Subaru POV
"Hey, Manservant! Where the hell are you?" The voice echoed through the metia, and it belonged to none other than Priscilla Barielle, the girl who held my heart. She was clearly not happy, and rightfully so. I had been away for a whole day without informing her.
Even though it was my day off, I should have known better. Priscilla always saw my days off as an opportunity for us to spend time together, indulging in whatever she pleased.
Feeling a mix of guilt and anxiety, I decided to walk away from my wife and child, heading downstairs and eventually into the backyard, hoping they wouldn't hear my conversation with Priscilla.
"Oh, hi Priscilla-tan! How's your evening going? Did you have a wonderful day?" I spoke nervously, hoping that everything would go according to plan.
"How can my day be wonderful, my manservant?! While I was having a bad day, you were out frolicking?! Where have you been? Where are you?!" Priscilla's voice seethed with anger. Oh, man, I hoped Al and Schultz were spared from her wrath during this phone call. Although I highly doubted it.
"I was busy negotiating with some merchants, Priscilla-tan. I have good deals that will benefit us in the long run, just as I told you before," I explained, hoping she would buy it.
"Merchants?!" Priscilla exploded. "You met with that wretched commoner, Anastasia?" Her anger escalated, and if she was angry before, she was now furious.
"Huh? What? Anastasia? No, of course not. I met with, um... " I stumbled, trying to come up with an alibi. I couldn't just say I met with Russell Fellow. With Priscilla-tan's connections, she could easily confirm if I was lying by asking around. I had to drop the name of somebody insignificant, someone who was a nobody. Then it hit me.
"Um... I met with the head of the... Hawkers Vendor president, Otto Suwen! Yes," I said, trying to sound confident. I felt sorry for Otto, using his name as a merchant and reducing him to a mere hawker. But desperate times called for desperate measures.
"Huh?! Who's that? Don't know, don't care," Priscilla dismissed with boredom. It seemed like my alibi had worked. However, she quickly added, her voice filled with suspicion, "However! Al said you two were together until this afternoon, and he didn't mention anything about talking with a merchant. Are you suggesting that after the two of you were clowning around the entire day, you suddenly went into business to further my goals and impress mineself?" Her tone became inquisitive.
"Yep! That's correct, Priscilla-tan! Why, what did Al tell you?" I replied, my voice a mix of nerves and confidence.
"Why should Al tell me anything, Subaru?" she asked, her voice turning cold. Oh, man, now she was calling me by my name, and that wasn't a good sign. I was toast.
"Nothing, Priscilla-tan. I'm just asking, hehehe," I replied, trying to diffuse the situation.
"Grrrrr," she growled through the phone. Well, at least she didn't explode further.
"My Subaru?" I then heard a voice in the distance behind me emanating from the house. Oh, man! Holy Od! It was my wife, Emilia-tan! Did She overheard me talking to Priscilla? and Priscilla couldn't know about her, or I would be toast! I couldn't just go inside the house, as I would be caught. I couldn't let Emilia see me like this.
So, I did what any logical person would do in that situation.
I hid.
And hide, I did. Thankfully, Emilia still didn't see me as she looked left and right, clearly searching for me. I was hidden among the many bushes in the garden. If it weren't for that, I would surely have been caught.
After a minute or so, my dear wife seemed to give up and went back inside, presumably talking to Meili. With the coast clear, I decided to resume my conversation with Priscilla through the metia.
"SUBARU! SUBARU!" Priscilla's voice boomed through the device, clearly annoyed that I ignored her for a minute.
"I'm here, Priscilla-tan. I just had to take care of something important," I replied, hoping she would buy it.
"I heard a voice a while ago! Who is that?!" she asked again. Oh, my, did she hear Emilia's voice?
"Oh yeah, I'm at the market buying snacks. Why? Is there something wrong?" I said, attempting to divert her attention.
"Where are your whereabouts, manservant?! I'll be there at once!" she snapped, her frustration evident. At least she didn't hear Emilia's voice clearly, or else I'm clearly toast.
"Wait! No! I'm on my way back to the manor. You don't have to come! I'm just buying some appas, that's all," I frantically replied, trying to dissuade her from going to the market and finding out my lie.
"Subaru..." she began, her voice now filled with frustration.
"Look, Priscilla. I'll be there in 30 minutes, I swear," I said with newfound confidence.
"Hmmp! Ten minutes, or I'm hunting you, and that's final," she declared.
"Huh? Wait, that's..." I tried to protest, but she had already ended the call. Damn, ten minutes? I had to act fast!
As I left my hiding spot in the bushes, I started running towards the back door of the house. Inside, I found Emilia and Meili engaged in a conversation.
"Oh, my Subaru! You're here! I was looking for you earlier," Emilia said with a smile as she approached me.
"Oh, you were?" I replied, scratching my head.
"Yeah! Me and Meili were talking about putting a garden in the backyard. If that's okay with you... my Subaru," she said cutely.
"Yeah, Dad! That should be great!" Meili chimed in, smiling and jumping up and down on the couch.
"Oh, yeah, that's a good idea, my Emilia-tan. A wonderful idea," I started.
"Look, we'll talk about that tomorrow, alright? But for now, here."
I reached into my pocket and took out three holy gold coins, my last remaining money. I handed them to my wife.
"Use this money while I'm gone, alright? I'll be away for a couple of days," I explained, foreseeing that Priscilla wouldn't want me out of her sight in this scenario, which would likely take at least a couple of days.
"I already contacted a merchant to deliver foodstuffs and preserves here tomorrow, and I've already paid him in full. That should keep both of you set for a week or two," I added, trying to reassure Emilia.
Suddenly, Emilia's face changed. Huh? Was she sad?
"Hmm... where are you going, my Subaru?" she asked, her face now appearing somewhat sad. It tugged at my heart.
"Huh? I'm going home; why?" I blurted out without thinking, instantly regretting my words as her expression became even sadder.
"Isn't this your home?" she replied, her voice now filled with melancholy.
"Aren't a husband and wife supposed to live together?" she added. All I wanted to do was hug her tightly, to cuddle her, and tell her that everything would be alright, but I couldn't. If I did, I would be in deep trouble.
"Look, my wife, I'm a merchant. I have lots of commitments. But soon, I promise, we'll live together, alright?" I said, caressing her head and pulling her close to me in a comforting hug.
"I just don't want you to go..." she said, her voice filled with sadness.
"I know, my wife... Just trust me, alright?" I reassured her, trying to calm her worries.
"When will you be coming back?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.
"I don't know, maybe three to five days?" I replied, doing my best to reassure her.
"Pinky Promise?" she said, looking at me with hopeful eyes.
"Pinky promise," I replied with a smile.
At that moment, she gave me a beautiful smile. A smile radiating with beauty and grace, causing my heart to beat faster. Once again, I fell in love with her... my wife, my love, my life.
Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed her lips, and to my surprise, she didn't resist. They say your first kiss with your significant other is sweet and captivating, but I never knew it could be this sweet and captivating. It was on another level of its own.
I didn't think what I did was wrong. After all, she could have stopped me if she didn't like it, right? And now that she's my wife, kissing is part of our relationship, among other things.
So, I continued to deepen the kiss, feeling my tongue intertwine with hers, and we shared a moment of pure bliss. I wanted to keep going, to lose myself in the passion, but I had to stop. I needed to go back to Priscilla. Reluctantly, I pulled away from the kiss.
Untangling myself from Emilia, I took a step back and looked at her flushed face, her smile still present, mirrored on my own face.
"I love you very much, my wife," I said to her, filled with happiness.
"Umm, love you more, my... husband," she replied, finally using that endearing term.
"You take care of your mom, alright? Don't be naughty," I told our new daughter, Meili.
"Yes, Dad! I'll be good, hehehehe! Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow," she replied cutely, squirming as I playfully pinched her cheek.
After bidding my family goodbye, I hurriedly walked out the door and made my way to the Barrielle Manor. As I walked along the road, I began to contemplate my disposition and alibi, thinking about how to navigate the complicated situation awaiting me.
"Oh, crap! I need to change clothes before meeting Priscilla. If I go to her with the scent of my Emilia-tan's perfume on me, I'm surely toast!" I muttered to myself as I quickly found an alleyway to change out of my noble Lagunican attire and into my usual tracksuit.
As I hurriedly changed into my tracksuit, my mind began to contemplate. Was that really a perfume on my wife, or was it just her natural scent? The thought crossed my mind as I reflected on our intimate moment. The truth is, I had never paid much attention to scents before, but now it seemed like an important detail.
Emilia always had a unique fragrance about her, a mix of floral and sweet notes that seemed to linger in the air whenever she was near. It was a scent that I had grown fond of, a scent that comforted me and made me feel at home.
"Oh man, I already miss her!" I spoke to myself with a hint of longing as I finished dressing in my tracksuit.
Arriving at the grand entrance of Barielle Manor, I took a moment to compose myself, preparing for the task that lay ahead. The opulent estate never failed to leave me in awe, but my focus remained steadfast on meeting Priscilla and addressing her concerns with utmost care.
As I stepped inside the manor, my intention was to make my way to her office as she usually expected. However, an unexpected voice called out to me as I passed by the expansive living room.
"Manservant," the voice beckoned, drawing my attention.
"Priscilla-tan!" I exclaimed nervously upon spotting her.
To my surprise, Priscilla stood there in the grand living room, exuding regal elegance that commanded attention. Her sharp gaze locked onto me, and I could feel the weight of her scrutiny.
"Subaru," she addressed me coolly, with a tinge of annoyance in her tone.
"Finally, you've arrived. I've been waiting, my manservant," she added.
Alright, Subaru, time to shine, I thought to myself. This should be easy. Just some role-playing 101. I've got this.
"Priscilla-tan, you know I had work to attend to, remember? My negotiation with Otto-suwen went well! He will be joining our cause soon," I replied confidently. And that wasn't a lie, actually. I had managed to convince the aspiring merchant to join us during our encounter in the merchant district last week. I simply hadn't found the need to inform Priscilla or Al about it earlier, as I believed the news to be insignificant. But now, it served as a convenient alibi to conceal my recent unexpected actions—getting married out of nowhere.
"Hmm, is that so, after frolicking like a clown with Al?" Priscilla commented, retrieving a fan from her cleavage and elegantly covering her face, clearly unimpressed.
"Yeah, after he left..." I responded.
"Amusing..." she muttered, her tone remaining unchanged.
"Why don't you believe me? Don't you trust me, Priscilla-tan?" I said, closing the distance between us. "When have I ever lied to you?" I added, trying to appeal to her trust in me.
"Hmm, I don't know, commoner," she replied, still unpersuaded by my words. So, that's how it is, huh?
"You know, baby!? This has to stop! We can't have love if we don't have trust," I exclaimed in frustration, my words slipping out without a second thought.
"Did you just call me... baby?... and love?" Priscilla questioned, removing her fan and giving me a perplexed look that seemed to ask, 'Are you for real?'
"Oh, shoot! I shouldn't have said that... right?" I stammered, feeling utterly embarrassed. At that moment, I wished for the ground to swallow me whole, disappearing from this humiliating situation. I could also see Al and Schultz in the corner, exchanging amusing glances. Oh, damn, I'm in deep trouble.
"You truly are an amusing man, my manservant!" Priscilla burst into laughter, stepping closer to me.
"I'm such a fool, aren't I?" I sighed, slumping in defeat, overwhelmed by my own idiocy. I had just referred to my mistress as 'baby' and spoken as if we were a couple. Oh, how I hate myself at that moment.
"True, but you are my fool," Priscilla said, a smile as radiant as the sun gracing her lips.
"Huh?" I managed to utter, completely taken aback by her words and their implications. But before I could say anything more, Priscilla closed the remaining distance between us and...
We kissed, our lips meeting in an unexpected moment of connection.
As our lips met, time seemed to stand still, and the world around us faded into obscurity. In that instant, it was as if we had known each other for countless lifetimes, our souls entwined in a dance of timeless connection. The kiss carried a depth that transcended time.
Eventually, we reluctantly broke the kiss, our breaths mingling in the air as a profound serenity settled upon us. The world around us slowly regained its form.
"I've longed for this moment since the day our paths first crossed, Priscilla-tan," I exclaimed joyfully, my voice brimming with happiness.
"I love you, Prisca! You are my world."
A smile graced Priscilla's lips as she returned my gaze, her eyes filled with understanding.
"I know, Subaru," she replied, her voice carrying a warmth that matched the radiance of her smile.
Although I was already married, everything at that moment felt undeniably right. It was as if the universe had conspired to bring us together, aligning our destinies under the watchful gaze of the stars.
Wherever you are, Pop Kenichi, your child has grown into a G.
"Well, well! It seems you've stolen my first kiss, my manservant. You must take responsibility," Priscilla teased, her lips grazing her fingers in a seductive manner.
"Huh?" I replied, bewildered by her remark.
"Congratulations, bro!" Al chimed in, stepping forward with a box in his hands. It bore the same design as the one the courier had delivered to me earlier today. What on earth...
My heart raced as I reached out and took the box from Al's hand, cautiously opening it. Inside were two rings, identical to the ones I had received before. Two rings: one engraved with "Natsuki Subaru" and the other...
"Natsuki Prisca."
"Go get her, bro!" Al exclaimed, giving me an encouraging thumbs-up.
What in the world? Is this all part of Aldebaran's plan? Am I dreaming? Could this be real? I'm already married, and my love for Emilia is unwavering. The thought of betraying and hurting her is unimaginable to me.
But my Prisca... I can't bear to see her hurt and betrayed, either. I knew what I had to do, what was right.
Taking the rings in my hand, I carefully selected the one with Priscilla's name and got down on one knee.
"Prisca Benedict, from the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were the one—the one I would love for eternity. I swear on my parents' memory that if you accept, I will be your unwavering support, and your days will forever be filled with joy. This, I swear,"
I declared with confidence, summoning every ounce of romantic energy I possessed. "Prisca Benedict, will you marry me?"
As the words left my lips, I slid the ring onto her finger, a perfect fit. Damn you, Al! You truly planned this.
"I do, my Manservant!" she replied, her smile radiating with sweetness.
Happiness surged through my heart upon hearing her response, and I stood up, kissing my mistress... No! My fiancée.
However, that fiancée label wouldn't last long, as Priscilla took hold of my hands and led me through the halls of Barielle Manor.
There, a gathering of Prisca's followers, vassals, and supporters awaited us, with a priest standing at the end—a clear indication of a solemnizing officer. It seemed I was about to get married again. Twice in one day, in fact!
"You can't wait to become Mrs. Natsuki Pris-tan?" I playfully remarked.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, hmmm!" she responded, her smile still shining bright.
And just like that, I, Natsuki Subaru—a man who was not only lost but also broken beyond compare—found himself getting married out of nowhere, in another world from Zero! TWICE!
"May you now kiss the bride," declared the priest, prompting the newlyweds to lock lips.
The sound of thunderous applause and cheers filled the air, resonating through the bustling crowd.
Amidst the sea of well-wishers, three individuals stood out. A man, sporting a green and black tracksuit with brown hair, was accompanied by two women. Both wore uniforms adorned with the Satou Jewelry symbol. One was a tall, blonde woman with an impressive figure, while the other was a petite and slim girl. They joined in the celebratory clapping, their eyes fixed on the loving couple.
The man in the tracksuit couldn't contain his delight, remarking, "Looks like we've altered the timeline successfully; now he truly is a harem-having bastard! Hahahaha!"
The blonde woman couldn't hide her disgust, retorting, "You're truly despicable, husband."
Nonchalantly, he brushed off her comment, saying, "Whatever. Let's go find the useless goddess before she devours all the food and drinks all the alcohol again."
(TO BE CONTINUED)