"Argh."
My eyes fluttered open as I felt sunlight shining directly on my face.
The comfy bed embraced me gently, making it hard for me to get up.
I tried to find the girl beside me by tapping around, but she wasn't there.
Did she leave without waking me up?
Argh, whatever.
"Wake me up in five minutes, Edda."
I gave up as I pulled the blanket over my face while requesting her.
[I am not your alarm, and how long are you going to sleep?]
Her monotonous voice filled my mind as I flicked the blanket off.
"What time is it?"
[Nine.]
I groaned as I stretched my body.
"You sure are accurate for someone who doesn't like to be called an alarm."
I mumbled as I raised my body and stepped onto the floor.
"Ahh, my back."
I groaned as I massaged my back.
Last night was hard.
Looking down, I found myself naked, with my long white hair cascading over my chest.
"Where is Nadya?"
I thought as I looked around while adjusting my hair.
[Downstairs. She woke up before you.]
"I see."
I replied as I walked toward the table where a new pair of clothes was laid out, along with a note.
Picking them up, I moved toward the bathroom.
'Come down as soon as you are ready.'
I placed the note in the inventory.
After taking a shower and wearing the clothes Nadya had chosen for me, I walked out of the room.
The gentle laughter of women echoed as I walked downstairs.
I stopped in my tracks as I looked down at the main hall, where the entire Melisande family sat together.
I quietly watched them, making sure not to disturb their family time.
Nadya and Elysia both lay with their heads on either side of Raima's lap.
Ember sat on the opposite side of the sofa, talking with them.
'She looks happy.'
I thought as I watched Nadya giggling happily in her mother's lap.
'I'm glad she's happy.'
I thought, smiling as I leaned on the railing.
Compared to what I remember about her in the game, she has changed a lot.
From a girl with an inferiority complex and who was mentally broken later on...
She had become a confident woman who could take care of herself.
Nadya slightly tilted her head, and immediately her eyes met mine.
She gestured at my dress while giving me an impressed look.
'..Man, I love her.'
I smiled as I walked toward them.
"Good morning, sleepyhead~."
Nadya chirped as she rose from the sofa.
Everyone turned to look at me, and the atmosphere immediately became awkward.
Nadya walked toward me while my gaze shifted toward her mother.
...Who had a light blush on her face.
"..."
That doesn't seem good.
"What did you do?"
I asked, my voice barely a whisper as she stood close to me.
"Remember someone peeked through the door last night?"
She asked as she tiptoed to gently peck my lips.
"...Yeah."
I mumbled, nodding gently.
It's always been Elysia who sometimes peeks whenever we are alone.
And because Nadya likes to torment her by showing what she could never have, I let her be—
My trail of thoughts abruptly halted as something clicked.
"You know the funny thing,"
Nadya whispered with a mischievous smile on her face.
"It wasn't Elysia last night."
"..."
I blankly stared at her as she grabbed my hand and led me toward her family.
[New achievement unlocked: Family Fucke—]
'Shut up, Edda!?'
I yelled in my mind as Nadya made me sit down opposite her mother.
"Mother was telling us stories of her time," she said, gesturing toward Raima. "Join us."
"Uh, hello."
Raima awkwardly greeted me, unable to look me in the eye.
"Ignore me, please," I replied with a gentle smile as a maid brought me something to eat.
"What happened next?" Elysia urged, startling Raima.
"Uh, right." She glanced at her. "That's where I met Nadya's father."
Nadya chimed in. "And you rejected him for what? A hundred times because you had a crush on someone else?"
"I couldn't help it," Raima replied, gently patting her. "He was way too good to be true."
"Better than him?" Nadya questioned, pointing at me.
"No way." Before she could reply, Elysia cut in. "That's impossible."
I kept myself out of their conversation as I focused on my breakfast.
"...I don't know," Raima whispered softly, awkwardly glancing at me. "He used to wear a mask every time, so I never saw his entire face."
Wait, where is her gaze going?
[Must be impressed by your length.]
I choked on my food.
The fuck happened to her?
When did you start talking like that?
[Your shamelessness rubbed off on me.]
"Aren't you going to tell them who he was?" Ember chimed in.
"I don't really know his name," Raima replied, her gaze fixated on me.
"...Though he was famous for being Lady Stephanie's bodyguard."
I froze.
Confusion filled my mind as I looked up at her.
"My mother?" I asked.
"Uh, yeah," she replied awkwardly. "I met him during the ancient families' reunion in Rastan Kingdom."
"..."
My mood soured as I leaned back on the sofa I was sitting on.
Another piece of information I didn't want to know.
"Can you tell me what he looked like?" I asked, my tone heavy.
Raima hesitated for a while before she quietly whispered, "Just like you."
I chuckled dryly, dismissing her words. "That's absurd."
"She isn't lying, Neil," Ember cut in, looking deeply into my eyes. "The more you grow, the more you resemble him."
"..."
I let out a tired sigh as I rubbed my temples.
This doesn't make any sense.
Nothing makes any fucking sense.
"Anything else?" I asked, gazing back at Raima. "Anything you can tell me?"
"...It was never confirmed, but everyone thinks it's him," Raima whispered softly, frowning. "...The one who killed the head of the Iradain family."
"Pardon?" I asked, tilting my head. "The head, not the heir?"
"The head," Raima affirmed. "The demigod who was feared by everyone."
"...."
My mind started filling with questions.
What?
Who?
And fucking why?
"That was the reason for the war between the ancient families," Raima dropped another piece of information. "...He was the sole reason behind it."
"..."
My mind turned numb with her words.
Come to think of it, why was I not aware of all this?
Why did Sylvia always keep me away from what happened before I was born?
...As if she was hiding something.
'She did say once that she's keeping her promise with someone.'
I thought, remembering my conversation with her.
Ah.
I need to stop running away and actively try to find out what happened.
"Is he your father?"
Elysia's voice broke the silence that lingered between us.
"Wait, was he the reason you got that unique power of yours?" she questioned, earning everyone's attention.
"Space related power?" Ember asked curiously.
Right, I never told her about my time-related abilities.
"Did you sleep well last night?" Nadya cut in before Elysia could speak.
"What do you mean?" Elysia asked, feigning ignorance.
"I saw someone moving around my room yesterday." Nadya smiled softly. "It's not very nice peeking at other people when they're making love."
"Why would I do such things?" Elysia denied firmly, but her flustered face betrayed her.
"Really~" Nadya whispered sweetly. "I'm pretty sure I saw someone—"
"Both of you, shut up," Raima abruptly stood up, glaring at them.
"And Nadya, your sister might be worried about you because you were shouting too much."
"Can't you distinguish between a shout of pleasure and pain, Mother?" Nadya asked, tilting her head.
Raima blushed, her ears turning slightly red.
"Is the academy open today?" Ignoring them, I asked Ember.
"Yeah," she blinked. "You need something?"
"No, I just want to check on someone," I replied as I stood up from the sofa.
"You guys should enjoy your time; I'll meet you in a few hours."
"Be careful~." Nadya winked at me. "And I got some new sets of dresses I want to try."
I smiled, greeting them back before walking out of the palace.
'Fuck, I hate this.'
I groaned as I connected a space node to the academy.
The thing with Aphrodite, Nadya's mother...
...My mother.
They are stressing me a lot.
And even though Nadya helped me relieve some of it,
I still need some relaxing time.
Some time that I can genuinely enjoy.
'I hope she is there.'
I mused as I reached the academy of the Darkoina empire.
A place where the events of the second game took place.
Wrapping myself in space, I reached the sculpted garden.
The place was filled with vibrant flowers, with a single little girl playing alone.
I smiled, feeling my body relax as I looked at her.
Her gaze landed on me, and she smiled brightly.
"Daddy!!"