The Jewel Cat might have been a bit unusual, but she was still a cat at heart.
She often tucked herself away inside the kotatsu in my room. When she grew too warm, she would climb out and lounge on top of it to cool off. She hadn't quite reached the point where she would sprawl out on her back yet, but I felt she had settled in reasonably well. She even slept on my lap from time to time.
It was quite endearing, really.
However, that particular spot was apparently a luxury far beyond what a newcomer was allowed. Kuro eventually stepped in, gently picking up the Jewel Cat by the scruff of her neck to move her elsewhere. Once the spot was clear, Kuro rested his chin on my knee.
"There, there."
He and I had been together for a long time now. I understood how he felt.
"I'll pet you too, Yuki, so don't try to push Kuro aside."
I gave them both some attention.
"Yes, yes. I'll pet you as well, Lu, so there's no need to line up."
"Oh, Alfred? You've come over too?"
I laughed as he joined the group.
"What did you get up to today, Alfred? Ah, Daga and Galf were teaching you the sword? I see. At the rate you're going, you’ll be stronger than me—than your father—in no time. Keep working hard."
"By the way, it's Daga-san and Galf-san. It isn't right for you to address them so informally."
When he mentioned that Urza had said it was fine, I sighed.
"I understand. I'll give her a talking-to. No, wait... scratch that. If I scold her now, it'll look like you were tilling on her. I’ll wait until I catch her in the act and give her a warning then."
"Hmm? Tia and Tiselle are here too? Come on in and join us. Don't be shy at this late stage. Ann, you should bring Torain over as well."
I had been saying this for a while, but Torain was my son too. He was Alfred’s younger brother. Unless he truly desired it for himself, I had no intention of forcing him into the role of a servant. I had expressed similar sentiments to Ria and the others, but I hadn't seen much progress yet. I didn't want to make distinctions between the children.
Perhaps it was simply the customs of this world or the traditions of their respective races. While I believed in following local customs when in Rome, I wanted them to understand my personal philosophy regarding my children. I decided we would have to discuss it properly another time.
Since we had so many people gathered, I suggested a game of cards. It was winter, after all. If we were going to play, we might as well call the others.
Hiichiro was... still taking his nap. I felt bad for even considering disturbing him.
As for Urza, she was apparently running around outside with Gral. I hoped they hadn't gone into the Forest. Oh, Hakuren was with them?
I could only imagine them heading straight into the woods. Still, with her there, it should have been fine. It seemed some of Kuro's children were accompanying them as well.
Ria and her group sent word that they would join us "later," but that wasn't going to fly. I told the messenger there would be no more arguments and to bring them over immediately.
"There, there."
"Hmm? Alfred and Tiselle would rather play Karuta? Torain and Lilius want to play as well?"
I didn't mind, but I warned them that Lu and Tia wouldn't go easy on them. Ann wouldn't either.
"Alright, Karuta it is."
Dividing the groups into adults and children didn't feel quite right for this. Instead, I decided on a team tournament. I had the mothers and children form pairs—Lu and Alfred, Tia and Tiselle, and so on.
"As for me... alright, Cat. Come here. Don't just stay in the corner, join the fun. You can partner with me... oh, you're partnering with the Jewel Cat instead?"
The Cat gave me a look that seemed almost apologetic.
"It’s fine, don't look at me like that. I understand. Let's both do our best."
Kuro was paired with Yuki. I asked one of Zabuton's children, who was positioned on the spider walk above the room holding a heat retention stone, to help out. They all tried to volunteer at once, but eventually, things settled down.
In the end, I was relegated to being the reader. It would have been boorish to single out a winner; the most important thing was that the family enjoyed themselves together.
Since we refrained from hunting during the winter, fresh meat was always a welcome treat. I was grateful for it, but...
"Hakuren, I really think taking Urza and Gral into the forest is a bit much."
"It wasn't the forest. It was a dungeon," she corrected.
"That's even worse!"
"Eh?"
"Don't give me 'Eh.' Was it the Southern Dungeon? The Northern? I don't recognize these magic beasts... I'm going to have to go and apologize to someone."
"Ah, no, it's fine. It was the Eastern Dungeon."
"The East?"
"Yes. It seems Kuro's children discovered it."
"This is the first I'm hearing of this."
"That's because they told us first."
"You..."
"We just went to confirm the location and clear out the monsters in the area."
"Did you go inside?"
"...Just a little. Really, just a tiny bit."
"And you managed to bring back this much prey from 'just a tiny bit'?"
"Ahaha... I planned to turn back if it looked dangerous, but things just sort of happened."
I wondered if a dragon like Hakuren even knew the meaning of the word 'dangerous.'
"Sigh. Well, as long as Urza and Gral are safe, I'll let it slide this time. But don't do it again."
"Okaay."
Urza and Gral were already fast asleep from exhaustion. I decided to save the scolding for when they woke up.
"Now, then. Draim."
"I... I was threatened by my sister and had no choice... I am deeply reflecting on my actions."
With Hakuren, Draim, and Gral all present, I suppose it was safe enough.
"Daga. Galf."
"It looked interesting... so we just couldn't help ourselves."
"The same goes for me."
The two of them were battered and bruised. Flora had used healing magic on them as she passed by, so they were out of danger, but apparently, there had even been some broken bones. I really wished they wouldn't be so reckless.
Finally, there were Kuro's children. They had discovered the Eastern Dungeon and spent several days running back to the village to report it, only to be snatched up by Hakuren the moment they arrived. She had then flown them back to the dungeon and kept them there until the end.
"Alright, you guys aren't to blame. Come here."
I petted them as a reward.
"Hey, they went into the dungeon too! That’s favoritism!" Hakuren complained.
"No, it isn't. They're victims."
While I was petting the group, a few of Kuro's children stayed back and didn't approach. I understood why. They had been in a position to watch over Urza and Gral and stop them, yet they had ended up joining in and enjoying the dungeon raid themselves. It was honest of them not to seek praise.
"As a punishment, there will be no petting for you today."
They looked incredibly dejected, their tails drooping low. I almost wavered, but I had to be strict.
"The next time we explore the Eastern Dungeon, we’ll do it properly and openly. Once you've reflected on what you've done, it’s time for dinner."
It was already late at night. The usual dinner at the mansion had ended long ago. The fresh meat they had secured would actually taste better in a few days, so I decided to whip something up with whatever was on hand.
"Hmm? The Sake Slime? What is it? I haven't started cooking yet."
Did the Saint want a late-night snack? The two of them had become quite close lately.
"Understood, I'll get something ready. I assume you want sake as well? I think you know this, but don't let the Saint have any."
The slime seemed to puff out its chest—or what passed for one—as if to say it wouldn't give her a single drop and would drink it all itself.
"I'll prepare some fruit juice for the Saint."