We were done fighting. I only really came to appreciate that a day later; I was still as antsy as ever. The battle with Geese was over, which was to say, the contract I’d made with myself was over, too.
Look. You know what that meant.
The battle had gone on for so long that this way of life had started to feel natural to me, but early that morning, my little guy had started reasserting himself. Talk about an insistent reminder.
My name was Rudeus Greyrat, son of Paul Greyrat, which meant treachery from below my belt was part of my DNA. I’d put Rudeus Jr. through a long period of hardship and endurance. That was what had enabled me to do my best. As the first Rudeus, it was my duty to see he was repaid. He’d fulfilled his side of the contract.
Before the sun had risen, I got out of bed, went downstairs, and headed for the front door. There, I found Leo and Eris.
“Rudeus! You’re up early today.”
“Morning, Eris. Where is everyone?”
“All safe.”
“Not that. I mean what are they doing?”
Eris thought for a moment. “Lilia and Sylphie are making breakfast, and Roxy and the children and your mother are still asleep. I just finished training, so I was about to go for a run.”
“Right,” I said softly, taking Eris’s hand. She squeezed my fingers. Maybe it was because she’d just been training, but her hand was warm. I noticed her face was also a little flushed.
“Wh-what?” she said.
“Eris, let’s take today off.”
“R-right! Okay!” The way she said “okay” sounded like she’d guessed exactly what I had in mind. Maybe it showed on my face.
She was right on the money.
“Sorry, Leo, but no walk for now.”
“Ruff.” Leo looked a bit disappointed, but he gave my hand a little lick, then went back into the house.
I followed him inside, still holding Eris’s hand, and headed for the kitchen. Lilia and Sylphie stood beside each other cooking.
“Sylphie,” I said.
“Oh, good morning, Rudy. You’re up early.”
“Good morning, Master.” Both women smiled at me like they always did. I turned to Sylphie then, with a smile so natural I surprised myself, said, “Sylphie, let’s take today off.”
“What? I don’t mind, but when you say ‘day off’…” She looked at me quizzically. But Lilia seemed to catch on right away.
“Very well. I’ll finish up breakfast, Miss Sylphie.”
“Oh…” Sylphie said, her face going red. “That’s what you mean.” She smiled shyly, then took the hand Eris wasn’t holding. Maybe it was because she’d wet her hands while cooking, but her fingers were a little cold.
“When you said it, Rudy, the look on your face was so normal that I didn’t realize. Did you see it straight away, Eris?”
“I just sort of knew!”
As the other two chatted, I turned to Lilia. “Lilia, please watch the children until lunchtime. Oh, and let’s all go out to eat tonight.”
“Very well, Master.” She smiled like she’d seen right through my plans, though she also seemed a little embarrassed.
Well, it was a bit late for that.
Holding hands with Sylphie and Eris, we headed for the children’s bedroom. I quietly opened the door and peeked inside. The four kids were sound asleep. Lucie, Lara, Arus, and Sieg. Leo was curled up in a corner of the room, watching over them.
In the battle, I’d worried so much about my family. Despite my fears, all was peaceful here. Unless some battle had taken place at the house, unbeknownst to me, and Leo had protected them…
Anyway, after checking that the children were all well, I softly shut the door again. Then, we went upstairs to Roxy’s room. In the interests of good manners, I knocked.
There was a pause for a few seconds, then, “Yes?”
I opened the door and saw Roxy, her eyes bleary with sleep. Her hair was rumpled and there were drool marks around her mouth. Her nightgown hung open at the front, so that I could almost see inside. Very sexy.
“Oh…Rudy. Good morning. It’s so early, did something…?”
“Good morning, Roxy. I thought we’d take a day off. What do you think?”
Roxy stared blankly at me, then she seemed to work out what “day off” meant. Toying with her sleep-tousled bangs, her cheeks turning pink, she said, “Well, I don’t mind, but…” I followed her gaze to one of the two women holding my hands. “Did Eris agree to this?”
I looked at Eris. Her face was red, and she looked a bit shell-shocked.
“I was just about to ask her.” Turning to face Eris properly, I said, “Eris, I’d like to go back to my bedroom with the four of us. Is that okay with you?”
Eris seemed to understand what I meant. Her face went even redder, and she pursed her lips. She probably would have struck her favorite pose if she’d had both hands free.
“Well, I suppose, if you really want to…”
Sorry, Eris. I just wanted to treat myself a little today. And bid farewell to Rudeus the Celibate.
“Thank you,” I said. I didn’t just say it because Eris had given her permission. I was thanking all three of them for everything they’d done to support me up to this moment. I was so thankful I hadn’t lost any of them.
Geese and Badigadi had both said it was over now. That the Man-God wouldn’t bother me anymore. I didn’t believe a word of it: the Man-God would be my enemy for as long as I lived. But today, I’d relax and do absolutely nothing. Not a thing. Rest. Get my strength back for tomorrow, and spend a day in peace. To remind myself that I could still laugh, and—
Nah, I’m messing with you. I was gonna get laid. From today on, I was Rudeus the Free. Felt good.
With that, we headed for the bedroom.