第２０２掘：けっ (Part2)
"……Eh? Did you just say 'two'?"
"Yeah, I did. I can't just toss you aside after dragging you into a situation like this, can I? That is, if Jessica wishes for it. Well, I’m sure there are plenty of other good men out there, so you don't have to accept this ring if you don't want to."
With that, I pulled a luxurious ring case from my pocket. The design was, of course, the same as the ones I’d given my other wives. To be honest, my wives had been scolding me, telling me it was high time I spoke up myself. Jessica was so earnest that she would never be the one to bring it up, and given her sense of duty, it was difficult for her to even entertain such feelings. They warned me that if things continued this way, she’d likely spend her whole life as my guard, remaining single forever, and that I needed to take responsibility.
Jessica, stunned by my awkward confession and the sight of the ring, stood there with her mouth agape before finally reaching out to take the case.
"……If you're confused, we can talk about this another day, you know? You don't have to—"
"I will not accept it 'by force.' Even I have enough judgment to decide that much."
Jessica cut me off before I could finish. She took the ring out and tried to hand it back to me.
"Do you not want it after all?"
"N-no!! That’s not it!! A ring is something the man is supposed to put on for you, isn't it?!"
"……Is that what this is about?"
"What do you mean 'is that what this is about'?! You really are oblivious in the strangest places!!"
For once, Jessica raised her voice, berating me. Her point was valid, so I took the ring back and slid it onto the ring finger of her left hand.
"Ah, well, you know. Sorry for being so thoughtless."
"……No. I was being a bit childish myself. But……"
"But?"
Did I step on another landmine?
"……Ugh. Ria, is it always this overwhelming?"
She burst into tears right there and clung to Ria.
"Oh my, that won't do, Jessica. For things like this, you really should be leaning on your husband's chest."
Ria said that and immediately pushed Jessica toward me. It would have been too dense to dodge, so I caught her properly.
"……I will devote myself to you. For the rest of my life, I will be your sword and shield, Yuki, and support you as your wife. *Sniff*……"
As I held Jessica in my arms, I suddenly realized something. Everyone gathered around the well was watching us with smirking faces.
"Look, look, Mother!"
"My, I thought they were scary because they looked like an occupying force, but she’s actually quite adorable."
"Saw something good today."
"……But isn't the husband a bit too blunt?"
"……Don't be silly. Don't you think it's amazing to confess in front of everyone like this?"
*Oh no.* Knowing Jessica, I’d assumed it would be a binary choice: either she’d accept it calmly or turn me down flat! I never expected her to be so overcome with emotion that she’d cry!
"Okay, report this quickly!"
"Understood!"
"Got it!"
"Kirue, are you there?! Jessica-san has joined the family! We’re going to have a grand celebration today!"
The little ones were already contacting the other wives. They are truly terrifying.
"……It’s quite a scene, but are you really okay with this?"
"……This is exactly what I wanted."
We didn't go as far as kissing right there, but we stood close, staring into each other's eyes, and ended up laughing at our own situation. Yeah, life is just too hard to figure out. Especially the female heart.
***
**Side: The Low-Ranking Goblins**
We’ve been performing our duties—maintaining public order and mapping the city under the guise of being "slaves," so to speak... and we happened to witness the scene between the Boss and Jessica-nee-san.
Well, we knew this was going to happen sooner or later. But, please, let us do this just once.
"““Tch.””"
Life—no, *goblin-life*—is unfair.
Oh, I should report this to Captain Steve again. I wonder if anyone managed to record a video?
Anyway, I pray that none of you end up like us goblins. As for Jessica, now that she’s been given the ring, it feels like her true emotions are finally coming out, rather than just her soldier persona.
Well, *may all the happy couples explode.*
And while Jessica’s story might have provided the punchline, we *are* actually making progress on the city’s development. We’re installing pumps. It’s a classic. Yuki is doing his job properly, so don't get the wrong idea.
But that doesn't make the jealousy go away!!