hating him —

"I..."

Rias finally spoke.

"If you can forgive me, I will strive to be a good father and a good husband."

"Oh."

I sighed in relief and clapped my hands.

"That's good."

A smile spread across my face.

It's like a declaration of intent to a superior, but that's fine for now.

"——Then, may I call you Rias?"

I already called him by his name once.

"Huh...?"

"Would you prefer 'Sir'?"

Rias covered his mouth and looked away.

"N-no... you can call me by my name."

Wives don't usually call their husbands by their first names.

"Is that okay?"

"Yes."

"Then, please call me Cynthia."

He used to call me 'Your Highness.' Calling his wife 'Your Highness' is too much.

"That's too much to ask."

"Rias."

I ignored him and continued.

"Huh."

"Can you come home a little more often?"

I've only seen him twice since Eidan was born. This is the third time, and it's been almost a year.

This mansion is only a 15-minute carriage ride from the palace. There's no reason he can't come home.

"Can we have dinner or breakfast together?"

"Have dinner... with you...?"

This is getting repetitive.

How long will he keep being surprised?

"Are you too busy with work?"

He became the head of the knights right after we got married. It's been almost two years. Hasn't it settled down by now?

"Do you have any days off? I'd like to spend time together on those days."

Rias covered his mouth and his gaze shifted restlessly.

I can't tell if he's surprised or conflicted.

"Rias?"

Is it too much to ask?

"Is it difficult?"

"Am I... dreaming?"

Rias looked at me intently, as if he couldn't believe it.

"Where does the dream end and reality begin..."

He reached out hesitantly and touched my cheek.

"Soft..."

I tilted my head at the dazed Rias.

"Rias? This isn't a dream."

Pull yourself together.

Thinking this, Rias suddenly stood up.

"——! I apologize! What am I doing..."

Is he okay?

"It's so unrealistic, I thought it was a hallucination... uh..."

He stumbled over the chair in his haste. It made a loud noise, but I hope he's okay.

"Rias—"

"I'm going to cool my head!"

He turned around like a soldier and left with a military posture, his footsteps echoing.

——What is this?

What happened to his declaration to be a good husband and father?

But.

He didn't show any disgust towards me, just confusion.

...There's still hope, right?

In the end, Rias returned to the palace.

He's apparently busy investigating the attackers.

There's nothing I can do if he's not here.

He's not just playing around, right? ——I don't know.

I think of my husband from my previous life.

When my eldest daughter turned one.

"Can I come diving next month?"

He was talking about his diving plans.

He goes diving regularly, usually for one night.

Sure, go ahead.

Taking a break is important.

But.

He just says "I'm going" and leaves, Yu-kun.

If I said I was going away for a night...

I'd have to deal with weaning, diapers, milk, and not being able to bathe alone. And what about my husband's meals... I'd realize it's impossible from the start and give up.

"I might go away for a night too."

I said it casually.

"Really? Where?"

"A friend's house."

"Sure, go ahead."

He agreed immediately.

"Taking a break is important. Go ahead. I'll take care of things at home."

His easy agreement made me worry.

Eh, is this person so understanding?

He's willing to take care of things. What should I do? Spending a night away from my child... I'm happy.

No, no, I'm worried, so it's probably impossible.

But the feeling is nice—

"But who's a friend that can take a child for a night?"

Why is it always a set?

I thought to myself.