Chapter 28 Close to The Heart

Rudy[pov]

"I wouldn't do it?" I opinionated.

"Hmm, how about this one?"

"Maybe~"

"Yosh, I got it!"

"How bold!" I declare.

She pulls a block from the bottom of a tower of blocks, and…

Clank!

The tower comes falling down. The Jenga tower specifically.

Right now, in the living room, we're having fun playing around with one of the games I invented.

Alright… less invented, and more… ah… 'repurposed,' yeah that's the word.

It has been becoming increasingly obvious, at least to me, that Zenith is bored out of her mind, and needs something to do. I think she was planning on monopolizing my time as long as possible, with her having her schedule all cleared up, and me being free, for all intents and purposes, it was a fair conclusion.

Too bad it was wrong. It is true, that thanks to the harsh weather, my training/teaching time has been cut, but things changed, when I got 'conscripted,' by Laws.

Damn Law. Down with the Po-Po.

But yeah… I don't have as much free time as she thought I had.

Anyways, she's becoming increasingly bored, and increasingly needy. Where at the beginning, a couple months ago, I would struggle getting out of bed, because lazy bones and all that, now our roles are reversed.

Fu fu fu. How does it feel to have the shoe on the other foot, Zeny. Mua ha ha, join the dark side, embrace the bed, become the bed, let yourself be engulfed into its folds and join the round table of Hikimmori fanatics.

I joke, but I get it. It's cold, quiet, boring, and above it all… the loneliness gets to you. Hence the playing around.

It's not much, but it's something.

"A-ahhh! It fell down, how did it even occur to you to make this?"

"What can I say, your son is a genius?"

"Now, now, don't get ahead of yourself, it's just a pile of blocks."

Just a pile of Blocks! I'll Have you kno-

Nah, even as a joke in my head, I can't say it. It's just a pile of blocks. How Jenga ever became a game is a wonder to me.

"True, but it was still fun wasn't it?"

"I suppose. Rudy sure does have a gifted mind, to think up so many games in such a little time."

"He he, thanks," I rub my head in her praise.

Too bad I'm not worthy of it.

In reality, I've been borrowing the ideas from my time in my past life. The games I've created are a series of board and card games. I created poker, chess, checkers, Uno, and of course Jenga. Funny enough, the word Uno still translates to one in this universe, so I didn't have to think hard for that one.

Can't play it yet unfortunately. Too much involved in it, it will be costly to make. For the time being it's a work in progress. Besides, Uno is a game that is best played in groups of people. We can't very well play it just the two of us, now could we, three if I include Sylphy.

It sounds like it would be infuriating as hell, playing with such a small crowd.

I skip you, then skip you, skip, skip, plus four, plus four, Uno, and… I win.

I want to make Zenith's days better. Not infuriate her so much that she's happy to see me go away.

"Alright, Zenith, it's time for me to go."

"Already?! B-But we've only played four games," she pulled out a board game. We still haven't played the game; Life? You told me about it." She holds a wooden board to her chest.

Ah, that's right. I almost forgot about that one. I also invented the game Life. Unfortunately it's incomplete, too many things that don't translate to this world, have to make up many things.

Also, lacking ink. As in the pigment necessary to give these games life. Uno and Poker are a rather dull affair, for the moment, at least until spring comes, and traders start arriving to order dye from.

"Sorry, but all good things must come to an end. Also, those games aren't ready yet. I still need to add some squares."

"Alright…" she pouts, squeezing the board to her.

"You can always play with Lilia, you know, I'm sure-"

She scrunches her face in displeasure.

Still not their huh.

"…you and Lilia have been talking lately, haven't you?" She asks me.

"Yeah… we talk from time to time. That's fine?"

"Hmph…" she turns her head.

Are… are you pouting? No, wait scratch that, did you just pout, and turn your head on me?!

"Does it bother you?" I asked.

I mean I know it does, but give something to work with. On a scale of 1-10 you are a…?

"Maybe…" she looks at me. "If I told you it bothered me, would you stop?"

"…"

"Never mind," she sighs, dropping the board to her side.

"Sorry."

So around a six huh.

"It's fine. Besides," she lowered her voice, "Lilia probably needs someone to talk to as well..." she mutters.

…or maybe not.

Heh~

And that's what I love about her. Despite everything, she still cares about her.

A weak heart? Perhaps, but I don't think so. It takes a strong heart to care about others even when they hurt you. How could a man's heart not skip a beat when it's warmed by the warmth she radiates.

She needs no fire magic, her kindness itself is enough to thaw people's hearts. A healer in every sense of the word.

…but magic still helps.

Careful Zeny, all your warmth will thaw out the snow outside, and then Lilia would slip and fall in melted puddles. Are you perhaps trying to reach out to her with nothing, but your heart?!

Well, they were best friends.

"Stop smiling," she tells me.

Ah, I slipped.

"Eh? Sorry, I'm just thinking about something really nice."

And funny!

"…somehow your smile is ticking me off."

That hurts!

What happened to having a face that only a mother could love?!

Gathering my bearings I get ready for another day. "Alright, I'm off."

"Not yet," she opens up her arms. "Hugs. You haven't given me my daily dose yet."

So needy, not that I dislike it.

Not one to keep a lady waiting, I obliged, hugging her back, as her arms envelop me.

"Rudy… I know what you're trying to do, but no." she whispers in my ear. "I've noticed you and Lilia are close… again… that's… fine, but me and her are not not there yet."

"You won't be if neither of you make a move."

"Well, why won't she?"

"I think she's scared of you. She's literally hiding right now, you're scary, you know~"

"Rudy!"

"Kya! My momma's on a rage path," I pushed away, putting my hands up 'protecting' myself from her fury.

"You!" She grabs me, we 'battle,' and I lose. She playfully puts me in a vice grip between her hands from behind, putting me in a hold, without any pressure, before letting her hands lose, and wrapping them over my shoulder. Hugging me once more. "It's difficult Rudy. Me and Lilia will figure things out. You just go out, and have a nice day. Let me and Lilia do things at our own pace," she kissed me on either side of my face, before giving me a gentle push from behind, causing me to stumble a step.

"You're adorable… stay adorable by the time I come back," I told her.

A light blush graces her features. "Hmph, saying such things to your mother. You're growing up to become a real philanderer. You better not grow up to be another womanizer like your father, else I'll punish you."

She's teasing, but there's a dangerous glint to her eye.

Let's keep the warmth in your eyes ok. Please don't develop laser vision.

"Well… I guess you'll have to keep a close eye on me."

"You count on that young man," She smiles.

Ah, that's what it's all about.

All's well it ends well.

"See you later Zeny," I walked from the living room to the entrance, and opened the door.

"Come back quickly!" she waves farewell, a safe distance away from the cold, before I close the door, keeping the warmth in.

Slam.

Walking outside, I step off the porch by five feet enjoying the morning sun as it hits my face. Bringing my hand to the sky I cover the sun, as I look at the clear sky.

"It's a beautiful day, despite the cold, don't you agree?"

"..."

No one responds.

"You can come out of hiding now." I'm not talking to myself.

Step. Step. Step.

Ever so slowly Lilia snoops from around the corner, "...I'm not hiding. I was simply performing my duties."

By eavesdropping in our conversation.

"How long does it take to set up the laundry?"

"A while."

She lied as naturally as she breathed.

I look at the clothes hanging on the hangar. It's not even that many.

Lilia's and I's relationship has improved, but her and Zenith are still on the outs, it doesn't help that they seem to avoid each other instead.

Honestly, these two…

They both want to reconcile, but neither is willing to make a move. Zenith wants Lilia to make the first, and knowing Lilia, she's fine keeping this status quo, probably thinking along the lines, I would accept any decision Madame imparts. 'Whatever decision the Madame imparts is the right one.'

Or something along those lines.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I'll figure out how to get them closer sooner or later.

Still, though it would help me greatly if she stopped hiding.

"Right…you know you could join us whenever you want, you know. Jenga is more fun with multiple players."

"I don't think Madame would enjoy my presence there, besides, Madame really enjoys her mother son bonding sessions, and it would be uncouth of me to interrupt such a thing."

She isn't wrong, but… she needs more than me, to save her from her loneliness. I also have things I have to do, and although I'll make time for those that matter, I am leaving her alone for several hours at a time. My worries would lessen considerably if I knew she was in good hands, and… I know you two used to be best friends.

"What about you?"

She smiled. "I am happy, Madame is happy."

"I am sure she would be happier, if she had her best friend back."

"Yeah… I as well… but it is fine. That is what her son is for."

"Hah…" I lament this situation.

Lilia and I have managed to gather our bearings. We were never a couple, we were honestly…

Honestly I have no idea what we were. We were in a weird middle ground, between a relationship, and not in a relationship; a situationship. In essence; we were the embodiment of its complicated. You really can't choose who you fall for, if you could, I would not have chosen such a complex woman to be my first love in my new life.

Regardless, or rather because of it, it made making up easier as there was never a label to what we have to 'fix.'

We're now talking to each other similarly to how we used to be. Just without the flirting. We're keeping it simple.

Now if only her and Zenith could manage the same thing.

Get together, not flirt.

Although…

"For now, but I'll do something about that."

The togetherness, definitely not the flirting.

"Rudy-"

"Master's orders are absolute."

"Rudy that's not how-"

"Well! Would you look at the time! Gotta go. Got people to see, people to save, and all that see yah," I retreat.

I've interacted with Lilia long enough to know that she can be a bit wishy-washy, and if I follow her pace, we'll just end up in a back and forth contest of what to do.

Not happening, never again.

I can't afford to fail.

"Rudy-"

"Love yah, Lilia!" I dash away, before she could stop me.

///

Lilia [pov]

"...did he?" A blush spread across my features.

Luckily for me, he was too busy running ahead, to see how red my face just got.

"Troublemaker…" I muttered, putting a hand to my chest, acknowledging its fast pace. "I swear… no matter what, Rudy will always be Rudy," I pat it down, in the hope that it's pace will slow. "I hope you don't give me a heart attack."

Rudy… the things you do to me.

I had accepted the fact that Rudy and I would never speak again.

That I was paying for my grievances against the Madame of the household, by having my heart gouged. That this was a fate fitting of a temptress. That I would have returned to my role, and strive for the Madame's and young Master's happiness from the background.

I only need to be a proper maid, as I always should have been, and everything would be fine.

But that wasn't what happened…

He hugged me one day, and… I hugged him back.

The affair I had with… 'that man,' is a mistake that I would always regret. It was the cumulation of a lost fool, who didn't understand what love is, as well as the rejection of the idea that I could ever have fallen for someone so young. Because of it I sought a way out of my quandary, seeking his nearest equivalent.

How foolish. To think there was anyone that could have taken Rudy's place was utter foolishness. I'm disgusted at myself to think I let that man touch me another time. Perhaps I really am spoiled goods.

But to accept the fact that I had fallen for a child at that time…

It wasn't something I was ready to accept.

It wasn't something I should be forgiven for, but even if it's impossible, even if it shouldn't be, part of me still seeks him.

My mind keeps saying, run as fast as you can.

But my body stands still.

Everytime, I swear I'm done, but then he pulls me back.

He's giving me a heart attack.

Yet I keep staying.

I hold my hands to my chest. "Why does it feel so good, yet hurt so bad?"

Maybe I'm insane, because I keep doing the same damn thing, but he knows just how to turn it around, and make me forget to speak.

"Me too Rudy… me too…"

Nonetheless, this is fine.

In the absence of his touch I've realized something Important, about love. It doesn't stop. No matter what, I will never stop loving him, through his hate I will solder on, and continue being by his side, taking care of him with all my heart.

Part of me wishes to confess those final three words I have never been able to say, but this is fine, because finally… I get to be by his side once more… forever more.

Isn't that what love is? To be beside your most important person forever.

So even if my words are never heard, I will, 'always,' stand by him.

"I love you, Rudy."

My whispers go unheard into the cold wind.

I go back inside where Zenith is idling. Even if we don't speak, I can still stand by her when needed.

Master's orders.

///

Alice[pov]

Ah, they're at it again.

I think as I look at the sight of my daughter and her best friend, her cleaning a set of arrowheads, and him surrounded in monster scraps. My husband had caught the boy earlier messing around in the forest fighting monsters, and decided to bring the child under his care, and give him the skills necessary to defend himself.

Or atleast, that's what he told me.

Knowing my husband, he probably wanted to push around the boy a little, seeing the boy as the source of many of his headaches.

"Rudy, Rudy, how's this?" Sylphiette revealed a set of arrows.

"Yup, all clean." Rudeus answered, looking up from a pile of… wasps wings? And admiring my daughter's work.

Honestly, what are you doing? My daughter is right there.

Going back to his bug pile, he starts playing with bug parts, "hmm, not bad," he says, before making it glow.

I can understand his feelings a bit better now.

Why are you playing with bugs in the middle of the living room, and what exactly are you teaching my daughter?

Dear… just what have you done?

Rudeus had become my husband's errand boy for a while. I was honestly starting to wonder if it should be considered bullying, as every time I saw the boy when he came back to converse with my daughter he was covered in sweat, suit, or guts from monsters that my husband and company had killed.

That said, there was a snag to my husband's plan.

My daughter noticed quite quickly that her father wasn't quite working his end of the deal, and was less teaching him, and more making him do chores.

Honey, children are innocent, not stupid. You can only fool them for so long.

It finally became too much when Rudy was too busy to come play with her afterwards. Which probably was my husband's intention.

She wasn't happy.

Although, my daughter loves her father. Rudeus is definitely a close second.

One thing led to another, and Sylphy joined the group.

Two things happened because of it. My husband's plan to cut into their bonding time fell apart, I can only assume that was his intention, and second, he now had to cut down on the amount of tasks he appointed them.

He might be willing to bully the noble, but he'd never bully our daughter.

Considering our daughter is cleaning arrowheads, I can assume things aren't going according to plan.

There is no way he'd want our daughter gutting animals, hunting, or anything too unladylike. It only makes me wonder if this was my husband's doing or the young noble's.

Being forced to watch your daughter being influenced by his crush is probably killing him. I pray that they are not flirting. My husband might just die of shock if that happened.

Sigh, I don't know if I should pity him or not.

I'll at least refrain from telling him Rudeus is teaching our daughter arrowhead maintenance.

My husband has his worries about him, but honestly, I don't think they're well founded. Except for that one… 'incident,' Rudy has been a positive influence in our daughter's life. She's growing a bit… eccentric, but overall it's in the positive direction.

I think he's just jealous that he now has to share space with Rudeus in Sylphy's heart.

"Alright, you two, come on over I have cookies and milk ready," I announced.

"Hai~ we're coming. Rudy, come here for a bit," she says.

Taking a peek at their actions. I now see my daughter, pulling up a handkerchief and wiping some sweat from Rudy's brow, and grime on his face.

"I-I can do that myself, Sylphy."

"I-it's alright, I-I'll do it for you," my daughter stutters.

"Jeez, you're so…fine," he relents.

"He he…" my daughter continues. "How did Rudy even get grime on his face?"

"If I knew I wouldn't have done it."

That's because he has a habit of touching his face when in thought.

The more marks on his face the deeper in thought he is. I've interacted with Rudeus enough times to notice some of his habits. He's not particularly subtle after all. He must have had a lot in his mind today.

"As cute as you two are, cookies taste best when warm, hurry along love birds."

I wonder if my daughter has enough sense not to flirt in front of her dad.

"Mama! Please don't tease us, we're not like that…" She sneaked a glance to Rudeus. "...yet." she mumbled at the end.

Rudeus on the other hand is looking in the opposite direction, scratching his cheek nervously.

Ah, so he knows.

"Ah! Rudy! You got more grime on your face again!"

And so they repeated their actions once again. As the young boy finally washes his hands while Sylphy wiped at his face. A small blush appears on the boy's features.

How adorable.

To think the day would come when my daughter would flirt so openly.

Although, that would probably frustrate my husband.

Granted change can be a little scary, but love is always a little scary.

Looking at these two, I can't help but think what a lovely couple they're going to be in the future.

I stare at the scene before me: A young boy, and my daughter enjoying sweets.

This is nice.

I don't care what my husband says, it won't be so bad if our daughter becomes his future wife. Although, I do have to agree with him, that it's too soon for that. Seven-no six years! Six years, before they can start being serious.

Taking a glance at Rudeus…

I do hope they don't grow too quickly. My mind wanders back to that incident. It would only realize my husband's fears, if Rudeus were to grow similarly to his father.

We taught our daughter early on, the moment she turned five, about certain things about boys and girls, nothing 'too,' in depth, but enough for her to understand the differences between boys and girls, and that it will be a long time before we would teach her the more important parts. Just enough information so that she could avoid certain salacious scenarios

Certain scenarios like the Greyrat activities.

Due to my mother-in-law's… 'nightly activities,' my husband developed a slight repulsion against lascivious activities of any kind. So he wanted to make sure that daughter growing up like that was a complete impossibility. The idea of her having a crush on a noble, an Asuran noble… and Asuran noble related to Paul… well, needless to say, it was a nightmare.

Especially when we heard the rumors.

Needless to say, she has been given a more in depth education since.

Either than 'that,' scenario everything has been fine.

Our daughter has been livelier, energetic, and has picked up a few things from the sword to the pen. Overall, our daughter is shining brightly.

It's good to see her happy.

Laws was worried that our daughter might be led astray, or pick up some of Rudeus's… peculiarities. If my husband is truthful, then the young noble has a habit of being reckless, even challenging a swarm of Winter Whistles.

That sounds like hyperbole, but… I can't completely deny it.

"Where is your father anyway?" I asked my daughter.

"He went back to the tower."

"Why?"

"I left my satchel there."

"You mean," I tilt my head to the corner pointing to a satchel, "that satchel."

"Oh. is it here? Whoops." Her ears twitch for a moment, as she turns her head away.

Yes… peculiarities…

"Sweetheart~" she flinches. "Did you send your father on a wild goose chase?"

"Um…" she opens her mouth, flapping it open and closed, figuring out what to say, "yes-but daddy wouldn't leave us alone, he kept splitting us up today."

I reach for the cookies, and take them from her. "Young lady, you will be going back to the tower, and tell your father you made a mistake, and only then, can you eat your cookies."

"...alright," she turns to Rudeus. "Rudy, I'll be back real quick, we can play checkers when I come back!" She makes a dash out the door, slamming it.

"Checkers?" I queried.

"It's a game I invented. It's fun," Rudeus waves his hand in the air.

"Is it safe?"

He frowns, "what do you think of me? It's a board game. Small wooden pieces, and the like, are perfectly safe."

"You know I know about your flying exercises right?"

"And I made sure she falls safely every time. No harm will come to her. Trust me."

"Well, I'm not the one you should win over, but I'll believe you. As for what I think of you. I think you're a good kid with a big heart, but… sometimes, I think you're a little too on the daring side."

"Ha," he snorts. "You really do remind me of her. I guess all moms are natural worrywarts."

"Of course, a mother's baby is a mother's heart. If something were to happen to their baby, it would be as if someone ripped their heart from their chest. It's only natural for a person to protect their heart."

"...yeah… you're definitely right about that," he said wistfully.

I wonder if he's fine.

I do not interact with him, besides the moments he's around my daughter, but even I'm aware of the Greyrat household's situation.

"Is there something wrong Rudeus?" I inquired.

The child has never spoken about the validity of the rumors, but something is clearly on his mind. I don't participate in the local housewife gossip, but it's hard not to notice the village knight camping outside his home. With Sir Greyrat sleeping outside, and word getting out that the maid is pregnant, it doesn't take a genius to put one and two together. This is a rather small village, and it's winter, the most tedious time of the year. People will talk, as people have little to do during this time, but endure and wait for spring.

So when gossip about Greyrat's infidelity came out, it became a topic of discussion.

I'm not one for such talks, and neither is my husband, but it's difficult for even us to ignore the drama.

Especially when the child is right before me.

He might be my future son in law one day, and even if he wasn't, seeing such a young boy, with such a dejected expression, is just wrong. The least I can do is offer him a shoulder to lean on.

"Hmm, ah it's nothing. Just lost in thought."

I've noticed.

"Perhaps, you would like to share. I find lending an ear to those in need, is all one needs to let their worries wash away," I sit next to him. Taking the chair my daughter was sitting in, and gently sliding the plates to him.

He raises an eyebrow.

This should help him open up.

He smirks. "That would be nice," he smirks.

Well, that was rude.

"Ah..." he looks at me, still smiling at him, not betraying my miffed feelings. "Sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just used to keeping things in, I didn't mean anything by it," he says while scratching the back of his head.

That's the habit he has when he's nervous. It seems he is being honest.

That's good I would hate it if my daughter had to deal with you like this all the time. Troubled household or not, that's no excuse for bad manners. I can see how he could get on my husband's bad side.

He seems to have a habit of poking the reverse scale, by pure accident at that.

"I'm not mad, Rudy, you can talk to me if you want, or not, I wouldn't feel hurt if you didn't."

"Ah, yeah," he sighs. "What the hell, I could use some advice. How would you get two people together, when one of them is keen on not talking to the other, and the other is waiting for the other one to talk to her."

"Hmm~"

Two people that aren't talking to each other. Oh, I see~

"Well, first thing first, I'd try to get them into the same room."

"Tried that. That's the easy part. I just can't get them to talk to each other."

"That is tricky. I know that if I were angry with my husband I would have a hard time talking to them, but anyone that hates each other that much, must have liked each other enough to hate them in the first place, sooo... I guess I'll try to find that moment where I fell for them."

"Fell for? Oh! You mean-wait! That's actually a good idea, and yet… difficult" Rudeus ruffles his hair.

You should take care of your head more carefully young man, you'll lose your hair before you grow it, at this rate.

I patted his head. "Be calm young man. I'm sure everything will work out. When someone really cares for someone, as long as one of them keeps fighting, love will prevail," I said to him.

"...you are a true romantic at heart aren't you? I see where Sylphy gets it,"

A flush hits my face.

He's lucky he's cute, or else he might come across as annoying. I'm starting to worry about my daughter's future again, although in a different sense. It makes sense now why my daughter has been so headstrong these days.

You have to, to put up with this young man.

"I hope that was a compliment, young man."

"Ha ha, of course what else could it be. How could romance be anything but bad."

My eyebrow raises at his wording.

"Good! I mean good! Still though… Still though…" he looks deep in thought. "I wished I could do something. Hey, out of curiosity, what do you do when you want to cheer up your husband or daughter."

"Hmm…"

What do I do when I want to make them better?

"Let's see, I cook."

"Food is the way to a man's heart," he retorts.

"I play with my husband's hair, and pat Sylphy every once in a while."

"So, you're the reason…"

"I do…" turning to look at Rudy paying heavy attention to my words, I think on my words, "… do something, you shouldn't ask your parents about 'till fifteen, nothing to worry about."

"…"

"Hmm, besides that, I can't really think of much."

My household is a very happy household after all. It's hard just to imagine a dejected atmosphere here.

"Just little things like talking, or reading. Relationships aren't usually fixed by big things in my experience, but by the little things. I know, I enjoy a good reading by the fireplace, with my family at my side. Sometimes all you need is their company. It really is the thought that counts."

"…the little things…hmm, wait, reading!" He jerks up. "Alice, what do you usually read?"

"Oh, we're not a fancy household. We only have fairy tales in this house. You know stories of princesses, love, and happily ever afters."

"That's-That's it!" Moving briskly he hugs me.

"Eeep!"

"You, lovable beauty, you, I could kiss you!"

"Fueh?!" A weird sound escapes my mouth.

Before I could react, he clasped my hands tightly into his, holding them in a vise, palms facing up, and pulling them forcefully to his lips.

Chu!

Giving them a strong kiss.

Ehhhhhh!

"It was so simple, of course I could do that! Thanks, Sylphy's mom," he thanked me before running out that door.

Slam!

Leaving me slightly disoriented.

"...that boy is going to be dangerous when he grows up." I said absentmindedly, in the tranquility of my own home. Now that Sylphy's friend had finally gone away I look at the plate of cookies that was laid abandoned. Turning my head I notice the pile of bug wings still on the floor.

The boy left a mess in his wake.

"Sylphy is going to be sad. The cookies… what a waste."

///

Rudy [pov]

That's it!

Stories, I can work with that.

On top of things to kill the boredom, right next to games, I've also been writing stories. They are still works in progress, just a series of one shots really, but now I have extra motivation to bring them into reality. As I have an audience to read them to.

Fucking fairy tales. I've talked to both of them long enough that I'm honestly surprised I didn't think of it sooner. I had trouble figuring out what they have in common, but from spending time with them, I know they are both fans of their stories.

'Though Lilia prefers Drama and Horror, even if she says otherwise, and Zenith prefers Romance, and Adventure.

Zeniths, and Lilia's friendship is a hard thing to get together. It is as convoluted as their tastes. All things considered, it's understandable.

But it does make my life difficult. But it's not impossible.

Their relationship with each other is better than their relationship with Paul at the moment, so that's a plus?

Regardless, Alice did make some good points out there. Rather than large acts of grandiose, it will probably be better to do something smaller.

Then again, go big or go home, right?

It works out perfectly.

Unlike the other plans I was considering, one of them being locking them up in a room until they started talking to each other. This feels like it would have a modicum of success. The other played the innocent card, saying; 'mama I would like it if you and Lilia became best friends again.'

Ha! Those plans were destined for failure.

The first was a worst case scenario, hailmary, and as for the innocent angle… that was never gonna happen. Zenith has gotten to know me well enough these days that she probably knows there ain't a single innocent bone in my body, as for Lilia…

Yup, no.

Pulling the Sylphy technique(Puppy-dog eyes) wouldn't work against them either.

But storytelling… I can work with that.

I was a professional otaku after all.

While I was plagiarizing-borrowing! Borrowing, board game ideas from my previous life. I kept the money ideas coming, and thought up a few tales I could write about. This world's literature being a few centuries behind my own world's standards, I could write a few stories, and make a pretty penny.

Pretty copper?

Unfortunately, paper is expensive, and I've already used quite a bit for cards, and adventure planning. So most of those ideas will have to wait for later.

I won't be able to write about star wars, or better known as; War Of The Realms any time soon.

Sci-fi doesn't translate well to this world so I will have to make several changes to it in the future, but I'll definitely make a good bang out of it.

Probably.

Anyways, lacking paper, I decided to write a series of one-shots instead.

I'm going to be a big brother in a few months anyway, so I decided fairy-tales were the way to go. Tales are good for the soul. They nourish, and help us grow, especially fairy tales, teaching us right from, or other lessons.

Like not taking others for granted.

There's a certain fairy tale I want to share with them.

"It has to be 'that,' one doesn't it. I was saving it for Sylphy, but seeing as it's the only one that is mostly finished, it will have to do. Besides, who doesn't like Vocaloid?" I voiced my thoughts.

By fairy tale, I am talking about a certain series named Evilia. Specifically; the princess of evil chronicles.

"It was going to be a tale for my sisters, you're never too old to learn a lesson."

…I humbly apologize for using old as a description, please don't strike me down, oh Millis from above.

Still though, I slap the sides of my face, "It's Rudy Sensei time! Time to teach those mothers-to-be a lesson. Operation Vocaloid is a Go!" I strike a pose pointing to the sky.

"..."

Looking around I see no one around, before breathing a sigh of relief.

I'm glad no one was here to witness that.

"Whew, that could have been embarrassing. I got a little carried away there for a second."

Walking down the road, I can't help, but whistle my mood better.

Music is magic after all.