Chapter 192

Duel — Part 3

Alright Yuki, calm down . Let’s just take a deep breath and evaluate the situation . The first question I have to ask myself is: How exactly did all this happen? I’m going to go out on a limb and assume it was probably something I said .

I mean, I don’t think I said anything too weird . All I did was say what any manager would say and tell Lyuu’s father that I valued her . And that I would lay down my life to prote—I’m a fucking idiot .

Only after reflecting on my actions did I realize that I had effectively proposed .

“I believe that is the expression he wears upon realizing that he is at fault,” said Lefi .

“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” said Nell . “Yuki’s pretty easy to read . ”

“He certainly is,” said Leila, “My Lord’s expressions tend to be fairly easy to read outside of critical situations”

“H-hold on, gimme just one sec!”

I held up my hand and asked for him to stop as I dashed towards the rest of my family . Unlike me, they were calm, collected, and treating my mistake as just more of the usual .

“That really didn’t work out the way I thought it would! What the hell am I supposed to do now!?”

“As one who bore witness to the event, I fail to see why this outcome exceeds your expectations,” said Lefi .

“I know, right?” said Nell . “You totally just proposed!”

Both girls responded with exasperation . Their fed up expressions made it clear that they were judging me .

“That’s not what I meant! I was speaking from the perspective of a manager!”

“Your intentions are irrelevant . You should have either made yourself clear or corrected the understanding before swearing your pledge . Now, it is too late,” said Lefi . “He is a stubborn man, one likely to throw a fit of rage should you attempt to recant your vow . ”

She was right . Pacifying Lyuu’s father had been a huge pain in the ass, and taking back my words now of all times was sure to negate all of my efforts .

“Well, Yuki, that’s just what you get for being so dense and careless,” said Nell .

“I concur . While you certainly appear to be fairly reliable, it is rather characteristic of you to make silly mistakes . ”

“But that’s exactly what you love about him, right Lefi?” giggled Nell .

“S-Shut up . You are no different . ”

“I can’t argue with you there . ”

Girls, please . Can we not? This is way too embarrassing a topic for a time like this .

“What’s wrong with making Lyuu another one of your wives, Yuki?” asked Illuna, innocently .

“Yay! The more the merrier!” said Shii .

Ms . Vampire, we need to talk . Wives aren’t objects or belongings . You can’t just randomly get more of them . That’s just not how that works .

After a bit of internal musing, I finally decided to timidly glance in Lyuu’s direction . I assumed she was mad at me . She had remained silent with her cheeks red throughout the duration of the conversation . Her eyes peeked up at me every once in a while, but her gaze remained downcast . It was almost like she was expecting me to say or do something .

“Hey, Lyuu?”

“Are you mad?”

“A-About what?”

“Just, you know, about all this happening without your consent . ”

“No, uhm… Not really . ” She shook her head before continuing in a voice that only grew quieter with every word . “I’m really happy you think so much of me, Master . And I uhm… feel that way about you too . ”

Bruh . You srs? The reaction I got out of her was just about the last I had expected . Oh man, this must be what it’s like to be popular with the ladies . I guess it really does happen to everyone eventually . Ahahahahaha . Hahaha . Haha . Ha . Fuck .

It wasn’t like I disliked Lyuu . She was pretty, fun, and easy to get along with . I knew I could cut loose around her and just be myself . But I had long hit the wife cap . Getting a second had put me over it . Three was way more than I could possibly handle .

“So uh… got any opinions on this, Lefi?” I immediately sought refuge in the form of a refusal .

“I do not mind . She is no stranger to me and you have proven, with this display, that you are worthy of her,” said the dragon, indifferently .

“W-what about you, Nell?”

My first magazine proved itself empty, so I immediately loaded a second .

“If you and Lefi are both fine with it, then I am too . Besides, you’ve known her for much longer than you’ve known me . And I’m in part only still here right now because of her goodwill, so I couldn’t possibly say no . ”

Shiiiiit . Alright, third time’s the charm .

I looked around the room in a desperate attempt to find another card to play . But there weren’t any . Leila was smiling along as if none of this was any of her business . She wasn’t going to be of much help . The kids, on the other hand, were far too innocent to understand the implications of marriage . As far as they were concerned, all that mattered was that everyone was together forever, which meant they would definitely have supported the strengthening of our ties .

Oh, fuck it! I don’t care anymore . Two? Three? There ain’t no goddamn difference . Fuck fighting it . I give up . At this point, I might as well just catch ’em all .

“Lyuu . ” I said her name in a strong, commanding tone, much like that of a drill sergeant .

“Y-Yeah?”

“You’re staying right here in this dungeon forever, and enjoying every moment of it . Got it?”

“G-got it, Master! I’ll be by your side forever!”

“Alright, next question . You okay with marrying me?”

“Totally, Master! I’d love to be one of your wives!”

“Okay, that’s two for two,” I said . “Now get the hell over here . ”

She squealed in a derpy display of surprise as I pulled her into a hug before picking her up, princess style . One of my arms was poised under her knees, while the other was wrapped around her back .

“U-Uhm, Master, this is real embarrassin’…”

“Shut up . Stop complaining . ”

She looked up at me with her face dyed a deep shade of scarlet . She was begging to be put down, but I ignored her and walked back over to the ring with her still in my arms .

“Well, I guess this means we’ve reached an agreement . Lyuu’s mine now . ”

“…Very well . ” He paused for a moment . “Lyuu . ”

Though his words were directed towards his daughter, his eyes remained focused on me .

“Y-yeah, dad?”

“You’re free to come home if you ever get sick of him . But never forget that this is the path you chose yourself . I won’t let you go back on your word without good reason . ”

“I know, dad . It’s okay… I’m not a kid anymore . I understand what I’m askin’ for here . I won’t change my mind . Not now, not ever . ” Her cheeks remained a shade of red, but she spoke in a serious tone . “This is somethin’ I decided a long time ago . I want to live here . With Master and all the others . The village isn’t my home anymore, dad . This is . ”

Lyuu’s father closed his eyes and took a deep breath . Only after a few moments did he slowly open them once more .

“I understand . I will speak to Lynaut, and all the others, and ensure that they accept this decision . Our decision,” he said . “I’ve already said this to that husband of yours, but I will come again to check on you in a year . Do your best to make sure you grow into your new role by the time that comes to pass . ”

Lyuu’s expression brightened . A big smile appeared on her face as her father voiced his approval .

“Okay! Thanks dad!”

He finally turned his gaze away from the two of us as he humphed . “What an exhausting day . It’s been nothing but one unexpected occurrence after another . ”

“You’re welcome to stay at the inn if you want . You guys are basically my in-laws now, so I’ll make sure we give you a nice, warm welcome . ”

“Thank you . We’ll gladly accept the offer,” he said . “And as a man about to see his daughter off, I would appreciate the chance to sit down and share a drink with the man who has become her husband . ”

“Sure . Can’t really say no to the in-laws, after all,” I said with a shrug .

“No, I don’t suppose you can,” said the warwolf, with a bit of a reluctant smile .

And that was how I ended up with yet another wife . Wow, uh, is it just me, or does that statement seem kinda fucked up?