Chapter 160: A Girl’s Sorrow and a Family Celebration

""""""""""Good night.""""""""""

Leaving the Dules’ voices behind I headed to the room.

I would not have a night companion, but Rina and the three Te-Dules whose sleeping place is my room followed from behind me.

When I came to the front of the door, Yuki who had been walking at the very back ran up rattling the chains attached all over her body and opened the door.

"Thanks."

When I said thanks Yuki bowed her head without saying anything.

When I entered the room I headed to the bed and collapsed onto it.

Same as usual, Rina sat seiza beside the bed, and the three Te-Dules Ilma, Helma, and Yuki lined up against the wall and knelt with their legs open.

Then Helma put on a blindfold herself.

If I sleep Rina will probably lie on the floor and sleep.

But Te-Dules do not sleep, so they will spend the night as is.

Besides these girls Tiria also sleeps in this room, but she is not here now.

Sara who carried Tiria probably considered that I and Tiria were tired and put her to sleep in another room.

And the two on night duty are also not here today.

"..."

When I lay down fatigue came out all at once.

I usually sleep naked, but now even taking off clothes is a bother.

I slipped into the bed as is and closed my eyes.

Then a knock sounded on the door.

Even if I answer here it will not be heard outside, so I have to go open the door.

Normally I open it, or when my hands are full I have Tiria or Yuki open it.

Now... it is a bother.

I thought to have Yuki open it but immediately reconsidered.

This light reserved knock is... Tiria.

If I concentrate, "seeing" the other side of the door is a trivial thing, but there is no need to.

Did she wake?

I whipped my heavy body and sat up, headed to the entrance, and opened the door.

As expected Tiria stood there fully nude wearing only a collar.

"Come."

I do not ask things I already understand, like why she came.

I let Tiria into the room and took her to the bed.

Then I lay down myself.

"Here."

I stretched one arm to the side and patted the empty space under it with my hand.

"Ah... e-excuse me."

I meant for her to sleep here, but Tiria floated a slightly puzzled expression, climbed onto my feet, straddled them, and knelt.

Then she pulled down the trousers I was wearing.

"O-oi..."

I was surprised by Tiria’s sudden action.

But when she pulled down even my underwear and moved to my crotch I understood Tiria’s intent.

"Today you are this way."

"Kya!"

I sat my upper body up, hugged Tiria who was about to lower her hips, and lay down on my side as is.

Just then Tiria had become in a state of sleeping facing this way with my arm as a pillow.

Perhaps surprised, Tiria looked at my face and blinked.

Then those cute eyes gradually narrowed and floated tears.

"...U... uu..."

Eventually as I watched tears spilled and she began leaking sobs.

There was something like this before too.

I pressed Tiria’s head to my chest and hugged her tight.

"! Uwaaaaaah!"

At once Tiria began crying as if a dam broke.

I kept hugging Tiria who buried her face in my chest and sobbed, stroking her head.

...

The next morning I woke as usual to Yuki’s kiss.

Tiria who should have been sleeping beside me was at some point sleeping on top of my body.

Of course with my thing contained there.

"...Why are you here?"

I asked not her but the Te-Dules sitting lined up against the wall.

"You woke once in the night and slept over there."

"You said it was my job."

"Au..."

Yuki then Helma answered in that order.

Yuki who looked at Ilma sinking because she could not answer bowed her head looking apologetic.

"You do not have to worry about that..."

I muttered potsuri to myself and shook Tiria’s shoulder to wake her.

"Tiria, wake up."

"Nn... ah, Master. Good morning."

She greeted with a smile as usual.

It looks like she is not dragging yesterday... on the surface, maybe.

Somewhere it feels like a shadow is cast.

Well, it is the day after yesterday, and she is still thirteen, so of course.

I kissed Tiria, woke Rina and kissed her, then kissed Ilma, Helma, and Yuki in that order.

"Tiria, get my clothes."

"Ah, yes."

I took off the clothes wet with sleep sweat and received the clothes Tiria fetched.

Then Tiria put her hand on my back.

That is the place I was burned in the fight with Demon King Geizer.

"Master... please do not die..."

Tiria put her forehead to that burn scar and muttered.

"I have no family left anymore, I do not need them. As long as Master is safe..."

Tiria hugged me tight from behind.

"Your family is here."

I muttered boso as is.

Whether that reached Tiria’s ears I do not know.

...

When I finished changing I took the To-Dules and Te-Dules except Yanica, left the room, and headed to the dining room.

The Dules are probably preparing breakfast. A savory smell tickled my nose.

When I entered the dining room the A-Dules and Ji-Dules except Sophia, and Rine, were seated.

I cannot see from here but Yanica is probably sitting under the table.

""""Good morning."""" "Morning~" "Mornin’"

"Ah, morning."

The seated Dules stood and greeted so I returned it.

"Rosina, is the castle side already fine?"

Looking, Rosina and Sheena were also seated so I asked.

Castle meaning the cleanup after yesterday’s funeral.

"It is finished so it is fine~. And this side is more important~."

Different from yesterday’s dignified Rosina she floated a smiling face and answered in her usual drawn-out tone.

"This side?"

What is it.

"Then Sophia is..."

"Ah, no no. Tiria is this way."

Cathy stopped Tiria who tried to crawl under the table on all fours.

"Master, I am sorry but just for now could you let Tiria sit on your lap?"

Muriel asked me that.

"Ah, I do not mind."

I answered immediately but it is rare for Muriel to say something like this so I tilted my head.

Together with Rosina’s words just now, is there something?

Anyway I sat bright-red Tiria on my lap.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!"

Suddenly Sophia appeared from the kitchen holding a plate piled with cookies.

She placed it in front of me, or rather in front of Tiria.

Then...

""""""""""Tiria, happy birthday!!"""""""""" "...day, ouch!"

Except for about one person the Dules and Rine raised their voices in time.

I see, everyone was plotting this.

"Kukkukku."

I laughed without making a sound.

The Tiria in question was frozen with her mouth hanging open.

The Dules looked at our state and made dubious expressions.

But without minding that I spoke to Tiria.

"Tiria, Tiria’s family is here, is it not."

Frozen Tiria went ha and looked up at my face.

"Everyone is Tiria’s family."

Tiria faced forward and looked at everyone.

"Thank... you..."

Then she bowed her head and said thanks in a tearful voice.

"We have to celebrate birthdays."

"The one who suggested it was Sophia-sama."

"Ahaha, I heard humans do that..."

"Everyone is thinking of Tiria."

Sara, Cathy, Sophia, then Muriel said in order.

"Tiria is a crybaby."

I wiped Tiria’s overflowing tears for her.

"Yes. From Helene-san~."

And last Rosina handed a wrapped paper to Tiria.

"Ah, thank you."

The wrapped paper received from Rosina was a small thing that fit in the palm.

What Tiria opened and took out was a roll of ribbon with beautiful embroidery though it was a little dirty.

"This is... Mother’s..."

"I had a hard time taking that out."

I also recognize it.

It is the ribbon that bound Teresia’s hair in the illusion of Teresia projected inside the stone coffin.

Apparently that is the reason Rosina returned late.

"Thank you, thank you, uwaaaah!"

Tiria hugged it to her chest and wailed while saying thanks.

While everyone watched warmly I hugged Tiria stroking her head.

...

I drank tea while eating cookies.

That is today’s breakfast.

There were various kinds of cookies, some with vegetables and meat in them.

"They are all delicious!"

Tiria sitting on my lap eating cookies with a full smile is in a good mood.

"You did not explode this time."

I tried saying something mean to Sophia who was not eating much herself and looking happily at Tiria eating deliciously.

"O-of course! I will not fail that many times."

"Because Cathy was there. But you almost burned them."

"You be quiet."

"Ugu!"

Right after Sophia fidgeted, a dull sound and Yanica’s groan were heard from under the table.

"Do not bully Yanica too much."

I cautioned her for now.

"Au.... Look, it is your fault I got scolded!"

"An!"

When Sophia fidgeted once more, again a dull sound, and this time a sensual scream rose.

...After all is this fine as is.

"Right, whose birthday is next?"

I tried changing the topic a little.

"I am the seventeenth of the Sky Month."

"Ah, I am the fifth of the Sky Month so I am earlier."

Muriel and Sara declared their own birthdays.

When is the Sky Month?

"Master, when is yours?"

Cathy asked full of interest.

"...When is it."

I thought a little but could not remember so I looked at Yuki who would know.

"June twenty-eighth. But when that becomes in this world..."

Yuki answered.

Hearing Yuki’s words several people floated question marks over their heads, but sorry, I will ignore them for now.

"Well, that is how it is, I do not know."

I ignored again the Dules except some who looked at me floating pity for some reason, and finished the cookies while stroking Tiria.