Chapter 129 – Bedridden Gain

“May I borrow this space for a moment?”

Suddenly, Heart stood up and led Marie by the hand right up to the desk.

Marie glanced around at us in bewilderment, then turned to face Heart, her long hair swaying smoothly.

I had absolutely no clue what was about to happen and just watched the scene unfold with my mouth hanging open in a daze.

Heart dropped to one knee and pressed his lips to Marie’s slender, pale hand.

“Marie. Will you marry me?”

“””Huh?”””

Fernet and I shot to our feet, our voices joining Marie’s in unison.

“Please take your time thinking it over before you answer.”

Heart stared straight into Marie’s eyes and rose, still holding her hand.

“Hahi.”

Marie let out a bizarre squeak of a voice that had everyone in the room bursting into laughter.

My daughter… getting married.

To Heart?

My vision started to dim bit by bit.

“Gain-san!”

I staggered from a sudden dizzy spell, and Fernet grabbed my arm to steady me.

Marie rushed over, looking worried.

The last thing I saw was the Pope giving some instructions to the priests before my consciousness faded away.

“You awake?”

I’d had a nightmare.

When I opened my eyes, I was lying in the large room of the church infirmary.

“Sid-san…”

This was the bed for minor cases. A quick look around showed just a few people dozing in the far back.

Probably holy knights catching a nap.

“Fernet was here until a bit ago, but I sent him home.”

Sid-san gave me an exasperated smile.

“Where’s Marie?”

“Hahaha. The young lady had her hands full too. Told her I’d keep an eye on you and practically shoved her out the door.”

Sid-san picked up the water pitcher, poured a glass, and handed it over.

I propped myself up and downed it in one go.

“Sorry for the hassle. Pathetic of me.”

I wiped my mouth with my sleeve cuff and slumped my shoulders. Sid-san started chuckling.

“Don’t laugh.”

I fiddled weakly with the empty glass and muttered.

“Nah, nah. Just hit me that you’ve turned into a real doting dad. Ahahaha.”

Easy for him to say—it was someone else’s business.

Sure, Sid-san was Marie’s master, but he was Heart’s dad too. His position was worlds apart from mine.

“Never saw a single hint of it coming.”

I grumbled, and Sid-san smirked. “Oh?”

“Heart said he told you ages ago… Well, figures—you wouldn’t have noticed anyway.”

“That guy told me?”

Such a huge deal, and I couldn’t recall a thing.

I’m dense as they come—spell it out clearer next time.

“Heart would never hurt the young lady. Just let them handle it.”

“I get that. I do… but somehow…”

It just felt lonely. I knew it was selfish of me.

I simply hated the idea of Marie belonging to just one person.

I wanted her to stay everyone’s Marie…

“Nothing’s changing. You’re still her father forever.”

My head got it, but my heart felt like it had a gaping hole punched through it.

“Hey! How long you gonna sulk? Brought you some food.”

Fernet barged into my room—no knock, nothing—while I was wallowing in bed.

“Come on, hurry up. Gain-san’s favorite herb soup’s gonna get cold.”

“Leave me be.”

I rolled over, turning my back, but he yanked the blanket right off.

“Get up already! You damn old man!”

He dragged me up by the arm and plopped me in a chair.

As he threw open the window, Fernet glanced back. “Eat already.”

“Who’d you get that nosiness from? Real busybody, aren’t ya.”

“Better than Gain-san.”

I propped my cheek on my hand at the desk, staring at the breakfast sandwich, when Fernet shoved it straight into my mouth.

“Finish that and get ready to head out. We’re going shopping.”

Are you my wife or something!?

Speaking of wives…

Memories of Marie flooded back, and my mood sank even as I chewed the sandwich.

Fernet noticed and barked, “Your back’s all hunched!” before slapping it hard.

Haa. Never figured this punk would be the one chewing me out. Pathetic.

“Hurry it up! Get ready once you’re done eating!”

I dawdled, and he straight-up shoved me into the bath.

Utterly pathetic.

After my bath, a uniform was laid out.

Hm? He said shopping, but church business too?

“Fernett~ Not just shopping? There’s a uniform here~”

I poked my head out the bathroom door and yelled. That’s when I locked eyes with Heart passing by in the hall.

“Shopping’s after the questioning, apparently.”

“O-oh.”

Questioning meant Marie would be there too!

And Heart wasn’t in uniform…

Fufufu. Guess it’s just me, then.

My mood soared in an instant. I hummed a tune as I slipped into the uniform.

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