Chapter 46

‘I, it’s really going to explode?’

Here?

There were a lot of people gathered for the New Year’s banquet.

It’s not a combat power meter, but a favorability meter.

I didn’t know I would be attacked like this.

[Pop! ☆]

(tl: that star was an emote for an explosion. i know it’s lame but it’s the author’s fault)

[Surprised?]

[But this is a surprise ☆ camera]

[I think I’m too nice for making you laugh like this!]

“·······.”

He’s really gonna get hit once, just once!

Luatisha clenched her fluffy fist.

Fortunately, only the message appeared and no actual explosion occurred.

Instead, something like a firecracker exploded with the phrase “pop ☆.”

Light powder and petals fell over Ares’ head.

“Wa·····.”

It was an annoying joke, but the appearance of Ares between the sparkling light and the petals was really beneficial to the eyes.

Luatisha grabbed Ares’ collar for no reason.

“Ares.”

“Yes.”

“Am I really Ares’s sister now?”

Ares looked down at Luatisha without saying a word.

Luatisha wiggled her fingers because she was anxious for no reason even though she saw the favorability.

How long has it been?

“Yeah.”

Ares slowly opened his mouth.

“Luatisha Paeraton, my younger sister,”

Luatisha raised her head at the words.

Ares poked her cheek while watching a smiling child.

Soft cheeks.

But it was his mind that became softer.

He becomes infinitely weak and soft to this child.

“… This is what family is like.”

The child with sparkling eyes said in a sigh-like voice.

“It’s good, right?”

Right?

It’s good. Family.

The way he asked that was a little cheeky, so Ares pinched his younger sister’s nose with a grumpy face.

“Ouch!”

“I think it’s quite annoying.”

“What! That’s too much!”

Luatisha protested, waving her arms, but Ares ignored it.

Looking at it makes me want to give the world to you.

I want to listen to anything.

What else would be annoying if it wasn’t that?

A notification popped up in front of Luatisha, who pouted her lips.

[Quest is completed]

[A 5,000 cash lottery ticket will be given as a reward]

[A new quest has arrived]

[The Paeraton duchy has become more influential]

[Ares’ mental state has stabilized!]

[Ares is moved by your infinite trust and courage!]

[Your influence on Ares is the highest!]

[Additional rewards will be given!]

[Important!]

[You exerts huge influence on one of the people who can change the future]

[Congratulations!]

[You can level up your characteristics!]

Luatisha’s eyes shook as she checked the message.

The quest is complete.

That means, indeed, Ares recognized Luatisha as a family.

‘You said it was annoying.’

“Ares is also the son of my father.”

“Of course, I am.”

“It’s the same on the outside and on the inside.”

“What’s that?”

Dad, Ixion and Ares are all different, but the harshness outside and tenderness inside are the same.

It was fun, so Luatisha laughed.

Of course, while the siblings were having fun, the chaos of the large banquet hall was still underway.

Knights led auditors and Count Yosenheim, and those who were calling for the treatment of the Senate’s head were also taken along with them.

Everyone could tell that a bloody wind would blow soon.

The remaining people simply didn’t feel like enjoying the party.

In their view, Luatisha, who did not give in and goofed around with Ares in the middle of this, was really like a Paeraton.

“What’s wrong with the atmosphere?”

Ixion, who entered the grand banquet hall, raised one eyebrow.

He frowned at once when he saw Luatisha in Ares’ arms.

“Don’t trust him too much.”

“What are you doing here? The one who always left when the party started and never came back.”

“Ah, don’t care because I’m not here to see you.”

Ixion stroked Luatisha’s head as if pressing it hard.

“I’m here to pick up a bunch of cotton.”

When Luatisha made eye contact, Ixion showed his teeth and smiled.

“How have you been?”

“Fine!”

Ixion smiled and swiped Luatisha’s hair recklessly.

“Argh! Stop!”

As soon as Ixion grabbed Luatisha’s struggling arm, a painful scream came out.

Ixion hardened as it was.

Ares also rolled up Luatisha’s sleeve with a serious face.

The child’s soft skin was starting to get a bluish bruise.

‘Is it because I got caught earlier?’

I get bruises because of that?

Ares’ eyes shook.

“What’s wrong with your arm?”

Ixion’s expression disappeared.

Luatisha looked at him in surprise.

‘Ee! You might get in big trouble!’

“IXION!”

Luatisha opened her arms wide toward Ixion.

“I missed you!”

Shake my arms as if I want a hug.

“I was so sad because I didn’t have Ixion!”

Ixion frowned.

“Do you think I’m going to fall for that?”

Flinch.

Doesn’t it work?

It was time for Luatisha to be wary of Ixion.

“Let’s move on.”

Ixion didn’t just listen to Luatisha.

‘Phew, that’s a relief.’

Luatisha sighed in relief.

‘Well, I can find out later about the person who dared to make my cotton ball like this.’

Unfortunately, she didn’t see the face of Ixion with a cruel smile.

‘……Why do I feel so dirty?’

Ares looked down at his empty arm.

It’s a relief that Ixion didn’t go wild.

However, Ares has yet to adapt to the feelings he is experiencing for the first time.

* * *

As such, the New Year’s banquet was dismissed after many twists and turns.

It was much earlier than expected.

“What a shame,”

Luatisha became sullen as she watched the Choco fountain, where all she ate was two.

There are still so many skewers! Should I just clean it up?

“You can eat more.”

Duke Paeraton, who was approaching before he knew it, stroked his daughter’s head and said.

“Is that okay?”

Duke Paeraton pointed to a full skewer instead of an answer.

“What’s good?”

“Banana!”

Duke Paeraton dipped the banana in a chocolate fountain.

In addition, the color even sprayed a lot of sparkling.

‘Well, he’s the only one who dips into the chocolate fountain with a banana skewer with a serious face.’

Viscount Erkel did not know whether to laugh or be afraid of this.

Even though it looked like that, the weight leaned toward fear because it was still dignified.

“It’s more delicious because my dad made it for me!”

Luatisha smiled broadly.

Duke Paeraton smiled enthusiastically and stroked the child’s head.

“Ixion?”

“Huh?”

Ixion was embarrassed by the sudden question of Luatisha.

“What do you like here, Ixion?”

‘I’m not that interested.’

At the same time, Ixion looked at the skewers.

“…Marshmallow.”

The soft-looking one resembles a cotton ball with a weak bone.

“Dad!”

Luatisha shook the hem of Duke Paeraton’s clothes.

“It’s marshmallow! Make it for me!”

“……?”

Huh?

No.

That’s not it.

“A rabbit-shaped marshmallow! Because Ixion look like a rabbit!”

Luatisha shouted with her fist clenched.

“······.”

Ares burst into laughter.

“Pfft!”

“Ehemm.”

He pretended not to but the Duke Paeraton turned his gaze elsewhere.

His mouth was flinching.

“Where do I look like a rabbit?”

Ixion, who was completely red, shouted loudly.

“You look alike!”

But Luatisha was determined.

“Dad, rabbit!”

Duke Paeraton showed his dignity again and began the process of making chocolate skewers.

Ixion looked at the chocolate rabbit marshmallow sticking out in front of him.

Kyu.

The rabbit seemed to shout.

“….”

“….”

The two guys held a ceremony to present Kyu Kyu, a rabbit, in silence.

“What about Ares?”

“Oh, I don’t like it,”

Ares smiled and firmly refused.

I don’t want to get a chocolate skewer that your Majesty made with his heart out.

“Don’t you like chocolate?”

Luatisha made a sad face when she was rejected.

“Wow, that’s too much. Lulu, I don’t like this guy. I guess he doesn’t like what you recommend. It’s like he doesn’t like you.”

I can’t be the only one to suffer!

Next to him, Ixion said, ‘This is the time,’ and helped.

“R, really?”

Teary-eyed.

“·······Give me one, too.”

Eventually, Ares surrendered and Luatisha’s face brightened.

“Ares is shaped like a sheep!”

“Sheeo?”

“It looks like you.”

Ares tilted his head when she said that.

“Is it because my hair is curly?”

“No, it’s because it looks gentle, but it’s naughty.”

It was a perfect reason.

“Pfft!”

Ixion did not hold back and burst into laughter, and the Duke of Paeraton’s gaze wandered far away again.

Baaa.

A sheep covered chocolate skewer.

And another ceremony to present the skewers in silence.

“….”

“….”

Luatisha happily looked at the two older brothers holding a rabbit and a sheep skewer.

“Dad, Lulu will make one for–”

“Your Highness!”

“I’ll make it for you!”

Shouted by Ixion and Ares faster and more intensely than ever.

You can never let him get out of here alone!

Violent camaraderie burned in their eyes.

“Dad, you’re so popular!”

Luatisha smiled and took a step back.

“Oppa, you wanted to dip in too.”

I knew it! Since you’re still young!

“What do you think suits him?”

“Squirrel? Bear?”

“How about chick?”

The eyes of Ares and Ixion were soaked in insanity.

Luatisha shook her head solemnly.

“Dad is a baby cat.”

“………..”

“·····.”

Silence fell.

It was a tremendous destructive power.

After that, Ixion did not hold it in, rolled around and laughed, and Ares crouched and shook his shoulders.

Duke Paeraton couldn’t even ask why.

Even after that huge wave, Ixion and Ares did not forget to make chocolate skewers.

On both hands of Duke Paeraton, the baby cat screamed and cried.

“······.”

With soft marshmallow animal friends in their hands, the three men somehow got tired.

What was the trouble for?

However, when they saw Luatisha smiling, their smile gradually moved.

It feels weird.

The ceiling in the center of the grand banquet hall was made of glass.

The starlight in the night sky shone on them.

Sitting side by side, Luatisha looked up at the sky.

The moon did not rise, and the world was full of starlight that seemed to have scattered salt.

‘Ah······.’

Suddenly, this moment felt unrealistic.

I can’t believe I’m celebrating the New Year with my family.

It may be nothing to someone, but it’s like a miracle to me.

“I don’t like New Year’s Day every year.”

I keep getting older in my previous life, but the future is still at a loss.

It’s just another year in my current life, when I realize that I’ve been abandoned.

When the new year comes, I make a resolution for the year, but I don’t know how to endure that year again.

But.

“I’m so happy now because I have my dad and brothers.”

My stomach is warm.

There was a danger in the future, but it was always like that.

Now that you have your family, I’m sure you’ll be waiting for something fun together.

“Yes.”

The three men’s faces caught a soft smile.

This day, which is only one of many days, felt very special.

Perhaps all future days will be like that.

Chapter 10. Roll, property property!

A forest with shining sunlight.

And the lake in front of it.

The scene was both familiar and unfamiliar.

“It’s bigger than before.”

Previously, it was a cute puddle, but now it is at least a pond.

I approached the lake and squatted down.

My face was reflected on the sparkling water surface.

“If I reach out, will I meet the devil again?”

As soon as I reached out to the lake,

“We met again.”

Whispering voice in my ears.

A solid arm that wraps around my shoulder.

I saw a boy with brilliant hair as if putting the light together next to my face reflected in the water.

Each other’s eyes were intertwined.

The boy smiled brightly, making eye contact with me.