After Zeus's declaration, the wedding once again returned to calm.
Of course, it could not be called complete calm.
Several gods still kept glancing my way and muttering under their breath, and the three goddesses still did not look entirely convinced. Still, at the very least, no greater trouble arose there.
"Haah..."
I let out a small breath.
Beside me, Thetis gave me a sidelong look.
"You worked hard."
"So did you."
At her words, I answered with a small smile of my own.
And after that day's wedding came to an end, everyone who had attended Thetis's and my ceremony returned home.
After that, Thetis and I came back to the castle.
"Well... I'm not pleased with the result from earlier, but it's the first day, so I'll let it pass."
"I'll withdraw for today."
"...Tomorrow. I'll take more."
"...."
"Ah..."
By the agreement and mercy(?) of the four women, the two of us were made to share a room alone.
And so we were left alone in the room, and in that awkward silence, it was Thetis who spoke first.
"...It's actually been a long time since it was this quiet."
"So it seems."
At her words, I replied and slowly exhaled.
It felt almost as though the uproar from earlier had been a lie.
"Are you all right?"
"With what?"
"What happened today."
At her question, I thought for a moment.
And then,
"Honestly, I'm tired and worn out."
"...You're very honest."
"There's no need to hide it."
After that, there was a brief silence between us, but then Thetis opened her mouth again and called my name.
"...Astellon."
"Yes."
"Earlier... you were trying to choose me, weren't you?"
"Ah... you saw that?"
"Yes. And I saw why you stopped, too."
"That was... to survive. If I'd kept going like that, I really thought I'd die tonight."
"...Pfft."
At my words, Thetis let the smile vanish from her face and laughed, and with her beautiful features made even more striking by that smile, it was not good for my heart.
"You really are honest."
"I'm not joking."
"I know. Well... even so, I was happy. The way you tried to choose me... that was enough for me."
As she said that, Thetis looked at me and smiled faintly.
And I took her hand in mine.
"...I'll do my best so I can keep giving that to you in the future."
"I'll look forward to it."
As she said that, Thetis slowly closed her eyes.
"Astellon."
"Yes."
"Today... please be mine alone as my husband."
"I already am."
With those words, I slowly drew her into my arms.
That night was neither fierce nor noisy.
It was simply a time to confirm, a little more deeply, the feelings we held for one another.
The next day came, and I worked with my retainers as usual.
"Your Majesty."
"Come in."
At my permission, a retainer opened the door and entered, then looked at me for a moment and made a very subtle expression.
"What is it?"
"N-no, it's nothing. It's just... your atmosphere is a little different than usual, so..."
"Finish your sentence."
"N-no, it's nothing. Th-the situation on the eastern frontier has stabilized."
"I see."
"And..."
Even while listening to the retainer's report, yesterday night suddenly flashed through my mind.
"Ahem..!"
"Your Majesty?"
"Ah, continue."
"Yes."
Forcing him out of my thoughts, I kept working.
And while I worked, I also spent time with my wives.
Unless it was an emergency, meetings usually ended around two or three in the afternoon, so I spent the remaining time with them.
I had only recently married Atalanta, Medea, and Hecate, Hippolyta was still preparing for the wedding, and Thetis, whom I had married most recently, was in her honeymoon period... Even if I had two bodies, it still might not have been enough.
And then, some time later, one day—
"I-is that really true?!"
"Hehe... I'm telling you it is."
I looked at Hecate, who was in her room stroking her own belly.
"Congratulations. You have become a father to one child."
And as she spoke to me, I was overcome with immense joy.
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