Nothing is stronger than Family- some bald guy

I was going to have a little brother or sister. Our family was growing.

For a few years now, Zenith had been worried about her inability to conceive another child. I'd heard her mutter and sigh on occasion about how maybe she couldn't bear children anymore, but about a month earlier, there was a shift in her food cravings, along with nausea, vomiting, and a general sense of fatigue—in other words, symptoms of classic morning sickness.

The feelings were familiar, and a trip to the doctor confirmed that her self-diagnosis was almost certainly correct.

Mom: "You're going to have little siblings Rudy!"

Rudeus: "Yay!"

Dad was hugging Mom saying some things like 'We did it!'

I mean I'm honestly happy for them. Their nightly activities are so loud I can't sleep properly sometimes.

~~~~~~~~~~

And then a month passed.

Lilia: "I'm so sorry, I'm pregnant."

Lilia our maid was also found to be pregnant.

'Who was the father?' That's what we all thought.

Lilia didn't show any signs of making relations of any men in the village. She's been staying at home all the time at work. She never left the house aside from work-related duties.

But then Mom and I slowly turned out gazes at the only possible person who could ever done it. Bearing down on him with a pained face.

It was none other than my Dad.

Dad: "Uh, sorry, this child is, uh... probably mine."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Polygamy

It was accepted in this world to have multiple wives. But the Millis believers strongly is against polygamy.

And Mom was a Millis faith believer.

Mom: "So what are we going to do?"

Lilia: "After I've assisted with the lady of the house's birth, I assume I would take my leave from your home."

Dad was all huddled up in a corner. With a deep red palm mark on his cheek. That surely hurts a lot.

Zenith: "What about the child?"

Lilia: "I was thinking I would give birth here in Fittoa, and then raise the baby back in my hometown."

Zenith: "You're originally from the south, yes?"

Paul: "Dear, surely she could just sta—"

Zenith: "You keep your mouth shut!"

I almost jumped out of my seat in shock. That nearly gave me a heart attack.

Mom chewed on her nails with a look of consternation. She was clearly conflicted as well. She didn't want Lilia to suffer; on the contrary, the two were quite good friends. Considering how they'd spent the last six years running this household together, it was probably fair to say they were best friends.

Well, except for the part about how Lilia was now carrying Dad's child.

If Lilia had gotten pregnant because she was raped in some back alley, Zenith would have unquestionably sheltered her, and allowed her to—no, she would have insisted she raise the child in our home.

Zenith appeared to be grappling with two separate emotions: her fondness for Lilia and her feelings of betrayal. Considering the circumstances, I thought Zenith was pretty incredible for being able to set aside her emotions about the latter.

Honestly I'm quite shaken myself too.

I liked Lilia a lot too. Not just because she was a maid, but because she's already like a 2nd mother to me.

I liked Dad a lot. He saved me and Mom years ago. I'm like a son who greatly idolizes him.

To think that both people I liked a Lot would do such a things, shattered my image of them.

I'm not a fan of Netorare tagged in my hentai collection. And they just did that...

I sighed heavily.

I thought about the possible consequences that was about to happen going onwards.

Why did this have to happen?

Can't I just live together with a happy family?

Blaming either Dad or Lilia and make them take responsibility won't get back the family to how it was used to be.

I can feel my vision turning darker and darker as time passes.

Mom: "Rudy? What's wrong?"

Rudeus: "Huh?"

I snapped back to reality. And before I knew it tears and snot covered my face.

It won't take me to look at the mirror that I have a messy face.

As if it was the cracks in the dam was broken, I gave an ugly cry.

I cried loud that I thought my voice wasn't mine for a second. My whirling spiraling torrent of emotions broke me down.

Mom especially came to get me into her embrace. She too after being swayed by the mood, keeping her calm for so long. She cried her heart out.

Not long after Lilia followed through. Maybe because she felt guilty. Blaming herself as a homewrecker.

Rudeus: "...Just why do this have to happen? I don't want Lilia to leave! I don't want Mom to be sad! I don't want Mom and Dad fight! I don't want my little siblings separated!"

And soon I felt exhausted and lost consciousness. I rested my body on Mom's.

Crap I really blundered. It's honestly embarrassing to cry like that knowing my actual age.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I opened my eyes and I could tell my eyes are swollen red.

The first thing I saw was a breast on my face. I nearly panicked until I could smell the familiar scent.

I didn't need to look at her face, but I knew it was Mom.

We are both in a bed sleeping together.

Mom: "You've woken up now sweetie?"

Rudeus: "Mom... Is Lilia really going to leave?"

Mom didn't reply for a while. As if she's conflicted.

Mom: "No. Lilia is going to stay with us."

Rudeus: "Really? But..."

Mom caressed the back of my head and gave me a deep kiss on my forehead.

Mom: "Did you know? This is the first time we saw you cry. Even as a baby, you never cried."

Um...

Mom: "I thought you're a very happy child. You always smiled and never get sad. You didn't even cry when you fell down and bumped your head. You were so fond of Roxy and you didn't even cry when she left."

About that...

Mom: "But I was relieved. I think that Rudy also could get sad and cry. So I decided to let Lilia stay..."

Apparently after I slept, Mom declared that she's going to be a part of the family now. Dad will accept her as the second wife.

Mom... You're an amazing strong woman.

Rudeus: "Mom, do you hate Dad now?"

She paused a bit.

Mom: "I got it. I didn't think that I will like that sort of bad guy. That guy is stupid and lustful, so I had prepared myself for when it ever turned out like that. But it just happened so suddenly that I was too shocked."

Rudeus: ".....Is father that fond of women?"

I pretended to not know anything and ask.

Zenith: "Yes. He is better recently, but he didn't care about the consequences in the past. It might even be possible that there's Rudy's older brother or sister that we don't know about."

She exerted a bit more pressure with the hand that was ruffling my hair.

Mom: "Make sure you don't grow up to be someone like that, okay, Rudy?"

She rubbed—no, gripped the top of my head even more firmly.

Mom: "Make sure you treat Sylphy real nice, okay, Rudy?"

Rudeus: "Ah, ow! Of course, Mother! Th-that hurts!"

It almost felts like she'd nailed down what I was going to go on to do in the future. Well I can't deny that it won't happen.

Rudeus: "But why did you say Sylphy's name Mom?"

Mom: "Hm? Didn't you like Sylphy? Don't you want to marry her too someday?"

I pouted by that. What did she mean by that? Just so you know I'm not into her.

Rudeus: "I don't want to marry her."

Mom looked more surprised by my words than anything.

Mom: "But didn't you always play together? And you're really so fond of her."

Rudeus: "Sylphy is more like a little sister to me."

Even if I can picture her growing up becoming a beautiful young woman. I can't just see her as a love interest.

Is this why protagonist in a harem world don't usually end up with their childhood friens?