After lunch, my family guided and toured the Grise family around the city, providing them entertainment. We did not have that much to offer, as the capital of the Grise Archduchy was larger and busier than my city.
Nevertheless, they seemed to be enjoying the day, but I could not say if it was just a facade to be ostensibly polite to us or if it was genuine. They also expressed their excitement when they saw our trains for the first time, and they said they could not wait to board them tomorrow.
We strolled around the city for a few hours, and the darkness enveloped the sky with its void. A banquet was prepared for our special guests, and our residence was quite lively tonight.
"What a wonderful night, isn't it?"
"Truly, it is."
"Indeed, Raphael. The stars are so mesmerizing."
Clink.
While the great hall was filled with colliding glasses and men's laughter, I secluded myself in the garden outside. Staring at the countless jewels of the clear night sky, I stood in between my future wives, Iris and Sophia, with a glass of beverage in our hands, cheering a toast.
While Iris and I had whiskey, which I branded moonshine in this world, Sophia took a wine with a low alcohol content that suited her gentle tolerance. This night was special, and I could not afford it if she was sleeping soundly after being knocked out by a shot of strong whiskey.
"Sigh. Even though I am the lord of this domain, I chose to relax her together with my precious girls. I should be tending our guests, but my parents insisted they would be doing it instead."
"I think there is no problem with taking a rest, Raphael," Iris said. "Perhaps you stressed out yourself this recently and your parents wanted you to take it slow?"
"You are right, Iris." Sophia nodded her head. "Even before he attended the academy, Raphael has been exerting so much effort for his family. He started a business from scratch, almost killing himself in order to get stronger, conquering the most difficult dungeon, and even establishing a whole new nation."
"Well, I wondered about that too and asked them about it." I responded. "We already have my sister, who inherited Mother's abilities, and she could be the next head. However, they were the first homosexual couple on this continent's nobility, and they had been targets of criticism at that time."
"Society won't completely understand and accept everything novel. We cannot control people after all."
"True. After having my sister, my parents doubted that people wouldn't accept her as their next ruler as this world is mostly following patriarchy. In order to fit in with society as well as secure the prosperity of our domain, they ultimately decided to conceive a man, and here I am."
"So that's the story behind it. It must be hard for them," Iris said, and then she grabbed my arm. "But I am glad they did."
"Fufu," Sophia giggled, locking her arm with mine. "I am glad that they made the Raphael I love so much."
"Thank you, Iris, Sophia. But now that I think about it, I have been wondering, What if I was born female? Will you two stay like this?"
Suddenly, that thought surfaced in my mind, and I unconsciously blurted it out. Hearing that, Iris and Sophia seemed to be dumbfounded by it and dazed for a few seconds.
"Well," Sophia said first. "If that were the case, for me, I probably would not be standing next to you as I am not really into the same gender. But since we were related, we might be seeing more often, so there would be time for me to love you."
"How sweet, Sophia."
"If you only changed physically, then I don't have a problem loving you," Iris said. "It doesn't matter what you look like; I only have my eyes on you, Raphael. I don't mind loving a woman, as long as it's you."
"If you say so, Iris."
They said these words as if our relationship were a canon event, no matter what timeline it was. But I was really glad and relieved when I heard them say that.