My butt stings.
The reason was nothing special.
It was because Selina had been bumping against my back from behind, slapping my butt cheeks repeatedly.
...Maybe she had been holding a grudge inside for being teased by me.
Since I couldn't see what expression she had when she touched my butt, I couldn't really tell what she was thinking.
However.
"Mmm..."
When I let out a pained sound at the cold sensation touching my butt, Selina's fingers applying the ointment trembled slightly.
Soon after, a cautious voice reached me.
"...Does it hurt a lot?"
"Well..."
"...I'm sorry."
It didn't actually hurt that much. Not enough to feel the need for ointment.
...But regardless, the red marks left on my delicate, pale skin looked quite painful.
So it was closer to pretending.
Then why was I pretending to be in pain?
Should I say Selina's flustered appearance was amusing?
It might sound a bit disrespectful, but she probably vaguely sensed it too.
'...Or maybe not.'
Even now, she's restless because I'm speaking formally, isn't she?
If it's acting, it's genius, and if not... it's just a simple matter of having a bit of fun.
Well, it's not like I'm trying to do anything grand, I just want to see her troubled expression a little.
It definitely wasn't a scheme to get back at her for what happened on the train.
Since Selina wanted to be informal, it's surely something she desires too.
Still feeling Selina's flustered touch, I smiled wickedly... no, contentedly inside.
But something felt a bit off.
'...Is she really applying ointment?'
The touch I thought was cautious was somehow circling around on my butt.
It seemed like she was applying ointment, but also like she was savoring the moistened sensation of my butt.
A gesture that felt strangely suggestive.
I sneakily turned my head to check Selina's face.
Eyes that still looked anxious.
But contrary to that, the hand fondling my butt was incredibly suggestive.
I could feel her tapping and stroking the sensitive area.
'...'
Maybe she was just playing along with my tune. Thinking that, somehow the fun faded away.
Just as I was about to say it's fine and end this childish game.
A crying sound came through the slightly opened door.
A familiar cry.
Hearing that sound, I fastened the clothes draped over me and got down from the bed.
"...Asha?"
I hurriedly moved my steps toward my bedroom. Was the crying I heard a mistake?
When I came out into the hallway, no sound could be heard.
But nonetheless, I opened the bedroom door wide. Then, crying could be heard.
...Seems like she woke up from sleep.
Lime wriggled and performed antics, but the child didn't stop crying.
I hurriedly approached and held the child in my arms.
"Oh dear, what's uncomfortable making you cry?"
Making a sniffling sound and patting her back, the crying protagonist Pelicia pricked up the ears on top of her head and stopped crying.
Seems like she woke up from sleep and cried because I wasn't there.
Originally, she would be reassured when Lime showed her my face, but maybe because she's Beastfolk, since starting solid food, she won't stop crying unless it's really me.
...Usually she likes being read fairy tales and is quiet, but at times like this she cries really loudly.
Pelicia burrowed into my embrace, and soon exhaled even breaths and fell asleep again.
The tiny ears drooped down, and the tail, as if not yet asleep, swayed gently.
While carefully patting her back so she could sleep deeply, Selina, who had been left out, came in through the open door.
Seeing me, Selina asked in a strange voice.
"...I couldn't hear any sound, how did you know to come?"
"Well..."
I'm a bit puzzled too.
I came out after hearing a faint crying sound, but the hallway was quiet. But it's not like Pelicia wasn't crying either...
It was truly something that would make ghosts cry.
When I shrugged my shoulders with a clueless expression, Selina looked at me with a strange gaze and said.
"Is this the power of a mother?"
"...Hmm."
It's true, but it felt really strange.
It was a bit eerie, but I decided to think that what's good is good.
It's not like it caused harm, and it's helpful, right?
Not long after, Pelicia's swaying tail also quieted down.
Only then did I carefully lay Pelicia down and lie sideways next to her.
Selina, who had been watching intently from the side, lowered her head and brought her face close.
"Seems like your butt doesn't hurt now? Or else..."
Selina's grinning face was full of mischief.
"Maybe it never hurt from the beginning?"
...So she knew all along.
Sensing that I might get tired from absurd excuses, I gently closed my eyes and opened my mouth.
"The ointment effect seems very good. Well, the child who just fell asleep might wake up, so it'd be better to go back now."
"...Pfft."
When I acted shamelessly, Selina made a deflated sound and kissed my forehead.
"If my husband says so, I should withdraw. I'd like to stay together until morning if possible, but..."
Having said that, Selina looked at the children sleeping soundly thanks to Lime's efforts and trailed off.
Maybe with just me it would be fine.
Unless she wants to put the children in a box like kittens, having other people come onto the bed would be difficult.
...Maybe in the early stages, but the children have grown quite a bit.
That's why she's so enthusiastic about building a new house.
Selina then kissed Rosalin's soft cheek who was sleeping and turned her body.
"...Good night."
When I spoke while looking at her back, she also turned her head and looked at me.
"...We need to build the house soon."
"Huh?"
"It's nothing. I hope you have a good night too, my husband."
'Okay.'
"Too grand..."
...It feels like her thoughts and words changed, but maybe it's a mistake.
When I looked at her with an 'oops' expression, Selina said with a slightly sullen look.
"...I'll endure it."
"Haha..."
With those words, Selina carefully closed the door and returned to her room.
Whether she returns to her room or to the villa, only she knows.
After Selina left, I could feel the tension in my body from her earlier remarks easing.
...We decided to be informal, but it seems there's still a long way to go.
While I was arranging myself to sleep too.
Lime wriggled over and clung to my lower body.
Although I had drained it before applying ointment, it seemed like she smelled the remaining essence.
Something soft and smooth covered the surface, then carefully pushed in and devoured the remaining essence.
My body trembled at the ticklish sensation, but since I couldn't sleep smelling that scent, I endured it.
It's not feasible to go wash up either, in case the children wake up again.
"Mmm..."
Maybe Lime knew that too and tried not to stimulate me, but to me, who had just been in an intense relationship, even a small stimulation felt big.
Still, I endured it with a pillow in my mouth.
...Eventually, I reached a shallow climax from the sensation of it coming out, but.
There doesn't seem to be any more essence left.
Lime, who approached as if asking for praise, had opaque white turbid fluid floating inside her.
Looking at those white turbid fluids floating where the stomach would be in a human felt strange.
When I smiled and kissed her, Lime, trembling, clung to my entire body.
...This time it was to remove sweat and other waste substances stuck to my body.
It was much better than going inside.
Lime, who clung to my entire body and cleaned me, begged for another kiss.
I was slightly surprised that she demanded rewards in two separate requests instead of one.
But soon I smiled and kissed her again.
Considering how hard she usually works, I could kiss her many times.
Only then, seemingly satisfied, Lime disappeared into the bed to look after the children.
Feeling refreshed, I closed my eyes.
Then I could hear the children's breathing.
'...There are so many.'
But I don't dislike it.
Though I don't want to have more.
*
*
*
*
Maybe spending time with Selina that night was effective.
Construction of the new house started very quickly.
The scale was enormous too. Even if you said they were building a castle instead of a house, you'd believe it.
That many workers were put into the construction.
'This is...'
The financial power of the Empire's princess and the Empire's merchant?
I silently glanced at Selina and Veronica eating the food Claudia made.
Thinking about it, the only places that could be called 'parents' homes' are those two's houses, right?
'...I should probably pay my respects.'
If asked whether I haven't paid respects even once after getting married and having children, I'd have nothing to say.
But honestly, Veronica's parents' home, the Kaltz family, is one thing.
'Selina is a bit...'
Her parents' home is the Imperial family.
I don't really want to get involved. That's probably why they don't specifically call me, since they know that.
While I was thinking such thoughts.
The house was being built at a rapid pace.
A Workshop, that is, a house being built without damaging my house.
I heard they plan to make a passageway in between so we can come and go freely.
Since I've completely entrusted the interior decoration, there's nothing particular for me to worry about.
What I need to do is just pay attention so the children can grow up healthy.
...Honestly, I'm gradually feeling overwhelmed.
When the children couldn't move around, Lime's help was enough.
But as they started toddling one by one, there were many problems.
The fact that Lime can't step outside the bed is fatal.
Well... it'll get better once the new house is built.
'What about Lime?'
That's a bit worrisome.
Regardless of my deepening worries.
Time passed very quickly.
Author's Note (Afterword)
A house rose from the ground