Now that we're married, it's only right that I write a letter to Zect, don't you think?
I discussed it with Ceres-kun and decided to write a letter.
Despite being the foolish son who was expelled, he's still a Hero, and we're parting ways from now on... We should at least inform him of our current situation.
"Shizuko-san, are you sure about this?"
"It's fine! That kid is just like Zect—always belittling me... Besides, it's about time he becomes a responsible adult! Sure, he lives comfortably now because he's a hero, but if he was normal farmer, he'd be working in the fields from morning to night. Also, it's common for the other three to practice bride skills, learn household chores, and help with the housework... Don't you think?"
"Well, when you put it that way, I guess you're right. Maybe I was too soft on them?"
"Ceres-kun is gentle... But the kids of the same age in the village can handle chores and even learn to read and write for those who want to become merchants."
"Indeed, you're right! Zect and the others are already adults, so I shouldn't worry too much."
"Ceres-kun, this isn't about giving up on them... Zect and the others are at the age when they should become independent... Besides, Ceres-kun is the one who got expelled, so you don't need to worry."
"True, you have a point."
And so, we sent a letter to Zect.
Hero Party SIDE
We shouldn't have expelled Ceres...
In this party, Ceres truly was an indispensable member...
"Why is there no money?"
"Don't ask me that question, Zect." said Mel.
"No way, did Ceres run away with it?" said Maria.
"Maria, Ceres would never do such a thing. He's a very serious man," said Mel.
"Oh no, Mel, I'm joking, just joking," said Maria.
Money hasn't been transferred from the church. When we inquired further, we learned that Ceres handled all the paperwork submissions to the church and adventurers, and without those submissions, we wouldn't receive any money.
I asked Mel, the smartest one among us, to handle the paperwork.
"Sure, I can do it, but this is as troublesome as writing a letter of advice to the Lord! If I'm going to do this, I'd like to be exempted from the other tasks."
That's what she said, but...
"Mel, doesn't that sound funny? Ceres was doing all the chores while doing the paperwork."
"Lida, then why don't you do this paperwork for me? You can read and write, right? Maria too, you can do it! By then, I'll do the chores... Really, I don't like this!"
She was clearly furious.
I had no choice but to exempt Mel from chores and ask her to handle the paperwork and applications.
"Filing reports iit's a pain in the ass! Why is it so complicated? Hey, Zect, tell me later the names of the things you bought recently and how much they cost! Also, tell me your immediate goals and what kind of training it will be for defeating the Demon King!"
Even so, Mel always seems irritable.
Even our meals are affected.
The food made by the three of them doesn't taste good.
"Lida... can't you do something about this?" said Maria.
"If you don't like the food I make, Maria can make it, or Zect can make it. Mel is an exemption..." said Lida.
"I won't complain... because Lida is better than me." saud Maria.
Well, when Maria cooks food, she turns into charcoal, so the salt-grilled rice that swordsman Lida makes is still better.
'Ah, how delicious Ceres's omelet rice was.'
I thought about that.
I didn't need to say it; I'm sure the three of them were thinking the same thing.
In the end, because I didn't want to wash women's underwear and clothes, arranging accommodations, and shopping became my responsibilities.
Maria took care of the dishwashing.
But then, we can't focus on our mission like this... I'm sure all three of them are thinking the same thing.
Day by day, we're getting dirtier.
Their hairstyles, Maria's and Mel's, are messy.
The only one still well-groomed is Lida.
So, I asked her, to fix this.
"Isn't that impossible?"
"Why would it be impossible? I buy everything from toner to shampoo for everyone."
"Well, as far as the hairstyle is concerned, I just tie my hair back, so there is no problem as long as I wash it neatly, okay? But their hair was done at their request, dried and braided by Ceres... and they can't do it themselves, so it will be messy".
Ceres again, even here. At this rate, we can't have a serious journey.
We have to do something before we all get tired. We tried consulting the Adventurer's Guild and the church, but it was futile.
"They say there are people good at chores, but no one strong enough to protect themselves."
Those skilled in chores lack strength and can't fend off enemies at our level. The strong individuals, on the other hand, aren't skilled in household tasks and are hesitant to join us because they earn well elsewhere. We're stuck.
"Should we apologize to Ceres and ask him to come back?"
"Yeah."
"That might be the only option."
Indeed, there wasn't much choice.
"Now, about the conditions..."
It was apparent that I wanted to have a harem party and had expelled him for that reason. We needed to rectify that.
"""..."""
Everyone knew what needed to be done.
"Someone has to become Ceres's lover..."
It was a difficult decision.
"Yeah."
"Indeed."
"That seems to be the only way."
We hadn't decided who it would be, but for now, we had a plan in place.
We decided to go to the Adventurer's Guild to submit a letter. We wrote a sincere letter of apology and included our conditions.
1. A promise to provide living expenses and necessary funds.
2. Recognizing one of the three of us as an official fiancé.
3. Assurances of status after defeating the Demon King.
We had thought it through on our own.
We truly reflected on our actions...
"Zect-sama, there's a letter for you."
A letter had arrived from Ceres.
"A letter?!"
"Yes, it's from Ceres-sama."
"A letter from Ceres!"
"I wonder what's written in it. Maybe he's lonely after being expelled?"
"Yeah, he's our childhood friend, so I'm worried."
"That's a relief..."
"Alright, Ceres will come back, and we'll apologize sincerely. Also, I'm sorry..."
"I understand. If Ceres chooses one of us as his fiancé, then that should be fine. Even if it's me."
"Well, yeah, at this point, there's no other choice."
"Right."
"Then... let's open it—It can't be true..."
"""What's wrong?"""
The letter said that Ceres and my mom had gotten married... that's what was written.
Huh... it's true?
Why did I forget about it?
Ceres had said it since we were kids.
'I like Shizuko-san.'
'When I grow up, I want to marry Auntie Shizuko-san.'
He had said that.
But what the hell was my old man doing?
Sure, we didn't get along well, and Mom was an annoying, awful hag...
I had a pile of money for my bridal gift, and he sold her off... That's not something normal people do...
No, it is... maybe my old man hated Mom. Maybe he only saw her as a servant for household chores. When Mom, who was so serious and diligent, became a burden after we had money, he decided to get rid of her... probably.
I remembered. That bastard of a father, when Ceres had said those things when we were kids...
'When I grow up, I want to marry Shizuko-san.'
'Oh, yeah, by the time you're 15, she'll be a fine woman... I'll give you a gold coin if you let me have her.'
He had said that, right?
Why did I forget? None of us three originally were who Ceres liked. He liked Mom. Both my old man and Mom had gotten tired of each other. If I had realized it sooner... I could have paid my old man to separate them, maybe even given Ceres a gold coin like he wanted. Mom could have moved to a different inn. Why didn't I realize it? Why did I forget...
"Hahaha, it's Shizuko-san, huh? Yeah, he's been fond of her since childhood, unwavering."
"I never thought he meant it when he said that as a kid..."
"This is impossible... Let's give up, Zect."
"Yeah, let's give up."
I had forgotten who my best friend had loved. He really loved Mom, huh?
There was a note from Mom: "Don't interfere~♡."
But then, I really didn't want to see those two lovey-dovey.
"""Zect"""
"Let’s give up"
I tore up the letter I had written.
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