What exactly is 'intimacy'?
It refers to the nocturnal activities shared between lovers or a married couple in a deep relationship.
It refers to the physical union between a man and a woman.
It refers to the sequence typically involving foreplay, penetration, caresses, rhythmic movement, ejaculation, and afterglow.
To put it simply, it means sex.
So... why on earth is that word coming out of my wife's mouth right now?
Let's take a second to process this.
My wife just told my mother that our bedroom life is far too exhausting.
But have we even done anything lately? No.
Since Kiana's sudden arrival, my wife and I haven't had a single private moment at night.
Even before that, with our daughter Bronie in the house, we didn't exactly have the luxury of doing it often.
And even when we did, I don't recall being particularly demanding or making it difficult for her.
In fact, she was usually the one who initiated. Or more accurately, she would stare at me with those burning, heated eyes and proceed to practically devour me.
My point is, I am not some monster who torments his wife in bed until she's forced to complain!
So why is she saying these things?
"Dear, what did you just say...?" my mother stammered.
"The Bronya mentioned that her husband is quite exhausting during their nocturnal activities," Bronya replied calmly.
"...Kevin is... that much of a handful?"
"Yes, Mother. And also..."
Bronya leaned in closer, whispering something into my mother's ear with practiced discretion. She cast a fleeting glance in my direction—and for some reason, it felt like she was checking my reaction.
The more Mother listened to Bronya's whispers, the more she gasped. "Oh... Oh my... Heavens above!" She was letting out one exclamation after another.
Then, Mother turned to look at me as if she were seeing a stranger. Under that intense, evaluating gaze, I felt my face start to burn.
No, seriously—what are you telling her? Is it just my imagination, or is my dignity being shredded right now?
"Ahem, I see... Bronya, I think I understand what you're trying to say."
"Then, will you grant your permission?"
"Yes, I'll allow—wait, no!"
Tch, so close. I tried to bait her into a natural acceptance, but I missed the mark by a hair.
How unfortunate. If she'd said just one more word, it would have been a binding promise with no take-backs.
Sighing inwardly, I discreetly clicked off the voice recorder I'd started when Bronya began her whispering campaign. I'd turned it on just in case, but it seemed my luck had run out.
"...No. Even if that's the case, I don't think I can accept this," Mother said, letting out a long sigh of opposition. I felt a pang of confusion. Something was off.
What was it? Why did I feel like I was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle?
"Mother, The Bronya is truly alright with this," Bronya insisted. "Seele is not a bad girl, so you needn't worry so much."
"Friendship and love are two very different things, dear. Even if you're fine with it now, who knows how things might change later?"
"I've known Seele for over ten years. There is no need for such concerns."
"People can be betrayed in an instant by those they've known for twenty years. That's just how the world is."
"Mother..."
"No matter what you say, I will not grant my permission."
Mother shook her head firmly. Bronya opened her mouth to retort but quickly shut it. She probably realized that pushing any further would turn this into an emotional argument, making Mother dig her heels in even more.
"...I suppose there's no choice then."
"Dear?"
"I'm sorry, Bronya."
"?! Wait, just a moment—"
"Mother, there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it now?"
Bronya realized what I was about to do the moment I addressed her by name, but I spoke before she could stop me. Mother turned her focus toward me. I took a slow, deep breath, looked her straight in the eye, and dropped the bomb.
"Actually, I have a child from another woman."
"...What? Another... what did you say?"
"I have a child out of wedlock."
Mother immediately clutched the back of her neck. As she began to faint and fall backward, Bronya rushed forward with Valkyrie-like reflexes to catch her.
"Wh-what kind of insane nonsense is this?! Bronya, did you know about this?"
"...Yes. The Bronya was present when the news was delivered, so she is aware."
"...Unbelievable."
Mother let out a hollow, shocked laugh. Then, realizing something odd, she squinted at Bronya. "Wait... you were present when it was delivered?"
"Yes. We heard it directly from the person involved."
"What kind of..."
Mother's face was a map of sheer absurdity. I could relate; Bronya and I had shared that exact expression when it happened. To say we were blindsided would be the understatement of the century.
"You! You... you disgrace! You failure of a son! Is this how I raised you?! Oh, heavens... my heart!"
"Ow, ow! That hurts!"
Smack! Smack! Mother began thwacking my back with incredible vigor. I groaned in pain, but that only invited even harder slaps.
"Hurts? You think this hurts?! Is that all you have to say? I told you not to be ruled by your lower half, and yet you go and cause this kind of trouble?! And how old is this child?"
"She's the same age as Bronie."
"The same age as Bronie?! Then you messed around before you were even married, you brat!"
SMACK!
Ah, the sound of her palm hitting my skin was so crisp... No, wait, this is my body we're talking about!
"...That's why, Mother, you have to allow the multi-marriage."
"Allow? Not a chance! Over my dead body!"
"Then what about the child? Are you really going to separate her from her mother? Even though Schicksal law permits polygamous marriage for its members?"
"That..."
I know my mother well. Since Schicksal allows such marital arrangements, she wouldn't be able to maintain such a hardline stance for long.
If I weren't still connected to Schicksal and the marriage wasn't legally possible, she would have probably marched straight to Bianca to settle things herself. But I knew that wouldn't end well. Regardless of the outcome, the child would be the one scarred by the conflict.
"Haa... seriously... was this your plan all along?"
"Whatever do you mean?" I replied, flashing a bright, innocent smile that completely hid the sting from the beating I just took. Mother clutched her forehead. Based on her reaction, Bianca's inclusion in the family was as good as granted. Funnily enough, Bianca ended up getting permission first.
"...Does that apply to Miss Seele as well?"
"...No, Seele is a different matter. I'm here to ask permission because I want her to be part of the family, not because of a pre-existing child."
"...In that case, I cannot permit the marriage with Miss Seele."
"...And why is that?"
That wasn't my voice. Nor was it Bronya's.
I turned toward the sound and saw Seele holding Bronie's hand. She was approaching us with an intensely sorrowful look in her eyes. Why was Seele here? More importantly, I noticed Mother's eyes trembling as she looked at Seele. Why was she reacting like that? Now that I thought about it, Mother's reaction when they first met was a bit strange too.
"Why is Bianca-san allowed, but I am not?" Seele asked.
"...Miss Seele. You are still young, and you have a bright future ahead of you. You don't need to marry a man who's already taken. There are plenty of men in this world far better than this one."
Mother spoke with a tone of gentle persuasion, but Seele shook her head.
"There were none. No one better than the Captain. At least, not among the people I've met."
"Even so, a married man is a mistake. Entering a multi-marriage means your love and attention will always be divided. Can you truly accept that as a woman?"
"I prepared myself for that the moment I realized I loved the Captain. Bronya-oneesama and the others feel the same way."
"The others?"
Mother's face contorted in disbelief. She looked at me, then at Bronya, who simply gave a solemn nod. Mother let out yet another exhausted sigh.
"Still, no. I can't allow two more wives."
"...Is it just me who's not allowed? Am I not good enough for you, Mother?"
As Seele looked ready to burst into tears, Mother looked away and spoke quietly.
"No, it would be the same for any other woman. My answer would not change regardless of who stood before me."
"Is it... because I don't have a child like Bianca-san?"
"...Yes. I have no choice but to accept Bianca-san because of the mess this boy made. But you are different. Since your relationship isn't that deep yet, it would be better for you to break things off now—"
"No, it's not different at all!" Seele cried out.
With tears welling in her eyes and a look of absolute determination, Seele gently placed her hand on her stomach and shouted.
"Because the Captain's child is already growing inside of me!"
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