Side Story 3. First Meeting (5)

Upon hearing the belated news of Raphael’s abilities manifesting, Camilla and Aster hurriedly prepared. Both had expressions that seems to say they expected it.

In fact, Aster’s abilities manifested later than most children, while Camilla’s were early. So, they assumed Raphael’s abilities would manifest around the average age.

However, they also considered the variables given that his parents were from Francis and Blanche. They had already discussed what to do if both abilities manifested.

But hearing that both abilities manifested at the early age of eight made them worry.

Abilities were very difficult to manage. Handling two abilities would undoubtedly burden Raphael’s body. Camilla and Aster had just entered the room.

Raphael, who had just finished a check-up, spotted them and ran over. Camilla kissed his small forehead and asked,

“How do you feel?”

“I’m fine!”

Despite his spirited answer, Camilla looked at the doctor with an uneasy face. The specialist in abilities adjusted his glasses and said,

“The mana flow is stable, and the mana core is in good condition.”

“No issues with ability collision?”

“Yes. Due to the vast amount of mana he possesses, the domains of the two abilities are well separated. As long as he grows like this, the risk of collision seems low. However, regular check-ups are necessary as his internal mana pathways may change as he grows.”

“I see. Thank you.”

Camilla finally felt relieved and hugged Raphael tightly. The good news made her previous worries about his health seem unnecessary.

“Raphie. If something like this happens, you should tell Mom first.”

“But Mom and Dad were too busy talking in the room.”

“Cough!”

Aster, who was beside them, was startled and coughed. The doctor also cleared his throat awkwardly.

Camilla’s face turned bright red as their close relationship was inadvertently revealed.

“T-talking, my son?”

“Grandpa said Mom and Dad were busy with urgent business late into the night and didn’t get much sleep.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Mom, are you very tired? You should sleep more. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

Raphael asked, worriedly touching his mother’s eyes. Unable to give a proper explanation, Camilla awkwardly smiled.

“I’ll be going now.”

The doctor tactfully left the room, leaving the three of them alone.

“Mom has slept enough.”

“But your eyes are dark underneath.”

“Really?”

Camilla glanced at Aster. He had tormented her all night and even after the sun rose. She had tried to use the excuse of being hungry, but he had breakfast delivered to the bedroom and continued. Just thinking about it made her body tremble.

‘It’s my fault for provoking him.’

Once he got started, he never knew when to stop. He was good at anything physical, from swordsmanship to nighttime activities.

So Camilla often had to stop Aster. It was a regular occurrence for her to end up begging him to stop, despite her provocations.

Forgetting that, she had provoked him again. Camilla rubbed her still aching lower back.

Smiling, Aster lifted Raphael. That smile melted away any lingering annoyance on Camilla’s face.

“You know, you survived because of that face.”

“The fact that my face is your type is my greatest fortune and advantage.”

“If only you wouldn’t talk.”

“It’s all thanks to you spoiling me with excessive compliments. It’s because you spoiled me.”

“I’m not sure. I always said it because you were always handsome. It’s not excessive.”

Camilla snorted, and Aster burst into laughter. At that moment, Raphael wriggled in Aster’s arms.

“Mom, Mom, what about Raphie? What about Raphie?”

“Oh, our son is Mom’s greatest joy.”

“Isn’t Raphie’s face Mom’s type?”

“How could it not be, when you’re my son?”

“Then who do you like more, Dad or Raphie?”

Faced with an unexpected dilemma, Camilla blinked. She didn’t understand why Aster looked tense. It was amusing and cute that he felt competitive with their son.

“I like both.”

“No, no! Say you only like Raphie!”

Raphael whined and urged her. Aster said,

“Raphie, I’m sorry, but your mom is mine.”

“No, she’s mine!”

“Mom married Dad.”

“No! She’s going to marry me!”

Raphael puffed his cheeks and protested. Watching the two men argue about marrying her, Camilla didn’t know what to do. At the same time, her lips couldn’t help but curl up.

“Lala. Tell us. Who do you belong to?”

Aster whispered lowly, tucking her hair behind her ear. His deep gaze made her mouth open naturally, but Raphael interrupted.

“Raphie’s!”

Then, imitating his dad, he tucked her hair behind her other ear and blinked.

“Right? Raphie’s?”

As he urged her to answer, Camilla made a decision. It was impossible to choose one here. So there was only one way.

“Sorry. Mom belongs to Mom.”

“……!”

“Phew.”

At her cold answer, the two men’s faces darkened. Seeing this, Camilla smiled and said,

“But Mom is greedy, so she wants Raphie and Dad too.”

“Oh.”

“Huh?”

“So both of you are mine.”

Then she kissed Raphael and Aster on the cheeks in turn.

“No complaints, right?”

They both looked like they shouldn’t have any complaints. At that moment, father and son looked at each other’s faces.

Raphael had a puzzled expression, while Aster already had an answer.

“There’s no way I would have any complaints.”

Then he kissed Camilla on the lips.

“I’ve always been yours.”

Satisfied with his response, Camilla looked at Raphael.

“What about our son?”

After hesitating for a moment, Raphael also kissed his mom on the lips and shouted,

“Yes. Raphie is Mom’s!”

“Great. So, what should I do today with the men who love me?”

“I want to play hide-and-seek like Mom and Dad!”

“Huh?”

“So I can find a pretty bride!”

Boom.

Camilla felt her world collapse.

“Son. Didn’t you just said you wanted to marry Mom?”

“Yes! But Mom is married to Dad and me!”

“Huh?”

“So I want to find a second bride!”

“Ahem!”

Aster cleared his throat again. Camilla felt as if she had fallen into the trap she had set for herself.

She wanted to be a wise mother, but she almost turned her son into a playboy. If this continued, he would undoubtedly go around saying he was looking for a second bride.

As Camilla sighed deeply, Aster chuckled, his shoulders shaking. Camilla shot him a brief glare before making up her mind.

“Raphael.”

“Yes, Mom.”

Raphael, who had made the bombshell statement, looked innocent. He had no idea he had said something problematic.

Camilla held her son’s shoulders and spoke seriously.

“Ahivith practices monogamy.”

“Huh? What’s that?”

“It means you can only marry one person.”

“But Mom said she would marry Raphie too.”

“I’m sorry, Mom lied. The truth is, Mom is already married to Dad, so she can’t marry Raphie.”

“That’s not fair! No way. I want to marry Mom too.”

Raphael whined and clung to Camilla. Seeing her son on the verge of tears made her heart ache, but she had to make this clear. Camilla closed her eyes tightly and spoke.

“No, son. You can’t marry Mom. So you shouldn’t talk about having a second bride.”

“Waaah!”

Raphael burst into tears and clung to Aster.

“Daaad! I hate you!”

Aster bit his lower lip as his son cried in his arms, saying he hated the person he was clinging to. Raphael, experiencing his first heartbreak, cried for a long time.

The couple’s faces were filled with awkwardness and complex emotions as they watched. The thought of Raphael wanting to find his partner already made them worry that he might give away everything when he fell in love as he grew older.

Camilla spoke seriously.

“I hope Raphie doesn’t take after you.”

“Why?”

“Because he might give everything away.”

“Well. If he takes after me, he might win a wonderful wife like you.”

Aster said with a grin as he wiped Raphael’s nose. At his words, Camilla forgot her worries and burst into laughter.

“You’re right.”

She then looked at Raphael. Imagining this little boy getting married and starting a family someday gave her a strange feeling.

“In that case, it would be good if he took after you.”

Camilla stopped thinking about the distant future and comforted her crying son. Thus, a peaceful weekend afternoon passed by.

—The End—