Almost instinctively, Kabe wrapped his arms around Erza and gently patted her back in a soothing rhythm.
Perhaps the previous conversation had shocked him too badly.
The two simply remained like that in silence, neither speaking.
Only after Kabe's overloaded brain cooled down enough to function again did he finally swallow nervously and carefully ask:
"Erza… you really don't blame me?"
"After all… Irene is technically your… your ancestor."
"Mmm~ nope."
Erza made an adorable nasal sound as she firmly shook her head and looked directly into his eyes with complete seriousness.
"Selene already talked to me about that issue."
"And I don't think there's any reason to obsess over meaningless titles or generations."
"Compared to things like that… Irene's happiness is far more important."
"Though after you two got together, I can't really keep treating her like my mother anymore."
"If she doesn't mind… then from now on, we can just interact like normal sisters."
"Waaah~ Erza, you're seriously an angel with the kindest heart ever~~"
Kabe was genuinely moved to tears.
He immediately hugged Erza tighter and shamelessly rubbed against her affectionately, even boldly trying to verbally guide her into certain dangerous territory.
Unfortunately for him, Erza was not stupid.
She instantly saw through all his little tricks and firmly rejected every single attempt with absolute determination.
Still, none of that mattered.
As long as Erza accepted his relationship with Irene, everything else was only a matter of time.
Sooner or later, he'd make Erza willingly say those words herself.
Just imagining his future blissful life made Kabe grin stupidly to himself.
"You've waited long enough. I brought breakfast."
As always, the voice arrived before the person.
Stepping out of a spatial portal, Selene saw the lovey-dovey pair cuddling on the sofa.
She froze briefly before revealing a deeply satisfied smile.
"Oh? You're awake too. Then come drink with me for a bit."
"Drink? Absolutely. Selene, I freaking love you so much right now."
Kabe agreed instantly without hesitation.
This woman was the greatest contributor toward fulfilling every dream a man could have.
Forget drinking with her.
Even if Selene wanted something else right now, Kabe felt like he'd willingly squeeze out his very last drop of energy to accompany her.
Erza also looked toward Selene with heartfelt gratitude.
"Big Sister Selene, I'll drink with you too."
"Really? That's great. Last night Cana and Levy both ran off, so drinking alone was honestly pretty boring."
Clearly in excellent spirits, Selene enthusiastically poured drinks for the two of them herself.
Kabe raised his cup first.
Even the normally plain-tasting sake somehow felt sweeter and smoother than ever thanks to his current mood.
"But honestly, having Kabe and Irene's sounds as background music while drinking was quite enjoyable."
"PUAHHH!!"
Erza instantly sprayed her mouthful of alcohol across the table after hearing such outrageous words.
Her beautiful face immediately turned scarlet.
Kabe's hand also jerked violently, spilling alcohol from the bottle and making Selene clutch her chest in pain.
"Hey! Hey! Do you know how hard it was bringing this good alcohol over from the Northern Continent?! Once it's gone, getting more is a pain!"
"Then maybe don't say things that aren't appropriate for children!"
"Even I would feel embarrassed having people hear those sounds!"
"What's the big deal? If we can do it with you, why can't we listen too?"
"That's your weird hobby! Don't casually announce it in front of everyone!"
"Tch, what an attitude toward your benefactor."
"Careful now. Next time I won't just listen. I'll secretly hide inside another dimension and watch too."
"You dare?! If I catch you doing that, I'm dragging you out and making you join in!"
The increasingly loud argument clearly disturbed the sleep of the manor's other residents.
Upstairs, two doors opened one after another.
Still half asleep, Levy and Cana yawned while sluggishly making their way downstairs.
"Haaah~ can't you guys keep it down this early in the morning? I stayed up super late last ni…"
Cana's complaints abruptly stopped halfway.
Her eyes widened after spotting Erza sitting in the living room.
Levy, who had been following behind her, also jolted awake instantly as all traces of sleep vanished from her face.
"E-Erza?!"
"Morning, Cana, Levy."
Erza smiled warmly and greeted the two girls naturally.
"I took the train back yesterday afternoon. Arrived a little over an hour ago."
Then she enthusiastically invited them over.
"You two came at the perfect time. Selene brought breakfast for me, so come eat with us."
"Uh… well…"
But faced with Erza's warm invitation, both girls became visibly hesitant.
Neither of them had the slightest clue what exactly was happening anymore.