Second chapter to celebrate my birthday.
"Uncle." Before I sat down, Claudia called out to me. Hmm, I wonder what it is?
"Would you mind if I sit on uncle's lap for the first time in a while?"
Claudia makes this request, she probably wants to be spoiled again after not seeing me after a long time.
But.
"Dia."
My sister-in-law chides her. "Uncle has just returned from a long journey and is tired. Come here." My sister-in-law urges her to sit on her lap instead of bothering me. But. "It doesn't matter, sister-in-law. I missed Dia as much as Dia missed me."
As someone who was hungry for physical contact with my niece after a long time, there was no reason for me to decline the offer. In fact, I would like to request it from you. "Really? If Charles says it's okay, that's fine." My sister-in-law, who knew how attached Claudia was to me and how much I doted on her, didn't particularly try to stop me.
"Please excuse me, uncle." Claudia says so and sits on my lap. A soft weight is placed on my body. As expected, three years was not a short time, and she was much heavier than before. "You've grown up, Dia. You'll be a fine adult in a few years." Those words came out of my mouth as I felt the growth of my cute niece.
"Of course, I'm looking forward to being an adult, but..."
"Hmmm?"
"When I grow up, I won't be able to have my uncle do these things for me, so I feel a little sad.'' "Oh my, Dia really loves her uncle. I'm a little jealous." My sister-in-law, who was listening to our conversation, said something like that.
Jealous of me or Claudia, I wonder? Anyway, this is how we took our seats.
"Please, drink."
That's what my sister-in-law said and while offering me some tea. Prompted by those words, I inhaled the scent rising from the cup to my heart's content. "It smells nice. When I drink the tea that my sister-in-law brewed for me, I feel like I've come back to my hometown of Braidea." "Oh, Charles can make himself some tea, right?" "Yes. I do sometimes brew it myself, but it's rather crude. I can't make it as deliciously as my sister-in-law does. Besides." "Oh, what else?" "Tea made for me by someone else tastes better than tea I brew myself.''
"I'm sure that's true. Now, out of the breads Charles brought, which ones does everyone want?"
"I'm going to have strawberry jam bread, how about you uncle?"
"I'd like some black bread, please. Sister-in-law, you can also choose whatever you like." "Well, I'd like some raisin bread." My sister-in-law gives each person a portion on their own plate.
After such an exchange, we decided to eat the bread.
"It's very sweet and delicious, Uncle."
"I see, I'm glad Dia was happy with it. My bread also has a strong barley taste and is delicious." "This raisin bread is delicious too. I wonder if Charles doesn't like sweet bread too much?"
"I don't hate sweet bread but..."
"Hmm."
"I like the fragrant smell of barley better. Soft bread also doesn’t have enough chewiness for me." Whether you like it or not, the coarse wheat grains give your teeth a pleasant chew. "If I remember correctly, Charles was close friends with the owner of that shop." "Yes. That's why I received freshly baked bread."
"Then, it's because of Charles's kindness that we are able to receive delicious bread like this. We should be grateful, Dia." "Yes, mother." We enjoyed the taste of the bread for a while, while making small talk.
"So Charles."
My sister-in-law starts the conversation.
"Yes." "Where have you been and what have you been doing for the past three years?" "I traveled to many countries around the world to train as a warrior and earn money.'' It wasn't a lie, but I answered in a vague manner. There was no way I could make them worry by honestly answering that I was touring dungeons alone.
"So, how was it?"
"Nice. I was able to learn a lot of the new hero's secret techniques, and I was able to earn a fair amount of money. Also, I think I was able to get a lot of good equipment."
"I see, so you gained a lot, that's good. However..."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"Please don't do anything reckless. You've always been reckless."
She gives me such advice.
Although my sister-in-law is not one to get anxious, she seems to be concerned about her daredevil brother-in-law, no matter how old I get.
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind."
I nodded obediently at her words. I'm aware that it's a bad habit of mine.
"It’s good to be honest. That's a good answer that I wouldn't have expected from the past you."
"I'd appreciate it if you could spare me that. I'm still a young, immature kid, but in the past, I was a truly fearless child."
"I see. Shall I end my sermon here? Will you be able to stay in Braidea for a while?"
"About that." "Is there something?" "Since my older brothers have passed away one after another, it looks like I'll be given a certain role as well, so it looks like I'll be staying here for quite a while this time."
"Really, uncle!"
Claudia looks genuinely happy at my words.
"How long will it be?"
"It's a minimum of a year, whether it's a just one or several years. I don't know."
"A year or two at the minimum..." Muttering that, my sister-in-law seemed to be thinking about it a little. "Charles." "Yes, sister-in-law." "You have lived relatively freely until now." "Yes." "Are you ok with this?" "Of course." Without even thinking about it, I answered immediately.
"Until now, my older brothers were with me, so I had no worries and was able to indulge in debauchery." "True." "The situation is different now. I'm well aware that I'm the only one left, although I won't be able to do much, I think it's natural for me to do my best for the country."
"You have really grown, Charles."
"No, in fact, I've been spoiled by my older brothers and been too sloppy up until now. From now on, I plan to live my life with my feet firmly planted on the ground."
"Since you were able to earn a living on your own, I don't think I should look down on you that much."
Saying so my sister-in-law continues her words.
"If Charles is here, Braidea's future will be safe." "I'm very honored to hear that from my sister-in-law."
"Oh, do you also agree?"
"I hope it will be so."
"Don't worry. Charles is my pride and joy, and Dia is proud of her uncle. We are counting on you."
"Yes, I will do my best to meet your expectations."
"Hehe." My sister-in-law smiles mischievously. "What's wrong, sister-in-law?" "Nothing just, Charles, who used to be so naughty, has become able to give such firm answers. Even though I don't like it, I can't help but feel the flow of time. I'm getting old." "You still look as beautiful as you did in the past, I think you've only become more beautiful."
"See, right there. Those words would never have come out of the old Charles." "I was to embarrassed in the past, so it just didn't come out of my mouth, but I always thought that sister-in-law was beautiful.'' "Oh, that's my first time hearing that." Saying that, sister-in-law gave me a surprised look.
Claudia joins our conversation and says something like that.
"Dia......"
My sister-in-law was overwhelmed with emotion by those words. "Thank you, Dia." I gently stroke the head of my dear niece, who is so cute that no matter how much I dote on her, it would never be enough.
"I have a kind and beautiful sister-in-law, and an obedient and cute niece, so I'm the one who can be proud." After that conversation drew to a close, I moved to broach a subject.
Chapter length 3655 characters.
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