"......I think it would be better to ask Rinos himself."
Rico huffs and puffs as he mutters. Mei and Sidhi nodded slowly with worried expressions on their faces.
It all started when Siddee pointed out to them that they had to go to the restaurant. It was a normal breakfast time. A meal with the children. Everyone was tucking into the food prepared by Peris and the others, while paying attention to the children's condition. Rinos, however, seemed to be in a somewhat languid mood. Sidi saw this and felt uneasy. He had a feeling that something important was about to happen.
In fact, Rinos was so busy with his political affairs these days that he fell asleep as soon as he got into bed. The other day, when she entered the bedroom, Rinos was already asleep and Sidhi slowly put her face on his palm so as not to wake him up.
The same thing happened to Rico and Mei when they entered the bedroom and Linos was already asleep. Both of them thought he was just tired, but after hearing Sidie's story, they had a hunch that something was wrong.
Just to be sure, they asked Matkal and Soleil about it as well. They found that Linos did not sleep when they were together. Moreover, Matocal did not say much, but Soleil told them with a blush on her face that recently she had been asked for many times until the night fell. In the end, it turned out that these days Linos had been holding Matocal and Soleil in his arms all night long, without leaving their side.
Liko felt sad for a moment when she learned this, but quickly changed her mind. Linos is not a man who despises his wives. Perhaps there was a reason for it. Since the incident with Hayes, Liko had developed an unshakable trust in Rinos. She visited Rinos' office one afternoon to hear what he had to say.
"Here you go. ...... what's that? Come in."
There was a knock at the door of his office, and I motioned for him to come in, but he showed no sign of coming in. I thought maybe they didn't hear my voice, so I answered in a louder voice, but still no one came in. I thought it was a prank by someone, but the door slowly opened.
"Excuse me, sir."
"...... Rico⁉ Huh? Hey, ......, what's going on?"
Unable to hide my dismay, I stood up. Rico is in his busy season at this time of the year, and he could not afford to come to my room. I think about the reason why he forced himself to come to my room. But I can't think of anything. I can't think of anything, but I can't ...... think of anything ....... I wait for Rico's words with my head spinning. She slowly opens her mouth without changing her expression at all, keeping her eyes on me.
"I want to make sure of something, sir.
"You want to make sure ......?"
"You look tired these days. It's because of your obsession with Mato and Soleil. ....... Isn't that why you are tired?"
"Ew? I, no, I mean, you know... It's not that ...... that's what's going on, but, you know, what is it? After all, it's that thing. Yes, that's it. It's that thing. Yes, that's it. What shall we call it ......?"
"Linos, please calm down. I'm not accusing you of anything.
"uuuh ......"
"I don't care if you love Mato and Soleil. It's just that you suddenly seem to be ...... worried that something is wrong."
"Um, no, I mean, you know, it's not that there's anything wrong with ......."
I don't know what to say to him, and I'm in a quandary. This is not good. As I was in a hurry, Rico suddenly grabbed me by both shoulders. I looked at her in surprise, and her pretty face was right in front of mine.
"Linos, calm down. It's okay. I will never hate you.
"Please calm down. Please calm down. In the house there is Peris and Ruara and the children. I thought this would be the best place for us to talk alone. I am sorry for interrupting your work. Please don't be angry with me."
I'm not mad at you, Rico is worried about me. I should be grateful to her, but it is outrageous to be angry with her.
Rico makes me sit on a chair and brings his own chair from his side and sits right next to me, knee to knee with me. He took my left hand in both of his and asked me what was wrong with me. He asked gently.
"...... No, I can't help but lose my patience when I see Soleil and Mato."
I open my mouth apologetically. Rico has a serious look on his face. At what point in time? He asks me a question.
"Oh, no, about a month ago? It's nothing when we're eating or when we're in the house. But when we take a bath ...... together and go to the bedroom, that ...... ......"
"You can't control your lust, can you?"
I nodded my head. Rico's hand is getting a little stronger. In proportion, my heart beats faster. I know I shouldn't be doing this, but somehow, I can't stop it. I know this is a complete excuse, but Soleil is very happy to see me like this. Rather, she is on fire and won't let go of me. So, I keep working hard until the night falls, and then I fall asleep as if I had run out of energy. I wake up exhausted, but Soleil wakes up full of energy, as if she is in great shape. Like me, she has hardly slept at all, but for some reason, she is in high spirits.
"......Well, Soleil is a ceilidh. Besides, it's only once a week. I guess it's not that much of a burden. But Linos is in the same state as Mato, right? That would break ...... your body. ...... understand. Linos himself wants to do something about it, but there is nothing he can do, is there? Okay. I'll look into it. I sense a conspiracy.
"Conspiracy?"
"Yes. It's not right. It's hard to believe that Linos, who has always loved us equally, would suddenly change his mind. I'm convinced of it by what I just heard.
"Rico ...... that ...... don't you get angry?"
"I have no reason to be angry."
She has a gentle smile on her face. Yes, this kind smile. I love this smile. Rico usually has something harsh to say, but this smile heals people. That is why I, May and other wives, Ferris and children respect Rico. I hug her. Her smile makes me fall in love with Rico all over again.
Rico strokes my back gently. Then she whispers to me in a small voice.
"We are always protected by Rinos. Please let me protect him for once with my own hands.
"Yes, please."
Rico nodded broadly, stood up slowly, and walked toward the door. As he was leaving the room, he looked back in my direction.
"...... I am worried about Rinos, but after what you just said, I am also worried about Mato. A woman's body is delicate. Please be gentle and kind to her.
"......Oh, okay."
I promised right then and there that I would not bathe with Soleil and Mato for a while, and that we would not sleep together. Hearing these words, Rico left the room strongly.
Rico's energy was amazing, and two days after she started her investigation, a surprising conspiracy emerged. I was filled with a shiver like never before when I heard this. .......