Pre-Marital Management for the Best Genes

A strange silence hung in the air. It felt like it could explode at any moment, yet remained eerily quiet. That uneasy sensation clawed at my entire body. The source of this restless feeling was probably the two women staring intently at me from either side. How did things end up like this... Ah, whatever!

I had returned to the lodging while drunk, but apparently Tirgar couldn't withstand the storm brewing between them and fled in tears. Poor Tirgar... I'm sorry. It feels like this is all my fault. I didn't know what to say. Despite Seria's glare, Isabel lightly wrapped her arms around mine. Her shoulders were trembling—she must have been embarrassed. She didn't have to push herself.

Seria's eyes widened as she glared at Isabel. Not to be outdone, she grabbed my right arm as well. Oh my god. So soft. What was soft? Are you seriously asking because you don't know? Read the room. You know exactly what I'm talking about.

"Ahem."

A cough broke the awkward silence. I had to do something. If this continued, both of them would end up hurt. It was too cruel for the two who had once been closest to fight because of me.

"So, about that—"

"I love you."

"...?"

Just as I started to speak, Seria cut me off. Her clear white hair swayed in the cold wind, brushing against my cheek. Thud. Seria whispered softly and rested her head on my shoulder.

"...Eek."

My heart ached. This kind of thing was too difficult for me. I had no experience with women, after all. Meanwhile, a deep darkness had settled in her blue eyes. As if she would never let me go, she pressed her body even closer, still holding onto my arm.

"I'll whisper it to you as many times as you need, Hero. I love you."

"I-I also... that..."

Not wanting to lose to Seria's offensive, Isabel began whispering into my ear as well. But she was embarrassed. Of course—she had always shown that side of herself. If she had once given off a proud and cold impression, now she seemed more like a lost kitten.

"Uh, Isabel?"

"I-I also admire you..."

Hmph. She buried her face in my shoulder without even trying ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to lift her bright red face. Her pink hair flowed down softly. It felt gentle. That "hmph" at the end was, as always, probably just to hide her embarrassment. Was it a habit?

The situation was too difficult to find words for. With me caught in the middle while they glared at each other from both sides, I felt like jumping out of my skin. Anyone would.

"Isabel, that's an order. Go back to the mansion right now, just like this."

"...I don't want to."

"I'm holding back a lot right now. You're the one who came between the Hero and me. Listen while I'm still being patient...!"

"My lady. I already told you I don't want to."

"...You!"

"...Hmph."

Wow, this was seriously terrifying. I couldn't even get a word out. No wonder Tirgar ran away. If even I, the person caught in the middle, felt this way, how bad must it have been for him? He probably just fought without caring about what anyone said. A sigh escaped me at the obvious situation. Their voices grew louder. I couldn't just sit still like this.

Just as they were about to raise their hands against each other, I grabbed both women's wrists.

"Everyone, stop."

But—

"No. I won't stop. I'm going to chase away that thieving cat!"

"...I haven't done anything wrong. Is it so wrong to like someone?"

"You... You stole him!"

"I didn't steal him. My lady, the Hero was never yours to begin with, and he's not anyone's possession!"

"...Eek."

Isabel. That was well said. I wasn't anyone's possession, and I hadn't been stolen either. Well, hearing them say all this because they liked me didn't feel bad, but... what was this feeling of being left out?

"Really, stop it. Even I have my limits when it comes to patience."

"S-Sorry..."

"...Hmph."

When I spoke with a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bit of authority, they immediately wilted like puppies with their tails between their legs. The sight of them shouting and tearing into each other just moments ago was nowhere to be found. Seria thought to herself: The Hero's voice, which had always been gentle, had grown louder. He said he was holding back. Could it be that he's lost interest in me because of this side of myself...? I'm anxious. The fear of being hated grew stronger and stronger. She hugged him tighter. She didn't want to be separated. The thought that he might really go to Isabel made her anxious, anxious, anxious.

"I'm sorry..."

She apologized. Because she didn't want to be abandoned or hated. She had always lived in the shadow of "that person," been tormented, and abandoned. She didn't want to be hated by the one who had saved her. Her body began to tremble. Unpleasant thoughts flashed through her mind—not gently passing by, but becoming wounds alongside bad memories.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm sorry..."

She was showing signs of anxiety. Why? This side of her resembled a girl I had met before whose face I couldn't see. Where had I met her? I couldn't remember. Her trembling was too severe. To calm her down, I stroked her head. Just like my father used to do when I was young—nothing was more effective than someone gently stroking your head when you were anxious.

"Please don't abandon me..."

"I won't."

"Don't leave me alone..."

"Geez, why are you suddenly like this?"

"You'll really stay by my side, right?"

Was this a confession after all? Honestly, I wasn't sure if I liked her. We hadn't known each other long, and the time we'd spent together was short. But I was certain she was a good woman. I could tell she carried some kind of wound, and that was why she showed these anxious symptoms. She was a young lady who needed someone's warmth. If I hurt her, something bad would definitely happen.

Isabel had spent more time with me. A week wasn't long, but it was more than enough time to build familiarity. Our bond was sufficiently formed. If I accepted Seria's confession just to ease her anxiety, wouldn't that be betraying the feelings Isabel had shown me? It was like the question "Do you like Mom or Dad more?" Of course, I liked both Mom and Dad.

"You both like me, right?"

"...Yes! More than just liking you—I admire you."

Seria answered quickly with an anxious look, while Isabel simply nodded slowly, looking embarrassed. I glanced at Isabel. Our eyes met as she looked up at me through her pink bangs.

"...!"

"Haha..."

Caught staring, she fidgeted and lowered her gaze. She really was like a kitten.

"First of all, I'm not anyone's possession."

"...Yes."

"So, Seria. Apologize to Isabel for calling her a thieving ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cat or whatever."

"But!"

"Come on."

"...Fine."

Seria's expression was terrifying. Even I felt my body tremble. How much did she not want to do this? Isabel felt the same. She looked uncomfortable watching Seria bow her head to apologize. Was it because of their master-servant relationship? But the two of them had to make up. That was the only way I'd have any peace! How long were we going to keep up this uncomfortable dynamic?

"...I'm sorry, Isabel. I said too much."

"I'm sorry too."

Seria stared at Isabel. Her gaze was piercing and intense. Forgetting my presence, Seria bared her teeth at Isabel again.

"...What?"

"Uh, well..."

"Why can't you admit you stole the Hero from my side? You must have a guilty conscience...?"

Aaah! Here we go again. Seriously. My head hurt even more today. What should I do?

"Everyone stop! Just stop! It's my fault!"

"...The Hero has done nothing wrong."

Isabel defended me. I was a little touched, but the more she did that, the more she provoked Seria's reverse scale.

"...You!"

This was driving me crazy.

"Just make up with each other already! How long are you going to keep this up?!"

"But..."

"I'm the problem here. If you keep acting like this, I'll abandon both of you and leave on my own, okay?"

"...Ugh."

"S-Sorry..."

Yeah, it was my fault. Damn it...

*

Outside was noisy. The sound of Vikings drinking and the giants' singing. The feast was in full swing. In contrast, my room was filled with gloom and loneliness. Yeah, that gloom was coming from me. There were two beautiful women whispering that they loved me, so why did I feel so exhausted? Why on earth? I was going insane. I really was. I wanted to go out and drink with Tirgar too. I wanted to play tug-of-war—not the Vikings pulling on a rope, but holding onto the tense nerves as they glared at each other... Emotions were draining away, and I couldn't take it anymore.

Still, the silver lining was that they had eventually reached an agreement. Seria had been particularly reluctant, but when I said I'd leave, she obediently listened. Was she easy to handle? I might look like a bad guy, but what could I do? She was showing extreme anxiety symptoms and about to collapse. Had she always been like this? No, she hadn't. Was this her true nature?

"Hehe..."

Seria smiled. She had been lying in bed all day without letting go of my arm. Thanks to that, I couldn't even go out and play.

"I'm happy."

"...Ugh."

Seria was honest with her emotions. Isabel got embarrassed easily and would turn her head at every opportunity, spouting "hmph" left and right. What kind of situation was this, really? I still hadn't given them a clear answer. Even though they said they liked and loved me, if I was only accepting their confessions to reassure them, didn't that mean I had no choice in the matter?

Of course I was happy. Naturally, I should be. But if someone asked whether I saw them as romantic interests and liked them, I would choose "I don't know." Jotunheim was a land of stone and ice. So why was I surrounded by such intense heat? I didn't even know what expression I was making right now. I just stared at the ceiling, desperately trying to hide my flushed face. In this state, I might look similar to Isabel.

"Ah, right."

Come to think of it, there was something I had forgotten. Something incredibly important. I quickly sat up from where I had been lying. In an instant, the two pairs of arms restraining me were released.

"...Huh?"

"Ah."

The two women's arms flailed in the air. That wasn't important. I turned to Seria and asked, grabbing her shoulders and leaning in close. I had no choice.

"H-Hero?"

"What happened with that?!"

"T-That...?"

"My misunderstanding! What did the king say?"

Why did I only think of this now? Ah. Seria calmed her flushed cheeks with a deep breath. Then she returned to her usual self and gave me a bright smile. It must have been a sign of affirmation.

"...Really?"

"Hehe. Do I look like I'd lie?"

Did that mean I was cleared of suspicion? That I could freely travel around the country? Really?

"Wow! Wow! Wow!"

"Are you happy?"

"How could I not be?"

Because of this false accusation, I had suffered from day one. From living like a beggar to going hungry. You have no idea how happy ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I am. I hugged Seria and rejoiced like a madman. She was my savior. Seria. Was she a goddess?

"Huhu..."

Seeing Seria's expression soften into a pleased smile, Isabel shifted her gaze. 'I absolutely won't say I'm jealous...' Even as she thought that, she quietly grabbed the hem of Taesik's clothes. At her fidgeting, I gently patted Isabel's head. Well, the one who had followed me around and suffered was Isabel. I was grateful to her too.

—When that happens, pat her head. It was some random knowledge from Tirgar that I didn't know where he'd picked up, but seeing her satisfied expression made me think for the first time in a while that Tirgar was actually useful.

"...Isabel. Let go."

"Isn't my lady clinging too much as well?"

"The Hero hugged me first."

"...Tsk."

Ha.

"You...! Did you just click your tongue?"

"...Hmph."

I ignored them as much as possible and started thinking. Hmm... What should I do from now on? Judging by Seria's condition, it seemed like she'd be staying with us for a while. Looking at her luggage, she probably planned to stay until the end. I wasn't entirely sure yet, but she was strong. My intuition and Odin's wisdom had judged as much.

"Hmm..."

Accepting her was probably my fate. Things turning out this way wasn't so bad for me. Tomorrow, I should check Seria's abilities briefly.

"You'll both follow me, right?"

"We won't be a hindrance to you, Hero."

"...I don't particularly mind."

Oh?

"Isabel, does that mean you're okay with just Seria and me traveling together?"

"Ah, no. That's..."

"Hahaha! I'm joking. Just joking."

"...Hmph."

Since I knew she wasn't honest, I wanted to tease her a bit. Anyway, what should I really do now? I had spent a lot of time in Jotunheim. Met an old friend. Thoroughly crushed Ragner's pride and honor. Learned that the shadow of Helheim had reached here as well. Unintentionally, I had also learned about their feelings. It was probably time to move on. Since the misunderstanding was cleared, I should head to the continent where people lived. If possible, finding new companions there wouldn't be a bad idea either.

"Let's leave tomorrow."

"...Tomorrow?"

"Yes. We don't have a destination. We'll go wherever fate leads us."

Odin would be with us. So...

"I'm just going to go out and have a quick drink with Tirgar..."

"No."

"Absolutely not."

Ah, I could see the future. A future where I'd be tightly controlled. Something had gone wrong.

"...May I ask why?"

"I heard from Isabel. You drank for three days straight."

Haha... That was true, but...

"...It's bad for your health. And for the future, you should cut back on alcohol."

"...The future?"

More than that, why did it feel like I was being scolded? It also felt like receiving an order that wasn't quite an order... It felt like facing my mother. She had always managed Father's drinking. Father... What kind of life did you live? Already I couldn't meet friends or drink.

"Yes... For the future, I have no choice."

Seria's cheeks flushed red. Why? Why on earth?

"Huhu, you don't need to know."

"No, what is it?"

"It's just something like that."

I really had no idea what she meant. Was I just dense? Or was it something only Seria knew? I had no choice but to offer my arms to their pressure. I probably wouldn't fall asleep easily tonight...

Just like that, the sky darkened into evening.