Leon Greyrat: The Second Son - Mushoku Tensei OC

Chapter 81 - Fatherhood

— Leon Greyrat —

I had made it in time.

Just as promised, I had returned home before Roxy gave birth, but... judging by how large she had gotten, I had definitely cut it close.

Almost too close.

"Are you feeling okay, Roxy?" I said, gently massaging her feet as she lay down on the couch beside me.

"Well... I was feeling quite a bit of pain in my feet, but it's getting better now," she said, sighing as she flipped through her book. "Ah, and I have also gained an infatuation with cheese."

"I-Infatuation, you say?" I said, confused.

"Mhmm. It's quite common to form an obsession with food during pregnancy, according to Elinalise," she said matter-of-factly.

Ah, right. I do remember Mama really wanting fruits all the time when she was pregnant with Rudy.

I guess that's normal.

"And speaking of Elinalise..." she said, smiling a bit. "She and Cliff recently got married."

Now that was a surprise.

I already knew that Cliff was a man who took responsibility, but I was shocked that Lina accepted.

After all, she had told me more than a few times that she would never marry again.

But I guess Cliff's resoluteness broke down her wall, huh?

Just like when she had initially planned to refuse Cliff's advances for a relationship... I guess she was quite weak to him, huh?

I was glad.

Even with her curse, she deserved some happiness in regard to romance.

But still...

"That's a little... fast," I said.

"Are you sure you're one to say that?" Roxy said. "It was only a few days after we reunited that you proposed to me, right?"

"Yeah, but... I had made the first promise when I was seven," I pointed out.

"That doesn't count," she said, poking my side with her finger. "And... don't repeat that. It makes me sound like a cradle robber."

Are you not one?

Of course, I kept that thought to myself.

"Well, still... I'm happy for them," I said, placing her feet back down. "Now, do you feel a bit better?"

"Yeah, thank you," she said, smiling sweetly at me. "Just like your mother said, my magic isn't as easy to use anymore, so I hope you don't mind me selfishly relying on you."

"You know you can always rely on me," I said, moving to lay down with her.

Pulling her against my side, I kissed her forehead as one of her hands moved to my hair, gently raking through it as we got comfortable.

"And? Is that all that changed while I was gone? You now like cheese and Lina got married?" I then asked.

"Hmm... not exactly," she said cryptically.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"I don't want to spoil the surprise," she said, snuggling against my side. "But... you should probably see your parents tomorrow."

"Okay... but why tomorrow?" I asked.

"Because for tonight, I want you to hold me," Roxy said resolutely.