Episode 160

Upon hearing that Zelnya would soon depart, Arnold rushed home.

It wasn’t the wisest decision - there was a woman at home he’d rather avoid. But Arnold had no way of knowing that.

“…….”

“…….”

Their paths crossed in the living room.

The moment he saw her, his mind went blank, leaving him momentarily speechless. She, too, appeared taken aback, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her expression clearly asked, “Why are you here?”

In the uncomfortable silence that followed, Arnold broke the ice.

“Why are you here at this hour?”

“Am I not allowed to be?”

Rejane shot back from her seat at the dining table, where she was peeling an apple.

“Do you object to my presence in my own house?”

“It’s unexpected to see someone who should be at a distant hospital appear suddenly here.”

“Even I need rest sometimes.”

Rejane replied with a slight pout.

“And what about you, returning so early? You left the frontline work to me, only to become a professor who barely does his job? How irresponsible.”

“We’re not the only medical officers at the front. And if we’re discussing responsibility, perhaps we should address your duties as a hostess first.”

“I gave birth to Ceti, didn’t I? I’ve done everything both families demanded. Haven’t I fulfilled my duties?”

Before the conversation could escalate further, Arnold fell silent. Even after decades married to his second wife, she remained an enigma to him. With a click of his tongue, he steered the conversation in a different direction.

“Where’s Brian? Wasn’t he with you?”

“He seemed to manage well on his own.”

“Don’t make your son do such hard work.”

Rejane’s eyebrows furrowed - an expression that typically preceded her raising her voice. Arnold quickly attempted to smooth things over.

“We’ve been married for over a decade now. Though it wasn’t something either of us particularly wanted, we’ve made it work. The children have grown up well, haven’t they?”

“You seem unusually concerned about the children’s upbringing.”

Rejane snorted. She set down her knife and divided the fruit onto a plate. Arnold’s eyes followed her movements.

“There’s none for you.”

She stated flatly, turning to leave the room.

Just then, the door opened again as Aidel and Zelnya entered. Both were munching on artificial meat hot bars they’d purchased from an unmanned convenience store on their way home from school. The sight stirred memories in Arnold of his own school days with Reika.

“We’re home, Father. You’re back early today?”

“Plans changed, so I came home sooner. Zelnya, didn’t you mention you’re leaving next week?”

“Yes. The family head succession ceremony is approaching. We need to return quickly to handle household matters. Time is running short.”

“Very well, do what you must.”

“Head of house, we’re deeply grateful for everything. Thank you.”

“One moment.”

Arnold interjected, handing over a medicine bag.

“This is for your sleepwalking. Try it for a week - if your symptoms improve, I’ll prescribe more.”

“Thank you very much.”

Zelnya bowed again.

“I thought you’d never leave. Yet here you are, departing after all.”

Rejane muttered as she closed the door. Arnold began to speak but, noting Zelnya’s indifferent expression simply apologized instead.

“I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Well, it’s exam period, so I should…”

“Go ahead. Son, could I have a word?”

“What?”

Aidel’s eyes widened as he paused mid-bite of his hot bar, surveying the tense atmosphere. His expression resembled someone who’d just received an astronomical heating bill in winter.

“Why me?”

“There’s something we need to discuss.”

Arnold entered Aidel’s room and locked the door behind them.

“Son, as you just saw…”

Arnold intended to have a heart-to-heart with his son, whose mind wandered everywhere except physics. This moment also made him reflect on his long absence from family matters.

“Marriage isn’t simple. The honeymoon phase is wonderful, but many husbands end up living under their wives’ thumbs. It becomes especially difficult when values or personalities clash.”

“I suppose so.”

Aidel appeared unfazed as if stating something obvious.

“Actually, I’ve been considering arranging a marriage for you.”

“With whom?”

“Zelnya von Adelwein.”

Aidel’s lips parted slightly. Arnold couldn’t discern whether this reaction showed approval, disapproval, or mere surprise.

“Rejane and I were also joined through an arranged marriage.”

“Father, you once warned me against gambling, yet you took quite a gamble yourself.”

“Watch it, you brat. I didn’t have a choice.”

Arnold muttered under his breath. Aidel responded with a soft laugh.

“Why Zelnya?”

“Marrying her would strengthen your position as a potential head of the family.”

“Have you consulted Zelnya about this?”

“I have.”

“…Oh.”

It was an inevitable conversation that needed to happen.

Arnold contemplated the true meaning of marriage anew. When shared with a compatible partner, it brought endless joy; when forced upon mismatched individuals, it became unbearable torture.

Without hesitation, he asked.

“Do you have someone else in mind?”

“I think so… maybe?”

“If you’re against it, don’t proceed. Leading the family isn’t everything.”

Arnold felt satisfied with this advice. After all, whoever became the head would still be a Reinhardt.

He wanted happiness for all his children. If leadership of the family meant sacrificing happiness, then a modest life would suffice. His own experiences had taught him this wisdom.

“But, Father.”

“Yes?”

“I actually think Zelnya is fine as she is.”

Then Aidel asked.

“Are there any planetary systems that allow polygamy?”

Arnold’s thoughts came to a complete halt.

“Well, well. Look at this rascal.”

As a man who firmly believed in loving only one woman at a time, Arnold was taken aback.

As Arnold was explaining to Aidel why one shouldn’t love two women simultaneously, Rejane was gradually moving closer to Rustila.

During her brief observation of Rustila, Rejane noticed two significant things: Rustila was remarkably steady, and she clearly had feelings for Aidel.

These feelings were apparent in the way Rustila chose her conversation topics. When Rejane inquired about Rustila’s aspirations to become a soldier, she responded that she wanted to protect the person she loved. Whenever she mentioned Aidel, she would blush shyly or fan herself with her hand.

“Do you like Aidel?”

“Uh, yes?”

Rustila, who had been nibbling on an apple, choked and pounded her chest, trembling.

Rejane was certain now - this girl was a joker card. Not just any joker, but a color joker.

“I’m not thinking about marriage yet…”

“I never mentioned marriage, did I?”

“Oh…!”

Rejane laughed genuinely for the first time in a while. Everything about Rustila was adorable. It was hard to believe that this prodigy, who had mastered Multi Star Sword Energy at just eighteen, could be so innocent.

“Marriage is something you should decide carefully. I’m talking about dating. Do you know what dating is?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never tried it…”

“Simply put, dating is like marking your territory. It’s saying, ‘This person might become mine, so don’t mess with them, and don’t come on to me!’ It’s a warning to others.”

“Oh, I see. So…”

Rustila appeared lost in thought before murmuring

“…stray cat.”

“That’s right. If you don’t claim it in time, other cats might eye it. At the very least, people should know who you’re dating. Dating is a promise to him.”

“Trust, then.”

“Exactly. Trust.”

Rejane confirmed and added.

“Dating is also about determining if someone is suitable as a lifelong partner. It’s crucial. Marrying without dating first might lead to difficult days together.”

As she spoke these words, Rejane found herself reflecting on both past and present simultaneously. Her life was a testament to this wisdom. Drawing from her extensive experience, Rejane stated matter-of-factly.

“Never agree to an arranged marriage. When choosing someone, always date them first.”

“Understood.”

“Good. So, do you like Aidel?”

“Ugh…!”

Rustila bowed her head deeply, nodding repeatedly. Rejane’s smile widened triumphantly.

“If you want to, confess to him. Choose a meaningful date - perhaps New Year’s? Since you’ll be considered an adult when the year changes, why not prepare some alcohol?”

“A-Alcohol?”

“Yes. Chill the glasses beforehand, and prepare ice and whiskey. Set everything up nicely and invite only Aidel. Any man would understand the atmosphere.”

“Uh, ah…”

“Confess right there. If it goes well, it could lead to marriage.”

As Rejane continued, Rustila’s face turned beetroot red. The sequence of events - alcohol, inviting him to her house, confession, marriage - seemed to overwhelm her. She appeared to sense something missing between confession and marriage.

“Oh, got it. I’ll try!”

Rustila hastily finished her apple and rushed out. After she left, Rejane called for Ceti.

“Ceti, my daughter.”

“What?”

Ceti responded indifferently. Rejane knew her daughter neither disliked nor liked her.

“You mentioned being close with Miss Rustila.”

“So what?”

“Would she make good family?”

“Why suddenly…?”

“You never know. You might end up calling her sister-in-law.”

Ceti’s mouth opened slightly. Whether this indicated approval, disapproval, or something else wasn’t clear, but Rejane interpreted it as positive.

“What do you think?”

“It’s good. Very good.”

Ceti replied casually, then opened her 4D tablet, displaying two windows simultaneously - a stock chart and a wedding venue reservation site.

As she browsed through the wedding venues, Ceti’s expression betrayed a hint of fatigue.

“Entrance of the bride and groom!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Wow!

Amidst exploding fireworks and jubilant cheers, a couple in elegant wedding attire gracefully walked down the red carpet.

The bride, clutching her bouquet, radiated pure joy as if she possessed everything in the world. The groom, matching his steps with his partner, couldn’t hide his blushing face.

It was a beautiful, harmonious scene - almost overwhelmingly sweet.

Rejane stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.

“Do you, groom Richard Feynman and bride Kallis Stranov, swear to an unchanging love?”

“Yes, I swear!”

“Speak up, darling!”

“I swear!!!”

How did I end up at this wedding? Rejane wondered.

“Professors, kiss each other! Kiss! Kiss!”

“Kyaa!!!”

“The future of the federation’s physics is brighttttttt!!”

Aidel delivered the congratulatory speech.

Yes, now that Rejane thought about it, it was that kid who had distributed the invitations, leading to this moment.