<Chapter 156>
<Epilogue>
The wedding of Calix Kuse Padrian, the young head of the Padrian family, proceeded quickly. A wedding taking place while many people were suffering from an epidemic could have potentially been subject to criticism, but as news spread about Padrian pouring substantial funds and manpower into resolving the crisis, controversy quickly subsided.
Although an uneasy atmosphere remained throughout the continent due to the epidemic cleanup, no such feeling was present at the wedding venue. The fact that the entire Crosel family, rarely seen by ordinary people, was in attendance added to the mystique of the wedding.
In addition, numerous people who had received Calix’s help during this crisis were present. Especially as news spread that the person newly joining the Padrian family—famous for bloodlines not easily continued—was already carrying two precious children before marriage, the Padrian family and its branch families offered abundant blessings.
“Congratulations on your marriage.”
Melty looked up at the cheerful voice and smiled brightly when he recognized the person.
“Lila-ssi!”
Lila’s lips naturally curled into a smile at the enthusiastic welcome. She handed Melty the orange juice she had brought for him and glanced at his slightly protruding belly.
“And here you were, insisting to me that you didn’t like him…”
Lila muttered with a sidelong glance, as if sulking. Even as she brought up the topic, a gentle smile remained on her lips. Melty laughed brightly at her voice, full of affectionate complaint.
“I heard the Padrian family has difficulty conceiving children, but I guess that problem is solved now.”
“I’m happy everyone is congratulating us.”
Melty giggled and habitually tried to swing his feet but was stopped. The wedding was magnificent, and Calix in his formal uniform was handsome enough to mesmerize people. The food was delicious, and the reception that followed the ceremony was filled with elements that made Melty happy.
“Where is Lord Calix?”
“Hmm… over there.”
Melty pointed to a spot. Calix was standing there with a crooked posture, smiling with a face full of irritation. His changing expressions told quite a story, causing Lila to stroke her neck and let out an awkward laugh.
“He’s busy.”
“Indeed.”
As soon as they entered the reception, Calix became busy. He had left saying he would be right back, but a considerable amount of time had passed, and Calix had not easily escaped from the crowd. Lila quickly spoke up as she observed Melty’s face becoming sullen.
“It can’t be helped. Padrian’s influence on the continent right now is among the top few. While some people are attending the wedding because they have connections with Padrian, others are naturally struggling to form some kind of relationship.”
Melty nodded as he listened to Lila and sipped his drink.
“Calix-ssi hasn’t mentioned anything about it…”
“What’s the point of telling such things to a pregnant person? Ah, I don’t mean to worry you. Honestly, it’s not something Melty needs to concern himself with.”
Lila clicked her tongue lightly and shook her head from side to side. As if something had just occurred to her, she clapped her hands, then leaned in and whispered to Melty.
“Make sure to look at my wedding gift in private.”
“…What is it?”
Lila’s lips curled into a joyful smile at Melty’s gaze filled with curiosity. Melty’s face floated with curiosity at her satisfied smile. Lila, who gazed contentedly at Melty’s expression, winked instead of answering.
“It’s a secret, of course. But you definitely won’t be disappointed!”
Melty blinked quietly with a puzzled expression at her confident demeanor. Before Melty, filled with curiosity, could open his mouth, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“What’s the use of the main character being tucked away in a corner like this!”
Melty’s face spread into a bright smile as he turned his head and recognized the person with the rough, hearty voice.
“Kamin Patel-ssi!”
“Wahaha! On such a joyous day, we should have a drink!”
He was holding two large wooden beer mugs. Though the mugs did not match the splendid and elegant reception venue at all, Melty could guess the situation from the servant shaking his head behind Kamin. Apparently, Kamin had insisted on bringing this type of mug. Kamin held out one of the mugs to Melty.
“What kind of mug is this?”
“Ah, if you’re going to drink, you need a solid mug for the taste! Wahaha!”
Melty accepted the mug with a bemused expression and sniffed it. The mug smelled of tangy orange juice. Kamin lightly ruffled Melty’s hair as he looked up at him.
“A reception like this should be enjoyed with excitement. You like this, don’t you?”
The heavy-looking mug in his hand swayed from side to side. Finally understanding Kamin’s intention, Melty smiled brightly and clinked his mug against the one Kamin offered.
“Hehe. Cheers!”
“…’Cheers’ is not right!”
With a sudden voice, a hand abruptly appeared and snatched the mug from Melty. With eyes widened in obvious shock, Melty looked up at Calix.
“My mug!”
Despite reaching out with both hands, Calix merely moved the mug further away. Of course, he didn’t forget to snap at Kamin with a sharp voice.
“Are you in your right mind?!”
Kamin let out his characteristic hearty laugh and emptied his mug cleanly, despite Calix’s voice that seemed ready for a mud-slinging fight at any moment.
“Completely in my right mind! Wahaha!”
“What are you trying to feed a pregnant person?”
“Calix-ssi, it just looks like that; it’s just a soft drink.”
Melty grumbled while poking Calix’s side with his finger. At his complaint, Calix belatedly examined the mug in his hand closely. The tangy smell was unmistakably that of a soft drink.
“Haa… You scared me.”
“I’ve heard about your overprotectiveness… Wahaha! Well, it’s understandable since it’s your first child.”
“…It would be the same even if it wasn’t the first. Don’t teach him strange things.”
Calix chuckled as he looked at Melty with his cheeks puffed up, and reached out his hand toward him. After eyeing the outstretched hand suspiciously, Melty reluctantly took it.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Oh my, are the main characters leaving already?”
At Lila’s voice filled with regret, Calix kissed the back of Melty’s hand that he was holding.
“I don’t want to waste the first night.”
Melty, his face turning red, pulled on Calix’s hand. Calix willingly moved his feet at Melty’s touch, urging him to hurry because he was embarrassed. Melty responded with a beaming smile to the piercing gazes of family members at his back. The Crosel family members waved their hands with faint smiles, as if they couldn’t help it, at his face dripping with happiness. Melty didn’t forget to smile at Kamin, who was shouting at the top of his lungs to let him know if Calix ever did anything bad.
Calix frowned at the sight of Melty repeatedly turning back and smiling brightly. He reached out with his hand that wasn’t holding Melty’s and covered Melty’s eyes. A muffled laugh erupted from Melty’s mouth at this wordless expression of jealousy, telling him not to look back.
“Where are you taking me?”
“Our room.”
“Hmm…”
Calix seemed cute, being jealous over such small things. Melty gradually moved his steps and snuggled up against Calix’s side, looking up at him with a bright smile.
“What are we going to do in the room?”
At Melty’s cute question, Calix looked down at him with a mischievous expression. Before they knew it, there was a clicking sound as the door closed. Having completely blocked the exit, Calix asked a question.
“What do you want to do?”
At Calix’s question, Melty exhaled forcefully through his nose, grabbed Calix’s hand, and headed for the bed. Unlike when he had taken the lead in bringing Melty to the room, Calix obediently followed behind him toward the bed. Calix’s face was filled with curiosity about what Melty was going to do. Melty pushed Calix’s body, which was standing right in front of the bed.
Calix willingly lay back at his touch. He could feel the soft bed beneath his body. Melty vigorously shook his feet and boldly climbed on top of Calix.
A deep smile formed on Calix’s lips at the scene, identical to one he had seen before. He gently stroked Melty’s belly, which had now visibly rounded. Melty shuddered at Calix’s touch and opened his mouth.
“I asked, and they said it’s safe now because I’m in the stable period.”
Melty spoke energetically, with a playful smile on his lips. A deflating sound escaped from between Calix’s lips as he carefully observed the vitality that appeared on Melty’s face. He couldn’t understand where such a brazen and lovable creature had sprung from.
“So what are you going to do?”
In response to Calix’s question, Melty placed his hand on Calix’s chest, leaned in slightly, and whispered:
“I’m going to pounce on Calix-ssi.”
Calix burst into laughter at the always confident and seductive voice. No matter how you looked at him, from the front or the side, Melty, with his soft appearance, was quite good at making such bold statements.
Really fearless.
That innocent threat always made Calix happy. Calix reached out and carefully stroked Melty’s belly. Even when he first heard about Melty’s pregnancy, it still didn’t feel real. He carefully turned to the side while embracing Melty. Melty, who had been surprised by the sudden touch and opened his eyes wide, giggled as if amused by the soft sensation of the bed.
“Wow.”
“Wow?”
After bursting into laughter and then stopping, Melty blankly looked up at the ceiling and exclaimed in admiration. Calix, resting his chin on his hand and idly placing his hand on Melty’s hair and cheek, repeated his word exactly.
“…When I first came here, I thought I was going to be eaten.”
Melty murmured with a nostalgic expression. When he had first opened his eyes in Calix’s spacious room, he had thought he would undoubtedly become a meal for the snake beastman.
“Ah yes. I told you I would absolutely not eat you, but you simply wouldn’t believe me.”
Calix grumbled, expressing his disgruntlement as he successfully joined Melty on his trip down memory lane. Recalling how he had frantically tried to escape as soon as he faced Calix, Melty again burst into chuckling laughter.
Could he have ever imagined that the person who had frightened him so much would become his lover and companion?
Melty’s gaze, which had swept across the ceiling and familiar room, slowly reached Calix. Calix, who had been quietly watching his brown eyes move, smiled deeply when their gazes met.
“…I’m so happy right now. I guess coming here was the right decision after all.”
Calix was overcome with emotion at Melty’s whisper. It was as if the “happiness” uttered from Melty’s lips had infected him. And at that moment, Calix was certain that no matter how much time passed, he would never be able to win against Melty.
“Yes. Me too.”
Calix slowly bent down and kissed Melty’s round forehead. Bursting into another small laugh, Melty said with a bold face:
“Then we should spend our first night together, right? I heard the first night is the most important part of a wedding.”
Calix couldn’t help but laugh at his confident manner, even clenching his fist as he spoke. Calix tapped Melty’s chubby cheek with his index finger and languidly whispered from a distance close enough that their lips might touch at any moment.
“Now that’s a seductive proposition.”
With this adorable hamster, even being captive for life wouldn’t be so bad. After all, he would surely be happy with him at any time.
